MMA News
Mateusz Gamrot breaks silence after UFC 305 loss to Dan Hooker: "It's easy to slip"
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot has addressed fans for the first time since his loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 last weekend in Perth. Gamrot lost to Hooker by split decision on the UFC 305 main card on Saturday. The loss snapped a three-fight winning streak for Gamrot, and despite finding success with his wrestling, he took the more significant damage in the fight from Hooker.
Charles Oliveira interested in facing former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski next: "Why not?"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is interested in facing Alexander Volkanovski next. ‘Do Bronx’ hasn’t appeared in the cage since a split-decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April. That defeat prevented the Brazilian from earning a rematch with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, who defeated him back in October 2022. Since then, Charles Oliveira hasn’t booked a return to the cage.
Jon Jones teases move to submission grappling after attending ADCC 2024: "What an amazing event"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is interested in making a move to the mats. ‘Bones’ has been out of the cage since a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane last March. While Jon Jones was expected to face Stipe Miocic that November, he was forced out due to an injury. In his absence, Tom Aspinall has won and defended the UFC interim heavyweight title. However, Jones is still expected to face Miocic next.
Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya was never a good fighter: "You had a close fight against Kelvin Gastelum"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya was never that good. ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the octagon on Saturday night in Australia. Back for the first time since a decision defeat to Sean Strickland last year, Israel Adesanya faced Dricus du Plessis. The South African won the gold from ‘Tarzan’ in January by split-decision, and was excited to face the former champion in his first title defense.
Jan Blachowicz doesn't understand why he didn't get title shot against Alex Pereira: "No one asked me"
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2024
Jan Blachowicz doesn’t understand why the UFC didn’t ask him to fight Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Pereira is set to defend his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City against Khalil Rountree. The fight booking caught many by surprise as Rountree is coming off a suspension for a failed drug test. Those who were caught by surprise include Jan Blachowicz who believes he should have gotten the title shot.
Benson Henderson vs. Chris Avila added to Misfits Boxing 18 tournament
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
MMA legend Benson Henderson will make his boxing debut against fellow UFC veteran, Chris Avila, at Misfits Boxing 18 in Newcastle, UK. The Henderson vs. Avila fight was announced in a press release on Tuesday. The September 14th event also features the return of OnlyFans star Elle Brooke in the main event against former Bare Knuckle FC fighter Jenny Savage.
Kamaru Usman welcomes Dricus du Plessis into the "Four African horsemen" after UFC 305 victory
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, a prominent member of the self-described ‘Three African Kings’, is willing to make room for Dricus du Plessis. Du Plessis tapped out Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 main event last Saturday in Perth, Australia. In his first middleweight title defense, du Plessis withstood a striking barrage from Adesanya to retain the belt in a gutsy fashion.
Israel Adesanya says he’s not friends with Dricus du Plessis but doesn’t think he’s a bad person: “We’re cool, and I respect him”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
UFC legend Israel Adesanya has said that while he isn’t friends with Dricus du Plessis, he certainly respects him. Last weekend, Israel Adesanya failed in his attempt to capture the UFC middleweight championship for the third time. He lost to Dricus du Plessis, suffering a fourth round submission defeat at UFC 305. After the bout, though, it seemed as if the two men buried the hatchet following what seemed to be a bitter feud heading into the contest.
Mackenzie Dern booked for December rematch against Amanda Ribas at UFC Tampa Bay
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Mackenzie Dern is reportedly set to face off against Amanda Ribas in a rematch at UFC Tampa Bay later this year. For the longest time, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas have been two of the most notable names in women’s mixed martial arts. From their fight styles to their personalities, they have become real fan favorites in recent years. Back in October 2019, they even squared off against one another. On that night in Tampa, Ribas won and brought an end to Dern’s unbeaten run in the sport.
Darren Till responds after being trolled by Dricus du Plessis after UFC 305 title defense: “I might come back the UFC just to beat DDP”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Darren Till has issued a response to Dricus du Plessis as the two former foes continue to go back and forth on social media. Right now, Dricus du Plessis is on top of the world. He is the reigning UFC middleweight champion after retaining the belt against Israel Adesanya last weekend. Now, there’s a lot of excitement in the air as fans wait to see what’s next for the South African champ.
Kade Ruotolo looks to sustain momentum at ONE 168 following million-dollar win
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 20, 2024
Before Kade Ruotolo defends his World Title at ONE 168: Denver on September 6, he embarked on a side quest that earned him a hefty payday. Along with twin brother Tye, Kade participated in the under-80-kilogram tournament of the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. This went down on August 16 and 17 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What's next for the Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya after UFC 305?
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2024
The UFC was in Perth, Western Australia for a UFC 305 card that saw the middleweight title up for grabs. In the main event of UFC 305, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis was looking to defend his belt for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya. It was a highly-anticipated bout as the two have had a rivalry for years.
Israel Adesanya thought Dricus Du Plessis was "done" in the fourth round
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2024
Israel Adesanya felt like Dricus Du Plessis was done in the fourth round just moments before he got the submission win. Adesanya was fighting for the first time in nearly a year as he headlined UFC 305 against Du Plessis for the middleweight title. It was an intriguing matchup and in the fourth round, it looked like Adesanya was starting to take over. He was having success on the feet, and he says there was a moment in the round when he felt like Du Plessis was done.
Daniel Cormier points out why Sean Strickland should be "worried" about getting next MW title shot
Curtis Calhoun - August 19, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier thinks Sean Strickland isn’t a sure thing for the next middleweight title shot after UFC 305. UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis defeated Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 main event last Saturday. After a back-and-forth first three rounds, du Plessis retained the title by submitting Adesanya with a rear-naked choke.
Jiri Prochazka teases UFC return less than two months after knockout loss: "I will let you know soon"
Josh Evanoff - August 19, 2024
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is working on a return to the cage. ‘The Czech Samurai’ is fresh off his return to the cage in late June at UFC 303. Jiri Prochazka handed Aleksandar Rakic a loss just two months prior but stepped up for a short-notice bout with Alex Pereira. Last November, ‘Poatan’ handed the Czech fighter a second-round knockout loss and the former champion was eager to avenge that defeat.
Brendan Schaub reacts after being slammed by Dricus du Plessis for fight prediction: "I'd be mad too!"
Josh Evanoff - August 19, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub has responded to Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ returned to the cage over the weekend in Australia. Back for the first time since winning UFC gold against Sean Strickland in January, du Plessis faced Israel Adesanya. Heading into the contest, the betting line was near even. However, many, including the likes of former heavyweight Brendan Schaub, picked ‘The Last Stylebender’ to win.
Israel Adesanya in high spirits despite UFC 305 loss to Dricus du Plessis: "I could fight this weekend"
Josh Evanoff - August 19, 2024
Despite his UFC 305 loss to Dricus du Plessis, former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is in high spirits. ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the cage in Australia over the weekend. Back for the first time since a loss to Sean Strickland a year ago, the former middleweight champion faced Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ won the title from ‘Tarzan’ in January, and set his sights on Israel Adesanya as his first title challenger.
Sean O'Malley claims Merab Dvalishvili "Could get sued" after viral fan altercation
Curtis Calhoun - August 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley wonders if Merab Dvalishvili’s decision to confront a fan at a recent event could put their fight in jeopardy. O’Malley and Dvalishvili will headline UFC 306 next month at the Las Vegas Sphere. The bantamweight title main event tops a stacked card at UFC 306, featuring a women’s flyweight trilogy between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.