MMA News
Jon Anik explains his worry with UFC 304 co-headliner between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes: "I’d like to see some pressure on this heavyweight division to move forward"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 11, 2024
UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik has revealed what situation he’d find to be less than ideal for the winner of Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall will be putting the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on the line against Blaydes in the co-main event of UFC 304. Aspinall, who captured interim gold back in November 2023, was hoping to go straight into an undisputed title fight with Jon Jones. Instead, he’ll mix it up with Blaydes in a rematch from a disastrous and quick end to their first meeting.
Michael Bisping calls out Merab Dvalishvili for suggesting he plans to “show everybody his striking” in title fight with Sean O’Malley: “You are full of sh*t”
Harry Kettle - July 11, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has called out Merab Dvalishvili for some of his comments about striking against Sean O’Malley. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is expected to challenge Sean O’Malley for the UFC bantamweight championship later this year. There are rumors of a collision at the Sphere, but as of this writing, nothing has been confirmed.
Artem Vakhitov and UFC champion Alex Pereira continue to trade jabs on social media: “Until we meet again…”
Harry Kettle - July 11, 2024
Artem Vakhitov and UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira continue to go back and forth at one another on social media. Back in their kickboxing days, Alex Pereira and Artem Vakhitov squared off twice. They split their series 1-1 and now, over three years later, they’ve reignited their feud following recent remarks from Vakhitov on his weaknesses.
Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman discuss the chances of Nate Diaz receiving an immediate title shot in his UFC return: “Let’s get serious here”
Harry Kettle - July 11, 2024
Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman have given their thoughts on the idea of Nate Diaz being given an immediate title shot if he returns to the UFC. Last weekend, Nate Diaz gained a measure of revenge on Jorge Masvidal. He defeated ‘Gamebred’ in their boxing showdown, and it proved to be a pretty entertaining affair. Of course, now, many are wondering what the future holds for him. Some believe it’ll be another boxing match, whereas others are convinced he’ll head back to mixed martial arts.
Strawweight world champ Joshua Pacio to keep close eye on interim title bout at ONE Fight Night 24
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 11, 2024
Joshua Pacio may be recovering from an injury, but he remains deeply committed to his responsibilities as the lineal ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion. “The Passion” will be closely following the developments in his division, particularly the upcoming clash between former titleholder Jarred Brooks and number three ranked Gustavo Balart for the interim crown.
Raul Rosas Jr. predicts who he'll beat in potential future UFC bantamweight title fight
Curtis Calhoun - July 10, 2024
UFC bantamweight up-and-comer Raul Rosas Jr. already has a good idea of who he’ll face for the world title once he reaches the pinnacle of the division. The 19-year-old Rosas earned the third win of his young UFC career by submitting Ricky Turcios at UFC Louisville last month. He’s won back-to-back fights since suffering his first career defeat to Christian Rodriguez at UFC 287.
Leon Edwards would prefer fighting for middleweight title over Islam Makhachev bout
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2024
Leon Edwards says he’d prefer fighting for the middleweight title as opposed to squaring off with Islam Makhachev. Makhachev has recently expressed interest in moving up to welterweight to challenge Edwards for the welterweight title to try and become a champ-champ. However, if Edwards gets past Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304, he says he’d rather move up to middleweight to try and become a champ-champ.
Conor McGregor calls Dustin Poirier's foundation a "scam" in latest social media attack
Curtis Calhoun - July 10, 2024
UFC superstar Conor McGregor is accusing Dustin Poirier’s The Good Fight Foundation of fraud after a recent post-UFC 302 auction. Poirier lost to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the UFC 302 main event last month. Just days after, McGregor withdrew from his planned comeback fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 due to a toe injury.
Michael 'Venom' Page downplays Ian Machado Garry's title chances after UFC 303: "Leon is gonna kill you"
Curtis Calhoun - July 10, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Michael ‘Venom’ Page doesn’t think Ian Machado Garry has what it takes to become a champion after their UFC 303 battle. Page suffered his first UFC loss to Garry at UFC 303 last month by unanimous decision. After a back-and-forth first two rounds of the fight, Garry used his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to stifle and frustrate Page in the final minutes.
