MMA News
Dricus Du Plessis warns Islam Makhachev of pursuing middleweight title: "He's dreaming real big"
Cole Shelton - August 8, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis has warned Islam Makhachev of pursuing the middleweight title. Makhachev previously shared his intentions of becoming a champ-champ, but after Belal Muhammad became the welterweight champ, those plans seemingly went out the window. However, Islam’s coach Javier Mendez recently came out and expressed interest in Makhachev moving all the way up to middleweight to try and win that title.
Chael Sonnen argues that Sean O'Malley is the biggest star in MMA: "He's the guy around here"
Josh Evanoff - August 8, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes current UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is the biggest star in MMA. The UFC’s bantamweight division is incredible at the moment. In a division full of stars such as Petr Yan, Umar Nurmagomedov, Cory Sandhagen, Henry Cejudo, and more, it’s ‘Sugar’ at the top. Next month at the Las Vegas Sphere for Noche UFC, Sean O’Malley will face rising contender Merab Dvalishvili.
Francis Ngannou hoping to make statement in PFL debut against Renan Ferreria: "A reminder for who I am"
Josh Evanoff - August 8, 2024
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou couldn’t be more ready for his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports since his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua earlier this year. That bout was Francis Ngannou’s second in the boxing ring, just months removed from a split-decision loss to Tyson Fury. With two boxing matches under his belt, the former UFC champion will now return to the cage.
Dricus du Plessis blames Israel Adesanya for UFC 305 fight having any racial overtones: "The words that he screamed..."
Curtis Calhoun - August 8, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis acknowledges his upcoming fight with Israel Adesanya might have racial overtones, but not because of anything he did or said. Du Plessis and Adesanya are set to headline UFC 305 on August 17 in Perth, Australia. Adesanya returns to the Octagon against du Plessis; the newly-crowned middleweight champion who will make his first title defense.
Arman Tsarukyan has 3 opponents in mind for potential UFC interim lightweight title fight
Susan Cox - August 8, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan has 3 opponents in mind for his potential UFC interim lightweight title fight. At 27, ‘Ahalkalakets’ (22-3 MMA) has won his last four fights in the Octagon, most recently defeating Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA) at April’s historic UFC 300 event.
Israel Adesanya plans to send fans a reminder in UFC 305 title fight with Dricus Du Plessis: “I am still that dude”
Susan Cox - August 8, 2024
Israel Adesanya is planning to send fans a reminder when he meets Dricus Du Plessis in a title fight at UFC 305. UFC 305 will take place on Saturday, August 17th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad get heated in latest social media exchange: “You were protected by UFC”
Susan Cox - August 8, 2024
UFC welterweight’s Kamaru Usman and Belal Muhammad got heated in their latest social media exchange. The newly crowned UFC welterweight champion, Belal Muhammad (24-3 MMA) is still riding high after defeating and dethroning Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA) by unanimous decision at UFC 304.
Former ONE Championship star Angela Lee reveals that she considered UFC move
Harry Kettle - August 8, 2024
Former ONE Championship fighter Angela Lee has revealed that she once considered a move to the UFC. As we know, the Lee family has achieved some great things in ONE Championship. From Angela to Christian to Victoria, it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. Unfortunately, tragedy struck in late 2022 when Victoria passed away.
Joshua Pacio fires back at Jarred Brooks: “I’m not going anywhere”
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 8, 2024
Ben Askren can't understand why Conor McGregor hates Khabib Nurmagomedov so much
Harry Kettle - August 8, 2024
Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has questioned why Conor McGregor has such a passionate hatred for Khabib Nurmagomedov. It’s been almost six years since Khabib Nurmagomedov defeated Conor McGregor. On that famous night at UFC 229, the star from Dagestan put a real beating on the Irishman from beginning to end – outside of a flurry from Conor in the middle of the bout.
Jiri Prochazka declares he is "training everywhere" in preparation for UFC return
Harry Kettle - August 8, 2024
UFC star Jiri Prochazka has provided an update on his training as he gears up for a potential return to the cage. In the eyes of many, Jiri Prochazka is one of the most exciting fighters in mixed martial arts. He has a unique style, a fun personality and a whole lot of fans. Unfortunately, in his last two title fights, the former UFC light heavyweight champion has been finished by Alex Pereira.
Chael Sonnen believes Muhammad Mokaev should be re-signed by UFC
Harry Kettle - August 8, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Muhammad Mokaev is doing all the right things to be re-signed by the UFC. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev is no longer signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This is despite his undefeated record, and despite the fact he defeated Manel Kape in his last outing at UFC 304. The rumor mill has suggested that it’s due to his poor attitude – and his fight week brawl against Kape’s team wouldn’t have helped.
Jarred Brooks fires shots at Joshua Pacio, Demetrious Johnson after interim world title win
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2024
Jarred Brooks wasted no time focusing his attention on a shortlist of elite targets. “The Monkey God” made headlines last Friday, August 2, when he defeated #3-ranked Gustavo Balart in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video. There, he captured the ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Title, submitting the Cuban with a rear-naked choke in the first round.
Urijah Faber believes Conor McGregor will fight again, shares prediction for potential Michael Chandler fight
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2024
Urijah Faber still believes Conor McGregor is hungry to compete and will fight again. McGregor was supposed to make his return at UFC 303 on June 29 against Michael Chandler, but he pulled out of the contest due to a broken pinky toe. Since then, many have wondered if the Irishman will fight again, as Chandler recently said the fight won’t happen.
Aljamain Sterling defends Muhammad Mokaev after UFC release: "I think it's f***ed up"
Curtis Calhoun - August 7, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling thinks the promotion made a significant error in releasing Muhammad Mokaev. Mokaev defeated Manel Kape by unanimous decision at UFC 304 last month in Manchester. The win moved him to 13-0 in his career, and at the time, moved him one step closer to a flyweight title shot.
Canelo Alvarez issues cold response to Conor McGregor's taunts over contract demands
Curtis Calhoun - August 7, 2024
Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez has responded to Conor McGregor’s recent social media tirade aimed at his big contract demands. Alvarez will face Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas on September 14th during Mexican Independence Day weekend. The fight will rival the UFC’s pay-per-view on the same night, which features a bantamweight headliner between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
Belal Muhammad is already targeting double-champion status after UFC 304 title win: "I've got maybe two fights left"
Josh Evanoff - August 7, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad believes that his time is ticking at 170 pounds. ‘Remember The Name’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 304 last month. Fighting in Manchester, Belal Muhammad faced welterweight champion Leon Edwards in a rematch. In their first meeting back in 2021, ‘Rocky’ largely outstruck the wrestler until a second-round eye poke forced a no-contest.
Islam Makhachev's coach teases possibility of going for middleweight title to become champ-champ
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2024
Javier Mendez, the coach of Islam Makhachev believes his fighter could have a unique path to becoming a champ-champ. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion, but he is good friends with the welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, as the two have also trained with one another in the past. With that, Makhachev has said he won’t fight Muhammad, but instead, Mendez thinks Makhachev is good enough to jump all the way to middleweight and win that belt.
Francis Ngannou admits he contemplated retirement after recent tragic death of his son
Curtis Calhoun - August 7, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou briefly contemplated retiring after experiencing an unimaginable tragedy. Ngannou will make his return to the cage after a nearly three-year absence on October 19th against 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. The former UFC standout’s PFL debut will be his first MMA fight since a win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.