MMA News
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.
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.
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.
Jordan Oliver vs. Braydon Akeo added to PFL Playoffs card on 08/16 (Exclusive)
Curtis Calhoun - July 15, 2024
PFL featherweights Jordan Oliver and Braydon Akeo will battle it out on the league’s upcoming postseason card on August 16th. Promotional sources informed BJPenn.com of the Oliver/Akeo matchup on Monday.
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.
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.
Jon Jones reportedly charged with two misdemeanors in case involving Drug Free Sport agent
Josh Evanoff - July 15, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has found himself in legal trouble ahead of his return. ‘Bones’ has been out of the cage since a submission victory over Ciryl Gane last March. Jon Jones wound up submitting ‘Bon Gamin’ in the first round, winning vacant heavyweight gold in the process. Following the victory, the newly crowned champion called to face Stipe Miocic, and the two quickly booked a bout for November.