MMA News
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 14 with Jan Blachowicz, James Krause, Gillian Robertson & Modestas Bukauskas
Cole Shelton - October 13, 2020
The 14th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 6. We’re first joined by the new UFC light heavyweight champion, Jan Blachowicz (2:51). Next, UFC welterweight, James Krause (16:00) comes on. UFC flyweight, Gillian Robertson (29:25) joins the program. Closing out the program is UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas (43:09).
Marvin Vettori vs. Jacare Souza slated for December 12 at UFC 256
Alfredo Zullino - October 13, 2020
A middleweight scrap between Italy’s Marvin Vettori (15-3-1 MMA; 5-2-1 UFC) and Ronaldo Souza (26-8 MMA; 9-5 UFC) is in the works for December 12; Vettori’s personal trainer, Emanuele Lochner announced on his Youtube’s channel, The Scramble MMA SHOW. “The Italian Dream” was previously reported to be squaring off against Russian veteran Omari Akhmedov on December 12 at UFC 256, but the fight was never officially announced.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he turned down the opportunity to coach TUF against Conor McGregor
Adam Martin - October 12, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov explained why he turned down the opportunity to coach TUF against Conor McGregor. UFC president Dana White recently revealed that the promotion was hoping to book Nurmagomedov and McGregor to coach against one another on its reincarnation of The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC hasn’t filmed a season of TUF for two years now but the promotion has made it known that it is bringing the reality show back, and White and the UFC matchmakers have been looking for the coaches. Nurmagomedov and McGregor would make for great TV, making it a natural fit for them to be the coaches on the show.
Conor McGregor confirms Dustin Poirier rematch is to help prepare for Manny Pacquiao: "It’s not easy going between both sports"
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2020
Conor McGregor has confirmed that rematching Dustin Poirier is to help him prepare for a boxing match with Manny Pacquiao. McGregor has hinted at a fight with Pacquiao for quite some time, yet recently he has agreed to rematch Poirier. “The Diamond” claimed the Irishman only wanted the fight to help him prepare for his return to boxing against a southpaw in Pacquiao.
Dustin Poirier says Conor McGregor rematch is "alive," claims the Irishman wants bout to prepare for Manny Pacquiao
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2020
Dustin Poirier says negotiations are alive for a rematch with Conor McGregor. Recently, McGregor and Poirier have talked about having an exhibition bout. Yet, the fight was then offered by the UFC, and “The Diamond” says the negotiations are alive. The only thing slowing it down is the UFC wanting it to be in 2021.
What's next for Cory Sandhagen and Marlon Moraes after UFC Fight Island 5?
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2020
In the main event of UFC Fight Island 5, a key bantamweight bout headlined the card as Cory Sandhagen took on Marlon Moraes. Sandhagen was looking to get back into the win column while Moraes was looking to secure his second consecutive victory. Ultimately, it was Sandhagen getting his hand raised by second-round TKO.
Coach: "If Korean Zombie can hit Brian Ortega a third of what Max did, Zombie is going to put him away"
Cole Shelton - October 12, 2020
Korean Zombie’s striking coach, Eddie Cha, is confident his pupil will be able to knock Brian Ortega out. In the main event of UFC Fight Island 6, Zombie and Ortega will finally settle their differences after months of trash talk. It is a highly-anticipated fight and one even Cha is excited to watch.
Michael Page believes Douglas Lima is ducking him: "He doesn't want that... I live in his head"
Adam Martin - October 12, 2020
Bellator welterweight contender Michael Page believes that Douglas Lima is ducking him, suggesting that he lives in Lima’s head. Page and Lima met in June 2019 in the semifinals of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix, and Lima was the victor when he scored a stunning KO over the previously-unbeaten Page. Lima went on to defeat Rory MacDonald in the finals and claim the Bellator welterweight title for a third time, while Page has been fighting lower-level competition since then, winning four straight fights including a decision over Ross Houston at Bellator Paris.
