MMA News
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.
Dana White pleased with how UFC booked replacement fights for major events: "It's the business, man"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is happy with how the top MMA promotion handled a couple of key fight changes. The UFC was hit hard with the news that Conor McGregor was forced out of his planned June 29th bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. On top of that, the UFC brass needed to replace a “violently ill” Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC Saudi Arabia card. Taking his place will be Ikram Aliskerov, who will be taking on Robert Whittaker at the June 22nd event.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Daniel Cormier firmly encourages Michael Chandler to "move on" after Conor McGregor fight postponement
Curtis Calhoun - June 14, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier wants to see Michael Chandler turn the page on his desired Conor McGregor clash after UFC 303’s cancelation. McGregor suffered an injury in fight camp, forcing him to withdraw from his planned clash with Chandler in the UFC 303 main event. Chandler won’t remain on the card, that UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jiří Procházka now headline.