MMA News
Demetrious Johnson reveals he's targeting professional boxing debut, wants to face 'a legend of the sport'
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is the latest MMA legend to express profound interest in moving to boxing. Johnson has gone viral in recent months for his performances in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions. He submitted a 250-pound competitor at a recent tournament, shocking the likes of Joe Rogan and others.
Alex Perez booked for June 15th UFC return just days after UFC Vegas 91 main event KO
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Alex Perez is already set for his next fight just days after a vicious knockout victory. Perez will make a quick turnaround and face Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Vegas 93 on June 15th. MMA journalist Marcel Dorff was among the first to report the news of the Perez vs. Ulanbekov booking.
NSAC votes to withhold 20% of Arman Tsarukyan's UFC 300 purse after attacking fan during walkout
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has been fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for assaulting a fan during his walkout at UFC 300. The NSAC voted to withhold 20% of Tsarukyan’s UFC 300 purse, totaling $31,600, for hitting a fan during an altercation while walking to the Octagon. MMA Junkie‘s Nolan King was among the first to report the news of the vote.
Alexandre Pantoja defends UFC flyweights against Sean Strickland's harsh criticism of division: 'Shut your mouth and respect my job!'
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja feels Sean Strickland’s perception of the 125lb division is seriously off-kilter. Pantoja will defend the UFC flyweight title against Steve Erceg this Saturday in the UFC 301 main event. He returns after defeating Brandon Royval in his last title defense at UFC 296 in December.
Gilbert Burns calls for rematch against Kamaru Usman: "I was very emotional in that first fight"
Josh Evanoff - April 30, 2024
Gilbert Burns wants a rematch with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman next. ‘Durinho’ is fresh off a return to the cage last month in Miami at UFC 299. That bout ended a nearly yearlong hiatus for Gilbert Burns, as he faced the rising Jack Della Maddalena. The Brazilian had a lot of success in that bout but wound up suffering a third-round knockout loss to the Australian.
Charles Oliveira open to moving up to welterweight for a "big fight" after UFC 300 loss
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2024
CCharles Oliveira is open to moving up to welterweight for a big-money fight next time out. Oliveira is coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsrukyan at UFC 300, in a pivotal fight. Had Oliveira won, he would have been in line to get a rematch against Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. With the Brazilian losing, it’s unclear what is next for him at lightweight, which is why he’s open to a fight at 170lbs.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 163 with Drakkar Klose and Tristan Hamm
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2024
The 163rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 301 and Misfits 15. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose (1:00). Closing out the show is influencer and boxer Tristan Hamm (11:39).
Fight fans express disappointment over lackluster UFC 301 main card: “Besides Aldo, all prelims”
Harry Kettle - April 30, 2024
Mixed martial arts fans are disappointed to see the state of the upcoming UFC 301 card. This weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. The main event will see Alexandre Pantoja defend his UFC flyweight championship against Steve Erceg. While that’s an intriguing championship collision, eyebrows have been raised over the rest of the event’s lineup.
Tatiana Suarez eager for future title shot with Zhang Weili: “I think I could impose my will against her”
Harry Kettle - April 30, 2024
UFC prospect Tatiana Suarez has her eyes firmly set on a future strawweight title showdown against Zhang Weili. For so long now, Tatiana Suarez has been seen as a top contender in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She’s unbeaten, she’s dominant, and she has a relentless style. Alas, as a result of her many years away from mixed martial arts, she has yet to earn an opportunity at the crown.
Islam Makhachev says he will expose Dustin Poirier’s “one problem” at UFC 302: “I have the key for the easy fight”
Harry Kettle - April 30, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has revealed what he plans to expose about Dustin Poirier’s game at UFC 302. In just a few weeks, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC lightweight championship against Dustin Poirier. He’ll do so in the main event of UFC 302, with the popular opinion being that he will walk away with the victory.
Daniel Cormier shares what Justin Gaethje can learn from Dustin Poirier when plotting his post-UFC 300 comeback
Curtis Calhoun - April 29, 2024
Daniel Cormier feels Dustin Poirier’s recent knockout in his UFC comeback shows that Justin Gaethje isn’t out of the lightweight title mix. Gaethje’s first BMF title defense fell short at UFC 300 as he lost to Max Holloway by knockout. It was the first time in six years that Gaethje had lost by TKO/KO during his UFC tenure.
What's next for Alex Perez and Matheus Nicolau after UFC Vegas 91?
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 91, top-10 flyweights threw down as Alex Perez took on Matheus Nicolau. Perez entered the fight on short notice and coming off a decision loss to Muhammad Mokaev, which was his third-straight loss. Nicolau, meanwhile, was coming off a KO loss to Brandon Royval last April.
Bobby Green reveals main reasons for Paddy Pimblett callout at UFC 300: 'I'm jealous, in a way!'
Curtis Calhoun - April 29, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Bobby Green wants to be the first fighter in the promotion to steal Paddy Pimblett’s shine. Green earned an impressive win over UFC legend Jim Miller at UFC 300 earlier this month. He got back in the win column after a knockout loss to Jalin Turner in Austin in December.
Hu Yong promises fireworks against Reece McLaren at ONE Fight Night 22: “I don’t want to have a boring fight”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 29, 2024
Chinese knockout artist Hu Yong is planning to make quick work of Reece McLaren. “Wolf Warrior” tangles with McLaren at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video. The flyweight MMA clash goes down at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 3.
Jorge Masvidal reveals massive seven-figure payday for short notice Kamaru Usman fight: "I was very much satisfied"
Josh Evanoff - April 29, 2024
Jorge Masvidal was paid quite well to step up and fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 251 in 2020. That card was initially expected to be headlined by Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns in July. However, a week before the event, ‘Durinho’ tested positive for Covid-19, and was pulled from the Fight Island event. As a result, Jorge Masvidal got the call to step up on short notice fresh off his stoppage victory over Nate Diaz to win ‘BMF’ gold months prior.
Colby Covington downplays Ian Garry fight taking place at UFC 303: "He's not serious"
Josh Evanoff - April 29, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington doesn’t really want to fight Ian Garry next. ‘Chaos’ has been out of action since another shot at UFC gold in December. Facing reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards, Colby Covington was thoroughly dominated. After the former interim titleholder lost by unanimous decision, he revealed that he broke his foot early in the contest. Despite the injury, Covington promised to return by the summer.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson rules revealed, bout will be sanctioned as a professional boxing match
Josh Evanoff - April 29, 2024
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson will officially be a professional boxing match. Last month, it was announced that ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Iron Mike’ will meet in a boxing match. The two will compete live on Netflix on July 20th, in a fight going down from AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Jake Paul has also revealed that they’re expecting upwards of 96,000 fans in attendance for the fight this summer.
Daniel Cormier explains how Max Holloway's 'pride and honor' will decide his next UFC fight after winning the BMF belt
Curtis Calhoun - April 29, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier feels there’s momentous reasoning behind Max Holloway’s intended featherweight return after UFC 300. Holloway earned the BMF title by knocking out Justin Gaethje with one second left at UFC 300. After unanimously winning the fight on the judges’ scorecards, Holloway lured Gaethje into a last-second firefight that led to the ‘Knockout of the Year’ frontrunner.