MMA News

Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov
UFC

Cory Sandhagen vs Umar Nurmagomedov set for UFC Abu Dhabi main event

Harry Kettle - May 6, 2024

Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov are set to square off in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, the promotion has announced. For the longest time now, fight fans have been waiting for this fight to happen. It’s been close to taking place several times in the past, but for one reason or another, it hasn’t come to fruition. Now, it seems as if we’re finally going to get Cory Sandhagen locking horns with Umar Nurmagomedov.

Sean O'Malley Merab Dvalishvili UFC 299 backstage
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley denies Merab Dvalishvili's claim of UFC 306 title fight at Sphere

Harry Kettle - May 6, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has denied that a title fight against Merab Dvalishvili is set for UFC 306. For the longest time now, it’s seemed as if Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili is inevitable. Both men have made it clear that they want the fight to happen, and it’s just a case of seeing when the promotion will get it booked.

Steve Erceg
Steve Erceg

Steve Erceg explains why he went for a takedown in the fifth round of UFC 301 main event

Harry Kettle - May 6, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Steve Erceg has explained why he went for a takedown in the fifth round of his title bout with Alexandre Pantoja. Last Saturday night, Steve Erceg challenged Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight championship. In what proved to be a real back and forth contest, both men put everything they had on the line in the name of being called champion.

Andrew Schulz and Dana White
UFC

Comedian Andrew Schulz roasts UFC president Dana White over fighter pay

Harry Kettle - May 6, 2024

Comedian Andrew Schulz joked about fighter pay with UFC president Dana White in attendance for the Roast of Tom Brady last night. If there’s one topic we know Dana White isn’t a big fan of, it’s fighter pay. For years now, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been accused of underpaying its fighters. That’s even the case when it comes to the likes of Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou, with many believing they should have earned more throughout their UFC careers.

Eduard Folayang Amir Khan
ONE Championship

Eduard Folayang wants "chance to compete" at stacked ONE 168

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 5, 2024

Eduard Folayang is convinced that an invitation for Filipino fighters to compete at ONE 168: Denver would be a game-changer. The former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion is not just thinking about himself. In fact, he’s envisioning a massive opportunity for his compatriots to perform at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on September 6.

Ian Machado Garry and Colby Covington
Ian Garry

Ian Machado Garry makes a vow for possible UFC showdown with Colby Covington: "I will rag doll him"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2024

Ian Machado Garry hasn’t let up on his harsh words for Colby Covington amid their online feud. Garry has been climbing up the UFC welterweight rankings, while Covington hopes to avoid sliding down the 170-pound ladder. “The Future” and “Chaos” have hurled barbs at one another with Covington calling Garry a “translucent cuck” in a video posted on his X account. When asked about a potential showdown with Garry, Covington told “TwinsPod” that he doesn’t feel Ian is serious about fighting him.

Alexandre Pantoja
UFC

Alexandre Pantoja thinks Steve Erceg fight was huge moment for UFC flyweights: "I’ve always said this division is entirely tough"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2024

Alexandre Pantoja believes his fight with Steve Erceg proved how deep the UFC flyweight division is. Pantoja and Erceg shared the Octagon inside Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil this past Saturday night. The title fight headlined UFC 301, and it ended with Pantoja successfully retaining his gold via unanimous decision. Make no mistake, however, this was a close encounter and the champion was forced to seal the deal in the final round with his grappling.

Alexandre Pantoja defeats Steve Erceg at UFC 301
Steve Erceg

Robert Whittaker disagrees with fans saying Steve Erceg was robbed at UFC 301: "I thought Pantoja did enough to win"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2024

Robert Whittaker may have wanted Steve Erceg to win UFC gold, but he doesn’t agree with the notion that he was robbed against Alexandre Pantoja. Erceg sent a clear message despite the defeat in the main event of UFC 301. Going into his UFC Flyweight Championship bout against Pantoja, Erceg was the number 10-ranked 125-pounder in the UFC. After Saturday night, he figures to get a nice boost since he came close to defeating the champion. In the end, Pantoja came through when it mattered the most, gaining control of the challenger in the final frame to seal a unanimous decision win.

Steve Erceg lands punch on Alexandre Pantoja UFC 301
UFC

Steve Erceg reacts to UFC 301 loss against Alexandre Pantoja: "I Just Blew It"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2024

Steve Erceg reacted shortly after falling short in his first UFC title fight against Alexandre Pantoja. The two flyweights shared the Octagon in the main event of UFC 301. Pantoja’s gold was at stake. Erceg opened up a lot of eyes despite dropping a unanimous decision against the UFC Flyweight Champion. Some have even argued that Erceg won the fight, but the challenger seemed to know that it was down to the final round and he couldn’t seal the deal.

