MMA News
UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape sends a warning to Israel Adesanya: “I’m undefeated in the streets”
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is sending a warning to former middleweight title holder Israel Adesanya. Manel Kape (19-6 MMA) is sporting 4 victories in a row, his latest unanimous decision win coming against Felipe dos Santos (8-1 MMA) last September at UFC 293.
Alex Volkanovski tells Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion: “He’s saying no to everyone”
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
Alex Volkanovski is telling Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion. The undefeated Topuria is the current UFC featherweight champion.
Bianca Basilio promises to finish Nanami Ichikawa at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Bianca Basilio sees her next outing as a chance to redeem herself on the global stage. The Brazilian star competes in a 132-pound catchweight submission grappling match against Nanami Ichikawa at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, May 3.
Nico Carrillo to lock horns with Saemapetch at ONE Fight Night 23
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Excitement is brewing as top-ranked contenders Nico Carrillo and Saemapetch Fairtex gear up to face each other in a thrilling bantamweight Muay Thai showdown. This happens at ONE Fight Night 23 on Prime Video. The event airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 5.
Halil Amir guarantees better version of himself at featherweight: “I’ll be faster and stronger”
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Halil Amir has one goal in mind this Friday, May 3 — to shake up ONE Championship’s featherweight MMA division. The Turkish fighter moves down a weight class to face Akbar Abdullaev at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event takes place at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Muhammad Mokaev calls “number one bullsh*t” on updated UFC flyweight rankings
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Muhammad Mokaev has called out the updated UFC flyweight rankings as Alex Perez jumps above him in the pecking order. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev is a rising force of nature in the UFC’s flyweight division. The youngster fully believes he has what it takes to become a world champion, and with an unbeaten 12-0 record, the future certainly looks bright. With that being said, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the air right now when it comes to the title picture.
Robert Whittaker explains why he hopes Jiri Prochazka doesn’t move down to middleweight: “Then we’re enemies”
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Robert Whittaker has explained why he doesn’t want to see Jiri Prochazka move down to middleweight. For the longest time now, Jiri Prochazka has been a big fan favorite in mixed martial arts. That’s been especially true since he joined the UFC, with his eccentric style winning over the masses.
Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria “has much say in this as he thinks he does” with potential Max Holloway title fight
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Daniel Cormier has questioned how much of a say Ilia Topuria has in his potential showdown with Max Holloway. Since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria has been enjoying life as one of the UFC’s biggest new stars. He’s a huge name in Spain, he’s the featherweight champion of the world, and he has plenty of fighters calling him out.
Demetrious Johnson “honored” to earn BJJ black belt
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 1, 2024
Demetrious Johnson has once again proven why he is regarded as one of the most accomplished mixed martial artists in history. The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion and former UFC kingpin achieved a significant milestone recently. He received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from Bibiano Fernandes and Yan McCane.
Drakkar Klose claims Joaquim Silva is the "easiest fight," vows to KO him at UFC 301
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2024
Drakkar Klose called for the easiest fight in the lightweight division after his last win and he says he got his wish. After Klose scored a slam KO over Joe Solecki in December, he said he didn’t care who was next, as he just wanted the easiest guy for the most amount of money. Klose ended up getting the call to face Joaquim Silva at UFC 301 in Brazil, which is exciting for the American to go into enemy territory.
Gegard Mousasi claims Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys: “They lose money all the time”
Susan Cox - April 30, 2024
Gegard Mousasi is claiming that Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys. The PFL (Professional Fighters League) acquired Bellator in November of last year in an attempt to make a stronger competitor to the UFC.
Tom Aspinall vents frustration with “absolutely terrible” UFC 304 start time
Susan Cox - April 30, 2024
Tom Aspinall is venting his frustration with what he calls an ‘absolutely terrible’ UFC 304 start time. UFC 304 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 27th at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Alexandre Pantoja details the time he "smashed" Sean O'Malley in sparring
Cole Shelton - April 30, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja claims he smashed Sean O’Malley when they sparred years ago. Pantoja and O’Malley have spoken about their sparring in the past, as both have different versions of what happened. However, ahead of his flyweight title defense at UFC 301, Pantoja says he smashed O’Malley in sparring, and it was so bad ‘Suga’ wouldn’t send the Brazilian the sparring footage.
Demetrious Johnson reveals he's targeting professional boxing debut, wants to face 'a legend of the sport'
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is the latest MMA legend to express profound interest in moving to boxing. Johnson has gone viral in recent months for his performances in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions. He submitted a 250-pound competitor at a recent tournament, shocking the likes of Joe Rogan and others.
Alex Perez booked for June 15th UFC return just days after UFC Vegas 91 main event KO
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Alex Perez is already set for his next fight just days after a vicious knockout victory. Perez will make a quick turnaround and face Tagir Ulanbekov at UFC Vegas 93 on June 15th. MMA journalist Marcel Dorff was among the first to report the news of the Perez vs. Ulanbekov booking.
NSAC votes to withhold 20% of Arman Tsarukyan's UFC 300 purse after attacking fan during walkout
Curtis Calhoun - April 30, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has been fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for assaulting a fan during his walkout at UFC 300. The NSAC voted to withhold 20% of Tsarukyan’s UFC 300 purse, totaling $31,600, for hitting a fan during an altercation while walking to the Octagon. MMA Junkie‘s Nolan King was among the first to report the news of the vote.
Paige VanZant offers update on BKFC deal after signing contract with Misfits Boxing: "I'm here to stay"
Josh Evanoff - April 30, 2024
While Paige VanZant has a new multi-fight deal with Misfits Boxing, she’s not done fighting in BKFC either. ’12 Gauge’ has had a strange career since leaving the UFC in mid-2020. Paige VanZant’s deal expired after a submission loss to Amanda Ribas, and she quickly showed interest in signing with Bellator, or other MMA companies. Instead, she shocked MMA fans by signing with David Feldman’s BKFC.
Gilbert Burns calls for rematch against Kamaru Usman: "I was very emotional in that first fight"
Josh Evanoff - April 30, 2024
Gilbert Burns wants a rematch with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman next. ‘Durinho’ is fresh off a return to the cage last month in Miami at UFC 299. That bout ended a nearly yearlong hiatus for Gilbert Burns, as he faced the rising Jack Della Maddalena. The Brazilian had a lot of success in that bout but wound up suffering a third-round knockout loss to the Australian.