MMA News
Ray Longo reveals his biggest fear for Chris Weidman ahead of UFC 292 return
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 15, 2023
Renowned coach Ray Longo has a big concern for Chris Weidman ahead of UFC 292. Weidman is set to make the walk to the Octagon for the first time since April 2021. At UFC 261, the “All-American” suffered a grotesque leg break just seconds into his bout with Uriah Hall. Weidman ended up having to undergo two surgeries, as the fracture wasn’t healing properly. The good news for the former UFC Middleweight Champion is that his leg has now healed and he is set to fight Brad Tavares this Saturday night (August 19).
Sean O'Malley's coach believes Aljamain Sterling will leave himself open at UFC 292: "He's going to take a big risk"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 15, 2023
Sean O’Malley could take advantage of a huge mistake by Aljamain Sterling, says “Sugar’s” coach. O’Malley and Sterling are set to collide in the main event of UFC 292 this Saturday night (August 19). Sterling’s UFC Bantamweight Championship will be at stake inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The “Funk Master” is a -260 betting favorite, per Bovada, while O’Malley is a +205 underdog. It’ll be interesting to see who the late money favors on fight night.
Eddie Hearn takes aim at “awful” boxing match between Nate Diaz and Jake Paul: “You're talking about low level”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 15, 2023
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn was not impressed by the boxing skills on display during the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz match. Paul and Diaz shared the ring inside the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas earlier this month. The bout had its moments with Paul scoring a fifth-round knockdown, and Diaz continuing to hang in there and land punches. The problem for Diaz was his punches had no significant impact on his opponent. Paul’s punches were clearly more effective and he won the bout via unanimous decision.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 135 with John Dodson and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2023
In the 135th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com, host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 292 and recapping BKFC 48. We’re first joined by the new BKFC flyweight champion John Dodson (1:17). Closing out the show is UFC middleweight Andre Petroski (14:31). Sorry for only two guests, we did have interviews with Rob Font and Mario Bautista that went out after their opponents pulled out, as well as an interview scheduled with Geoff Neal before he withdrew.
Michael Chandler explains why he is “ticked off” by recent Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis booking: “What are we doing?”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
UFC fighter Michael Chandler has explained why he isn’t a big fan of the recent Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis booking. On October 14, Logan Paul and Dillon Danis are scheduled to square off in the co-main event of the KSI vs Tommy Fury card in Manchester, England. It’s a bout that has been teased for a long time now, but many fans have already said they don’t think it’ll happen. The reason, of course, is because Danis pulled out of his previously scheduled showdown with KSI.
Terrance McKinney says UFC Vegas 78 win is the start of his championship run: “God resurrected my career and we’re back”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
UFC fighter Terrance McKinney believes that his win last weekend could be the start of his championship run. For quite some time now, Terrance McKinney has been seen as a really fun prospect in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately for him, while he always puts on fun fights, he doesn’t always pick up the win. Heading into Saturday night, McKinney was riding a two-fight losing streak after being finished by Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov.
BJ Penn praises Marlon Vera ahead of UFC 292 fight with Pedro Munhoz: “He does have all the championship qualities”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer BJ Penn has popped up on the latest episode of Embedded to praise Marlon Vera ahead of his fight this weekend. Following on from his decisive loss to Cory Sandhagen earlier this year, Marlon Vera has had to go back to the drawing board. He’s still a top contender, but adjustments need to be made. He’s set to return at UFC 292 this Saturday night in Boston, with his original opponent being Henry Cejudo. Unfortunately, ‘Triple C’ had to pull out, meaning Pedro Munhoz has now stepped in as a replacement.
Aljamain Sterling reveals he has a bet with Sean O'Malley over who shoots a takedown first
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has a bet made with Sean O’Malley over their UFC 292 title fight. Sterling and O’Malley are set to headline UFC 292 in Boston in a highly anticipated matchup. In the lead-up to the fight, both men have been vocal in suggesting they will be getting a stoppage win. However, on Monday, Sterling revealed another interesting wrinkle to the fight as the two sides have agreed to a side bet.
