UFC News
Alexa Grasso responds to Ronda Rousey comparison from UFC boss Dana White
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
UFC flyweight contender Alexa Grasso has responded after UFC President Dana White compared her to Ronda Rousey. Rousey, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is one of the biggest stars in MMA history, having parlayed her success in the Octagon into mainstream endorsement deals, Hollywood film roles and more.
Colby Covington responds to rumored Leon Edwards fight
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Colby Covington has responded to the rumors about a potential welterweight contender fight with Leon Edwards. Edwards was slated to return to the cage against unranked prospect Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of a card on March 13. Regrettably, Chimaev was forced out of the fight due to health issues stemming from a previous COVID-19 infection, leaving Edwards without an opponent.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 28 with Alexey Oleynik, Chris Daukaus, Jared Gordon, and Drakkar Klose
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2021
The 28th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 19. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_22657822", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"720455"} });
Darren Till vs. Marvin Vettori betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 16, 2021
The opening betting odds have been released for the upcoming middleweight bout between top-ranked contenders Darren Till and Marvin Vettori. Till and Vettori will meet on April 10 at a UFC Fight Night card at a location that’s TBD. Till is ranked No. 4 and Vettori is ranked No. 5 in the UFC at 185lbs, so the winner of this bout will surely be in the conversation for a future title shot in the UFC middleweight division. With Till vs. Vettori now officially booked, the oddsmakers were quick to release the betting odds for this upcoming matchup. Check them out below (via BestFightOdds).
Colby Covington reacts to Kamaru Usman's win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258
Tom Taylor - February 16, 2021
Outspoken UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has shared his initial reaction to the recent Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns fight. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, fought Burns, the No. 1-ranked welterweight contender in the main event of UFC 258 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Usman was dropped early in the fight, but ultimately rallied for a third-round TKO win to defend his title.
ESPN issues statement after Dana White makes controversial comments about Ariel Helwani
Christopher Taylor - February 15, 2021
ESPN has issued a statement after UFC President Dana White made some controversial comments about journalist Ariel Helwani. The story starts with women’s mixed martial arts icon Gina Carano.
Dana White on Alexa Grasso: "We thought she was going to be the Ronda Rousey of Mexico"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
UFC president Dana White spoke highly about flyweight Alexa Grasso, saying that “we thought she was going to be the Ronda Rousey of Mexico.” Grasso had a phenomenal performance at UFC 258 this past Saturday as she was able to win a unanimous decision over Maycee Barber in the co-main event. With the win, Grasso improves to 5-3 overall in the UFC, including a perfect 2-0 mark since moving up to flyweight. After struggling to go on a winning streak while fighting at 115lbs, it appears the young Mexican fighter has figured out that her proper weight class is at 125lbs. If she looks as good as she did against Barber, the 27-year-old Grasso could make a run for the flyweight belt.
GSP explains what makes Kamaru Usman so dominant: "He's the best at what he does"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
MMA legend Georges St-Pierre explained what makes UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman so good, saying “he’s the best at what he does.” GSP was a guest on Sportsnet’s “Good Show” and praised Usman for his incredible performance against Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, where he knocked out the No. 1 contender in the third round of their main event fight for his 13th straight win in the UFC. Although GSP admitted that he’s not interested in fighting Usman for a variety of reasons, he couldn’t help but be in awe of what Usman did to Burns. During the interview, “Rush” analyzed Usman’s performance against Burns and compared his own fighting style to the champ’s.
Charles Rosa expects to KO Darrick Minner: "There are levels to this and he will find that out"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2021
Charles Rosa is expecting to put on a show for fight fans on Saturday night. On the main card of UFC Vegas 19, Rosa is set to return to the Octagon against Darrick Minner. It’s a very intriguing matchup between two submission specialists and a fight Rosa is looking forward to.
Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal rematch betting odds released
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
The betting odds have been released for a potential upcoming rematch between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal. Following his impressive knockout win over Gilbert Burns at UFC 258, Usman called out Masvidal for a rematch. These two previously met at UFC 251 on Fight Island in July 2020, with Masvidal filling in on one week’s notice when Burns fell off the card due to illness. Though Masvidal was able to go the full 25 minutes with Usman, he dropped a unanimous decision on the scorecards. It wasn’t a particularly great fight, but the pay-per-view was still a big seller.
Julian Marquez responds to claims that he blew it with Miley Cyrus: "I didn't miss my chance, I can tell you that"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2021
Julian Marquez had an interesting callout after his win at UFC 258, as he requested for Miley Cyrus to be his Valentine. To some surprise, Cyrus responded with intetest but Marquez then supplied her with an ultimatum. That decision caused Daniel Cormier and most of the MMA community to say Julian blew his chance. However, Marquez doesn’t think that is true.
Anthony Hernandez reacts to upset over Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258: "I love to beat people at their own game"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
UFC middleweight Anthony Hernandez reacted to his upset win over Rodolfo Vieira at UFC 258, saying “I love to beat people at their own game.” Hernandez picked up an amazing second-round guillotine choke win over Vieira in a massive upset on the UFC 258 undercard. In a back-and-forth fight between two talented grapplers, Hernandez was able to outlast Vieira, drag him into deep waters, and drown him in them. Vieira started off strong and had full mount a minute into the fight, but Hernandez showed incredible submission defense and was able to will his way out of it. He then picked apart a gassed-out Vieira on the feet before getting him to the ground and submitting him with a guillotine.
Kelvin Gastelum praises Ian Heinisch in post-fight statement following UFC 258: "You inspire a lot of people"
Adam Martin - February 15, 2021
UFC welterweight Kelvin Gastelum praised Ian Heinisch in his post-fight statement following UFC 258, saying “you inspire a lot of people.” Following a hard-fought, 15-minute-fight between two top-15 middleweights, Gastelum earned a unanimous decision victory over Heinisch on the judges’ scorecards. For Gastelum, this was a much-needed victory after previously losing three straight fights to Israel Adesanya, Darren Till, and Jack Hermansson. This kind of quality win over a well-respected fighter in Heinisch solidifies Gastelum’s spot in the promotion’s top-15 and he will no doubt be once again aiming for a ranked opponent whenever he steps back into the Octagon.
Dana White shares take on Kamaru Usman's best attribute after UFC 258
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
UFC President Dana White believes Kamaru Usman’s iron chin might be his best attribute of all. Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, returned to action opposite No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC 258 last Saturday in Las Vegas. While he wound up defending his title with a third-round stoppage of Burns, he absorbed a huge punch in the first round that probably would have stopped a less durable fighter.
Cody Garbrandt: "Mental state was not what it should have been" against TJ Dillashaw, but trilogy is "gonna happen"
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt says he wasn’t in a good headspace on the two occasions that he fought TJ Dillashaw. Garbrandt first met Dillashaw, his former training partner at Team Alpha Male, in 2017. Despite dropping Dillashaw in the first round, he was stopped in the second, marking the end of his reign as the bantamweight king.
Darren Till, Mike Perry bicker over sparring session in hilarious Instagram call
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Fan favorite UFC fighters Darren Till and Mike Perry had a hilarious, profanity-riddled exchange on Instagram over the weekend. The main topic of conversation was their infamous sparring session. While the pair were all smiles throughout the call, they certainly seem to disagree on who had the upper hand when they shared the mats.
Dana White claims another victory against illegal streamers
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
UFC President Dana White claims to have picked up another victory in his ongoing war against illegal streamers. Earlier this year, White went on the offensive against the people that partake in the illegal piracy of UFC events.
Stephen Thompson makes case for title shot against Kamaru Usman
Tom Taylor - February 15, 2021
Longtime UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson believes he deserves the next shot at the division’s reigning champ, Kamaru Usman. Usman returned to action in the main event of UFC 258 over the weekend, defending his title against No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns with a third-round TKO. With his win over Burns, Usman has now beaten four of the UFC’s top five welterweights, having also defeated Colby Covington, Leon Edwards and Jorge Masvidal.