MMA News
Kade Ruotolo admits to feeling “a bit invincible” after successful MMA debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 15, 2024
An added dose of confidence is coursing through Kade Ruotolo’s veins as he gears up for his next outing. The American phenom defends his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title against flyweight king Mikey Musumeci at ONE 168: Denver. This takes place at the Ball Arena on September 6.
Michael Chiesa reveals the "version" of Tony Ferguson he thinks would've beaten Khabib Nurmagomedov
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2024
Michael Chiesa thinks the version of Tony Ferguson that beat Rafael dos Anjos would’ve beaten Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov was one of the biggest fights that never came to fruition. It was booked on multiple occasions, but the pair never ended up meeting in the Octagon for a variety of reasons. According to Chiesa, he thinks had Ferguson and Nurmagomedov fought after ‘El Cucuy’ beat dos Anjos, he thinks Ferguson could’ve won.
Dana White walks back on comments regarding Conor McGregor not fighting this year: "We'll see how it plays out"
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White appears to walk back his comment that Conor McGregor won’t fight again this year. On Tuesday after the Contender Series, White said that the Irishman won’t fight in 2024 after he had to pull out of his UFC 303 fight back in June due to a broken pinky toe.
VIDEO | Craig Jones kisses Gabi Garcia in weigh-in faceoff: "You crossed the line!"
Curtis Calhoun - August 15, 2024
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star Craig Jones took an unusual approach to his faceoff with Gabi Garcia ahead of their intergender grappling match. Jones and Garcia will compete at The Craig Jones Invitational this week, a tournament in direct competition with the 2024 ADCC World Championship. The grand prize for each winner is $1 million, a stark figure he showed off during a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience.
REPORT | Khabib Nurmagomedov pays off over $3 million in debt to Russian Federal Tax Service
Josh Evanoff - August 15, 2024
It appears that former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov no longer owes the Russian government. ‘The Eagle’ is one of the sport’s biggest stars. Even in retirement, Khabib Nurmagomedov remains a fixture at UFC events, cornering the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, and Belal Muhammad. As a fighter, the Russian hasn’t competed since a second-round submission victory over Justin Gaethje in October 2020.
PHOTO | Noche UFC poster released ahead of September event at the Las Vegas Sphere
Josh Evanoff - August 15, 2024
The Noche UFC poster has been released for September’s massive event at the Las Vegas Sphere. The card is set to go head-to-head with Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga and take place on Mexican Independence Day. For what it’s worth, the show is expected to be one of the UFC’s biggest of the year. In the main event, is bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley defending the gold against Merab Dvalishvili.
Michael Chandler still hoping that Conor McGregor fight happens despite Dana White's statement: "Give you misinformation"
Josh Evanoff - August 15, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is holding out hope that he’ll get to fight Conor McGregor. ‘Iron’ and ‘The Notorious’ were expected to collide at UFC 303 on June 29th in Las Vegas. However a few weeks before fight day, Conor McGregor pulled out of the bout due to a broken toe. Afterward, Michael Chandler was also pulled, despite some talk of a short-notice fight with Max Holloway. In the months since then, the two lightweights have called for a December fight date.
PHOTOS | UFC 306 fight kits revealed, celebrate Mexican heritage and history
Curtis Calhoun - August 15, 2024
Fighters competing at UFC 306 will don exclusive event kits with a focus on Mexican heritage and Aztec mythology. UFC 306 takes place on September 14th at the Las Vegas Sphere, the first major sporting event held at the one-of-a-kind venue. The card is headlined by a UFC bantamweight title matchup between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
Dana White denies notion that UFC is a pro-Republican promotion: "I'd treat Joe Biden the same way!"
Curtis Calhoun - August 15, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White doesn’t believe his promotion favors former U.S. President Donald Trump and other Republicans over others with different political beliefs. White is longtime friends with Trump, who is running in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election. Trump, a Republican, has attended many marquee UFC events, including UFC 299 in March.
