MMA News

Israel Adesanya
UFC

Israel Adesanya's coach weighs in on former champ's UFC title window

Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024

One of Israel Adesanya’s coaches has addressed the former champion’s current title window following his loss to Dricus du Plessis. Adesanya lost to the UFC middleweight titleholder du Plessis at UFC 305 last month in Perth. He returned to the Octagon following a year-long hiatus, stemming from a defeat to Sean Strickland that shocked the world.

Cain Velasquez
UFC

Cain Velasquez's sentencing date set in attempted murder trial

Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024

The attempted murder trial of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is nearing its conclusion in California. Velasquez, as reported by MMA Fighting, will appear in Santa Clara County District court on October 18th for sentencing. He pleaded no contest to several charges, including attempted murder, last month after cutting a deal with the prosecution.

Ciryl Gane, Rudy Gobert
UFC

WATCH | Ciryl Gane spars with NBA star Rudy Gobert ahead of UFC 308 return

Josh Evanoff - September 9, 2024

Heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane has trained with NBA star Rudy Gobert ahead of his UFC return. ‘Bon Gamin’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a fight in his home country of France a year ago. In Paris, Ciryl Gane scored a second-round knockout victory over Serghei Spivac, his first bout since losing to Jon Jones last March. Despite rumors of the heavyweight returning to France for his next bout, he will instead be traveling to Abu Dhabi.

Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White
Dana White

Dana White reacts to Oscar De La Hoya attending Noche UFC over Canelo Alvarez's return: "I don't know where he's getting his ticket"

Josh Evanoff - September 9, 2024

UFC President Dana White doesn’t want to be part of Oscar De La Hoya’s feud with Canelo Alvarez. This Saturday night in Las Vegas, Sin City will be taken over by not only one but two massive combat sports events. At the Sphere, Noche UFC will go down. Headlined by Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili, the card will focus on Mexican fighting history. Across the town, boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez will be facing Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena.

Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko
UFC

Alexa Grasso expecting a violent fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306: "We are going to kill each other"

Cole Shelton - September 9, 2024

Alexa Grasso is expecting her UFC 306 title defense against Valentina Shevchenko to be violent. Grasso and Shevchenko are set for their trilogy match on Saturday at the Sphere in a highly-anticipated bout at UFC 306. The two fought to a draw last September after Grasso scored an upset submission win in March of 2023 to win the title.

Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley explains why he's not concerned about Merab Dvalishvili's cardio and pace ahead of UFC 306

Cole Shelton - September 9, 2024

Sean O’Malley knows Merab Dvalishvili is known for his cardio and pace, but he doesn’t think that will play any role in their UFC 306 fight. O’Malley is looking to defend his bantamweight title for the second time on Saturday as he takes on Dvalishvili in an intriguing matchup. It’s a fight many fans are torn on who will win, but O’Malley is confident he will win the fight by KO and will do so early in the fight. With O’Malley thinking he will KO Dvalishvili early, he doesn’t his cardio will play any role.

Dana White
UFC

Dana White reveals his MMA Mount Rushmore ahead of UFC 306

Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024

Dana White’s MMA ‘Mount Rushmore’ features four of the greatest to ever fight in the promotion, including one he’s vehemently defended. White and the UFC are just days away from the most ambitious pay-per-view event in MMA history this Saturday in Las Vegas. The UFC’s debut at the Sphere venue will intertwine sports and entertainment at the one-of-a-kind venue.

Robert Whittaker
Robert Whittaker

Robert Whittaker says it's title shot or bust if he defeats Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308

Fernando Quiles - September 9, 2024

Robert Whittaker is adamant that a win over Khamzat Chimaev gets him another UFC middleweight title opportunity. Whittaker and Chimaev will be going one-on-one during the UFC 308 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi. There has been much talk over the stakes of this matchup, with many believing Khamzat will be granted a title shot if he wins, but what if “The Reaper” emerges victorious?

Movsar Evloev
Movsar Evloev

Movsar Evloev fires back at Aljamain Sterling over PED claims: "He will answer about his words"

Fernando Quiles - September 9, 2024

Movsar Evloev has hit back at Aljamain Sterling amid banned substance accusations. Sterling has expressed his belief that Evloev isn’t fighting fair. More recently, Sterling was interviewed by “Home of Fight” and said he’s heard from others who claim the Russian grappler isn’t a clean athlete.

Sean O’Malley Merab Dvalishvili
Ray Longo

Coach explains what Merab Dvalishvili must do to defeat Sean O'Malley at UFC 306

Fernando Quiles - September 9, 2024

The coach of Merab Dvalishvili, Ray Longo, has detailed what his fighter must do in order to take the UFC Bantamweight Championship from Sean O’Malley. Merab will challenge O’Malley for the 135-pound gold in the main event of the historic UFC 306 event. The card will be taking place inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event has been heavily hyped by UFC CEO Dana White as being one of a kind. There’s no doubt that the two headliners want to walk out of the big show with gold.

Dana White
UFC

Dana White still isn't eager to host UFC events in stadiums

Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White still isn’t convinced by holding events in stadiums, even in Las Vegas. As we know, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will head to the Sphere in Las Vegas for the first time this weekend. They will be putting on what promises to be a blockbuster show, with many being fascinated to find out exactly what it’s going to look like.

