MMA News
Daniel Cormier questions the intent behind Jorge Masvidal's UFC comeback: "Do fans care?"
Curtis Calhoun - September 5, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier questions whether or not Jorge Masvidal’s planned UFC comeback will bear the fruits of his labor. Masvidal hasn’t fought in combat sports since a loss to Nate Diaz in the boxing ring earlier this year. He retired from MMA following a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287.
Gilbert Burns hoping for a "war" against Sean Brady but expects to get him out of there quickly at UFC Vegas 97
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024
Gilbert Burns is hoping his UFC Vegas 97 main event fight against Sean Brady will be a war. Burns enters the bout on a two-fight losing streak and is currently the betting underdog. However, he still has confidence he will be able to pull off the upset. Although Brady is a tough out, Burns thinks he can finish him rather quickly. If a quick stoppage doesn’t come to fruition, the Brazilian is hoping the fight results in a drawn-out war.
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.
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.
Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 97, a pivotal welterweight bout goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Sean Brady. Heading into the fight, Burns is a +150 underdog while the American is a -194 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight fight. The pros believe Burns will pull off the upset and get the win over Brady on Saturday.
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.
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.
Dan Hooker goes off on Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler: "If you don’t want to fight me again, then shut up"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 5, 2024
Dan Hooker has had enough of his former foes Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler. Hooker has been on a bit of a resurgence as of late. After dropping back-to-back fights against current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and Arnold Allen, the “Hangman” has been riding a three-fight winning streak. In that span, Hooker has beaten Claudio Puelles, Jalin Turner, and more recently, Mateusz Gamrot.
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.
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.
Chael Sonnen explains why Alexander Volkanovski should move to lightweight
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Alexander Volkanovski should make the move to lightweight. Times have been tough for Alexander Volkanovski as of late. In addition to two defeats at the hands of Islam Makhachev, he also lost his UFC featherweight championship courtesy of a knockout defeat versus Ilia Topuria.
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.
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.
Former UFC fighter Casey Kenney released on bond after pleading not guilty to kidnapping and assault charges
Cole Shelton - September 4, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney has pleaded not guilty after being slapped with kidnapping and assault charges. Kenney was arrested on August 16 for kidnapping and assault with intent or reckless or injury charges in Arizona. He was released following an arraignment hearing in Maricopa County Court in Arizona after paying his $10,000 bond as ordered by the court. Kenney’s next court date involves a pre-trial conference scheduled on Oct. 15, with a trial date tentatively set for Jan. 23, 2025.