MMA News
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.
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.
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.
Demetrious Johnson criticizes UFC's decision to make Alexandre Pantoja/Steve Erceg the UFC 301 headliner: 'It's very frustrating!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson feels the promotion shouldn’t continue to book flyweight pay-per-view main events after UFC 301. UFC flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja outpointed Steve Erceg in an instant classic at UFC 301. Pantoja capped off his first-career UFC pay-per-view headliner with a gritty performance to retain the flyweight belt.
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.
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.
Daniel Cormier credits 'smart' Jon Jones after Alex Pereira fight pitch: "I would've done what Jon is doing!"
Curtis Calhoun - May 6, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier gave his former adversary, Jon Jones props on his latest callout of UFC light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira. Jones is expected to defend the UFC heavyweight title later this year, most likely against Stipe Miocic. The two heavyweights were scheduled to clash at UFC 295 in November before Jones withdrew due to injury.