MMA News
Paulo Costa attempts to clear the air after starting online tension between Tracy Cortez and Brian Ortega
Susan Cox - July 4, 2023
Paulo Costa is attempting to clear the air after starting online tension between Tracy Cortez and Brian Ortega. It all began last Friday night when Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) posted a picture of himself and the 29 year old UFC flyweight Tracy Cortez (10-1 MMA).
UFC 290 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Yair Rodriguez title fight
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023
In the main event of UFC 290, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Alexander Volkanovski looks to defend his strap against Yair Rodriguez. Heading into the fight, Volkanovski is a massive -400 favorite while the Mexican is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC 290, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. To no surprise, the pros are unaninmous in picking Volkanovski to defend his belt as they believe he is too good at featherweight.
Chael Sonnen reveals he was previously 'catfished by Aspen Ladd'
Susan Cox - July 4, 2023
Chael Sonnen is revealing that he was previously ‘catfished by Aspen Ladd’. Chael Sonnen proclaimed last week that Mark Zuckerberg contacted him sharing news he had booked a fight against Elon Musk in a battle of the billionaires at UFC 300.
Sean O’Malley believes he could take over top spot in pound-for-pound rankings by defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292
Harry Kettle - July 4, 2023
Sean O’Malley has, perhaps jokingly, suggested he could become the new pound-for-pound number one fighter in the UFC if he beats Aljamain Sterling. At UFC 292, Sean O’Malley’s chance at glory arrives. He will battle Aljamain Sterling with the UFC bantamweight championship on the line. If he wins, he will finally become a world champion at the highest level – something he’s promised to do for years. It’s a quick turnaround for Sterling, of course, who faced Henry Cejudo back in May.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 129 with Dricus Du Plessis, Brandon Royval, Kamuela Kirk, and Shannon Ross
Cole Shelton - July 4, 2023
The 129th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 290 this Saturday. We’re first joined by fifth-ranked UFC middleweight Dricus Du Plessis (2:00). Next, fourth-ranked UFC flyweight Brandon Royval (16:33) comes on. UFC lightweight Kamuela Kirk (32:32) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC flyweight, Shannon Ross (46:01).
Alex Pereira takes aim at Abus Magomedov for having “a fake record” following UFC Vegas 76
Harry Kettle - July 4, 2023
Alex Pereira has taken a shot at Abus Magomedov for having what he deems to be a fake record after his loss last weekend. If there’s one man who knows what it takes to succeed at middleweight, and do so quickly, it’s Alex Pereira. The Brazilian sensation was able to rapidly rise up through the ranks of the division, eventually becoming champion. So, then, when he saw Abus Magomedov get a huge opportunity to take on Sean Strickland last Saturday night, he was understandably intrigued.
Yair Rodriguez explains what makes him “the most difficult” matchup for Alex Volkanovski: “The rival that’s more unpredictable than the rest”
Harry Kettle - July 4, 2023
Yair Rodriguez has explained what makes him a difficult match-up for Alex Volkanovski as they prepare to collide this weekend. At UFC 290, Yair Rodriguez faces the fight of his life. He will battle Alex Volkanovski in an attempt to capture the UFC bantamweight championship, a belt of which he already holds the interim version. Most fans and pundits consider him to be the underdog, as you’d imagine would be the case. Still, that isn’t going to stop him from putting his best foot forward.
What's next for Sean Strickland and Abus Magomedov after UFC Vegas 76?
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 76, Sean Strickland was taking on unranked Abus Magomedov. Strickland entered the fight coming off a decision victory over Nassourdine Imavov, in a scrap he took on short notice. That fight got him back into the win column after suffering back-to-back losses to Jared Cannonier and Alex Pereira. Magomedov, meanwhile, was coming off a 19-second KO win over Dustin Stoltzfus in his UFC debut to earn a main event spot.
Dana White reflects on 'friend' Kobe Bryant investing in the UFC: "An incredible human"
Josh Evanoff - July 3, 2023
UFC President Dana White recently took some time to discuss Kobe Bryant. In the summer of 2016, the UFC completed was bought out by WME-IMG. While many executives left the company during this timeframe, Dana White famously decided to stay around. Ultimately, when the purchase was made final, Endeavor had a meeting with all of their clients, where they would be able to buy a share of the UFC.
Aljamain Sterling unloads on "entitled brat" Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 292 title defense
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has taken aim at Sean O’Malley. Sterling is set to defend his bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 292 against O’Malley. It’s a highly-anticipated bout as it marks Suga’s first chance to become a UFC champ, this after receiving a strong push from the promotion. O’Malley has also been vocal in saying he won’t just win but will finish Aljamain Sterling early to become the champ. He has also taken aim at ‘Funkmaster’ for complaining about the scrap taking place in August.
