MMA News
Ben Askren takes a shot at UFC 253 co-main event between Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren took a shot at Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz ahead of their title fight this weekend at UFC 253. Since retiring from mixed martial arts following back-to-back stoppage losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia, Askren has become an outspoken voice on social media. Askren is particularly popular on Twitter where he has a big following due to his hilarious comments and often contoversial hot takes on all sorts of different subjects.
Video | Paulo Costa looks in amazing shape following "best weight cut ever" for UFC 253
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
UFC middleweight Paulo Costa looks to be in amazing shape heading into UFC 253, with his manager calling it his “best weight cut ever.” Costa takes on UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of this Saturday’s UFC 253 pay-per-view card. The world’s leading MMA promotion returns to Fight Island in Abu Dhabi with this amazing contest as the headliner, a fight that UFC president Dana White has said is his personal pick for “Fight of the Year” in 2020.
Paulo Costa responds to Israel Adesanya’s PED accusations ahead of UFC 253
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Paulo Costa has addressed Israel Adesanya’s PED accustations ahead of their highly-anticipated title fight at UFC 253. In the lead up to the fight, Adesanya had some questions on if Costa is taking steroids and whether or not USADA is testing the top contender in Brazil.
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull re-booked to fight Pedro Carvalho
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
At long last, Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull has been re-booked to fight his next opponent Pedro Carvalho. Pitbull, who is also the Bellator lightweight champion, was originally set to fight Carvalho with his belt on the line in the semifinals of the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix at Bellator 241 back in March. However, the fight and the entire event was scrapped at the last minute due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bellator re-started its events back in July, but due to visa issues for the champion, Bellator hasn’t been able to re-book Pitbull vs. Carvalho fight until now.
Khamzat Chimaev says he is fighting Stephen Thompson next
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Khamzat Chimaev claims he is fighting Stephen Thompson next. After Chimaev scored a one-punch KO win over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, many wondered what would be next for him. It was reported he would fight Demian Maia. Yet, after the fight, many thought the Swede should get a top-five opponent. According to the undefeated prospect, he claims he is fighting Stephen Thompson.
TUF 28 winner Juan Espino ecstatic to be able to fight again, promises "entertaining fight" against Jeff Hughes
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Juan Espino is back. The 39-year-old, Espino has not fought since he won The Ultimate Fighter 28 back in November of 2018. Since then, many were eager to see how the heavyweight would do inside the Octagon given his wrestling and jiu-jitsu background.
Daniel Cormier wants Jorge Masvidal to fight Colby Covington instead of Nate Diaz
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is hoping the promotion will book a fight between Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington next. Masvidal has recently been linked to a high-profile rematch with Nate Diaz, targeted for early 2021. However, that potential booking has not been overly popular, as Masvidal defeated Diaz fairly decisively when they fought for the BMF title in 2019.
Jan Blachowicz plans to prove he's "better than Jon Jones" by finishing Dominick Reyes
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Jan Blachowicz wants to do what no one has done before. Finish Dominick Reyes. Blachowicz and Reyes are set to fight in the co-main event of UFC 253 for the vacant light heavyweight title. For Blachowicz, he knew he would be fighting for UFC gold after he beat Corey Anderson, but didn’t know the date or against who.
Michael Chandler leaning toward Khabib Nurmagomedov in Justin Gaethje matchup
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is leaning toward a Khabib Nurmagomedov victory at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov, the undefeated UFC lightweight champion, is set to defend his title against Justin Gaethje, the interim lightweight champ, in the main event of UFC 254 on October 24. Chandler, who recently signed with the UFC, is expected to be on standby in the event that Nurmagomedov or Gaethje is unable to compete on the night.
Betting odds released on who Colby Covington will fight next
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
The oddsmakers have opening betting odds on who UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington will take on in his next fight inside the Octagon. Covington defeated rival Tyron Woodley in the fifth round by stoppage after his opponent verbally conceded the fight due to a rib injury. Covington looked fantastic in the fight as he was able to dominate it from the opening bell up until the stoppage. He needed to bounce back with a win like this after being finished via TKO by UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman in his last fight.
Israel Adesanya responds to callouts from "rat lip" Khamzat Chimaev
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
Reigning UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is not riding the Khamzat Chimaev hype train. Far from it. Chimaev was the breakout UFC star of the summer. The Chechen-Swede first picked up two wins in the span of 10 days on Fight Island in July, defeating John Phillips by first-round submission and Rhys McKee by first-round TKO, then picked up his third win of the season when he knocked out Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11, also in the first round.
Charles Oliveira not happy Michael Chandler is back-up fighter for UFC 254 main event
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
Charles Oliveira is not happy that Michael Chandler has been tapped as the back-up fighter for the UFC 254 main event on October 24. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, recently signed with the UFC. While he does not yet have an opponent for his Octagon debut, he has agreed to step in if either UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov or interim champ Justin Gaethje fails to make it to their planned title fight at UFC 254.
Ed Herman fires back at haters, "punk" Michael Bisping after controversial win
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
UFC light heavyweight Ed Herman has fired back his haters and at UFC commentator Michael Bisping after a recent controversial win. Herman took on Mike Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 10 on September 12. Mid-way through the fight, the action was paused when Herman seemed to absorb a low blow. An instant replay, however, revealed that the strike was clean.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 11 with Jan Blachowicz, Kai Kara-France, Sijara Eubanks & Brandon Royval
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
The 11th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 253. We’re first joined by third-ranked light heavyweight and one-half of the vacant title fight, Jan Blachowicz (2:34). Next, seventh-ranked flyweight, Kai Kara-France (15:52) comes on. 13th ranked bantamweight, Sijara Eubanks (40:27) then joins the program. Finally, 10th ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval (51:47) closes out the show.
Stephan Bonnar recounts doing psychedelics, seeing UFOs with Diego Sanchez in the mountains
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
Stephan Bonnar recently shared a pretty wild story involving Diego Sanchez, the mountains of Albuquerque, some psychedelics, and apparently, UFOs. Sanchez and Bonnar got to know each other on season one of The Ultimate Fighter, but the pair have recently reconnected, and Bonnar will actually corner Sanchez in his UFC 253 undercard fight with Jake Matthews.
Video | Sean O’Malley taps out in the finals of Jiu-Jitsu tournament
Harry Kettle - September 22, 2020
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley was tapped out by Robert Degle in the finals of a recent jiu-jitsu tournament. O’Malley is coming off the back of a devastating defeat at the hands of Marlon “Chito” Vera, and as he continues to wait for an opportunity to get back to winning ways inside the Octagon, he is using the time away to compete in a different martial arts competition.
Paige VanZant is “taking a break from social media," likely due to hateful comments
Cole Shelton - September 21, 2020
Paige VanZant is taking a break from social media, with many speculating it is due to hateful comments. VanZant took to Instagram to announce she would be taking a break from social media. She also turned off comments for the post so no one could ask her why she is doing this.
Colby Covington says LeBron James "wouldn't last 10 seconds" with him
Adam Martin - September 21, 2020
UFC welterweight Colby Covington fired back at his critics, claiming that NBA superstar LeBron James “wouldn’t last 10 seconds” with him. Covington took a shot at James, the LA Lakers superstar, following his fifth-round TKO win over Tyron Woodley at UFC Vegas 11 this past Saturday night. In his post-fight interview, Covington thanked all the first responders in the United States for their service and bashed “woke athletes” and “spineless cowards,” naming James.