MMA News
Meet Roberto Soldic: The man who Dricus du Plessis doesn't want you to know about
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 21, 2024
Dricus du Plessis made waves after going on a 9-fight undefeated run that culminated with him defending his UFC Middleweight World Title against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305 this past weekend. But he has unfinished business with an old tormentor, and that man goes by the name of Roberto Soldic.
Sean Strickland reacts to Alex Pereira's potential return to middleweight: "He looked like death..."
Curtis Calhoun - August 21, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland reacted to Alex Pereira’s recent tease that he might return to the division after watching UFC 305. Strickland is the likely next title challenger for Dricus du Plessis after UFC 305 last weekend. Du Plessis overcame a back-and-forth first three rounds of the fight to submit Israel Adesanya by rear-naked choke to retain the belt.
Dana White takes blame for UFC editing out Francis Ngannou mentions, apologized to Israel Adesanya
Cole Shelton - August 21, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has apologized to Israel Adesanya and taken the blame for the editing error on UFC Countdown which removed a reference to Francis Ngannou. Ahead of UFC 305, Adesanya took aim at the UFC Countdown video as the episode removed a reference to Ngannou. Of course, Dana White and Ngannou had a feud, which is why many thought it was on purpose. But on Tuesday after the Contender Series, the UFC CEO said he had no knowledge of the editing mistake.
Khalil Rountree reveals he isn't planning on shooting takedowns against Alex Pereira
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Khalil Rountree has revealed that he’s not planning on shooting takedowns when he collides with Alex Pereira. At UFC 307, Khalil Rountree faces the biggest test of his career. He will challenge Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship in a fight that few can believe is really happening. While Khalil has had some controversies to overcome recently, Pereira has been busy ruling the division.
Bo Nickal laughs off idea that Islam Makhachev would be D1 NCAA wrestling champion
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
UFC prospect Bo Nickal has laughed off the idea that Islam Makhachev would be a D1 NCAA wrestling champion. As we know, Islam Makhachev is one of the scariest guys in all of mixed martial arts. In addition to his wrestling prowess, he’s also added some solid striking and great submission work to his game in recent years. In addition to that, he’s the reigning UFC lightweight champion – and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley clash after Merab suffers cut weeks before UFC 306
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley have clashed on social media after the former revealed a nasty cut he suffered. In just a few short weeks, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads to the Sphere in Las Vegas. It will serve as the first major sporting event to take place in the venue, as Noche UFC returns once again. We’re set to see a parade of fascinating fights from top to bottom, but of course, the main headline attraction will be Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili.
Mikey Musumeci blasts steroid users in BJJ: “You’re cheating”
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 20, 2024
As Mikey Musumeci gears up for his high-stakes showdown at ONE 168: Denver on September 6, his focus is not solely on the formidable challenge ahead. The reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion moves up three divisions higher in a bid to take away the lightweight crown from Kade Ruotolo. This 10-minute duel takes place at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Dana White blasts Merab Dvalishvili for revealing pre-UFC 306 cut: "Our guys are so dumb!"
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White isn’t happy with bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili for leaking a pre-UFC 306 cut he suffered this week. Dvalishvili is scheduled to face UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the UFC 306 main event on September 14th in Las Vegas. The bantamweight main event caps off a stacked card in the first major sporting event held at the Las Vegas Sphere venue.
Dricus du Plessis betting odds vs. four different UFC title challengers revealed
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
Four different possibilities for Dricus du Plessis’s next UFC title defense present different odds for the South African champion. Du Plessis defeated former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in his first title defense last weekend in Perth. After a back-and-forth first three rounds of the fight, du Plessis swarmed Adesanya and eventually submitted him by rear-naked choke.
Tom Aspinall laughs off Jon Jones' latest comment about him: "Make sure you pass me the belt on the way out"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has responded to Jon Jones. The British fighter is fresh off his return to the cage last month at UFC 304. Back for the first time since winning interim gold in November against Sergei Pavlovich, Tom Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes. It took only one round for the heavyweight to dispatch of ‘Razor’, scoring a first-round knockout win in Manchester.
UFC fighter Casey Kenney reportedly arrested on kidnapping and assault charges
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2024
UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney has reportedly been arrested on kidnapping and assault charges in his home state of Arizona. Kenney has not fought since 2021 due to injuries, but he is now facing legal issues. MMA reporter J. Torres first put out that the bantamweight was arrested in Arizona on August 16. He is facing two charges.
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.
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.
Jon Jones sends subtle jab to Tom Aspinall: "I’m focusing on goat things"
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has taken a subtle jab at Tom Aspinall. Aspinall defended his interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 304 as he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in only 60-seconds. Since then, Aspinall has taken aim at Jones and recently declared himself the best heavyweight in the world.
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.
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.