MMA News
Trevin Giles expects Gabriel Bonfim to gas out at UFC 291 but says the Brazilian "isn't skilled enough to beat me" anyways
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
Trevin Giles is confident he will hand Gabriel Bonfim his first career loss. Giles is on a two-fight win streak and is coming off a decision win over Preston Parsons back in March. After the fight, Giles said his elbow was a bit banged up so he needed to take a bit of time off.
Tony Ferguson claims he was fine with the idea of Nate Diaz beating him at UFC 279: "Take your f*****g victory, get the f**k outta here"
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
Tony Ferguson says he was fine losing to Nate Diaz as it allowed the Stockton native to leave the UFC on a win. Ferguson was supposed to take on Li Jingliang at UFC 279 at welterweight, but after Khamzat Chimaev badly missed weight, ‘El Cucuy’ ended up fighting Nate Diaz at welterweight on a day’s notice. However, Ferguson says that camp was not a good one as he was eating slushies on fight week and didn’t care too much about his fight against Diaz.
VIDEO | Dwayne Johnson meets with Themba Gorimbo after $7 dollar admission
Josh Evanoff - July 27, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Themba Gorimbo got a visit from Dwayne Johnson earlier today. ‘The Answer’ is fresh off his return opposite Takashi Sato in May at UFC Vegas 73. The bout took place just a few months after his debut, a submission loss to A.J. Fletcher in February. However, Themba Gorimbo would have much better fortune in his second outing, winning by unanimous decision.
Derrick Lewis promises six-pack for UFC 291 return: "If not, y'all can talk s*it post-fight!"
Josh Evanoff - July 27, 2023
UFC heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis is promising to be in great shape on Saturday. ‘The Black Beast’ has been out of the cage since a clash with Sergey Spivak in February. There, the former title challenger suffered his third loss in a row by knockout. Previously, Derrick Lewis suffered lopsided losses at the hands of Sergei Pavlovich and Ciryl Gane in 2022.
Michael Chiesa reveals he reached out to the UFC to try and fight Bo Nickal on short notice at UFC 290
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
Michael Chiesa tried to face Bo Nickal at UFC 290. After Tresean Gore pulled out of his UFC 290 scrap against Nickal due to injury, the UFC was in need of an opponent. The promotion ended up settling on Val Woodburn, but Michael Chiesa claims he had previously spoke to the UFC about stepping up on short notice to fight Nickal and the making a quick turnaround to compete this weekend against Holland.
Stephen Thompson shares prediction for proposed Colby Covington vs Leon Edwards title fight: “I don't see Colby having anything for him”
Susan Cox - July 27, 2023
Stephen Thompson is sharing his prediction for the proposed Colby Covington vs Leon Edwards title fight. It has been rumored that a fight between Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) and Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA) could happen as soon as November 11th at UFC 295 which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Dana White announces main and co-main event for September 23 Fight Night card
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
UFC president Dana White has announced the main and co-main events for the September 23 Fight Night card. The September 23 Fight Night card is expected to take place at the UFC Apex and Dana White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto that the main event will see Rafael Fiziev take on Mateusz Gamrot at lightweight. The co-main event is a battle of ranked featherweights as Bryce Mitchell will throw down with Dan Ige.
Dustin Poirier is open to welcoming Nate Diaz back to the UFC
Susan Cox - July 27, 2023
Dustin Poirier is open to welcoming Nate Diaz back to the UFC. It was Nate Diaz (21-13 MMA) who parted ways with the UFC back in September of 2022 following his victory over Tony Ferguson (25-8 MMA) at UFC 279.
UFC 291 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jan Blachowicz vs. Alex Pereira
Cole Shelton - July 27, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 291, Jan Blachowicz is set to welcome former middleweight champion Alex Pereira to the light heavyweight division. It’s a fight the Pole asked for and heading into the scrap, Blachowicz is a -122 favorite while the Brazilian is a -102 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Blachowicz getting the job done at UFC 291. The pros expect Blachowicz to use his size to wrestle Pereira and get the win.
