MMA News
Dominick Cruz reveals the "excuse" Jose Aldo used to not fight him in his UFC return
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Dominick Cruz says him not being ranked is the reason Jose Aldo wouldn’t fight him in his return to the UFC. Aldo returned to the Octagon at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against Jonathan Martinez and in doing so he fought out his current UFC deal. It’s unclear if he will re-sign, but if he does, one fight that fans want to see is him vs. Cruz.
Darrick Minner opens up on alleged fixed fight from UFC betting scandal: "Krause was guiding me to victory"
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Darrick Minner has opened up on the alleged fixed fight claims. Minner has been the center of the UFC betting scandal since his fight against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. In the lead-up to the fight, some unusual money came in on Nuerdanbieke and he quickly finished Minner, as it appeared Minner was injured.
Beneil Dariush on why he "feels bad" for Dan Hooker after latest UFC 305 fight callout
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has responded to Dan Hooker’s mass callout for a fight at UFC 305 in Perth. Dariush hasn’t fought since a knockout loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Austin back in December. He lost back-to-back fights in 2023, including a TKO loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 289 that halted his lightweight title shot bid.
REPORT | Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry set for July 20 boxing match
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
Jake Paul will face another former UFC standout, Mike Perry, for his professional boxing return on July 20. Happy Punch was the first to report the news of the Paul vs. Perry fight. A formal announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday by Paul and Most Valuable Promotions.
Invicta FC signs broadcast deal with CBS Sports, full 2024 schedule revealed
Josh Evanoff - June 11, 2024
Invicta FC now has a broadcasting partner just weeks out from the company’s return. The company owned and founded by Shannon Knapp over a decade ago has had a few strange years. Since parting ways with UFC Fight Pass in early 2021, they’ve bounced around a bit. Later that year, they began broadcasting on the Fight Network and AXS TV, but both deals seemingly didn’t work for the company.
Ian Garry pushes for UFC 303 fight with Michael Page to be five rounds: "I'm feeling ready!"
Josh Evanoff - June 11, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry wants five rounds for his return against Michael Page. ‘The Future’ has been out of the octagon since a split-decision victory over Geoff Neal in February at UFC 298. That win was the biggest of Ian Garry’s career thus far, and he called for a grudge match with Colby Covington afterward. However, after ‘Chaos’ rejected the offer, the Irishman was matched up with Michael Page.
Conor McGregor alleges Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier PPV underperformed: "A nothing burger"
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
Conor McGregor alleges he has inside information that UFC 302, featuring Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, was a low pay-per-view draw. Makhachev defeated Poirier by fifth-round submission to retain the UFC lightweight title in Newark earlier this month. It was a back-and-forth battle for as long as the fight lasted before Makhachev put his foot on the gas pedal and smothered Poirier with just minutes left on the clock.
Jon Jones shares some advice for Dominick Reyes following recent criticism: “The sooner you accept that, the better athlete you’ll become”
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Jon Jones has shared some advice to Dominick Reyes following his win at UFC Louisville and the criticism that followed. Reyes snapped his four-fight losing streak this past Saturday night, picking up his first win since October of 2019. After suffering a razor close decision loss to Jon Jones, which Reyes has been adamant that he won, ‘The Dominator’ proceeded to get knocked out three straight times.
Former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre weighs in on the current pound-for-pound debate: “An amazing showcase of heart”
Susan Cox - June 11, 2024
Former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre is weighing in on the current pound-for-pound debate. It was just at the start of this month that Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) defeated Dustin Poirier (30-9 MMA) in his third consecutive lightweight title defense at UFC 302.
Ariel Helwani reacts to Donn Davis’ “crazy” comments about Kayla Harrison: “You can’t be doing that”
Susan Cox - June 11, 2024
Ariel Helwani is reacting to Donn Davis’ ‘crazy’ comments concerning Kayla Harrison. It was Kayla Harrison, who after parting ways with the PFL (Professional Fighters League), made her debut with the Ultimate Fighting Championship at UFC 300 on April 13th of this year. Harrison (17-1 MMA) fought and defeated Holly Holm (15-7 MMA) by submission at 1:47 of Round 2 of their bantamweight bout.
UFC Abu Dhabi: “Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov” Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - June 11, 2024
The UFC Abu Dhabi ‘Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov’ fight card and start times have been announced by the promotion. UFC Abu Dhabi will take place on Saturday, August 3rd at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Dustin Poirier compares skillsets of Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has compared the skillsets of former opponents Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov. Earlier this month, Dustin Poirier fell to submission defeat at the hands of Islam Makhachev. Of course, as we know, earlier in his career, Poirier was also submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Despite losing in both instances, he put up a real fight against these two legends and you could argue he came close to winning both times.
Ali Abdelaziz thinks Kayla Harrison's next fight should be Aljamain Sterling or Merab Dvalishvili
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
Ali Abdelaziz believes Kayla Harrison’s next fight should be against Aljamain Sterling or Merab Dvalishvili. We all know that Kayla Harrison is the real deal. She finally made her way over to the UFC at UFC 300 and in her promotional debut, she defeated Holly Holm with relative ease. Now, many are left to wonder what she’s going to do next at bantamweight. There are plenty of options out there, but above all else, it’ll just be great to see what kind of impact she can have during her run with the company.
Nassourdine Imavov breaks into top five of UFC middleweight rankings after Jared Cannonier win
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2024
UFC middleweight Nassourdine Imavov has moved into the top five of the division’s rankings after his win over Jared Cannonier. Last weekend, Nassourdine Imavov picked up arguably the biggest win of his career. He defeated Jared Cannonier and although it was in controversial circumstances, the victory will stand. The fact that it was a finish, too, will undoubtedly serve as a big boost for him as he continues to climb the middleweight ranks.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 168 with Shawne Merriman, Liz Carmouche, Taila Santos, and Brady Hiestand
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
The 168th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview PFL 4 and UFC Vegas 93. We’re first joined by former NFL star and current Lights Out XF owner Shawne Merriman (2:05). Next, we are joined by Bellator women’s flyweight champ and current PFL flyweight Liz Carmouche (21:12). Next, PFL flyweight Taila Santos (31:47) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Brady Hiestand (45:24).
Rodtang wants Takeru next following triumphant return at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 11, 2024
Rodtang Jitmuangnon now wants to revisit unfinished business with Takeru Segawa. The reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion wasted no time in calling out the Japanese superstar following his successful return to action at ONE 167 on Prime Video on Friday, June 7.
Jon Anik defends referee Jason Herzog over UFC Louisville stoppage: "He would've been knocked out!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 10, 2024
UFC play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik empathizes with referee Jason Herzog after a controversial stoppage in the UFC Louisville main event. Nassourdine Imavov defeated Jared Cannonier by fourth-round TKO at UFC Louisville last Saturday. He has now won back-to-back fights and continued his surge up the middleweight ranks.
Dominick Cruz calls for rematch with Henry Cejudo: “Face a better version of me”
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2024
Dominick Cruz is campaigning for a rematch with Henry Cejudo. Cruz and Cejudo fought back in May, 2020 at UFC 249 as ‘Triple C’ was looking to defend his bantamweight title for the first time. It was also the first time Cruz had fought in three-and-a-half years. In the end, it was Cejudo who won by second-round TKO.