MMA News
Former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw ends talk of rumored return: "I'm f*cking done"
Josh Evanoff - July 9, 2024
Don’t expect to see former bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw back in the UFC anytime soon. The 38-year-old has been retired for almost two years now. In October 2022, T.J. Dillashaw attempted to win bantamweight gold for the third time against then-champion Aljamain Sterling. However, the former titleholder had a very tough training camp. While Dillashaw had shoulder injuries in the past, the issues became much worse in training for ‘The Funk Master’.
Anthony Smith gets candid about UFC 303 loss: "What the f*** am I doing here?"
Curtis Calhoun - July 9, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith is in a peculiar spot after his short-notice defeat to Roman Dolidze. Smith and Dolidze fought in a days’ notice matchup at UFC 303 last month. After he was originally supposed to face Carlos Ulberg, Ulberg withdrew, leading to Dolidze stepping up from middleweight to take the fight.
Former Bellator champ Raufeon Stots booked for return on Sept. 7
Curtis Calhoun - July 9, 2024
Former Bellator interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots will return to the cage after a 10-month absence from fighting. Stots will face Glover Teixeira protégé Marcos Breno in the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego co-main event on September 7th. The promotion announced the matchup in a press release on Tuesday.
Yosuke Saruta to test Keito Yamakita’s mettle at ONE Fight Night 24
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 9, 2024
Yosuke Saruta looks to arrest his losing skid when he reports for duty at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video. The former ONE Strawweight MMA World World Champion battles Japanese compatriot Keito Yamakita in a three-round duel. This airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 2.
Team Khamzat Chimaev attempts to explain ‘major downfall’ of SMASH token
Susan Cox - July 9, 2024
Team Khamzat Chimaev are attempting to explain ‘major downfall’ of SMASH token. It recently came to light that UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev is being accused of running a pump-and-dump scheme for his SMASH crypto coin. The contention is that the Swede ‘stole up to $1 million dollars from investors.
Coach Cesar Gracie says the UFC will need to open their pocket book to get Nate Diaz back: “Millions and millions”
Susan Cox - July 9, 2024
Coach Cesar Gracie is making it known that the UFC will need to open their pocket book to get Nate Diaz back. Nate Diaz is hot off a majority decision victory over Jorge Masvidal in the boxing ring.
Julian Erosa explains why he believes he will submit Christian Rodriguez by D'arce choke at UFC Denver
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2024
Julian Erosa wanted to return by August, before his sister gets married, and he got his wish. Erosa is coming off a submission win over Ricardo Ramos in March and will now return on Saturday night at UFC Denver against Christian Rodriguez. For Erosa, he said he told the UFC it didn’t matter who was next, as instead, all he cared about was getting a fight book before August.
Jon Anik names the opponent he would like to see Nate Diaz fight in his UFC return
Harry Kettle - July 9, 2024
Jon Anik has named the opponent he wants to see Nate Diaz face if he returns to UFC in the future. Last weekend, Nate Diaz defeated Jorge Masvidal in their boxing showdown in California. It served as revenge for Nate following his defeat to Jorge Masvidal in the UFC almost five years ago. Of course, now, we’re left to sit and wonder what’s going to be next for the king of Stockton.
Jorge Masvidal outweighed Nate Diaz by nearly fifteen pounds the night of their boxing match
Harry Kettle - July 9, 2024
Jorge Masvidal reportedly outweighed rival Nate Diaz by almost fifteen pounds in their boxing showdown last weekend. As we know, Nate Diaz was able to get the better of Jorge Masvidal via decision in their boxing match last weekend. However, what many people may not realize is that in California, where the fight happened, fighters have their weights checked on the day of the bout in addition to the actual weigh-ins.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 171 with Julian Erosa, Cody Brundage, Andre Petroski, and Josh Fremd
Cole Shelton - July 9, 2024
The 171st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Denver. We’re first joined by UFC featherweight Julian Erosa (1:31). Next, UFC middleweight Cody Brundage (15:50) comes on. UFC middleweight Andre Petroski (27:00) joins the show. Then, UFC middleweight Josh Fremd (37:37) comes on.
Sean O’Malley offers dim forecast for fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria: “Gonna be the next Cody Garbrandt”
Harry Kettle - July 9, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on the future of fellow champ Ilia Topuria. As we know, Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts. He’s also the king of the bantamweight division, which is home to some of the best fighters in the sport. Alas, while he’s enjoying his time at 135 pounds, it makes sense that he’d tease the idea of a shift up to featherweight in the future due to his size.
Nico Carrillo’s fourth straight finish earns him $50K bonus at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 9, 2024
Nico Carrillo’s gamesmanship and appetite for a finish stood out from the rest of his peers at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video last Friday, July 5. The Scottish striker earned himself a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong for his second-round demolition of fourth-ranked Saemapetch Fairtex in their bantamweight Muay Thai match.
Daniel Cormier explains how Tom Aspinall could sabotage Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: "Could you imagine?"
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
Daniel Cormier thinks Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic might fall through the cracks if Tom Aspinall makes a statement at UFC 304. Aspinall will face Curtis Blaydes in defense of his interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27. He returns to the Octagon for the first time since knocking out Sergei Pavlovich for the interim title in November.
Darren Till shoots down bare-knuckle fight against Mike Perry: "F**k that"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2024
Darren Till isn’t interested in fighting Mike Perry in bare-knuckle. Till and Perry have both taken shots at each other in the past and although both fought in the UFC at the same time, a fight between the two never happened. Now, as Perry is having success in BKFC, many fans are hoping the two will fight finally collide. However, Till says he is open to fighting Perry but it won’t be bare-knuckle.
Darren Till opens up on viral post-fight brawl after Social Knockout 3 boxing match: "He's a coward!"
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Darren Till has opened up on the wild brawl with his opponent after their bout at Social Knockout 3. Till defeated MMA fighter Mohammad Mutie at Social Knockout 3 by TKO in his boxing debut on Saturday in Dubai. He made his highly-anticipated return to fighting after a multiple-year hiatus from competition.
Nick Diaz's former coach expresses concerns about his UFC return ahead of Vicente Luque fight
Curtis Calhoun - July 8, 2024
UFC star Nick Diaz’s upcoming return to the Octagon doesn’t make sense, in the mind of his former longtime coach. Diaz will face welterweight mainstay Vicente Luque at UFC Abu Dhabi on August 3rd. He returns to the Octagon after a nearly three-year hiatus from fighting, stemming from his loss to Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.
Tracy Cortez eyeing title fight with Alexa Grasso with victory at UFC Denver: "A great show for Mexican Independence Day"
Josh Evanoff - July 8, 2024
If Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t want to fight UFC champion Alexa Grasso, Tracy Cortez will. The women’s flyweight contender is currently set to step up on short notice this Saturday in the main event of UFC Denver. The original main event for that card featured Rose Namajunas and Maycee Barber. However, due to an injury to ‘The Future’, Tracy Cortez is stepping into the main event.
Brendan Allen explains why he doesn't want to fight Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris anymore
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen says he was offered to fight Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Paris but he’s no longer interested in that. It was recently announced that Benoit Saint-Denis will be taking on Renato Moicano in a five-round fight, which will likely serve as the main event. With that bout expected serve as the event headliner, Allen says he is no longer interested in fighting Imavov in Paris, as he wants to be showcased in a main event setting.