MMA News
Photo | Rafael dos Anjos reinventing himself for another run at UFC gold
Harry Kettle - September 23, 2020
UFC veteran Rafael dos Anjos is reinventing himself ahead of another push to try and claim a UFC championship. Dos Anjos is a popular figure within the mixed martial arts community and is known as a true legend of the game. However, with his 36th birthday coming up next month, some believe that his time as an elite fighter is coming to an end.
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.
Justin Gaethje interested to see how Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts when he starts to bleed at UFC 254
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2020
Justin Gaethje promises to make Khabib Nurmagomedov bleed when they fight for the lightweight title at UFC 254. Gaethje is known as one of the most violent fighters on the UFC roster. In most of his fights, he and his opponent are bleeding. Yet, if you look at Nurmagomedov’s fights, he is never bleeding. So, for “The Highlight” he is interested in seeing how the champ reacts when he sees and tastes his own blood.
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.
Israel Adesanya: UFC 253 foe Paulo Costa is "tailor-made for me"
Tom Taylor - September 22, 2020
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes his UFC 253 opponent Paulo Costa is a “tailor-made” opponent for him. Adesanya gave one of his more recent breakdowns of this matchup in an interview with Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports. He shared his belief that Costa’s aggressive, forward-marching style will play perfectly into his hands.
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.
Stephen Thompson makes "first Twitter call out ever" to Leon Edwards
Adam Martin - September 22, 2020
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson made his “first Twitter call out ever” when he requested a fight against Leon Edwards. Thompson, who is generally regarded as MMA’s resident ‘nice guy,’ took to social media on Tuesday to call out Edwards for a fight between two of the best welterweights in the world. Check out the message that the veteran “Wonderboy” sent to Edwards on his Twitter as ‘the nicest guy in MMA’ gave “Rocky” the honor of being his first-ever Twitter call out.
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.
Markus Perez challenges Khamzat Chimaev to step up and replace Rodolfo Vieira on October 10
Harry Kettle - September 22, 2020
UFC middleweight Markus Perez has challenged Khamzat Chimaev to step up and replace Rodolfo Vieira for a proposed fight on October 10 after Vieira withdrew. The rise of Chimaev has been fascinating thus far, and this past weekend, his legend rose even further as he knocked Gerald Meerschaert out cold to take his UFC record to 3-0 and his mixed martial arts record to 9-0.
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.