MMA News
WATCH | Sean Strickland mauls former NAVY seal who challenged him to a sparring session
Josh Evanoff - July 2, 2024
It appears that former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is now 1-0 against former NAVY seals. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of the octagon since his return against Paulo Costa at UFC 302 last month. The bout was Sean Strickland’s first since losing to Dricus du Plessis in January, and he largely dominated. The former champion outpointed ‘The Eraser’ en route to a split-decision victory on fight night.
Adrian Yanez responds to Payton Talbott's viral callout at UFC 303
Curtis Calhoun - July 2, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Adrian Yanez has answered unbeaten prospect Payton Talbott’s recent callout at UFC 303. Talbott knocked out Yanis Ghemmouri in 19 seconds on the UFC 303 prelims on Saturday in Las Vegas. The win moved him to 3-0 in his UFC tenure and 9-0 in his overall career.
Colby Covington claims Nick Diaz 'dodged' a fight against him: "He was scared to fight me"
Josh Evanoff - July 2, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington claims Nick Diaz turned down a fight against him. Last month, fans learned that the former Strikeforce and WEC champion would be returning to the cage. Next month in Abu Dhabi, Nick Diaz will face longtime welterweight contender Vicente Luque. However, the 40-year-old reportedly didn’t want to fight ‘The Silent Assassin’ at first. Instead, Diaz had a list of other opponents he wanted.
Jorge Masvidal eyes rematch with Stephen Thompson for UFC return: "Put it on for the fans"
Josh Evanoff - July 2, 2024
When Jorge Masvidal returns to the UFC, he wants a rematch with Stephen Thompson. ‘Gamebred’ is set to end his short-lived retirement this weekend. Just over a year after ending his UFC career following a loss to Gilbert Burns, Jorge Masvidal is set to meet Nate Diaz in the boxing ring. The Stockton native also left the UFC following a submission win over Tony Ferguson in September 2022.
Rafael dos Anjos becomes the latest to criticize Michael Chandler for waiting for Conor McGregor: "There is no price on a belt"
Curtis Calhoun - July 2, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos is the latest high-profile fighter to criticize Michael Chandler’s hiatus harshly. Chandler was supposed to face Conor McGregor in the UFC 303 main event last Saturday in Las Vegas. But weeks before the event, McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury suffered in camp, and the fight was indefinitely postponed.
Amir Albazi calls out surging UFC flyweight for potential No. 1 contender fight
Curtis Calhoun - July 2, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Amir Albazi wants to take on one of the division’s most exciting talents for his planned Octagon comeback. Albazi hasn’t fought since a split decision victory over Kai Kara-France in June 2023. Since his UFC debut in July 2020, he’s won five promotional fights, including finishes of Alessandro Costa and Francisco Figueiredo.
Islam Makhachev shoots down the idea of fighting Michael Chandler next: “You are unreliable dude”
Susan Cox - July 2, 2024
Islam Makhachev is shooting down the idea of fighting Michael Chandler next. Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) has not fought since November of 2022 when he was defeated by Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA) at UFC 281.
ONE Fight Night 23: Full card and how to watch
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 2, 2024
Fans in the United States are in for a treat this summer as ONE Championship returns to U.S. primetime with ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. This event emanates from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, July 5.
Francis Ngannou's head coach provides an update on his MMA return
Harry Kettle - July 2, 2024
Francis Ngannou’s head coach Eric Nicksick has provided an update regarding his return to mixed martial arts. As we know, the focus of Francis Ngannou in the last year or so has been on boxing. He stepped into the squared circle with two of the best heavyweights on the planet – Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. While he gave Fury a real run for his money, the Joshua fight went pretty poorly as he was finished in devastating fashion.
Ian Machado Garry admits frustration at not finishing Michael Page at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - July 2, 2024
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has admitted that he was left frustrated after failing to finish Michael Page at UFC 303. At UFC 303, Ian Machado Garry managed to edge past Michael ‘Venom’ Page via decision. It wasn’t exactly the most exhilarating fight, though, and that’s us putting it lightly. Machado Garry struggled on the feet against MVP, which forced him to go to the grappling. It worked out, for the most part, as he kept his unbeaten mixed martial arts record intact.
Henry Cejudo still isn't convinced by Alex Pereira after UFC 303
Harry Kettle - July 2, 2024
Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo has admitted that he still isn’t 100% convinced by Alex Pereira. Last weekend at UFC 303, Alex Pereira produced another incredible performance. He knocked Jiri Prochazka out cold in the main event, successfully retaining his UFC light heavyweight championship in the process. He did so on short notice, too, making his triumph all the more impressive.
“Reug Reug” to face Boucher Ketchup at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 2, 2024
“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane is set to embark on an intriguing side quest before challenging Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Championship at ONE 169: Atlanta on November 8. The Senegalese powerhouse squares off against compatriot Boucher Ketchup in a heavyweight kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. This event emanates live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, July 5.
Alex Pereira's coach reveals UFC champ requested to fight in Perth just minutes after UFC 303 knockout win
Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira still wants to fight in Perth at UFC 305 after his latest knockout win last Saturday. Pereira defeated former UFC light heavyweight titleholder Jiří Procházka by head kick in the UFC 303 main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. After taking the headlining slot on weeks’ notice, Pereira earned one of the biggest wins of his career and successfully defended his belt for the second time.
Michael Chandler claims he’s been offered a title shot against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - July 1, 2024
Michael Chandler claims he has been offered a title shot against Islam Makhachev after his fight against Conor McGregor was scrapped. Chandler was supposed to headline UFC 303 against McGregor in a highly-anticipated matchup. But, just two weeks out from the fight, McGregor was forced to withdraw due to an injury, and the hope for ‘Iron’ was the fight would be rebooked.
Diego Lopes answers Movsar Evloev’s latest taunts after UFC 303 victory
Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes issued a cold response to Movsar Evloev’s tweet during his UFC 303 victory. Lopes defeated short-notice replacement Dan Ige in the UFC 303 co-main event on Saturday in Las Vegas. He was originally scheduled to face Brian Ortega in a featherweight bout before Ortega withdrew hours before the event due to illness.
Ian Machado Garry counters Shavkat Rakhmonov’s cold response to UFC 303 callout
Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry is confused by Shavkat Rakhmonov’s response to his UFC 303 callout. Garry defeated Michael ‘Venom’ Page in arguably his toughest UFC test to date at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas. He remains undefeated in his professional career and is on the verge of potentially earning a welterweight title shot.
Michael Chandler gives surprising update on Conor McGregor fight: "New date loading"
Josh Evanoff - July 1, 2024
It seems that UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is still full steam ahead on a fight with Conor McGregor. The two stars were set to finally collide at UFC 303 over the weekend in Las Vegas. For Michael Chandler, the fight is one that he’s been waiting a long, long time for. The two coached The Ultimate Fighter last summer, with the hope of fighting in late 2023. However, due to Conor McGregor’s ‘Road House’ movie obligations, the date was shifted to this summer.
Brian Ortega's manager explains sudden UFC 303 pull-out: "He couldn't recover or keep anything down"
Josh Evanoff - July 1, 2024
According to Brian Ortega’s manager, his UFC 303 pull-out was largely due to the short notice he had to prepare. ‘T-City’ was set to return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 303 on Saturday. However, as many fans likely know, Brian Ortega’s bout with Diego Lopes was made on short notice. After Conor McGregor withdrew from the card with two weeks to go, the featherweights were added to help boost the card.