MMA News
Paul Hughes explains decision to sign with PFL over the UFC: “I deserve to get compensated”
Harry Kettle - May 2, 2024
Cage Warriors champion Paul Hughes has explained why he decided to sign for PFL ahead of UFC. For those of you who don’t know, Paul Hughes is a fascinating lightweight prospect. From his fight style to his impressive 11-1 pro record, there was always going to be a lot of intrigue when it comes to where he was going to sign next. In the end, though, instead of joining the likes of fellow countrymen Conor McGregor and Ian Machado Garry in the UFC, he opted for PFL.
ONE Fight Night 22: Where and how to stream in North America
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
When ONE Championship returns to U.S. primetime this Friday, May 3, fans are in for an unforgettable ride. Taking place at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video features an 11-bout card packed with compelling matchups.
Ilia Topuria calls out Joe Rogan: "UFC never offered me this fight"
Zain Bando - May 1, 2024
Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), the UFC’s newly minted featherweight champion, is unhappy after recent comments from UFC color commentator Joe Rogan regarding Topuria’s intention not to immediately rematch Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) at UFC 305 in Australia in August. On a recent episode of “JRE,” the most widely-consumed podcast in the world, Rogan, who has been with the UFC since 2002 after a brief stint in the mid-90s, suggested that Topuria would not fight the former champion in Volkanovski based on rumors he had heard around the community.
Steve Erceg expects "bottles to be thrown" at him after he upsets Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
Steve Erceg is expecting a hostile crowd on Saturday when he faces Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title in the main event of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Erceg knows Brazilian fans like to get loud and chant ‘You Will Die’ in Portuguese to the opposing fighters. With Erceg fighting for the belt and being the main event, he’s expecting to get booed. Not only is he expecting to get booed, but Erceg thinks people will be throwing stuff at him after he finishes Pantoja at UFC 301.
Michael Bisping taking Alexandre Pantoja to retain flyweight title: "He’s a nasty bastard"
Zain Bando - May 1, 2024
Michael Bisping is all too familiar with playing the underdog role. Despite Steve Erceg’s (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) similar position Saturday at UFC 301, Bisping said he plans to go conservative and pick Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) to defend his flyweight title in his home country of Brazil. “Alexandre Pantoja, this man’s phenomenal,” Michael Bisping said. “He’s pretty much gone through the entire flyweight division. Brandon Moreno, the Royvals, the Kapes. You name it, he’s been there and done it. He’s got no weak areas. He’s got a strong mind. He’s resilient. He’s got an amazing gas tank. He can strike. He can wrestle. He’s got world-class jiu-jitsu, and he’s a nasty bastard on top of it.”
Anthony Smith calls UFC fans 'stupid' over relentless criticism of his takes and career
Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith’s relationship with fans has become fractured in recent years. Smith will face Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. He returns looking to snap a recent skid of losses in three of his last four fights, including a knockout loss to Khalil Rountree in December.
UFC 301 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg title fight
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
In the main event of UFC 301, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja looks to defend his belt against Steve Erceg. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -200 favorite while the challenger is a +154 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the flyweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Pantoja will remain the flyweight champ as they believe this is too big of a step up in competition for Erceg.
Max Holloway hits back after Ilia Topuria questions his desire to fight for the featherweight belt: 'You're spiraling!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024
BMF titleholder Max Holloway wasn’t one to hold animosity toward other UFC fighters, until Ilia Topuria claimed the featherweight throne. Holloway earned the BMF belt by knocking out Justin Gaethje with one second left at UFC 300 last month. The win was his first career UFC lightweight victory and opened up many options for his next fight.
WATCH | Alex Pereira outwrestles Daniel Cormier at UFC 301 media day
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024
It appears that UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has better wrestling than Daniel Cormier believed. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 300 last month. In the headliner of the historic event, Alex Pereria faced former champion Jamahal Hill. Ultimately, it took the Brazilian less than a round to knock out ‘Sweet Dreams’. However, Hill later stated that Herb Dean’s refereeing played a role in the defeat.
Jose Aldo turned down million-dollar payday to make return at UFC 301: "We had a lot of offers"
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024
Former featherweight champion Jose Aldo felt that he had to return to the UFC. ‘Junior’ famously retired from MMA after a unanimous decision defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022. For the next two years or so, Jose Aldo competed in the boxing ring. He compiled a 2-0-1 record and was in discussions for exhibitions with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Instead, the former champion will return to the UFC.
WATCH | Jose Aldo gets into Jonathan Martinez's face in intense faceoff ahead of UFC 301
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
Jose Aldo got into a heated faceoff with Jonathan Martinez ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 301 on Saturday. Aldo is set to face Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It marks his first MMA fight since August of 2022 when he lost a decision to Merab Dvalishvili. Since then, the UFC allowed Aldo to take boxing fights, as he had three of them, but he will fight out his contract on Saturday.
David Feldman confirms Conor McGregor will have “a lot of say” in future BKFC operations
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
David Feldman is confirming that Conor McGregor will have ‘a lot to say’ in future BKFC operations. The announcement came this past Saturday, April 27th during the BKFC KnuckleMania 4 broadcast, that Conor McGregor is now a part owner in the promotion.
Alex Volkanovski tells Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion: “He’s saying no to everyone”
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
Alex Volkanovski is telling Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion. The undefeated Topuria is the current UFC featherweight champion.
Bianca Basilio promises to finish Nanami Ichikawa at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Bianca Basilio sees her next outing as a chance to redeem herself on the global stage. The Brazilian star competes in a 132-pound catchweight submission grappling match against Nanami Ichikawa at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, May 3.
Nico Carrillo to lock horns with Saemapetch at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Excitement is brewing as top-ranked contenders Nico Carrillo and Saemapetch Fairtex gear up to face each other in a thrilling bantamweight Muay Thai showdown. This happens at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. The event airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 5.
Sean Climaco has one goal on global stage: "To prove that I'm the best"
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Sean Climaco’s face beams with excitement as he gears up for his ONE Championship debut. The Filipino-American sensation makes his maiden appearance at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video this Friday, May 3. There, he squares off against Josue Cruz in a flyweight Muay Thai bout.
Muhammad Mokaev calls “number one bullsh*t” on updated UFC flyweight rankings
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Muhammad Mokaev has called out the updated UFC flyweight rankings as Alex Perez jumps above him in the pecking order. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev is a rising force of nature in the UFC’s flyweight division. The youngster fully believes he has what it takes to become a world champion, and with an unbeaten 12-0 record, the future certainly looks bright. With that being said, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the air right now when it comes to the title picture.
Robert Whittaker explains why he hopes Jiri Prochazka doesn’t move down to middleweight: “Then we’re enemies”
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Robert Whittaker has explained why he doesn’t want to see Jiri Prochazka move down to middleweight. For the longest time now, Jiri Prochazka has been a big fan favorite in mixed martial arts. That’s been especially true since he joined the UFC, with his eccentric style winning over the masses.