MMA News

Jon Jones Tom Aspinall Hand response
Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones removing hand from his shoulder during tense run-in: "I wasn't there to be disrespectful"

Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2024

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall recently had a tense moment, and the interim UFC heavyweight champion has now responded to the brief encounter. Jones and Aspinall were able to have a brief conversation during the Arnold’s Sports Festival UK in Birmingham, England. Aspinall put his hand on “Bones'” shoulder, but Jones calmly took his hand off of him. The two did have a cordial conversation about a potential fight, but Jones turned down a face-to-face photo with Tom. Instead, he opted for a regular side-by-side picture with Aspinall.

Alexandre Pantoja, Steve Erceg
UFC

Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg official for UFC 301 in Brazil

Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024

UFC flyweight Alexandre Pantoja will defend the gold at home against the rising Steve Erceg in May. ‘The Cannibal’ is in a bit of a weird spot. As Alexandre Pantoja has pointed out on several occasions, he’s already defeated most top contenders at 125 pounds. As of now, the flyweight champion has scored victories over Brandon Moreno three times, Brandon Royval twice, and wins over the likes of Manel Kape and Alex Perez.

Arman Tsarukyan, Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan accuses Islam Makhachev of avoiding rematch: "He feels like I'm going to win"

Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes that Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight him. Back in April 2019, the Armenian stepped on short notice to face the rising Islam Makhachev. Despite being very young in his career, Arman Tsarukyan impressed many with his success against the future champion. Still, it was the Russian who claimed a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of action.

Jake Paul, Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier doesn't hold back on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: "It absolutely sucks"

Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier isn’t happy with Mike Tyson’s boxing return against Jake Paul. Earlier this month, ‘Iron Mike’ and ‘The Problem Child’ announced plans to compete in a boxing match this summer. The two stars will compete in a Netflix-produced event, in what will likely be Mike Tyson’s first real boxing match since 2005. However, depending on what the Texas State Athletic Commission says, the bout with Jake Paul may go down as an exhibition.

Bo Nickal, Joe Rogan
UFC

Bo Nickal mocks fans upset about his UFC 300 main card spot: "I like that it makes people mad"

Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024

Middleweight prospect Bo Nickal doesn’t care what you think about his UFC 300 spot. The former Penn State wrestler has gotten a heavy push since joining the UFC in late 2022. Last year, Bo Nickal fought twice in the octagon, with both fights coming on pay-per-view main cards. For what it’s worth, he defeated both Jamie Pickett and newcomer Val Woodburn inside of one round.

Mark Coleman
UFC

Mark Coleman issues first statement since being hospitalized

Cole Shelton - March 15, 2024

UFC Hall of Famer and inaugural heavyweight champion Mark Coleman has issued his first statement since being hospitalized. Coleman was airlifted to a hospital after saving his parents from a house fire. According to local news stations, Coleman went in to save his parents and got them out. ‘The Hammer’ later went back in for the family dog who unfortunately passed away. The house is believed to be a total loss as the fire reportedly started in the kitchen, but it’s uncertain how the fire started.

Kamaru Usman, Khamzat Chimaev, UFC 294
Khamzat Chimaev

Khamzat Chimaev responds after Kamaru Usman claims he’s “nothing special” in the cage

Susan Cox - March 15, 2024

Khamzat Chimaev is responding after Kamaru Usman claimed that he’s ‘nothing special’ in the cage. It was Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) vs. the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) in a middleweight bout last October at UFC 294. The outcome was a majority decision loss for ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’.

Tyson Pedro
UFC

Tyson Pedro quickly ends his retirement, set to become a pro boxer

Cole Shelton - March 15, 2024

Tyson Pedro has already ended his combat sports retirement. Following his decision loss to Vitor Petrino at UFC Vegas 87 on March 2, Pedro announced his retirement from combat sports. Pedro claimed he no longer had a passion for the sport, and he said the expenses to train and travel for the fights started to take a toll on him.

Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera
Sean O'Malley

Marlon Vera’s coach believes Sean O’Malley rivalry will continue after UFC 299: “No clock? Chito goes to jail for murder!”

