MMA News
Sean Strickland targets homeless people in latest social media rant: "They're drug zombies!"
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is at it again on social media as he awaits his next Octagon booking. Strickland defeated former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa in his most recent fight at UFC 302. He’s on hiatus as he waits for a middleweight title shot against the Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya winner.
Ben Askren accuses Dana White of hypocrisy regarding Jon Jones’ delayed heavyweight return
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren is the latest top name to attempt to push Dana White to let go of the expected Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight. Jones, the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, is expected to return in November against former titleholder Stipe Miocic. He hasn’t fought since winning the then-vacant title at UFC 285, after suffering an injury that forced his withdrawal from a booking against Miocic at UFC 295.
Nabil Anane in "no rush" to fight for World Title after ONE Fight Night 24 win
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 6, 2024
Nabil Anane proved at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video last Friday, August 2, that he deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the elite on the main roster. The towering 6-foot-4 Thai phenom shined under the bright lights, dominating #3-ranked contender and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Felipe Lobo.
Conor McGregor slams 'cornflake' Canelo Alvarez for avoiding David Benavidez: "CANELO DOESN'T SELL"
Josh Evanoff - August 6, 2024
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor is again taking aim at boxing star Canelo Alvarez. ‘The Notorious’ is still looking to make his return to the octagon. As many fans are aware, Conor McGregor was set to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in late June. However, the Irishman was forced out of the contest two weeks out due to a broken toe. As a result, ‘Iron’ was also pulled from the pay-per-view card.
Dana White explains why Jon Jones is fighting Stipe Miocic over Tom Aspinall next: "He doesn't deserve anything!"
Josh Evanoff - August 6, 2024
UFC executive Dana White still believes that Stipe Miocic deserves to fight Jon Jones over Tom Aspinall. The British fighter is fresh off his return to the octagon late last month in Manchester. Just a few months after winning interim gold after Jon Jones was forced out of UFC 295, Tom Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes. ‘Razor’ had handed the interim champion a first-round stoppage loss due to injury back in 2022.
Amit Elor becomes the youngest USA wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
20-year-old Olympic wrestler Amit Elor made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France this week. Elor, from California, won the 68kg freestyle wrestling Olympic Gold Medal match against Meerim Zhumanazarova (Kyrgyzstan) on Tuesday. She became the youngest American to earn an Olympic wrestling gold medal, a title previously held by Kyle Snyder.
Michael Chandler seemingly moves on from long-awaited fight against Conor McGregor: "The fight is off"
Josh Evanoff - August 6, 2024
It appears that UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is moving on from Conor McGregor. ‘Iron’ and ‘The Notorious’ were set to finally meet in the main event of UFC 303 this summer. The bout was going to take place a year after the two lightweights coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter. Due to Conor McGregor’s leg injury, as well as ‘Road House’ obligations, he didn’t book a fight with Michael Chandler for a year.
ESPN+ set to raise subscription prices ahead of massive UFC pay-per-views
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
ESPN viewers will soon have to pay an increased price to watch upcoming UFC Fight Night events and pay-per-views. Disney, ESPN’s parent company, announced this week that the ESPN+ monthly subscription will increase from $10.99 to $11.99 in mid-October. The increase will officially launch on October 17th, nine days before UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway.
Magomed Ankalaev vents frustration after being passed over for title shot, vows to smash Aleksandar Rakic
Susan Cox - August 6, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev is venting frustration after being passed over for title shot, this while vowing to smash Aleksandar Rakic. The 32-year-old Ankalaev (18-1 MMA) is scheduled to fight Aleksandar Rakic (14-4 MMA) in a light heavyweight battle at UFC 308 which takes place on Saturday October 26th at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Belal Muhammad hopes Colby Covington can earn another title shot, but says all ‘Chaos’ has to do is find him in a Steakhouse
Harry Kettle - August 6, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has said that he hopes to see Colby Covington earn another crack at the belt. As we know, Belal Muhammad captured the UFC welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards. Since then, many have wondered who his first opponent is going to be as champ. Some think Edwards should get an immediate rematch, others believe it should be Kamaru Usman, and a lot of fans favor Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Islam Makhachev praises Max Holloway for his triumph over Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - August 6, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has praised Max Holloway for his BMF title triumph over Justin Gaethje. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the king of the 155-pound division. Over the course of the last few years, he’s really been able to cement his place at the top of the mountain. Because of that, he’s been left without too many stand-out challengers. Arman Tsarukyan seemed like the next logical move, but unfortunately, neither man is ready for that contest just yet.
UFC CEO Dana White says Stipe Miocic is “100 percent” retiring after Jon Jones fight
Harry Kettle - August 6, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White seems to believe that Stipe Miocic will retire following his upcoming title showdown with Jon Jones. In the eyes of many, Stipe Miocic is the best UFC heavyweight of all-time. He’s beaten some of the biggest and best names in the sport including Daniel Cormier, Francis Ngannou, Fabricio Werdum and Junior dos Santos. Now, he’s expected to make his return to the Octagon later this year to battle Jon Jones.
Conor McGregor claims Khabib Nurmagomedov fled his country after terrorists from his gym committed an act of terror
Harry Kettle - August 6, 2024
Conor McGregor has made another startling accusation against Khabib Nurmagomedov as their feud continues. It’s been almost six years since we saw Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov square off. On that night, it was Khabib who was able to get the better of the Irishman in a gruelling battle. Ever since then, of course, fans have been waiting to see whether or not they’d ever have a rematch. Up to this point, it hasn’t happened.
Nong-O Hama vs. Kiamran Nabati added to ONE Friday Fights 81
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 6, 2024
ONE Friday Fights 81 has bolstered its bout lineup with a must-see bantamweight Muay Thai clash between Nong-O Hama and Kiamran Nabati. This Asia primetime event takes place live at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 27.
Denice Zamboanga battles Alyona Rassohyna for atomweight strap at ONE Fight Night 25
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 5, 2024
Denice Zamboanga could fulfill a long-awaited dream when she takes on Alyona Rassohyna for the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Championship. This five-rounder will feature as the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video. It airs live in U.S. primetime from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 4.
What's next for Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen after UFC Abu Dhabi?
Cole Shelton - August 5, 2024
The UFC was in Abu Dhabi, Dubai for a solid UFC Abu Dhabi Fight Night card on Saturday as the main event saw Umar Nurmagomedov take on Cory Sandhagen in a No. 1 contender bout at bantamweight. Heading into the bout, Nurmagomedov was looking for his first win over a ranked opponent in a bout that served as his first career UFC main event. ‘Young Eagle’ was returning to action following a decision win over Bekzat Almakhan back in March. Sandhagen, meanwhile, was riding a three-fight winning streak and was coming off a decision win over Rob Font last August.
WATCH: Belal Muhammad shares heartfelt message to Palestinian children amidst ongoing Israel crisis
Curtis Calhoun - August 5, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad sent a heartwarming message to the children of Palestine after winning the 170lb title. Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision to cap off his remarkable path to the UFC welterweight title at UFC 304. He put on a largely dominant performance against Edwards, one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
Chael Sonnen “Captivated” by Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov after latest UFC victory
Curtis Calhoun - August 5, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen believes surging middleweight Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov could become one of the sport’s biggest stars. Magomedov passed his latest UFC test by unanimous decision over Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC Abu Dhabi last weekend. He remains unbeaten in his MMA career and is 3-0 inside the UFC Octagon.