MMA News
Michael Bisping downplays Alexander Volkanovski age concerns heading into UFC 298: "He's a special fighter"
Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping doesn’t buy into talk of Alexander Volkanovski being old. ‘The Great’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night at UFC 298. There, Alexander Volkanovski will return to featherweight for the first time since last summer, to face the rising Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ last demolished Josh Emmett in June, handing him a lopsided unanimous decision loss.
Joe Rogan doesn't hold back on Sean Strickland's sparring session with Sneako: "I don't know why he wanted to do that"
Josh Evanoff - February 16, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan wasn’t happy to see Sean Strickland’s sparring session with Sneako last week. ‘Tarzan’ has become one of the most controversial fighters in the UFC today, and it didn’t happen by accident. In Sean Strickland’s career thus far, he’s made a name for himself in a variety of ways. One thing that consistently keeps the former champion in the news, is his wild sparring sessions.
Ian Machado Garry explains why he's so confident he would beat Khamzat Chimaev in a potential fight: "Whats he gonna do?"
Cole Shelton - February 16, 2024
Ian Machado Garry has full confidence he will defeat Khamzat Chimaev if the two ever fight in the UFC. Garry is one of the top contenders at welterweight and is set to face Geoff Neal on the main card of UFC 298 on Saturday. Should he win, he would be right in the title conversation at welterweight. One person who has been linked to a title shot at welterweight is Chimaev, despite the Swede going up to middleweight in his last fight.
UFC 298 gets replacement fight, Junior Tafa steps in to fight Marcos Rogerio de Lima
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2024
Marcos Rogerio de Lima will remain on the UFC 298 card in a wild turn of events. On the ESPN portion of the UFC 298 prelims, de Lima was expected to take on Justin Tafa. During the UFC’s live broadcast of the weigh-ins, it was announced that Tafa was forced off the card due to an injury. Despite this, the UFC was able to work out a last-minute deal to secure a fight for de Lima.
UFC 298 Weigh-Ins: Fight Cancelled, Main Event Title Bout between Alexander Volkanovski & Ilia Topuria Official
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2024
One fight on the UFC 298 card has been cancelled, but thankfully the championship main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Ilia Topuria is still on. Weigh-in day is always a stressful time for the fighters and fans. You never know who might have issues before, during, and after tipping the scale. In this case. a fight that had been scheduled for the ESPN portion of the UFC 298 prelims has been scrapped. The kicker is that an injury is to blame.
UFC veteran Matt Brown lauds Ian Machado Garry for "championship level" striking ahead of UFC 298: "The dude looks f*cking tremendous"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2024
UFC veteran Matt Brown believes that Ian Machado Garry has what it takes to win a UFC title. Garry is set to take on Geoff Neal on the main card of UFC 298 this Saturday night. Garry will look to keep his unbeaten record intact when he meets “Handz of Steel” inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. “The Future” has been on the fast track on his climb up the welterweight rankings. If Garry continues to win in impressive fashion, he could be become one of the UFC’s biggest stars, whether you like him or not.
Ilia Topuria explains why he drinks “half a litre of wine” the night before UFC weigh-ins
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2024
UFC star Ilia Topuria has explained why he drinks wine the night before a UFC weigh-in event. For the longest time now, Ilia Topuria has been seen as a real threat in the UFC’s featherweight division. On Saturday night, he’ll get the chance to finally reach the top of the mountain.
Mackenzie Dern says she has turned the page following struggles in her personal life: “Totally at a better place”
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2024
UFC star Mackenzie Dern believes she has finally moved in a positive direction forward following issues in her personal life. For a long time now, Mackenzie Dern has been seen as a prominent figure in women’s mixed martial arts. Unfortunately, while the 30-year-old has enjoyed plenty of big moments in her career, she’s also had to deal with some problems outside of the cage.
Nauzet Trujillo guarantees epic slugfest against Liam Nolan at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 16, 2024
Nauzet Trujillo’s biggest focus ahead of ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video is giving the fans a match to remember. The Spanish sensation aims to demonstrate the relentless style he’s become known for in a lightweight Muay Thai clash against Liam Nolan in U.S. primetime this Friday, February 16.
