MMA News
Bellator announces pair of title fights for September, including Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexandr Shabliy
Josh Evanoff - June 18, 2024
Bellator MMA’s schedule for September is heating up, as it now includes the return of Usman Nurmagomedov. Fans are now six months into PFL’s ownership of Bellator. Last fall, the Donn Davis-led promotion purchased the company from Viacom but had no plans to get rid of the company. Instead, each brand has run events separately in 2024, but have featured a lot of overlap. Names such as Cedric Doumbe have jumped back-and-forth, and that will likely only continue.
Michael Chandler plans to attend UFC 303 despite Conor McGregor fight cancelation: "I made a commitment"
Josh Evanoff - June 18, 2024
Michael Chandler is going to be at UFC 303 whether Conor McGregor is there or not. It’s only been a few days since the long-awaited fight between ‘Iron’ and ‘The Notorious’ was canceled. Due to an injury to Conor McGregor, his June 29th bout against Michael Chandler will need to wait. As a result, a light-heavyweight title rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka will headline UFC 303 instead.
UFC’s Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov set to star in upcoming U.S. shooter/slasher film
Curtis Calhoun - June 18, 2024
Rising UFC middleweight star Shara Magomedov will make his Hollywood debut in a fitting role for the elite striker. Magomedov will face Joilton Lutterbach at UFC Saudi Arabia this Saturday in Riyadh. The card is headlined by a middleweight matchup between former titleholder Robert Whittaker and surging contender Ikram Aliskerov.
Chael Sonnen claims Conor McGregor is in "rehab" for substance abuse which led to UFC 303 withdrawal
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2024
Chael Sonnen has an interesting theory as to why Conor McGregor was out of his UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler. McGregor was supposed to headline UFC 303 on June 29 in Las Vegas against Chandler in a highly-anticipated matchup. However, just over two weeks out from the fight, it was confirmed that McGregor was out of the bout due to an injury. But, according to Sonnen, he says it is due to the Irishman being in rehab for substance abuse.
VIDEO | Israel Adesanya posts epic self-made promo video ahead of UFC 305 return
Curtis Calhoun - June 18, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya got fight fans excited ahead of his highly anticipated return to the Octagon. Adesanya will face UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis in the UFC 305 main event on August 17. The card marks Adesanya’s return after a yearlong hiatus and the promotion’s return to Perth, Australia.
Daniel Cormier: Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 withdrawal is calculated to “mess” with Michael Chandler
Curtis Calhoun - June 18, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier feels there may be more to the story behind the reasoning for Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 pull-out. McGregor and Michael Chandler were scheduled to headline UFC 303 on June 29 to cap off International Fight Week in Las Vegas. But, McGregor is out of the event due to injury, and the UFC ended up scrambling to book almost an entirely new UFC 303 main card.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry official for July 20 in Tampa
Susan Cox - June 18, 2024
Its official – Jake Paul will be boxing Mike Perry on Saturday, July 20th in Tampa, Florida. Most Valuable Promotions announced the eight-round cruiserweight bout today, Tuesday June 18th. The bout will air on DAZN pay-per-view.
Former UFC champion Brock Lesnar reveals the WWE superstar who had the most strength: “Nobody in the WWE was as strong as that guy”
Susan Cox - June 18, 2024
Former UFC champion Brock Lesnar has revealed the WWE superstar who had the most strength, and it’s not ‘The Big Show’. Lesnar, himself a professional wrester, also competed in the UFC (5-3 MMA) and in the NFL as a defensive tackle with the Minnesota Vikings.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 169 with Robert Whittaker and Impa Kasanganay
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).
Bo Nickal goes to bat for Conor McGregor following criticism of his UFC 303 withdrawal: “He’s literally torn his ACL and fought”
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.
Video | Alex Pereira reveals he needs to cut 22 pounds ahead of UFC 303
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.
Colby Covington takes aim at “hypocrite” Sean Strickland for suggesting UFC pay is utter garbage: “Who is he to say this?”
Harry Kettle - June 18, 2024
UFC star Colby Covington has gone after Sean Strickland for criticizing the state of fighter pay in the promotion. As we know, Sean Strickland is an outspoken guy. He’s made a career, at least in the last few years, out of letting the world know what he thinks. Some people believe it’s an act, whereas others just think that’s who he is. Either way, he’s annoyed a lot of people, and his latest frustration has been in relation to UFC fighter pay.
Jonathan Haggerty outlines path to top of the MMA world
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.
What's next for Tatsuro Taira and Alex Perez after UFC Vegas 93?
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.
Opening betting odds for Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya UFC 305 clash unveiled
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.
Rampage Jackson defends 'young legend' Conor McGregor after UFC 303 withdrawal: "He's done a lot for our sport"
Josh Evanoff - June 17, 2024
Rampage Jackson has taken up for former UFC champion Conor McGregor in light of his recent injury. ‘The Notorious’ was slated to headline UFC 303 later this month against Michael Chandler. The bout was going to be his first, since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Nearly three years removed from that injury, Conor McGregor was set to return opposite ‘Iron’ in a welterweight contest.
VIDEO | UFC fan takes on the “Body shot challenge” with top heavyweight Ciryl Gane
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.
Dana White opens up on Jon Jones' UFC return, confirms 'Bones' will be back soon
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.