MMA News
Jessica Andrade calls to fight for women's 'BMF' title: "It would be an amazing thing"
Josh Evanoff - April 10, 2024
Former UFC women’s strawweight champion Jessica Andrade wants to fight for ‘BMF’ gold. The Brazilian has been out of action since a second-round knockout win over Mackenzie Dern in November. That highlight-reel stoppage ended a three-fight losing streak for the former champion. Prior to UFC 295, Jessica Andrade had suffered stoppage losses against Tatiana Suarez, Yan Xiaonan, and Erin Blanchfield.
VIDEO | Alex Pereira destroys Francis Ngannou's punching force record ahead of UFC 300
Curtis Calhoun - April 10, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira’s power is uncommon amongst uncommon men, even Francis Ngannou. Pereira will defend his UFC light heavyweight title against the returning Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. He won the then-vacant title by finishing Jiří Procházka at UFC 295 after Hill vacated the belt due to injury.
REPORT | Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler to be officially announced at UFC 300 press conference
Josh Evanoff - April 10, 2024
According to a recent report, Conor McGregor’s UFC return against Michael Chandler will be announced later this week. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t competed since a first-round stoppage defeat at the hands of Dustin Poirier in July 2021. As many fans likely remember, Conor McGregor shattered his leg in that bout. As a result, he’s been kept on the sidelines for years. However, he’s kept himself busy by filming the remake of ‘Road House’. That film was released earlier this month to mixed reviews.
PHOTO | Jim Miller rocks iconic UFC 100 jacket to UFC 300 media day
Josh Evanoff - April 10, 2024
Jim Miller had to pull out an iconic look for the UFC 300 media day earlier today. ‘A10’ hasn’t competed since a third-round submission victory over Gabriel Benitez in January. That was the second win in a row, previously knocking out UFC newcomer Jesse Butler inside of a minute last June. With recent success like that, Jim Miller has earned a shot at a ranked opponent in the form of Bobby Green.
Kayla Harrison still hopeful she can lure Amanda Nunes out of retirement: "I want to fight the best"
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2024
Kayla Harrison still hopes she can lure Amanda Nunes out of retirement. Harrison and Nunes used to train together at American Top Team and many fans hoped the fight would happen down the line. Unfortunately, Harrison was in the PFL while Nunes ended up retiring from MMA. But, with Harrison now signed to the UFC and set to make her promotional debut on Saturday at UFC 300 against Holly Holm, Harrison is hopeful with a win she can lure Nunes out of retirement.
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.
Max Holloway believes Dana White and the UFC protected Ilia Topuria on his route to the title
Susan Cox - April 10, 2024
Max Holloway believes that Dana White and the UFC protected Ilia Topuria on his route to the featherweight title. The undefeated Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA) is the current UFC featherweight champion.
Jailton Almeida receives a new opponent for UFC 302
Susan Cox - April 10, 2024
Jailton Almeida has received a new opponent for UFC 302. UFC 302 will take place on Saturday, June 1st at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Zhang Lipeng squares off with Maurice Abevi at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2024
As the anticipation continues to build for ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video, fans have another exciting matchup to look forward to. An intriguing lightweight MMA bout between Zhang Lipeng and Maurice Abevi has been added to the U.S. primetime event set to air live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 3.
Hiroki Akimoto welcomes Wei Rui at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2024
A highly touted promotional newcomer faces top-ranked bantamweight kickboxer Hiroki Akimoto in his first assignment under the ONE Championship banner. Wei Rui makes his maiden appearance at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video against the former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion.
Matt Brown believes Alex Pereira’s technical striking has been “way overhyped” ahead of UFC 300: “Jamahal Hill can go exploit that”
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2024
UFC veteran Matt Brown has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira’s technical ability heading into UFC 300. This weekend, Alex Pereira will defend his UFC light heavyweight championship in the main event of UFC 300. He’ll do so against Jamahal Hill, a former champion in his own right. The expectation is that we’re going to see an electric affair with high-level striking from both parties.
Ian Machado Garry claims he has agreed to fight Colby Covington, but ‘Chaos’ has yet to sign the contract
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2024
Ian Machado Garry has claimed that he has agreed to fight Colby Covington as talk of a bout between them continues. As we know, there’s a great deal of animosity that exists between Ian Machado Garry and Colby Covington. The two have been going back and forth at one another for quite some time, and it doesn’t appear as if it’s going to stop anytime soon. Of course, the hope is that it’ll lead us down the path of a collision inside the Octagon.
CM Punk claims MMA wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for professional wrestling: “Look at all these guys that would be pro wrestlers”
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2024
Former UFC fighter CM Punk believes that mixed martial arts wouldn’t exist as it is today without professional wrestling. As many fans know, CM Punk is back with WWE and has been since late last year. As we also know, he tried his hand in MMA many years ago. He competed twice in the UFC, losing on both occasions.
Tye Ruotolo fires shots at old foe Nicholas Meregali: "He's running"
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2024
For Tye Ruotolo, one name looms large in his mind as he plots his next move — Nicholas Meregali. This anticipated matchup has been brewing for quite some time. Now, Ruotolo is determined to bring it to fruition under the ONE Championship banner.
Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo faces Blake Cooper in MMA debut at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2024
Kade Ruotolo is set to make his much-awaited MMA debut on June 7. The confirmation was made during the broadcast of ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video last Friday, April 5.
VIDEO | Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill share cordial fight week face-to-face ahead of UFC 300: 'What does 'Chama' mean?!'
Curtis Calhoun - April 9, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and former titleholder Jamahal Hill are laser-focused ahead of UFC 300, but that didn’t stop them from showing mutual respect. Pereira and Hill will cap off what should be an eventful night at UFC 300 this Saturday in Las Vegas. This will be Pereira’s first light heavyweight title defense after winning Hill’s vacated title at UFC 295 in November.
Israel Adesanya predicts Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill at UFC 300
Curtis Calhoun - April 9, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is keeping a keen eye on the UFC 300 main event between former foe Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill. Pereira will make his first UFC light heavyweight title defense against Hill on Saturday at UFC 300. He captured the then-vacant light heavyweight belt by finishing Jiří Procházka at UFC 295 last year.
Max Holloway hits back at Islam Makhachev's 'useless fight' comments ahead of UFC 300
Curtis Calhoun - April 9, 2024
Max Holloway took exception to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s recent mockery of his UFC 300 showdown with Justin Gaethje. Holloway will challenge Gaethje for the BMF title in a five-round matchup at UFC 300. This will be his second UFC lightweight appearance and a chance to add another belt to his résumé.