MMA News
UFC rankings update: Holly Holm, Germaine de Randamie climb
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2020
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last weekend’s UFC Fight Island 4 event, and as always, there are some interesting changes. Most notably, Holly Holm and Germaine de Randamie both made climbs up the women’s pound-for-pound rankings after picking up big wins on the card. Holm defeated Irene Aldana by decision in the main event, while de Randamie submitted Julianna Pena earlier on the card.
Mohammed Usman poised to climb to top of PFL's heavyweight division
Tom Taylor - October 7, 2020
Becoming a world champion would mean the world to Mohammed Usman. Usman, the brother of current UFC welterweight titleholder Kamaru Usman, is one of the top prospects in the Professional Fighters League’s heavyweight division. Nicknamed “The Motor,” the powerhouse is ready to put his skills on full display for the fans.
Aljamain Sterling staying ready in hopes of December title fight with Petr Yan
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2020
UFC bantamweight Aljamain Sterling is staying ready in case he gets the all for a title shot against Petr Yan in December. Sterling has built up a five-fight winning streak in the last few years with his latest victory being a decisive and impressive submission win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 250 earlier this year. One month later, at UFC 251, Petr Yan reached the pinnacle of the 135-pound division when he defeated Jose Aldo to claim the vacant Bantamweight Championship.
Joe Rogan responds after “woke” employees threaten Spotify strike: “I am not in any way anti-trans”
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2020
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has responded after accusations of an anti-trans episode of his podcast recently. Rogan has often been viewed as a controversial figure across the last few years if only due to the opinionated nature of the Joe Rogan Experience. However, few fiascos have whipped up quite as much of a storm as his episode with Abigail Shrier, author of Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters.
Leon Edwards offers piece of advice to Khamzat Chimaev
Tom Taylor - October 6, 2020
Streaking UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards has some advice for Khamzat Chimaev, who has recently made many high-profile callouts. Chimaev is easily the most hyped prospect in MMA at present, having gone 3-0 since July, with wins over John Phillips, Rhys McKee and most recently, Gerald Meerschaert. On the heels of those wins, the welterweight and middleweight super-prospect has called for fights with the likes of Kamaru Usman, Israel Adesanya, Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia and Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Edwards, however, believes the Sweden-based Russian is getting a bit ahead of himself.
Alex Oliveira returns to the Octagon at UFC 254 when he takes on Shavkat Rakhmonov
Adam Martin - October 6, 2020
UFC welterweight fan-favorite Alex Oliveira will return to the Octagon at UFC 254 when he takes on promotional newcomer Shavkat Rakhmonov. The Brazilain “Cowboy” is one of the most fan-friendly fighters in the UFC welterweight division and his addition to the UFC 254 Fight Island pay-per-view card headlined by Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje is a welcome one. Oliveira had been stumping for a fight with Khamzat Chimaev, and while the UFC didn’t give him that fight, it did manage to book him for what should be a very interesting matchup against Rakhmonov.
Mike Perry's girlfriend Latory Gonzalez shoots down adult film star Kendra Lust's offer to corner him
Adam Martin - October 6, 2020
UFC welterweight Mike Perry’s girlfriend Latory Gonzalez shot down adult film star Kendra Lust’s offer to corner him along with Darren Till. Perry recently put up the opportunity to corner him against Robbie Lawler at UFC 255 in November to the highest bidder. Already fans have made offers to Perry, as has an adult film website, but the most noteworthy bidder so far is Till, who offered Perry $5000 to corner him in the Lawler fight. The UFC middleweight contender and Till are rivals who have talked plenty of trash to each other over the last few years and they don’t like each other. But Till says he’s serious about cornering Perry and promises to do a good job.
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens returns to the Octagon in November against Arnold Allen
Adam Martin - October 6, 2020
UFC featherweight veteran Jeremy Stephens will return to the Octagon when he takes on Arnold Allen at a UFC Vegas event in November. MMAjunkie.com’s Nolan King was the first to release the news that Stephens vs. Allen is being targeted to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on November 7. That event is scheduled to be headlined by a five-round light heavyweight matchup pitting Glover Teixeira against Thiago Santos. Stephens vs. Allen will fit in nicely on the undercard.
