MMA News
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.
Anthony Smith responds to Alex Pereira's video of him falling asleep during his UFC 301 intro
Curtis Calhoun - May 8, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith has weighed in on Alex Pereira’s latest social media jab. Smith earned a statement win over previously undefeated Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. He got back in the win column after a knockout loss to Khalil Rountree in December.
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.
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.
Colby Covington reveals how much longer he has left in his fighting career
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2024
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington believes he still has a few years left in his fighting career. Covington is 36 and has been a pro fighter since 2012. Although he is getting close to the age of 40, Covington believes he still can fight at a high level for a couple more years, and wouldn’t be surprised to be fighting past the age of 40 like Daniel Cormier did.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Movsar Evloev claims Dana White was watching an NFL game that he bet on during his UFC 297 fight against Arnold Allen
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2024
Movsar Evloev says Dana White was watching an NFL game he bet on during UFC 297. Evloev was taking on Arnold Allen on the main card of UFC 297 in a crucial fight for the featherweight division. Evloev ended up winning the bout by unanimous decision to improve to 18-0 as a pro and 8-0 in the UFC.
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.