MMA News

Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev
Dustin Poirier

Charles Oliveira pushes back on Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier: "I'm next in line"

Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2024

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira doesn’t buy into talk of Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier. Over the last few weeks, the two lightweights have been going back and forth over a potential fight in June. It makes a little bit of sense, as ‘The Diamond’ has recently returned to the win column with a knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis. While Islam Makhachev isn’t excited about facing Dustin Poirier next, he wants to get active.

Tyron Woodley, Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao

Tyron Woodley reveals discussions with Manny Pacquiao for boxing return: "Are we fighting or what!?"

Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2024

Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley is hoping to face Manny Pacquiao in a boxing match later this year. ‘The Chosen One’ has had a quiet last few years. Tyron Woodley was famously released by the UFC in 2021, after suffering four straight losses. Quickly, he entered the influencer boxing scene and faced Jake Paul that August. In their first bout, ‘The Problem Child’ picked up a split-decision victory after eight rounds of action.

Raquel Pennington
Kayla Harrison

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.

Dana White, Sage Steele
Joe Rogan

VIDEO | Former ESPN reporter confuses Dana White for Joe Rogan in horrific interview gaffe

Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2024

It’s apparently not as easy to discern UFC President Dana White and Joe Rogan as one would assume. Earlier today, the promoter appeared on Sage Steele’s podcast. The former reporter famously left ESPN last August, after a lengthy legal battle with the company. Like many, she quickly created a podcast, and felt that Dana White would be a great guest. Despite his promises not to, the UFC CEO continues to make podcast appearances.

Luke Rockhold, Mike Perry, BKFC 41
Tyron Woodley

Former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Tyron Woodley to serve as coaches on TUF-like series for Hardcore FC

Susan Cox - March 27, 2024

Former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Tyron Woodley are to serve as coaches on a TUF-like series for Hardcore FC. The reality series will be called ‘HFC Fight Show’ and will be filmed in the United Arab Emirates over the next six weeks.

Erin Blanchfield
Maycee Barber

Erin Blanchfield takes aim at “pathetic” Maycee Barber ahead of UFC Atlantic City: “She talks a lot for somebody who’s scared of fighting people at the very top”

Susan Cox - March 27, 2024

Erin Blanchfield is taking aim at ‘pathetic’ Maycee Barber ahead of her Octagon return this weekend at UFC Atlantic City. Maycee Barber (14-2 MMA) last fought and defeated Katlyn Cerminara (18-6 MMA) in a flyweight bout earlier this month at UFC 299. With the victory, ‘The Future‘ has now won 6 in a row in the Octagon.

Dana White, André Lima, UFC Vegas 89, UFC, Bonus
Igor Severino

André Lima explains why he honestly feels “so sorry” for Igor Severino: “I know the same journey I had, he had too”

Susan Cox - March 27, 2024

André Lima is explaining why he honestly feels ‘so sorry’ for his UFC Vegas 89 opponent Igor Serverino. It was André Lima (8-0 MMA) vs. Igor Serverino (8-1 MMA) in a flyweight bout this past weekend at UFC Vegas 89. The 20-year-old Serverino suffered his first loss in the cage by disqualification (biting). Lima would go undefeated and win a fight (‘bite’) of the night bonus.

Conor McGregor and Dana White
Dana White

Dana White names the one bad thing about dealing with Conor McGregor: “The guy doesn't show up on time”

Harry Kettle - March 27, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White has named one bad thing about dealing with mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor. Another day, another layer of uncertainty regarding the return of ‘Notorious’. The Irishman has been teasing a comeback for a long time now, but at this moment in time, no announcement has been formally made.

Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall calls for a rematch with Curtis Blaydes: “It’s personal in a professional kind of way”

Harry Kettle - March 27, 2024

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has given his thoughts on a rematch with Curtis Blaydes. Right now, Tom Aspinall is in limbo. He is the interim champion, but it doesn’t seem likely that he’ll get the chance to unify the belt against Jon Jones. Instead, Jon is holding out for a legacy showdown with Stipe Miocic.

Mike Perry
Mike Perry

Mike Perry takes aim at upcoming BKFC opponent Thiago Alves: “The best thing he ever did was lose to Georges St-Pierre”

Harry Kettle - March 27, 2024

BKFC star Mike Perry has taken a shot at his upcoming opponent Thiago Alves as the trash talk begins to heat up. Over the course of the last few years, Mike Perry has firmly established himself as one of the biggest combat sports stars outside of MMA and boxing. He did a lot of great things in his UFC career, but he’s really been able to flourish in bare-knuckle boxing.

Jeremy Pacatiw
ONE Championship

Jeremy Pacatiw plans to showcase improved skill set at ONE Fight Night 21: "It's all about expanding your knowledge"

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 27, 2024

After 16 months away from action, Jeremy Pacatiw is finally making his long-awaited return to ONE Championship. This happens at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video, where he squares off with Wang Shou in a bantamweight MMA showdown. The event airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 5.

Raquel Pennington
UFC

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.

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Julian Erosa
Julian Erosa

Julian Erosa plans to "drag" Ricardo Ramos into deep waters at UFC Vegas 89: "He has less stamina and less heart than I do"

Cole Shelton - March 21, 2024

Julian Erosa was hoping to return much sooner than he is at UFC Vegas 89. Erosa hasn’t fought since last April when he suffered a controversial first-round knockout loss to Fernando Padilla, in a fight many believed was an early stoppage. Since then, Erosa has changed his coaches which is partly why he wanted a bit of time off.

