MMA News
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.
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.
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’.