MMA News
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.
Dustin Poirier announces his retirement decision will be made by the end of August: "Who is there for me to fight?"
Josh Evanoff - July 31, 2024
Fans will soon have clarity on the future of UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier. ‘The Diamond’ hasn’t competed since his third crack at undisputed gold in June. Facing Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier made a herculean effort to try and upset the champion. However, the former interim titleholder was submitted in the fifth and final round of the contest.
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.
Zabit Magomedsharipov details UFC's recent persistence in luring him out of retirement
Curtis Calhoun - July 31, 2024
Former UFC featherweight contender Zabit Magomedsharipov is content in retirement, but not without numerous attempts by the promotion to get him to return. Magomedsharipov was considered an inevitable UFC title challenger after a win over Calvin Kattar in Nov. 2019. But, he opted to retire after a series of medical issues, including a career-threatening surgery on his immune system.
Michael Chiesa still believes Tony Ferguson is a "very dangerous fight" ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2024
Michael Chiesa isn’t overlooking Tony Ferguson ahead of their fight at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. Chiesa and Ferguson are set to meet on Saturday’s main card in a pivotal fight for both of their careers. Ferguson is on a seven-fight losing streak, and Dana White has urged Ferguson to retire win or lose after Saturday’s bout.
Khabib Nurmagomedov returns to corner cousin Umar at UFC Abu Dhabi
Susan Cox - July 31, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov is returning to corner his cousin Umar at UFC Abu Dhabi. UFC Abu Dhabi takes place this coming weekend, Saturday, August 3rd at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Dricus Du Plessis confident he can defeat Israel Adesanya on the feet at UFC 305: “If I catch him with that shot it’s over”
Susan Cox - July 31, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is confident he can defeat Israel Adesanya on the feet at UFC 305. UFC 305 takes place on Saturday, August 17th at the RAC Arena In Perth, Western Australia.
The UFC parts ways with seven fighters
Susan Cox - July 31, 2024
The UFC has parted ways with seven fighters. In the past three days, CEO Dana White and company have parted ways with seven fighters in preparation for the promotions annual Contender Series signing spree.
Danielle Kelly targets emphatic win over Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 31, 2024
Danielle Kelly plans to give Mayssa Bastos a dose of her own medicine when they clash at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video. There, the American standout defends her ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title against the Brazilian challenger. This U.S. primetime event airs live from the fabled Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 2.
Jake Hadley sounds off on “clown” Muhammad Mokaev for UFC 304 shenanigans: “He sucker punched Manel Kape and all these geezers”
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2024
UFC fighter Jake Hadley has called out Muhammad Mokaev for his actions during UFC 304 fight week. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev has had an interesting week. He got involved in a brawl with Manel Kape and his team, defeated Kape at UFC 304, and was then released by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. There are allegations that he had been negotiating with PFL while still being signed to UFC, but this has been rejected by Mokaev’s camp.
Sean O’Malley and Brian Ortega open as betting underdogs for September’s Noche UFC event at the Sphere
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2024
Sean O’Malley and Brian Ortega have opened as betting underdogs for September’s blockbuster Noche UFC event at the Sphere. As we know, the UFC is preparing for a blockbuster show on September 14. They’ll be putting on a card at the Sphere in Las Vegas, becoming the first major sporting organization to do so. In the main event, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili. In addition, we’ll see Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko, as well as Brian Ortega vs Diego Lopes.
Mike Perry responds after his “employee” Conor McGregor attempts to fire him: “When people want to watch BKFC again, they’ll be calling!”
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2024
Mike Perry has responded to Conor McGregor attempting to fire him from BKFC over social media. As we know, Mike Perry is the biggest name in bare-knuckle boxing. He has done some incredible things during his time with BKFC, and that looks set to continue. Of course, if he’s able to overcome this ongoing spat with Conor McGregor, that is.
Gustavo Balart determined to give family “the life they deserved”
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 31, 2024
Gustavo Balart isn’t just pursuing his dreams at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video – he’s doing it for his family. There, “El Gladiador” battles former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks for the interim crown. This scheduled five-rounder emanates live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, August 2.
UFC Sphere ticket prices reach near-unaffordable levels
Zain Bando - July 30, 2024
UFC Sphere tickets will be a hot commodity come September, and it didn’t help when the pre-sale ticket release commenced on Monday when it was next to impossible to purchase a seat for the Sept. 14 card in Las Vegas. The price ranges for the UFC event from the Sphere, also known as Riyadh Season Noche UFC, range from USD $ $2,157 to upwards of USD $17,757. For context, UFC 264, headlined by the trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier in July 2021, was under $1,000 for nosebleed-level seats for just one ticket.
Tony Ferguson reveals he's sparring again ahead of his return at UFC Abu Dhabi
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2024
Tony Ferguson is back sparring as he’s set to return to the Octagon on Saturday against Michael Chiesa at UFC Abu Dhabi. Ferguson enters the bout on a seven-fight losing streak and is moving back up to welterweight to take on Chiesa in what could be his final UFC fight. Although Ferguson is on a losing skid, he still has confidence in himself, and ahead of his return, he says he started to spar again and feels like he’s in a good spot in his career.
Brian Ortega recalls hectic 48 hours that led to UFC 303 withdrawal: "I didn’t come back to life"
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2024
Brian Ortega has opened up on the 48 hours leading to his withdrawal from his UFC 303 fight against Diego Lopes. Ortega was booked on short notice to face Lopes at featherweight to help save the UFC 303 card following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal. However, before weigh-ins, the fight was moved to lightweight as ‘T-City’ was having a hard time making the weight.