MMA News
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.
Islam Makhachev gets P4P endorsement from Alexander Volkanovski amidst Jon Jones debate: "There has to be activity there..."
Curtis Calhoun - June 5, 2024
Former UFC featherweight titleholder Alexander Volkanovski feels his two-time foe, Islam Makhachev, deserves the pound-for-pound nod over Jon Jones. Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier by fifth-round submission to retain the UFC lightweight belt at UFC 302. He remains the UFC’s pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter as of this writing, with Jones in the No. 2 spot.
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.
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.
Mark Hunt waiting on judge's orders despite UFC lawsuit being tossed: "Finally, justice will be served"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2024
Mark Hunt remains confident that his long legal battle with the UFC will sway in his favor. It’s no secret that Hunt has been going after the UFC and Brock Lesnar in court. Hunt was initially beaten by Lesnar via unanimous decision at UFC 200, but the result was changed to a No Contest after “The Beast” failed his drug test. Hunt ended up suing the UFC, Dana White, and Brock. The “Super Samoan” alleged the UFC conspired with Lesnar knowing the former heavyweight champion was on PEDs.
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.
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.
Belal Muhammad vows to thrown Leon Edwards around the cage “like he’s a flyweight” at UFC 304
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
UFC contender Belal Muhammad has made a big statement regarding his plans for Leon Edwards at UFC 304. While some fans may not like it, Belal Muhammad is the number one contender for the UFC welterweight championship. He will challenge for the belt next month in Manchester, England when he takes on reigning champion Leon Edwards. Of course, as we know, the two have met before, with an unfortunate eye poke bringing the fight to an end prematurely.
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.
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.
Russian businessman pays $95k tag for Charles Oliveira VIP experience
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
A Russian businessman paid a hefty price to watch former UFC lightweight champ Charles Oliveira’s upcoming training camp. Roman Shpigel won an Oliveira VIP experience with a $95,000 bid during soccer star Neymar Jr.’s fundraiser and auction in Brazil. Shpigel will be a part of Oliveira’s camp at Chute Boxe Diego Lima and then attend the former titleholder’s fight week preparations and his event booking.
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.
Daniel Cormier believes Dustin Poirier's retirement comments could be leverage for higher pay: "I believe we will see him again"
Josh Evanoff - June 4, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes that Dustin Poirier will fight again. ‘The Diamond’ returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 302 over the weekend. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis in March, he faced lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Ahead of the title bout, Dustin Poirier was open about the fact that the fight could be his last.
Leon Edwards responds to Conor McGregor's 'Loves a decision' barb, weighs in on UFC 303 uncertainty
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has hit back at Conor McGregor’s recent barbs about his tendency to fight the distance. Edwards will face surging welterweight Belal Muhammad in the UFC 304 main event on July 27 in Manchester. The welterweight title fight headlines a stacked card in the UFC’s return to the UK, featuring a heavyweight co-headliner between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.