MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Every opponent on Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov‘s resume came in ranked or dangerous. None of them came in undefeated. On July 17, that changes. Zakirov faces fellow unbeaten flyweight Ruslan Satiev in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 45: Lessei vs. Rabah on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, July 17.

Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026 at 12:59 PM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes hopes Alexander Volkanovski will retire after presumably fighting his former foe. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is widely expected to return to the Octagon later this year and fight unbeaten contender Movsar Evloev. Rumors are swirling that Volkanovski vs. Evloev will headline an upcoming major event, potentially as soon as September.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026 at 12:27 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Alex Pereira has a response to Ciryl Gane receiving advice from the last man to defeat him under kickboxing rules. Back in 2021, Pereira lost the Glory Heavyweight Championship to Artem Vakhitov via majority decision. Rather than look for revenge, “Poatan” ended up moving on to MMA full-time, and he has since carved out his legacy in the sport. Pereira now has a chance to win a UFC title in a third weight class at UFC Freedom 250 when he meets Gane for the interim gold.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026 at 12:05 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Dana White believes UFC Freedom 250 is trending towards reaching numbers that match the NFL Super Bowl. The biggest event in MMA history is set to take place on Sunday. It’ll be a historic show, as UFC Freedom 250 will be held on the White House lawn. The event will feature two title fights, including the main event lightweight unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The co-headliner will feature an interim heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026 at 7:56 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has taken a look back at his recent blockbuster victory over Paddy Pimblett. In his last fight, Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett in a pretty decisive manner to become the new UFC interim lightweight champion. His reward for that will be an undisputed title showdown in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, where he will take on reigning champ Ilia Topuria.

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026 at 7:53 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Controversial UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria defending Alex Pereira at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference. One thing we know to be true about Josh Hokit is that he doesn’t really care what people think about him. His latest gimmick is shining proof of that, with a lot of people cringing at his attempts to build his star power through showmanship and some odd remarks.

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026 at 7:50 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen has made it clear that he is interested in pursuing a rematch against Sean Strickland. Last weekend, Brendan Allen took his current win streak up to three with a comprehensive performance and victory over Edmen Shahbazyan. It comes off the back of triumphs over Marvin Vettori and Reinier de Ridder, with many believing he is getting closer and closer to a championship opportunity.

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026 at 7:46 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC star Bryce Mitchell has explained why he’s feeling pretty satisfied with his recent move from featherweight down to bantamweight. Last weekend, Bryce Mitchell was able to defeat and submit Santiago Luna to take his record up to 2-0 since he made his return to 135 pounds. He looked sharp, he looked confident, and he certainly seemed to fit the weight class better than he did at featherweight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026 at 12:43 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Is Eddie Hearn in over his head amid a hostile war of wards with Dana White? Hearn and White were once chummy and often exchanged pleasantries, but things changed when the UFC boss got into the boxing industry. Since the formation of Zuffa Boxing, Hearn and White have been at odds. Zuffa Boxing pulled off an unexpected move by signing longtime Matchroom Boxing star Conor Benn, who had a business relationship with Hearn for a decade.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026 at 12:17 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Max Holloway isn’t opposed to exchanging some trash talk with Conor McGregor if need be. “Blessed” and the “Notorious” one are scheduled to share the Octagon in the UFC 329 main event on July 11. The two first collided all the way back in 2013. McGregor defeated Holloway via unanimous decision before the two ascended into superstardom. Fast forward to 2026, and the two are surefire UFC Hall of Famers.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026 at 10:13 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Daniel Cormier has finally softened his stance Jon Jones, although the two still may not be exchanging Christmas cards later this year. Cormier and Jones had some bad blood during the prime of their pro MMA careers. The two hurled personal digs at one another, and “DC” has admitted that the rivalry got him out of character. Both men have retired from pro MMA competition, although “Bones” has been flirting with a return if he can get out of his UFC deal.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026 at 8:59 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Alex Pereira still doesn’t quite know what to make of Josh Hokit’s antics towards him during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference. Pereira and Hokit will be featured in separate bouts on the historic June 14 event on the White House lawn. “Poatan” will be facing Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Hokit is scheduled to clash with Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight battle.

