MMA News
Alexander Volkanovski proposes a unique route for Steve Erceg to win the UFC flyweight title at UFC 301
Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski detailed how Steve Erceg can drop jaws and secure the flyweight belt at UFC 301. Erceg will face UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in the UFC 301 main event on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. The No. 10 flyweight got the title shot despite a small sample size inside the UFC Octagon, capped off by a recent knockout of Matt Schnell.
WATCH | Alex Pereira outwrestles Daniel Cormier at UFC 301 media day
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024
It appears that UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has better wrestling than Daniel Cormier believed. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 300 last month. In the headliner of the historic event, Alex Pereria faced former champion Jamahal Hill. Ultimately, it took the Brazilian less than a round to knock out ‘Sweet Dreams’. However, Hill later stated that Herb Dean’s refereeing played a role in the defeat.
Jose Aldo turned down million-dollar payday to make return at UFC 301: "We had a lot of offers"
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024
Former featherweight champion Jose Aldo felt that he had to return to the UFC. ‘Junior’ famously retired from MMA after a unanimous decision defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022. For the next two years or so, Jose Aldo competed in the boxing ring. He compiled a 2-0-1 record and was in discussions for exhibitions with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Instead, the former champion will return to the UFC.
WATCH | Jose Aldo gets into Jonathan Martinez's face in intense faceoff ahead of UFC 301
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
Jose Aldo got into a heated faceoff with Jonathan Martinez ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 301 on Saturday. Aldo is set to face Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It marks his first MMA fight since August of 2022 when he lost a decision to Merab Dvalishvili. Since then, the UFC allowed Aldo to take boxing fights, as he had three of them, but he will fight out his contract on Saturday.
UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape sends a warning to Israel Adesanya: “I’m undefeated in the streets”
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is sending a warning to former middleweight title holder Israel Adesanya. Manel Kape (19-6 MMA) is sporting 4 victories in a row, his latest unanimous decision win coming against Felipe dos Santos (8-1 MMA) last September at UFC 293.
Alex Volkanovski tells Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion: “He’s saying no to everyone”
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
Alex Volkanovski is telling Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion. The undefeated Topuria is the current UFC featherweight champion.
Bianca Basilio promises to finish Nanami Ichikawa at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Bianca Basilio sees her next outing as a chance to redeem herself on the global stage. The Brazilian star competes in a 132-pound catchweight submission grappling match against Nanami Ichikawa at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, May 3.
Nico Carrillo to lock horns with Saemapetch at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Excitement is brewing as top-ranked contenders Nico Carrillo and Saemapetch Fairtex gear up to face each other in a thrilling bantamweight Muay Thai showdown. This happens at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. The event airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 5.
Halil Amir guarantees better version of himself at featherweight: “I’ll be faster and stronger”
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Halil Amir has one goal in mind this Friday, May 3 — to shake up ONE Championship’s featherweight MMA division. The Turkish fighter moves down a weight class to face Akbar Abdullaev at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event takes place at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Muhammad Mokaev calls “number one bullsh*t” on updated UFC flyweight rankings
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Muhammad Mokaev has called out the updated UFC flyweight rankings as Alex Perez jumps above him in the pecking order. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev is a rising force of nature in the UFC’s flyweight division. The youngster fully believes he has what it takes to become a world champion, and with an unbeaten 12-0 record, the future certainly looks bright. With that being said, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the air right now when it comes to the title picture.
Robert Whittaker explains why he hopes Jiri Prochazka doesn’t move down to middleweight: “Then we’re enemies”
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Robert Whittaker has explained why he doesn’t want to see Jiri Prochazka move down to middleweight. For the longest time now, Jiri Prochazka has been a big fan favorite in mixed martial arts. That’s been especially true since he joined the UFC, with his eccentric style winning over the masses.
Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria “has much say in this as he thinks he does” with potential Max Holloway title fight
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Daniel Cormier has questioned how much of a say Ilia Topuria has in his potential showdown with Max Holloway. Since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria has been enjoying life as one of the UFC’s biggest new stars. He’s a huge name in Spain, he’s the featherweight champion of the world, and he has plenty of fighters calling him out.
Demetrious Johnson “honored” to earn BJJ black belt
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Demetrious Johnson has once again proven why he is regarded as one of the most accomplished mixed martial artists in history. The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion and former UFC kingpin achieved a significant milestone recently. He received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Bibiano Fernandes and Yan McCane.
Drakkar Klose claims Joaquim Silva is the "easiest fight," vows to KO him at UFC 301
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2024
Drakkar Klose called for the easiest fight in the lightweight division after his last win and he says he got his wish. After Klose scored a slam KO over Joe Solecki in December, he said he didn’t care who was next, as he just wanted the easiest guy for the most amount of money. Klose ended up getting the call to face Joaquim Silva at UFC 301 in Brazil, which is exciting for the American to go into enemy territory.
Gegard Mousasi claims Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys: “They lose money all the time”
Susan Cox - April 30, 2024
Gegard Mousasi is claiming that Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys. The PFL (Professional Fighters League) acquired Bellator in November of last year in an attempt to make a stronger competitor to the UFC.
Tom Aspinall vents frustration with “absolutely terrible” UFC 304 start time
Susan Cox - April 30, 2024
Tom Aspinall is venting his frustration with what he calls an ‘absolutely terrible’ UFC 304 start time. UFC 304 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 27th at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Alexandre Pantoja details the time he "smashed" Sean O'Malley in sparring
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja claims he smashed Sean O’Malley when they sparred years ago. Pantoja and O’Malley have spoken about their sparring in the past, as both have different versions of what happened. However, ahead of his flyweight title defense at UFC 301, Pantoja says he smashed O’Malley in sparring, and it was so bad ‘Suga’ wouldn’t send the Brazilian the sparring footage.
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.