MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Josh Evanoff - June 4, 2024

UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland plans to sit out following his win over Paulo Costa. ‘Tarzan’ returned to the cage over the weekend in the co-main event of UFC 302. Back for the first time since a split-decision loss to Dricus du Plessis in January, Sean Strickland faced Paulo Costa. For his part, ‘The Eraser’ hadn’t competed since a unanimous decision defeat to Robert Whittaker in February.

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.

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.

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.

Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024

A slew of fans and media greeted former interim UFC lightweight titleholder Dustin Poirier upon returning home after UFC 302. Poirier lost to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the UFC 302 main event on Saturday in Newark. After a back-and-forth four rounds in the Octagon, Makhachev sealed the win in Round 5 with a D’Arce choke submission to tap Poirier.

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.

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - June 4, 2024

Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on Dana White claiming that Jon Jones is still the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. Last weekend, Islam Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. In doing so, he successfully retained his UFC lightweight championship. Of course, he had to face some adversity in order to get the job done, as you’d expect against someone like ‘The Diamond’.

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)