Rose Namajunas and Amanda Ribas
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Pro fighters make their picks for Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas

Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024

In the main event of UFC Vegas 89, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on Amanda Ribas at flyweight. Heading into the fight, Namajunas is a -235 favorite while the Brazilian is a +180 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the main event. The pros believe Namajunas will be too much for Ribas on the feet and get the victory to return to the win column.

Jeremy Kennedy
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Jeremy Kennedy expects to "break" Patricio Pitbull to win Bellator featherweight title: "It's not going to go five rounds"

Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024

Jeremy Kennedy jumped at the chance to face Patricio Pitbull at Bellator Belfast on Friday. Kennedy was originally supposed to fight James Gallagher on Friday night, but after Pitbull’s fight at the PFL vs. Bellator event was canceled, he wanted to fight ASAP so the promotion elevated Kennedy to a title fight.

Chad Anheliger
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Chad Anheliger believes he's fighting for his job at UFC Vegas 88: "I'm expecting an exciting fight and a big finish"

Cole Shelton - March 13, 2024

Chad Anheliger says he’s fighting for his job on Saturday at UFC Vegas 88 against Charalampos Grigoriou. Anheliger is entering his fourth UFC fight and is 1-2 in the promotion and on a two-fight losing skid. He’s coming off a third-round submission loss to Jose Johnson which was frustrating for him as he says he didn’t feel like himself in the Octagon.

Gilbert Burns, Jack Della Maddalena
Gilbert Burns

UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena

Cole Shelton - March 7, 2024

On the main card of UFC 299 on Saturday, a welterweight bout goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Jack Della Maddalena. Heading into the fight, Burns is a +136 underdog while the Aussie is a -174 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight contest. The pros are going with the underdog in Gilbert Burns to beat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 299 as they believe it is too much of a step up in competition for the Aussie.

Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299
Dustin Poirier

UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

Cole Shelton - March 7, 2024

In the co-main event of UFC 299, a five-round lightweight bout goes down as Dustin Poirier takes on Benoit Saint-Denis. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a +164 underdog while the Frenchman is a sizeable -215 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 nearly unanimous in thinking Dustin Poirier can pull off the upset and return to the win column in a big way.

Anthony Taylor
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Anthony Taylor explains why Gabe Silva fight fell through, wants boxing match against Tyron Woodley

Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024

Anthony Taylor was supposed to box Gabe Silva, the son of Anderson Silva, later this month but that won’t be the case anymore. Taylor, the former Bellator fighter, has become one of the top draws in influencer boxing as he’s currently the Misfits boxing light heavyweight champion. Taylor is 3-1 in Misfits and was booked to defend his title against Silva on March 23 which was exciting for the MMA veteran.

Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera
Marlon Vera

UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera 2 title fight

Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024

In the main event of UFC 299, the bantamweight title is on the line as Sean O’Malley defends his strap in a rematch against Marlon Vera. Heading into the fight, O’Malley is a -280 favorite while the the challenger is a +210 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight title fight. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Vera to get his hand raised and become the bantamweight champion.

Kyler Phillips
Kyler Phillips

Kyler Phillips expects to be "too fast" for Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299

Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024

Kyler Phillips believes his speed and striking will be too much for Pedro Munhoz to handle at UFC 299. Phillips is coming off a decision win over Raoni Barcelos back in August and after the victory, he figured a ranked opponent would be next. Phillips is on a two-fight winning streak and is 5-1 in the UFC, so he’s eager to face someone like Munhoz who has fought some of the who’s who of the bantamweight division.

Akonne Wanliss
MMA News

OKTAGON's Akonne Wanliss ready to 'cook up a storm' in Tipsport Gamechanger

Zain Bando - February 29, 2024

OKTAGON’s Akonne Wanliss’ (7-2 MMA, 1-0-1 OKTAGON MMA) confidence is at an all-time high entering Saturday’s lightweight tilt against Sahil Siraj (9-2 MMA) at OKTAGON 54 in the opening round of the Tipsport Gamechanger. Wanliss sat with BJPenn.com ahead of his fight with Siraj to get a greater glimpse into his dedication to MMA. When he got the call, the Jamaican-born Wanliss did not pass up the opportunity to participate in the tournament.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik
Jairzinho Rozenstruik

Jairzinho Rozenstruik believes UFC Vegas 87 fight against Shamil Gaziev comes down to "who lands first"

Cole Shelton - February 28, 2024

Jairzinho Rozenstruik knows his UFC Vegas 87 main event fight against Shamil Gaziev won’t be needing the judges. Rozenstruik is coming off a stoppage loss to Jailton Almeida back in May which he admits was a tough defeat to deal with. After that, Rozenstruik said he wanted time off to fix some things but was hoping to return at the end of 2023.

David Feldman
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David Feldman says there are "top-20 pound-for-pound" boxers who are in talks with BKFC: "You won't believe it"

Cole Shelton - February 28, 2024

BKFC founder David Feldman says fans won’t believe the boxers they are in talks with to sign with their sans gloves promotion. At BKFC 57 on Feb. 2, pro boxer Austin Trout won the BKFC welterweight title with a decision win over Luis Palomino. It was just his second fight in the sans gloves promotion as he beat Diego Sanchez in his debut.