MMA News
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.
Paige VanZant offers update on BKFC deal after signing contract with Misfits Boxing: "I'm here to stay"
Josh Evanoff - April 30, 2024
While Paige VanZant has a new multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing, she’s not done fighting in BKFC either. ’12 Gauge’ has had a strange career since leaving the UFC in mid-2020. Paige VanZant’s deal expired after a submission loss to Amanda Ribas, and she quickly showed interest in signing with Bellator, or other MMA companies. Instead, she shocked MMA fans by signing with David Feldman’s BKFC.
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.
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.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts to Jon Jones allegedly threatening a drug tester: “He literally is always in trouble”
Harry Kettle - April 30, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has given his thoughts on Jon Jones’ latest controversy. As many fans know, Jon Jones is quite a controversial figure in mixed martial arts. As it turns out, he’s also widely considered to be the greatest of all time. One way or another, if you’re a fan of MMA, you’ve heard of Jon Jones.
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.
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.
Former UFC broadcaster Jimmy Smith shreds Ronda Rousey after MMA media comments: 'Everybody behind the scenes couldn't stand her a**'
Curtis Calhoun - April 29, 2024
Former UFC television analyst Jimmy Smith didn’t hold back in critiquing Ronda Rousey’s recent remarks about her relationship with the media. Rousey has found herself in the headlines in recent weeks after the release of her memoir Our Fight in bookstores worldwide. The book covers her burst onto the MMA scene, her Olympic judo run, and her admitted history of concussions.
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.
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.
Dominick Cruz reveals the two names he's targeting for his 2024 comeback: "I know I can do well"
Josh Evanoff - April 29, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz wants to avenge a few losses. ‘The Dominator’ is in a weird stage of his career. While the former UFC bantamweight titleholder hasn’t retired from fighting, he’s also been quiet on a return for quite a while. Dominick Cruz last competed in August 2022, facing Marlon Vera. Despite some early success against ‘Chito’, the former champion wound up being knocked out in the fourth round.
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.
Charly Arnolt on becoming UFC's first female Octagon announcer at UFC Vegas 91: 'I was scared!'
Curtis Calhoun - April 29, 2024
Charly Arnolt became the UFC’s first female Octagon announcer by stepping in for Joe Martinez mid-event at UFC Vegas 91. It wasn’t an easy ask by the UFC on ESPN producers, and Arnolt initially declined the opportunity to make UFC history.
Francis Ngannou shares a heartfelt message after his 18-month-old son passes away: "Why is life so unfair?"
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou posted a heartfelt message on social media following the death of his 18-month-old son. On Monday, it was revealed by Cameroonian outlet 237online, that Ngannou’s son passed away at just 18 months old. The cause of death is unknown, but Ngannou’s manager Marquel Martin took to social media to confirm the news.