Brandon Moreno
UFC

Brandon Moreno says recent MMA hiatus has him “very motivated” to fight at UFC Edmonton: “I find myself in a really good moment”

Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024

Brandon Moreno believes his recent MMA hiatus has left him feeling motivated ahead of his return at UFC Edmonton. For the longest time, Brandon Moreno was one of the top dogs at flyweight alongside Deiveson Figueiredo. Now, however, following two losses on the bounce, the Mexican sensation is in need of a big win to get back in the title picture. At UFC Edmonton later this year, he’ll try to get that win when he battles Amir Albazi.

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Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady
Gilbert Burns

Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024

In the main event of UFC Vegas 97, a pivotal welterweight bout goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Sean Brady. Heading into the fight, Burns is a +150 underdog while the American is a -194 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight fight. The pros believe Burns will pull off the upset and get the win over Brady on Saturday.

Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson

Kyle Nelson expects Steve Garcia to "gas" out at UFC Vegas 97 en route to second-round TKO

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024

Kyle Nelson was supposed to get the biggest fight of his career as he was booked to face Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 97. However, just about a month out from the fight, it was revealed Kattar was injured and the fight was off. It was disappointing news for Nelson who had a chance to crack the top-10.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessia
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 305 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya title fight

Cole Shelton - August 14, 2024

In the main event of UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Dricus Du Plessis looks to defend his belt for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a slight -104 underdog while ‘The Last Stylebender’ is a -122 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the middleweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Adesanya will reclaim his middleweight title.

Michael Chiesa and Tony Ferguson
Michael Chiesa

Michael Chiesa pleads with Tony Ferguson to retire for good after UFC Abu Dhabi

Cole Shelton - August 13, 2024

Michael Chiesa thinks Tony Ferguson needs to stop competing after UFC Abu Dhabi. On the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi earlier this month, Chiesa scored a first-round submission win over Ferguson in a one-sided performance. After the fight, Ferguson half-announced his retirement but has since walked back on that, and now Chiesa is pleading with Ferguson to retire.

Damon Jackson
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Damon Jackson says he's been "wrestling heavy" for Chepe Mariscal fight: "I'm going to get it to the ground"

Cole Shelton - August 7, 2024

Damon Jackson isn’t shying away from his game plan at UFC Vegas 95 on Saturday. Jackson is set to take on Chepe Mariscal on Saturday night. He had originally agreed to fight Mariscal on July 20, but the fight was moved to August 10 due to undisclosed reasons.

Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Pro fighters make their picks for Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov

Cole Shelton - August 2, 2024

In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, a pivotal bantamweight bout goes down as Cory Sandhagen takes on Umar Nurmagomedov. Heading into the fight, Sandhagen is a sizeable +230 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -310 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight fight. The pros believe Sandhagen will be able to edge it out as they think it is too much too soon for Nurmagomedov.

Tony Ferguson and Michael Chiesa
Michael Chiesa

Pro fighters make their picks for Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa

Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024

On the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi, a highly-anticipated welterweight bout goes down as Tony Ferguson takes on Michael Chiesa. Heading into the fight, Ferguson is a massive +420 underdog while ‘The Maverick’ is a -720 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Although many pros want to see Ferguson get the win and end his losing streak, the majority of pros expect Chiesa to use his wrestling and size to control ‘El Cucuy’ on the ground.

Bobby Green and Paddy Pimblett
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 304 | Pro fighters make their picks for Bobby Green vs. Paddy Pimblett

Cole Shelton - July 25, 2024

On the main card of UFC 304, a very intriguing lightweight bout goes down as Bobby Green takes on Paddy Pimblett. Heading into the fight, Green is a slight -122 favorite while ‘The Baddy’ is a -104 underdog 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 torn on this one, but the slight majority do think Green will edge out a competitive decision.

Modestas Bukauskas
Modestas Bukauskas

Modestas Bukauskas vows to stop Marcin Prachnio on "home turf" at UFC 304: "I'm going for the finish"

Cole Shelton - July 24, 2024

Modestas Bukauskas plans to begin UFC 304 with a bang. Bukauskas is set to open the card against Marcin Prachnio in an intriguing light heavyweight fight. It’s his first fight since November of last year, which was frustrating until he realized the delay was worth it as he gets to fight at home in the UK.

Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammad, UFC 304
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 304 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad title fight

Cole Shelton - July 24, 2024

In the main event of UFC 304, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Leon Edwards is looking to defend his belt against Belal Muhammad. Heading into the fight, Edwards is a sizeable -265 favorite while the challenger is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight title fight. The majority of pros believe it will be Edwards getting the win to remain the welterweight champion in what could be a lackluster fight.

Daniel Pineda
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Daniel Pineda expects Nathaniel Wood fight at UFC 304 to end early: "One of us is getting knocked out"

Cole Shelton - July 24, 2024

Daniel Pineda expects his UFC 304 fight against Nathaniel Wood to end early. Pineda hasn’t fought in over a year, due to an opponent withdrawing from a fight and then him getting hurt. He ended up getting booked to fight Wood at UFC 304 in England, which he is eager to go fight in enemy territory.

Kurt Holobaugh
UFC

Kurt Holobaugh plans to let his "hands go" and KO Kaynan Kruschewsky at UFC Vegas 94

Cole Shelton - July 19, 2024

Kurt Holobaugh is excited to be making a quick turnaround at UFC Vegas 94. Holobaugh dropped a decision to Trey Ogden back in March and now four months later he gets to return at UFC Vegas 94 against Kaynan Kruschewsky. For Holobaugh, he says he feels like the more active he is, the better he fights.