MMA News
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.
Nick Diaz returns, UFC Abu Dhabi main card revealed featuring Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2024
Nick Diaz is back and he will be a part of a stacked UFC Abu Dhabi card. UFC CEO Dana White had his matchmakers cooking up a card for UFC Abu Dhabi, and they have delivered in terms of name recognition. The UFC boss has announced that Stockton’s own Nick Diaz is back and will be taking on Vicente Luque in a bout scheduled for five rounds on August 5th. Diaz hasn’t been seen inside the Octagon since his rematch with fellow MMA legend “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler back in September 2021.
Blake Cooper promises to spoil Kade Ruotolo’s MMA debut at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 29, 2024
Blake Cooper wants to ensure that Kade Ruotolo’s MMA debut is far from the triumphant moment many are expecting. Both men face each other in a lightweight MMA clash at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Former UFC champ Henry Cejudo responds to challenge from Song Yadong: “I’ll make you a limp Dong”
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2024
UFC star Henry Cejudo has responded to a challenge issued to him by fellow bantamweight contender Song Yadong. We all know that Henry Cejudo is a legend in combat sports. In addition to his Olympic wrestling gold medal, he’s also a two-weight world champion in the UFC. However, since returning from retirement, he hasn’t been able to find any consistency in the Octagon.
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.