Cole Shelton - June 9, 2026

The 223rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC White House. We’re joined by UFC middleweight Kyle Daukaus (1:00). Next, ninth-ranked UFC featherweight Steve Garcia (18:50) comes on.

Cole Shelton - June 8, 2026

The UFC was back at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday for UFC Vegas 118. The main event saw former champion Belal Muhammad taking on Gabriel Bonfim in a pivotal fight at welterweight. Muhammad entered the fight on a two-bout losing streak after dropping a decision to Ian Machado Garry and Jack Della Maddalena to lose his welterweight title. Bonfim, meanwhile, was set for his second-straight main event and was on a four-fight winning streak.

Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026

Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev could be on his way back to the Octagon after an impressive run outside of the promotion. At a time when the UFC’s flyweight division is on fire, one of the division’s former stars is doing everything he can to return to the promotion. Muhammad Mokaev, who parted ways with the UFC after a win over Manel Kape at UFC 304, remains unbeaten in his Mixed Martial Arts career and has won four-straight fights since his UFC finale.

Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026

A top UFC analyst predicts Justin Gaethje will pull off another mammoth upset this weekend on the White House lawn. Interim UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has had several opportunities to win a lineal UFC title during his legendary career in the Octagon. After defeating Paddy Pimblett earlier this year at UFC 324 to win the interim belt for the second time in his UFC tenure, Gaethje will face Ilia Topuria in the UFC White House main event this weekend.

Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen believes Bo Nickal will make the case for a title shot with an impressive win over Kyle Daukaus. UFC middleweight star Bo Nickal will look to continue his positive momentum this weekend at UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn. Nickal and Kyle Daukaus will square off as part of a seven-fight card at the White House, featuring the returns of Ilia Topuria and Alex Pereira.

Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026

UFC stars Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit squared off in NCAA Division-I wrestling seven years before their fights on the White House lawn. UFC stars Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit will come full circle this weekend at UFC White House.

Cole Shelton - June 8, 2026

Ilua Topuria has a bold prediction for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje. Topuria is set to headline the White House card on Sunday as he defends his lightweight title against Gaethje. It’s a highly anticipated bout, and heading into the fight, Topuria is a massive favorite.

Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026

UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes hopes Alexander Volkanovski will retire after presumably fighting his former foe. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is widely expected to return to the Octagon later this year and fight unbeaten contender Movsar Evloev. Rumors are swirling that Volkanovski vs. Evloev will headline an upcoming major event, potentially as soon as September.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026

Dana White believes UFC Freedom 250 is trending towards reaching numbers that match the NFL Super Bowl. The biggest event in MMA history is set to take place on Sunday. It’ll be a historic show, as UFC Freedom 250 will be held on the White House lawn. The event will feature two title fights, including the main event lightweight unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The co-headliner will feature an interim heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026

Ilia Topuria has responded to Justin Gaethje taking a dig at his divorce. Gaethje became the interim UFC Lightweight Champion after defeating Paddy Pimblett back in January, and it was Topuria’s hiatus that led to an interim title fight. “El Matador” took a small break from pro MMA competition, as he was dealing with a messy divorce from Giorgina Uzcategui. Topuria has children and was able to reach a custody settlement, which ended his hiatus.

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026

UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has taken a look back at his recent blockbuster victory over Paddy Pimblett. In his last fight, Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett in a pretty decisive manner to become the new UFC interim lightweight champion. His reward for that will be an undisputed title showdown in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, where he will take on reigning champ Ilia Topuria.

Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026

Controversial UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria defending Alex Pereira at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference. One thing we know to be true about Josh Hokit is that he doesn’t really care what people think about him. His latest gimmick is shining proof of that, with a lot of people cringing at his attempts to build his star power through showmanship and some odd remarks.