MMA News
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.
Justin Gaethje rejects notion that he caused Tony Ferguson's downfall: "We play a rough game"
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has commented on Tony Ferguson’s recent performances. ‘The Highlight’ and ‘El Cucuy’ are both slated to return at UFC 291 this Saturday night. However, the two former champions are in very different stages of their careers. For his part, Justin Gaethje is coming off a decision win over Rafael Fiziev in March and is slated for a main-event rematch with Dustin Poirier.
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.
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.
Michael Bisping believes Tom Aspinall would make quick work of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones: “I don’t think he can hold a candle to Tom”
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Michael Bisping believes Tom Aspinall would make quick work of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Tom Aspinall (13-3 MMA) is riding high after his recent victory over Marcin Tybura (24-8 MMA) last Saturday in the heavyweight main event. Aspinall, in front of his home town crowd at the O2 Arena in London, England, knocked out Tybura at 1:13 of round 1.
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.
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.