MMA News
TikTok star Alice Ardelean added to UFC 304 in Manchester
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2024
TikTok sensation and MMA fighter Alice Ardelean has been added to the UFC 304 card in Manchester on short notice. For a lot of mixed martial arts fans, the name Alice Ardelean may not mean a whole lot. That’s probably because she holds a record of 9-5 and she’s never fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, with over three million TikTok followers and over 500,000 Instagram followers, she’s certainly done a good job of marketing herself.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 172 with Brian Kelleher, Cody Durden, Kurt Holobaugh, and Steve Garcia
Cole Shelton - July 16, 2024
The 172nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 94. We’re first joined by UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher (1:47). UFC flyweight Cody Durden (12:22) comes on. UFC lightweight Kurt Holobaugh (23:28) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Steve Garcia (31:29).
Tye Ruotolo wants to compete at ONE 169: “It would be such a great opportunity”
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 16, 2024
Tye Ruotolo doesn’t plan on remaining idle in the coming months. Following his hard-fought victory over Jozef Chen in a 186-pound non-title catchweight bout earlier this month, the reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion wants to return to action.
Nico Carrillo still has more to prove: “I don't believe I'm in my prime yet”
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 16, 2024
Nico Carrillo believes the world has yet to witness him in peak form. Since joining ONE Championship in 2023, he has been an unstoppable force, decimating every opponent in his path with a series of KO victories.
What's next for Rose Namajunas and Tracy Cortez after UFC Denver?
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2024
The UFC was in Denver, Colorado for UFC Denver with a women’s flyweight bout headlining the card as Rose Namajunas took on Tracy Cortez. Heading into the bout, Namajunas was coming off a decision win over Amanda Ribas in her second fight at flyweight as she lost to Manon Fiorot in her debut. Cortez, meanwhile, took the fight on short notice and was a perfect 5-0 in the UFC.
Diego Lopes explains why fighting Aljamain Sterling next "doesn't make sense"
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes doesn’t think he should fight Aljamain Sterling next time out. Lopes is coming off a decision win over Dan Ige at UFC 303, on a fight that Ige took on just hours notice. Lopes was originally supposed to fight Brian Ortega, but the former title contender was forced out of the bout on the day of the event.
Kayla Harrison blasts Julianna Peña over doping allegations: "You will find every excuse..."
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison was accused this week of using performance-enhancing drugs by former UFC bantamweight champion Julianna Peña. During Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Peña accused Harrison of having a checkered past when it comes to using banned substances to gain an advantage in the cage.
Rose Namajunas reacts to viral eyelash punch vs. Tracy Cortez at UFC Denver
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas has opened up on a heavily discussed moment from her win over Tracy Cortez at UFC Denver. Namajunas defeated Cortez by unanimous decision to earn her second-straight win in Denver on Saturday. She’s now won back-to-back flyweight fights since a loss to Manon Fiorot in Paris last year.
Fanmio issues response after Nate Diaz's lawsuit, claims ex-UFC fighter was paid "seven figures"
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2024
Fanmio CEO Solomon Engel responded to Nate Diaz’s lawsuit on Monday. TMZ Sports first reported that Diaz and his team sued Fanmio after they didn’t get paid for his recent boxing match against Jorge Masvidal. Diaz claims fraud against Engel after guaranteeing a $10 million payday which Diaz has not been paid.
Sean O'Malley hits back at critics of his ESPY 'Best MMA Fighter' win: "I was a crazy underdog"
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley earned an ESPY Award last weekend despite many questioning his designation as the show’s ‘Best MMA Fighter’. O’Malley, who is expected to face Merab Dvalishvili later this year, earned the 2024 ESPY Award for ‘Best MMA Fighter’ last weekend. He beat out other top UFC names such as Islam Makhachev and Alex Pereira for the award.
Dana White shoots down Conor McGregor's claim about Michael Chandler fight being official: "I don't have a date for it"
Josh Evanoff - July 15, 2024
According to UFC President Dana White, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is far from official. ‘The Notorious’ and ‘Iron’ were set to meet in the main event of UFC 303 last month in Las Vegas. The bout was going to be Conor McGregor’s first, since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Nearly three years later, the Irishman was set to meet Michael Chandler at 170 pounds in a blockbuster of a fight.
Julianna Pena slams critics who believe she shouldn't get a UFC title shot: "I've done it all!"
Josh Evanoff - July 15, 2024
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena doesn’t care what the critics say. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ hasn’t competed since her rematch against Amanda Nunes in July 2022. The bout took place just seven months after Julianna Pena shocked the world, and handed ‘The Lioness’ a submission loss. However, the second bout between the two wasn’t even close, as the Brazilian won a lopsided decision.
Video shows Khabib Nurmagomedov spitting on Conor McGregor after UFC 229 win
Cole Shelton - July 15, 2024
The UFC has released a video showing Khabib Nurmagomedov spitting on Conor McGregor after his UFC 229 win. Nurmagomedov and McGregor fought in a highly-anticipated fight back in October 2018 at UFC 229. It served as McGregor’s return to the Octagon, as he previously had squared off with Floyd Mayweather in the boxing ring. The Irishman was looking to reclaim his lightweight title that he never lost.
Miesha Tate dismisses that MMA community turned its back on Ronda Rousey: "Thousands of little girls idolized her!"
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey’s former rival, Miesha Tate, feels the former bantamweight titleholder is still revered by many MMA fans. Tate and Rousey competed against one another twice during their MMA careers, with Rousey earning wins in both matchups. After coaching opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter 18 before Rousey defeated Tate in their rematch by third-round submission.
UFC's Dana White shares phone conversation with Donald Trump after recent assassination attempt
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White spoke with former U.S. President Donald Trump on the phone just hours after a gunman attempted to assassinate him at a rally in Pennsylvania. Trump was in the middle of a speech at a campaign rally in Butler, PA on Saturday when a gunman opened fire from a nearby rooftop, striking the former president in the right ear. U.S. Secret Service eliminated the suspected gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, within seconds of the shooting.
Nate Diaz sues Fanmio for $9 million for fraud, breach of contract after Jorge Masvidal boxing match
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
Nate Diaz’s representatives have filed a $9 million lawsuit against Fanmio, the broadcast partner of his recent boxing match against Jorge Masvidal. TMZ Sports was among the first to report the news of Diaz’s suit on Monday. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Miami.
Kamaru Usman calls on Leon Edwards to bring out "killer" at UFC 304
Harry Kettle - July 15, 2024
Kamaru Usman has called on Leon Edwards to bring out his killer edge when he takes on Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. As we know, Leon Edwards is the UFC welterweight champion. We also know that he’s going to defend that belt against Belal Muhammad at UFC 304. In the eyes of many, he’s the clear favorite, but he can’t afford to be complacent.
Official: Christian Lee returns to action against Alibeg Rasulov at ONE 169
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 14, 2024
Christian Lee’s highly anticipated return to action finally has a date. This happens at ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8, airing live from the State Farm Arena. There, the two-division ONE World Champion puts his lightweight MMA crown against Alibeg Rasulov.