MMA News
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.
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.
Sean Strickland makes plans clear following UFC 302 win over Paulo Costa: "Time to sit and wait for a title shot"
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.
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.
VIDEO | Dustin Poirier gets a heroes welcome in Louisiana after UFC 302
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.
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.
Islam Makhachev reacts after Dana White claims Jon Jones is still the best pound for pound fighter in the UFC
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’.
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
Noelle Grandjean looks to leverage her familiarity with Denice Zamboanga at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 4, 2024
Noelle Grandjean is gearing up for the most pivotal bout of her professional career. This happens at ONE 167 on Prime Video, airing 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.