MMA News
UFC 295 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira title fight
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 295, the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Jiri Prochazka takes on Alex Pereira. Heading into the fight, Prochazka is a +100 underdog while the Brazilian is a -128 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Prochazka becoming the light heavyweight champion again at UFC 295, but all expect this to be a very exciting scrap.
Deontay Wilder confirms plans to crossover to MMA amid talks with Francis Ngannou: "I'll be a dangerous man"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is serious about potentially facing Francis Ngannou in the cage. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is currently awaiting his next opponent, defeating Robert Helenius last year. Following the win, Deontay Wilder was ordered to face Andy Ruiz Jr. by the WBC. However, talks with ‘Destroyer’ as well as Anthony Joshua fell apart, leaving the former champion without an opponent.
Anthony Smith still backing Jon Jones in possible Francis Ngannou clash: "Would've left there without a mark on his face"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight Anthony Smith is still backing Jon Jones if he ever faces Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ returned to action late last month in Saudi Arabia in the boxing ring against Tyson Fury. There, Francis Ngannou turned in a spirited effort, knocking down ‘The Gypsy King’ in round three. However, it wasn’t enough to earn a win, as the boxer instead scored a split-decision victory.
Daniel Cormier believes Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will headline UFC 300: "How crazy is that?!"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier believes Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will meet next April. ‘The Notorious’ and ‘Iron Mike’ have been in discussions for a fight for seemingly all of 2023. Earlier this year, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler coached against one another on The Ultimate Fighter. However, it took him months to enter the USADA testing pool, postponing his return. Despite the Irishman’s comments about fighting names such as Justin Gaethje, he will seemingly return against the former Bellator champion.
Daniel Cormier believes lengthy layoff “is going to hurt” Jiri Prochazka in title fight with Alex Pereira at UFC 295
Susan Cox - November 8, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes a lengthy layoff ‘is going to hurt’ Jiri Prochazka in title fight with Alex Pereira at UFC 295. UFC 295 will take place this coming Saturday, November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Michael Bisping shares prediction for Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich title fight at UFC 295: “He’s going to make this look easy”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2023
Michael Bisping is sharing his prediction for Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich title fight at UFC 295. UFC 295 takes place this Saturday night, November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Chael Sonnen suggests Alex Pereira will become Fighter of the Year with victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Alex Pereira could become Fighter of the Year with a victory at UFC 295. This Saturday night, Alex Pereira returns to action in a blockbuster encounter with Jiri Prochazka. The two will fight for the UFC light heavyweight championship, with Pereira attempting to become the latest two-division UFC champion.
Joe Rogan set to return to the commentary booth for first time in 3 months at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Joe Rogan will reportedly return to the commentary booth for the first time in three months at UFC 295 this weekend. Over the course of the last few decades, Joe Rogan has been an ever-present member of the UFC family. From major event to major event, Rogan has been there every step of the way to react to some of the greatest moments in mixed martial arts history.
Ayaka Miura breathes sigh of relief after ONE Fight Night 16: "I had to win this fight""
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 8, 2023
At ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video last Friday, November 3, Ayaka Miura found her way back to the winner’s circle. The former ONE MMA World Title contender authored a rousing victory in a strawweight bout against Meng Bo. There, she submitted the Chinese knockout artist with her signature scarf-hold Americana in the first round.
Dustin Poirier weighs in on the UFC’s split with USADA
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
UFC fighter Dustin Poirier has given his thoughts on the promotion’s recent split with USADA. Last month, it was announced that USADA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship will be ending their working relationship. Their association with one another will conclude in January 2024, following a pretty public fallout between the two companies.
Matt Frevola hopes Benoit Saint-Denis tries to grapple him at UFC 295, believes it's a "perfect fight" for him
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Matt Frevola always knew his next fight would be at Madison Square Garden. Frevola started the year off with an upset first-round TKO win over Drew Dober in May. After the victory, Frevola knew he would be fighting at home at Madison Square Garden but wasn’t sure if he’d be able to sneak in another fight before then.
Jason Knight expects to make Randy Costa "quit" at Gambred Bareknuckle MMA, hopes UFC call comes next
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Jason Knight will be fighting for the first time since he competed on The Ultimate Fighter. Knight lost in the semi-finals of TUF 21 to the eventual winner Kurt Holobaugh in a back-and-forth war. Although Knight lost by second-round TKO, Dana White called it the fight of the season, so ‘Hick Diaz’ was hopeful to get a UFC deal which unfortunately never came.
Tom Aspinall admits knee injury made him want to "quit" MMA: "I didn’t want to carry on"
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Tom Aspinall admits he wanted to quit MMA after he tore his ACL during his UFC London main event against Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall was set for his second UFC headliner spot back in July of 2022 when he took on Blaydes. It was a pivotal fight as had the Brit won he likely would have gotten a title shot. However, just 15 seconds into the fight, Aspinall blew his knee out and needed to be stretched out of the Octagon.
Sean O'Malley reveals UFC signed off on potential Ryan Garcia boxing match: "If it makes us money, we'll do it"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley could face Ryan Garcia in the boxing ring, if it makes money. ‘Sugar’ recently booked his 2024 return, and a rematch with Marlon Vera. Sean O’Malley is currently expected to face ‘Chito’ once again at UFC 299 in March, for the first time since 2020. That year, the Ecuadorian scored a first-round stoppage win over the future champion after he suffered an injury.
Alex Pereira doesn't buy Israel Adesanya's hiatus talk: "He needs a bit more motivation"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira believes Israel Adesanya is just lacking some motivation. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has been out of action since a title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Despite heading into the matchup a massive favorite, Israel Adesanya was dominated that night earlier this year. ‘Tarzan’ dropped the champion in round one, eventually winning by unanimous decision on the scorecards.
WATCH | Tony Ferguson trains with David Goggins ahead of UFC 296 return against Paddy Pimblett
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is pulling out all the stops ahead of his return against Paddy Pimblett. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of the octagon since a clash with Bobby Green in July at UFC 291. Despite dropping ‘King’ in the first round, Tony Ferguson suffered a third-round submission defeat. The loss was the former champion’s sixth in a row, and he received many calls to retire post-fight.
Dustin Poirier says he needs an opponent that "really, really motivates me" for him to return
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Dustin Poirier isn’t sure when or who he will fight in his return. Poirier is coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje in July for the vacant BMF title. It was a rematch of their 2018 fight which Poirier had won by fourth-round TKO in one of the best scraps of the year.
Chael Sonnen unloads on Jorge Masvidal after 'Gamebred' threatens him: "Go see a therapist"
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Chael Sonnen has continued to take aim at Jorge Masvidal. On Monday, Sonnen blasted ‘Gamebred’ on social media over the Colby Covington incident as Masvidal threatened to knock the rest of Covington’s teeth out. Of course, Sonnen and Covington are friends, so after ‘The American Gangster’ ripped ‘Gamebred’, Masvidal took to social media to tell him to say it to his face.