MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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)
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.
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.
Stephen A. Smith says Conor McGregor "has no business being in the Octagon" with Islam Makhachev ever
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2024
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has no interest in a potential fight between Conor McGregor and Islam Makhachev. After Makhachev defended his lightweight title with a fifth-round submission win over Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, he called for a chance to fight for the welterweight title. However, one fight that could happen before that is Islam Makhachev vs. Conor McGregor, this if the Irishman can beat Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
Kayla Harrison sounds off on PFL founder Donn Davis's disparaging remarks: "I carried that company on my back!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 3, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison has issued her first public remarks since PFL founder Donn Davis’s comments about her move to the Octagon. Harrison won her highly-anticipated UFC debut at UFC 300, finishing former titleholder Holly Holm by second-round submission. She made her first appearance at 135lbs after fighting at 155lbs for the majority of her PFL career.