MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 18, 2024

Nico Carrillo has promised nothing short of a spectacular display when he returns to the ring on July 6. The #1-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender locks horns with #4-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex in a three-round duel.

Cole Shelton - June 18, 2024

The 169th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Saudi Arabia and PFL 5. We’re first joined by former UFC middleweight champion and current third-ranked middleweight Robert Whittaker (1:18). We close it out by talking to PFL light heavyweight and reigning champion Impa Kasanganay (11:40).

Harry Kettle - June 18, 2024

Bo Nickal has given his thoughts on the ongoing situation regarding Conor McGregor and his withdrawal from UFC 303. As we know, Conor McGregor has been ruled out of UFC 303 due to injury. As a result, Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka are stepping up to fight for the UFC light heavyweight championship. Of course, for many fans, the bigger concern is whether or not McGregor will still be able to return later this year – which is what the promotion seems to be shooting for.

Harry Kettle - June 18, 2024

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira needs to cut 22 pounds ahead of UFC 303 next weekend. We all know that Alex Pereira is a beast. He’s already done so much in his short mixed martial arts career and yet, many already see him as an absolute legend. Now, as we look ahead to next Saturday, he’s set to put together something even more special. He’s set to defend his UFC light heavyweight championship on short notice, taking on Jiri Prochazka for the second time.

Harry Kettle - June 18, 2024

UFC commentator Michael Bisping has questioned the future of Conor McGregor after he pulled out of UFC 303. As we now know, Conor McGregor is out of UFC 303. He’s been forced to withdraw due to injury, meaning his bout with Michael Chandler will be pushed back to later in the year. Of course, while we all hope that still happens, there are serious questions that have been raised regarding the Irishman’s future and whether or not he’ll actually compete again.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 18, 2024

Jonathan Haggerty is charting a careful and methodical path toward his transition into MMA. Known for his striking prowess, “The General” hinted at his future in the all-encompassing sport after capturing the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title against divisional MMA ruler Fabricio Andrade in November 2023.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2024

In the main event of UFC Vegas 93 on Saturday, ranked flyweights threw down as Tatsuro Taira took on former title challenger Alex Perez. Taira entered the fight with a perfect 15-0 record and was ranked 13th at flyweight. The Japanese fighter was 5-0 in the UFC and had notable wins over C.J. Vergara and Carlos Hernandez, but this was a big step-up in completion. Perez, meanwhile, was ranked fifth at flyweight and was coming off a KO win over Matheus Nicolau to return to the win column.

Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2024

The opening betting line for the upcoming Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya UFC title clash is out. Du Plessis will make his first UFC middleweight title defense against the former titleholder Adesanya to headline UFC 305 in Perth. The August 17 pay-per-view marks the return of Adesanya after falling to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 last year.

Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley feels Jake Paul will be handed his toughest test in the ring against Mike Perry. Paul and Perry will come face-to-face on July 20, at an event hosted by Most Valuable Promotions. Paul was originally set to face boxing legend Mike Tyson in his return before Tyson withdrew due to a medical issue.

Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2024

One UFC fan got to experience first-hand what it’s like to take a brutal body shot from former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane. Gane is one of the most unique talents in UFC heavyweight history. His speed and striking techniques have made him one of the most difficult puzzles to solve in the heavyweight division.

Josh Evanoff - June 17, 2024

According to Dana White, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones could be back as soon as this summer. ‘Bones’ hasn’t competed in well over a year. Last March at UFC 285, Jon Jones ended a lengthy hiatus by moving up to heavyweight to face Ciryl Gane. Fighting for the title that Francis Ngannou left vacant, he needed only one round to dispatch of ‘Bon Gamin’. Jones earned a first-round submission victory to win the gold.

Josh Evanoff - June 17, 2024

It seems that the UFC antitrust case won’t be coming to a close after all. As some fans might be aware, MMA’s biggest company has been dealing with two lawsuits for a few years now. The original class-action lawsuit was filed by UFC veterans including Cung Le, Jon Fitch, Nate Quarry, and others, back in 2014. Meanwhile, Kajan Johnson filed another suit in 2021, which would cover another bracket of fighters.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White isn’t sure when Khamzat Chimaev will fight again after he was forced out of his UFC Saudi Arabia main event against Robert Whittaker. Chimaev was set to headline the card on Saturday against the former champ in a highly-anticipated bout. However, just over a week out from the fight, it was revealed that Chimaev was out of the bout after being violently ill and was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov.

Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2024

Former UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg’s immense respect for Alexandre Pantoja has faltered since their May title clash. Erceg fell to Pantoja by unanimous decision at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. The loss snapped an 11-fight winning streak, including a 3-0 unbeaten run inside the UFC entering his first promotional five-rounder.

Cole Shelton - June 17, 2024

Michael Chandler has opened up on his UFC 303 fight against Conor McGregor being canceled. Chandler was set to headline the pay-per-view card from Las Vegas on June 29 against McGregor. However, just two weeks out from the fight, it was revealed the bout was off as the Irishman had suffered an injury.

Curtis Calhoun - June 17, 2024

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker feels Ikram Aliskerov provides a more dangerous puzzle to solve than Khamzat Chimaev. Whittaker will face Aliskerov in the UFC Saudi Arabia main event on Saturday. The former titleholder was scheduled to face Chimaev, who withdrew due to an undisclosed medical emergency.

Susan Cox - June 17, 2024

Khamzat Chimaev has released his first statement after being forced out of UFC Saudi Arabia. It was to have been Robert Whittaker (26-7 MMA) vs. the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) this coming weekend, Saturday, June 22nd in the middleweight main event at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Susan Cox - June 17, 2024

Dana White has confirmed that Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya will headline UFC 305 in Perth. UFC 305 will take place on Saturday, August 17th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.