MMA News
UFC Abu Dhabi: “Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov” Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - June 11, 2024
The UFC Abu Dhabi ‘Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov’ fight card and start times have been announced by the promotion. UFC Abu Dhabi will take place on Saturday, August 3rd at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Dustin Poirier compares skillsets of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has compared the skillsets of former opponents Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Earlier this month, Dustin Poirier fell to submission defeat at the hands of Islam Makhachev. Of course, as we know, earlier in his career, Poirier was also submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite losing in both instances, he put up a real fight against these two legends and you could argue he came close to winning both times.
Dominick Reyes reveals he wouldn't have retired if he'd lost to Dustin Jacoby
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
UFC fighter Dominick Reyes has revealed that he wasn’t considering retirement even if he’d have lost to Dustin Jacoby. Last weekend at UFC Louisville, Dominick Reyes finally got back on the winning trail. After suffering four straight defeats, many believed it was a real do or die moment for him against Dustin Jacoby. In the face of great adversity, he was able to overcome Jacoby and secure a big knockout victory.
Ali Abdelaziz thinks Kayla Harrison's next fight should be Aljamain Sterling or Merab Dvalishvili
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
Ali Abdelaziz believes Kayla Harrison’s next fight should be against Aljamain Sterling or Merab Dvalishvili. We all know that Kayla Harrison is the real deal. She finally made her way over to the UFC at UFC 300 and in her promotional debut, she defeated Holly Holm with relative ease. Now, many are left to wonder what she’s going to do next at bantamweight. There are plenty of options out there, but above all else, it’ll just be great to see what kind of impact she can have during her run with the company.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 168 with Shawne Merriman, Liz Carmouche, Taila Santos, and Brady Hiestand
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
The 168th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview PFL 4 and UFC Vegas 93. We’re first joined by former NFL star and current Lights Out XF owner Shawne Merriman (2:05). Next, we are joined by Bellator women’s flyweight champ and current PFL flyweight Liz Carmouche (21:12). Next, PFL flyweight Taila Santos (31:47) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Brady Hiestand (45:24).
Rodtang wants Takeru next following triumphant return at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 11, 2024
Rodtang Jitmuangnon now wants to revisit unfinished business with Takeru Segawa. The reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion wasted no time in calling out the Japanese superstar following his successful return to action at ONE 167 on Prime Video on Friday, June 7.
What's next for Nassourdine Imavov and Jared Cannonier after UFC Louisville?
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2024
In the main event of UFC Louisville, ranked middleweights threw down as Nassourdine Imavov took on Jared Cannonier. Imavov entered the fight with a record of 13-4 and one No Contest and was coming off a majority decision win over Roman Dolidze. The Frenchman was ranked seventh at middleweight and was 5-2 and one No Contest going into the fight. Cannonier, meanwhile, was ranked fourth and was coming off a decision win over Marvin Vettori a year ago.
Jon Anik defends referee Jason Herzog over UFC Louisville stoppage: "He would've been knocked out!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 10, 2024
UFC play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik empathizes with referee Jason Herzog after a controversial stoppage in the UFC Louisville main event. Nassourdine Imavov defeated Jared Cannonier by fourth-round TKO at UFC Louisville last Saturday. He has now won back-to-back fights and continued his surge up the middleweight ranks.
Sean O'Malley reacts to Ryan Garcia's recent arrest for vandalism
Curtis Calhoun - June 10, 2024
UFC bantamweight titleholder Sean O’Malley has weighed in on boxing star Ryan Garcia’s latest hiccup outside of the ring. Beverly Hills police arrested Garcia for felony vandalism on Saturday at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. He allegedly damaged numerous areas of the hotel, including his room and a nearby hallway.
Former NFL star Shawne Merriman says Dana White attempted to book him a UFC fight against Greg Hardy
Curtis Calhoun - June 10, 2024
UFC president Dana White allegedly tried to book an Octagon clash between former NFL stars Shawne Merriman and Greg Hardy. Merriman and Hardy were two of the most explosive athletes in the NFL during their professional football careers. Since retiring from football, both men have transitioned into combat sports in different roles, and Merriman launched his own promotion in 2019.
RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura officially signs with the UFC: "I will definitely get the belt"
Josh Evanoff - June 10, 2024
Former RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asaukra is officially heading to the UFC. The 30-year-old has been viewed as one of the greatest Japanese fighters on the planet for years now. For the unaware, Kai Asakura has been competing in the RIZIN ring since late 2017 and holds victories over the likes of Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi. In December, the bantamweight earned a knockout victory over former Bellator champion Juan Archuleta.
Dustin Poirier updates on career decision after UFC 302, admits he's "leaning towards" retirement
Curtis Calhoun - June 10, 2024
After UFC 302, Dustin Poirier remains in personal debate over whether or not he’ll return to the Octagon for another big-name clash. Poirier is a week removed from falling to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the UFC 302 main event in Newark. His third career lineal UFC title bid fell short against the pound-for-pound king, who submitted Poirier with a D’arce choke in the fifth round.
Savannah Marshall calls for MMA rematch with Claressa Shields after PFL debut: "I'm quite confident I'd do her in the cage"
Josh Evanoff - June 10, 2024
Women’s boxing star Savannah Marshall wants a rematch with Claressa Shields inside the PFL cage. ‘The Silent Assassin’ officially made the move to MMA over the weekend. Headlining PFL Europe 2, Savannah Marshall stepped into the cage for the first time opposite Mirela Vargas. In attendance was the British boxer’s longtime rival, Claressa Shields. Like Marshall, the ‘GWOAT’ is now fighting in MMA under the PFL banner.
Dominick Reyes reveals shock bonus from Dana White after UFC Louisville win: "You absolutely deserve it"
Josh Evanoff - June 10, 2024
Dominick Reyes has revealed that he was given a bonus for his UFC Louisville win after all. ‘The Devastator’ returned to the octagon on Saturday night, in the co-main event of the UFC’s trip to Kentucky. There, Dominick Reyes competed for the first time since a knockout loss to Ryan Spann in November 2022. That defeat to ‘Superman’ was his fourth in a row, previously losing to the likes of Jon Jones, Jan Blachowicz, and Jiri Prochazka.
Alex Pereira questions the timing of Jamahal Hill's UFC 300 remarks: "Maybe he just woke up?"
Curtis Calhoun - June 10, 2024
UFC light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira harshly criticized Jamahal Hill for reigniting their feud almost two full months since UFC 300. Pereira defeated Hill in the UFC 300 main event in April to retain the UFC light heavyweight title. Just minutes into the fight, Pereira landed a massive left hook to send Hill into unconsciousness.
Kade Ruotolo finds himself in the crosshairs of a Filipino MMA legend
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 10, 2024
Eduard Folayang is itching to make his return to the Circle against Kade Ruotolo. With his sights set on an exciting comeback, the former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion has revealed one intriguing matchup that has caught his attention.
Dustin Poirier confirms he had rib injury going into UFC 302, says his wife wanted him to pull out
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier says he did suffer a rib injury in the lead-up to his UFC 302 fight against Islam Makhachev. Poirier was headlining UFC 302 against Makhachev in what he called his final crack at UFC gold. Unfortnately for Poirier, he came up short as he suffered a fifth-round submission loss.
New Jersey State Athletic Commission shoots down appeal from Bruno Silva, upholds Chris Weidman’s victory
Susan Cox - June 10, 2024
The New Jersey State Athletic Commission has shot down an appeal from Bruno Silva and upheld Chris Weidman’s victory. Bruno Silva (23-11 MMA) fought Chris Weidman (16-7 MMA) in a middleweight bout this past March. The result was a technical decision victory for Weidman at 2:18 of Round 3.