Manon Fiorot questions Rose Namajunas' flyweight move: "In a few months, you can't prepare"
Josh Evanoff - July 3, 2023
UFC women’s flyweight contender Manon Fiorot feels confident against Rose Namajunas. ‘The Beast’ has been out of the cage since her clash with Kaitlyn Chookagian last October. There, the French fighter captured a unanimous decision win, moving to 10-1 in the process. While Manon Fiorot was later linked to names such as Erin Blanchfield, she will instead face Rose Namajunas.
Jim Miller calls for UFC 300 fight with Matt Brown: "That'd be an awesome one"
Josh Evanoff - July 3, 2023
Lightweight contender Jim Miller would love to face Matt Brown at UFC 300 next year. ‘A10’ has been out of the cage since his clash with Jesse Butler last month at UFC Vegas 74. Predictably, Jim Miller scored the knockout victory over the short-notice replacement. Following the win, the lightweight again discussed the possibility of fighting at UFC 300.
Sean O'Malley explains why he thinks Henry Cejudo will retire again after pulling out of Marlon Vera fight
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2023
Sean O’Malley doesn’t think Henry Cejudo will fight again. Cejudo ended his retirement back in May to face Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title but lost by split decision. After the loss, he was adamant he wanted to fight again and called out Merab Dvalishvili. Yet, he ended up getting booked at UFC 292 against Marlon Vera, but unfortunately, Henry Cejudo was forced out of the scrap due to a shoulder injury.
Michael Bisping believes Alexa Grasso is a "better fighter" than Valentina Shevchenko
Cole Shelton - July 3, 2023
Michael Bisping has high praise for Alexa Grasso. Grasso stunned many back in March as she submitted Valentina Shevchenko to become the women’s flyweight champ. The two are set to rematch in September and many expect Shevchenko to prove that was a fluke and regain her belt.
UFC 290 TRAILER - Year of the Boomerang
Pineapple Dojo MMA - July 3, 2023
What if every UFC Pay-Per-View was a major motion picture? For hardcore MMA fans, it can sometimes feel that way. Between the press conferences, UFC Embedded Vlogs, and fight prediction analyses, the anticipation of a PPV fight week is electrifying. This type of build-up can only be compared to the energy of that summer blockbuster you’ve been waiting for all year. In Pineapple Dojo’s latest video, “YEAR OF THE BOOMERANG”, the cinematic experience is brought to life surrounding UFC 290: Alexander “The Great” Volkanovski vs. Yair “El Pantera” Rodriguez. These two featherweights are scheduled to face off during International Fight Week on July 8th, 2023 atop a stacked main card. This satirical movie trailer utilizes a variety of interviews, fight footage, as well as internet memes to craft a compelling narrative for this featherweight title unification.
Sean Brady shares gnarly photo of the infection that forced him out of UFC 290: “It was growing in my elbow”
Harry Kettle - July 3, 2023
UFC fighter Sean Brady has shown off a photo that highlights the infection that has forced him to withdraw from UFC 290. While he may have suffered defeat to Belal Muhammad, Sean Brady is still viewed as a top contender at welterweight. He has a great, smothering style, and he isn’t afraid to use it. He was scheduled to take on Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 290 this weekend. But, unfortunately, he’s been forced to withdraw.
Report | Miami Heat axe deal to have Conor McGregor’s Tidl Sports patch on their jerseys: “It’s a reminder of the 24 hours of hell the organization went through”
Harry Kettle - July 3, 2023
The Miami Heat have reportedly axed a deal that would’ve seen Conor McGregor’s Tidl Sports brand sponsor the team next season. It’s been a strange few weeks for Conor McGregor, and one of the big reasons for that was his appearance at an NBA Finals game in Miami, Florida. After punching the team’s mascot and sending him to hospital, the Irishman was accused of sexual assault by a woman he met at the event. The messy ordeal has led many to wonder whether or not he’ll actually return to the Octagon, as he was expected to do.
Tim Sylvia reveals the UFC offered him a contract to fight Daniel Cormier but Dana White nixed the deal: “They were sh**ty bosses”
Harry Kettle - July 3, 2023
UFC heavyweight Tim Sylvia has revealed that the UFC once offered him a contract to fight Daniel Cormier in the promotion. When you speak of iconic UFC heavyweights, you need to speak of Tim Sylvia. He’s a true veteran of the game, a former UFC heavyweight champion, and someone who fought the best of the best. These days, he can be found in slap fighting as he pursues a new venture in combat sports.