MMA News
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.
Paddy Pimblett takes aim at “proper tool” Bobby Green: “His chin’s gone”
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2024
UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett has taken aim at his next opponent Bobby Green heading into their upcoming collision. As many of us know, Paddy Pimblett is a pretty divisive figure in the world of mixed martial arts. He knows how to make some noise, and he certainly knows how to generate interest in his fights.
Dustin Poirier rules out the possibility of a fourth fight with Conor McGregor: “I don’t need that bad energy in my life”
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2024
Dustin Poirier has shut down the possibility of a fourth fight against Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor first fought back in 2014 while they were featherweights and the Irishman won by knockout. They had their rematch at lightweight in 2021, with Poirier winning by KO, and in their trilogy, McGregor broke his leg leading to another victory for ‘The Diamond’.
Curtis Blaydes shares bold prediction for his UFC 304 interim title fight against Tom Aspinall
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2024
Curtis Blaydes shares a bold prediction for his UFC 304 interim heavyweight title fight against Tom Aspinall, which sees the fight ending quickly. Blaydes and Aspinall are set to rematch in the co-main event of UFC 304 for the interim heavyweight title. The two fought back in July of 2022 and it was Blaydes who won in 15 seconds as Aspinall blew out his knee.
Mateusz Gamrot questions Charles Oliveira for ignoring his recent lightweight callout, blasts Oliveira's welterweight pursuit
Curtis Calhoun - May 22, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot is becoming increasingly frustrated by Charles Oliveira’s radio silence to his recent callouts. Gamrot has targeted a matchup with Oliveira ever since defeating Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 299 in March. He’s won three fights in a row, including a TKO win over Rafael Fiziev in September.
Ilia Topuria reveals Max Holloway fight is being targeted for the Las Vegas Sphere: "I want to fight as soon as possible"
Josh Evanoff - May 22, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria wants to fight Max Holloway sooner rather than later. ‘El Matador’ has been out of action since his shot at featherweight gold in the main event of UFC 298 in February. There, the rising Ilia Topuria met longtime champion Alexander Volkanovski. ‘The Great’ entered the bout fresh off his knockout loss to Islam Makhachev a few months prior, and it showed. It took just two rounds for Topuria to hand the Australian a stoppage loss.
Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco accuse the PFL of "radio silence" regarding long-awaited fight
Josh Evanoff - May 22, 2024
It appears that Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco are the latest fighters to come out against the PFL. The Donn Davis-led company has had an interesting few months. Late last year, the PFL finalized their purchase of Bellator. While Scott Coker and other key executives were leaving the company, most of the roster was to stick around. After the purchase, PFL had a bolstered roster with the likes of Cris Cyborg, Patchy Mix, and more.
Chael Sonnen reveals Anderson Silva offered to have trilogy fight in MMA before agreeing to boxing match: "He told me to pick"
Josh Evanoff - May 22, 2024
Chael Sonnen decided to face former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in the boxing ring. Earlier this month, it was announced that ‘The American Gangster’ would meet ‘The Spider’ one final time. Chael Sonnen retired following a 2019 knockout loss to Lyoto Machida but has long teased a return to fighting. Next month in Brazil he will do exactly that, and meet his longtime rival, Anderson Silva.
Gegard Mousasi threatens "legal action" against PFL over not getting fights
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2024
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is threatening to sue the PFL. Mousasi has not fought since the PFL has bought Bellator and he has voiced his frustration because of that. Mousasi is not the only Bellator fighter to complain about not getting fights, as Douglas Lima and Cris Cyborg have had the same complaints.
Filipino MMA star foresees savage win for "The Iron Man" at ONE 167: "Rodtang will KO him"
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 22, 2024
As the excitement mounts for ONE 167 on Prime Video, there’s one bout that has captured Lito Adiwang’s attention. “Thunder Kid” has his whole focus on the non-title flyweight kickboxing clash between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Denis Puric. This happens live in U.S. primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Curtis Blaydes feels UFC 304 rematch with Tom Aspinall for interim gold is "poetic"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2024
Curtis Blaydes had a feeling he was destined for a rematch with Tom Aspinall. Blaydes will be challenging Aspinall for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. The bout will take place on the UFC 304 card in Manchester on July 27th. The two bruisers met in London back in July 2022. The fight had an unfortunate and quick ending, as Aspinall suffered a knee injury that forced a stoppage just 15 seconds in.
UFC 304 headliner Belal Muhammad trashes Sean Strickland for "fake tough-guy mentality"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2024
Belal Muhammad has taken issue with former UFC Middleweight Champion Sean Strickland. Belal and Strickland have gone back-and-forth on social media and things have gotten personal between the two. Recently on social media, Belal responded to Strickland saying that Muhammad would’ve cried if he were pranked in person. Belal responded by saying if Strickland was on a podcast he’d probably cry, which was a dig at Sean’s appearance on Theo Von’s podcast.
Conor McGregor tries to make amends with Sean O'Malley over criticism: "I do actually like Sean"
Harry Kettle - May 22, 2024
UFC superstar Conor McGregor has tried to explain some of his recent remarks regarding Sean O’Malley. In recent weeks, we’ve heard a fair bit from Conor McGregor. That’s no surprise, given that we’re getting closer and closer to his return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303.
Dana White gets emotional talking about when he saved a young girl's life
Harry Kettle - May 22, 2024
UFC president Dana White has revealed that he once saved a young girl’s life with a $50,000 donation towards her heart surgery. In the eyes of many, Dana White is a polarizing figure. On the one hand, he’s helped build up the sport of mixed martial arts and, in particular, the Ultimate Fighting Championship. On the flip side, he’s had many controversies over the years, with many relating to fighter pay.
Gabriel Sousa anticipates "very different" rematch against Mikey Musumeci at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 22, 2024
Gabriel Sousa exudes confidence ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Mikey Musumeci. Both men will run it back in a bantamweight submission grappling contest at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Jo Nattawut expects fireworks in rematch with Tawanchai
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 22, 2024
“Smokin” Jo Nattawut finds himself on the precipice of championship glory. He rematches Tawanchai PK Saenchai for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime card emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Kamaru Usman responds to Conor McGregor's verbal attacks during recent Q+A: 'Put down the whiskey!''
Curtis Calhoun - May 21, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman didn’t hold back in his response to Conor McGregor’s scathing remarks about him during a recent livestream. McGregor is scheduled to return to the UFC Octagon to face Michael Chandler in the UFC 303 main event. His comeback fight comes three years after shattering his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Dustin Poirier shares violent prediction for UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - May 21, 2024
Dustin Poirier has shared a violent prediction for his UFC 302 title fight against Islam Makhachev. Poirier is set for his third crack at the UFC’s undisputed lightweight title as he takes on Makhachev on June 1 in the main event of UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey.