MMA News
Video | Craig Jones dumps $1 million on Joe Rogan’s desk for special invitational event
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2024
BJJ sensation Craig Jones dumped $1 million on the desk of Joe Rogan during their podcast earlier this week. As many of you will know, Craig Jones is quite the superstar in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He’s an elite competitor and a two-time silver medalist at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) tournament, however, he won’t be competing there in 2024. That’s because he’ll be hosting the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) across similar dates in August, with his aim being to raise compensation for competing athletes.
Brendan Schaub reacts after Ronda Rousey suggests fear of being “booed” has stopped her from attending UFC events: “No one’s going to be mean to you”
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2024
Brendan Schaub has given ex-girlfriend Ronda Rousey some advice regarding her current attitude towards mixed martial arts. As we know, Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest stars in the history of mixed martial arts. At the same time, she’s also one of the most controversial figures in the recent history of the sport.
Antonio Mammarella aims to elevate career to new heights at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 29, 2024
Antonio Mammarella finds himself standing at the precipice of a career-defining moment. The 24-year-old prospect hopes to leave a mark on the global stage when he makes his ONE Championship debut in U.S. primetime on June 7.
Alex Morono eyes KO win over Niko Price at UFC 302 to avenge 2017 loss: "Going to be a fun fight"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2024
Alex Morono jumped at the chance to rematch Niko Price at UFC 302. After Morono defeated Court McGee in April, he returned to the gym to prepare for any short-notice fight that came up. Shortly after his win, Jeremiah Wells fell out of his fight against Price and Morono called the UFC to get his rematch.
Islam Makhachev claims Arman Tsarukyan "should thank" him for jumpstarting his UFC career
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev feels partially responsible for Arman Tsarukyan’s success inside the Octagon. Makhachev will face Dustin Poirier in his next UFC lightweight title defense at UFC 302 this Saturday in Newark. He returns after defeating Alexander Volkanovski in back-to-back fights in 2023.
Dustin Poirier's coach admits he's the "most stressful" fighter to corner ahead of UFC 302 return
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2024
Dustin Poirier’s head coach admits that the former UFC interim lightweight champion is a hard athlete to coach mid-fight. Poirier will face UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the UFC 302 main event this Saturday in Newark. This is Poirier’s third lineal lightweight title shot after losses to Charles Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev hopes Dustin Poirier doesn't retire with a loss at UFC 302: "I don't think it's a good idea"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2024
Islam Makhachev is hoping Dustin Poirier continues to fight even if he loses at UFC 302 for the lightweight title. Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title in the main event against Poirier. It’s an intriguing matchup and heading into the fight, ‘The Diamond’ has hinted that if he loses, he could retire as he knows this is his final crack at the belt.
PHOTOS: Dustin Poirier shows off custom floral shorts he'll wear for UFC 302 title shot
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier will mimic a two-time Octagon rival when he faces Islam Makhachev at UFC 302. Poirier’s third lineal UFC lightweight title shot will come to fruition this Saturday at UFC 302 in Newark. He returns after knocking out Benoît Saint-Denis at UFC 299 to earn what is likely his final shot at lineal UFC gold.
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.