MMA News
Dan Hooker reveals Charles Oliveira fight is in the works for UFC 305: "I'm 100% in"
Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2024
It seems that UFC lightweights Dan Hooker and Charles Oliveira could be set for a battle down under. ‘The Hangman’ has been out of the octagon since a split-decision victory over Jalin Turner last summer. That win at UFC 290 was a massive one for Dan Hooker. The victory was his second in a row, and helped him get back on the right track after back-to-back losses to Islam Makhachev and Arnold Allen.
Robert Whittaker explains why he won't serve as the backup fighter at UFC 305
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2024
Robert Whittaker says he won’t be the backup fighter for the middleweight title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Adesaya at UFC 305 in Perth, Australia in a highly-anticipated bout. Following Whitatker’s first-round knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov, many thought he should be the backup fighter.
Payton Talbott explains "underlying tension" with Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 303 return
Curtis Calhoun - June 26, 2024
Undefeated UFC bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott feels Sean O’Malley knows he’s on the verge of appearing on the champ’s radar. Talbott will face Yanis Ghemmouri as part of the UFC 303 preliminary card this Saturday in Las Vegas. The former Dana White’s Contender Series standout will look to move to 3-0 in his promotional tenure after wins over Nick Aguirre and Cameron Saaiman.
Israel Adesanya predicts Alex Pereira vs. Jiří Procházka 2: "Expect a different approach..."
Curtis Calhoun - June 26, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is expecting fireworks when Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka run it back this Saturday. The UFC light heavyweight title is on the line once again when Pereira and Procházka clash in a highly anticipated rematch to cap off UFC 303. The fight came together on weeks’ notice after Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from the card due to an injury.
Alex Volkanovski eyes “exciting” lightweight return with Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway happening next: “Maybe Charles Oliveira”
Susan Cox - June 26, 2024
Alex Volkanovski is eyeing an ‘exciting’ lightweight return with Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway happening next. The former UFC featherweight champion, Volkanovski (26-4 MMA), has lost his last two bouts inside of the Octagon. In October of 2023, at UFC 294, Islam Makachev (26-1 MMA) defeated Volkanovski by KO at 3:06 of Round 1. Then again in February of this year at UFC 298, it was the undefeated Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA) KO’ing ‘The Great’ at 3:32 of Round 2.
UFC 303 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2024
In the main event of UFC 303, the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira looks to defend his belt in a rematch against Jiri Prochazka. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a slight -142 favorite while the challenger is a +112 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the light heavyweight title fight that was made on short notice. The pros expect Pereira to use his leg kicks again and eventually land a KO shot.
Robert Whittaker responds to Khamzat Chimaev’s “see you soon” message: “Where? You can’t get into any country”
Susan Cox - June 26, 2024
Robert Whittaker is responding to Khamzat Chimaev’s ‘see you soon’ message. It was to be Robert Whittaker (26-7 MMA) vs. the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) in a bout last weekend at UFC Saudi Arabia. However, ‘Borz’ unfortunately had to withdraw due to illness. Ikram Aliskerov stepped in to fill Chimaev’s place and Whittaker defeated him by KO in the first round last Saturday night (see that here).
Alibeg Rasulov has no plans to waste golden opportunity at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 26, 2024
Alibeg Rasulov knew his ONE Championship debut would be a career-defining moment. But fate intervened to make it even more monumental. The Dagestan-born Turk vies for the ONE Interim Lightweight MMA World Title against Ok Rae Yoon. This takes place in the main event of ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime from the fabled Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 5.
Anatoly Malykhin takes aim at “Reug Reug” ahead of ONE 169: Atlanta
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 26, 2024
Chael Sonnen feels Jon Jones was right with previous assessment of Sergei Pavlovich: “The biggest fight he's had in four years is against Islam Makhachev”
Harry Kettle - June 26, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on Jon Jones’ previous assessment of Sergei Pavlovich. As we know, Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters of all time. There are plenty of criticisms that have been thrown his way but in equal measure, he’s also overcome everyone he’s faced off against in the Octagon. At this point, fans are just waiting for an announcement regarding when he’s going to get back in the cage.
