MMA News
Dricus du Plessis wants Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev fights before chasing UFC champ-champ status
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 24, 2024
UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus du Plessis feels there is more work to be done at 185 pounds before he can consider vying for champ-champ status. The resume has been growing for du Plessis with wins over Sean Strickland and Robert Whittaker. The victory against Strickland earned du Plessis UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career. While those are two big names to get past and winning a UFC title is a grand achievement, du Plessis feels the work isn’t done at 185 pounds.
Tom Aspinall feels UFC 304 interim title fight against Curtis Blaydes is no-win situation: "He's not that popular"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 24, 2024
Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall admits he doesn’t feel there is much upside to fighting Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall gets to remain active when he collides with Blaydes at the UFC 304 pay-per-view in Manchester on July 27th, but he risks losing out on a claim to an undisputed title fight. Aspinall had been hoping the UFC would forgo the planned bout between UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic, but that doesn’t appear to be happening.
Paige VanZant attempts to clarify the “not a fighter” comments she made about Ben Askren: “Sorry if I hurt his feelings”
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2024
Paige VanZant has attempted to clarify her recent remarks regarding former ONE and UFC fighter Ben Askren. One thing we know to be true about Paige VanZant is that she can make headlines. From her UFC career to BKFC and beyond, she has an ability to draw the attention of the masses.
Manel Kape promises a “masterclass” in UFC 304 fight with Muhammad Mokaev: “I’m going to take his arm off”
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2024
UFC flyweight Manel Kape has promised a masterclass when he takes on Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of the flyweight division. A parade of top fighters have started to break through and now, there’s an argument to be made that it’s one of the most exciting divisions in the entire promotion.
Fight fans react after UFC legend Robbie Lawler is spotted with BKFC President David Feldman
Harry Kettle - May 24, 2024
A parade of fight fans have reacted to an image of Robbie Lawler hanging out with BKFC president David Feldman. When it comes to fan favorites in mixed martial arts, it’s safe to say that Robbie Lawler is somewhere towards the top of that list. From his longevity to his insanely fun fight style, he’s one of the most electric performers in UFC history.
ONE Championship to host Featherweight Kickboxing Grand Prix in 2024
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 23, 2024
ONE Championship is poised to set the stage ablaze once again with the return of the prestigious ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix in 2024. The promotion made the announcement on its social media platforms. However, there was no mention of the tourney’s kick-off date.
Belal Muhammad explains why Leon Edwards is "the easiest guy in the top-five"
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2024
Belal Muhammad believes Leon Edwards is the easiest fight for him in the welterweight division’s top-five. Muhammad is set to face Edwards for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester, England. It’s a rematch of their fight from 2021 which ended in a No Contest due to an eye poke from Edwards just 18 seconds into the second round.
Dustin Poirier says UFC 302 is his final shot at becoming undisputed champion: "This is it for me"
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2024
Dustin Poirier says his UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev will be his last chance at becoming the undisputed lightweight champion. Poirier is set to headline the card in Newark, New Jersey on June 1 as he will be fighting for the undisputed title for the third time. He’s currently 0-2 in undisputed title fights, and Poirier says this is his final shot.
Gegard Mousasi's management releases statement after PFL release: "There is a greater lesson here"
Josh Evanoff - May 23, 2024
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has officially parted ways with the PFL. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Fabian Edwards last May. That defeat at Bellator 296 went down months before the company was sold to the PFL. While Gegard Mousasi was linked to a clash with Derek Brunson in December, he never wound up fighting for the Donn Davis-led company.
REPORT | Oleksandr Usyk added to the cast of 'The Smashing Machine' starring The Rock
Josh Evanoff - May 23, 2024
Fresh off his victory over Tyson Fury in the boxing ring, Oleksandr Usyk will be taking his talents to the big screen. ‘The Cat’ is fresh off his return to Saudi Arabia over the weekend. There, Oleksandr Usyk met Lineal and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. The two boxers battled to crown the division’s first undisputed champion in two decades, and it was a fight for the ages. After 12 rounds of action, Usyk earned a split-decision victory.
UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans pitches Rampage Jackson rematch on 14th anniversary of their UFC clash: "Run it back?"
Curtis Calhoun - May 23, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson could be on another collision course. Evans and Jackson clashed in what at the time was one of the most anticipated fights in UFC history at UFC 114. Their three-round headliner went the distance, with Evans earning a unanimous decision victory.
PFL releases Gegard Mousasi after he threatens to sue the promotion
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2024
The PFL has released former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi. The promotion sent out a release announcing they have released Mousasi from his contract, just one day after he voiced his complaints with the promotion.
BREAKING: Carlos Ulberg fills vs. Jamahal Hill at UFC 303
Curtis Calhoun - May 23, 2024
Surging UFC light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg has replaced the suspended Khalil Rountree Jr. against Jamahal Hill at UFC 303. Ulberg and Hill will serve as the UFC 303 co-main event on June 29; a card headlined by Conor McGregor’s return against Michael Chandler. MMA journalist Christopher Reive was the first to report the news of Ulberg’s fill-in.
Kamaru Usman doesn't understand why Colby Covington isn't fighting Ian Machado Garry: "That had a lot of steam on it"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 23, 2024
Kamaru Usman can’t grasp why a fight hasn’t been made between Colby Covington and Ian Machado Garry. Covington and Garry are two outspoken UFC welterweights who have gone back-and-forth on social media. Covington has taken personal shots at Garry and his wife. “The Future” has challenged Covington publicly, but “Chaos” insists that Garry isn’t serious about sharing the Octagon with him.
PFL's Donn Davis uses NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant to diss UFC contender Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 23, 2024
PFL owner Donn Davis has reacted to Kayla Harrison leaving his promotion in favor of UFC. Harrison made her UFC debut a successful one by submitting former bantamweight champion Holly Holm in the second round. Harrison was on a big stage for her promotional debut at UFC 300, but she passed her first test with flying colors. Harrison was widely praised for her performance and many are wondering how much longer it’ll be before she challenges for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Stamp out: Grandjean steps in to face Zamboanga at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 23, 2024
Denice Zamboanga will remain on the ONE 167 on Prime Video card after all, securing a short-notice opponent in Noelle Grandjean. Both square off against each other in a women’s atomweight MMA clash, airing live in U.S. primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Khalil Rountree Jr. receives reduced suspension from CSAD due to “massive oversight” from supplement distributor
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2024
Khalil Rountree Jr has received a reduced suspension from CSAD after providing evidence that he did not knowingly take a banned substance. As many fight fans will know, Khalil Rountree Jr was scheduled to take on Jamahal Hill at UFC 303. It would’ve served as the biggest fight of his career to date against a man who, just over a month ago, was the UFC light heavyweight champion.
New UFC broadcast deal could result in “free” pay-per-view events
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2024
TKO Group Holdings president Mark Shapiro has teased the idea of UFC’s entire pay-per-view package being included in a broadcasting deal. Right now, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is on fire. From their ESPN deal to selling out arenas across the globe, the promotion is doing some incredible work. Of course, in an industry like this, it’s always important to look ahead to the future.