MMA News

Lyoto Machida, Luke Rockhold
Luke Rockhold

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

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida might be nearing a fighting comeback against Luke Rockhold in Karate Combat. Rockhold knocked out Joe Schilling at Karate Combat 45 last weekend in Dubai. He returned to the combat sports win column after a loss to Mike Perry in his bare-knuckle debut last year.

Jamahal Hill
Khalil Rountree

Jamahal Hill opens as betting favorite ahead of UFC 303 co-main event fight against Khalil Rountree

Cole Shelton - April 24, 2024

Jamahal Hill has opened as the betting favorite ahead of his UFC 303 fight against Khalil Rountree. Hill is making a quick turnaround after losing to Alex Pereira by first-round knockout at UFC 300 for the light heavyweight title. Despite being knocked out, Hill will return on June 29 against Rountree, which the UFC announced would be the co-main event of UFC 303. Of course, the main event sees Conor McGregor taking on Michael Chandler.

Islam Makhachev, Max Holloway
Ismael Bonfim

Islam Makhachev shoots down the idea of fighting Max Holloway after UFC 302: “I have some contenders who I have to beat”

Curtis Calhoun - April 24, 2024

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Max Holloway’s callout shortly after winning the BMF belt earlier this month. Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje with one second left at UFC 300 to earn the BMF title. The former UFC featherweight titleholder will likely return to the 145lb division to challenge Ilia Topuria for the belt.

Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney
Devin Haney

Michael Bisping reacts to Devin Haney’s post-fight celebrations following Ryan Garcia loss: “That’s crazy”

Harry Kettle - April 24, 2024

UFC commentator Michael Bisping has reacted to Devin Haney celebrating following his defeat to Ryan Garcia. Last weekend, Ryan Garcia pulled off quite the upset. He defeated Devin Haney via majority decision, but was unable to capture the belt as a result of him missing weight. Either way, it was quite the shock for many, with Haney suffering the first professional loss of his career.

Justin Gaethje and Islam Makhachev
Javier Mendez

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.

Justin Gaethje
Max Holloway

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.

Sean Climaco
ONE Championship

Road to ONE: America winner Sean Climaco promises “technical violence” in debut 

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 23, 2024

Sean Climaco plans to put American Muay Thai on the map with a signature performance in his ONE Championship debut.  The Filipino-American faces Mexican striker Josue Cruz at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video on May 3. The flyweight Muay Thai contest airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Ben Tynan
ONE Championship

Undefeated Ben Tynan makes quick turnaround, faces Mauro Cerilli at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga 

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 23, 2024

Ben Tynan is wasting no time getting back to work as he looks to continue his rapid rise to the top of ONE Championship’s heavyweight MMA division. “Vanilla Thunder” faces former World Title challenger Mauro Cerilli at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga on Prime Video. The event goes down in U.S. primetime on June 7 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

Dan Hooker
Dan Hooker

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.

Stephen Thompson
UFC

Stephen Thompson names top NMF’s in the UFC, including a pair of former champions

Curtis Calhoun - April 23, 2024

Stephen Thompson feels the UFC wouldn’t have any shortage of NMF title challengers if the promotion introduces a friendly-focused championship. Thompson is one of the most decorated kickboxers to ever compete in the UFC Octagon. Despite a recent loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, he remains one of the top welterweight contenders, and is targeting a UFC comeback for later this year.

Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad
Leon Edwards

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.

Max Holloway punches Justin Gaethje UFC 300
Max Holloway

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.

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Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan
Charles Oliveira

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.

Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway
Justin Gaethje

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.

Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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.

Zhang Weili and Yan Xiaonan
UFC

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.

Raul Rosas Jr and Ricky Turcios
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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
Kyle Nelson

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
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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
Exclusive MMA Interviews

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
Julianna Pena

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
Raquel Pennington

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
UFC

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.