Chatri Sityodtong offers to promote Mark Zuckerberg-Elon Musk MMA Fight, proposes bout card
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
It all began with a single tweet aimed at Mark Zuckerberg. Elon Musk threw down the gauntlet when he playfully called out the Meta boss for an MMA bout.
Mario Bautista remains on UFC 292, set to face Da'Mon Blackshear
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Mario Bautista has gotten a replacement opponent. Bautista was supposed to face Cody Garbrandt at UFC 292 in Boston but the former bantamweight champion had to pull out due to an injury. Now, multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Bautista will face Da’Mon Blackshear on Saturday at UFC 292.
Dana White says he moved PPV model to streaming due to cable dispute: “We were so tired of the cable side and the satellite side being basically pigs’
Zain Bando - August 14, 2023
For the first time in 2023, Dana White opened up on the business aspects of the UFC and what has made the company successful since moving from FOX Sports to ESPN/ESPN+ in 2019. The UFC puts on 40+ annual events as one of the few promotions that exclusively stream without needing televised pay-per-view.
Demetrious Johnson commits to join 2023 IBJJF Masters
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
Demetrious Johnson, the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion and MMA legend, is set to embark on a new challenge. “Mighty Mouse” will be switching fields temporarily to showcase his talents in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the 2023 IBJJF Masters World Championships. The competition will take place between August 31 and September 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aljamain Sterling shares prediction for UFC 292 title fight against Sean O'Malley: "There's levels, man"
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is confident he will defend his bantamweight title with relative ease at UFC 292. Sterling is set to headline UFC 292 on Saturday night in Boston against Sean O’Malley. It’s a highly-anticipated matchup and one both men have been vocal in their confidence ahead of.
Ian Machado Garry believes he's "carrying" UFC 292 on his back: "If it wasn't for me, this card would go down the drain"
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Ian Machado Garry believes he is carrying the promotion for UFC 292. The UFC heads to Boston on Saturday for UFC 292 which is headlined by two title fights, including Aljamain Sterling defending his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley. Also on the main card is a welterweight bout featuring Ian Garry taking on Neil Magny, who took the fight on short notice.
Aljamain Sterling goes off on Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 292: "That naked mole rat is getting smashed"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has put Sean O’Malley on blast before their UFC 292 encounter. Sterling will be putting the bantamweight gold on the line against O’Malley in the UFC 292 headliner. The two will collide this Saturday inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It’ll be O’Malley’s first UFC title fight.
Israel Adesanya threatens to break Sean Strickland's jaw at UFC 293: "I’m going to knock him out"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya believes the more Sean Strickland talks, the worse the outcome will be for him at UFC 293. Adesanya is scheduled to put his 185-pound gold at stake against Strickland. The two will collide on September 9 inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The title fight will headline UFC 293. Strickland stepped up after Dricus du Plessis wasn’t going to be healed in time to fight Adesanya at the event.
Rose Namajunas explains motivation behind her move up to flyweight: “I want something that scares me”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
Rose Namajunas has given her reason behind moving up to the women’s flyweight division. Namajunas is a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. Her exit from the 115-pound division wasn’t exactly ideal. Namajunas suffered a split decision loss against Carla Esparza in a bout that was widely panned for its lack of activity. “Thug” Rose lost the strawweight championship, and she’s hoping a move up to flyweight can shed the negativity from her last outing.
Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold set to make combat sports return next month in Jerusalem
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Luke Rockhold will make his return to the combat sports sphere next month as he heads to Jerusalem for the next Israel Fight Night. Last summer, Luke Rockhold walked away from mixed martial arts following his crazy loss to Paulo Costa in the UFC. Then, earlier this year, he made his debut with BKFC, falling to a defeat courtesy of Mike Perry – the man who many consider to be the face of bare-knuckle boxing.