MMA News

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 162
Radio

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 162 with Austen Lane and Anthony Taylor

Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024

The 162nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 91. We’re first joined by UFC heavyweight Austen Lane (0:48). Next, former Bellator fighter and current influencer boxer Anthony Taylor (12:06) comes on.

John Kavanagh and Conor McGregor sitting
John Kavanagh

Coach John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor is looking “super slick” ahead of comeback fight at UFC 303

Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024

Head coach John Kavanagh has said that Conor McGregor is looking slick ahead of his comeback fight at UFC 303. At UFC 303 this summer, Conor McGregor will finally return to the Octagon. He will do so for the first time in three years, dating back to when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier.

BKFC: KnuckleMania 4
Mike Perry

BKFC: ‘KnuckleMania 4’ Fight Card and Start Times

Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024

This weekend, BKFC returns with one of its biggest events of all time as KnuckleMania 4 attempts to grow the sport to even greater heights. Event: BKFC: KnuckleMania 4 Date: Saturday, 27th April 2024 Location: Peacock Theater (Los Angeles, California) Broadcast: YouTube (9pm EST prelims, 10pm EST main card) + BKFC app

Aljamain Sterling
Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier explains why Aljamain Sterling should be in the next BMF title fight

Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on why he thinks Aljamain Sterling should be in the next BMF title fight. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling got off to a winning start at featherweight. The man known as ‘Funk Master’ dominated Calvin Kattar, registering a one-sided victory over a veteran in the division. Now, many believe that Sterling could be just one or two wins away from a shot at the title.

Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler
Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier: 'Right place, right time' for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler to be UFC's first 165lb title fight

Curtis Calhoun - April 22, 2024

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier thinks Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler could make history in more than one way. McGregor will make his long-awaited UFC return at UFC 303 against Chandler on June 29th. He and Chandler will finally meet in the Octagon after they clashed as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 last year.

Smilla Sundell
ONE Championship

Smilla Sundell aims to end Natalia Diachkova’s unbeaten run: “I like stopping people’s streaks”

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 22, 2024

Smilla Sundell is eager to get back to work in the ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video main event. “The Hurricane” puts her ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against Russian powerhouse Natalia Diachkova at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 3 live in U.S. primetime.

Jiri Prochazka
UFC

Jiri Prochazka eyeing middleweight move if he reclaims UFC light-heavyweight title: "I could handle the division"

Josh Evanoff - April 22, 2024

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is down to move to 185 pounds. The former titleholder is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 300 against Aleksandar Rakic. For a round and a half, ‘Rocket’ was largely dominating the action on the feet. However, in classic Jiri Prochazka fashion, he eventually rocked and stopped Rakic in a wild firefight. Afterward, he called for a rematch against Alex Pereira.

Ryan Garcia, Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Ryan Garcia responds to Sean O'Malley after 'Sugar' expresses interest in boxing match: "PREPARE TO BLEED RAINBOW"

Josh Evanoff - April 22, 2024

It seems that boxing star Ryan Garcia and UFC champion Sean O’Malley are on a collision course. ‘KingRy’ returned to the boxing ring over the weekend against Devin Haney. Heading into the contest, Ryan Garcia was a massive underdog, as he seemingly struggled with substance abuse and questions about his mental state. Instead, he dominated the WBC super lightweight champion handing him a majority decision defeat. For Garcia, the win was a satisfying one.

Adrian Lee
ONE Championship

Teen MMA prospect Adrian Lee to make pro debut at ONE 167 in June

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 22, 2024

Adrian Lee’s highly anticipated debut in the professional ranks finally has a date. The Singaporean-American phenom steps inside the Circle on June 7 to face Antonio Mammarella in a lightweight MMA clash at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Cédric Doumbé
Cedric Doumbe

Cédric Doumbé set to make Bellator Champions Series debut on May 17th

Curtis Calhoun - April 22, 2024

PFL superstar Cédric Doumbé will look to bounce back from his first professional MMA loss when he returns on May 17th in Paris. Doumbé will make his Bellator Champions Series debut when he faces Derek Anderson in a welterweight matchup. The PFL announced the news of Doumbé’s MMA return in a Monday press release.

Paul Hughes
MMA News

Paul Hughes reveals UFC didn't make "meaningful offer" before PFL signing

Curtis Calhoun - April 22, 2024

Former Cage Warriors star Paul Hughes took mere seconds to decide between the PFL and UFC in his recent free agency. Hughes signed with the PFL last weekend, over the UFC and other promotions, for his next MMA chapter. The former Cage Warriors interim featherweight champion is expected to enter the 2025 PFL regular season and compete in non-tournament bouts for the rest of 2024.

UFC Apex
UFC

UFC Apex set to host WWE event as TKO partnership strengthens

Cole Shelton - April 22, 2024

The TKO partnership between the WWE and UFC has been a strong one, and now the WWE will host an event at the UFC Apex. The WWE announced that their NXT Battleground event will take place on Saturday, June 9 at the UFC Apex. It marks the first time the WWE will host an event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Exclusive MMA Interviews

Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan
Charles Oliveira

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsraukyan

Cole Shelton - April 11, 2024

On the main card of UFC 300, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira takes on Arman Tsarukyan in a potential No. 1 contender fight. Heading into the fight, Oliveira is a +176 underdog while the Armenian is a -230 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Oliveira as they feel like he is getting overlooked.

Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway
Justin Gaethje

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway BMF title fight

Cole Shelton - April 11, 2024

On the main card of UFC 300, Justin Gaethje looks to defend his BMF title for the first time as he takes on Max Holloway. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is a -178 favorite while the Hawaiian is a +138 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the BMF title fight. The pros are expecting Gaethje to get his hand raised in a highly-anticipated fight, as they think the size will play a factor.

Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill title fight

Cole Shelton - April 10, 2024

In the main event of UFC 300, the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira looks to defend the belt for the first time against former champ Jamahal Hill. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a -140 favorite while the American is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the light heavyweight title fight. The pros believe Pereira will get it done, as his striking will be too much for Hill.

Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan
UFC

UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan

Cole Shelton - April 10, 2024

In the co-main event of UFC 300, the strawweight title is on the line as Zhang Weili looks to defend her strap against Yan Xiaonan. Heading into the fight, Weili is a sizeable -500 favorite while the challenger is a +340 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the strawweight title fight. To no surprise, the pros believe Zhang Weili will be too much for Yan Xiaonan as she will defend her title with ease.

Raul Rosas Jr and Ricky Turcios
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Coach reveals UFC "compensated" Ricky Turcios, claims Raul Rosas Jr. was cleared to fight at UFC Mexico City

Cole Shelton - April 9, 2024

Alex Morono, the head coach of Ricky Turcios says the UFC took care of the bantamweight after his canceled fight against Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Mexico City. Just minutes before Turcios was set to make the walk, it was revealed Rosas Jr. was sick and the fight was off. It was disappointing news for Morono and Turcios, who liked the style matchup against the 19-year-old.

Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson

Kyle Nelson eyes Cub Swanson or Nate Landwehr after first-round TKO over Bill Algeo at UFC Atlantic City

Cole Shelton - April 6, 2024

Kyle Nelson has won his third straight fight as the betting underdog. Nelson scored a first-round TKO win over Bill Algeo on the main card of UFC Atlantic City. The Canadian started strong as he landed a massive shot that wobbled Algeo and he kept landing punches that forced the ref to jump in and stop the fight.

Christos Giagos
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Christos Giagos expects to "catch" Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Vegas 90: "It's going to be fun"

Cole Shelton - April 4, 2024

Christos Giagos is excited to face Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Vegas 90 on Saturday. Giagos is coming off a submission loss to Daniel Zellhuber in September and after the defeat, he was hoping to return to fight in Anaheim at UFC 298. Although fighting at February’s pay-per-view never came to fruition, Giagos did get offered a fight against Bahamondes on Saturday at UFC Vegas 90 and jumped at the chance.

Damon Jackson
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Damon Jackson expects Alexander Hernandez fight to be a "banger" for however long it lasts: "First round is going to be a fury"

Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024

Damon Jackson is expecting his UFC Vegas 90 co-main event fight against Alexander Hernandez to be wild and chaotic for however long it lasts. Jackson is coming off a decision loss to Billy Quarantillo back in August, which was his second straight defeat. After the loss, Jackson focused on getting healthy and says he is now back to one hundred percent.

Andre Petroski
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Andre Petroski plans to continue to prove he's the best grappler at middleweight by beating Jacob Malkoun at UFC Atlantic City

Cole Shelton - March 28, 2024

Andre Petroski has made it clear that he believes he’s the best grappler in the middleweight division and he wants to continue to prove that. Petroski has been calling out the top grapplers since signing with the UFC and had a ton of success early on. However, in his last fight, he stepped up on short notice to face Michel Pereira and he suffered a first-round knockout loss.

Raquel Pennington
Julianna Pena

Raquel Pennington explains why she wants Julianna Pena and not Kayla Harrison as her first title defense

Cole Shelton - March 27, 2024

Raquel Pennington is hoping for her first title defense to be against Julianna Pena. Pennington won the vacant 135lbs title back in January with a decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva. Since then, she has been waiting for her first title defense, which she expects to happen in the fall. One possible opponent for Pennington’s first title defense is Kayla Harrison, who recently signed with the promotion and will make her debut opposite Holly Holm at UFC 300.

Raquel Pennington
Raquel Pennington

Raquel Pennington reveals she dealt with the flu during UFC 297 fight week: "I don't know if I can fight"

Cole Shelton - March 26, 2024

Raquel Pennington had to overcome adversity to even fight at UFC 297 for the vacant bantamweight title. Pennington was set to face Mayra Bueno Silva in January in Toronto, and she says the training camp was one of the best she’s ever had. However, on fight week, Pennington fell ill and she says it was at the worst point on fight day when she woke up and wasn’t sure if she was even going to be able to fight.

Kurt Holobaugh
UFC

Kurt Holobaugh says he's no longer just satisfied to be fighting in the UFC after winning TUF

Cole Shelton - March 21, 2024

Kurt Holobaugh is in his third stint with the UFC and he now has the tools to be a ranked lightweight. Holobaugh made his UFC debut in 2013 but after losing his first Octagon appearance, he was released. He worked his way back to the promotion, but after going 0-3 he was released from the promotion once again.