Mike Malott's UFC return booked for July 13th against Gilbert Urbina
Curtis Calhoun - April 24, 2024
Anthony Smith eyes future fight with Alex Pereira: "I would step in the fire with him"
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2024
Jamahal Hill changes tune on referee Herb Dean's non-stoppage at UFC 300: "It makes me think before obeying a ref's command!"
Curtis Calhoun - April 24, 2024
Alex Pereira sends a message of support to Charles Oliveira after UFC 300: "Sometimes we lose"
Josh Evanoff - April 24, 2024
Terence Crawford comeback fight set for August, 'Bud' to target title in fourth weight class
Josh Evanoff - April 24, 2024
PHOTO | Jon Jones returns to training for the first time since suffering torn pec
Josh Evanoff - April 24, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan slams Islam Makhachev after comments about avoiding rematch: "When was the last time you fought 2 times in 6 weeks?
Josh Evanoff - April 24, 2024
Lyoto Machida responds after being called out by Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat 45: “The Dragon is already breathing fire!”
Curtis Calhoun - April 24, 2024
Jamahal Hill opens as betting favorite ahead of UFC 303 co-main event fight against Khalil Rountree
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2024
MMA News
Islam Makhachev’s coach doesn’t believe title fight with “biggest threat” Justin Gaethje will ever come to fruition after UFC 300
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2024
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has given his thoughts on Justin Gaethje as a potential opponent. At UFC 302, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier. Prior to Dustin’s recent win over Benoit Saint-Denis, however, he was knocked out cold by Justin Gaethje.
Mike Perry believes Justin Gaethje looked “out of shape” for BMF title fight with Max Holloway at UFC 300
Harry Kettle - April 24, 2024
BKFC star Mike Perry believes Justin Gaethje looked out of shape in his UFC 300 collision with Max Holloway. At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway went to war. They battled it out in a really intense BMF title showdown, but in the end, Holloway was the on who got the job done.
Chris Weidman compares Alex Pereira’s wrestling “deficiency” to Ben Askren’s striking
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Chris Weidman thinks there is a major hole in Alex Pereira’s game, and he’s comparing it to Ben Askren’s striking. Pereira is coming off the first defense of his light heavyweight title as he scored a first-round knockout win over Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300. Pereira hasn’t even been in the UFC for three full years and already has won titles in two different weight classes.
Dan Hooker "would love to" fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 303 at International Fight Week
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Dan Hooker is hoping to face Beneil Dariush next. Hooker has been rehabbing the broken arm he sustained during his win over Jalin Turner from last July. He reinjured the arm in his training camp for Bobby Green which was supposed to take place last December.
Leon Edwards' coach says he's "99.9 percent" certain Belal Muhammad is next
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Dave Lovell, the head coach of Leon Edwards expects his fighter to defend his welterweight title in Manchester against Belal Muhammad. Edwards has not fought since UFC 296 in December when he beat Colby Covington by decision to defend his title. The Brit had been trying to get a fight, and he was reportedly offered fights at UFC 300 against Islam Makhachev, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Khamzat Chimaev but none came to fruition.
Justin Gaethje has no regrets over trading with Max Holloway in final seconds of UFC 300 bout: "There was no other option"
Josh Evanoff - April 23, 2024
Justin Gaethje wasn’t going to say no to trading with Max Holloway in the final seconds of their UFC 300 fight. ‘The Highlight’ returned to the octagon on the main card of the historic card earlier this month. There, Justin Gaethje looked to make the first defense of his ceremonial ‘BMF’ title against Max Holloway. The fight was a rare lightweight appearance for the Hawaiian, and he didn’t disappoint. Despite entering the fight as an underdog, Holloway put on a show.
Islam Makhachev believes that the UFC "has to give" him a shot at Leon Edwards soon: "I already beat all these guys"
Josh Evanoff - April 23, 2024
Islam Makhachev believes that he has to face UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards sooner rather than later. The Russian recently signed a deal to return to the cage at UFC 302 in June against Dustin Poirier. For Islam Makhachev, the contest will be his third lightweight title defense. He heads into his fight with ‘The Diamond’ having captured two straight title defenses against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Stephen Thompson responds to Michael 'Venom' Page's 'boring fight' claims about a potential UFC booking
Curtis Calhoun - April 23, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson has responded to Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s recent remarks about a possible UFC booking. Thompson is one of the top karate-focused fighters to ever crossover into MMA. He’s awaiting his next UFC booking as he looks to get back on track after a loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296.
Arman Tsarukyan hits back at Michael Chandler over harsh criticism of declined short-notice UFC title fight: "You're waiting for a paycheck"
Curtis Calhoun - April 23, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan didn’t take long to respond to Michael Chandler’s stance that declining a short-notice title fight at UFC 302 was a mistake. Tsarukyan earned the biggest win of his UFC career by defeating former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He won the fight by split decision and earned No. 1 lightweight contender status.
Sean O’Malley weighs in on Aljamain Sterling’s “boring decision” win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300: “I saved the bantamweight division”
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling’s dominant decision win over Calvin Kattar. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling defeated Calvin Kattar in convincing fashion. He battered him from pillar to post, largely through his dominant ground game. Now, many are left to wonder what’s next for him following his successful featherweight debut.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 162 with Austen Lane and Anthony Taylor
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
The 162nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 91. We’re first joined by UFC heavyweight Austen Lane (0:48). Next, former Bellator fighter and current influencer boxer Anthony Taylor (12:06) comes on.
