MMA News
ONE star Reinier de Ridder leaves promotion, set for UAE Warriors debut
Curtis Calhoun - July 17, 2024
Former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder has left the promotion after a long, decorated tenure. MMA Fighting was among the first to confirm the news of De Ridder’s ONE departure. The exact reasoning behind his parting ways from the promotion is uncertain as of this writing.
Jon Jones pleads not guilty to misdemeanor charges linked to recent drug testing incident
Curtis Calhoun - July 17, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanor charges stemming from an alleged altercation with two Drug Free Sport International testers. Jones appeared in an Albuquerque, NM courtroom on Wednesday with his legal team. He pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor charge of assault, and one for interference with communication in connection to the March incident.
Muhammad Mokaev claims the UFC "didn't want" him to break Jon Jones' record of youngest UFC champion
Cole Shelton - July 17, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev claims the UFC didn’t want him to break Jon Jones’ record of being the youngest UFC champion. Mokaev signed with the UFC at the end of 2021 as he was just 21 at the time. He had made it clear he wanted to become the youngest UFC champion in history and started out his UFC tenure with a 58-second win over Cody Durden. He then picked up two more wins in 2022 to end the year 3-0 and in contention at flyweight.
Belal Muhammad encourages Colby Covington to retire from combat sports: “There’s literally nothing left for him”
Susan Cox - July 17, 2024
Belal Muhammad is encouraging former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington to retire from combat sports. Covington (17-4 MMA) last fought and was defeated by Leon Edwards back in December of 2023 at UFC 296. ‘Chaos’, at 36, has 3 wins and 3 losses in his last 6 fights inside of the Octagon.
Magomed Ankalaev continues to express huge confidence in striking with Alex Pereira
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2024
UFC contender Magomed Ankalaev is feeling pretty confident about his chances against UFC champion Alex Pereira. As we know, Magomed Ankalaev is a real problem in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. However, it’s safe to say that his momentum has slowed dramatically in recent years. From no contests to draws and beyond, Ankalaev seemed to be struggling to make his case for another title shot.
Tom Aspinall reveals he's been soaking his knuckles in petrol every day ahead of UFC 304
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been using some unconventional training methods heading into UFC 304. As we know, Tom Aspinall will defend the UFC interim heavyweight championship at UFC 304. He’ll do so by going head to head with Curtis Blaydes, a man who defeated him in seconds when they last met due to a knee injury. Now, the Englishman is back, and he’s ready to send a message to the rest of the division.
Belal Muhammad is in incredible shape heading into UFC 304
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2024
UFC contender Belal Muhammad appears to be in the best shape of his life heading into UFC 304 next weekend. It’s safe to say that Belal Muhammad has his eyes on the prize. For the longest time, he’s been campaigning for a shot at the UFC welterweight championship. At UFC 304, his wish will come true as he challenges Leon Edwards for the belt. The two have history together, and Belal hasn’t been shy when explaining how he thinks the fight is going to go down.
Aljamain Sterling makes another push to fight Movsar Evloev later this year
Harry Kettle - July 17, 2024
Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling continues to push for a fight against featherweight rival Movsar Evloev. As we know, Aljamain Sterling is a former UFC bantamweight champion. Now, he’s got his sights set on a second world title. He has made the shift up to 145 pounds, and his hope is that he can take over the featherweight division in the same manner. Alas, it’s going to be easier said than done.
Brian Kelleher reveals he's fighting out his contract at UFC Vegas 94 against Cody Gibson: "My literal life feels like it is on the line"
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2024
Brian Kelleher knows his back is against the wall in his UFC Vegas 94 fight against Cody Gibson. Kelleher is on a three-fight losing streak and is coming off a knockout loss to Cody Garbrandt back in December. Following the loss, Kelleher wasn’t sure if he’d get another UFC fight but is excited he gets the chance to try and save his job.
