MMA News
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
REPORT | Nick Diaz pushed for UFC 300 fight against Colby Covington before booking Abu Dhabi return
Josh Evanoff - May 29, 2024
Nick Diaz wanted many different opponents before settling on a fight with Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi. Earlier today, Dana White announced that the former Strikeforce champion would be returning in August. For Nick Diaz, the fight will mark his first since a third-round stoppage loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266 in September 2021. That bout ended a nearly seven-year hiatus from the sport for the former titleholder.
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.
Interim champion Tom Aspinall grapples with training adjustments for UFC 304 start time: "I don't know what I'm doing at this point"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2024
Tom Aspinall is having one heck of a time adjusting his training with the UFC 304 start time. Aspinall is set to put his interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on the line against Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event of UFC 304 in Manchester, England. Unfortunately for Aspinall, the UFC will be sticking with its original 10 p.m. ET start time for the PPV, which will be 3 a.m. ET local time. Aspinall, a Salford native, even attempted to talk the UFC out of sticking with its time, but to no avail.
Jack Della Maddalena forced to delay UFC return due to post-surgery infection: "I won't be competing in Perth"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2024
Jack Della Maddalena hoped to be a part of the UFC 305 card in Perth, but post-surgery complications have derailed that plan. Maddalena competed back in March at UFC 299, and while he scored a knockout win over Gilbert Burns he did not walk away unscathed. The Australian bruiser had to undergo surgery on his arm.