Dustin Poirier shows interest in one-off boxing match, names potential opponent: "That would be fun stuff"
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier is down for a trip to the boxing ring against Nate Diaz. ‘The Diamond’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month against Islam Makhachev. In his third bid for undisputed lightweight gold, Dustin Poirier came up short. The longtime contender was submitted in the fifth round of the championship bout, and then gave an emotional post-fight interview.
Jake Paul wants PFL fight against Mike Perry after boxing match: "My wrestling background is going to come out!"
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2024
After Jake Paul faces Mike Perry in the boxing ring, he’s down to face him in the PFL cage. ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Platinum’ are currently set to collide on July 20th in Florida. Jake Paul was originally set to meet Mike Tyson on that same date, but ‘Iron Mike’ was forced out due to medical issues. After the legendary heavyweight was forced to pull out, Mike Perry stepped up on a few weeks’ notice.
Dustin Poirier reveals he accepted hours' notice fight vs. Nate Diaz after Khamzat Chimaev weight controversy at UFC 279
Curtis Calhoun - July 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier nearly stepped up on hours’ notice to face Nate Diaz at UFC 279 after Khamzat Chimaev missed weight. Poirier lost to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in his most recent fight at UFC 302 last month. He lost by fifth-round submission and teased retirement, although he’s since teased one final appearance in the Octagon.
Cody Brundage doubts Abdul Razak Alhassan fight will last long at UFC Denver: "There will be chaos"
Cole Shelton - July 10, 2024
Cody Brundage says the judges won’t be needed for his UFC Denver fight against Abdul Razak Alhassan. Brundage is set for his second fight of 2024 as he’s coming off a submission loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 300. Although he lost that fight, Brundage believes it was a good learning experience for him.
Dustin Poirier questions Conor McGregor's UFC 303 withdrawal: "Doesn't seem like a reason to pull out"
Curtis Calhoun - July 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier thinks there may be more to the story when it comes to Conor McGregor’s scratched comeback at UFC 303. McGregor was supposed to face Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 main event before withdrawing due to a toe injury. He hasn’t fought in the Octagon since shattering his leg against Poirier at UFC 264.
Tye Ruotolo promises to get better after tough battle at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 10, 2024
Tye Ruotolo may have emerged victorious at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video last Friday, July 5, but he is admittedly far from satisfied with his performance. The reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion took a hard-earned unanimous victory in his last fight. This came over Jozef Chen in a 186-pound catchweight contest on the recently concluded U.S. primetime card.
Sean O’Malley anxious for fight announcement as UFC 306 draws closer: "I’m still hoping for the Sphere"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 10, 2024
Sean O’Malley is eager to get back inside the Octagon, but he hasn’t heard anything new on when that might be. O’Malley is the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. The “Suga” show and Merab Dvalishvili have been going back-and-forth on social media, and the two have expressed a desire to fight one another. While UFC 306 inside the Sphere in Las Vegas would appear to be the right time for the title fight, nothing has been made official at this time.
Matt Brown scoffs at backlash for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: "Let them f*cking fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 10, 2024
Retired fan favorite Matt Brown doesn’t understand the hate for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. Jones vs. Miocic had been planned for UFC 295 back in November 2023. The UFC Heavyweight Championship would’ve been at stake, but “Bones” suffered an injury. As a result, an interim title bout between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich took its place.
Rafael dos Anjos has two particular names in mind for his next UFC appearance: “I see Stephen Thompson, he doesn’t have a fight”
Harry Kettle - July 10, 2024
UFC veteran Rafael dos Anjos has a few potential opponents in mind for his next Octagon appearance. For those who don’t know, Rafael dos Anjos is a mixed martial arts legend. He’s been around the game for years and at the age of 39, he’s seen as someone that can still make some noise across two divisions. He’s also a former UFC lightweight champion, and although the chances of him winning the belt again are slim, you can bet that’s what he’ll be pushing for until he finally decides to retire.