MMA News
Teen MMA prospect Adrian Lee to make pro debut at ONE 167 in June
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 22, 2024
Adrian Lee’s highly anticipated debut in the professional ranks finally has a date. The Singaporean-American phenom steps inside the Circle on June 7 to face Antonio Mammarella in a lightweight MMA clash at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Cédric Doumbé set to make Bellator Champions Series debut on May 17th
Curtis Calhoun - April 22, 2024
PFL superstar Cédric Doumbé will look to bounce back from his first professional MMA loss when he returns on May 17th in Paris. Doumbé will make his Bellator Champions Series debut when he faces Derek Anderson in a welterweight matchup. The PFL announced the news of Doumbé’s MMA return in a Monday press release.
Paul Hughes reveals UFC didn't make "meaningful offer" before PFL signing
Curtis Calhoun - April 22, 2024
Former Cage Warriors star Paul Hughes took mere seconds to decide between the PFL and UFC in his recent free agency. Hughes signed with the PFL last weekend, over the UFC and other promotions, for his next MMA chapter. The former Cage Warriors interim featherweight champion is expected to enter the 2025 PFL regular season and compete in non-tournament bouts for the rest of 2024.
UFC Apex set to host WWE event as TKO partnership strengthens
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2024
The TKO partnership between the WWE and UFC has been a strong one, and now the WWE will host an event at the UFC Apex. The WWE announced that their NXT Battleground event will take place on Saturday, June 9 at the UFC Apex. It marks the first time the WWE will host an event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Daniel Cormier sounds off on fan taunting Jordan Burroughs after Olympic trials loss: “It’s mind boggling”
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on a fan taunting Jordan Burroughs following his Olympic trials defeat. As many of us know, Jordan Burroughs is an American wrestling legend. In addition to his many World Championship titles, he also won an Olympic gold medal at London 2012. He’s an absolute stud, and he’s done a great deal for the sport of amateur wrestling.
Movsar Evloev responds to Aljamain Sterling following comments of a potential fight: “Brave for you to talk about me”
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024
Movsar Evloev has given his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling requesting a featherweight showdown against him. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling made a winning start to life at featherweight. He defeated Calvin Kattar, and he did so convincingly. Now, the attention has turned to the future and what could be next for the former bantamweight king.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson announce he’s started his MMA training camp for ‘Smashing Machine’ movie
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2024
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has announced that he has begun his mixed martial arts training camp ahead of his Smashing Machine movie. This year, The Rock has focused a lot of his attention on his professional wrestling return. Now, following WrestleMania XL, he’s preparing for his next move. He’s set to play Mark Kerr later this year in a movie titled Smashing Machine, chronicling his journey in the world of mixed martial arts.
Reece McLaren guarantees upgraded form in return to ONE Championship: “I’ve gone to another level”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 21, 2024
Reece McLaren is on a mission to rejuvenate his MMA career. “Lightning” gets the chance to do so when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event takes place live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Jorge Masvidal's coach thinks lightning strikes twice in boxing match against Nate Diaz: "I think Jorge has Nate Diaz’s number"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 21, 2024
Jorge Masvidal’s coach believes his fighter simply has Nate Diaz’s number. Masivdal and Diaz are set to collide for the second time, but this go-around the two will share a boxing ring. Masvidal vs. Diaz 2 will take place on June 1 and it’ll be held inside the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
Gegard Mousasi's manager explains current situation with PFL: "It surely doesn’t feel like a priority for them at Gegard’s detriment"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 21, 2024
Gegard Mousasi’s manager doesn’t feel the PFL is making an honest effort to welcome his fighter to the promotion. Mousasi recently told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn that attempts from his manager, Nima Safapour, to reach out to PFL have gone unanswered. Mousasi is a member of the Bellator roster and that remains the case after PFL purchased the promotion.
VIDEO | Nate Diaz walks out of final tour stop with Jorge Masvidal: "Square off with yourself mother f**ker"
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Nate Diaz is done promoting his upcoming boxing bout with Jorge Masvidal, as he walked out of their final tour stop on Friday night. Diaz (21-13 MMA, 0-1 Boxing) and Masvidal (35-17 MMA) have been on a cross-country tour promoting their upcoming rematch, a boxing bout, which will take place on June 1st at The Forum in Los Angeles.
Justin Gaethje reflects on decision to take "huge risk" against Max Holloway at UFC 300: "I have no regrets"
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Justin Gaethje knew he was taking a “huge risk” when he signed on to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. Gaethje (25-5 MMA) was coming off a second-round knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in July of last year at UFC 291 to claim the promotion‘s vacant BMF title. In addition to taking home the ‘Baddest Mother F**ker’ belt, ‘The Highlight’ had seemingly cemented himself as the top contender to challenge reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Jamahal Hill makes first public remarks on referee Herb Dean's non-stoppage at UFC 300
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has made his first public remarks regarding referee Herb Dean’s non-stoppage at UFC 300. Hill (12-2 MMA) was returning to action for the first since January 2023 in the headliner of last weekend’s UFC 300 event, where he was looking to reclaim the light heavyweight title, which he never lost, against reigning division champion Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA). ‘Sweet Dreams’ had of course captured the promotion’s vacant light heavyweight championship by defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 but was later forced to vacate the belt after tearing his Achilles tendon.
VIDEO | Luke Rockhold KO's Joe Schilling at Karate Combat
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold scored a knockout victory over Joe Schilling at today’s Karate Combat event. Karate Combat 45 took place earlier this evening in Dubai and was headlined by an intriguing matchup between Rockhold and Schilling.
VIDEO: Dana White takes on 'MMA experts' over pre-UFC 300 disappointment and critiques
Curtis Calhoun - April 20, 2024
UFC president Dana White didn’t let some of his biggest critics go unaddressed after a successful night of business at UFC 300. UFC 300 was arguably one of the greatest cards in promotional history. The stacked event from top-to-bottom featured a slew of current and former UFC champions from the first fight of the night, to the headliner.
Jamahal Hill set to return against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Jamahal Hill will be making a quick turnaround as he has been booked to fight Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303 on June 29. Hill (12-2 MMA) is of course coming off a first-round KO loss to Alex Pereira in his bid to reclaim the promotion‘s light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 300 (see that here). That setback had marked Jamahal’s first fight since January of 2023, where he defeated Glover Teixeira to claim the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283. Jamahal Hill had earned that title opportunity after scoring three consecutive knockouts over Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Sergio Pettis 2 announced for RIZIN 47 in June
Josh Evanoff - April 19, 2024
Kyoji Horiguchi will get the chance to avenge a loss to Sergio Pettis later this summer in RIZIN. ‘The Typhoon’ is fresh off a rematch with Makoto Takahashi at RIZIN 45 in December. That fight was his second in a row with the Japanese fighter, previously fighting to a no-contest in July that ended in an eye poke. In the second bout, Kyoji Horiguchi wasted no time, securing a second-round submission victory.
'Not Logan Paul' sues Nate Diaz over 2023 New Orleans street fight
Josh Evanoff - April 19, 2024
The man known online as ‘Not Logan Paul’ is suing Nate Diaz over a street fight that took place last April. The Stockton native is currently preparing for his return to the boxing ring in June against Jorge Masvidal. That fight will be Nate Diaz’s second since leaving the UFC in September 2022. He dropped a decision in the boxing ring to Jake Paul last August, months after he choked out a man with a striking resemblance to Logan Paul.