UFC News
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 110 with Diego Sanchez, Austin Trout, John Dodson, Zac Pauga, and Evan Elder
Cole Shelton - February 14, 2023
The 110th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of KnuckleMania 3 and UFC Vegas 69 this weekend. We’re first joined by former UFC fighter and current BKFC fighter Diego Sanchez (2:43). Next, former WBA light middleweight champion and current BKFC fighter Austin Trout (29:54) comes on. John Dodson (42:01) returns to the program. Then, UFC light heavyweight Zac Pauga (55:04) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight Evan Elder (1:04:53).
Anthony Smith would like to see the UFC make changes to existing weight classes: “I’d love to see no weight cap on heavyweight”
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith has given his thoughts on the UFC’s current weight class structure. For many years now, there’s been a lot of debate regarding weight classes in mixed martial arts. Some believe we should have more, whereas others think the actual limits should be different.
Alexander Volkanovski hints at immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev, gives Yair Rodriguez the green light to defend his new title
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski has suggested that he wants an immediate rematch with Islam Makhachev, delaying his return to featherweight. Last weekend, Alexander Volkanovski battled Islam Makhachev in a fantastic main event at UFC 284. The two competed for the UFC lightweight championship and in the end, Makhachev was the one who walked away with the belt.
Conor McGregor shares his first comments on upcoming Michael Chandler fight: “I'm throwing up my high kicks faster than I'm throwing up my jab”
Harry Kettle - February 14, 2023
Conor McGregor has given his first on-camera reaction to his return fight coming against Michael Chandler later this year. In the last few weeks, it’s been confirmed by the UFC that Conor McGregor will return this year. First, he’ll coach opposite Michael Chandler on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter. Following that, likely in the third quarter of 2023, he’ll battle ‘Iron Mike’ inside the Octagon.
Islam Makhachev's team denies use of IVs after UFC 284 weigh-ins: "We all know this is completely BS"
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s team is denying the lightweight champ used IVs to rehydrate after the UFC 284 weigh-ins. In the main event of the card, Makhachev was defending his lightweight title for the first time. In the lead-up, Alexander Volkanovski said the champ was having a hard weight cut. However, Makhachev did make the weight and ended up winning a close decision.
Arnold Allen believes past damage could play a role in fight against Max Holloway: "He's been in a lot of crazy fights for a long time"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen believes past damage could play a role in his return. ‘Almighty’ has been out of the octagon since his clash with Calvin Kattar last October. In the second round, ‘The Boston Finisher’ collapsed with a knee injury, handing Allen the win. It was later learned the injury was a torn ACL that could hold Kattar out until 2024.
Alexander Volkanovski thinks he was close to finishing Islam Makhachev in the fifth round at UFC 284: "He was done"
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski believes he nearly finished Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Volkanovski was moving up in weight on Saturday to challenge Makhachev for the lightweight title in hopes of becoming a champ-champ. The fight was extremely competitive and late in the fifth round, Volkanovski dropped Makhachev and started landing heavy ground-and-pound.
Justin Gaethje reveals prediction for return against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286: "Put that motherf*cker to sleep"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje is planning to score a knockout in his return. ‘The Highlight’ has been out of action since his clash with Charles Oliveira last May. Prior to the bout, ‘Do Bronx’ missed weight, and was stripped of his lightweight gold. As a result, only Gaethje was able to win the title in the UFC 274 main event last year.
Jens Pulver discusses reaction to being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame: "It was huge to me"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2023
Former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver is grateful to finally be in the Hall of Fame. ‘Lil Evil’ is one of the unsung pioneers of the world’s leading MMA promotion. Making his debut at UFC 22 in 1999, Pulver quickly became one of the most entertaining lightweights on the planet. Within two years, he was seen as a potential future star for the promotion.
Daniel Cormier reacts after Islam Makhachev receives backlash for his UFC 284 win over Alexander Volkanovksi: “The feigned outrage that was online was unfair”
Susan Cox - February 13, 2023
Daniel Cormier is reacting after Islam Makhachev receives backlash for his UFC 284 win over Alexander Volkanovski. This past weekend saw featherweight champion Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) and lightweight champion Makhachev (24-1 MMA) fight for the lightweight belt at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Dan Hooker accuses Islam Makhachev of cheating using an IV after weigh-in: "He doesn’t cheat, he doesn’t win"
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2023
Dan Hooker has accused Islam Makhachev of cheating at UFC 284. Makhachev was defending his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. It was an intriguing matchup but heading into the fight, Makhachev was a sizeable favorite and edged out a very close decision.
Alexander Volkanovski discloses his mid-fight trash talk towards Islam Makhachev at UFC 284
Lewis Simpson - February 13, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski discloses what he said to Islam Makhachev during their UFC 284 lightweight title fight. In the UFC 284 main event, Volkanovski took part in a fight-of-the-year contender with lightweight standout Makhachev. He entered the bout a sizable underdog, but the performance from the Aussie would suggest otherwise. Volkanovski went toe-to-toe for five hard rounds with the champion, eventually dropping a unanimous decision on the judges’ scorecards.
What's next for the stars of UFC 284?
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2023
The UFC headed down under to Perth, Western Australia for UFC 284 which saw the lightweight title and the interim featherweight title up for grabs. In the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. The co-main event saw Yair Rodriguez battle Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title.
Stephen Thompson explains why he believes Ciryl Gane will become the heavyweight champion at UFC 285: “I just don’t see Jon Jones touching him”
Susan Cox - February 13, 2023
Stephen Thompson is explaining why he believes Ciryl Gane will beat Jon Jones and become the heavyweight champion at UFC 285. UFC 285 is set to take place on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Islam Makhachev proclaims himself “the best fighter in the world” following UFC 284 win over Alexander Volkanovksi
Susan Cox - February 13, 2023
Islam Makhachev is proclaiming himself ‘the best fighter in the world’ following his UFC 284 win over Alexander Volkanovski. UFC 284 took place this past weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Tom Aspinall takes aim at “ungrateful” fans upset with Makhachev vs Volkanovski decision
Harry Kettle - February 13, 2023
UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has called out fans who aren’t happy with the result of Islam Makhachev vs Alexander Volkanovski. Last weekend at UFC 284, Islam Makhachev beat Alexander Volkanovski via unanimous decision in a really fun encounter. However, after he got the nod, many felt as if ‘The Great’ should’ve been the one to have his hand raised.
Alexander Volkanovski believes he won three rounds against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284: “I won 2, 3 and 5”
Harry Kettle - February 13, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski believes he has a good case for winning three of the rounds against Islam Makhachev at UFC 284. Last weekend at UFC 284, Alexander Volkanovski put up one hell of a fight against Islam Makhachev. In the end, though, it wasn’t enough, as the star from Dagestan won via unanimous decision.
Yair Rodriguez calls for unification title fight against Alexander Volkanovski in Mexico: "That would be perfect"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2023
Newly minted interim UFC Featherweight Champion Yair Rodriguez wants to have his title unification fight in Mexico City. Rodriguez took on Josh Emmett in the co-main event of UFC 284 in Perth, Australia. The bout was contested for the interim UFC Featherweight Championship. Rodriguez submitted Emmett in the second stanza to lay claim to UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career. Now, he’s hoping to leave no doubt by becoming the undisputed 145-pound champion.