UFC News

Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023

Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick had an interesting conversation with Israel Adesanya following UFC 293. ‘Tarzan’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ faced off in the pay-per-view main event on Saturday. Entering the matchup, Sean Strickland was riding a two-fight winning streak but was a massive underdog. Luckily for the middleweight contender, Eric Nicksick did his scouting on Israel Adesanya.

Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has reacted to Israel Adesanya’s upset loss. ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the octagon over the weekend in the main event of UFC 293. There, he faced Sean Strickland, who entered the event on a two-fight winning streak. Leading into the main event, many were calling Israel Adesanya the middleweight ‘GOAT‘ over Anderson Silva.

Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023

UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier wants the first crack at Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 293 in Australia on Saturday. There, Sean Strickland recieved the first title shot of his career, facing Israel Adesanya. ‘The Last Stylebender’ entered a massive favorite for his title defense, having defeated the likes of Alex Pereira, Jared Cannonier, and more.

Josh Evanoff - September 12, 2023

UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is confident that she’ll once again defeat Valentina Shevchenko. The Mexican fighter has been out of the octagon since her first clash with ‘Bullet’ earlier this year in March. Moreover, in the co-main event of UFC 285, Alexa Grasso pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year. In the fourth round, she found Valentina Shevchenko’s back, quickly locking up a submission win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2023

Alex Pereira has given his take on why Israel Adesanya should not get an immediate rematch against Sean Strickland. Adesanya lost the UFC Middleweight Championship on September 9. He took on Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 293 and had no answer for his opponent. Many have credited Alex Pereira with Strickland’s unanimous decision victory to capture the 185-pound gold. “Poatan” has refused to take credit for what his training partner and former foe was able to achieve.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski thinks a rematch against lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev is in order. Makhachev is preparing for a rematch against Charles Oliveira. The current 155-pound champion defeated Oliveira to capture the gold via second-round submission last year. Makhachev followed that up with a close, but unanimous decision victory over Volkanovski earlier this year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2023

Sean Strickland brilliantly executed an effective game plan against Israel Adesanya, and the UFC rankings have been thrown in a tailspin as a result. Strickland was effective in getting out of the way of Adesanya’s kicks and stifling his counter-striking at UFC 293. His pressure game was also too much for “The Last Stylebender,” who had no answer after suffering a first-round knockdown. Strickland took the unanimous decision victory and the UFC middleweight gold.

Cole Shelton - September 12, 2023

The 139th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of Noche UFC this Saturday. We’re first joined by UFC flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius (1:39). Next, UFC lightweight Christos Giagos (13:39) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Kyle Nelson (26:20).

Harry Kettle - September 12, 2023

Alexander Volkov has expressed his surprise at not being awarded a bonus for his submission win over Tai Tuivasa. Last weekend at UFC 293, Alexander Volkov and Tai Tuivasa went to war. They put it all on the line in the heavyweight division and in the end, Volkov got the win via Ezekiel choke in the second round. It was his first submission win in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and it took his current win streak up to three.

Harry Kettle - September 12, 2023

UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on who Sean Strickland will probably fight first when defending his new UFC title. Last weekend, Sean Strickland shocked the world. He defeated Israel Adesanya via unanimous decision to capture the UFC middleweight championship. In the eyes of many, it’s one of the biggest upsets in UFC history – and that probably stretches to all of mixed martial arts, too. It’s the kind of fight that will live long in the memory, but for now, it’s time to look ahead to the future.

Harry Kettle - September 12, 2023

UFC star Robert Whittaker wasn’t too pleased after seeing his fellow fighters use homophobic slurs at UFC 293. As was the case for many of us, Robert Whittaker sat and watched UFC 293 last weekend and enjoyed the drama on display throughout. It was a fun, competitive card, with lots of big moments – especially in the middleweight division.

Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023

Sean Strickland has already broken his UFC belt. Strickland became the UFC’s new middleweight champion on Saturday night – Sunday afternoon in Australia – as he cruised to a decision win over Israel Adesanya. It was one of the biggest upsets in UFC history, and Strickland even nearly finished the fight as he dropped Adesanya in the first round.

Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023

UFC fighter Khusein Askhabov was arrested in Thailand for allegedly forcing his way into an Italian man’s house and then robbing, kidnapping, and torturing him. Askhabov and his twin brother Khasan were arrested on Sept. 5 according to The Phuket News. According to the report, the brothers allegedly forced their way into a villa at a resort in Cherng Talay, where they gagged and beat a man across an extended period of time for information.

Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2023

Chael Sonnen believes UFC middleweight Dricus du Plessis could be forgotten after this weekend. In the main event of UFC 293 on Saturday, Israel Adesanya returned to face Sean Strickland. While he was first expected to face Dricus du Plessis, ‘Stillknocks’ was still recovering from his win over Robert Whittaker in July. As a result, ‘Tarzan’ stepped up, and pulled off one of the biggest upsets ever.

Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2023

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is even down to face Conor McGregor at middleweight. ‘Iron Mike’ and ‘The Notorious’ famously coached the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter earlier this summer. Tensions were high when filming, with the two nearly getting into a brawl on one occasion. However, even during the show’s filming, Conor McGregor stated that he didn’t want to fight Michael Chandler.

Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023

Alex Pereira says he deserves no credit for Sean Strickland defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. Pereira and Strickland fought back in July 2022, and it was the Brazilian who won by first-round knockout to earn a title shot. Alex Pereira eventually went on to win the UFC middleweight championship but ended up losing the belt back to Israel Adesanya in their rematch. Shortly after that, ‘Poatan’ and Strickland trained with one another for a few weeks.

Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2023

UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry is eyeing a future clash with Colby Covington. ‘The Future’ is fresh off his return opposite Neil Magny at UFC 292 last month. Heading into the bout, it was viewed as the biggest challenge of Ian Garry’s career thus far. However, the Irishman easily dominated, scoring a unanimous decision win over the longtime contender last month.

Cole Shelton - September 11, 2023

Israel Adesanya has opened as a small favorite in a potential rematch with Sean Strickland. Adesanya and Strickland headlined UFC 293 in Australia and heading into the fight, ‘The Last Stylebender’ was a massive betting favorite. However, in the first round, Strickland dropped Adesanya and had him hurt at the end of the round. Strickland ended up cruising to a clear-cut decision to pull off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history to become the new middleweight champion.