MMA News

Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rahmonov
Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat Rakhmonov accuses Belal Muhammad of avoiding UFC 310 fight: "All that talk about being an active champion"

Josh Evanoff - August 29, 2024

UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov believes Belal Muhammad will not be active as champion. ‘Remember The Name’ is fresh off his return to the cage last month in Manchester. In the main event of UFC 304, Belal Muhammad faced Leon Edwards in a rematch of their March 2021 encounter. Despite entering the cage a massive underdog, the Palestinian fighter outgrappled ‘Rocky’ en route to a unanimous decision win.

Carlos Prates, Michael Page
UFC

Carlos Prates accuses Michael Page of avoiding a fight against him: "You must be having nightmares!"

Josh Evanoff - August 29, 2024

UFC welterweight contender Carlos Prates is ready for a fight against Michael Page. ‘The Nightmare’ is quickly becoming one of the most exciting fighters in the entire UFC. Carlos Prates comes out of the Fighting Nerds gym in Brazil, which has quickly taken over the promotion. While Caio Borralho seems to be getting the most shine of the group, the welterweight prospect is making a name for himself as well.

Torrez Finney, Dana White
UFC

Torrez Finney earns third shot on DWCS despite recent harsh speech from Dana White

Curtis Calhoun - August 29, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White has changed his tune on middleweight prospect Torrez Finney and has offered him an unprecedented third chance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Finney will face Abdellah Er-Ramy on Week 8 on DWCS on October 1st. He’ll fill in for the injured Logan Woods just weeks after defeating Cam Rowston earlier this month on the show.

Jon Jones, Tom Aspinall
Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones says Tom Aspinall "has my large black c*** in his mouth" as war of words intensifies

Curtis Calhoun - August 29, 2024

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has pivoted on his largely distant position on Tom Aspinall and a potential Octagon booking. Jones is expected to face former titleholder Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. But, as of this writing, the UFC has yet to make a formal announcement of the expected heavyweight headliner.

Alexander Volkanovski
UFC

Alexander Volkanovski explains why he didn't take UFC lightweight matchup: "I need the right fights"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2024

Former UFC Featherweight Champion, Alex Volkanovski, doesn’t plan to float around weight classes. Volkanovski has had a rough go inside the Octagon in his last two outings, suffering brutal KO losses to Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. With that said, “The Great” remains in a spot where he’ll likely find himself in another 145-pound title fight.

Ben Askren, UFC, MMA
Daniel Cormier

Ben Askren sticks up for Daniel Cormier amid war of words with UFC 307 fighter Joaquin Buckley

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2024

Former Bellator and ONE champion, Ben Askren, is sticking up for Daniel Cormier amid recent comments made by UFC 307 fighter Joaquin Buckley. Cormier and Buckley had been at odds ever since “New Mansa” was criticized by the UFC Hall of Famer for calling out Conor McGregor. Buckley said that the mothers of Cormier, Michael Bisping, and Chael Sonnen “raised some h*es.” Cormier didn’t take too kindly to this, hurling expletives right back at Buckley.

Alex Pereira
Kayla Harrison

Kayla Harrison doubles down on Alex Pereira's judo skills: "It’s crazy how fast he picks stuff up"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2024

Kayla Harrison is impressed by how quickly UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Alex Pereira, has picked up on judo. Pereira has quickly risen to the top of both the middleweight and 205-pound divisions thanks to his devastating striking. Of course, one has to be well-rounded enough to thrive at the highest level in MMA, but Pereira demonstrated solid grappling defense at high altitude against Jan Blachowicz last year.

Stephen Thompson, Ian Machado Garry
Stephen Thompson

Stephen Thompson would “love” to fight Ian Machado Garry, but doubts the Irishman gives him a chance: “I don't think he would”

Harry Kettle - August 29, 2024

Stephen Thompson has revealed that he’d love to fight Ian Machado Garry – but he isn’t convinced he’ll get the opportunity to do so. Throughout the course of his career, Stephen Thompson has been a phenomenal presence in combat sports. From kickboxing to mixed martial arts, he has achieved some wonderful things.

Ilia Topuria, UFC, MMA
Joe Rogan

Video | Joe Rogan gushes over “incredible” footage of Ilia Topuria doing pad work: “The speed man!”

