MMA News
Chase Hooper expecting an "exciting fight" against Viacheslav Borshchev in grappler vs. striker matchup at UFC St. Louis
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2024
Chase Hooper knows he will have to get Viacheslav Borshchev to the ground if he is going to get his hand raised at UFC St. Louis. Hooper is set for his third fight at lightweight as he’s 2-0 and coming off a submission win over Jordan Leavitt back in November. After the win, he was hoping to get a quick turnaround, but that didn’t happen.
Derrick Lewis vows to do something "special" at UFC St. Louis against Rodrigo Nascimento: "This is my prime"
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2024
Derrick Lewis believes he’s just entering the prime of his career as he headlines UFC St. Louis on Saturday night against Rodrigo Nascimento. Lewis is coming off a lackluster decision loss to Jailton Almeida back in November. Although Lewis is 39 and 1-4 in his last five fights, ‘The Black Beast’ believes he’s just entering his prime.
WATCH | Sean O'Malley's coach pretends to be Aljamain Sterling's coach just moments before KO
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2024
Tim Welch, the coach of Sean O’Malley, pretended to be Aljamain Sterling’s coach during their UFC 292 title fight. A video has gone viral showing Welch pretending to be Sterling’s coach and telling him he “has to go” just moments prior to O’Malley scoring the finish. After his comments, Sterling went forward and O’Malley caught him with the punch that dropped him, and he proceeded to finish him off with strikes.
Report: Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape added to UFC 304 on July 27
Curtis Calhoun - May 8, 2024
A matchup between surging UFC flyweight contenders Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape has reportedly been added to UFC 304 in Manchester. Mokaev and Kape will square off at UFC 304 on July 27th. Home of Fight was the first to report the news of the Mokaev vs. Kape matchup, although the UFC has yet to confirm it, as of this writing.
Mike Perry turned down an offer to fight on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson undercard: "Another option to have more money"
Josh Evanoff - May 8, 2024
BKFC’s Mike Perry was offered the chance to face a former champion on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. ‘Platinum’ is fresh off his return to the bare-knuckle boxing ring against Thiago Alves earlier this month. In the main event of BKFC: KnuckleMania IV, Mike Perry scored a first-round knockout victory over the Brazilian. Just weeks removed from that victory, the former UFC welterweight is in talks for his next fight.
Former Olympian and WWE wrestler Gable Steveson reportedly begins training in MMA, also has multiple NFL offers
Josh Evanoff - May 8, 2024
Former Olympic gold medalist and WWE superstar Gable Steveson is working on his next career path. The 23-year-old is viewed as one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time. After winning Olympic gold in 2020, Gable Steveson seemingly decided to focus on his next career path. Despite interest from several MMA companies including the UFC, he instead signed with the WWE in 2021. In the process, following in the footsteps of the great Kurt Angle.
Chael Sonnen offers to fight Jorge Masvidal after Nate Diaz boxing match: "I will be juiced up and I will beat him anytime"
Josh Evanoff - May 8, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen is serious about fighting Jorge Masvidal in the future. ‘Gamebred’ is currently slated to return to combat sports this summer. Jorge Masvidal originally retired after a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns last April, but quickly showed interest in a return. Less than a year removed from that retirement, he’s now back. Masvidal is currently slated to face Nate Diaz in a rematch of sorts on July 6th, in a boxing match.
Dustin Poirier reacts to viral video of Islam Makhachev hitting a punching machine ahead of UFC 302 headliner
Curtis Calhoun - May 8, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier didn’t think much of Islam Makhachev’s punching power he showcased in a recent social media clip. Poirier and Makhachev will clash in the UFC 302 main event on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. This is Poirier’s third career lineal UFC lightweight title shot after losses to Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and former titleholder Charles Oliveira.
Steve Erceg gets a fresh callout from top flyweight after gritty performance at UFC 301
Curtis Calhoun - May 8, 2024
UFC 301 flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg already has a potential next fight lined up just days after falling short in Brazil. Erceg lost to UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja by unanimous decision at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro last Saturday. Despite going toe-to-toe with the titleholder, Ereceg fell short on the judges’ scorecards to snap an 11-fight winning streak.
Alexandre Pantoja reiterates desire for superfight against Demetrious Johnson
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has made it clear that he’s interested in a future showdown with Demetrious Johnson. At UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja just about managed to successfully defend his UFC flyweight championship. He saw off the challenge of Steve Erceg in what proved to be a really competitive encounter.
Mike Perry shows interest in crossover fight against Caleb Plant
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2024
BKFC sensation Mike Perry has revealed that he’s interested in a possible crossover fight against boxing star Caleb Plant. Since entering bare-knuckle boxing, Mike Perry has been unstoppable. He really seems to have found his groove and, in the process, has become one of the biggest combat sports stars outside of traditional boxing and mixed martial arts.
Dan Hardy predicts Conor McGregor will use broken leg as "bait" at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2024
MMA analyst Dan Hardy believes Conor McGregor will use his broken leg from three years ago as bait at UFC 303. Next month, fans will finally see the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor to the Octagon. He’s gearing up for a comeback that has been three years in the making as he prepares to battle Michael Chandler.
Wei Rui takes aim at Jonathan Haggerty’s kickboxing gold: "The next challenger"
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2024
Following his successful ONE Championship debut, Wei Rui feels that he has rightfully earned the opportunity to challenge Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Championship. His maiden appearance in the world’s largest martial arts organization left a lasting impression. At ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video last Friday, May 3, he faced none other than former divisional ruler and current #1-ranked contender Hiroki Akimoto.
Reece McLaren demands crack at Demetrious Johnson, rematch with Danny Kingad
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2024
Reece McLaren made a bold statement after getting his hand raised at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video last Friday, May 3. Following his hard-fought unanimous decision win over Hu Yong, “Lightning” feels that he has earned his right to challenge Demetrious Johnson for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship.
Diego Ferreira explains why Mateusz Rebecki is a "perfect match" for him at UFC St. Louis, wants Bobby Green with a win
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
Diego Ferreira will end his nearly year-long layoff at UFC St. Louis when he takes on Mateusz Rebecki. Ferreira hasn’t fought since May 20th of last year when he knocked out Michael Johnson. After the fight, Ferreira welcomed a baby girl into the world and also had to focus on his gym which kept him out of action.
Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing match moved to new fight date, avoids UFC 302 conflict
Curtis Calhoun - May 7, 2024
The upcoming boxing headliner between former UFC superstars Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will take place on a new date to avoid viewership conflict with UFC 302. Diaz vs. Masvidal will now take place on July 6 in Anaheim, CA, a departure from the original June 1 scheduling. News of the new Diaz vs. Masvidal date was first reported by BoxingScene.
Sean Strickland's coach shares prediction for Paulo Costa fight at UFC 302
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
Eric Nicksick, the head coach of Sean Strickland, expects his fighter to finish Paulo Costa at UFC 302. Strickland is set to fight Costa in the co-main event of the pay-per-view card on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. It’s a highly-anticipated bout, and heading into the fight, Strickland is a sizeable -200 favorite and Nicksick agrees as he expects his fighter to return to the win column with a stoppage win.
Dan Hardy gives raw, honest response to Dana White's latest PFL/Bellator jabs: 'We're not perfect!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 7, 2024
PFL analyst and former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy admits that PFL has a long way to go before being universally recognized as a sustainable MMA product. UFC president and CEO Dana White has used some of his recent media availability to mock PFL’s popularity and standing in MMA. After a successful night at UFC 300, White aimed at PFL/Bellator for a low attendance the night before the UFC’s historic pay-per-view event.