MMA News
Aleksandar Rakic aims to crash the title picture with win over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2024
Aleksandar Rakic hopes to crash the UFC light heavyweight title picture by defeating Magomed Ankalaev this weekend. As we know, Aleksandar Rakic’s career has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. After building up a record of 14-2, he lost back to back fights against Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka. In the first, he suffered a knee injury, and in the second, he seemed to be in control before Prochazka was able to mount a big comeback.
Geoff Neal was surprised to get Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 308, eyes late TKO finish: "Everyone is durable until they get hit too many times"
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
Geoff Neal didn’t think he would get to fight someone like Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 308. Neal is coming off a split-decision loss to Ian Machado Garry which was his second straight loss. After the defeat, Neal said he was going to take some time off and when he was ready to return, he was surprised he was booked to fight dos Anjos at UFC 308.
Khamzat Chimaev declares himself the best wrestler in the UFC ahead of UFC 308: "Why should I be worried about him?"
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev believes he’s the best wrestler in the UFC. Chimaev is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday against Robert Whittaker in a highly-anticipated bout. It’s a massive fight for the division as the winner should get a title shot, and Chimaev believes he will run through Whittaker with ease.
Max Holloway predicts Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024
BMF titleholder Max Holloway has an interesting prediction for how the UFC 308 co-main event will play out between Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. Holloway will face UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria at UFC 308 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. He returns to the featherweight division after knocking out Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 in April.
PHOTO | UFC 309 poster released featuring Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Josh Evanoff - October 22, 2024
The UFC 309 poster featuring Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic has been released on social media. Next month in New York City, ‘Bones’ will finally return to the octagon. Back for the first time since submitting Ciryl Gane last March at UFC 285, Jon Jones will meet former champion Stipe Miocic. For his part, the 42-year-old hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in early 2021.
Dan Hooker explains why he's "not really interested" in rematching Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
Dan Hooker isn’t too keen on rematching Dustin Poirier next time out. Hooker and Poirier had one of the best fights in recent memory back in June of 2020. It was a thrilling five-round fight as both men were beaten up badly, but it was Poirier who won by decision.
Francis Ngannou's coach shares emotional pre-fight team conversation before PFL debut win
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou had an internal fight hours before making his highly-anticipated return to the cage in his PFL debut. Ngannou defeated 2023 PFL heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira in the Battle of the Giants main event last weekend in Riyadh. After almost three full years away from MMA, Ngannou looked dominant in his return, finishing Ferreira in the first round.
Dan Hooker offers update on potential UFC showdown with Conor McGregor: "The fight makes a lot of sense"
Josh Evanoff - October 22, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker really believes a fight with Conor McGregor is possible. ‘The Hangman’ has been out of action since his return to the cage in August. On the main card of UFC 305, Dan Hooker faced Mateusz Gamrot, in a massive lightweight showdown. Ultimately, the Australian busted up ‘Gamer’, tagging him several times en route to a split-decision victory. For Hooker, the win was his third in a row.
Khamzat Chimaev shuts down rumor that he's unable to fight in the U.S. ahead of UFC 308 return: "Lot of s*it"
Josh Evanoff - October 22, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev wants to shut down a rumor ahead of his return. ‘Borz’ has been out of the cage since a trip to Abu Dhabi last October. In the co-main event of UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev faced short-notice replacement Kamaru Usman. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ entered the fight on a two-fight losing streak, and was ultimately handed a unanimous decision loss.
Nate Diaz responds to Brendan Schaub's viral rant and threats
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024
Former UFC superstar Nate Diaz has answered Brendan Schaub’s viral rant and challenge to a potential fight/grappling match. Tensions between Diaz and Schaub reached a boiling point from afar earlier this week. After Diaz called Schaub a “P***y” for an emotional reaction to Shane Carwin’s post-UFC career struggles, Schaub went scorched Earth on one of his podcasts on Monday.
Alexander Volkanovski shares prediction for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway at UFC 308
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski will be paying close attention to the UFC 308 main event between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway. Topuria is looking to defend his featherweight title for the first time since he KO’d Volkanovski back in February. It was a statement win and he enters his first title fight as a sizeable betting favorite.
REPORT | Joe Rogan set to host former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday podcast episode
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2024
Longtime UFC color commentator Joe Rogan is reportedly set to host former U.S. President Donald Trump on an upcoming episode of The Joe Rogan Experience in Austin, TX. Politico was among the first to report the news of the upcoming podcast episode featuring Rogan and Trump.
Arman Tsarukyan scoffs at Islam Makhachev being ahead of Jon Jones in P4P debate
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan would not put Islam Makhachev at the top of the pound-for-pound list. UFC CEO Dana White has been peeved at the fact that Makhachev is ahead of Jon Jones at the top of the list. While White puts the blame on the media, many reporters have criticized the UFC for the rankings panel choices over the years. Nevertheless, White’s narrative stands and he plans to change up the ranking system.
Brandon Royval would welcome Henry Cejudo back to flyweight: "I could just walk him right into a knee"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2024
Brandon Royval would welcome Henry Cejudo back to flyweight if “Triple C” makes the cut back down. Back in the summer, Cejudo said he’s considering a return to the 125-pound division. He once captured gold in the weight class before moving up to bantamweight to earn a title there.
Dana White provides honest update on Conor McGregor's UFC future
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2024
UFC president Dana White has provided an update on what the future could hold for Conor McGregor. The future of Conor McGregor is always something that’s going to be a hot topic. After all, the Irishman is easily the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts. With that being said, he’s certainly been busy as of late with ventures outside of the sport.
Belal Muhammad reveals when he could make move up to middleweight
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has provided an update on when he could move up in weight. As we know, Belal Muhammad is the current king of the welterweights. He earned that distinction by domianting and defeating Leon Edwards earlier this year to officially capture the belt. Now, he’s preparing for a quick turnaround as he hopes to defend his crown against Shavkat Rakhmonov in December.
Merab Dvalishvili believes Ilia Topuria will defeat Max Holloway at UFC 308
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2024
UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili believes Ilia Topuria will defeat Max Holloway at UFC 308 this weekend. On Saturday night, Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Max Holloway. It serves as the most important fight on the UFC 308 card and, for some, it’s the biggest fight of the year. Regardless of whether or not you agree with that sentiment, it’s hard to argue against the idea that this is a blockbuster bout.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 181 with Geoff Neal and Dan Ige
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2024
The 181st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 308. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC welterweight Geoff Neal (1:00). We close things out with 14th-ranked UFC featherweight Dan Ige (9:58).