Michael Page had "off night" at Bellator Paris due to ring rust, says Scott Coker
Adam Martin - October 12, 2020
Bellator welterweight contender Michael Page had an “off night” at Bellator Paris due to ring rust, theorized Bellator president Scott Coker. Page defeated former Cage Warriors FC champion Ross Houston via unanimous decision at Bellator’s debut event in Paris. It was far from the best performance of Page’s career as he wasn’t able to let loose and score a flashy KO as his fans are accustomed to. It wasn’t a bad performance, but it was disappointing considering how talented Page is. In the wake of the fight, fans and media have taken to social media to criticize Bellator and Page for the matchmaking of this fight, suggesting that the Page vs. Houston fight was unnecessary.
Israel Adesanya explains Paulo Costa humping incident, points to homophobia as reason for backlash
Adam Martin - October 12, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya explained the Paulo Costa humping incident, pointing to homophobia as the reason for backlash. Adesanya scored arguably the most impressive knockout win of his MMA career to date when he finished Costa with strikes in their UFC 253 main event. But what everyone was talking about after the fight was not the knockout, but what happened after. Immediately after the referee stepped in and stopped the fight, Adesanya could be seen humping Costa. He then told Costa’s coach Eric Albarracin that he wanted to ejaculate all over him.
Jan Blachowicz on potential Israel Adesanya fight: "It’s gonna be the same like with Rockhold"
Tom Taylor - October 12, 2020
New UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is open to defending his title against the promotion’s middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya. If Adesanya does migrate up to light heavyweight, however, Blachowicz sees the move going disastrously.
Photo | Conor McGregor buys 63-foot Lamborghini SuperYacht
Tom Taylor - October 12, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion and MMA mega star Conor McGregor has purchased one of 63 limited edition Lamborghini SuperYachts. McGregor, who has spent a lot time on yachts of late, is far and away the highest paid fighter in MMA history, and has also raked in millions through various other ventures, most notably his Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey. As his wealth continues to grow, he has not been shy about his spending habits.
Scott Coker rates success of first major MMA event in France
Tom Taylor - October 12, 2020
Over the weekend, Scott Coker promoted the first major mixed martial arts event in France with the stacked Bellator 248 card. It took many years for France to formally legalize MMA, but once the country opened that door, Coker and Bellator sprung into action, laying out plans for the first major MMA event in the country.
Jan Blachowicz accuses Jon Jones of moving to heavyweight to avoid "Legendary Polish Power"
Tom Taylor - October 12, 2020
New UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz believes Jon Jones left the division to avoid a taste of his “Legendary Polish Power.” Jones ruled over the UFC light heavyweight division for many years, but vacated the throne earlier this year as part of a plan to move up to the heavyweight division in search of new challenges. Not long thereafter, Blachowicz took on Dominick Reyes for the vacant belt. The Polish fighter won that title fight by second-round knockout, showcasing his knockout power once again.
Marlon Moraes feels Cory Sandhagen stoppage was "a little early"
Tom Taylor - October 12, 2020
Marlon Moraes feels his TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen, which headlined Saturday’s UFC Fight Island 5 card, was “probably a little early.” Sandhagen put Moraes down with a spinning kick in the bout’s second round. Moraes, however, feels that the fight was going in his favor until that decisive moment, and that that the referee’s intervention might have been a tad premature.
Photo | Israel Adesanya continues to troll Jon Jones on social media
Harry Kettle - October 12, 2020
Israel Adesanya’s relentless Twitter assault on Jon Jones shows no signs of slowing down as the middleweight king continues to mock his rival. Ever since he dispatched of Paulo Costa in dominant fashion, “The Last Stylebender” has set his sights on what now appears to be an inevitable superfight against Jon Jones. The veteran doesn’t seem to think that Adesanya really wants to fight him but right now, it does appear to be the direction that things are trending in.
Israel Adesanya scoffs at potential fight with Chris Weidman: "That fight will end in the first round if it happens"
Christopher Taylor - October 11, 2020
Reigning and undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya finds the recent callouts from former division title holder Chris Weidman “a bit weird”. Despite going just 2-5 over his past seven Octagon appearances Weidman has been doing his best to score a title fight with ‘Stylebender’.
Paige VanZant flaunts her assets in risque bikini photos
Christopher Taylor - October 11, 2020
Former UFC standout Paige VanZant received a ton of likes on social media Friday afternoon after she uploaded some risque bikini photos. VanZant, who recently left the UFC and signed with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, has been known to flaunt her good looks in the past. However, the photos ‘PVZ’ shared on Friday were a little more risky and risque than usual.