MMA News
Bo Nickal dismisses Khamzat Chimaev's criticism of UFC 300 performance: "Who were you fighting at 5-0?"
Josh Evanoff - April 17, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal believes he’ll be a -1000 favorite in a fight against Khamzat Chimaev. The former NCAA wrestling champion returned to the cage at UFC 300 over the weekend. There, Bo Nickal faced Cody Brundage, who entered the fight riding a two-fight winning streak. Once again, the former Penn State wrestler was a massive, massive betting favorite. Despite the perceived uncompetitive nature of the fight, it was put on the main card of the historic event.
Grappling icon Kade Ruotolo “super fired up” for MMA debut at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2024
Kade Ruotolo is feeling a rush of excitement as he gears up for his long-anticipated transition to MMA against Blake Cooper. The reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion makes his first foray into the all-encompassing sport at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This takes place live in U.S. primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Tom Aspinall announces UFC 304 return in Manchester: "Waiting for my opponent to accept"
Josh Evanoff - April 17, 2024
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is set to return to Manchester later this year. The British heavyweight has been out of action since a short-notice fight against Sergei Pavlovich last November. Tom Aspinall famously stepped up on just two weeks’ notice, after Jon Jones suffered a torn pec. As a result, ‘Bones’, as well as his opponent, Stipe Miocic, were pulled from UFC 295.
Ilia Topuria clears the air on visibly cold reaction to Max Holloway's knockout at UFC 300
Curtis Calhoun - April 17, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has opened up on his talked-about cage-side reaction to Max Holloway’s UFC 300 knockout. Holloway earned the BMF belt with one of the wildest knockouts in UFC history last Saturday at UFC 300. After being up on the judges’ scorecards in the final seconds, he lured Justin Gaethje into a last-second firefight and ended up knocking Gaethje unconscious.
Michael Chandler shares his thoughts on the Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302: “I think Islam finishes him”
Susan Cox - April 17, 2024
Michael Chandler is sharing his thoughts on the upcoming Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302. UFC 302 will take place on Saturday, June 1st at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Aljamain Sterling reveals he would've contemplated retirement had he lost at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2024
Aljamain Sterling says he likely would have retired had he lost to Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. Sterling entered the fight making his featherweight debut as he was coming off a knockout loss to Sean O’Malley to lose his bantamweight title. With Sterling moving up in weight, he says the pressure was on him as he was second-guessing his career.
Eduard Folayang throws support behind Denice Zamboanga at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2024
A legendary figure who knows a thing or two about rising to the occasion is passionately rallying behind Denice Zamboanga. Eduard Folayang has openly declared his support for Zamboanga, who challenges Stamp Fairtex for her ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Championship. This happens in the main event of ONE 167 on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Jorge Masvidal explains why he would pick Kayla Harrison to defeat Amanda Nunes in a potential super fight
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2024
Jorge Masvidal has explained why he would pick Kayla Harrison to defeat Amanda Nunes if the two ever fought. Last weekend, Kayla Harrison made her debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It was a successful outing, as she submitted Holly Holm in fairly dominant fashion.
Michael Bisping explains why Justin Gaethje was a “victim of his own success” in UFC 300 fight with Max Holloway
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on Justin Gaethje’s approach at UFC 300 last weekend. On Saturday night, Justin Gaethje fell short against Max Holloway. He lost his BMF championship, with Holloway managing to knock him out in the final seconds of their five-round war.
UFC 302: ‘Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2024
It’s time to take a look at the early card announcements for UFC 302 as Islam Makhachev prepares to defend his crown against Dustin Poirier. Event: UFC 302: Makhachev vs Poirier Date: Saturday, 1st June 2024 Location: Prudential Center (Newark, New Jersey) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (6pm EST prelims, 10pm main card)
Jake Peacock ready for next challenge: “I’m always down for a scrap”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2024
For Jake Peacock, his recent triumph in ONE Championship has only fueled his hunger for more challenges. The Canadian-British sensation turned heads in his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 58 earlier this month. There, he dominated Kohei Shinjo from bell to bell in their bantamweight Muay Thai clash en route to a convincing unanimous decision win.
Georges St-Pierre believes Robert Whittaker is very capable of making Khamzat Chimaev 'look bad' at UFC Saudi Arabia
Susan Cox - April 16, 2024
George St-Pierre is sharing that he believes Whittaker is very capable of making Chimaev ‘ look bad’ at UFC Saudi Arabia. It has been announced that former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (25-7 MMA) will take on the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) in the main event at UFC Saudi Arabia on June 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Gegard Mousasi rips PFL over fumbled contract talks, 'pressured' from league to take a significant pay cut
Curtis Calhoun - April 16, 2024
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has accused the PFL of sabotaging his fighting career. Mousasi, a former UFC standout, hasn’t fought in the cage since a loss to Fabian Edwards at Bellator 296. He has yet to fight under the new Bellator International Champions Series banner after the PFL purchased Bellator in 2023.
Michael Chandler hints at future BMF title fight against Max Holloway: "I would love to fight for that belt"
Cole Shelton - April 16, 2024
Michael Chandler is interested in fighting for the BMF belt and facing Max Holloway in the future. On the main card of UFC 300, Holloway became the BMF champion with a highlight-reel fifth-round knockout win over Justin Gaethje. It was one of the best knockouts of all time, which impressed Chandler and has him interested in that fight in the future.
Jon Anik gives honest assessment of Calvin Kattar's future after UFC 300 loss to Aljamain Sterling: 'There's not much fight left...'
Curtis Calhoun - April 16, 2024
UFC play-by-play broadcaster Jon Anik gave a bleak forecast of Calvin Kattar’s future after his loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 300. Kattar’s Octagon comeback fell short of the mark against Sterling during the UFC 300 prelims. Sterling defeated Kattar by unanimous decision, and Kattar tallied just eight significant strikes.
Joe Rogan calls Max Holloway's UFC 300 win over Justin Gaethje the greatest KO ever: "So many people counted him out"
Josh Evanoff - April 16, 2024
Joe Rogan believes that Max Holloway’s victory over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300 is the greatest knockout ever. Over the weekend, ‘Blessed’ and ‘The Highlight’ fought on the main card of UFC 300. The two competed over for the ceremonial ‘BMF’ title that Justin Gaethje won last summer, with a knockout victory over Dustin Poirier. For Max Holloway, he entered the bout riding a two-fight winning streak down at featherweight.
Chael Sonnen speaks after UFC announces his fight with Anderson Silva is going into Hall of Fame: "I was very grateful"
Josh Evanoff - April 16, 2024
Chael Sonnen couldn’t believe that his fight with Anderson Silva was being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Over the weekend, the company held its historic UFC 300 event. The headlines naturally focused on the action going down in the cage, such as Max Holloway’s knockout win over Justin Gaethje, and Alex Pereira’s destruction of Jamahal Hill. Lost in the madness, is that Chael Sonnen will become a Hall of Famer.
Daniel Cormier stunned that Alex Pereira is a massive success in the UFC: “How is this happening when he can’t wrestle?”
Susan Cox - April 16, 2024
Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier is stunned that Alex Pereira is a massive success in the UFC. It was just this past weekend that saw Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA) get in the Octagon with Jamahal Hill (12-2 MMA) in his first title defense for the UFC light heavyweight championship. The result was a KO victory for ‘Poatan’ at 3:14 of Round 1 (see that here).