Justin Gaethje shares regrets he has after Max Holloway loss at UFC 300
Curtis Calhoun - July 16, 2024
Justin Gaethje shared a few things he wishes he would’ve done differently against Max Holloway in their UFC 300 BMF clash. Gaethje lost to Holloway by a last-second knockout at UFC 300 in April. The loss snapped a two-fight winning streak as he relinquished the BMF title to Holloway.
Danielle Kelly plans to use Mayssa Bastos to bolster legacy: "When I beat her, it’s better for me"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 16, 2024
Danielle Kelly relishes the fact that she’s entering the first defense of her ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title as an underdog. This happens at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 2. There, she puts her crown on the line against the highly touted Mayssa Bastos.
Michael Bisping cautions Nate Diaz after $9 million Fanmio lawsuit: "Winning a lawsuit is one thing..."
Curtis Calhoun - July 16, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping credits Nate Diaz for his $9 million crusade against Fanmio, but wonders if it will produce the desired dividend. Diaz defeated Jorge Masvidal by majority decision in their recent boxing match earlier this month in Anaheim. He earned his first professional boxing win after a loss to Jake Paul in the ring last year.
Chris Weidman reveals Kevin Holland called him out for a fight during recent Las Vegas run-in
Curtis Calhoun - July 16, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman shared a hilarious story about running into Kevin Holland to talk about a possible fight. Weidman, who hasn’t fought since a controversial win over Bruno Silva in Atlantic City earlier this year, is pushing forward towards a return to the cage. After a long road back to the Octagon recovering from multiple leg surgeries, he’s looking to make the most of this latest chapter.
Jake Paul calls Mike Perry an "appetizer" for Mike Tyson fight later this year: "It’s a good warm-up"
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2024
Jake Paul believes Mike Perry was the perfect replacement for Mike Tyson. Paul is set to box Perry on Saturday in Tampa after his original fight against Tyson was canceled due to a medical issue from the former heavyweight champion. After the fight was canceled, Paul made it clear he wanted to fight on that date and Perry stepped up to take the boxing match. Jake is a sizeable -380 favorite while ‘Platinum’ is a +280 underdog on FanDuel.
Dustin Poirier acknowledges seven men as potential opponents for his next fight: “Definitely one of those guys”
Susan Cox - July 16, 2024
Dustin Poirier is acknowledging seven men as potential opponents for his next fight. The former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier, at 35, is looking to fight again and has a rather lengthy list of potential opponents.
Jake Paul takes aim at Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal following their recent boxing match: “Guess that $15 million from PFL needs to be taken a little more seriously”
Susan Cox - July 16, 2024
Jake Paul is taking aim at Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal following their recent boxing match. The PFL (Professional Fighters League) offered Nate Diaz a cool $15 million to fight Jake Paul under MMA rules. Diaz turned down the offer.
Abdul Razak Alhassan unloads on "p***y" Cody Brundage after UFC Denver: "Let’s run it back"
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2024
Abdul Razak Alhassan believes Cody Brundage wanted a way out of their UFC Denver fight and he took it at the first opportunity. Alhassan and Brundage were fighting on the main card in an intriguing middleweight bout that many didn’t think would need the judges. Right when the ball rang, Brundage shot in for a takedown, and Alhassan landed a big shot that rocked him. As Brundage was scrambling and holding onto a single leg, Alhassan landed several elbows to the back of Brundage’s head and the ref stopped the fight. Unfortnately, Brundage couldn’t continue and the fight was ruled a No Contest just 37 seconds into the opening round.
Khamzat Chimaev confirms plans for UFC 308 return in Abu Dhabi: "I would like to fight for the title"
Josh Evanoff - July 16, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev wants to fight for gold in his return later this year. ‘Borz’ has been out of action since a short-notice bout against Kamaru Usman in October. Khamzat Chimaev was originally set to fight Paulo Costa at UFC 294, but he was forced out. As a result, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ stepped up, and was handed a majority-decision defeat. The bout was labeled as a title eliminator, but post-fight, Dana White had a change of plans.