MMA News
Tom Aspinall is focusing on his own legacy ahead of UFC 304 title defense: "I don't need Jon Jones"
Josh Evanoff - June 20, 2024
While UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall wants to fight Jon Jones, he doesn’t need to. The British fighter is just a month away from defending his gold on home soil. Just a few months removed from his knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich to win the interim title, Tom Aspinall will meet Curtis Blaydes. ‘Razor’ is coming off a second-round knockout victory over Jailton Almeida at UFC 299 in March.
Floyd Mayweather vs. John Gotti III rematch set for August 24th in Mexico
Josh Evanoff - June 20, 2024
It seems that boxing legend Floyd Mayweather will be running it back with John Gotti III later this summer. ‘Money’ has remained retired as a professional boxer since his 2017 knockout win over Conor McGregor. However, in the years since then, Floyd Mayweather has continued to compete in exhibition boxing matches. Since December 2018, the former champion has faced everyone from Logan Paul to Tenshin Nasukawa.
Michael Chandler hints at fighting Max Holloway amidst Conor McGregor's uncertain UFC return
Curtis Calhoun - June 20, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler might entertain a clash with BMF titleholder Max Holloway before or after his expected Conor McGregor fight. Chandler and McGregor were scheduled to headline UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas. But, McGregor recently withdrew from the matchup due to an undisclosed injury, and the fight is on the shelf until a later date.
Kamaru Usman admits he was "super nervous" ahead of first Jorge Masvidal showdown: "Is he gonna baptize me?"
Curtis Calhoun - June 20, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal have turned the page on their once-heated rivalry in the Octagon. Usman defeated Masvidal twice during their UFC tenures, including a vicious one-punch knockout at UFC 261. The two welterweight legends will forever be linked for their two scraps inside the Octagon.
Mike Perry vows to humble Jake Paul and foil his future plans: "I'm going to make it look easy"
Susan Cox - June 20, 2024
Mike Perry is vowing to humble Jake Paul and foil his future plans. July 20th was to see Jake Paul vs. former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in a professional boxing match, however ‘Iron Mike’ had to pull out of the bout due to illness. The two will now meet on Friday, November 15th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington Texas which will be streamed globally on Netflix.
Team McGregor denies “rehab” claims made by Chael Sonnen
Susan Cox - June 20, 2024
Team McGregor is denying the claims made by Chael Sonnen that ‘Notorious’ is out of UFC 303 due to a stint in rehab. It was almost a week ago that UFC CEO Dana White announced the fight between Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) was off for UFC 303, which was to have taken place on Saturday June 29th. The reason being that McGregor had suffered an injury.
Kelvin Gastelum vs Daniel Rodriguez moved to middleweight following botched weight cut, 'D-Rod' is not impressed
Susan Cox - June 20, 2024
The Kelvin Gastelum vs. Daniel Rodriguez fight has been moved to middleweight following a botched weight cut. UFC Saudi Arabia takes place this coming Saturday, June 22nd at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Tawanchai-Jo Nattawut rivalry to ignite ONE 169: Atlanta
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 20, 2024
For the third time, Tawanchai PK Saenchai and “Smokin” Jo Nattawut will lock horns in what promises to be an explosive showdown aimed at settling their unfinished business. The latest installment of their rivalry happens at ONE 169: Atlanta at the State Farm Arena on November 8. There, Tawanchai’s ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship will once again be on the line.
Sergei Pavlovich says he feels forgotten about ahead of return at UFC Saudi Arabia: “The facts will be in front of us later”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
UFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich admits that he feels forgotten about heading into his return this weekend. On Saturday night, Sergei Pavlovich returns to the Octagon in Saudi Arabia. He will take on Alexander Volkov in a fight that could be absolutely huge for his title prospects. As we know, in his last outing, Pavlovich fell short in a knockout loss to Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight championship.
Israel Adesanya shares his prediction for Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia: “This is a banger”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
Israel Adesanya has shared his prediction for this weekend’s Robert Whittaker vs Ikram Aliskerov showdown. As we know, Robert Whittaker is an all-time great in the UFC’s middleweight division. In addition to being a former champion, he’s also had some genuinely incredible moments in the division. Of course, this weekend, he was expecting to face Khamzat Chimaev – but that isn’t going to happen.
Khamzat Chimaev's team shuts down “bullsh*t” rumors that food poisoning forced him out of UFC Saudi Arabia: “As a brother I won’t share his dark times”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
A member of Khamzat Chimaev’s team has shut down rumors that food poisoning forced him out of UFC Saudi Arabia. As we now know, Khamzat Chimaev will no longer be facing Robert Whittaker this weekend. They were set to battle it out in a fascinating collision in Saudi Arabia, but unfortunately, it’s not happening. That’s because Chimaev came down with an illness that has forced him out of the contest, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for him.
Official: Jarred Brooks, Gustavo Balart to throwdown for interim strawweight title
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 20, 2024
With reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio sidelined due to an ACL injury, Jarred Brooks and Gustavo Balart will clash for the interim title. The #1-ranked contender in Brooks and #3-ranked Balart battle for the belt in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event is set to take place at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 2.
Chael Sonnen quickly pivots on Conor McGregor rehab claims: "That would be good stuff!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
Chael Sonnen has opened up on his viral claim that UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 was due to substance abuse. McGregor withdrew from UFC 303 due to an undisclosed injury ahead of his planned June 29 return against Michael Chandler. The matchup is expected to be rescheduled for later this year at a to-be-determined date and venue.
Jorge Masvidal targets Logan Paul, Floyd Mayweather next with rematch win vs. Nate Diaz
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal has a pair of ambitious callouts in mind should he defeat Nate Diaz in their July 6 boxing match. Masvidal and Diaz will clash in a rematch of their UFC 244 BMF battle, this time in the boxing ring as opposed to the cage. After defeating Diaz at UFC 244, Masvidal is looking to put their rivalry in the rear-view mirror in a triumphant fighting return.
Colby Covington explains why he didn't fight Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2024
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has given a reason as to why he isn’t fighting Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303. Covington and Garry took shots at one another on social media and many expected the two would end up fighting. Both called each other out, but Garry will be returning at UFC 303 against Michael Page and not Covington. After the fight was booked, Daniel Cormier criticized Covington for not taking the fight, but ‘Chaos’ says it is because he isn’t healthy.
Dana White believes The Rock could be Oscar-bound for portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr: "He will kill this!"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2024
UFC President Dana White has given Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson his stamp of approval for his upcoming movie. As some MMA fans are likely aware, the WWE wrestler is currently filming ‘The Smashing Machine’. Being directed by Benny Safdie of ‘Uncut Gems’ fame, ‘The Rock’ will portray UFC legend Mark Kerr. In the early 2000s, an HBO documentary followed the heavyweight’s rise, and then brutal decline in the sport.
Opening betting odds for Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry unveiled
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
The opening betting odds for the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry boxing match have been revealed just weeks before the event. Paul and Perry will clash in an eight-round matchup on July 20 in Tampa, Florida. Both fighters return after wins in their most recent outings.
REPORT | Olympic Gold Medalist Zaurbek Sidakov considering move to MMA
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
Freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist Zaurbek Sidakov could be on the way to making his MMA debut. Sidakov won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He’s also won three gold medals at the freestyle wrestling world championships and is one of Russia’s most accomplished athletes.