MMA News
Michael Chiesa opens up on booking UFC Abu Dhabi fight against Tony Ferguson: "He was once the boogeyman"
Josh Evanoff - June 5, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Michael Chiesa is happy to finally face Tony Ferguson. ‘Maverick’ hasn’t competed since a first-round submission loss to Kevin Holland at UFC 291 last July. That defeat was Michael Chiesa’s third in a row, previously suffering defeats to Vicente Luque and Sean Brady. Following the loss to ‘Trailblazer’, many felt that the 36-year-old could retire from fighting.
Jamahal Hill takes issue with Alex Pereira's celebration following their UFC 300 fight: "He did some weak s*it"
Josh Evanoff - June 5, 2024
Jamahal Hill still has his eyes on Alex Pereira months removed from their UFC 300 bout. ‘Sweet Dreams’ ended a long hiatus earlier this year in the main event of UFC 300 in April. The fight was Jamahal Hill’s first since claiming a decision victory over Glover Teixeira in January 2023. That bout saw him become the light-heavyweight champion. However, he was forced to vacate the gold due to injury later that summer.
Curtis Blaydes believes fight with Tom Aspinall is for "real" UFC heavyweight title: "He's the guy with the real belt"
Josh Evanoff - June 5, 2024
Curtis Blaydes believes that his fight with Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 is for the real heavyweight title. ‘Razor’ has been out of the octagon since a second-round knockout victory over Jailton Almeida in March at UFC 299. That win was Curtis Blaydes’s fourth in his last five cage appearances, and enough for him to get a crack at Tom Aspinall. The British heavyweight had previously won interim gold with a knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich last November.
Mikey Musumeci fired up to score payback on Gabriel Sousa: "I’m f****** ready"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 5, 2024
Mikey Musumeci intends to leave everything on the line when he runs it back with Gabriel Sousa. The rematch happens at ONE 167 on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, June 7.
Dustin Poirier's ATT teammate defends him against Arman Tsarukyan's post-UFC 302 taunts: "Arman is a b****!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 5, 2024
One of Dustin Poirier’s American Top Team teammates has vehemently defended him against recent public jabs from another teammate, Arman Tsarukyan after UFC 302. Poirier’s third and likely final attempt at UFC undisputed gold fell short against Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 on Saturday. Despite a competitive first four rounds, Makhachev sealed the victory by tapping out Poirier with a D’Arce choke in Round 5.
Dustin Poirier reveals lengthy list of injuries sustained in UFC 302 fight against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - June 5, 2024
Dustin Poirier left his UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev with some serious injuries. Poirier suffered a fifth-round submission loss to Makhachev for the lightweight title last Saturday in the main event of UFC 302. Although he lost, Poirier had his moments in the bout and taking to social media on Wednesday, ‘The Diamond’ revealed he suffered some serious injuries, including a partially torn ACL.
Sean Strickland rekindles bad blood with former UFC champ Luke Rockhold: "I'll f*** you up for fun"
Curtis Calhoun - June 5, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland didn’t take long to hit back at Luke Rockhold’s recent remarks about him. Strickland won a split decision over former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 302 last weekend. He got back in the win column after a close loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297.
Eddie Alvarez makes bold prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2024
Eddie Alvarez has made his prediction for a possible rematch between UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev and Tsarukyan had a competitive showdown back in 2019. Makhachev emerged victorious via unanimous decision. While Makhachev has gone on to become a UFC champion with three successful title defenses, Tsarukyan hasn’t done too bad either, going 9-1 since that encounter.
Henry Cejudo calls Sean Strickland's UFC 302 win over Paulo Costa a "snoozefest"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2024
Henry Cejudo believes the UFC 302 co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa was a total bore. Strickland vs. Costa was a one-sided fight, but don’t tell that to judge Dave Tirelli, who somehow gave Costa a baffling 49-46 score total. Strickland overcame the oddball judge to emerge victorious via split decision thanks to his forward pressure. “Borrachinha” couldn’t do much while backpedaling, and it made for an uneventful fight.
Michal Oleksiejczuk claims his arm didn’t break in UFC 302 fight with Kevin Holland: “The stoppage is not correct”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
UFC fighter Michal Oleksiejczuk has claimed that his arm didn’t actually break during his UFC 302 showdown with Kevin Holland. Last weekend at UFC 302, Kevin Holland got back on the winning trail. He defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission, with the referee jumping in to stop the bout after it appeared as if Oleksiejczuk’s arm was broken.
Arman Tsarukyan believes Dustin Poirier “just gave up” in fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302: “Why are you giving up your neck?”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan has questioned Dustin Poirier’s strategy in the final round of his title fight with Islam Makhachev. Last weekend in the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier battled it out with Islam Makhachev over the UFC lightweight championship. The contest proved to be much closer than many had anticipated, but in the end, it was Makhachev who got the win with a late submission triumph.
Itsuki Hirata aims for impressive win at ONE 167: “I’m confident I can get a finish”
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 5, 2024
Itsuki Hirata vows to do everything in her power to return to her winning ways. “Android 18” squares off with Victoria Souza in a women’s atomweight MMA bout at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime card emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 7.
Maycee Barber vs. Rose Namajunas set to headline UFC Denver on July 13
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
The UFC has officially announced that Maycee Barber vs Rose Namajunas will headline their return to Denver, Colorado. For the longest time now, Maycee Barber has been a rising prospect at flyweight. In equal measure, Rose Namajunas has been one of the biggest names in women’s mixed martial arts. Both have achieved some big things in the sport already, but of course, Namajunas is the one who has really put herself on the map with two major upset title wins.
Jared Cannonier plans to "re-open some eyes" with his performance against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Louisville
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
Jared Cannonier will be making the walk to the Octagon again after a year off due to injuries. Cannonier last fought back on June 17, 2023, when he defeated Marvin Vettori by decision. He was then offered to fight Khamzat Chimaev on short notice in Abu Dhabi, but Cannonier injured his MCL which has kept him out of action until now.
WATCH | Nate Diaz joins singer Zach Bryan on stage during his concert in LA
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
Former UFC fighter Nate Diaz went on stage with singer Zach Bryan during his concert in Los Angeles on Monday. Bryan has become one of the biggest singers in the world and during his encore, he has been known to bring up people on stage. He has recently brought up the likes of Justin Herbert, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Alonso, and now Nate Diaz joins the list of athletes and celebrities who have joined him on stage.
Michael Chandler shares cryptic message amidst UFC 303 drama: "If you're looking for me..."
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler made an eerie social media post on Tuesday amidst the uncertainty of his scheduled bout against Conor McGregor. Chandler and McGregor, as of this writing, are scheduled to headline the UFC 303 pay-per-view card on June 29th in Las Vegas. The welterweight matchup comes after two years in the making, and after their time coaching opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter.
Luke Rockhold tells Dana White to bring him back to fight Sean Strickland after UFC 302: "Sign me up"
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is hoping to sign back on with the promotion to fight Sean Strickland. Rockhold fought out his UFC deal back in August of 2022 when he dropped a decision to Paulo Costa. He then fought Mike Perry in BKFC, where he lost by stoppage before defeating Joe Schilling in Karate Combat.
Former UFC commentator Jimmy Smith announces return to Bellator: "I am thrilled!"
Josh Evanoff - June 4, 2024
Longtime MMA commentator Jimmy Smith is returning to Bellator. The Donn Davis era of Bellator has been a mixed bag for most fight fans around the globe. The PFL bought out the company late last year, and many longtime faces such as Scott Coker left the brand. However, their roster of fighters such as Douglas Lima, Patricio Pitbull and more have largely stuck around.