MMA News
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.
Shara Magomedov challenges Kevin Holland to a fight at UFC Denver: “My Pirate ship has sailed to the shores of America”
Susan Cox - June 26, 2024
Shara Magomedov has challenged Kevin Holland to a fight at UFC Denver. UFC Denver takes place on Saturday, July 13th at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
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.
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
Anatoly Malykhin is making it abundantly clear that he feels no pressure heading into his next assignment. The three-division ONE MMA World Champion defends his heavyweight crown against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane at ONE 169: Atlanta. This U.S. primetime event takes place at the State Farm Arena on November 8.
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.
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.
Michelle Waterson-Gomez explains why she’s eager to fight Gillian Robertson at UFC 303: “Having someone not being afraid to go to the ground with me”
Cole Shelton - June 26, 2024
Michelle Waterson-Gomez is excited to fight a true grappler at UFC 303. Waterson-Gomez is set to take on Gillian Robertson on the main card of UFC 303 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The veteran is coming off a TKO loss to Marina Rodriguez back in September, and after that fight she decided to address her nose which had been broken several times and had been impacting her breathing.
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.
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.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals he offered to fight at UFC 303 following Conor McGregor's withdrawal
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski offered to fight at UFC 303 if the promotion needed. UFC 303 was set to be headlined by a highly-anticipated matchup between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor. However, the Irishman suffered an injury and was forced out of the bout and the UFC reportedly looked for new fights or potential people to replace McGregor.
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.
Alex Pereira believes Jiri Prochazka "might be a little scared" facing him again at UFC 303 after knockout loss
Cole Shelton - June 25, 2024
Alex Pereira thinks Jiri Prochazka could be scared going into their rematch at UFC 303. Pereira and Prochazka fought back in November at UFC 295 and it was the Brazilian winning by second-round TKO to win the vacant light heavyweight title. Pereira did a good job with leg kicks to slow Prochazka down and eventually caught him with a big punch to get the knockout win.
Photo | Conor McGregor once again takes aim at longtime rival Dustin Poirier: “Bent her over and ear f**ked her”
Josh Evanoff - June 25, 2024
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor is again taking aim at Dustin Poirier. ‘The Notorious’ was set to make his return to the cage this Saturday at UFC 303. However, due to a broken toe, Conor McGregor pulled out of his long-awaited fight with Michael Chandler. The fight was going to be the Irishman’s first since a first-round stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. McGregor famously snapped his leg in the closing seconds of the first round in that contest.