MMA News
Reece McLaren guarantees upgraded form in return to ONE Championship: “I’ve gone to another level”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 21, 2024
Reece McLaren is on a mission to rejuvenate his MMA career. “Lightning” gets the chance to do so when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event takes place live from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 7.
Renato Moicano appreciates Paddy Pimblett's kind words following UFC 300, still thinks he's "easy money"
Fernando Quiles - April 21, 2024
Renato Moicano and Paddy Pimblett have shown mutual respect as of late, but “Money” still thinks he’d make short work of “The Baddy.” Moicano’s stock has never been higher. The lightweight veteran is riding a three-fight winning streak. He recently made a huge statement by scoring a second-round TKO finish over Jalin Turner at UFC 300. As a result, Moicano has cracked the top 10 on the official UFC lightweight rankings.
Jorge Masvidal's coach thinks lightning strikes twice in boxing match against Nate Diaz: "I think Jorge has Nate Diaz’s number"
Fernando Quiles - April 21, 2024
Jorge Masvidal’s coach believes his fighter simply has Nate Diaz’s number. Masivdal and Diaz are set to collide for the second time, but this go-around the two will share a boxing ring. Masvidal vs. Diaz 2 will take place on June 1 and it’ll be held inside the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California.
Gegard Mousasi's manager explains current situation with PFL: "It surely doesn’t feel like a priority for them at Gegard’s detriment"
Fernando Quiles - April 21, 2024
Gegard Mousasi’s manager doesn’t feel the PFL is making an honest effort to welcome his fighter to the promotion. Mousasi recently told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn that attempts from his manager, Nima Safapour, to reach out to PFL have gone unanswered. Mousasi is a member of the Bellator roster and that remains the case after PFL purchased the promotion.
Justin Gaethje reflects on decision to take "huge risk" against Max Holloway at UFC 300: "I have no regrets"
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Justin Gaethje knew he was taking a “huge risk” when he signed on to fight Max Holloway at UFC 300. Gaethje (25-5 MMA) was coming off a second-round knockout victory over Dustin Poirier in July of last year at UFC 291 to claim the promotion‘s vacant BMF title. In addition to taking home the ‘Baddest Mother F**ker’ belt, ‘The Highlight’ had seemingly cemented himself as the top contender to challenge reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.
Sean Strickland says it is a "damn shame to see" the current state of America: "I drive home and I see Mexican flags everywhere"
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is explaining why loving your country is one of the worst things for mental health. Strickland (28-6 MMA) is known for his brash takes and once again stirred up controversy with his latest comments regarding the current state of America.
Jamahal Hill makes first public remarks on referee Herb Dean's non-stoppage at UFC 300
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has made his first public remarks regarding referee Herb Dean’s non-stoppage at UFC 300. Hill (12-2 MMA) was returning to action for the first since January 2023 in the headliner of last weekend’s UFC 300 event, where he was looking to reclaim the light heavyweight title, which he never lost, against reigning division champion Alex Pereira (10-2 MMA). ‘Sweet Dreams’ had of course captured the promotion’s vacant light heavyweight championship by defeating Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 but was later forced to vacate the belt after tearing his Achilles tendon.
VIDEO | Luke Rockhold KO's Joe Schilling at Karate Combat
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold scored a knockout victory over Joe Schilling at today’s Karate Combat event. Karate Combat 45 took place earlier this evening in Dubai and was headlined by an intriguing matchup between Rockhold and Schilling.
Jamahal Hill set to return against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303
Chris Taylor - April 20, 2024
Jamahal Hill will be making a quick turnaround as he has been booked to fight Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 303 on June 29. Hill (12-2 MMA) is of course coming off a first-round KO loss to Alex Pereira in his bid to reclaim the promotion‘s light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 300 (see that here). That setback had marked Jamahal’s first fight since January of 2023, where he defeated Glover Teixeira to claim the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 283. Jamahal Hill had earned that title opportunity after scoring three consecutive knockouts over Jimmy Crute, Johnny Walker and Thiago Santos.
Deiveson Figueiredo calls for 'dream fight' against former UFC champ after UFC 300 win
Curtis Calhoun - April 19, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo wants to add a former bantamweight titleholder to his desired path to a title shot. Figueiredo defeated former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt to kick off UFC 300 last Saturday in Las Vegas. He is now 2-0 in his UFC bantamweight tenure after defeating Rob Font in December by unanimous decision.
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Sergio Pettis 2 announced for RIZIN 47 in June
Josh Evanoff - April 19, 2024
Kyoji Horiguchi will get the chance to avenge a loss to Sergio Pettis later this summer in RIZIN. ‘The Typhoon’ is fresh off a rematch with Makoto Takahashi at RIZIN 45 in December. That fight was his second in a row with the Japanese fighter, previously fighting to a no-contest in July that ended in an eye poke. In the second bout, Kyoji Horiguchi wasted no time, securing a second-round submission victory.
'Not Logan Paul' sues Nate Diaz over 2023 New Orleans street fight
Josh Evanoff - April 19, 2024
The man known online as ‘Not Logan Paul’ is suing Nate Diaz over a street fight that took place last April. The Stockton native is currently preparing for his return to the boxing ring in June against Jorge Masvidal. That fight will be Nate Diaz’s second since leaving the UFC in September 2022. He dropped a decision in the boxing ring to Jake Paul last August, months after he choked out a man with a striking resemblance to Logan Paul.
Video | ‘Karen’ threatens to “bust up” UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber in California
Susan Cox - April 19, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber ran into a ‘Karen’ in California who threatened to “bust” her up. Maycee Barber (14-2 MMA) last fought and defeated Katlyn Cerminara (18-6 MMA) by unanimous decision this past March at UFC 299. The flyweight fighter is now sporting 6 consecutive victories in the Octagon.
Sam Alvey goes to bat for the UFC in fighter pay debate: “Most of the card gets paid way more than they're worth”
Susan Cox - April 19, 2024
Sam Alvey is going to bat for the UFC in the fighter pay debate. ‘Smile’n Sam’ parted ways with the UFC in 2022 after 8 years with the promotion. The now 37-year-old had a string of 8 losses prior to his departure.
Max Holloway names the one UFC memory that still surpasses his knockout of Justin Gaethje
Susan Cox - April 19, 2024
Max Holloway has named the one UFC memory that still surpasses his knockout of Justin Gaethje. The historic UFC 300 which took place last weekend, Saturday, April 13th, in Vegas saw Max Holloway (26-7 MMA) vs. Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA) in a lightweight bout with the BMF title on the line.
Michael Bisping explains why he believes Sean Strickland will have a “significant advantage” over Paulo Costa at UFC 302
Harry Kettle - April 19, 2024
Michael Bisping has explained why he believes Sean Strickland will have a big advantage over Paulo Costa at UFC 302. Following UFC 300, Dana White announced that Sean Strickland and Paulo Costa will collide in the co-main event of UFC 302. As you can imagine, fight fans are pretty excited to see what the two can produce on the big stage.
UFC 303: ‘Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - April 19, 2024
The countdown is on as fight fans around the globe gear up for the long-awaited return of Conor McGregor at UFC 303. Event: UFC 303: McGregor vs Poirier Date: Saturday, 29th June 2024 Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas, Nevada) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (6pm EST prelims, 10pm EST main card)
Itsuki Hirata vs. Victoria Souza added to stacked ONE 167
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 19, 2024
Itsuki Hirata is gearing up for a crucial showdown at the highly anticipated ONE 167 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event on June 7 marks her first step on the road to redemption. There, she faces Victoria Souza in a women’s atomweight MMA clash, live from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.