MMA News
Nico Carrillo’s fourth straight finish earns him $50K bonus at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 9, 2024
Nico Carrillo’s gamesmanship and appetite for a finish stood out from the rest of his peers at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video last Friday, July 5. The Scottish striker earned himself a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for his second-round demolition of fourth-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex in their bantamweight Muay Thai match.
Alex Pereira hits back at former rival Artem Vakhitov's comments about his striking: "Be careful"
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira didn’t take long to address his former Glory Kickboxing opponent Artem Vakhitov’s recent remarks. Pereira made the most of another short-notice opportunity by finishing Jiří Procházka in the UFC 303 main event last month. After Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from the card, Pereira and Procházka stepped up on weeks’ notice to save one of the biggest events of the year.
Daniel Cormier explains how Tom Aspinall could sabotage Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: "Could you imagine?"
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
Daniel Cormier thinks Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic might fall through the cracks if Tom Aspinall makes a statement at UFC 304. Aspinall will face Curtis Blaydes in defense of his interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27. He returns to the Octagon for the first time since knocking out Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title in November.
Darren Till shoots down bare-knuckle fight against Mike Perry: "F**k that"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2024
Darren Till isn’t interested in fighting Mike Perry in bare-knuckle. Till and Perry have both taken shots at each other in the past and although both fought in the UFC at the same time, a fight between the two never happened. Now, as Perry is having success in BKFC, many fans are hoping the two will fight finally collide. However, Till says he is open to fighting Perry but it won’t be bare-knuckle.
Nick Diaz's former coach expresses concerns about his UFC return ahead of Vicente Luque fight
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
UFC star Nick Diaz’s upcoming return to the Octagon doesn’t make sense, in the mind of his former longtime coach. Diaz will face welterweight mainstay Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3rd. He returns to the Octagon after a nearly three-year hiatus from fighting, stemming from his loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.
Darren Till calls for boxing match with 'fluffy hands' Nate Diaz: "I would love to get that fight"
Josh Evanoff - July 8, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Darren Till wants a boxing match with Nate Diaz. Both men competed on Saturday, in vastly different boxing events. Earlier in the day, Darren Till faced Mohammad Mutie on the undercard of Social Knockout 3, scoring a second-round stoppage victory. The bout was the British contender’s first since leaving the UFC in early 2023, and the fight didn’t go the way he exactly wanted.
Tracy Cortez eyeing title fight with Alexa Grasso with victory at UFC Denver: "A great show for Mexican Independence Day"
Josh Evanoff - July 8, 2024
If Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t want to fight UFC champion Alexa Grasso, Tracy Cortez will. The women’s flyweight contender is currently set to step up on short notice this Saturday in the main event of UFC Denver. The original main event for that card featured Rose Namajunas and Maycee Barber. However, due to an injury to ‘The Future’, Tracy Cortez is stepping into the main event.
Brendan Allen explains why he doesn't want to fight Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris anymore
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen says he was offered to fight Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris but he’s no longer interested in that. It was recently announced that Benoit Saint-Denis will be taking on Renato Moicano in a five-round fight, which will likely serve as the main event. With that bout expected serve as the event headliner, Allen says he is no longer interested in fighting Imavov in Paris, as he wants to be showcased in a main event setting.
Tracy Cortez "going to fight my heart out" for late brother at UFC Denver
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez is fighting for her late brother ahead of her first career UFC main event this Saturday. Cortez will face former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in the UFC Denver main event. She returns to the Octagon on short notice after Namajunas’s original opponent, Maycee Barber, withdrew from the card due to undisclosed reasons.
Nate Diaz reacts to news that Conor McGregor won over a million dollars from his victory over Jorge Masvidal
Susan Cox - July 8, 2024
Nate Diaz is reacting to the news that Conor McGregor won over a million dollars from his victory over Jorge Masvidal. The Irishman made headlines when he announced his was putting down a bet of $500,000 on his former opponent Nate Diaz to beat Jorge Masvidal in their ‘Last Man Standing’ boxing bout.
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has a message for fans telling him how he should fight: “Keep your opinions to yourself”
Susan Cox - July 8, 2024
UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa has a message for fans telling him how he should fight. Tuivasa, 31, has the unenviable record of having 4 concurrent losses in the Octagon.
Kamaru Usman says it is absurd to think of Nate Diaz as a world class fighter
Susan Cox - July 8, 2024
Kamaru Usman says it is absurd to think of Nate Diaz as a world class fighter. Apparently Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman have a difference of opinion when it comes to Nate Diaz.
UFC champion Alex Pereira responds after Anthony Joshua suggests he makes a move to boxing
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champon Alex Pereira has responded to Anthony Joshua suggesting he tests the waters in boxing. As we know, Alex Pereira is on top of the mixed martial arts world right now. At UFC 303, he knocked Jiri Prochazka out to successfully retain his UFC light heavyweight title. Ever since then, fans have been discussing what his legacy in the sport is going to look like. After all, in less than three years since his debut, he’s been able to capture two world titles to run alongside victories over numerous former champions.
Israel Adesanya explains how taking a hiatus was “definitely” the best move for his UFC career: “I’ve got more patience now, more clarity”
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2024
UFC star Israel Adesanya has explained how his hiatus from the promotion was the best thing he could’ve done for his career. Last September, Israel Adesanya lost his UFC middleweight championship to Sean Strickland. Following the defeat, ‘Stylebender’ made it clear that he was planning on taking a hiatus from active competition. However, nobody really knew how long this break would last.
Marc Goddard explains why he will never referee a Leon Edwards fight
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2024
MMA referee Marc Goddard has explained why fans will never see him referee a Leon Edwards fight. In the eyes of many, Marc Goddard is one of the best referees in all of mixed martial arts. He has been at the heart of many incredible moments in the sport over the course of the last decade-plus, and that’ll continue to be the case as we look ahead to the future. Of course, he’s had his critics, but that’s always going to be the case in a job like that.
Alibeg Rasulov takes aim at Christian Lee next: “I'm going to get his belt”
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 8, 2024
Alibeg Rasulov believes he has put himself in a prime position to challenge Christian Lee for the ONE Lightweight MMA World Championship. The undefeated Turkish dynamo achieved a career-defining win over former divisional king Ok Rae Yoon by unanimous decision at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video last Friday, July 5.
Dan Ige hopes for UFC 306 fight after saving the day against Diego Lopes: "I just think it makes sense"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 7, 2024
Dan Ige is throwing his name in the hat for UFC 306, but he’s prepared to trust the process. Ige became a big crowd favorite when he agreed to replace Brian Ortega for a fight with Diego Lopes to save the UFC 303 co-main event. He ended up going the distance with Lopes in a competitive fight, and the fans showed their appreciation.
Petchtanong Petchfergus eyes clash with Wei Rui in ONE Championship
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 7, 2024
Following his triumphant return to action, Petchtanong Petchfergus knows who he wants to face next. The former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion came back from a nearly two-year hiatus in scintillating fashion.