MMA News
UFC CEO Dana White expresses interest in Dustin Poirier’s four-man BMF tournament
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 10, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White appears to be on board with the idea of a BMF tournament. Dustin Poirier recently appeared on SiriusXM’s “MMA Today” and suggested the tourney. He threw his name in the hat along with Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, and Dan Hooker.
Mackenzie Dern’s husband arrested for alleged assault on her ex-husband
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 10, 2024
UFC fighter Antonio Trocoli was arrested for allegedly assaulting Mackenzie Dern’s ex-husband. Huntington Beach police told MMAFighting.com that the arrest for misdemeanor battery took place on October 4th at 8:30 a.m. It was noted that the Orange County District Attorney’s Officer is reviewing the case.
The UFC parts ways with 12 fighters in recent roster purge
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 10, 2024
A new wave of UFC roster cuts has arrived. Roster releases are obviously a tough time for fighters who receive the dreaded pink slip. It is inevitable, however.
Coach Jose Garcia says Cesar Gracie is once again trying to obstruct Nick Diaz's return at UFC 310
Chris Taylor - October 10, 2024
With recent rumor of Nick Diaz returning at UFC 310, BJPENN.com caught up with Nick’s Academy Recovery Coach and Team cut man Jose Garcia (BBJ) for an update on The General! We must say, after speaking with Jose, we were left quite concerned. According to Garcia, Cesar Gracie continues to be the antagonist in this update as we previously reported in our last article (see that here). Nick Diaz’s removal from August’s UFC Abu Dhabi event was apparently due in major part to Gracie attempting to get the Stockton General back under contract so that he can financially benefit from Nick returning to the Octagon.
Larissa Pacheco criticizes PFL for "Uncalled for" treatment of Kayla Harrison in recent fight promo
Curtis Calhoun - October 9, 2024
Two-time PFL champion Larissa Pacheco didn’t appreciate the league’s treatment of Kayla Harrison in a questionably timed fight promo ahead of her return. Pacheco will face Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg in the Battle of the Giants co-main event on October 19th. She returns to the cage for the first time since winning the 2023 PFL women’s featherweight title over Marina Mokhnatkina.
Ilia Topuria challenges Max Holloway to throw down in the middle of the Octagon in the first 10 seconds at UFC 308
Cole Shelton - October 9, 2024
Ilia Topuria wants Max Holloway to meet in the middle and throw down in the first 10 seconds of their fight as he did in the last 10 seconds against Justin Gaethje. Topuria is set to defend his featherweight title in the main event of UFC 308 on October 26 against Holloway in a highly-anticipated bout. Topuria enters the bout as a -260 favorite while the Hawaiian is a +196 underdog on FanDuel.
Francis Ngannou accuses Dana White of lying over UFC vs. Boxing paydays: "Unless he was writing the check..."
Curtis Calhoun - October 9, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has responded to Dana White’s claims that he would’ve made more money if he’d stayed with the promotion. Ngannou will make his MMA return against 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira on October 19th in Riyadh. He returns to the cage almost three full years since his UFC finale; a win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.
Sean O’Malley sends Umar Nurmagomedov a warning over potentially losing bantamweight title shot: "Suck my sac if you don’t like that"
Cole Shelton - October 9, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has sent Umar Nurmagomedov a warning. Nurmagomedov appears to be next in line for the bantamweight title shot against Merab Dvalishvili. However, O’Malley has been calling for a rematch and Dvalishvili has also expressed interest in it.
Dana White provides a grim update on UFC Africa plans
Curtis Calhoun - October 9, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White remains focused on making UFC Africa happen, but the promotion’s first event on the continent has hit several speed bumps in recent months. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis is the promotion’s lone African-born titleholder at present, after defeating Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. After dismantling Adesanya, he called for his next title defense to take place in Africa, likely against Sean Strickland.