Former UFC champion Alex Pereira reveals it was a USADA agent who followed him in viral Walmart Video
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
UFC fighter Alex Pereira has revealed that it was a USADA agent following him in his recent viral Walmart video. We all know that Alex Pereira is a terrifying individual. This weekend, he could get even more terrifying as he prepares to make his light heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz at UFC 291.
Derrick Lewis recounts blacking out due to unhealthy weight cut before last UFC fight: “I felt like I actually died”
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has revealed that he blacked out due to an unhealthy weight cut prior to his last bout. When it comes to fan favorites in mixed martial arts, Derrick Lewis is up there with the best of them. He is the knockout king in the promotion and even at the age of 38, it still seems as if he’s got a lot left in the tank. This weekend, he’ll return to action for the first time since February when he battles Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
Michael Chiesa responds to Kevin Lee’s claims that he turned down a short-notice fight: “He f**king fed you guys a bunch of sh*t”
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
Michael Chiesa has rejected a claim from Kevin Lee that he offered to step in and fight him on short notice. After more than 18 months away, Michael Chiesa will return to the Octagon this weekend to face Kevin Holland. He’s currently riding a two-fight losing streak, with his hope being that he can bounce back in Salt Lake City.
Stephen Thompson expecting a 'Fight of the Year' contender against Michel Pereira at UFC 291: "Preparing for the hardest fight ever"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Stephen Thompson is excited to finally get the chance to face Michel Pereira. After Thompson lost back-to-back fights to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns he told BJPENN.com he wanted to be matched up with Pereira next. However, he ended up facing Kevin Holland and scored a TKO win but will now face Pereira at UFC 291.
Tony Ferguson believes he's just entering his prime, has no plans to retire anytime soon: "Five fights and a title"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Tony Ferguson thinks he’s just entering his prime ahead of his UFC 291 fight against Bobby Green. Ferguson is on a five-fight losing skid and coming off a submission loss to Nate Diaz last September. Prior to that, he lost to Michael Chandler by KO, Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira by decision, and Justin Gaethje by KO. Since he has been on the losing skid, many fans have called for ‘El Cucuy’ to retire, but Ferguson says he isn’t even thinking about that.
Dustin Poirier warns Justin Gaethje of trying to be technical at UFC 291: "I'm going to show you levels"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Dustin Poirier has sent a warning to Justin Gaethje. Poirier and Gaethje are set to headline UFC 291 on Saturday for the vacant BMF title. It serves as a rematch of their 2018 Fight of the Year where Poirier won by fourth-round TKO. Since then, many fans have wanted the two to rematch and it will finally happen on Saturday night.
Daniel Cormier downplays Molly McCann's strawweight move: "There are great grapplers at 115!"
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Molly McCann’s biggest issue is her grappling, not weight class. ‘Meatball’ made her high-profile return on Saturday night in London. The bout was her first since a destructive first-round submission loss at the hands of Erin Blanchfield last November. Sadly for Molly McCann, it was Déjà vu against Julija Stoliarenko at UFC London earlier this month.
Justin Gaethje wants to "make" Jorge Masvidal wrap the BMF belt around his waist after UFC 291: "He’ll hate it"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Justin Gaethje is excited to make Jorge Masvidal wrap the BMF belt around his waist. Justin Gaethje is set to headline UFC 291 on Saturday against Dustin Poirier for the vacant BMF belt. Ahead of the fight, Jorge Masvidal, who won the title back in 2019, has said he will be awarding the winner with the title.
Michael Bisping reveals that he turned down offer to fight 'little p*ssy' Jake Paul
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping nearly signed to step in the ring with Jake Paul. ‘The Problem Child’ is slated to return in August, for the first time since his loss to Tommy Fury earlier this year. Following that defeat, the YouTuber-turned-boxer announced his plans to activate his rematch clause with ‘TNT’. However, he quickly changed his mind, signing to box Nate Diaz next month.