MMA News
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.
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.
Liam Harrison promises “to hurt” Katsuki Kitano in return at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 4, 2024
Liam Harrison hopes to steal the show when he returns to action in U.S. primetime. This happens at ONE 167 on Prime Video, emanating live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 7. There, he takes on Katsuki Kitano in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash.
ONE 167: Full card and where to stream in North America
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 4, 2024
This Friday, June 7, ONE Championship is poised to electrify U.S. primetime with ONE 167 on Prime Video. The premium live event airs from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and it promises a night of high-octane martial arts action with an 11-bout card.
Leon Edwards reacts to Islam Makhachev's UFC 302 callout: "It's a massive fight!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has responded to Islam Makhachev’s intentions to move up for a dream opportunity to earn a second title. Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in his latest lightweight title defense at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark. After a grueling four rounds of back-and-forth action with Poirier, Makhachev put the exclamation point inside the Octagon with a fifth-round submission by D’Arce choke.
UFC reportedly has "sent out feelers" for potential UFC 303 replacements for McGregor-Chandler
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
The UFC has reportedly sent out feelers to find a potential replacement for the UFC 303 main event between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. McGregor and Chandler were set to headline the card on June 29 at welterweight, but on Monday, it was revealed that the Dublin press conference was postponed with no reason given. Some fans wondered if the fight was off, and the rumors only continued to swirl after ESPN removed UFC 303 promos and the UFC took down McGregor’s “free fights” from their YouTube channel.
Daniel Cormier finds UFC 303: McGregor vs. Chandler press conference postponement to be "a little worrisome"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2024
Daniel Cormier admits he’s a bit concerned over the postponement of the UFC 303 press conference in Dublin. Speculation has run rampant since the UFC announced that the presser scheduled for this past Monday wasn’t meant to be. No reason was given, but UFC 303 headliner Conor McGregor blamed a “series of obstacles beyond our control.” Ariel Helwani of “The MMA Hour” shut down rumors of anything nefarious, such as a failed drug test, being the reason for the postponement. Helwani also said that as of now, McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is still on for June 29th.
Jake Paul trolls Dana White amid UFC 303 press conference postponement: "I'm not going to talk about it publicly"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2024
Jake Paul continues to poke at UFC CEO Dana White, this time amid the postponed UFC 303 press conference. The first press conference promoting the upcoming June 29th pay-per-view event headlined by Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler was scheduled to take place this past Monday in Dublin. Thousands of fans were expected to attend. While entry to the presser was going to be free, some were selling access to the festivities on the secondary market.
Sean Strickland unsure Paulo Costa actually wanted to fight him at UFC 302: "I think Costa maybe just wanted to be friends"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2024
Sean Strickland admits his UFC 302 bout with Paulo Costa was a “weird” one. Strickland and Costa shared the Octagon inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this past Saturday night. Strickland was able to keep Costa backpedaling throughout the fight thanks to his pressure and boxing. Costa had a difficult time fighting off his back foot, and ultimately lost a split decision, with judge Dave Tirelli’s score total in favor of “Borrachinha” being widely panned.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 167 with Jared Cannonier, Dustin Jacoby, Cody Stamann, and John Castaneda
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
In the 167th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Louisville. We’re first joined by fourth-ranked middleweight and one-half of the main event Jared Cannonier (2:05). Next, UFC light heavyweight Dustin Jacoby (19:20) comes on. UFC bantamweight Cody Stamann (34:10) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight (56:57).
UFC Louisville: ‘Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov‘ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - June 4, 2024
The UFC makes its return to Louisville this weekend as Jared Cannonier and Nassourdine Imavov prepare to clash in a blockbuster middleweight bout. Event: UFC Louisville: Cannonier vs Imavov Date: Saturday, 8th June 2024 Location: KFC Yum! Center (Louisville, Kentucky) Broadcast: ESPN/ESPN+ (5pm EST prelims, 8pm EST main card)
Israel Adesanya reacts to Sean Strickland’s split decision win over Paulo Costa at UFC 302: “Costa sucks off the back foot”
Harry Kettle - June 4, 2024
UFC star Israel Adesanya gave his thoughts on Sean Strickland vs Paulo Costa in a reaction video on his YouTube channel. Last weekend at UFC 302, Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa faced off in the co-main event of the evening. After a tight affair, Strickland was the one who had his hand raised via split decision.
Chael Sonnen pitches Max Holloway vs. Michael Chandler BMF title fight if Conor McGregor is unable to compete at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - June 4, 2024
MMA pundit Chael Sonnen has pitched the idea of Max Holloway vs Michael Chandler in a BMF title fight if Conor McGregor pulls out of UFC 303. Earlier this week, Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor were scheduled to take part in a UFC 303 press conference in Dublin, Ireland. However, for unknown reasons, the event was canceled at the last minute. Thankfully for Chandler, he hadn’t yet gotten on the plane to make the trip over when he was told the news.
Victoria Souza expects tough battle against Itsuki Hirata at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 4, 2024
Victoria Souza cannot deny that she’s bracing for a competitive encounter against Itsuki Hirata. This women’s atomweight MMA bout takes place at ONE 167 on Prime Video. It airs live in U.S. primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 7.
What's next for the stars of UFC 302?
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2024
The UFC was in Newark, New Jersey for UFC 302 with the lightweight title on the line. In the main event, Islam Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title against Dustin Poirier who had said this was his final shot at winning the belt. The co-main event was a pivotal five-round middleweight scrap between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa.
Yves Edwards reveals Dustin Poirier entered UFC 302 with injured ribs and hadn't grappled for over two weeks
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2024
Dustin Poirier entered his UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev with a rib injury that impacted his training camp. Former UFC fighter Yves Edwards who trained at American Top Team, said that Poirier had hurt his ribs just before UFC 302 which made him unable to train grappling for over two weeks before his third crack at the UFC title.