MMA News
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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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.
Daniel Cormier sounds off on fan taunting Jordan Burroughs after Olympic trials loss: “It’s mind boggling”
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on a fan taunting Jordan Burroughs following his Olympic trials defeat. As many of us know, Jordan Burroughs is an American wrestling legend. In addition to his many World Championship titles, he also won an Olympic gold medal at London 2012. He’s an absolute stud, and he’s done a great deal for the sport of amateur wrestling.
Movsar Evloev responds to Aljamain Sterling following comments of a potential fight: “Brave for you to talk about me”
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024
Movsar Evloev has given his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling requesting a featherweight showdown against him. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling made a winning start to life at featherweight. He defeated Calvin Kattar, and he did so convincingly. Now, the attention has turned to the future and what could be next for the former bantamweight king.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson announce he’s started his MMA training camp for ‘Smashing Machine’ movie
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has announced that he has begun his mixed martial arts training camp ahead of his Smashing Machine movie. This year, The Rock has focused a lot of his attention on his professional wrestling return. Now, following WrestleMania XL, he’s preparing for his next move. He’s set to play Mark Kerr later this year in a movie titled Smashing Machine, chronicling his journey in the world of mixed martial arts.
Reece McLaren guarantees upgraded form in return to ONE Championship: “I’ve gone to another level”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 21, 2024
Reece McLaren is on a mission to rejuvenate his MMA career. “Lightning” gets the chance to do so when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event takes place live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Jorge Masvidal's coach thinks lightning strikes twice in boxing match against Nate Diaz: "I think Jorge has Nate Diaz’s number"
Fernando Quiles - April 21, 2024
Jorge Masvidal’s coach believes his fighter simply has Nate Diaz’s number. Masivdal and Diaz are set to collide for the second time, but this go-around the two will share a boxing ring. Masvidal vs. Diaz 2 will take place on June 1 and it’ll be held inside the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
Gegard Mousasi's manager explains current situation with PFL: "It surely doesn’t feel like a priority for them at Gegard’s detriment"
Fernando Quiles - April 21, 2024
Gegard Mousasi’s manager doesn’t feel the PFL is making an honest effort to welcome his fighter to the promotion. Mousasi recently told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn that attempts from his manager, Nima Safapour, to reach out to PFL have gone unanswered. Mousasi is a member of the Bellator roster and that remains the case after PFL purchased the promotion.
VIDEO | Nate Diaz walks out of final tour stop with Jorge Masvidal: "Square off with yourself mother f**ker"
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Nate Diaz is done promoting his upcoming boxing bout with Jorge Masvidal, as he walked out of their final tour stop on Friday night. Diaz (21-13 MMA, 0-1 Boxing) and Masvidal (35-17 MMA) have been on a cross-country tour promoting their upcoming rematch, a boxing bout, which will take place on June 1st at The Forum in Los Angeles.
Justin Gaethje reflects on decision to take "huge risk" against Max Holloway at UFC 300: "I have no regrets"
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Justin Gaethje knew he was taking a “huge risk” when he signed on to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. Gaethje (25-5 MMA) was coming off a second-round knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in July of last year at UFC 291 to claim the promotion‘s vacant BMF title. In addition to taking home the ‘Baddest Mother F**ker’ belt, ‘The Highlight’ had seemingly cemented himself as the top contender to challenge reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Jamahal Hill makes first public remarks on referee Herb Dean's non-stoppage at UFC 300
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has made his first public remarks regarding referee Herb Dean’s non-stoppage at UFC 300. Hill (12-2 MMA) was returning to action for the first since January 2023 in the headliner of last weekend’s UFC 300 event, where he was looking to reclaim the light heavyweight title, which he never lost, against reigning division champion Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA). ‘Sweet Dreams’ had of course captured the promotion’s vacant light heavyweight championship by defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 but was later forced to vacate the belt after tearing his Achilles tendon.
VIDEO | Luke Rockhold KO's Joe Schilling at Karate Combat
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold scored a knockout victory over Joe Schilling at today’s Karate Combat event. Karate Combat 45 took place earlier this evening in Dubai and was headlined by an intriguing matchup between Rockhold and Schilling.