Joe Rogan believes Ian Machado Garry will struggle on the feet against Michael Page at UFC 303: “He is the most difficult puzzle on the feet I've ever seen”
Harry Kettle - June 26, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes Ian Machado Garry will struggle when he’s on the feet against Michael ‘Venom’ Page. This weekend, Ian Machado Garry will take on Michael Page at UFC 303. In the eyes of many, it’s the most intriguing fight on the card. Both men have fascinating styles, both men are chasing a title shot, and both will do whatever it takes to win. As we know, there’s been a lot of back and forth between them, but we’re just excited to see what happens when they actually step across the cage from one another.
Alex Pereira defends Conor McGregor against criticism of UFC 303 withdrawal: “It is hard to fight with a broken pinky”
Harry Kettle - June 26, 2024
Alex Pereira has defended Conor McGregor against those criticizing him for withdrawing from UFC 303. As we now know, Conor McGregor will not be competing in the main event of UFC 303. That’s due to a broken toe, more specifically, his pinky toe. Because of that, his big showdown with Michael Chandler will have to wait. Instead, Alex Pereira is stepping up to defend his UFC light heavyweight championship against Jiri Prochazka on short notice.
Tracy Cortez replaces Maycee Barber against Rose Namajunas at UFC Denver
Harry Kettle - June 26, 2024
Rising UFC star Tracy Cortez is reportedly set to replace Maycee Barber in the main event of UFC Denver against Rose Namajunas. As we know, many fans were excited to see Rose Namajunas go head to head with Maycee Barber next month in the main event of UFC Denver. Unfortunately, that’ll no longer be happening. As per Alex Behunin, Barber has been forced to pull out due to undisclosed reasons. Instead, we’ll be getting a new fight – and a fresh opponent for Namajunas.
Nate Diaz empathizes with Conor McGregor after UFC 303 pullout: "I've done all kinds of s*** I shouldn't've done"
Curtis Calhoun - June 25, 2024
Former UFC superstar Nate Diaz came to the defense of his two-time rival, Conor McGregor, amidst the latter’s UFC return falling through the cracks. Diaz will face former UFC 244 adversary Jorge Masvidal in a professional boxing match on July 6 in Anaheim, California. He returns to the ring after falling to Jake Paul in his professional boxing debut in August.
Ali Abdelaziz takes aim at Conor McGregor: "I can’t wait to see you and spit in your face"
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2024
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has taken aim at Conor McGregor saying he wants to spit in his face. McGregor recently took aim at Khabib Nurmagomedov with some since deleted tweets after a member of Nurmagomedov’s gym, Eagles MMA, was named as one of the terrorists killed by law enforcement. McGregor said Nurmagomedov was a lying rat and told the fighter to rest in piss, but has since deleted the tweets.
Sean Strickland dismisses possible Robert Whittaker clash after UFC Saudi Arabia: "I will wait"
Curtis Calhoun - June 25, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has no plans to face Robert Whittaker as he waits for another title shot. Strickland is fresh off a split decision victory over former title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 302 earlier this month. He got back in the win column after losing the middleweight title in his first defense at UFC 297.
Michael 'Venom' Page reveals the origins of his signature nickname ahead of UFC 303 return
Curtis Calhoun - June 25, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s nickname origins might surprise you ahead of the former Bellator star’s second Octagon appearance. Page faces Ian Machado Garry on the UFC 303 main card this Saturday in Las Vegas. The welterweight clash is one of the most intriguing to fans of the entire card, after Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from his main event bout with Michael Chandler.
REPORT | Maycee Barber withdraws from UFC Denver main event
Curtis Calhoun - June 25, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber has reportedly withdrawn from her first career UFC main event booking. News of Barber’s canceled UFC Denver appearance was first reported by MMA journalist Alex Behunin.
Conor McGregor rips Khabib Nurmagomedov after member of his gym implicated in Russian terrorist attacks: "Fake lying rats!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 25, 2024
Conor McGregor used the recent terrorist attacks in Dagestan as a chance to attack Khabib Nurmagomedov after a member of Nurmagomedov’s team was linked to the violence. McGregor and Nurmagomedov’s careers will always be intertwined after their heat-filled clash at UFC 229. The fight shattered UFC pay-per-view records and remains one of the biggest rivalries in mixed martial arts history.