MMA News
Mike Perry says the UFC told him he 'can't beat Top 5 guys' in recent phone call inquiring about desired comeback
Curtis Calhoun - April 17, 2024
Mike Perry says he was close to making a UFC comeback before negotiations with UFC matchmaker Hunter Campbell went south. Perry will return to the Bare Knuckle FC ring against former UFC standout Thiago Alves on April 27th. He returns after 2023 wins against former UFC titleholders Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez in bare-knuckle boxing.
Jiří Procházka responds to Jamahal Hill's post-UFC 300 callout, offers to face Alex Pereira on weeks' notice at UFC 301
Curtis Calhoun - April 17, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka didn’t take long to respond to Jamahal Hill’s recent callout after UFC 300. Procházka defeated Aleksandar Rakić to get back in the win column at UFC 300 last Saturday in Las Vegas. He earned a comeback victory after some early struggles against Rakić, and just months removed from his vacant title loss to Alex Pereira at UFC 295.
Charles Oliveira thought Arman Tsarukyan "went out" from D'Arce choke late in third round at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2024
Charles Oliveira thought Arman Tsarukyan went out from his D’Arce choke late in the third round at UFC 300. Oliveira had Tsarukyan in a tight guillotine attempt in the first round, but Tsarukyan was able to get out of it. Then, in the third round, the Brazilian tried to lock in a D’Arce choke with less than a minute to go, and Oliveira thought he had it in tight.
Ben Tynan puts target on Anatoly Malykhin: “I’m coming for him”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2024
Ben Tynan made it crystal clear that he wants a piece of three-division king Anatoly Malykhin. The Canadian powerhouse has captured the attention of fans with his emphatic performances in ONE Championship.
Ilia Topuria reveals details of run-in with Sean O'Malley at UFC 300 after recent fight talks
Curtis Calhoun - April 17, 2024
UFC titleholders Ilia Topuria and Sean O’Malley came face-to-face at UFC 300 after recent back-and-forths about a potential super fight. Topuria sat cage-side to take in all of the high-octane action at UFC 300 on Saturday in Las Vegas. Just two months ago, he defeated Alexander Volkanovski for the UFC featherweight title to cap off a remarkable run inside the Octagon.
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.
Chael Sonnen blasts Dricus Du Plessis for attending UFC 300: “If you can't fight because you're hurt, don't come!”
Susan Cox - April 17, 2024
Chael Sonnen is blasting reigning middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis for his decision to attend UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 took place last Saturday, April 13th in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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.
Cody Garbrandt responds to fans suggesting his “vertigo” revelation from UFC 300 was a bad look
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2024
Cody Garbrandt has responded to critics who have questioned his suggestion that vertigo impacted his performance at UFC 300. Last weekend, Cody Garbrandt suffered a submission loss to Deiveson Figueiredo. It served as the latest setback in his push to climb back into title contention. At this point, many are wondering what the future holds for him in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
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.
Tatiana Suarez warns Zhang Weili against potential strategy for next title defense: "That's a bad idea!"
Curtis Calhoun - April 16, 2024
UFC strawweight contender Tatiana Suarez thinks Zhang Weili should abandon her recent tendencies to boost her chances at a long title reign. Weili defeated Yan Xiaonan by unanimous decision to retain her strawweight title at UFC 300 on Saturday. It was her second successful title defense since reclaiming the title by defeating Carla Esparza at UFC 281.
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.