MMA News
Henry Cejudo calls Sean Strickland's UFC 302 win over Paulo Costa a "snoozefest"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2024
Henry Cejudo believes the UFC 302 co-main event between Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa was a total bore. Strickland vs. Costa was a one-sided fight, but don’t tell that to judge Dave Tirelli, who somehow gave Costa a baffling 49-46 score total. Strickland overcame the oddball judge to emerge victorious via split decision thanks to his forward pressure. “Borrachinha” couldn’t do much while backpedaling, and it made for an uneventful fight.
Michal Oleksiejczuk claims his arm didn’t break in UFC 302 fight with Kevin Holland: “The stoppage is not correct”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
UFC fighter Michal Oleksiejczuk has claimed that his arm didn’t actually break during his UFC 302 showdown with Kevin Holland. Last weekend at UFC 302, Kevin Holland got back on the winning trail. He defeated Michal Oleksiejczuk via submission, with the referee jumping in to stop the bout after it appeared as if Oleksiejczuk’s arm was broken.
Arman Tsarukyan believes Dustin Poirier “just gave up” in fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 302: “Why are you giving up your neck?”
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan has questioned Dustin Poirier’s strategy in the final round of his title fight with Islam Makhachev. Last weekend in the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier battled it out with Islam Makhachev over the UFC lightweight championship. The contest proved to be much closer than many had anticipated, but in the end, it was Makhachev who got the win with a late submission triumph.
Itsuki Hirata aims for impressive win at ONE 167: “I’m confident I can get a finish”
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 5, 2024
Itsuki Hirata vows to do everything in her power to return to her winning ways. “Android 18” squares off with Victoria Souza in a women’s atomweight MMA bout at ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime card emanates live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 7.
Maycee Barber vs. Rose Namajunas set to headline UFC Denver on July 13
Harry Kettle - June 5, 2024
The UFC has officially announced that Maycee Barber vs Rose Namajunas will headline their return to Denver, Colorado. For the longest time now, Maycee Barber has been a rising prospect at flyweight. In equal measure, Rose Namajunas has been one of the biggest names in women’s mixed martial arts. Both have achieved some big things in the sport already, but of course, Namajunas is the one who has really put herself on the map with two major upset title wins.
Jared Cannonier plans to "re-open some eyes" with his performance against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Louisville
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
Jared Cannonier will be making the walk to the Octagon again after a year off due to injuries. Cannonier last fought back on June 17, 2023, when he defeated Marvin Vettori by decision. He was then offered to fight Khamzat Chimaev on short notice in Abu Dhabi, but Cannonier injured his MCL which has kept him out of action until now.
WATCH | Nate Diaz joins singer Zach Bryan on stage during his concert in LA
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
Former UFC fighter Nate Diaz went on stage with singer Zach Bryan during his concert in Los Angeles on Monday. Bryan has become one of the biggest singers in the world and during his encore, he has been known to bring up people on stage. He has recently brought up the likes of Justin Herbert, Bruce Springsteen, Pete Alonso, and now Nate Diaz joins the list of athletes and celebrities who have joined him on stage.
Michael Chandler shares cryptic message amidst UFC 303 drama: "If you're looking for me..."
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler made an eerie social media post on Tuesday amidst the uncertainty of his scheduled bout against Conor McGregor. Chandler and McGregor, as of this writing, are scheduled to headline the UFC 303 pay-per-view card on June 29th in Las Vegas. The welterweight matchup comes after two years in the making, and after their time coaching opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter.
Luke Rockhold tells Dana White to bring him back to fight Sean Strickland after UFC 302: "Sign me up"
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold is hoping to sign back on with the promotion to fight Sean Strickland. Rockhold fought out his UFC deal back in August of 2022 when he dropped a decision to Paulo Costa. He then fought Mike Perry in BKFC, where he lost by stoppage before defeating Joe Schilling in Karate Combat.
