MMA News
Tom Aspinall reveals Ciryl Gane turned down UFC 304 interim title fight
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2024
Tom Aspinall will be defending his interim heavyweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester against Curtis Blaydes but that wasn’t the original plan. Aspinall will be rematching Blaydes in the co-main event of UFC 304 in an intriguing matchup. Most fans seemed to think that was the fight that made the most sense, but according to Aspinall, Ciryl Gane was originally offered the title fight but he turned it down due to him filming a movie.
Watch: Sean O'Malley and Ryan Garcia's heated FaceTime call as fight talks ramp up: 'I will murder you!"
Curtis Calhoun - May 16, 2024
Sean O’Malley and Ryan Garcia came face-to-face as talks of a potential crossover fight ramp up. Well, sort of.
Watch: Belal Muhammad live reacts to Dana White's UFC 304 announcement for Leon Edwards title fight
Curtis Calhoun - May 16, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Belal Muhammad’s team was the first to tell him of his upcoming Leon Edwards title fight at UFC 304. Muhammad will finally get his shot at UFC gold when he faces the welterweight titleholder Edwards at UFC 304 in Manchester. The July 27 pay-per-view card features Tom Aspinall vs. Curtis Blaydes in the co-main event and the return of Paddy Pimblett against Bobby Green.
Jonathan Di Bella vs. Prajanchai set for ONE Friday Fights 68 in June
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 16, 2024
The highly anticipated matchup between Jonathan Di Bella and Prajanchai PK Saenchai will finally happen on June 28. The five-round clash for the vacant ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title headlines ONE Friday Fights 68. It airs live in Asian primetime from the fabled Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Joe Rogan calls for UFC to make changes to current ruleset: “If it’s boring for the audience, tough sh*t”
Susan Cox - May 16, 2024
Joe Rogan is calling for the UFC to make changes to its current ruleset. This is not the first time Rogan has suggested changing the rules when it comes to MMA fighting.
Dana White announces two title fights for UFC 304, including Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad
Susan Cox - May 16, 2024
Dana White has just announced two title fights for UFC 304, including Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad. UFC 304 is set to take place on Saturday, July 27th at the Co-op Live in Manchester, England.
Michael Bisping explains why he actually likes Colby Covington’s callout of former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has explained why he wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of Colby Covington taking on Charles Oliveira. As we all know, Colby Covington is a controversial figure in mixed martial arts. From his trash talk to some of the many high profile fights he’s been involved in, ‘Chaos’ certainly knows how to make some noise. Of course, while he has plenty of critics, he also has quite a few fans, too.
Michael Bisping doesn’t foresee Khabib Nurmagomedov receiving any serious punishment for alleged tax fraud
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping can’t imagine Khabib Nurmagomedov will recieve a serious punishment for his alleged tax fraud. As we all know, Khabib Nurmagomedov is a mixed martial arts legend. He retired undefeated, he was the UFC lightweight champion, and he’s one of the biggest stars in the history of the sport. However, he’s recently been forced to confront an entirely different opponent.
Rafael dos Anjos calls for the UFC remove him from the lightweight rankings, requests July return
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2024
Former UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos has asked for the promotion to remove him from the lightweight rankings. For many years now, Rafael dos Anjos has been seen as a respected veteran in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s fought against the best of the best, and he’s always willing to take on a tough challenge. Alas, in recent times, he hasn’t been that successful in terms of results.
Fight music: Kade Ruotolo reveals his favorite genre ahead of MMA debut at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 16, 2024
Apart from his exceptional skills, Kade Ruotolo also stands out for his unique pre-fight preparation. The reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion is gearing up for his much-awaited MMA debut at ONE 167 on Prime Video. There, he battles Blake Cooper on a U.S. primetime card set to air live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Liam Harrison promises return to old form: “I’m back”
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 15, 2024
It has been a long road back to full recovery for Liam Harrison after a career-threatening setback almost two years ago. The British legend makes his triumphant return, facing off against Katsuki Kitano in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime card airs live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Ilia Topuria says he “already has a date” for UFC Spain
Susan Cox - May 15, 2024
Ilia Topuria is saying that he ‘already has a date’ for UFC Spain. The UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA) is claiming that he has a date for the promotion’s debut in Spain, where “El Matador” will make the first title defense.
Edson Barboza believes he's the "one guy" who deserves a BMF title fight against Max Holloway
Cole Shelton - May 15, 2024
Edson Barboza believes he deserves to fight Max Holloway for the BMF title his next time out. Barboza is set to headline UFC Vegas 92 on Saturday night against Lerone Murphy. It’s an intriguing matchup as Barboza looks to extend his win streak to three in a row. The Brazilian has turned back the clock as of late and if he wins on Saturday, he believes a fight against Holloway for the BMF belt makes a lot of sense.
Sean Strickland rips ‘weak f****** man’ Paulo Costa for not signing contract just weeks before UFC 302
Curtis Calhoun - May 15, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is furious amidst Paulo Costa’s alleged refusal to sign his contract for their UFC 302 co-main event bout. Strickland and Costa are scheduled for a five-round co-main event on June 1st in Newark, New Jersey. The winner of the UFC 302 co-headliner could potentially be next in line for a title shot.
Matt Brown reveals his favorite UFC memory after recent retirement announcement
Curtis Calhoun - May 15, 2024
UFC legend Matt Brown touted one of his closest losses as his all-time favorite memory of competing inside the Octagon. Brown announced his UFC retirement after a long, legendary run inside the cage. The 43-year-old knocked out Court McGee in what turned out to be his final UFC fight in May 2023.
VIDEO | Michel Pereira rescues trapped dogs in latest Brazil flood recovery efforts
Curtis Calhoun - May 15, 2024
UFC middleweight star Michel Pereira rescued several dogs from flooded homes in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Pereira earned another middleweight win by defeating Ihor Potieria by first-round knockout at UFC 301 earlier this month. The win secured him a spot in the UFC middleweight rankings and moved him one step closer to the title picture.
Demetrious Johnson still unsure if he'll fight again: "What else is there left to do?"
Josh Evanoff - May 15, 2024
ONE Championship flyweight titleholder Demetrious Johnson still isn’t sure if he’ll fight again. The legend known as ‘Mighty Mouse’ has been out of the cage for over a year. Demetrious Johnson last competed at ONE Fight Night 10 last May, in a trilogy bout with Adriano Moraes. There, the flyweight champion secured his second-straight victory over the Brazilian. This time, defeating ‘Mikinho’ by unanimous decision.
VIDEO | UFC star Merab Dvalishvili uninjured in serious car accident in New York
Curtis Calhoun - May 15, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili walked away unharmed after a serious car accident in New York. Dvalishvili was a passenger in a five-vehicle crash earlier this week in New York. Luckily, Dvalishvili was able to walk away from the scene unharmed after several cars were demolished in the accident.