Susan Cox - March 15, 2024

Marlon Vera’s coach believes their rivalry with bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will continue after UFC 299. Jason Parillo is a world renowned head coach at the RVCA Sport Training Centre, in Costa Mesa, California. A former professional boxer himself, Parillo went on to coach big name MMA fighters including the likes of BJ Penn, Michael Bisping, Cris Cyborg, Rafael Dos Anjos, Tito Ortiz and of course Marlon Vera.

Islam Makhachev, UFC, BMF
Justin Gaethje

Islam Makhachev explains why Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 is a “useless fight”

Susan Cox - March 15, 2024

Islam Makhachev is explaining why Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway at UFC 300 is a ‘useless fight’. The historic UFC 300 takes place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.

Aung La N Sang
ONE Championship

Aung La N Sang aims to reclaim middleweight title: “I still want to be champion again”

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 15, 2024

Amid whispers of retirement, Aung La N Sang remains resolute in his quest to reclaim the ONE Middleweight MMA World Title. Currently riding the crest of a three-fight winning streak, “The Burmese Python” stands on the precipice of a shot at gold.

Dustin Poirier and Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Islam Makhachev explains why he accepted Dustin Poirier fight despite ‘The Diamond’ being undeserving

Harry Kettle - March 15, 2024

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has explained why he’s open to defending his belt against Dustin Poirier. Last weekend at UFC 299, Dustin Poirier scored a beautiful knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis. The veteran overcame some early adversity and got it done in the second round, cementing himself as a real contender at 155 pounds once again.

Jarred Brooks
ONE Championship

Jarred Brooks reflects on ‘humility’ after DQ loss in rematch with Joshua Pacio

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 15, 2024

For Jarred Brooks, his rematch against Joshua Pacio at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month brought forth a humbling realization. The former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion conceded that he learned his lesson in humility following an unfortunate finish in the highly anticipated bout.

Arman Tsarukyan
Charles Oliveira

Arman Tsarukyan labels Charles Oliveira as a one-trick pony ahead of UFC 300: “He’s nothing special”

Harry Kettle - March 15, 2024

UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan has given his thoughts on Charles Oliveira ahead of their clash at UFC 300. For quite some time now, Arman Tsarukyan has been building himself up as an exciting new prospect in the UFC’s lightweight division. Next month at UFC 300, he’ll get the chance to secure his biggest win yet – and potentially even a title shot.

Sean Strickland, UFC 297, UFC, MMA
Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland claims the “dirty f**king leftist” country of Canada cost him his UFC title: “I don't wanna pull this card but…”

Harry Kettle - March 15, 2024

UFC star Sean Strickland has blamed the left for his defeat to Dricus du Plessis earlier this year. At UFC 297, Sean Strickland went head to head with Dricus du Plessis. Despite his best efforts, though, he came up short, falling to a decision loss at the hands of the South African champion. In the process, Sean lost the middleweight championship, which he had captured from Israel Adesanya just a few months prior.

Wei Rui
ONE Championship

K-1 World Champion Wei Rui inks deal with ONE Championship

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 14, 2024

ONE Championship has officially welcomed the highly touted Wei Rui into its ranks. The Chinese superstar has inked an exclusive deal with the world’s largest martial arts organization.

Conor McGregor
UFC

Conor McGregor admits he loses "interest" and "stops full training" every time his UFC return gets pushed back

Cole Shelton - March 14, 2024

Conor McGregor is having a hard time staying motivated to train for his potential UFC return. McGregor hasn’t fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg in the trilogy match against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he has been rehabbing his leg and the Irishman appears getting close to a return.

Marvin Vettori
Marvin Vettori

Marvin Vettori out of UFC Vegas 90 main event against Brendan Allen

Cole Shelton - March 14, 2024

Marvin Vettori will no longer be fighting Brendan Allen. Vettori and Allen were set to headline UFC Vegas 90 on April 6 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. However, less than a month out from the fight, it was revealed the Italian is out of the bout. The news was first reported by David Van Auken.