MMA News
Israel Adesanya shares prediction for Sean Strickland vs. Paulo Costa at UFC 302
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024
Israel Adesanya has shared his prediction for the UFC 302 co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa. Adesanya has fought both Strickland and Costa so he is very familiar with both men. Izzy’s last fight was a loss to Strickland where he surrendered the middleweight title with the setback. Given that he is familiar with both of them, Adesanya has a good idea of how the fight will play out and the best path to victory for both men.
Jailton Almeida explains why he doesn't feel the Curtis Blaydes fight was a loss, expecting a "great fight" against Alexandr Romanov
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2024
Jailton Almeida will be looking to return to the win column on the main card of UFC 302 on Saturday against Alexandr Romanov. Almeida is coming off a knockout loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299 in the second-round, this after he dominated the first round. Although the Brazilian lost the fight, he says it was a good learning lesson which is why he isn’t viewing it as a loss.
Jalin Turner reflects on UFC 300 blunder during potential KO sequence: 'My conscious kicked in!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 30, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Jalin Turner has explained why he believes he walked away from a potential finish of Renato Moicano at UFC 300. Turner fell to Moicano in a wild UFC 300 clash last month in front of a packed house at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. It was a back-and-forth battle for as long as the fight lasted before Moicano rallied in Round 2 to finish Turner by TKO.
Islam Makhachev addresses speculation of a Staph infection ahead of UFC 302
Curtis Calhoun - May 30, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is at the center of a UFC 302 fight week controversy after images spread online of a possible staph infection. Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight title against two-time lineal title challenger Dustin Poirier on Saturday in Newark. Makhachev returns after back-to-back successful title defenses against Alexander Volkanovski in 2023, including a knockout in October.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.