MMA News
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.
REPORT | José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista added to UFC 307
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer José Aldo will make his bantamweight return to the Octagon against the surging Mario Bautista at UFC 307. Ag.Fight was the first to report the news of the Aldo vs. Bautista booking. A UFC women’s bantamweight matchup between Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira is also reportedly in the works for the card.
Dana White is “not very” confident that UFC fans will see Nick Diaz fight in 2024
Susan Cox - August 1, 2024
Dana White is sharing that he is ‘not very’ confident that UFC fans will see Nick Diaz fight in 2024. In the co-main event at UFC Abut Dhabi which takes place this coming Saturday, August 3rd it was to have been Nick Diaz (26-10 MMA) vs. Vicente Luque (22-10 MMA) in a welterweight bout.
The UFC issues statement after ‘antitrust settlement’ gets denied by judge
Susan Cox - August 1, 2024
The UFC has issued a statement after the ‘antitrust settlement’ was denied by a judge. Judge Richard Boulware, has denied the antitrust lawsuit settlement against the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Tony Ferguson reacts after Dana White calls for his retirement win or lose at UFC Abu Dhabi
Susan Cox - August 1, 2024
Tony Ferguson is reacting after Dana White called for his retirement win or lose at UFC Abu Dhabi. UFC Abu Dhabi takes place this coming Saturday, August 3rd at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Marlon Vera plans to “make an example” of Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi
Harry Kettle - August 1, 2024
UFC star Marlon Vera vows to make an example out of Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi this weekend. In the eyes of many, Marlon Vera is one of the most exciting bantamweights on the planet. Beyond that, he’s probably one of the most watchable fighters on the UFC roster. However, in his last outing, he was beaten badly by Sean O’Malley as he failed in his attempt to capture the UFC bantamweight championship.
Dustin Poirier shares high praise for Paddy Pimblett after finishing King Green at UFC 304: “He’s talking the talk, walking the walk”
Harry Kettle - August 1, 2024
UFC legend Dustin Poirier has praised Paddy Pimblett following his victory over King Green at UFC 304. Last weekend at UFC 304, Paddy Pimblett picked up the biggest win of his career thus far. He was able to submit King Green, and he did so emphatically. Now, as we look ahead to the future, it seems as if ‘The Baddy’ will continue to see his star power grow.
UFC champion Dricus du Plessis shares his prediction for potential Robert Whittaker vs. Sean Strickland fight
Harry Kettle - August 1, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has given his thoughts on a possible Robert Whittaker vs Sean Strickland fight. As we know, Dricus du Plessis will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. Beyond that, though, there’s some uncertainty regarding who the next challenger will be. Some believe it should be Robert Whittaker, and others think it should be Sean Strickland.
REPORT | Lerone Murphy vs. Dan Ige in the works for UFC 308
Curtis Calhoun - July 31, 2024
A UFC featherweight clash between fan favorites Lerone Murphy and Dan Ige is reportedly targeted for UFC 308. MMA Fighting‘s Mike Heck was the first to report the news of the targeted Murphy vs. Ige booking. UFC 308 takes place on October 26 in Abu Dhabi.
Aljamain Sterling cautions Sean O'Malley's coach after Merab Dvalishvili altercation
Curtis Calhoun - July 31, 2024
Aljamain Sterling has a message for Sean O’Malley’s coach after ‘Suga’ and Merab Dvalishvili butted heads during a recent faceoff. O’Malley and Dvalishvili will headline UFC 306 on September 14th at the Las Vegas Sphere. The UFC bantamweight title fight headlines the first major sporting event to take place at the Sphere venue.
Tony Ferguson sends Michael Chiesa a message ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi showdown: "I'm going to choke you out"
Josh Evanoff - July 31, 2024
Tony Ferguson hopes that Michael Chiesa is ready for their UFC Abu Dhabi clash. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of the octagon since a unanimous decision loss to Paddy Pimblett in December. That defeat at UFC 296 was Tony Ferguson’s seventh loss in a row, previously losing to the likes of Michael Chandler, Beneil Dariush, and Nate Diaz. Seven months removed from that defeat, the former interim champion will face Michael Chiesa.
WATCH | Footage gets released of hotel altercation at UFC 304 between Michael Page and Farid Basharat
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2024
UFC fighters Michael Page and Farid Basharat got into an altercation at the hotel following UFC 304 in Manchester, England. After the event, former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski shared in his video that there was an altercation at the hotel between UFC fighters but he wouldn’t reveal who was involved.
Michael Chandler mocks Conor McGregor after his license is suspended for driving offenses: "Jesus take the wheel"
Josh Evanoff - July 31, 2024
Michael Chandler has mocked former UFC champion Conor McGregor after a recent report about the Irishman. ‘Iron’ and ‘The Notorious’ were set to collide at UFC 303 last month in Las Vegas. The bout was set to take place after a year of build-up, and a season coaching The Ultimate Fighter. However, just two weeks before the event, Conor McGregor withdrew due to a broken toe. As a result, Michael Chandler was pulled from the event as well.