MMA News
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.
Kamaru Usman reveals plans for welterweight return, opens up on who could be next: "It's an interesting spot"
Josh Evanoff - July 16, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is planning to fight at 170 pounds later this year. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ is an interesting spot. Kamaru Usman hasn’t competed since a short-notice clash at middleweight with Khamzat Chimaev last October at UFC 294. Despite being outgrappled by ‘Borz’ early, the former champion made a late rally. Ultimately, Chimaev emerged with a majority-decision victory to remain undefeated.
Former Bellator title challenger 'King Mo' ends retirement, set for BKFC debut in September
Josh Evanoff - July 16, 2024
Former Bellator light-heavyweight contender Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal has signed with BKFC. The 43-year-old has been out of action since a catchweight bout against Andrew Kapel in November 2019. Entering the contest, the man known to fans as ‘King Mo’ had suffered three straight knockout losses. However, stoppage defeats to Jiri Prochazka, Liam McGeary, and Ryan Bader didn’t deter Muhammed Lawal.
Santiago Ponzinibbio vents frustration following split decision loss at UFC Denver: “Whenever we go to the judges, this is how it goes for me”
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2024
UFC veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio isn’t happy following his tight loss to Muslim Salikhov at UFC Denver. As we know, Santiago Ponzinibbio is a true warrior. Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, he’s never been afraid to put it all on the line. Unfortunately, the 37-year-old has now tasted defeat in four of his last five outings. Most recently, he went up against Muslim Salikhov this past weekend.
Dana White explains why Noche UFC at the Sphere in Las Vegas will only showcase 10 fights
Harry Kettle - July 16, 2024
UFC president Dana White has explained why Noche UFC at the Sphere in Las Vegas will only feature 10 fights. On September 14, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads to the Sphere in Las Vegas for the first time. It’s set to be the first major sporting event to take place at the venue, and Dana White wants to make it a big one. He knows how many eyes are going to be on this card, and he also knows that the expectations are already pretty high.
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).
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.
Hiroyuki Tetsuka eager to move closer to title shot with win at ONE 168
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 15, 2024
Hiroyuki Tetsuka knows if he plays his cards right in his next outing, a win may land him a shot at the ONE Welterweight MMA World Championship. “Japanese Beast” reports for duty against Isi Fitikefu at ONE 168: Denver on September 6. This event takes place at the 21,000-seater Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.