Coach John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor is looking “super slick” ahead of comeback fight at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024
Head coach John Kavanagh has said that Conor McGregor is looking slick ahead of his comeback fight at UFC 303. At UFC 303 this summer, Conor McGregor will finally return to the Octagon. He will do so for the first time in three years, dating back to when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier.
Exclusive MMA Interviews
UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsraukyan
Cole Shelton - April 11, 2024
On the main card of UFC 300, former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira takes on Arman Tsarukyan in a potential No. 1 contender fight. Heading into the fight, Oliveira is a +176 underdog while the Armenian is a -230 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Oliveira as they feel like he is getting overlooked.
UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway BMF title fight
Cole Shelton - April 11, 2024
On the main card of UFC 300, Justin Gaethje looks to defend his BMF title for the first time as he takes on Max Holloway. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is a -178 favorite while the Hawaiian is a +138 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the BMF title fight. The pros are expecting Gaethje to get his hand raised in a highly-anticipated fight, as they think the size will play a factor.
UFC 300 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill title fight
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2024
In the main event of UFC 300, the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira looks to defend the belt for the first time against former champ Jamahal Hill. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a -140 favorite while the American is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the light heavyweight title fight. The pros believe Pereira will get it done, as his striking will be too much for Hill.
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.
Coach reveals UFC "compensated" Ricky Turcios, claims Raul Rosas Jr. was cleared to fight at UFC Mexico City
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2024
Alex Morono, the head coach of Ricky Turcios says the UFC took care of the bantamweight after his canceled fight against Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Mexico City. Just minutes before Turcios was set to make the walk, it was revealed Rosas Jr. was sick and the fight was off. It was disappointing news for Morono and Turcios, who liked the style matchup against the 19-year-old.
Kyle Nelson eyes Cub Swanson or Nate Landwehr after first-round TKO over Bill Algeo at UFC Atlantic City
Cole Shelton - April 6, 2024
Kyle Nelson has won his third straight fight as the betting underdog. Nelson scored a first-round TKO win over Bill Algeo on the main card of UFC Atlantic City. The Canadian started strong as he landed a massive shot that wobbled Algeo and he kept landing punches that forced the ref to jump in and stop the fight.
Christos Giagos expects to "catch" Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Vegas 90: "It's going to be fun"
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2024
Christos Giagos is excited to face Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Vegas 90 on Saturday. Giagos is coming off a submission loss to Daniel Zellhuber in September and after the defeat, he was hoping to return to fight in Anaheim at UFC 298. Although fighting at February’s pay-per-view never came to fruition, Giagos did get offered a fight against Bahamondes on Saturday at UFC Vegas 90 and jumped at the chance.
Damon Jackson expects Alexander Hernandez fight to be a "banger" for however long it lasts: "First round is going to be a fury"
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024
Damon Jackson is expecting his UFC Vegas 90 co-main event fight against Alexander Hernandez to be wild and chaotic for however long it lasts. Jackson is coming off a decision loss to Billy Quarantillo back in August, which was his second straight defeat. After the loss, Jackson focused on getting healthy and says he is now back to one hundred percent.
Andre Petroski plans to continue to prove he's the best grappler at middleweight by beating Jacob Malkoun at UFC Atlantic City
Cole Shelton - March 28, 2024
Andre Petroski has made it clear that he believes he’s the best grappler in the middleweight division and he wants to continue to prove that. Petroski has been calling out the top grapplers since signing with the UFC and had a ton of success early on. However, in his last fight, he stepped up on short notice to face Michel Pereira and he suffered a first-round knockout loss.
Raquel Pennington explains why she wants Julianna Pena and not Kayla Harrison as her first title defense
Cole Shelton - March 27, 2024
Raquel Pennington is hoping for her first title defense to be against Julianna Pena. Pennington won the vacant 135lbs title back in January with a decision win over Mayra Bueno Silva. Since then, she has been waiting for her first title defense, which she expects to happen in the fall. One possible opponent for Pennington’s first title defense is Kayla Harrison, who recently signed with the promotion and will make her debut opposite Holly Holm at UFC 300.
Raquel Pennington reveals she dealt with the flu during UFC 297 fight week: "I don't know if I can fight"
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2024
Raquel Pennington had to overcome adversity to even fight at UFC 297 for the vacant bantamweight title. Pennington was set to face Mayra Bueno Silva in January in Toronto, and she says the training camp was one of the best she’s ever had. However, on fight week, Pennington fell ill and she says it was at the worst point on fight day when she woke up and wasn’t sure if she was even going to be able to fight.
Kurt Holobaugh says he's no longer just satisfied to be fighting in the UFC after winning TUF
Cole Shelton - March 21, 2024
Kurt Holobaugh is in his third stint with the UFC and he now has the tools to be a ranked lightweight. Holobaugh made his UFC debut in 2013 but after losing his first Octagon appearance, he was released. He worked his way back to the promotion, but after going 0-3 he was released from the promotion once again.