MMA News
Pros react after Michael Chiesa submits Tony Ferguson at UFC Abu Dhabi
Chris Taylor - August 3, 2024
Today’s UFC Abu Dhabi event featured a highly anticipated welterweight bout between Tony Ferguson and Michael Chiesa. Ferguson (25-11 MMA) was looking to earn his first win since June of 2019 when he took to the cage this afternoon. ‘El Cucuy’ had lost his previous seven fights in a row, his most previous defeat coming against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296 this past December.
UFC Abu Dhabi Results: Michael Chiesa stops Tony Ferguson in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 3, 2024
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Abu Dhabi results, including the welterweight bout between Michael Chiesa and Tony Ferguson. Chiesa (16-7 MMA) will enter today’s contest with hopes of snapping a three-fight losing skid. ‘Maverick’ most recently competed inside of the Octagon thirteen months ago at UFC 291, where he suffered a submission loss to Kevin Holland.
UFC Abu Dhabi Results: Mackenzie Dern defeats Loopy Godinez (Highlights)
Chris Taylor - August 3, 2024
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Abu Dhabi results, including the women’s strawweight bout between Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez. Dern (13-5 MMA) will enter today’s contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The BJJ ace is coming off losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos in her two previous Octagon appearances.
UFC Abu Dhabi: ‘Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov’ Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - August 3, 2024
The Octagon returns to Etihad Arena for tonight’s UFC Abu Dhabi event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. Sandhagen (17-4 MMA) will enter tonight’s main event sporting a three-fight winning streak, his latest being a unanimous decision victory over Rob Font 12 months ago. Prior to that victory, ‘Sandman’ had earned wins over Marlon Vera and Song Yadong.
PFL president confirms they aren't interested in signing Muhammad Mokaev
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2024
PFL president Ray Sefo has explained why the promotion isn’t interested in signing former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev. Last weekend, Muhammad Mokaev managed to defeat Manel Kape in a tight flyweight collision at UFC 304. From there, the expectation was that he would go on to receive a UFC flyweight championship opportunity. Instead, though, Dana White revealed that they would not be offering him a new contract with the promotion.
Javier Mendez reveals Khabib Nurmagomedov's evolution as a coach
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2024
Javier Mendez has revealed how his student Khabib Nurmagomedov has managed to evolve as a coach in mixed martial arts. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest fighters of all time. While he may have retired four years ago, his impact on the sport of MMA can still be felt in so many different ways.
John McCarthy believes Dana White should accept blame for uneventful UFC 304
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2024
MMA analyst John McCarthy believes Dana White should accept some blame for UFC 304 not being too eventful. Last weekend, UFC 304 took place in Manchester, England. While we had some great moments from the likes of Paddy Pimblett and Tom Aspinall, there were also plenty of decisions. Many blamed the fact that the main card started at 3am local time, whereas Dana White simply wasn’t happy with the performances he saw.
Cory Sandhagen plans to "apologize" to Khabib Nurmagomedov for prevailing over cousin Umar at UFC Abu Dhabi
Curtis Calhoun - August 2, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen is already planning on what he’ll say to Khabib Nurmagomedov after stopping Umar at UFC Abu Dhabi. Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov headline a stacked card at UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday. The winner is next in line for a likely bantamweight title shot against the Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili winner.
Islam Makhachev interested in Max Holloway fight if 'Blessed' can get past Ilia Topuria: "Crazy fight for the fans"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
If Max Holloway can get through Ilia Topuria, he could have a shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Russian has been out of the cage since a fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier in June. That win at UFC 302 was Islam Makhachev’s second title defense, and he already began to eye a move to welterweight. However, with Belal Muhammad’s victory over Leon Edwards over the weekend, those plans were dashed.
Tony Ferguson has no plans to retire ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi return: "Where am I going to go?"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has no plans to retire. ‘El Cucuy’ is currently set to make the walk tomorrow night in Abu Dhabi. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Paddy Pimblett in December, Tony Ferguson will face Michael Chiesa. Much like the former interim champion, ‘The Maverick’ has struggled as of late. Heading into UFC Abu Dhabi, Chiesa has lost three straight.
Tom Aspinall confirms backup role for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: "I'll wipe out both in one night if I have to!"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will be the backup for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. The British fighter is fresh off his return late last month in Manchester. Just eight months after winning interim heavyweight gold against Sergei Pavlovich, Tom Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes. ‘Razor’ had handed the interim champion a stoppage loss due to injury back in July 2022. However, the rematch couldn’t have gone any differently.
Islam Makhachev admits Belal Muhammad “Broke his plans” for UFC double champ run
Curtis Calhoun - August 2, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev plans to change course after Belal Muhammad’s welterweight title victory. Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision to capture the UFC welterweight title last Saturday in Manchester. After a long road to the welterweight title shot, Muhammad made the most of his opportunity and put on a largely dominant performance to dethrone Edwards.
Steve Erceg demolishes Muhammad Mokaev for “Coward Mentality” after UFC release, Mokaev responds
Curtis Calhoun - August 2, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Steve Erceg didn’t mince words in his reaction to Muhammad Mokaev’s controversial release from the promotion. Erceg will face Kai Kara-France in the UFC 305 co-main event later this month. The card marks the UFC’s return to Perth, Australia, headlined by Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.
UFC champion Belal Muhammad takes aim at “so-called experts” Demetrious Johnson and Kamaru Usman: “They don’t know what they’re talking about”
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
UFC champion Belal Muhammad is taking aim at ‘so-called experts’ Demetrious Johnson and Kamaru Usman. ‘Remember the Name’ (24-3 MMA) is riding high after defeating Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA) to win welterweight gold last weekend at UFC 304 which took place at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
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.
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
In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, a pivotal bantamweight bout goes down as Cory Sandhagen takes on Umar Nurmagomedov. Heading into the fight, Sandhagen is a sizeable +230 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -310 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight fight. The pros believe Sandhagen will be able to edge it out as they think it is too much too soon for Nurmagomedov.