MMA News
WATCH | Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier get into intense faceoff after UFC 302 press conference
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024
Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier got into a heated and intense faceoff after the UFC 302 press conference on Thursday. Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title in the main event of the pay-per-view card on Saturday in New Jersey against Poirier. In the lead-up to the fight, both men have vowed to finish the other, and after the press conference, the two got into a lengthy and heated faceoff.
Kamaru Usman turns down Jan Blachowicz's callout: "That fight makes absolutely no sense"
Josh Evanoff - May 30, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is backing away from a potential Jan Blachowicz fight. A bout between ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ and the former light-heavyweight champion has been discussed before. In 2022, Kamaru Usman, and his longtime friend Israel Adesanya, dominated welterweight and middleweight respectively. However, the 170-pound champion wanted a shot at double-champion status.
Islam Makhachev reflects on sparring session with UFC champion Leon Edwards: "I took him down and held him"
Josh Evanoff - May 30, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is opening up on his experience training with Leon Edwards. This Saturday night in New Jersey, the Russian is set to headline UFC 302. Standing in Islam Makhachev’s way is longtime contender and former interim champion, Dustin Poirier. Heading into the contest, the lightweight champion has been upfront about the fact that he’s already looking to 170 pounds.
Sean Strickland says the only way he loses to Paulo Costa at UFC 302 is if he "f***s up"
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024
Sean Strickland knows he is a much better fighter than Paulo Costa. Strickland is set to face Costa in the co-main event of UFC 302 in a five-round fight. Strickland is looking to return to the win column after losing his middleweight title back in January to Dricus Du Plessis.
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).
Sean Strickland trashes new UFC gloves: "Have you ever been in a fight in your f****** life?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 30, 2024
Sean Strickland is not a fan of the new UFC glove design. MMA gloves have been a topic of conversation for quite a while. Many have called on the UFC to find a way to reduce the number of eye pokes seen in fights. The promotion’s answer has been to design new hand wear for the fighters.
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.
Tawanchai gunning for unquestionable win against Jo Nattawut at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 30, 2024
Tawanchai PK Saenchai is gearing up for his defense of the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title against “Smokin’” Jo Nattawut. Both men run it back in the main event of ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
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.
Conor McGregor trolls Belal Muhammad over lack of UFC knockdowns
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2024
Conor McGregor targeted UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad in his latest Twitter outburst. McGregor will make his long-awaited return to the UFC Octagon when he faces Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29. He returns to the cage nearly three full years since shattering his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
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.