MMA News
‘War Room’ photo reveals a number of fighters set to compete at UFC 305 in Perth
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2024
An image of the UFC’s war room has given fans an insight into who may be competing on the UFC 305 card in Perth, Australia. On August 17, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to make its return to Australia. It’ll do so with the UFC 305 card, and the popular opinion is that Israel Adesanya will return to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page plans to callout Kamaru Usman after finishing Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2024
Michael ‘Venom’ Page is considering calling out Kamaru Usman if he can get through Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303. At UFC 303 later this month, Michael Page will step into the Octagon to battle Ian Machado Garry. For many, the belief is that if MVP can get the job done, he could earn a shot at the UFC welterweight championship.
Early retirement? Christian Lee promises that “it was never going to be an option”
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2024
Christian Lee remains committed to the sport he loves. The ONE Lightweight and Welterweight MMA World Champion gave this assurance when he talked to Sportskeeda during fight week of ONE 167 on Prime Video. There, he worked in the corner of younger brother Adrian Lee’s successful promotional debut against Antonio Mammarella.
Danielle Kelly to defend submission grappling crown against Mayssa Bastos at ONE Fight Night 24
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 16, 2024
Danielle Kelly will put her ONE Women’s Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title on the line when she reports for duty. This happens at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video, emanating live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 2.
Rose Namajunas looks back on bad interaction with Maycee Barber's father: "That's not cool"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Rose Namajunas doesn’t have any personal issues with Maycee Barber, but her father is another story. Namajunas and Barber are scheduled to collide in the main event of UFC Denver on July 13. While Barber has never been shy when it comes to her confidence, Namajunas actually respects that aspect of her upcoming opponent.
Javier Mendez wants Khabib Nurmagomedov to improve cornerman work: “He needs to master the corner"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been praised for both his fighting career as well as his coaching, but even he isn’t perfect in all areas. Nurmagomedov has been in the corner of reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. It’s no secret that “The Eagle” gets animated when cornering fighters, and UFC 302 was no exception. Nurmagomedov took issue with Makhachev for seemingly playing Dustin Poirier’s game at times during their 155-pound title fight. Ultimately, Makhachev won the bout via fifth-round submission.
Anderson Silva reveals boxing match with Chael Sonnen disallowed knockouts: "I believe we put on a good show"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
UFC legend Anderson Silva claims his boxing match with Chael Sonnen barred knockouts. Silva and Sonnen shared the boxing ring this past Saturday night in Brazil, and the bout ended in a draw. Silva didn’t appear to look nearly as aggressive as he was in his bouts with Tito Ortiz and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and there might be a good reason for it.
Johan Ghazali remains in high spirits despite ONE 167 defeat
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 16, 2024
Johan Ghazali may have suffered his first defeat in ONE Championship, but his warrior spirit remains resolute. The American-Malaysian phenom experienced a disappointing loss at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena. There, he bowed to Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat in a flyweight Muay Thai clash.
Following draw with Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen shifts attention to "stupid" Jorge Masvidal
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Chael Sonnen has turned his attention to Jorge Masvidal after his draw with Anderson Silva. Sonnen stepped right into the lion’s den for a boxing match with his old rival Anderson Silva in Brazil. Chael was able to make it close enough that the judges declared this one a draw. While Sonnen believes he did enough to earn the win, he’s not dwelling on the result.
UFC Vegas 93 Bonus Report: Four fighters take home an extra $50k
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2024
The Octagon returned to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 93 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira. The highly anticipated men’s flyweight main event resulted in a second-round TKO victory for the undefeated Japanese standout. Unfortunately, the win didn’t come in the most ideal form, as Perez suffered a leg injury early in Round 2 which spelled an end to the fight (see that here).
UFC Vegas 93: ‘Perez vs. Taira’ Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2024
The Octagon returns to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 93 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira. Perez (25-8 MMA) recently returned to the win column in emphatic fashion back in April, where he scored a sensational knockout victory over Matheus Nicola (see that here). That loss snapped a three-fight losing skid for the former flyweight title challenger, as Perez had previously suffered defeats at the hands of Deiveson Figueiredo, Alexandre Pantoja and Muhammad Mokaev.
Conor McGregor issues statement after being forced out of UFC 303: "The decision to postpone the fight was not made lightly"
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2024
Conor McGregor has issued a statement after being forced to withdraw from his scheduled fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Chandler (23-8 MMA) were supposed to collide in the main event of June’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas.
Brady Hiestand says he and Garrett Armfield agreed to fight each other while in the sauna
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2024
Brady Hiestand is eager to fight again after being off for over a year. Hiestand last fought in April of last year when he scored a third-round TKO win over Danaa Batgerel. He was then booked to return in August but a staph infection kept him out. After that, he had to undergo knee surgery.
Rodtang, Denis Puric squash beef after heated match at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 15, 2024
In an unexpected twist, Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Denis Puric have chosen to bury the hatchet by playing a game of soccer. This heartwarming gesture came after their intense catchweight kickboxing bout at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.
Ariel Helwani explodes at "Boot licker" Michael Bisping over criticism of UFC 303 reporting
Curtis Calhoun - June 14, 2024
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani and UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping are feuding over Helwani’s coverage of UFC 303. UFC 303 was supposed to be headlined by a welterweight clash between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. But, McGregor suffered an injury leading up to the June 29 pay-per-view, and the fight has been indefinitely postponed.
Anthony Smith breaks down short-notice fight vs. Carlos Ulberg, says Ulberg "can't compete" against top contenders
Curtis Calhoun - June 14, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith feels Carlos Ulberg doesn’t have the skill set to give him any stress inside the Octagon. Smith will fill in for the injured former UFC titleholder Jamahal Hill against Ulberg in a short-notice UFC 303 booking. Ulberg filled for the suspended Khalil Rountree against Hill, and now both fighters will compete on relatively short notice.
REPORT | Max Holloway vs. Michael Chandler was discussed before settling on new UFC 303 main event
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2024
The UFC 303 main event could’ve been a welterweight bout between Max Holloway and Michael Chandler. As most fans around the globe are already aware, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler won’t be happening later this month. First reported by Ariel Helwani, ‘The Notorious’ was forced out due to injury. As a result, a new headliner has been announced in the form of Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka.
Diego Lopes believes win over Brian Ortega at UFC 303 will lead to a title shot: "There's no doubt"
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes believes that he will fight for gold with a win over Brian Ortega. The Brazilian is currently one of the fastest-rising stars in the entire UFC. Diego Lopes signed with the company in 2023, suffering a short-notice loss to Movsar Evloev. Since then, the 29-year-old has racked up three straight stoppage wins, last knocking out Sodiq Yusuff at UFC 300 in April. That win has earned him a shot at one of the division’s biggest stars.