MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.