UFC News
Ben Askren teams up with Freddie Roach: Beating Jake Paul "ain’t gonna be that hard"
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021
Ben Askren has enlisted the help of legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach ahead of his anticipated showdown with YouTube celebrity Jake Paul. Askren, the former ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight titleholder, will meet Paul in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17. The bout will air on pay-per-view at a price of $49.99.
UFC Vegas 22 loses co-main event fight between Paul Craig and Jamahal Hill
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021
The upcoming UFC Vegas 22 card has lost a light heavyweight fight between Scotland’s Paul Craig and American Jamahal Hill, which would have served as the evening’s co-main event. Craig announced this news on Instagram on Wednesday, claiming that Hill withdrew from the fight, and noting that the bout has already been rescheduled by the promotion.
Video | Jon Jones shows off his “man strength” in the weight room
Harry Kettle - March 10, 2021
UFC legend Jon Jones has shown off his “man strength” ahead of his imminent shift up to heavyweight from light heavyweight. Jones is preparing to move up to the UFC’s heaviest division at some stage this year, with the plan being for him to challenge the winner of Stipe Miocic vs Francis Ngannou 2 for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
UFC Vegas 21 loses Ben Rothwell vs Philipe Lins fight
Harry Kettle - March 10, 2021
According to a recent report from Fightful, UFC Vegas 21 has lost a heavyweight fight between Ben Rothwell and Philipe Lins. The two men had been set to throw down in what would’ve been one of the featured fights on the card outside of the Leon Edwards vs Belal Muhammad main event. The reason for the fight not taking place seems to be due to some kind of injury, although it isn’t noted who sustained the injury, with the expectation being that it’ll be rescheduled for a later date.
Sam Stout sets up fundraiser for former UFC opponent Spencer Fisher
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Sam Stout has set up a GoFundMe for his former opponent, Spencer Fisher. Recently, MMAFighting did a phenomenal story detailing Fisher’s symptoms consistent with a future diagnosis of CTE. He has also been declared permanently disabled and unable to work. The UFC had also paid Fisher $5000 a month for a PR job to help him out but after the company was sold, the promotion cut that money off.
Dan Ige knew Ryan Hall would pull out, expects to "put on a show" against Gavin Tucker
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Dan Ige was preparing to face someone else besides Ryan Hall. Ige was originally supposed to face Hall at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13. However, even as the fight drew closer, he had a feeling the grappling wizard would pull out which would be the case. After Hall pulled out, Ige made it clear he wanted to be on this card and will now take on Gavin Tucker.
Coach: Israel Adesanya would've faced Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title next if he beat Jan Blachowicz
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Israel Adesanya had plans to try and become the first-ever three-weight champion in the UFC. According to Adesanya’s coach, Eugene Bareman had Adesanya became a champ-champ on Saturday he would’ve moved up to heavyweight if Miocic defended his belt again.
John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor approaching Dustin Poirier trilogy "with an MMA mentality"
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
Conor McGregor is changing his approach and mentality ahead of his trilogy with Dustin Poirier. At UFC 257, Poirier evened the score as he earned a second-round knockout over the Irishman. Given the fact, they are now 1-1 against each other, with both wins coming by knockout, it makes sense to do the trilogy. According to Kavanagh, the goal remains the same of having that fight take place in the summer.
UFC rankings update: Aljamain Sterling forces Conor McGregor off pound-for-pound list
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 card, and as expected, there have been some significant changes. The biggest chances to the UFC rankings concern the men’s pound-for-pound list.
Rafael dos Anjos reacts to Islam Makhachev's UFC 259 win: "Stop this hype"
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos isn’t buying the hype surrounding rising contender Islam Makhachev. Makhachev, a long-time friend and training partner of Khabib Nurmagomedov, returned to the cage on the UFC 259 main card last Saturday in Las Vegas, where he picked up an impressive submission victory over Drew Dober.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 31 with Dan Ige, Eryk Anders, Jonathan Martinez and Jason Witt
Cole Shelton - March 9, 2021
The 31st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 21. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_50564942", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"737270"} });
Jon Jones vs. Israel Adesanya "doesn't really need to happen," says Daniel Cormier
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier is no longer interested in a potential super fight between Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya. Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and Adesanya the reigning middleweight champion, are two of the fiercest rivals in MMA at present—to the point that a future fight between them seemed almost inevitable.
Kamaru Usman, Gilbert Burns cross paths at Sanford MMA: "We're going to see each other again soon, in the Octagon"
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and his latest opponent, Gilbert Burns, recently crossed paths at Sanford MMA in South Florida. For many years, Usman and Burns called themselves teammates at Sanford MMA. Eventually, however, Usman left the gym to train under Trevor Wittman in Colorado. Not long thereafter, he and Burns were booked to clash for the welterweight strap.
Joseph Benavidez issues statement after UFC 259 loss to Askar Askarov
Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021
UFC flyweight star Joseph Benavidez has issued a statement after his decision loss to rising Russian contender Askar Askarov. Benavidez and Askarov met on the undercard of Saturday’s UFC 259 card in Las Vegas. Despite a spirited effort, Benavidez lost by unanimous decision, marking his third defeat in as many fights.
UFC Vegas 21: ‘Edwards vs. Muhammad’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021
After the excitement of UFC 259, we return to another thrilling Fight Night full of potential as Leon Edwards attempts to earn himself a title shot when he meets Belal Muhammad at UFC Vegas 21. Event: UFC Vegas 21: Edwards vs Muhammad Date: Saturday, 13th March 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 5pm/8pm EST
Coach Ray Longo on Aljamain Sterling winning the title at UFC 259: “It’s almost like it cursed him”
Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021
Aljamain Sterling coach Ray Longo has hit back at the trolls coming after the new champion in the wake of his win at UFC 259. Sterling captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday night after Petr Yan was disqualified due to an illegal knee he threw. In the wake of the event, with photos of Sterling holding the belt being leaked onto social media, many fans decided to throw a whole lot of grief at him and his team.
Aljamain Sterling has a message for those who are offended by him posing with the UFC belt
Christopher Taylor - March 8, 2021
Aljamain Sterling has issued a statement following the immense backlash he has received for posing with the UFC bantamweight title. Sterling (20-3 MMA) captured the promotions coveted bantamweight title at Saturday’s UFC 259 event, but it was not in the fashion he or anyone watching desired.
Ray Rodriguez expects to KO Rani Yahya to prove he's "one of the best bantamweights in the world"
Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021
Ray Rodriguez is confident he will get his first UFC win. At UFC Vegas 21, Rodriguez is set to return to the Octagon against Rani Yahya. Rodriguez made his UFC debut last September and suffered a 39-second submission loss to Brian Kelleher on short notice. It was a disappointing result for Rodriguez but he knew he’d get another well-known name and he gets his wish against former WEC bantamweight title challenger in Yahya.