MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illegal streaming platform rips UFC's Dana White after recent threats: "Pay the fighters more!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
A top pirate streaming service has issued a series of responses to UFC CEO Dana White’s remarks about potentially taking legal action against streaming platforms. White and the UFC are days away from one of the biggest events in promotional history at UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere. The card marks the first major sporting event held at the venue; an event focused on promoting the history of Mexican combat sports.
Dustin Poirier shoots down rumored fight against Colby Covington: "He'll never make money with me"
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier will seemingly never fight Colby Covington. ‘The Diamond’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since his bid for UFC gold in June. In the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier faced Islam Makhachev and gave the champion all he could handle. However, in round five, the Russian scored a takedown and quickly earned a submission win. In the process, denying Poirier of the lightweight title that he’s long sought.
Belal Muhammad trolls Conor McGregor ahead of NFL season kickoff: "Don't let it distract you..."
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is upping the ante in his ongoing jabs towards Conor McGregor amidst the Irish star’s indefinite Octagon absence. Muhammad is enjoying the newfound limelight after earning the UFC welterweight title in July over Leon Edwards. He hasn’t slowed down in attacking some of his previous detractors, and jabbing some of the sport’s biggest names.