MMA News
Johan Ghazali plans to leverage age against “old” Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 28, 2024
Johan Ghazali is gearing up for what many consider his toughest assignment to date. The Malaysian-American phenom squares off against Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat in a flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Dustin Poirier explains why winning the belt is so important to him: "It's not for the fans"
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2024
Dustin Poirier says winning the UFC title helps solidify all the hard work and time he spent away from his family. Poirier will be fighting for the UFC’s undisputed title for the third time as ‘The Diamond’ is currently 0-2. Although Poirier will be a future Hall of Famer, the UFC championship is the only thing that has alluded him in his career, although he did win the interim title in 2019.
Ilia Topuria reveals prediction for potential fight against UFC champion Sean O'Malley: "I can do whatever I want to him"
Josh Evanoff - May 27, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes he can do whatever he wants to Sean O’Malley. ‘El Matador’ is currently awaiting his next UFC assignment. In February, Ilia Topuria defeated then-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski to win the gold. As of now, the 145-pound titleholder is expected to face Max Holloway, who’s fresh off his highlight-reel knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
WATCH | Kevin Lee releases training footage ahead of comeback, promises to face top lightweight in return
Josh Evanoff - May 27, 2024
Former title challenger Kevin Lee is almost ready to make his UFC return. ‘The Motown Phenom’ has had a rough last few years. Kevin Lee last competed in July 2021, against Rinat Fakhretdinov. The bout was his first in well over a year, and his first back in the octagon since being released from the UFC in August 2021. Ultimately, Lee was choked out inside of a round by the welterweight contender.
Sean Strickland predicts his UFC 302 fight against Paulo Costa will be a "bloodbath"
Cole Shelton - May 27, 2024
Sean Strickland expects his UFC 302 co-main event fight against Paulo Costa to be violent. Strickland is set for his first fight since losing his middleweight title to Dricus Du Plessis in January. In his return, he will face Costa in a five-round fight at UFC 302 where the winner could get a title shot.
Jorge Masvidal reveals the biggest regret of his legendary UFC career
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2024
Former UFC welterweight star Jorge Masvidal has one big regret when it comes to reflecting on his unprecedented rise to the top of mixed martial arts. Masvidal will make his combat sports return in a boxing match with UFC 244 foe Nate Diaz on July 6. He returns after announcing his MMA retirement after a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287.
WATCH: Sean Strickland spars former UFC champ Jamahal Hill in final UFC 302 prep
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2024
Former UFC champions Sean Strickland and Jamahal Hill are getting lots of work in ahead of their Octagon returns in June. Strickland will face former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa in the UFC 302 co-main event this Saturday in Newark. He returns looking to get back on track after a close loss to Dricus du Plessis in his lone middleweight title defense at UFC 297 in January.
PHOTOS: UFC star Yair Rodríguez successfully climbs Mount Everest ahead of Octagon return
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2024
Former UFC interim featherweight titleholder Yair Rodríguez added his name to an exclusive list before his fighting return. Rodríguez hasn’t fought since a loss to Brian Ortega at UFC Mexico City earlier this year. Before that, he lost to Alexander Volkanovski by TKO in their lineal featherweight title bout at UFC 290.
Rampage Jackson suggests ‘big’ Jon Jones news is incoming: “It’s gonna shock the whole MMA community”
Harry Kettle - May 27, 2024
Former UFC fighter Rampage Jackson has claimed that there’s some big Jon Jones news that is set to be made public soon. Jon Jones is a polarizing figure and that’s an obvious statement to make. Over the years, he’s done and said a lot of things to rub people the wrong way. At the same time, he’s also considered by many to be the greatest fighter of all time.
Ronda Rousey explains why she hasn’t attended any UFC fights: “I’m pretty sure if I walked into the arena, I’d be booed”
Harry Kettle - May 27, 2024
Ronda Rousey has explained why she hasn’t attended any UFC fights since she left mixed martial arts. As we all know, Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest stars in the history of mixed martial arts. In equal measure, she’s also a pretty polarizing figure. The manner in which she left the UFC left a bad taste in the mouth of many, and she hasn’t really been back since her loss to Amanda Nunes.
