MMA News
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson explains why Boxing has been "more exciting" than MMA in 2024
Josh Evanoff - May 28, 2024
Current ONE Championship titleholder and UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has a hot take about the state of MMA. The year 2024 has been one of the greatest for combat sports in a long, long time. Over in the boxing world, fights such as Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk, Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia, and Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou have been huge. Meanwhile, MMA has had its big moments in the form of the massive UFC 300 card and other bouts such as Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria.
PFL signs former Bellator champion Douglas Lima to new deal after prior complaint about lack of fight offers
Josh Evanoff - May 28, 2024
It seems that former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima will be sticking with the PFL. It’s been a rough few months for the Donn Davis-led MMA company. Late last year, the PFL finalized their purchase of Bellator and overhauled their roster. The addition of the likes of Cris Cyborg, Douglas Lima, A.J. McKee, and more had Davis confident that they could challenge the juggernaut that is the UFC.
Mike Tyson posts encouraging medical update after recent scare, takes a jab at Jake Paul
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2024
Boxing Hall of Famer Mike Tyson is in good spirits after a recent medical emergency just before a flight landing. Tyson is scheduled to make his professional boxing return against Jake Paul on July 20 in Dallas, TX. He returns to the ring to potentially hand the polarizing Paul another defeat inside the boxing ring.
Katsuki Kitano motivated to pull off upset against “big name” Liam Harrison
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 28, 2024
Katsuki Kitano is fully aware of the rewards he could gain if he plays his cards right in the biggest bout of his career. “Bong” locks horns with Muay Thai legend Liam Harrison in a bantamweight clash at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime card emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Dustin Poirier shares prediction for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2024
Jorge Masvidal thinks UFC 303 headliner Conor McGregor avoided USADA due to PED use: "Clearly on some s***"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2024
Jorge Masvidal is convinced that Conor McGregor was on banned substances while he was out of the USADA testing pool. McGregor is scheduled to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon on June 29. The “Notorious” one will headline UFC 303 alongside Michael Chandler in a welterweight showdown. When McGregor undergoes drug testing, it won’t be under USADA after the UFC cut ties with its former anti-doping partner.
Demetrious Johnson doubles down on belief that Anthony Joshua beats Francis Ngannou in MMA fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2024
Demetrious Johnson stands by his opinion that Anthony Joshua would beat Francis Ngannou in an MMA fight. Back in March, Joshua and “The Predator” went one-on-one inside the boxing ring. Ngannou stunned the combat sports world when he nearly defeated Tyson Fury in their exhibition showdown, and he was hoping to capitalize on that momentum. Instead, Joshua ended up scoring two knockdowns before brutally shutting the lights off the former UFC Heavyweight Champion in round two.
Islam Makhachev calls UFC 302 opponent Dustin Poirier a surefire UFC Hall of Famer: "One of the legends of our sport"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2024
Islam Makhachev has glowing praise for Dustin Poirier ahead of their lightweight title fight at UFC 302. Makhachev and Poirier will be all business when the Octagon door closes this Saturday night (June 1st), but that doesn’t mean there isn’t mutual respect. Poirier has been complimentary of the 155-pound king, and Makhachev is returning the favor.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 166 with Alex Morono
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2024
The 166th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 302. We’re joined by UFC welterweight Alex Morono (0:43) to preview his UFC 302 fight.
Aljamain Sterling accepts fight with the ‘UFC’s most boring’ fighter: “So I can get my title shot”
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Aljamain Sterling has accepted a fight with who he deems to be the UFC’s most boring fighter. As we know, Aljamain Sterling is now a full-time member of the featherweight division. He made the move up from bantamweight, where he won a title, and got off to a winning start at 145 pounds by defeating Calvin Kattar.
Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor could be eligible for three different UFC titles with a win over Michael Chandler
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2024
Michael Bisping believes that Conor McGregor could be eligible for three different UFC titles by defeating Michael Chandler. We all know that Conor McGregor is an enigma in mixed martial arts. From his performances in the cage to some of the controversies he’s been involved in, he’s built quite a legacy for himself in the sport. Now, he’ll write the next chapter in his story at UFC 303 when he goes head to head with Michael Chandler.
Darren Till aiming for Jake Paul fight with KO win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2024
Former UFC fighter Darren Till has explained his boxing plan if he can knock out Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. On July 20, Darren Till will go head to head with the aforementioned Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. It’ll be a six-round 190 pound fight, with ‘The Gorilla’ hoping to make an impact in the world of boxing. Of course, while this bout is important to him, it isn’t the end goal.
Johan Ghazali plans to leverage age against “old” Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 28, 2024
Johan Ghazali is gearing up for what many consider his toughest assignment to date. The Malaysian-American phenom squares off against Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat in a flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Ilia Topuria reveals prediction for potential fight against UFC champion Sean O'Malley: "I can do whatever I want to him"
Josh Evanoff - May 27, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes he can do whatever he wants to Sean O’Malley. ‘El Matador’ is currently awaiting his next UFC assignment. In February, Ilia Topuria defeated then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to win the gold. As of now, the 145-pound titleholder is expected to face Max Holloway, who’s fresh off his highlight-reel knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
WATCH | Kevin Lee releases training footage ahead of comeback, promises to face top lightweight in return
Josh Evanoff - May 27, 2024
Former title challenger Kevin Lee is almost ready to make his UFC return. ‘The Motown Phenom’ has had a rough last few years. Kevin Lee last competed in July 2021, against Rinat Fakhretdinov. The bout was his first in well over a year, and his first back in the octagon since being released from the UFC in August 2021. Ultimately, Lee was choked out inside of a round by the welterweight contender.
Jon Anik echoes fan frustration over Jon Jones’ refusal to fight Tom Aspinall, ‘should’ve vacated’ title after torn pec injury
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2024
UFC play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik sides with fans frustrated with Jon Jones’ apparent refusal to face Tom Aspinall in the Octagon. Jones is expected to face former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in his return later this year, potentially as soon as November. He hasn’t fought since winning the then-vacant UFC heavyweight title over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last year.
Sean Strickland predicts his UFC 302 fight against Paulo Costa will be a "bloodbath"
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2024
Sean Strickland expects his UFC 302 co-main event fight against Paulo Costa to be violent. Strickland is set for his first fight since losing his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis in January. In his return, he will face Costa in a five-round fight at UFC 302 where the winner could get a title shot.
WATCH: Sean Strickland spars former UFC champ Jamahal Hill in final UFC 302 prep
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2024
Former UFC champions Sean Strickland and Jamahal Hill are getting lots of work in ahead of their Octagon returns in June. Strickland will face former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the UFC 302 co-main event this Saturday in Newark. He returns looking to get back on track after a close loss to Dricus du Plessis in his lone middleweight title defense at UFC 297 in January.
PHOTOS: UFC star Yair Rodríguez successfully climbs Mount Everest ahead of Octagon return
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2024
Former UFC interim featherweight titleholder Yair Rodríguez added his name to an exclusive list before his fighting return. Rodríguez hasn’t fought since a loss to Brian Ortega at UFC Mexico City earlier this year. Before that, he lost to Alexander Volkanovski by TKO in their lineal featherweight title bout at UFC 290.