MMA News
Islam Makhachev promises "something special" against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302
Harry Kettle - May 8, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has promised something special against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. In just a few weeks, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier. In the eyes of many, this serves as Poirier’s last chance to finally claim undisputed gold in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As you can imagine, the intensity is high – but Makhachev doesn’t appear to be feeling the pressure.
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.
Colby Covington denies he's been offered Ian Machado Garry fight, responds to social media taunts
Curtis Calhoun - May 7, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington called Ian Machado Garry’s bluff amidst rumors of an offered fight. Garry called out Covington following his most recent win at UFC 298 against Geoff Neal. He defeated Neal by unanimous decision to remain unbeaten in his young promotional tenure.
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.
Sean O'Malley believes Conor McGregor is jealous of his success: "There's no other reason for him to talk about me"
Josh Evanoff - May 7, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has an idea why Conor McGregor is so mad at him. Over the last week or so, a rivalry between ‘Sugar’ and ‘The Notorious’ has begun brewing. After Ryan Garcia failed two drug tests for two different substances, Conor McGregor unleashed in a lengthy post on social media. In the post, the Irishman also took aim at Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ famously failed two drug tests for ostarine in the past, the same substance Garcia failed for.
Daniel Cormier opens up on UFC 301 media day wrestling match with Alex Pereira: "You always put the active guy over"
Josh Evanoff - May 7, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier wants to clarify a few things about his brief scuffle with Alex Pereira. While ‘Poatan’ didn’t compete at UFC 301 over the weekend, he was in attendance. Alex Pereira originally hoped to compete in the event, but a few broken toes stopped those plans. However, the light-heavyweight champion was in good enough shape to have a brief wrestling match with Daniel Cormier. The commentator has famously taken aim at the Brazilian’s grappling in the past.
Jon Jones reveals that he's verbally agreed to UFC return against Stipe Miocic: "I have a date"
Josh Evanoff - May 7, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has verbally agreed to face Stipe Miocic later this year. ‘Bones’ hasn’t competed since a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane last March. That win at UFC 285 crowned Jon Jones as the new heavyweight champion, winning the title Francis Ngannou vacated in January. Following the win, the newly crowned titleholder signed a deal to face Stipe Miocic in November.
Cory Sandhagen points to Umar Nurmagomedov's vulnerability he plans to exploit in upcoming UFC Abu Dhabi headliner
Curtis Calhoun - May 7, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen plans to take Umar Nurmagomedov into deep waters in their upcoming five-round clash. Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov headline UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3rd. The two bantamweights will battle in a No. 1 contender bout to face the winner of the expected fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
BKFC's Heather Hardy reveals her fighting career is likely over due to "too much brain damage"
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
Heather Hardy has revealed her fighting career is likely over after she sustained too much brain damage. Hardy was set to face Christine Ferea on May 11 at BKFC 61 in the main event spot, but on social media she revealed her fight now is off. Hardy has competed in boxing, being a world champion, and in MMA, and was set to make her BKFC debut. However, she posted a lengthy message on Instagram that her fighting career is likely over due to sustaining too much brain damage.
Video | Dricus Du Plessis revealed as ‘Wildebeest’ on The Masked Singer South Africa
Susan Cox - May 7, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis was revealed to be the ‘Wildebeest’ on The Masked Singer South Africa. It’s true, the current UFC middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis, competed as ‘Wildebeest’ on Season 2 (Episode 5) of The Masked Singer South Africa.
What's next for the stars of UFC 301?
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
The UFC was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for UFC 301 with the flyweight title fight headlining the event. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja was looking to defend his title for the second time as he took on Steve Erceg who had an incredible rise to the title as this was just his fourth UFC fight. Jose Aldo, meanwhile, was making his return to the UFC to face Jonathan Martinez.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 164 with Diego Ferreira, Chase Hooper, and Terrance McKinney
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
The 164th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC St. Louis. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Diego Ferreira (1:34). Next, UFC lightweight Chase Hooper (12:18) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (23:33).
Michel Pereira has no plans of changing his style after controversial backflip strike at UFC 301: “I'm the risk-taker”
Harry Kettle - May 7, 2024
Michel Pereira has no plans on changing his style following his controversial win over Ihor Potieria at UFC 301. Last weekend, Michel Pereira made it eight wins in a row inside the Octagon. He did so with a nasty submission win over Ihor Potieria that came less than a minute into the fight. However, it wasn’t without controversy.
Bellator champion Patchy Mix says he “would sleep” UFC’s Sean O’Malley: “I’m one round removed from being 31 in a row”
Harry Kettle - May 7, 2024
Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix has explained why he believes he’s a better fighter than Sean O’Malley. For the longest time now, Patchy Mix has been making a name for himself as one of the best bantamweights on the planet. Last year, he submitted Sergio Pettis to become Bellator’s undisputed king at 135 pounds.
Korean smasher Kang Ji Won faces Kirill Grishenko at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 7, 2024
A heavyweight MMA matchup between Kang Ji Won and Kirill Grishenko has been added to ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. The pair lock horns live in U.S. primetime from the fabled Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 5.