MMA News
Dana White says Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje is "trending to be the biggest fight" in UFC history
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Dana White is expecting the UFC 254 pay-per-view headlined by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje to do big business. In the lead up to the PPV, it has felt like a big fight as Nurmagomedov is a massive star and many think Gaethje is the toughest challenge for the champ. According to White, the trends for the fight is better than any other event they have done.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach believes McGregor is a tougher overall test when compared to Gaethje
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
Javier Mendez believes Khabib Nurmagomedov has already fought the toughest challenge for his title and that was Conor McGregor. In the main event of UFC 254, Nurmagomedov is set to defend his lightweight title against the interim champion, Justin Gaethje. In the lead up to the fight, many pundits have said Gaethje will be Khabib Nurmagomedov’s toughest test, which Mendez disagrees with.
PFL announces date, broadcast details for start of 2021 season
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the first organization to present MMA through a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship format, today announced that the 2021 PFL Season will begin April 23 on ESPN2 in primetime. The remaining Regular Season events will take place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. PFL will begin its 2021 season a month early as the league makes its anticipated return to action. “We’re thrilled to announce an early start date for the 2021 PFL Season and we look forward to building on the positive momentum experienced in a historic first season on ESPN,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “In 2021, the PFL will deliver an elevated, immersive, and interactive fan viewing experience incorporating expanded, real-time fighter data and analytics from our proprietary SmartCage technology, behind-the-scenes access, the return of ref cam, and more. Our champions return looking to earn another title, while a fresh crop of exciting new fighters will challenge for the top spot in MMA. Additional contenders will be unveiled in the lead-up to what we believe will be the biggest season in PFL history.”
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev matchup rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
A lightweight fight between Islam Makhachev and Rafael dos Anjos has been rescheduled for UFC Vegas 15 on November 14. This news was first reported by MMADNA.nl.
Michael Chandler explains disinterest in short-notice Islam Makhachev fight
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has explained why he wasn’t interested in fighting Islam Makhachev on short-notice. Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, is on standby on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in the event that Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje is unable to compete in the UFC 254 headliner this weekend. Makhachev, meanwhile, was scheduled to fight Rafael dos Anjos on the card, but was forced off the bill when the UFC couldn’t find him a replacement opponent after a dos Anjos injury.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 15 with Javier Mendez, Sam Alvey & Casey Kenney
Cole Shelton - October 20, 2020
The 15th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 254. We’re first joined by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s head coach, Javier Mendez (2:34). Next, UFC light heavyweight, Sam Alvey (16:27) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight, Casey Kenney (28:16).
Full betting odds released for UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje
Adam Martin - October 20, 2020
The full betting odds have been released for the 12 fights scheduled to take place at Saturday’s UFC 254: Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje event. In the main event, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov looks to unify his belt against interim champion Justin Gaethje. Nurmagomedov is 28-0 and is unbeaten in the UFC with a 12-0 record, including a submission win over Dustin Poirier in his last fight. As for Gaethje, he is currently riding a four-fight win streak.
Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier get heated over respective interim title wins
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier had a heated exchange on Tuesday, getting into it over their respective interim title wins. Poirier and Gaethje fought in 2018, with the former winning by fourth-round TKO. Poirier later went on to capture the UFC’s interim lightweight title with a win over Max Holloway, but lost it when he came up short in a title-unifying showdown with undisputed lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Michael Chandler still believes Tony Ferguson is "the logical, best choice" for UFC debut
Andrew Whitelaw - October 20, 2020
Michael Chandler is still eyeing a dance with Tony Ferguson for his first fight in the UFC. The pair were briefly intended to be the co-main event at UFC 254, but an agreement could not be reached. Speaking at the UFC 254 virtual media day, Chandler admitted that provided he doesn’t fight this weekend, “El Cucuy” is his preferred next opponent.
Justin Gaethje highlights key area where Tony Ferguson trumps Khabib Nurmagomedov
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Justin Gaethje has highlighted a key difference between his next opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov and his last foe, Tony Ferguson. Gaethje captured the UFC’s interim lightweight with a defeat of Ferguson back at UFC 249 in May. Gaethje was the picture of dominance in that fight, but Ferguson’s heart and toughness allowed him to survive until the fifth round, when he finally wilted under a storm of strikes.
Breaking: Marlon Vera slated for return opposite featherweight legend Jose Aldo at UFC 255
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
Marlon Vera will reportedly return to the Octagon at UFC 255, where he’ll take on former UFC featherweight champion and MMA legend Jose Aldo. News of this matchup was first reported by Brazilian publication Combate.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Dustin Poirier has shown “his weakness” by accepting rematch with Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2020
UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Dustin Poirier has shown his weakness by considering a 170-pound fight with Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor seem to be on the verge of agreeing to a January 23 showdown, more than six years on from their featherweight encounter at UFC 178. Alas, while both men are aiming to get another shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship owned by Nurmagomedov, McGregor continues to flirt with the idea of another bout at welterweight.
Josh Barnett to fight former KSW champ in special rules bare-knuckle fight this Friday
Tom Taylor - October 20, 2020
This Friday, former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett will battle former KSW champion Marcin Rozalsk. The bout will headline the first event from Genesis, a new bare-knuckle promotion from KSW, a massively successful MMA promotion out of Poland.
Khamzat Chimaev throws out old school suggestion for Dana White: “Let’s piss everybody off”
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2020
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has suggested the idea of fighting three times in one night to UFC president Dana White. After going 3-0 in 2020 with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Chimaev has quickly established himself as one to watch at both welterweight and middleweight. With a parade of fighters offering to take him on, it should come as no surprise that Chimaev is willing to go up against just about anyone the promotion puts in front of him.
Mike Perry issues statement denying abuse of ex-wife: "I did not put my hands on my ex"
Adam Martin - October 19, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry has issued a statement denying abuse of his ex-wife, saying that “I did not put my hands on my ex.” Perry was previously in a relationship with Danielle Nickerson (aka “The Platinum Princess), who has hinted at signs of an abusive relationship in several social media posts. According to Perry in his statement, a media outlet will be running a story detailing Perry’s abuse towards Nickerson. Looking to get ahead of the upcoming story, Perry released a statement on his social media vehemently denying any allegations of abuse.
Conor McGregor claims he was up two rounds before being stopped by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2020
Conor McGregor believes he was beating Khabib Nurmagomedov before he got submitted at UFC 229. In the main event of the card, McGregor was making his long-awaited and highly-anticipated return to the sport against Nurmagomedov who was looking for his first title defense.
Khabib Nurmagomedov slams Michael Chandler: "He's not a high-level championship fighter"
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov is not impressed with the newly signed UFC lightweight, Michael Chandler. Following Chandler’s knockout win over Benson Henderson under the Bellator banner, he became a free agent. Shortly thereafter, he signed with the UFC and it was announced he would be the backup fighter for the lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why McGregor vs. Poirier 2 will have no impact on lightweight division
Adam Martin - October 19, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov explained why Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2 has no impact on the UFC lightweight division. The UFC is targeting the rematch between “Notorious” and “The Diamond” to take place on January 23, 2021. It’s an important fight for both men, with the winner likely next in line to fight the winner of the UFC 254 main event between Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. However, McGregor vs. Poirier 2 is not a lightweight bout, but it will instead take place in the UFC welterweight division according to McGregor’s coach John Kavanagh.