MMA News
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.
Sean Strickland says he won’t be fighting Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293: “Someone at the UFC really dropped the ball on this”
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
Sean Strickland has claimed that he will not be fighting Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 293. After UFC 290, it seemed pretty nailed on that Dricus du Plessis would face Israel Adesanya for the belt later this year. Unfortunately, with the South African not being available, it was then suggested that Sean Strickland would get the call. He made it clear from the word go that he’d need to receive a big payday in order to say yes, especially with there being less than two months to go until fight night.
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.
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.
Michel Pereira wants to be the man to welcome Michael Venom Page to the UFC: "To give a show"
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
Welterweight contender Michel Pereira is willing to welcome Michael Venom Page to the UFC. ‘Demolidor’ is slated to return at UFC 291 this Saturday night against Stephen Thompson. The fight will be the biggest of the Brazilian’s career, entering riding a five-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, ‘Wonderboy’ is fresh off his win over Kevin Holland in December, snapping a two-fight skid.
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.
Conor McGregor releases statement following the death of legendary Irish singer Sinead O’Connor
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Conor McGregor has released a statement following the death of legendary Irish singer Sinead O’Connor. It was announced earlier today that acclaimed Irish singer Sinead O’Connor had died at the age of 56.
Donald Cerrone challenges “little girl” Andrew Tate to fight on Musk vs Zuckerberg undercard
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Donald Cerrone is challenging ‘little girl’ Andrew Tate to fight on the Musk vs Zuckerberg undercard. The much-anticipated battle of the billionaires between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg has drawn a lot of attention with many fighters angling to include their name on the potential high-profile event.
Justin Gaethje explains why there’s been no trash talk ahead of rematch with Dustin Poirier at UFC 291
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Justin Gaethje is explaining why there’s been no trash talk ahead of his rematch with Dustin Poirier. UFC 291 takes place this weekend, on Saturday, July 29th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Kevin Holland admits Colby Covington would probably take him down but says his wrestling is good enough for Michael Chiesa
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Kevin Holland knows his takedown defense isn’t top level just yet but says it’s plenty good enough to beat Michael Chiesa at UFC 291. When Holland was fighting at middleweight, he was easily taken down by Derek Brunson and Marvin Vettori. The losses showed a hole in his game and since then, Holland has dropped to welterweight and hasn’t had to show off much of his takedown defense as he has been fighting strikers.
UFC 291 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 BMF title fight
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
In the main event of UFC 291, the vacant BMF title is up for grabs as Dustin Poirier takes on Justin Gaethje in a highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the scrap, Poirier is a -162 favorite while ‘The Highlight’ is a +126 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Poirier will get the win in a rematch but most, to no surprise, are expecting it to be a potential Fight of the Year contender.
Sean O’Malley dubs Israel Adesanya as “the best champ UFC's ever seen”
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
UFC star Sean O’Malley has heaped praise on Israel Adesanya for being one of the greatest UFC champions of all time. Following his win over Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya is once again the UFC middleweight champion. Later this year, he’s expected to defend the belt once again, reportedly against Sean Strickland. In the eyes of many, he’s one of the best to ever do it – and may have even surpassed Anderson Silva at 185 pounds.
Brendan Schaub details the “significant advantage” Dustin Poirier has over Justin Gaethje at UFC 291
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
MMA analyst and former fighter Brendan Schaub has explained the advantage he believes Dustin Poirier holds over Justin Gaethje. This Saturday night at UFC 291, the BMF title is on the line. In the main event of the evening, Dustin Poirier will battle Justin Gaethje for the second time. The two men will go to war at lightweight, with the hope being that we see another absolute classic unfold in Salt Lake City.
Jon Anik details the “dream fight” that Mick Maynard and the UFC attempted to make
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
UFC commentator Jon Anik has spoken candidly about a light heavyweight dream fight that Mick Maynard wanted to book. For many years now, Jon Anik has served as the voice of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s one of the best commentators in combat sports, and perhaps the best of all time. In addition to that, he isn’t afraid to peel back the curtain every now and then for fans around the world.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he asked the UFC for Alex Pereira matchup, plans to "test" his striking against the Brazilian at UFC 291
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
Jan Blachowicz wanted some time off after his last fight. Blachowicz last competed back in December and fought Magomed Ankalaev to a draw for the vacant lightweight title. After the fight ended, Blachowicz wanted some time off to heal for some injuries, and he said the plan was to return in the summer.
Alex Pereira explains why Jan Blachowicz is "the perfect opponent" for his light heavyweight debut at UFC 291
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
Alex Pereira believes Jan Blachowicz is the perfect opponent for him to make his light heavyweight debut against. Pereira is set to move up to light heavyweight in the co-main event of UFC 291 against Blachowicz in an intriguing matchup. The Brazilian has always been a bigger middleweight and he said even before his KO loss to Israel Adesanya he was thinking about making the move to light heavyweight.