MMA News
Belal Muhammad dismisses Ilia Topuria's three-division champion claim: "Short guys always act like they’re tough"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
Belal Muhammad finds humor in Ilia Topuria’s plan to become a three-division UFC champion. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He will be putting his title at stake against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. It’s “El Matador’s” first attempt at a successful title defense.
Coach: Kayla Harrison brings excitement back to UFC women's bantamweight division
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
Kayla Harrison’s coach, Matt Brown, believes his fighter is bringing buzz back to the women’s bantamweight division. Since Amanda Nunes walked away from pro MMA competition, some feel the women’s 135-pound division has been missing a spark. More recently, Julianna Pena defeated Raquel Pennington to recapture the bantamweight gold. Fans have scoffed at the current state of the division, however.
Joaquin Buckley reveals his frustration at UFC welterweight division
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
UFC fighter Joaquin Buckley has explained why he’s frustrated with the current state of the welterweight division. Over the course of the last few years, Joaquin Buckley has really put everything together. He has become a genuine contender at welterweight and, in the process, has developed quite the persona outside of the cage.
Shara Magomedov explains why Michael Bisping is his MMA inspiration
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
UFC star Shara Magomedov has explained why he views former champion Michael Bisping as an inspiration. As many of you know, Shara Magomedov is viewed by many as the next big thing. The 30-year-old is 14-0 in his professional mixed martial arts career and he’s 3-0 since arriving in the UFC. This weekend, he’ll attempt to extend that record when he goes head to head with Armen Petrosyan in what promises to be an electric bout.
Jake Hadley opens up on recent UFC departure
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
Former UFC fighter Jake Hadley has opened up on his recent departure from the promotion. For the longest time, it felt as if Jake Hadley had the potential to become a real player in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, things never quite clicked into place for him. Following a run of 3-4 in the promotion, including a loss to Cameron Smotherman last weekend, he was not re-signed to a new contract.
Dan Ige expecting a "fun fight" against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308, hopes for a big fight next: "It lines me up for something big"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Dan Ige is expecting a fun fight against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308. Ige is coming off a decision loss to Diego Lopes back at UFC 303 in a fight he took on only a couple of hours’ notice. It was a hectic day for the Hawaiian and he says he was glad he did it as he proved to everyone just how good he is.
UFC 308 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway title fight
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
In the main event of UFC 308, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Ilia Topuria looks to defend his belt for the first time against Max Holloway. Heading into the bout, Topuria is a -260 favorite while the challenger is a +196 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros believe it should be an exciting striking match but they are shockingly unanimous in thinking Holloway pulls off the upset to get the win.
Israel Adesanya predicts Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t expecting Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev to go the full distance at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev battle in a potential No. 1 contender fight at UFC 308 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The co-main event is one of the most anticipated co-headliners in recent memory based on the decorated runs of both stars.
PFL founder Donn Davis responds to Usman Nurmagomedov’s comments about a future UFC move
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
PFL founder Donn Davis didn’t take long to respond to Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov’s timeline for a potential move to the UFC. Nurmagomedov, regarded by many as one of the top fighters outside of the UFC, defeated Alexandr Shabliy by unanimous decision in his last Bellator title defense. Usman is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Robert Whittaker says he's "coming for war" against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308: "Hardest fight of my life"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Robert Whittaker is expecting a war against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev are rebooked to fight in a pivotal fight at middleweight with the winner likely getting a title shot. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Whittaker knows will be a tough out for him.
Conor McGregor continues feud with Johnny Eblen over lackluster Bellator title fight: "Bum b*tch nobody"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
It appears that the feud between UFC star Conor McGregor and Bellator champion Johnny Eblen isn’t over. The middleweight returned to the cage on the PFL pay-per-view offering over the weekend in Saudi Arabia. There, Johnny Eblen met Fabian Edwards for a rematch of their firefight in Ireland last September. That first encounter ended a third-round knockout for the champion, and a near-brawl with Leon Edwards afterward.
VIDEO | Mike Tyson brutalizes sparring partner in preparation for Jake Paul fight
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Boxing legend Mike Tyson isn’t holding back in training for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. ‘Iron Mike’ hasn’t competed in a professional boxing match in nearly two decades. Mike Tyson last stepped into the ring in June 2005, suffering a stoppage loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. 19 years later, the 58-year-old legend will lace up the gloves one final time against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Khamzat Chimaev dismisses Sean Strickland's recent criticism, opens up on prior training session: "I tapped him out"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has opened up on his training sessions with former UFC champion Sean Strickland. ‘Borz’ is set to return to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday night. Back for the first time since defeating Kamaru Usman by a majority-decision last October, Khamzat Chimaev will meet Robert Whittaker. ‘The Reaper’ enters the five-round bout riding a two-fight winning streak last knocking out Ikram Aliskerov in June.
Chael Sonnen questions Colby Covington's UFC return after recent movie, business offers
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen spent some time with Colby Covington in Florida and wonders if the three-time title challenger will compete in the Octagon again. Covington hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 last year. He was briefly linked to a return at UFC 303 against Ian Machado Garry.
Arnold Allen calls out Yair Rodríguez for 2025 UFC return, weighs in on Mexico City booking
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen has Yair Rodríguez in his sights for a pivotal matchup between top 145lbers. Allen snapped a two-fight skid to defeat Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in July. He stifled Chikadze’s always-dangerous kickboxing and put on one of his best performances in recent years.
Ilia Topuria shoots down the idea of rematching Alexander Volkanovski in Australia: "I'm the champion"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Ilia Topuria says if he rematches Alexander Volkanovski it will not be in Australia as ‘The Great’ wants. The UFC is returning to Sydney in February and Volkanovski says he wants to return on that card and fight for the title. However, should Topuria beat Max Holloway at UFC 308 and defend his belt, he says he won’t be going to Australia to defend his belt.
Dana White predicts where the next Conor McGregor will emerge: "We’re already starting to crank talent out of there"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 23, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White believes he knows where the next Conor McGregor will emerge. McGregor’s star power can’t be denied. The “Notorious” one has set live gate and pay-per-view records for the UFC. He recently vowed to have every spot in the top 10 largest PPV buys for the promotion.
Max Holloway slams Ilia Topuria for being Conor McGregor "copycat"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 23, 2024
Max Holloway believes Ilia Topuria is trying to be Conor McGregor lite. Holloway is ready to challenge Topuria for the UFC Featherweight Championship this Saturday. The title fight will headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. This is Holloway’s bid to become a two-time champion in the 145-pound division.