MMA News
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.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals UFC 302 prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier: "It's a hard fight for anybody"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 27, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski has shared his pick for the UFC 302 main event between lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier. Makhachev and Poirier will collide inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Saturday night. Many believe that this could be Poirier’s last chance at undisputed UFC gold. He will be the underdog going up against Makhachev, but he certainly figures to be a favorite with the fans who will pack the arena on June 1st.
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.
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.
Adrian Lee promises to finish Antonio Mammarella in momentous debut at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 27, 2024
Adrian Lee intends to secure a swift and emphatic victory in his highly anticipated professional MMA debut. The Singaporean-American phenom takes on Antonio Mammarella in a lightweight MMA bout at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
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.
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.
Kamaru Usman flirts with UFC light heavyweight move after faceoff with Jan Blachowicz: "I could do it"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 26, 2024
Kamaru Usman thinks he can hang in the UFC’s light heavyweight division against the likes of Jan Blachowicz. Usman tried his hand in the middleweight division on short notice against Khamzat Chimaev back in October 2023. It was a competitive fight, but “The Nigerian Nightmare” fell short via majority decision. It was still an impressive performance given how late of a notice Usman received for the fight. With a full camp the former UFC Welterweight Champion feels he could make some noise at light heavyweight.
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.
Daniel Cormier doesn't like Dustin Poirier talking about post-UFC 302 retirement
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has admitted he doesn’t like Dustin Poirier discussing his possible retirement following UFC 302. Next weekend, Dustin Poirier will attempt to finally reach the top of the mountain. He will go head to head with Islam Makhachev, with his hope being that he claims the UFC lightweight championship. He’s challenged for the undisputed belt twice before, but has only ever gotten his hands on the interim strap.
Ronda Rousey explains heartbreak after losing UFC title to Holly Holm
Harry Kettle - May 26, 2024
UFC legend Ronda Rousey has explained the heartbreak she experienced after losing her bantamweight title to Holly Holm. As we all know, Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest names in the history of women’s mixed martial arts – and perhaps the sport as a whole. She did some incredible things during her time on top, dominating for the majority of her time in the Octagon.
Sitthichai determined to get back to winning ways at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 25, 2024
For Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, the desire to once again feel the sweet taste of victory courses through his veins. He looks to satiate this urge in his next assignment, which takes place at ONE 167 on Prime Video. There, he goes up against Masaaki Noiri in a featherweight kickboxing bout.
Dricus du Plessis explains why fighters need to "thank" Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - May 25, 2024
UFC champion Dricus du Plessis has explained why fighters need to thank Conor McGregor for what he’s done for the sport. Next month, Conor McGregor will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. It’s been three years since we last saw him compete, when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. Now, fans around the world will tune in to watch one of the most famous athletes on the planet do his thing.
Sean Strickland's coach reveals biggest focus for Paulo Costa clash: 'He's a menace...'
Curtis Calhoun - May 24, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland’s head coach thinks Paulo Costa presents one unique problem for them to consider at UFC 302. Strickland and Costa will square off in a five-round middleweight co-headliner at UFC 302 on June 1. The winner could potentially earn themselves a middleweight title shot, or at worst, a No. 1 contender fight.
Joaquin Buckley makes bold claim for fantasy matchup with Georges St-Pierre: 'I'd knockout the GOAT'
Curtis Calhoun - May 24, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley thinks he’d sleep the legendary Georges St-Pierre inside the Octagon. Buckley has been on a roll in the welterweight division since making the full-time return to 170 pounds. He has won four fights in a row, including a recent unanimous decision victory over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC St. Louis earlier this month.