Michel Pereira, UFC 301, Bonus, UFC
UFC 301

UFC 301 Bonus Report: Michel Pereira one of four fighters to take home $50k

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

The Octagon returned to Rio de Janeiro for tonight’s UFC 301 event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg. The highly anticipated men’s flyweight title fight resulted in a thrilling five-round war. Alexandre Pantoja got off to a hot start in round one, but the second round proved to be highly competitive. Round three appeared to be in favor of the Brazilian, but the Aussie stormed back to easily take-home round four. It was the fifth and final round the Pantoja was able to dig deep and seemingly come out ahead on all three of the judges’ scorecards thanks to a late takedown and ground & pound.

Alexandre Pantoja
Steve Erceg

Pros react after Alexandre Pantoja defeats Steve Erceg at UFC 301

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

Tonight’s UFC 301 event was headlined by a men’s flyweight title fight featuring Alexandre Pantoja taking on Steve Erceg. Pantoja (28-5 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring his first career title defense with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval at UFC 296 this past December. ‘The Cannibal’ had of course captured the men’s flyweight title in July of 2023 when he defeated Brandon Royval by way of split decision.

Alexandre Pantoja, Steve Erceg, UFC 301, UFC, Results
Steve Erceg

UFC 301 Results: Alexandre Pantoja defeats Steve Erceg (Highlights)

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 301 results, including the men’s flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Steve Erceg. Pantoja (27-5 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring his first career title defense with a unanimous decision win over Brandon Royval at UFC 296 this past December. ‘The Cannibal’ captured the men’s flyweight title in July of 2023 when he defeated Brandon Royval by way of split decision.

Jose Aldo
Jose Aldo

UFC 301 Results: Jose Aldo defeats Jonathan Martinez (Highlights)

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 301 results, including the co-main event between Jose Aldo and Jonathan Martinez. Aldo (32-8 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August of 2022. Prior to that setback, ‘The King of Rio’ had strung together three straight wins, including victories over Marlon Vera and Rob Font.

Anthony Smith
UFC

UFC 301 Results: Anthony Smith stops Vitor Petrino in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 301 results, including the light heavyweight bout between Vitor Petrino and Anthony Smith. Petrino (11-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro this past March. The Brazilian standout has gone a perfect 4-0 inside of the Octagon since making his promotional debut in March of 2023.

Michel Pereira
Michel Pereira

UFC 301 Results: Michel Pereira stops Ihor Potieria in Round 1 (Video)

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 301 results, including the middleweight bout between Michel Pereira and Ihor Potieria. Pereira (31-11 MMA) will enter the contest on a seven-fight winning streak, his most recent being a first-round submission victory over Michal Oleksiejczuk at UFC 299 this past March. ‘Demolidor’ has earned ‘POTN’ bonuses in each of his last three Octagon appearances and will be looking to continue his success this evening in Rio.

Caio Borralho, UFC 301, Results, UFC, Paul Craig
Paul Craig

UFC 301 Results: Caio Borralho KO's Paul Craig (Video)

Chris Taylor - May 4, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 301 results, including the middleweight bout between Caio Borralho and Paul Craig. Borralho (16-1 MMA) will enter tonight’s contest on a fourteen-fight win streak, his most recent being a unanimous decision victory over Abus Magomedov this past November. ‘The Natural’ has gone 5-0 inside of the Octagon since making his promotional debut in April of 2022.

Ben Askren, Paige VanZant
Paige VanZant

Ben Askren responds to Paige VanZant jabbing him as 'Not a fighter' despite several world titles

Curtis Calhoun - May 3, 2024

Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren hit back at Paige VanZant’s claims that he’s not an athlete worth recognition as a fighter. VanZant is scheduled to face OnlyFans model Elle Brooke for the Misfits Boxing women’s middleweight title on May 25th. She returns to combat sports for the first time since a loss to Rachael Ostovich at Bare Knuckle FC 19.

Ryan Garcia, Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor

Ryan Garcia responds to Conor McGregor's fiery criticism of PED use: 'You ran from being tested!'

Curtis Calhoun - May 3, 2024

Boxing star Ryan Garcia didn’t take long to address Conor McGregor’s scathing tweet about Garcia’s use of a performance-enhancing drug. Garcia tested positive for Ostarine, a performance enhancer, on three different occasions leading up to his victory over Devin Haney last month. He defeated Haney by majority decision to hand the WBC super lightweight champion his first career defeat.