MMA News
Manager reveals Magomed Ankalaev has his next fight booked and it's not against Alex Pereira
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev will not be the next title contender for Alex Pereira. After Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, all signs pointed to his next title defense being against Ankalaev who is ranked second at light heavyweight. It is an intriguing fight, but according to Ankalaev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov, the Russian has his next fight booked and it is not against Pereira for the belt as the UFC wanted to go in a different direction.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
John Lineker draws Asa Ten Pow for Muay Thai debut at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 2, 2024
John Lineker’s long-teased debut in Muay Thai finally has a date. The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion’s first assignment in “the art of eight limbs” happens at the highly anticipated ONE 168: Denver. This premium live event takes place at the 21,000-seat Ball Arena on September 6.
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.
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.
Chael Sonnen calls for Tony Ferguson’s retirement “win or lose” at UFC Abu Dhabi, shares recent talk with his father
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen wants to see Tony Ferguson hang up the gloves this weekend, regardless of the fight result. Ferguson will face fellow The Ultimate Fighter winner Michael Chiesa on Saturday at UFC Abu Dhabi. He returns to welterweight to potentially win his first fight in five years.
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.
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.