MMA News
Sergei Pavlovich issues statement following loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC Saudi Arabia: “This was very emotional and tough for me”
Susan Cox - June 24, 2024
Sergei Pavlovich has issued a statement following his loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC Saudi Arabia. It was just this past Saturday, June 22nd, that saw Alexander Volkov (38-10 MMA) defeat Sergei Pavlovich (18-3 MMA) by unanimous decision in the heavyweight co-main event at UFC Saudi Arabia.
Kirill Grishenko “ready to show the new and improved version” at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 24, 2024
Kirill Grishenko begins his road to redemption at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. There, he squares off with Kang Ji Won in a heavyweight MMA clash. This U.S. primetime event emanates live from the fabled Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 5.
Joe Rogan defends Conor McGregor pulling out of UFC 303 due to toe injury
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has defended Conor McGregor for pulling out of UFC 303 due to a recent toe injury. As we now know, Conor McGregor won’t be competing against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. That’s because of an injury he sustained in training, ruling him out of the high stakes showdown. As of this writing, it’s not yet known whether or not the fight will happen at a later date.
Johnny Walker issues statement following KO loss to Volkan Oezdemir
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2024
Johnny Walker has issued a statement following his knockout defeat against Volkan Oezdemir last weekend. At UFC Saudi Arabia, Johnny Walker went head to head with Volkan Oezdemir. His hope was to get back on the winning trail in the light heavyweight division, but unfortunately, that didn’t pan out for him. Instead, he was beaten by Oezdemir, who managed to finish him in the very first round.
Alex Pereira reveals his interest in Magomed Ankalaev showdown following UFC 303
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has confirmed his interest in a future showdown with Magomed Ankalaev. As we know, Alex Pereira will be defending his UFC light heavyweight championship against Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303. He’ll be doing so on short notice, showcasing once and for all why he’s such a fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. He’s putting it all on the line for the fans and if he comes away with the win, it’ll be a huge statement to go alongside everything he’s already accomplished.
Prajanchai can’t wait to get his hands on Jonathan Di Bella: “I’m just waiting for fight day to come”
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 23, 2024
Prajanchai PK Saenchai is eagerly anticipating the chance to finally face Jonathan Di Bella. Both men clash in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 68 on June 28, airing live in Asia primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Ikram Aliskerov issues statement following UFC Saudi Arabia loss to Robert Whittaker
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2024
Ikram Aliskerov has spoken out following his first-round knockout loss to Robert Whittaker at UFC Saudi Arabia. Aliskerov was a late replacement opponent, as Khamzat Chimaev fell ill and was forced out of the matchup with Whittaker. Many felt that Aliskerov would post an interesting challenge for “Bobby Knuckles,” but the former UFC middleweight champion didn’t give his opponent a chance to get comfortable.
Michael Bisping scolds Kelvin Gastelum following UFC Saudi Arabia Weight Fiasco: "He clearly wasn't dieting"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping is calling Kelvin Gastelum’s professionalism into question. Gastelum may have emerged victorious in a good scrap with Daniel Rodriguez, but the talk surrounding Kelvin has been on his weight. Gastelum once again could not make the contracted weight for a welterweight matchup, thus his bout with D-Rod was changed to a middleweight contest just prior to fight night.
UFC CEO Dana White admits he is “not thrilled” with Kelvin Gastelum’s ongoing weight issues: “It’s extremely disappointing”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2024
UFC boss Dana White is none too pleased with Kelvin Gastelum for struggling to make contracted weight yet again. There was some controversy going into Gastelum’s fight with Daniel Rodriguez. The fight was initially scheduled to be contested at 170 pounds. Plans changed just before fight night, as Gastelum knew he wouldn’t be able to hit the welterweight limit. Both men agreed to fight at middleweight, but Rodriguez wasn’t happy about the circumstances.
Robert Whittaker wants to run it back with Dricus Du Plessis following UFC Saudi Arabia: “Since that fight, I’ve only improved”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2024
Robert Whittaker likes his chances in a potential rematch with the current UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. Whittaker might get that opportunity as soon this August. While du Plessis is set to put his 185-pound gold at stake against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, Whittaker made a strong case to serve as a backup fighter in case something goes awry. “The Reaper” handed Ikram Aliskerov his first loss under the UFC banner with a first-round knockout.
UFC CEO Dana White confirms Paige VanZant will be competing in Power Slap: “I said this would happen”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is once again in the Paige VanZant business. VanZant surprised fight fans when she first stepped into the world of bare-knuckle boxing under the BKFC banner. She has once again turned some heads, this time by dipping her toes in the slap fighting waters.
Nicolas Dalby reacts to tight decision loss at UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2024
UFC fighter Nicolas Dalby has given his thoughts on his tight decision loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Last night, Nicolas Dalby and Rinat Fakhretdinov went to war. Unfortunately for Dalby, he was on the wrong end of a decision defeat. Alas, while he may not have had his hand raised, many believed that he did more than enough to get the job done. Officially, he didn’t, but at the age of 39, he’s still bringing the heat in a division that’s incredibly competitive.
Bo Nickal calls for a showdown with Sharaputdin Magomedov, 'Bullet' responds
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2024
UFC sensation Bo Nickal has called for a showdown with Sharaputdin Magomedov, who has responded to the idea. Last night, Sharaputdin Magomedov defeated Antonio Trocoli to keep his undefeated run going in mixed martial arts. He’s a rising contender, and he’s set to be a big player in the years to come. Meanwhile, there’s another rising prospect on the way – and his name is Bo Nickal.
Michael Chandler throws a shot at Conor McGregor as rivalry intensifies
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler has thrown a shot at Conor McGregor as their rivalry continues to intensify. As we know, Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor will not be facing off in the main event of UFC 303. This is due to an injury sustained by McGregor, with there being no word on when he’ll be able to return.
Dana White says he would love to have Robert Whittaker serve as the backup for Du Plessis vs. Adesanya at UFC 305
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is all ears when it comes to the idea of Robert Whittaker serving as a backup for an upcoming headliner in Perth. Whittaker flashed in the UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia, knocking out Ikram Aliskerov in the first round. After rocking Aliskerov, the former UFC middleweight champion landed a clean uppercut and some follow-up punches to seal the deal. With the victory, Whittaker has ended the seven-fight winning streak of Aliskerov.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts after Conor McGregor hints at an August or September return: "He's not ready"
Chris Taylor - June 22, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has reacted after Conor McGregor hinted that he plans to return to the Octagon in August or September. McGregor (22-6 MMA) was slated to return in the headliner of next weekend’s UFC 303 event for a welterweight bout with Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA). Unfortunately for fight fans, a broken toe suffered in training camp forced ‘Notorious’ to withdraw from the highly anticipated matchup.
UFC Saudi Arabia Bonus Report: Robert Whittaker one of four ‘POTN’ winners
Chris Taylor - June 22, 2024
The Octagon invaded Riyadh for today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov. The highly anticipated middleweight main event proved to be a one-sided affair. Robert Whittaker was able to hurt Ikram Aliskerov early and never took his foot off the gas. After landing a hard kick, ‘The Reaper’ connected with a beautiful uppercut that sat the Russian down (see that here). A few follow up shots was all the referee needed to see to step in and wave off the bout.
Pros react after Robert Whittaker KO's Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Chris Taylor - June 22, 2024
Today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event was headlined by a middleweight bout featuring Robert Whittaker taking on Ikram Aliskerov. Whittaker (27-7 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a unanimous decision win over Paulo Costa this past February at UFC 298. The victory was of course preceded by a TKO loss to reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290.