MMA News
Shavkat Rakhmonov issues cold response to 'delusional' Joaquin Buckley's latest callout
Curtis Calhoun - May 30, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov didn’t take long to answer Joaquin Buckley’s latest callout for a fight. Rakhmonov and Buckley are two of the top UFC welterweight contenders hoping to earn a title shot with another win or two in the cage. Rakhmonov is unbeaten in his MMA career, while Buckley has won four consecutive fights to land in the Top 15.
UFC 302 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 302, a middleweight bout goes down as Sean Strickland takes on Paulo Costa. Heading into the fight, Strickland is a -250 favorite while the Brazilian is a +190 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the middleweight fight. The pros believe the five rounds will favor Strickland as they expect the American to beat Costa by decision.
Daniel Cormier agrees with fans who wanted Nick Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson at UFC Abu Dhabi: "That makes more sense to me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 30, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier agrees with fans who feel Nick Diaz should’ve been matched up with Tony Ferguson at UFC Abu Dhabi. Dana White dropped a bombshell when he announced the return of the Stockton native for a stacked Fight Night card on August 5th. Diaz will have his first fight since September 2021 when he goes one-on-one with Vicente Luque. Ferguson will also be on that card in a showdown with Michael Chiesa. Many fans have shared their belief that Diaz vs. Ferguson should’ve been the fight to make instead.
Michael Bisping calls Islam Makhachev a better version of Khabib Nurmagomedov ahead of UFC 302: "New, improved"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 30, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping believes fight fans are witnessing the evolved version of Khabib Nurmagomedov in Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is scheduled to put his UFC Lightweight Championship at stake against Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC 302. The 155-pound titleholder is gunning for his third successful title defense when he meets “The Diamond” inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday night (June 1st).
Alexander Volkanovski promises fans the "real" him in possible Ilia Topuria rematch
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski has promised to show the real version of himself if he gets a rematch against Ilia Topuria. Earlier this year, Alexander Volkanovski lost the UFC featherweight championship. He was beaten by Ilia Topuria, who knocked him out cold in their fascinating title showdown. Now, many are wondering what’s next for ‘The Great’.
Islam Makhachev questions Conor McGregor's UFC 303 training after party footage
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has questioned Conor McGregor’s training for UFC 303. As we all know, Conor McGregor is set to return to the Octagon next month. He’ll go head to head with Michael Chandler in the main event of UFC 303. The contest will take place as part of International Fight Week, with the Irishman attempting to prove he’s still an elite competitor.
Dustin Poirier explains why he doesn't focus on Islam Makhachev's one KO loss
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has explained why he doesn’t put too much stock in Islam Makhachev’s one loss in mixed martial arts. This weekend, Dustin Poirier will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. In the eyes of many, this could well serve as his final shot at the undisputed belt. He’s tried a few times prior to this and came up short, but this time around, the belief is that he could retire regardless of whether he wins or loses.
Dustin Poirier reveals special walkout song for UFC 302 main event
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has revealed a special walkout song that he’s selected for the main event this weekend. On Saturday night, Dustin Poirier will make the walk to the Octagon for what could be the final time. ‘The Diamond’ has made it clear that retirement is on the table. If that’s the case, what a way to go out. He will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship, in what will serve as his third crack at the undisputed goal.
Opening odds revealed for UFC Abu Dhabi sees Nick Diaz, Tony Ferguson as sizeable underdogs
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2024
The opening odds have been released for the UFC Abu Dhabi fights in August. UFC CEO Dana White announced on Wednesday the main card for the stacked UFC Abu Dhabi event on August 3. The main event sees Cory Sandhagen taking on Umar Nurmagomedov. Also on the card will be the return of Nick Diaz, while Tony Ferguson also returns to action with hopes of snapping his lengthy losing streak.
Kevin Holland explains why he believes "scary guy" Islam Makhachev would become welterweight champ if he moves up
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2024
Kevin Holland believes Islam Makhachev would become the welterweight champion if he decided to move up in weight. Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion and is set to defend his belt in the main event of UFC 302 against Dustin Poirier. Should Makhachev win, he has hinted at moving up in weight and going to welterweight to try for champ-champ status.
Conor McGregor accuses Islam Makhachev of pre-UFC 302 Staph infection: 'Wash your f***** self!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
Conor McGregor’s latest accusations aimed at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev add another storyline to UFC 302 fight week. Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier this weekend in the UFC 302 main event. He returns to the Octagon after back-to-back successful title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023.
Rodtang aims to silence Denis Puric: “You will know what hell on earth is”
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 29, 2024
Rodtang Jitmuangnon feels that Denis Puric is biting off more than he can chew. Both men square off at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
WATCH | Paulo Costa throws out historically bad first pitch at New York Mets game before UFC 302
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa had a historically bad first pitch at the New York Mets game before UFC 302. Costa is set to face Sean Strickland in a five-round co-main event fight in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday night. In the lead up to the fight, the Brazilian spent the day at the New York Mets game as he threw out the first pitch and it did not go well.
Sean Strickland rips “F***** Woman” Tom Brady over post-Netflix roast remarks
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
Sean Strickland didn’t tune in to watch The Roast of Tom Brady on Netflix, but he didn’t appreciate how Tom Brady handled himself in the event’s aftermath. Strickland will face former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the UFC 302 co-main event this Saturday in Newark. The two middleweights will clash in a potential No. 1 contender fight in a five-round matchup.
Kevin Holland reacts to Joaquin Buckley's recent heel turn, GSP fight comments
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
Kevin Holland scolded former UFC middleweight foe Joaquin Buckley for his recent declaration that he would beat a prime Georges St-Pierre. Holland will move back up to middleweight for a short-notice clash with Michał Oleksiejczuk at UFC 302 on Saturday. He returns to the Octagon and the middleweight division after a loss to Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 299 in March.
Islam Makhachev takes aim at Dustin Poirier's confidence ahead of UFC 302: "He doesn't believe he can beat me"
Josh Evanoff - May 29, 2024
UFC champion Islam Makhachev believes he’s the greatest fighter on the planet heading into his fight with Dustin Poirier. The Russian is set to fight this Saturday for the first time since a knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski in October. There, Islam Makhachev will meet longtime contender, and former interim champion, Dustin Poirier. For his part, ‘The Diamond’ is fresh off a second-round stoppage victory over Benoit Saint-Denis in February.
UFC 302 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier title fight
Cole Shelton - May 29, 2024
In the main event of UFC 302, the lightweight title is up for grabs as Islam Makhachev looks to defend his belt against Dustin Poirier. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a sizeable -620 favorite while ‘The Diamond’ is a +400 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight title fight. The majority of pros are rooting for Poirier to get the job done and become the champ, but they do believe Makhachev will be too much for him.
Sean Strickland explains how detaching from MMA helped change the course of his UFC career: 'I didn't want to lose any validation'
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland made a mental switch earlier in his career that has led to his surge into a star. Strickland will face former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the UFC 302 co-main event on Saturday in Newark. He returns to fight in a five-round clash after losing the middleweight belt to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297 earlier this year.