Rose Namajunas set to serve as fight consultant in upcoming movie ‘Strawweight’
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2024
UFC star Rose Namajunas will serve as a fight consultant on upcoming movie Strawweight. With each and every passing year, mixed martial arts continues to grow. Of course, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been one of the big reasons for that, as the promotion continues to evolve.
UFC 298 | Pro fighters make their picks for Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
On the main card of UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim, California, top-three bantamweights collide as Merab Dvalishvili takes on Henry Cejudo. Heading into the fight, Dvalishvili is a -205 favorite while ‘Triple C’ is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight fight at UFC 298. Ultimately, the pros are siding with the favorite as they believe Merab Dvalihvili’s cardio and relentless wrestling will be too much for Cejudo at UFC 298.
WATCH | Ilia Topuria snatches Alexander Volkanovski belt during UFC 298 press conference
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
Ilia Topuria has continued the trend of touching and wearing the UFC title before he has won it. Topuria did his UFC 298 photo shoot with the belt on and now during the press conference, he snatched the belt from Volkanovski and put it in the air like he won it. That got a reaction from Volkanovski who told him to touch it all he wanted as it would be going back to Australia after Saturday night in Anaheim.
Paulo Costa explains why he has no interest in rebooking Khamzat Chimaev fight: "F**k him"
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
Paulo Costa has no interest in fighting Khamzat Chimaev after the two were supposed to fight back in October in Abu Dhabi. Costa and Chimaev were supposed to fight at UFC 294 in Abu Dhabi but while the Brazilian was there he had a nasty elbow infection which forced him out of the bout. Costa ended up being replaced by Kamaru Usman who Chimaev beat by majority decision in a very competitive fight.
PFL's Donn Davis offers update on Francis Ngannou's MMA future: "Bo Jackson of combat sports"
Josh Evanoff - February 15, 2024
PFL founder Donn Davis believes that Francis Ngannou will likely be back in the cage in 2024. ‘The Predator’ has had a good last few years. Following a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane in January 2022, Francis Ngannou became a free agent. As the first reigning UFC champion to leave the company in over two decades, the heavyweight made the decision to sign with Donn Davis and the PFL.
Dana White reflects on Henry Cejudo's 'ridiculous' decision to retire: "He was in his f*cking prime!"
Josh Evanoff - February 15, 2024
Dana White believes that former UFC champion Henry Cejudo should’ve stayed retired. ‘Triple C’ is set to return to the cage this Saturday night at UFC 298 in California. For Henry Cejudo, the bout with Merab Dvalishvili will be the second of his comeback. Last May, the former dual-weight champion ended a three-year retirement to return to the cage against Aljamain Sterling.
Ian Machado Garry vows to "thump the f*cking mouth" off of Sean Strickland because of wife comments: "That's the truth"
Josh Evanoff - February 15, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry will fight former champion Sean Strickland one day. ‘The Future’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night at UFC 298. The Irishman has been out of action since a dominant decision victory over Neil Magny in August. That win was the biggest of Ian Machado Garry’s to date and saw him move to 14-0.
WATCH | Ilia Topuria poses with UFC belt as Alexander Volkanovski crashes photo shoot ahead of UFC 298
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
Ilia Topuria decided to have the UFC title wrapped around his waist before his title fight in the main event of UFC 298 against Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria has been oozing with confidence in the lead-up to his first crack at the UFC title on Saturday night. The Georgian-Spaniard has already crowned himself as the UFC champion in his Instagram bio, also claiming he’s 15-0, even though he’s only 14-0 heading into Saturday.
Sean O’Malley doesn't approve of Sean Strickland's "spar" with Sneako: "I thought it was f*cked up"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 15, 2024
Sean O’Malley doesn’t approve of Sean Strickland’s actions during a spar with social media influencer Sneako. Strickland has been known to be unhinged at times. During a recent “spar” with Sneako, Strickland was clearly trying to hurt the social media figure inside the cage before finally walking away from the untrained Sneako. It’s not something you typically see from a former UFC champion, but Strickland certainly isn’t like most.