Former UFC commentator Jimmy Smith announces return to Bellator: "I am thrilled!"
Josh Evanoff - June 4, 2024
Longtime MMA commentator Jimmy Smith is returning to Bellator. The Donn Davis era of Bellator has been a mixed bag for most fight fans around the globe. The PFL bought out the company late last year, and many longtime faces such as Scott Coker left the brand. However, their roster of fighters such as Douglas Lima, Patricio Pitbull and more have largely stuck around.
Daniel Cormier believes Dustin Poirier's retirement comments could be leverage for higher pay: "I believe we will see him again"
Josh Evanoff - June 4, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes that Dustin Poirier will fight again. ‘The Diamond’ returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 302 over the weekend. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Benoit Saint-Denis in March, he faced lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Ahead of the title bout, Dustin Poirier was open about the fact that the fight could be his last.
Leon Edwards responds to Conor McGregor's 'Loves a decision' barb, weighs in on UFC 303 uncertainty
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has hit back at Conor McGregor’s recent barbs about his tendency to fight the distance. Edwards will face surging welterweight Belal Muhammad in the UFC 304 main event on July 27 in Manchester. The welterweight title fight headlines a stacked card in the UFC’s return to the UK, featuring a heavyweight co-headliner between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.
Liam Harrison promises “to hurt” Katsuki Kitano in return at ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 4, 2024
Liam Harrison hopes to steal the show when he returns to action in U.S. primetime. This happens at ONE 167 on Prime Video, emanating live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, June 7. There, he takes on Katsuki Kitano in a bantamweight Muay Thai clash.
ONE 167: Full card and where to stream in North America
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 4, 2024
This Friday, June 7, ONE Championship is poised to electrify U.S. primetime with ONE 167 on Prime Video. The premium live event airs from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, and it promises a night of high-octane martial arts action with an 11-bout card.
Leon Edwards reacts to Islam Makhachev's UFC 302 callout: "It's a massive fight!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has responded to Islam Makhachev’s intentions to move up for a dream opportunity to earn a second title. Makhachev defeated Dustin Poirier in his latest lightweight title defense at UFC 302 on Saturday in Newark. After a grueling four rounds of back-and-forth action with Poirier, Makhachev put the exclamation point inside the Octagon with a fifth-round submission by D’Arce choke.
UFC reportedly has "sent out feelers" for potential UFC 303 replacements for McGregor-Chandler
Cole Shelton - June 4, 2024
The UFC has reportedly sent out feelers to find a potential replacement for the UFC 303 main event between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. McGregor and Chandler were set to headline the card on June 29 at welterweight, but on Monday, it was revealed that the Dublin press conference was postponed with no reason given. Some fans wondered if the fight was off, and the rumors only continued to swirl after ESPN removed UFC 303 promos and the UFC took down McGregor’s “free fights” from their YouTube channel.
Daniel Cormier finds UFC 303: McGregor vs. Chandler press conference postponement to be "a little worrisome"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2024
Daniel Cormier admits he’s a bit concerned over the postponement of the UFC 303 press conference in Dublin. Speculation has run rampant since the UFC announced that the presser scheduled for this past Monday wasn’t meant to be. No reason was given, but UFC 303 headliner Conor McGregor blamed a “series of obstacles beyond our control.” Ariel Helwani of “The MMA Hour” shut down rumors of anything nefarious, such as a failed drug test, being the reason for the postponement. Helwani also said that as of now, McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is still on for June 29th.
Jake Paul trolls Dana White amid UFC 303 press conference postponement: "I'm not going to talk about it publicly"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2024
Jake Paul continues to poke at UFC CEO Dana White, this time amid the postponed UFC 303 press conference. The first press conference promoting the upcoming June 29th pay-per-view event headlined by Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler was scheduled to take place this past Monday in Dublin. Thousands of fans were expected to attend. While entry to the presser was going to be free, some were selling access to the festivities on the secondary market.