Jon Jones questions the sincerity of Stipe Miocic’s latest training footage: “If your opponent appears weak, prepare even harder”
Harry Kettle - May 27, 2024
Jon Jones has given his thoughts on recent training footage of Stipe Miocic ahead of their seemingly inevitable title fight. As we know, Jon Jones is the undisputed heavyweight champion in the UFC. While logic would dictate he’ll fight interim champion Tom Aspinall next, that’s not the direction he’s heading in. Instead, he’s opting for a legacy fight against former king Stipe Miocic.
Fans express concern following recent footage of Conor McGregor having a wild night in Dublin ahead of UFC 303: “He’s lost the fight”
Harry Kettle - May 27, 2024
A parade of fans have expressed concern over recent footage of Conor McGregor partying ahead of his return at UFC 303. Next month, Conor McGregor is set to return to the Octagon for the first time in three years. He’ll do so against Michael Chandler, a man he’s been lined up to face for quite some time now. As you can imagine, a lot of fans are pretty intrigued to see how the Irishman is going to fare after all that time away.
Bill Haney calls for Ryan Garcia to be banned from boxing following positive VADA samples: "It's just terrible"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Bill Haney is calling for Ryan Garcia to be banned from the sport of boxing. Bill’s son, Devin Haney, went one-on-one with Ryan Garcia in what was supposed to be a WBC junior welterweight title fight. The gold was not on the line as “KingRy” missed weight. Garcia ended up turning in the best performance of his career, dropping Haney three times en route to a majority decision win. That victory has now been tainted, however, as both of Garcia’s VADA test samples have been positive for ostarine, a banned substance.
Charles Oliveira predicts Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier, scoffs at Arman Tsarukyan's chances against UFC Lightweight Champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Charles Oliveira doesn’t think Dustin Poirier or Arman Tsarukyan will be able to unseat Islam Makhachev. Makhachev is scheduled to put his UFC Lightweight Championship at stake against “The Diamond” in the main event of UFC 302 inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The action takes place on Saturday, June 1st.
Paige VanZant & Elle Brooke show mutual interest in rematch, '12 Gauge' feels split draw was "nuts"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Paige VanZant doesn’t believe the judges made the right decision at the end of her showdown with Elle Brooke. VanZant and Brooke went toe-to-toe inside NRG Arena in Houston, Texas this past Saturday. The boxing match delivered quite the surprise in the opening frame when Brooke dropped VanZant. Paige recovered and had her moments against Brooke, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory when the score totals were read. This one was ruled a split draw, but “12 Gauge” feels she should’ve had her hand raised.
Jailton Almeida cautions UFC 304's Tom Aspinall to avoid same mistake he made against Curtis Blaydes
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Jailton Almeida has advised Tom Aspinall to exercise patience against Curtis Blaydes. Almeida knows what it’s like to share the Octagon with Blaydes. The two met back in March on the featured preliminary bout of the UFC 299 card. While Almeida had success with his takedowns in round one, things quickly changed in the second stanza. Almeida went for a takedown with Blaydes’ back near the fence. As Almeida shot in to grapple, he was hit with a short uppercut. Blaydes then rained down hammerfists for the stoppage.
Islam Makhachev will decide where Dustin Poirier fight goes at UFC 302, says coach Javier Mendez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez believes that Islam Makhachev will dictate where his fight with Dustin Poirier goes. Makhachev is scheduled to put the UFC Lightweight Championship on the line against “The Diamond” in the main event of UFC 302 on June 1st. The action is being held inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Makhachev is in search of a third successful title defense, while Poirier looks to capture undisputed UFC gold for the first time in his career, and this could be his last chance.
Paige VanZant gets ruthlessly trolled by fight fans following draw with Elle Brooke
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Fans did not let up after Paige VanZant was dropped by Elle Brooke in their split draw. The two shared the ring inside NRG Arena in Houston, Texas this past Saturday night in the main event of Misfits Boxing 15. While VanZant had the combat sports experience edge over Brooke, Elle had boxing matches under her belt. VanZant ate a right hand that dropped her in the first round. The former UFC fighter was able to get up and she fought Brooke until the final bell.