MMA News
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.
Cris Cyborg would fight Claressa Shields on one condition: "I can give up experience, I have two boxing fights"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Cris Cyborg isn’t opposed to boxing Claressa Shields, but she needs some serious coin to do so. Cyborg and Shields have been friendly in the past, but the two have revved up some trash talk more recently. It’s clear that both Cyborg and Shields believe there is money to be made in a potential showdown inside the boxing ring. With that said, the money has to be substantial.
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).
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.
Mikey Musumeci wary of Kade Ruotolo’s size advantage ahead of "really exciting" bout at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 15, 2024
Mikey Musumeci is entering the toughest test of his career with a steely determination that leaves no room for complacency. “Darth Rigatoni” will move up three weight classes higher at ONE 168: Denver to challenge Kade Ruotolo for the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title. This premium live event is set to take place at the Ball Arena on September 6.
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.
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.
Colby Covington viciously mocks Michael Chandler after UFC 303 cancelation
Curtis Calhoun - June 14, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington didn’t hesitate to tease Michael Chandler after the UFC 303 fight cancelation. Chandler and Conor McGregor were supposed to square off in one of the biggest fights of 2024 at UFC 303. But, after 10 days of speculation and worry following the Dublin press conference cancelation, the fight fell through after McGregor suffered an injury in camp.
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.
UFC Vegas 93: ‘Perez vs. Taira’ Weigh-in Results - 1 Fighter Missed Weight
Susan Cox - June 14, 2024
UFC Vegas 93 weigh-ins took place today, Friday, June 14th. UFC Vegas 93 takes place tomorrow, Saturday, June 15th at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Kamaru Usman responds to taunts from Shavkat Rakhmonov: “Don’t pull me down”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2024
Kamaru Usman is responding to taunts from Shavkat Rakhmonov. The undefeated ‘Nomad’ has been taking shots at Usman in the process of trying to secure a fight with ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’.
Michael Chandler issues statement after Conor McGregor is forced to withdraw from UFC 303: “He was always the highest risk”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2024
Michael Chandler has issued a statement following the announcement that Conor McGregor was forced to withdraw from UFC 303. It was just last night, Thursday, June 13th that UFC CEO Dana White announced the much-anticipated welterweight bout between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler was off for UFC 303.
Robert Whittaker reacts to Khamzat Chimaev being out of UFC Saudi Arabia, says "nobody" wanted to take the fight against him
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2024
Robert Whittaker wasn’t sure if he was still going to headline UFC Saudi Arabia after Khamzat Chimaev was out. Whittaker was set to headline the card next Saturday against Chimaev, but on Thursday, rumors started to swirl that the undefeated fighter would be out. However, according to Whittaker, he didn’t know Chimaev was out until the UFC informed him the fight was off.
MMA community reacts to Conor McGregor's injury, new UFC 303 fight card
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2024
The MMA community has reacted to the news that Conor McGregor is out of the UFC 303 main event due to injury. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been through some turmoil in the last few days. A parade of fights have been canceled or postponed, with the biggest being Conor McGregor vs Michael Chandler. Now, the main event of UFC 303 will see Alex Pereira defend his light heavyweight crown against Jiri Prochazka on short notice.
UFC 303: ‘Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka 2’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2024
UFC 303 is set to go down later this month as Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka prepare to battle it out for the UFC light heavyweight championship. Event: UFC 303: Pereira vs Prochazka 2 Date: Saturday, 29th June 2024 Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (6pm EST prelims, 10pm EST main card)