MMA News
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.
Chael Sonnen explains why he puts Alexandre Pantoja in the same category as GSP or Khabib Nurmagomedov
Susan Cox - May 7, 2024
Chael Sonnen is explaining why he puts Alexandre Pantoja in the same category as GSP or Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was just this past weekend, at UFC 301, that the main event featured Alexandre Pantoja (28-5 MMA) vs Steve Erceg (12-2 MMA) in a flyweight title bout. It was to be Pantoja retaining his title with a unanimous decision victory over ‘Astro Boy’.
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.
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.
Matt Brown says UFC 300 snub helped conclude his retirement decision, won’t rule out fighting in BKFC: “It’s not out of the question”
Harry Kettle - May 7, 2024
Matt Brown has explained some of the reasons behind him opting to retire from mixed martial arts, as well as touching on the future. At the age of 43, it’s not an exaggeration to say Matt Brown is a legend in the MMA game. He’s a knockout machine, he’s fought some of the best in the business, and he never shies away from a challenge.
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.
Akbar Abdullaev KOs Halil Amir to bring home $50K bonus at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 6, 2024
Akbar Abdullaev emerged as the sole recipient of a $50,000 performance bonus at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video last Friday, May 3. While the event showcased a multitude of compelling matchups, it was Abdullaev’s standout showing against Halil Amir in the featherweight division that captured the attention of ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
Dustin Poirier compares and contrasts UFC 302 foe Islam Makhachev and former rival Khabib Nurmagomedov
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
Dustin Poirier sees distinct similarities and differences between former foe Khabib Nurmagomedov and UFC 302 adversary Islam Makhachev. Poirier will hope that the ‘third time’s the charm’ when he faces the lightweight titleholder Makhachev in the UFC 302 main event on June 1. He returns for his third career lineal lightweight title shot and is hoping to finally reach the pinnacle of the division.
Sean O'Malley 'sad' over Conor McGregor's recent social media jabs at him: "F*** Conor"
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley was caught off guard when Conor McGregor called him out in hostile fashion in a recent social media rant. O’Malley is fresh off a dominant title defense against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 earlier this year. He’s expected to face top contender Merab Dvalishvili for his next fight, potentially at UFC 306 in September at the Las Vegas Sphere.
WATCH | The Rock starts MMA training to prepare for starring role of 'The Smashing Machine'
Josh Evanoff - May 6, 2024
WWE superstar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is now preparing to play former UFC heavyweight Mark Kerr. ‘The Smashing Machine’ was one of the earliest documentaries about the dark side of MMA. The HBO-made documentary came out in 2002 and starred the aforementioned Mark Kerr. The former UFC heavyweight was once one of the biggest stars in the sport but ended his career dealing with addiction and mental issues.
Alexander Volkanovski open to fourth fight with Max Holloway for the BMF belt
Cole Shelton - May 6, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski would fight Max Holloway again as long as the BMF title is up for grabs. Volkanovski and Holloway have fought three times, and the Aussie has won on all three occasions by way of decision. The third fight was the most clear-cut as Volkanovski dominated Holloway over five rounds to defend his belt with ease.
Tom Aspinall sounds off on Jon Jones avoiding a fight against him: "The guy's playing games again"
Josh Evanoff - May 6, 2024
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is unsure that Jon Jones will ever fight him. The British heavyweight has been out of action since a first-round knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich in November. As many fans likely remember, that UFC 295 bout was a short-notice one for Tom Aspinall. After Jon Jones withdrew from his title defense against Stipe Miocic, he stepped up on two weeks’ notice to fight for interim gold.
Chael Sonnen blasts Charles Oliveira's 'list of demands' associated with Conor McGregor/Michael Chandler backup role
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
Chael Sonnen thinks Charles Oliveira might’ve blown his chances at being the backup fighter to Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 303. McGregor and Chandler will finally clash in the UFC 303 main event on June 29 in Las Vegas. The fight comes after months of speculation over whether or not the matchup would finally come to fruition.
Dustin Poirier responds to Islam Makhachev calling him an "easy fight" ahead of UFC 302
Cole Shelton - May 6, 2024
Dustin Poirier has responded to Islam Makhachev claiming he is an easy fight ahead of UFC 302. Makhchev is set to defend his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 302 against Poirier on June 1 in Newark, New Jersey. It’s an intriguing matchup, and heading into the fight, Makhachev has called Poirier an easy fight.
Benoît Saint-Denis calls surging lightweight his 'dream fight' and not Islam Makhachev
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Benoît Saint-Denis has a name in mind as his most desirable fight in the 155lb division, and it’s not Islam Makhachev. Saint-Denis is looking to get his next UFC fight booked to attempt to get back on track in the stacked lightweight division title picture. He suffered a knockout loss to Dustin Poirier in his last outing at UFC 299, snapping a five-fight winning streak.
Matt Brown announces his retirement from the UFC
Susan Cox - May 6, 2024
Veteran welterweight Matt Brown has announced his retirement from the UFC. Brown (24-19 MMA) last fought and defeated Court McGee (21-13 MMA) by KO in May of last year.