Nate Diaz rejects 'nerd' Dustin Poirier's idea for 'BMF' tournament: "They don't fit the description"
Josh Evanoff - October 9, 2024
Nate Diaz doesn’t want to see UFC lightweights Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje in a ‘BMF’ tournament. ‘The Diamond’ has been out of the cage since a fifth-round submission loss to Islam Makhachev in June. Following that defeat, Dustin Poirier admitted that the fight could’ve been his last. However, he’s since reversed course. In fact, Poirier has a wild idea in mind, involving himself, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, and Dan Hooker.
Conor McGregor reveals "names are being discussed" for UFC return after Michael Chandler booking falls apart
Josh Evanoff - October 9, 2024
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor is unsure if Michael Chandler is next. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. That night saw the Irishman break his leg in the final seconds of round one. Due to that injury, as well as filming ‘Road House’, Conor McGregor has been out of the cage for three years. However, he was finally set to make his return to the cage in June.
Dustin Poirier calls for retirement fight in Louisiana: "Where I’d love to lay the gloves down"
Cole Shelton - October 9, 2024
Dustin Poirier is hopeful the UFC heads to Louisiana in 2025 so he can have his retirement fight at home. Poirier has said he will fight at least one more time after contemplating his future following his submission loss to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. After taking some time to contemplate his future, Poirier is now calling for the UFC to go back to Louisiana so he can fight at home for his final fight.
Johan Estupinan feels honored to be Colombia’s torchbearer in ONE Championship
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 9, 2024
Johan Estupinan embraces the duty of hoisting the Colombian flag aloft on the global stage. The 22-year-old rising star’s career is on an upward trajectory following his electrifying performance at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video last Friday, October 4. There, he defeated Zakaria El Jamari in a flyweight Muay Thai showdown.
Dana White reacts to Amanda Nunes teasing UFC return: "She looks great"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 9, 2024
Dana White has responded to Amanda Nunes teasing a potential UFC comeback. Nunes has cemented her place in MMA history. She retired from pro MMA competition after successfully defending the UFC women’s bantamweight title against Irene Aldana back in June 2023.
Renato Moicano vows to knock Justin Gaethje out if they fight: "I'm not losing"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 9, 2024
Renato Moicano believes that he would knock out Justin Gaethje if the two fight. The chatter within the MMA community for a potential clash between Moicano and Gaethje has grown. Former UFC veteran Chael Sonnen shared his belief that Moicano vs. Gaethje is a no brainer. UFC CEO Dana White said the promotion won’t be speaking to Moicano about his next fight until he heals from a shoulder injury.
Brendan Schaub suggests Khalil Rountree Jr. will “never be the same” following brutal stoppage loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 307
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2024
MMA analyst Brendan Schaub isn’t sure Khalil Rountree Jr will ever be the same following his brutal loss to Alex Pereira. On Saturday night at UFC 307, Khalil Rountree Jr put everything on the line. He went to war with Alex Pereira and unfortunately, he came up on the wrong end of a TKO loss. Despite this, he picked up plenty of new fans thanks to his determination and willingness to go out on his shield.
Chael Sonnen explains why Raquel Pennington, not Kayla Harrison, should be next for newly minted UFC champion Julianna Peña
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Raquel Pennington has earned the right to receive an immediate rematch against Julianna Pena. Last weekend, Raquel Pennington put up a great fight against Julianna Pena at UFC 307. She was defending her UFC women’s bantamweight championship but unfortunately, in the eyes of the judges, she didn’t quite do enough to get over the finish line.
Anthony Smith explains why he took pride in watching Khalil Rountree Jr. find early success against Alex Pereira at UFC 307: “At least it ain’t just me”
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2024
UFC fighter Anthony Smith says he took pride in seeing Khalil Rountree Jr enjoy success against Alex Pereira in their UFC 307 main event. Last weekend, Khalil Rountree Jr performed brilliantly against Alex Pereira. He put up an incredible fight against the Brazilian and while he ultimately lost via stoppage, his stock went up dramatically.