Harry Kettle - August 29, 2024

UFC commentator Joe Rogan couldn’t help but praise Ilia Topuria after seeing some of his recent pad work. As we know, Ilia Topuria is on top of the world right now. After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, he became the new UFC featherweight champion. Now, it’s all about keeping hold of his crown.

Khabib Nurmagomedov
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals injury riddled 2014 year almost resulted in his retirement: “Maybe this is a signal from God you have to stop”

Harry Kettle - August 29, 2024

Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed that a string of injuries in 2014 almost resulted in him retiring prematurely. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest of all time. He has achieved some remarkable things in mixed martial arts, retiring with an undefeated record. He was the king of the lightweight division, knocking back names like Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

Seksan Or Kwanmuang
ONE Championship

In photos: Seksan hosts open workout ahead of ONE 168 

BJPENN.COM Staff - August 28, 2024

Seksan Or Kwanmuang provided a glimpse of his current form as he gears up for his next big challenge.   The Thai legend hosted an open workout for the media last Tuesday, August 20, putting his skills on full display as he prepares for his 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai tiff against Liam Harrison. 

Dana White and Conor McGregor shaking hands
Dana White

Dana White hints Conor McGregor's UFC comeback announcement is imminent: "News coming soon!"

Curtis Calhoun - August 28, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White raised some eyebrows during a recent Instagram Live session when one viewer asked about Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon. McGregor was supposed to face Michael Chandler in his return to the cage at UFC 303 earlier this summer. But, just weeks away from the event, McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury, putting his return indefinitely on hold.

Ben Askren, Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman

Ben Askren reignites Kamaru Usman feud, says former champion is "over the hill" in career

Curtis Calhoun - August 28, 2024

Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren may be retired, but he still has plenty of energy to poke some of his former adversaries, including Kamaru Usman. Usman is plotting a UFC comeback after three consecutive losses, including his most recent defeat to Khamzat Chimaev last November. Over the last few weeks, he’s gone back and forth with UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad on social media.

Francis Ngannou
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Francis Ngannou is still focused on his boxing career ahead of his PFL debut: "Why not fight everyone?"

Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2024

PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou still has an eye on the boxing ring. ‘The Predator’ is set to return to the cage in October in Saudi Arabia. There, Francis Ngannou will make his PFL debut against former tournament winner Renan Ferreira. The bout will be the former UFC champion’s first, since handing Ciryl Gane a unanimous decision loss back in January 2022. Following that victory, Ngannou headed to the boxing ring.

Dana White, Turki Alalshikh
UFC

Dana White opens up on future plans with Turki Alalshikh ahead of UFC 306: "We're going to do more stuff together"

Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2024

UFC President Dana White and Saudi advisor Turki Alalshikh are just getting started. Next month at the Las Vegas Sphere, the UFC will hold one of their biggest cards of the year. In the main event, Sean O’Malley will look to make another defense of his bantamweight gold against Merab Dvalishvili. The co-main event features Alexa Grasso in her trilogy bout against former flyweight champion, Valentina Shevchenko.

Charles Oliveira
UFC

Charles Oliveira admits that he's "dying to fight" ahead of UFC return: "Soon the lightweight lion is going to hunt!"

Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2024

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is ready to return to the cage. ‘Do Bronx’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a bout with Arman Tsarukyan in April at UFC 300. The contest was labeled as a title eliminator heading in, and Charles Oliveira hoped to earn a rematch with Islam Makhachev. However, the Brazilian suffered a split-decision loss. In the process, missing out on his shot at re-earning the gold he lost in 2022.

Petr Yan
UFC

Petr Yan reveals plans for UFC 310 return in December, wants former champion as his next opponent

Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan wants to fight in December. ‘No Mercy’ hasn’t competed since his return to the cage in March. Ending a yearlong hiatus, the former bantamweight champion faced the rising Song Yadong. Despite the Chinese fighter having a lot of momentum heading in, Petr Yan escaped UFC 299 with a unanimous decision victory.

Bokang Masunyane
ONE Championship

Bokang Masunyane vs. Mansur Malachiev added to ONE Fight Night 25 

BJPENN.COM Staff - August 28, 2024

ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video is shaping up to be a must-watch event, and the addition of a thrilling strawweight MMA clash has only heightened the anticipation.   Second-ranked Bokang Masunyane locks horns with #5-ranked Mansur Malachiev at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Along with the card’s other feature attractions, this three-round duel airs in U.S. primetime on October 4.