Belal Muhammad responds after Kamaru Usman claims he is a “not so good version” of himself: “Put your money where your mouth is”
Susan Cox - August 15, 2024
Belal Muhammad is responding after Kamaru Usman claimed he was a ‘not so good version’ of himself. ‘Remember the Name’ (24-3 MMA) is hot off a unanimous decision victory over Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA) just last month at UFC 304 which took place at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik gives his honest assessment of the UFC’s heavyweight title picture: “Jon Jones is the real champ”
Susan Cox - August 15, 2024
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is giving his honest assessment of the UFC’s heavyweight title picture. While some fans in MMA consider interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (15-3 MMA), who’s coming off back-to-back first-round knockouts of Sergei Pavlovich (18-3 MMA) and Curtis Blaydes (18-5 MMA), the true champion, Rozenstriuk is setting the record straight – the heavyweight champion is Jon ‘Bones’ Jones.
Henry Cejudo reveals ‘emotional’ Khamzat Chimaev tried to fight him at the Paris Olympics: “He was with like six dudes”
Susan Cox - August 15, 2024
Henry Cejudo is revealing that an ’emotional’ Khamzat Chimaev tried to fight him at the Paris Olympics. Apparently ‘Triple C’ crossed paths with the undefeated UFC middleweight, Khamzat Chimaev, outside the entrance to the Summer Games in Paris.
Dana White reveals new details for UFC's huge debut event at the Sphere
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has revealed just details for the promotion’s big debut at the Sphere in Las Vegas. On September 14, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads to the Sphere in Las Vegas. The event, titled Noche UFC (previously UFC 306), is set to serve as a landmark moment for the venue. It will be the first major sporting occasion to take place inside the Sphere, and Dana White is putting everything he’s got into making it work.
Michael Page shares bold prediction for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya title fight at UFC 305
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2024
UFC star Michael Page has given his prediction for Dricus du Plessis vs Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 main event. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will attempt to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion. He’ll do so by going up against Dricus du Plessis, the reigning king of the division. The two will attempt to settle a feud that has been going on for quite some time now.
UFC CEO Dana White explains why Paddy Pimblett reminds him of a young Conor McGregor: “They just keep sticking it to everybody”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has explained why Paddy Pimblett genuinely reminds him of a young Conor McGregor. As we know, Paddy Pimblett is a star on the rise in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While everyone continues to wait for him to falter, he’s only getting better. Of course, nobody knows just how far he can go, but that’s part of the fun.
Dricus du Plessis reacts after former opponent Darren Till sends advice to Israel Adesanya: “Why didn’t you do anything about it?”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2024
UFC champion Dricus du Plessis has reacted to former foe Darren Till offering Israel Adesanya some advice. As we know, Dricus du Plessis will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Israel Adesanya this weekend. It’s set to be a fascinating battle between two men who, in more ways than one, have quite the rivalry.
Aljamain Sterling speaks up after Sean Strickland accuses his manager of sexual misconduct
Curtis Calhoun - August 14, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is the first big-name fighter to speak out publically after his manager, Tiki Ghosn, was accused of sexual misconduct by Sean Strickland. Sterling will face unbeaten featherweight Movsar Evloev at UFC 307 in October. He returns to the Octagon and the 145lb division after a dominant performance against Calvin Kattar at UFC 300.
Israel Adesanya shares violent intentions for Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305: "I’m just prepared to kill this guy"
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2024
Israel Adesanya has violent intentions for his UFC 305 main event against Dricus Du Plessis, as he looks to become a three-time middleweight champion. Adesanya is set to return to the Octagon for the first time in 11 months when he takes on Du Plessis for the middleweight title. Although ‘The Last Stylebender’ is looking to reclaim the promotion’s middleweight championship, he says he isn’t focused on getting back the belt and instead just wants to put a beating on Du Plessis.