MMA News
Chael Sonnen shares 'big risk' associated with possible Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane clash at UFC 304
Curtis Calhoun - April 25, 2024
Chael Sonnen feels that a Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane matchup at UFC 304 could be potentially disastrous for the matchmakers. Aspinall is expected to return to defend the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC 304 in July. As of this writing, his intended return hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected to be shared in the coming weeks.
José Aldo expects 'great things' from former UFC rival Conor McGregor's return at UFC 303
Curtis Calhoun - April 25, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer José Aldo is a loyal ally of Conor McGregor almost a full decade after their intense rivalry inside the Octagon. Aldo will make his UFC return at UFC 301 next weekend in Rio de Janeiro. He’ll return to the bantamweight division to face Jonathan Martinez in the UFC 301 co-main event.
Michael Bisping calls for Karate Combat trilogy bout against Luke Rockhold: "I would love to!"
Josh Evanoff - April 25, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping is down to fight Luke Rockhold one final time. ‘The Count’ had many, many rivals in his historic career. However, there were few bigger and more important to his career than Luke Rockhold. In November 2014, Michael Bisping faced the future UFC middleweight champion in Australia. In their first meeting, Rockhold largely dominated, scoring a second-round submission win.
Cain Velasquez attempted murder trial date slated for September 9th
Josh Evanoff - April 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is set to go to trial later this year. The former heavyweight hasn’t competed in the cage since a first-round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in 2019. After that defeat, Cain Velasquez retired from MMA but has remained active in the world of professional wrestling. That was until early 2022 when the former UFC champion was arrested for attempted murder.
Jared Cannonier vs. Nassourdine Imavov set to headline UFC Louisville
Cole Shelton - April 25, 2024
A battle of ranked middleweights is set to headline UFC Louisville, as Jared Cannonier will take on Nassourdine Imavov. According to MMA reporter Alex Behunin, Cannonier is set to face Imavov in the main event of UFC Louisville, which is set for June 8 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jose Aldo campaigns to get on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson after UFC 301
Cole Shelton - April 25, 2024
Jose Aldo is hoping to make his return to boxing this summer and wants to be on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson event on July 20. Aldo is set to return to the UFC next weekend at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil against Jonathan Martinez. It’s his first fight in MMA in nearly two years, as he has had three boxing matches since then.
Petr Yan and Marlon Vera ramp up social media bickering ahead of potential UFC booking: "Everything has its time!"
Curtis Calhoun - April 25, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan and Marlon Vera could potentially be on a collision course in a pivotal showdown for the division. Yan and Vera both fought at UFC 299 last month, with Yan earning a win over Song Yadong and Vera falling short to Sean O’Malley. Both bantamweights are looking to stay in the bantamweight title mix and earn potential runbacks with O’Malley.
UFC champion Sean O’Malley explains delay in Merab Dvalishvili title fight booking: “I'm not fighting out of the country”
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has explained why there has been a delay in booking his title fight against Merab Dvalishvili. For a while now, fans have been expecting Sean O’Malley’s next fight to come against Merab Dvalishvili. Both men have had big performances in recent years, and it seems as if they’re the top two bantamweight on the planet right now.
Welterweight veteran Tim Means calls for $300k bonuses to stick following UFC 300: “It can’t go back”
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2024
UFC veteran Tim Means believes the promotion should keep the $300,000 bonuses that were issued at UFC 300. As part of their landmark 300th pay-per-view event, the Ultimate Fighting Championship issues $300,000 bonuses to fighters who either received Performance of the Night or Fight of the Night honors. As you can imagine, they received a great deal of praise for that.
Donald Cerrone “rushed into surgery” following bull riding accident, Dana White reacts
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2024
Donald Cerrone was rushed into surgery earlier this week after suffering a nasty injury in a bull riding accident. While he may no longer compete in mixed martial arts, Donald Cerrone is still a fascinating guy to follow. He’s enjoying life after retirement, and that’s included him taking up some interesting hobbies.
Austen Lane guarantees violence against Jhonata Diniz at UFC Vegas 91: "I will turn it loose"
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2024
Austen Lane wasn’t surprised when he got offered to fight Jhonata Diniz at UFC Vegas 91. Lane is coming off a knockout loss to Justin Tafa back in September at UFC 293, this after their no-contest result. Following the loss, Lane wanted to return much sooner as he wanted to be as active as possible.
Mikey Musumeci to challenge Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 24, 2024
Two of the very best grapplers on the planet will collide on home soil at ONE 168: Denver. Flyweight submission grappling king Mikey Musumeci moves up three divisions to challenge ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo. The American BJJ black belts will meet in the Ball Arena in Denver, United States, on September 6.
Joaquin Buckley booked for UFC St. Louis co-main event against streaking welterweight contender
Curtis Calhoun - April 24, 2024
UFC president Dana White has granted welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley’s wish to compete in his hometown next month. White announced on Wednesday that Buckley will face 6’5″ welterweight Nursulton Ruziboev in the UFC St. Louis co-main event on May 11th. At the UFC 300 pre-fight press conference, Buckley hijacked the microphone to implore White to give him a main event slot in St. Louis.
K-1 World Champion Masaaki Noiri joins ONE Championship: "I’ve been waiting for this moment"
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 24, 2024
ONE Championship has added another of the world’s top kickboxers to its ranks. Japanese superstar Masaaki Noiri announced that he joined the ONE roster this week, where he will compete in the talent-rich featherweight kickboxing division.
Mike Malott's UFC return booked for July 13th against Gilbert Urbina
Curtis Calhoun - April 24, 2024
UFC welterweight prospect Mike Malott will look to avenge his first career loss against a former The Ultimate Fighter finalist. According to reports, Malott will face TUF 29 standout Gilbert Urbina on July 13th at a to-be-announced location and venue. News of the Malott vs. Urbina fight was first reported by Sportsnet.
Anthony Smith eyes future fight with Alex Pereira: "I would step in the fire with him"
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2024
Anthony Smith is hopeful to secure a future fight with Alex Pereira. Smith and Pereira have taken shots at each other in the past, and now that the Brazilian is the light heavyweight champion, ‘Lionheart’ is hopeful he can face him down the line. Smith believes it would be a fan-friendly fight as he says he would step in the fire with the Brazilian.
Alex Pereira sends a message of support to Charles Oliveira after UFC 300: "Sometimes we lose"
Josh Evanoff - April 24, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has sent a message of support to Charles Oliveira. It was a very different night for the two Brazilians at UFC 300 earlier this month. Both men fought on the main card of the historic event, with Alex Pereira headlining it. ‘Poatan’ faced former champion Jamahal Hill in the main event, while Charles Oliveira met Arman Tsarukyan on the main card in a title eliminator.
PHOTO | Jon Jones returns to training for the first time since suffering torn pec
Josh Evanoff - April 24, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is now back in training for his return to the cage. ‘Bones’ has been out of action since a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 last year. That win snapped a three-year hiatus for the former light-heavyweight and also saw him earn heavyweight gold. Jon Jones famously won the title that Francis Ngannou left vacant upon his exit from the company last year.