Dana White believes Conor McGregor tried "stealing Adesanya’s thunder" by releasing their DMs on day of UFC 253
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
Dana White has a hunch as to why Conor McGregor released their DMs when he did. On the day of UFC 253, McGregor released several DMs between him and White showing that he wanted to fight Justin Gaethje and Diego Sanchez. It took the MMA world by storm and for White, he says the Irishman did it to steal some thunder from Israel Adesanya.
Khamzat Chimaev chimes in on Stephen Thompson-Leon Edwards exchange: “Are you gonna fight or no?”
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
Khamzat Chimaev has now chimed in on Stephen Thompson and Leon Edwards’ recent Twitter feud. In the past couple of days, Thompson has been asking Edwards to fight, yet the Englishman has said he isn’t interested in it. So, Chimaev chimed in and told Thompson to fight him after it was offered to him.
Marlon Moraes expecting a "war" against Cory Sandhagen, believes a win earns him next title shot
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
Marlon Moraes has had a frustrating last couple of months. Back in December at UFC 245, Moraes edged out a very close decision over Jose Aldo. Yet, many fans and even Dana White thought Aldo won the fight and when Moraes’ fight against Petr Yan was canceled due to the pandemic, it was Aldo and Yan fighting for the vacant title. For the number one contender, it was something that was hard to deal with.
Tim Johnson "excited" to get Cheick Kongo rematch after "fluky" first fight, believes win earns him title shot
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
Tim Johnson will finally get the rematch with Cheick Kongo he has been calling for. In Johnson’s Bellator debut, he fought Kongo and lost by TKO in just 68 seconds. Yet, Johnson wasn’t happy with the stoppage and wanted the rematch ever since and at Bellator 248 he will get his wish. He will also fight on the first major MMA event in France since the sport was legalized.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 13 with Marlon Moraes, Tim Johnson, Giga Chikadze & Youssef Zalal
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2020
The 13th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Fight Island 5 and Bellator 248. We’re first joined by one-half of the main event and number one ranked bantamweight, Marlon Moraes (2:21). Next, Bellator heavyweight, Tim Johnson (16:33) comes on. UFC featherweight, Giga Chikadze (32:19) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight, Youssef Zalal (46:24).
ONE Championship announces four title fights for October 30 event
Tom Taylor - October 6, 2020
ONE Championship will promote a massive event on October 30, featuring a whopping four mixed martial arts title fights. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong unveiled the main attractions of the card, titled ONE: Inside the Matrix, on Facebook on Monday.
Ben Sosoli, former UFC heavyweight, gets 22 months in jail for bar fight
Tom Taylor - October 6, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight Ben Sosoli will spend up to 22 months in prison after knocking a patron out in a bar fight last year The incident in question occured in September, 2019, when Sosoli, who was working as a bouncer in Jacksons Lounge Bar in Toorak, Australia, knocked out a patron with such force that facial reconstruction surgery was required. The patron had reportedly been denied entry to the bar, but snuck in twice anyway, at which point Sosoli took action into his own, well-trained hands.
Stephen Thompson responds to snub from Leon Edwards
Tom Taylor - October 6, 2020
Stephen Thompson has now responded to a recent snub from fellow top-10 welterweight contender Leon Edwards. Late last month, Thompson, who is known as one of the nicest guys in MMA, made his “first ever” Twitter callout, suggesting a matchup with the streaking Edwards.
Alex Oliveira calls out Khamzat Chimaev: "I'll fight you"
Adam Martin - October 6, 2020
UFC welterweight Alex Oliveira called out Khamzat Chimaev, with the Brazilian saying that he will fight the Swede if no one else will. Chimaev is one of the hottest fighters in the sport right now. Since making his UFC debut on Fight Island in July, Chimaev has picked up wins over John Phillips, Rhys McKee, and Gerald Meerschaert, the latter a 17-second KO win. Chimaev was set to fight Demian Maia in his next fight, but it appears that the UFC is looking at other options for Chimaev including fights against No. 5 ranked Stephen Thompson and No. 3 Leon Edwards.
Khabib Nurmagomedov makes prediction for UFC 254 fight with Justin Gaethje
Tom Taylor - October 6, 2020
UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has made his prediction for his UFC 254 title defense against interim champion Justin Gaethje. Gaethje is widely regarded as the toughest foe Nurmagomedov has faced to date, but the undisputed champion sees a clear path to victory in the fight. He intends to do the same thing he always does: chase takedowns until he’s got his foe where he wants him.