MMA News
Takeru to make much-awaited return against Black Panther at ONE Friday Fights 81
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 2, 2024
Fight fans can finally mark their calendars as Takeru Segawa‘s highly anticipated return to the ring is official. During a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, July 31, it was confirmed that the Japanese superstar would make his comeback at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27. This event airs live in Asian primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Carla Esparza announces her retirement fight will take place at UFC 307: “I feel it’s time”
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
Carla Esparza has announced that her retirement fight will take place at UFC 307. UFC 307 will take place on Saturday, October 5th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
UFC Abu Dhabi: ‘Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov’ Weigh-in Results
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
The UFC Abu Dhabi: ‘Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov’ Weigh-ins took place today, Friday, August 2nd. On Saturday, August 3rd UFC Abu Dhabi will take place at the Etihad Arena on ‘Fight Island’ in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Dustin Poirier responds after Colby Covington claims he walked out of recent restaurant run-in in Florida
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
Dustin Poirier is responding after Colby Covington claimed he walked out of a recent restaurant run-in in Florida. Covington (17-4 MMA) and Poirier (30-9 MMA) have a history together as they both used to train at American Top Team.
Pro fighters make their picks for Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2024
UFC star Conor McGregor responds to criticism from Sean O'Malley
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
UFC stars Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley have reignited their feud on social media. As we’ve all seen in recent months, the apparent friendship between Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley has deteriorated. For whatever reason, the Irishman doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of ‘Suga’ anymore. In response, O’Malley hasn’t been overly kind in his words to McGregor either.
Tom Aspinall admits he has "no idea" if he'll ever fight Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has admitted he has no idea if he will ever fight Jon Jones. Last weekend, Tom Aspinall made yet another emphatic statement. He defended his interim UFC heavyweight championship against Curtis Blaydes, dusting off the American in just one minute. Then, after the bout concluded, he opted to call out undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Former UFC star Francis Ngannou defends his professional boxing career
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
PFL sensation Francis Ngannou has defended his decision to test the waters in professional boxing. As we know, Francis Ngannou embarked on an incredible boxing journey after leaving the UFC. First, he took on Tyson Fury, taking ‘The Gypsy King’ to the limit before losing a tight decision.
Dana White laughs off Jake Paul vs Alex Pereira boxing match
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
UFC president Dana White has laughed off the idea of Jake Paul taking on UFC champion Alex Pereira in a boxing match. As we know, Jake Paul and Dana White have had their fair share of debates in the past. Most of them come in the form of a cold war, with each passing judgment about the other on social media or in interviews.
Sean Strickland blames "Political wokeness" for Summer Olympics boxing controversy
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland didn’t mince words in expressing his views on the controversy surrounding Olympic boxing. Strickland is in line for another UFC middleweight title shot after defeating Paulo Costa at UFC 302. Before that, he lost to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297, ending his middleweight title reign.
Marlon Vera vows to “slice” up Deiveson Figueiredo with elbows if he tries to wrestle at UFC Abu Dhabi
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024
Marlon Vera has sent a warning to Deiveson Figueiredo incase he decides to wrestle at UFC Abu Dhabi Vera is set to take on Figueiredo on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi in a pivotal bantamweight bout. Figueiredo is looking to improve to 3-0 in the weight class, while Vera is coming off a decision loss to Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title.
Umar Nurmagomedov "ashamed" that Sean O'Malley is the UFC bantamweight champ: "You have to be a good example"
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov feels Sean O’Malley is setting a poor example for other championship-caliber athletes. Nurmagomedov faces Cory Sandhagen in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event this Saturday. He returns to the Octagon for the biggest test of his career, and a potential opportunity to earn the next bantamweight title shot.
Alexander Volkanovski claps back at Belal Muhammad, believes welterweight champ is "a good stylistic match up" for him
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has clapped back at Belal Muhammad. In the lead-up to UFC 304, Volkanovski claimed he thought Muhammad was a good stylistic matchup for him, despite the weight difference. After Muhammad scored an upset win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 to become the welterweight champion, he fired back at Volkanovski over his recent comments.
Arnold Allen says preparing for UFC 304 early start time caused him to crash his car: “It was pretty scary”
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen’s last sparring session ahead of UFC 304 preceded his first-ever car accident due to fatigue and tiredness. Allen defeated Giga Chikadze to kick off the UFC 304 main card on Saturday in Manchester. After back-to-back losses entering UFC 304, Allen got back in the win column and remains a key player in the featherweight title picture.
Pro fighters make their picks for Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024
On the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi, a highly-anticipated welterweight bout goes down as Tony Ferguson takes on Michael Chiesa. Heading into the fight, Ferguson is a massive +420 underdog while ‘The Maverick’ is a -720 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Although many pros want to see Ferguson get the win and end his losing streak, the majority of pros expect Chiesa to use his wrestling and size to control ‘El Cucuy’ on the ground.
Belal Muhammad confirms Shavkat Rakhmonov is next for first UFC title defense: "I will break him"
Josh Evanoff - August 1, 2024
Newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is ready for Shavkat Rakhmonov. ‘Remember The Name’ returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 304 over the weekend. There, Belal Muhammad entered the octagon a massive underdog against welterweight champion Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ had previously dominated their first encounter in March 2021, until a second-round eye poke caused a no-contest.
Farid Basharat opens up on viral altercation with "coward" Michael 'Venom' Page
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
Undefeated UFC bantamweight Farid Basharat has shed some light on his recent altercation with Michael ‘Venom’ Page at the UFC 304 fighter hotel. Basharat and Page, two former teammates, nearly got into a full-out brawl after crossing paths last week in Manchester. It’s uncertain what led up to the near-brawl, but it almost turned into a chaotic scene at the UFC 304 fighter hotel.
Hiroki Akimoto battles Ilias Ennahachi at ONE Friday Fights 81
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 1, 2024
ONE Friday Fights 81 is shaping up to be an elite striking showcase after the addition of an intriguing bantamweight kickboxing bout. During a press conference in Tokyo, Japan, on Wednesday, July 31, it was confirmed that former ONE World Champions Hiroki Akimoto and Ilias Ennahachi would share the same stage on the highly anticipated card.
Israel Adesanya speaks on widely-discussed Olympic boxing controversy: "He couldn't even finish her!"
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has spoken out on one of the biggest talking points of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Adesanya will return to the UFC Octagon against middleweight titleholder Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 later this month. He returns to the cage almost a full year removed from a loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293.