MMA News
Jake Paul offers theory why the UFC hasn't booked Conor McGregor's return: "He has two fights left on his deal..."
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2024
Jake Paul believes that the UFC is holding back Conor McGregor from competing. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in their July 2021 trilogy bout. Conor McGregor then spent the better part of two years trying to heal, and book his return. As some fans likely recall, the former UFC champion repeatedly called for the chance to fight in 2023, and early 2024.
Kamaru Usman issues fiery retort to Belal Muhammad's "Corny, weak" diss track
Curtis Calhoun - September 5, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has broken the silence and addressed Belal Muhammad’s trolling on social media. Muhammad earned the UFC welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July. He hasn’t lost a fight since 2019 and has earned recent wins over the likes of Gilbert Burns, Stephen Thompson, and Sean Brady.
Tony Ferguson teases announcement after parting ways with the UFC: "Some big changes are going on!"
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2024
It appears that former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has something in the works. The man known to fans simply as ‘El Cucuy’ has seen better days. Tony Ferguson last competed at UFC Abu Dhabi in August, facing Michael Chiesa. Heading into the bout, the former interim lightweight champion had lost his last seven contests. Pre-fight, Dana White stated that the fight would be Ferguson’s last in the promotion, win or lose.
Conor McGregor hints at 2025 Irish Presidential run ahead of UFC comeback: "I am the only logical choice"
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2024
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor seemingly has an eye on politics. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in their 2021 trilogy bout. Due to the injury, Conor McGregor was forced to the sidelines for the last few years. While the former UFC champion was set to return to the cage in June against Michael Chandler, that fight was canceled due to injury.
Merab Dvalishvili says Umar Nurmagomedov doesn't deserve title shot, pitches an alternate for UFC 306 winner
Curtis Calhoun - September 5, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t feel the unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov deserves the next title shot after UFC 306. Dvalishvili faces UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the UFC 306 main event next weekend in Las Vegas. After an unbeaten streak inside the Octagon, Dvalishvili finally earned his elusive title shot after an impressive win at UFC 298.
Sean O'Malley vows to "open up" Merab Dvalishvili's cut at UFC 306
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley plans to open up the cut by Merab Dvalishvili’s eye at UFC 306. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the second time in the main event of UFC 306 at The Sphere in Las Vegas. It’s an intriguing matchup, but in the lead-up to the fight, Dvalishvili took to social media to show off a nasty cut near his eye.
VIDEO | Israel Adesanya involved in New Zealand road rage incident: "I'm begging you to fight me!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 5, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya nearly had to use his striking prowess on the streets of New Zealand during a recent road-side altercation. Adesanya’s UFC Octagon return fell short last month as he fell to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis by submission. It was Adesanya’s first UFC fight since a shocking loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.
Breaking: Mikey Musumeci gets new opponent at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 5, 2024
Fans can finally heave a sigh of relief as Mikey Musumeci will still compete at ONE 168: Denver as scheduled. The reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion stakes his crown at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, this Friday, September 6, against Bebeto Oliveira.
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan wishes Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson wasn't happening
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 5, 2024
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan admits that while he feels Mike Tyson could still have the ability to KO Jake Paul, he wishes the fight wasn’t booked. Tyson and Paul are scheduled to throw down inside the boxing ring on November 15th. An ulcer flareup on Tyson’s end derailed plans for the matchup to take place earlier this year. “The Problem Child” handed former UFC welterweight Mike Perry a sixth-round TKO loss instead.
Jorge Masvidal plans MMA comeback later this year or in 2025: "I f*cking love it, man"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 5, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal has made his future plans clear. Masvidal initially walked away from pro MMA competition following a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns back in April 2023. “Gamebred” returned to action back in July, sharing the boxing ring with his old rival Nate Diaz. He ended up losing the match via majority decision.
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.
Seksan expects all-out war against Liam Harrison at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 5, 2024
Seksan Or Kwanmuang has acknowledged that his upcoming encounter with Liam Harrison could be a brutal affair. Both men are penciled to lock horns in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai tiff at ONE 168: Denver at Ball Arena this Friday, September 6.
Khabib Nurmagomedov calls Usman Nurmagomedov the "future" of MMA
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
MMA legend Khabib Nurmagomedov believes his cousin Usman Nurmagomedov is the future of the sport. As we know, it’s been an interesting time for Usman Nurmagomedov as of late. While he may be a world champion in Bellator, he’s also had to deal with a suspected doping violation. Despite that, he is set to return to the cage this weekend when he defends his crown against Alexandr Shabliy.
Jon Anik defends Belal Muhammad against ducking allegations
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
UFC commentator Jon Anik has defended Belal Muhammad against allegations of the champion ducking contenders. Belal Muhammad is the UFC welterweight champion. He was able to earn that crown by defeating Leon Edwards in a pretty one-sided collision back at UFC 304 in Manchester. Now, he’s able to wait and see who is offered to him by the promotion. The leading contender is Shavkat Rakhmonov, who has been able to tear through pretty much everyone in the division that he’s faced.
MMA coach Javier Mendez compares Jon Jones to Lance Armstrong
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
MMA coach Javier Mendez has compared Jon Jones’ greatest of all time status to disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. In recent months, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding the future of Jon Jones. In fact, there’s also been a lot of talk about his past and present. The former light heavyweight king is currently the heavyweight champion, and many consider him to be the GOAT. However, others feel as if the UFC – and Dana White – are trying too hard to paint that picture.
Valentina Shevchenko reacts to former Muay Thai rival Wang Cong's warning following UFC debut win
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko reacted humorously to Wang Cong’s callout following a successful promotional debut last month. Shevchenko will face UFC flyweight titleholder Alexa Grasso in the UFC 306 co-main event. Their trilogy is the first in UFC women’s flyweight history and features two of the greatest female fighters on the planet.
Valentina Shevchenko responds to Alexa Grasso's claims that their relationship is in a "weird place"
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has responded to Alexa Grasso’s recent remarks about their relationship ahead of their UFC 306 trilogy. Shevchenko and Grasso will settle the score in the UFC 306 co-main event on September 14th. The card marks the first-ever major sporting event at the Las Vegas Sphere, a state-of-the-air venue.
Cancer survivor Maria Favela set to make MMA return at Invicta FC 57: "They told me I had a 50% chance of living"
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2024
Women’s bantamweight prospect Maria Favela will make her return at Invicta FC 57 later this month. ‘Leona’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a third-round knockout victory over Louise Hiller in August 2022. While the bantamweight prospect hoped to book a return to the cage soon thereafter, that bout never came. A few months following her stoppage win, Maria Favela was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma.