MMA News
Khamzat Chimaev releases first statement after being forced out of UFC Saudi Arabia: “Allah has his own plans for us”
Susan Cox - June 17, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has released his first statement after being forced out of UFC Saudi Arabia. It was to have been Robert Whittaker (26-7 MMA) vs. the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) this coming weekend, Saturday, June 22nd in the middleweight main event at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Dana White confirms Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya will headline UFC 305 in Perth
Susan Cox - June 17, 2024
Dana White has confirmed that Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya will headline UFC 305 in Perth. UFC 305 will take place on Saturday, August 17th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Rafael Dos Anjos takes aim at Conor McGregor over UFC 303 withdrawal: “It’s just a bruise”
Susan Cox - June 17, 2024
Rafael Dos Anjos is taking aim at Conor McGregor over his UFC 303 withdrawal. Apparently, Rafael Dos Anjos hasn’t forgotten comments McGregor made way back in 2016 when the Brazilian had to withdraw due to injury.
Tye Ruotolo returns to action against Jozef Chen at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2024
Tye Ruotolo will engage in an intriguing bout when he returns to action. The reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion squares off against Jozef Chen in a 186-pound catchweight contest.
Chael Sonnen voices frustration over draw ruling in boxing match with Anderson Silva: “I won the first 3 rounds!”
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2024
Chael Sonnen has voiced his frustration after his exhibition boxing match against Anderson Silva was ruled a draw. Last weekend, Chael Sonnen went head to head with Anderson Silva in an exhibition boxing showdown. As we know, these two men have fought each other twice previously, with Silva coming out on top on both occasions. Alas, we heard a few weeks back that they’d be colliding in the squared circle, and it came to fruition on Saturday in Brazil.
‘War Room’ photo reveals a number of fighters set to compete at UFC 305 in Perth
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2024
An image of the UFC’s war room has given fans an insight into who may be competing on the UFC 305 card in Perth, Australia. On August 17, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to make its return to Australia. It’ll do so with the UFC 305 card, and the popular opinion is that Israel Adesanya will return to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship.
Michael ‘Venom’ Page plans to callout Kamaru Usman after finishing Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2024
Michael ‘Venom’ Page is considering calling out Kamaru Usman if he can get through Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303. At UFC 303 later this month, Michael Page will step into the Octagon to battle Ian Machado Garry. For many, the belief is that if MVP can get the job done, he could earn a shot at the UFC welterweight championship.
Early retirement? Christian Lee promises that “it was never going to be an option”
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 17, 2024
Christian Lee remains committed to the sport he loves. The ONE Lightweight and Welterweight MMA World Champion gave this assurance when he talked to Sportskeeda during fight week of ONE 167 on Prime Video. There, he worked in the corner of younger brother Adrian Lee’s successful promotional debut against Antonio Mammarella.
Dana White pleased with how UFC booked replacement fights for major events: "It's the business, man"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is happy with how the top MMA promotion handled a couple of key fight changes. The UFC was hit hard with the news that Conor McGregor was forced out of his planned June 29th bout against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. On top of that, the UFC brass needed to replace a “violently ill” Khamzat Chimaev for the UFC Saudi Arabia card. Taking his place will be Ikram Aliskerov, who will be taking on Robert Whittaker at the June 22nd event.
Rose Namajunas looks back on bad interaction with Maycee Barber's father: "That's not cool"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Rose Namajunas doesn’t have any personal issues with Maycee Barber, but her father is another story. Namajunas and Barber are scheduled to collide in the main event of UFC Denver on July 13. While Barber has never been shy when it comes to her confidence, Namajunas actually respects that aspect of her upcoming opponent.
Javier Mendez wants Khabib Nurmagomedov to improve cornerman work: “He needs to master the corner"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been praised for both his fighting career as well as his coaching, but even he isn’t perfect in all areas. Nurmagomedov has been in the corner of reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. It’s no secret that “The Eagle” gets animated when cornering fighters, and UFC 302 was no exception. Nurmagomedov took issue with Makhachev for seemingly playing Dustin Poirier’s game at times during their 155-pound title fight. Ultimately, Makhachev won the bout via fifth-round submission.
Anderson Silva reveals boxing match with Chael Sonnen disallowed knockouts: "I believe we put on a good show"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
UFC legend Anderson Silva claims his boxing match with Chael Sonnen barred knockouts. Silva and Sonnen shared the boxing ring this past Saturday night in Brazil, and the bout ended in a draw. Silva didn’t appear to look nearly as aggressive as he was in his bouts with Tito Ortiz and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and there might be a good reason for it.
Cris Cyborg would fight Claressa Shields on one condition: "I can give up experience, I have two boxing fights"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Cris Cyborg isn’t opposed to boxing Claressa Shields, but she needs some serious coin to do so. Cyborg and Shields have been friendly in the past, but the two have revved up some trash talk more recently. It’s clear that both Cyborg and Shields believe there is money to be made in a potential showdown inside the boxing ring. With that said, the money has to be substantial.
Following draw with Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen shifts attention to "stupid" Jorge Masvidal
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2024
Chael Sonnen has turned his attention to Jorge Masvidal after his draw with Anderson Silva. Sonnen stepped right into the lion’s den for a boxing match with his old rival Anderson Silva in Brazil. Chael was able to make it close enough that the judges declared this one a draw. While Sonnen believes he did enough to earn the win, he’s not dwelling on the result.
UFC Vegas 93 Bonus Report: Four fighters take home an extra $50k
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2024
The Octagon returned to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 93 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira. The highly anticipated men’s flyweight main event resulted in a second-round TKO victory for the undefeated Japanese standout. Unfortunately, the win didn’t come in the most ideal form, as Perez suffered a leg injury early in Round 2 which spelled an end to the fight (see that here).
UFC Vegas 93: ‘Perez vs. Taira’ Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - June 15, 2024
The Octagon returns to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 93 event, a twelve-bout fight card headlined by Alex Perez vs. Tatsuro Taira. Perez (25-8 MMA) recently returned to the win column in emphatic fashion back in April, where he scored a sensational knockout victory over Matheus Nicola (see that here). That loss snapped a three-fight losing skid for the former flyweight title challenger, as Perez had previously suffered defeats at the hands of Deiveson Figueiredo, Alexandre Pantoja and Muhammad Mokaev.
Mikey Musumeci wary of Kade Ruotolo’s size advantage ahead of "really exciting" bout at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 15, 2024
Mikey Musumeci is entering the toughest test of his career with a steely determination that leaves no room for complacency. “Darth Rigatoni” will move up three weight classes higher at ONE 168: Denver to challenge Kade Ruotolo for the ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title. This premium live event is set to take place at the Ball Arena on September 6.
Brady Hiestand says he and Garrett Armfield agreed to fight each other while in the sauna
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2024
Brady Hiestand is eager to fight again after being off for over a year. Hiestand last fought in April of last year when he scored a third-round TKO win over Danaa Batgerel. He was then booked to return in August but a staph infection kept him out. After that, he had to undergo knee surgery.