MMA News
Aljamain Sterling explains why he thinks Petr Yan was overrated by fans and the UFC
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
Aljamain Sterling believes Petr Yan was overrated and overhyped by the UFC and MMA fans. Yan is the former UFC bantamweight champion and entered his first title defense against Aljamain Sterling as a sizeable betting favorite. The fight ended in controversial fashion as Sterling won the contest by DQ as a result of Yan throwing an illegal knee. After that, the Russian won the interim belt by decision as he beat Cory Sandhagen but has since lost three straight fights as he lost to Sterling in the rematch, Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
Jorge Masvidal and Sean Strickland both invite Elon Musk to train with them to beat "dirty communist" Mark Zuckerberg
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
Jorge Masvidal and Sean Strickland are interested in helping train Elon Musk. Musk and FaceBook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg began taking shots at one another and both agreed to fight one another in the UFC. Although many assumed it was a joke, Dana White confirmed they are serious and he is hopeful he can get the fight done.
Daniel Cormier calls for Julianna Pena to face Erin Blanchfield for bantamweight title: "She said she's the greatest female fighter!"
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier is down to see Julianna Pena vs. Erin Blanchfield. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ was last seen at UFC 289 earlier this month in Canada. However, Julianna Pena wasn’t in action like originally expected. While she was slated to fight on the card against Amanda Nunes, the former champion withdrew due to injury and was replaced with Irene Aldana.
Eddie Hearn reveals Francis Ngannou's boxing debut could come on the same night as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
Francis Ngannou might make his boxing debut on the same card as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ is still waiting to make his return to combat sports, having been out of action for well over a year. In March, the former UFC champion signed with PFL, ending his high-profile free agency. Thanks to the deal, Francis Ngannou retained his right to box, which was one of the factors that forced his move.
Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 targeted for Mexican Independence Day in September
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2023
UFC women flyweights Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko are nearly set to run it back. The two previously faced off in March at UFC 285 in the co-main event. Entering the contest, ‘Bullet’ was understandably a massive favorite, and was targeting a potential move back up to bantamweight. While Valentina Shevchenko was interested in a trilogy with Amanda Nunes, those plans were derailed by Alexa Grasso.
Mark Zuckerberg opens as gigantic favorite over Elon Musk in potential fight
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
Mark Zuckerberg has opened as a massive betting favorite to beat Elon Musk should the two fight one another. Zuckerberg and Musk recently went back-and-forth on social media and the two agreed to a cage fight in the UFC. Immediately many thought the two weren’t serious, but UFC president Dana White revealed he spoke to both of them, and they are dead serious about making the fight happen.
Pro fighters make their picks for Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria
Cole Shelton - June 22, 2023
In the main event of UFC Jacksonville, a battle of ranked featherweights go down as Josh Emmett takes on Ilia Topuria. Heading into the fight, Emmett is a +280 underdog while the Georgian is a -390 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros lean towards Topuria getting the job done as they believe the Georgian is the real deal.
Bellator gets some serious props from Ariel Helwani: “There is no other promotion, outside of the UFC, that has a collection of champions like that”
Zain Bando - June 22, 2023
Ariel Helwani shares his thoughts about Bellator’s roster Long-time MMA journalist Ariel Helwani always gives credit where credit is due, especially when it comes to the sport as a whole. Last Friday showcased Bellator 297, which featured two world title fights. Bellator light heavyweight champion, Vadim Nemkov, took on Yoel Romero in the main event, while Sergio Pettis fought Patricio Pitbull for the bantamweight strep in the co-main.
Phil Rowe blasts UFC commentators for weight miss criticisms: "It's always negative until the guy is laid out in front of me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
Phil Rowe has a bone to pick with UFC commentators. This Saturday (June 24), Phil Rowe will compete in the biggest pro MMA bout of his career. He’ll share the Octagon with Neil Magny inside the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. It’s a significant bout for Rowe, as Magny holds the number 11 spot on the official UFC welterweight rankings. A win will put Phil Rowe in the top 15.
Marlon Vera dismisses Sean O'Malley's resume ahead of 'Sugar's' UFC title fight: "Who has he been in a fight with?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
Marlon Vera isn’t sold on Sean O’Malley being deserving of a UFC bantamweight title opportunity. O’Malley is set to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on August 19. The two will collide in the main event of UFC 292. The action will be held inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
UFC Jacksonville: ‘Emmett vs. Topuria’ Fight Card and Start Times
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
This weekend’s UFC Jacksonville card featuring Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria is set. On Saturday (June 24), the UFC returns to the ABC network for a Fight Night card. The action will emanate from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida. In the main event, Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria will collide. This is a pivotal featherweight clash, as the winner could be one step closer to UFC gold.
Jeremy Stephens calls out Conor McGregor for a boxing match: “Give the fans what they want”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2023
Jeremy Stephens is calling for a boxing match with Conor McGregor. Stephens has been dabbling into the sweet science as of late. Back in April, he took on soon-to-be UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo in a boxing clash. The bout went the distance and the result was a majority draw. He’ll look to nab his first pro boxing victory when he steps in the ring with Chris Avila. The bout will be featured Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz card on August 5.
UFC veteran Neil Magny responds to “interesting” callout from undefeated welterweight Ian Garry
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2023
UFC veteran Neil Magny has given his thoughts on being called out by rising welterweight star Ian Garry. When you think of fan favorite fighters, it’s hard not to think of Neil Magny. While he may not exactly be an all-action star, he’s been an ever-present member of the welterweight division – and he has the most wins in history at 170 pounds.
Israel Adesanya loses out to Jon Jones after campaigning for ESPY’s “Best Comeback Athlete” award
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2023
Israel Adesanya was not nominated for ESPY Best Comeback Athlete of the Year award, with Jon Jones getting the UFC nod. The last twelve months have certainly been interesting for Israel Adesanya. While he did manage to defeat Jared Cannonier last July in a somewhat tepid affair, he proceeded to lose his UFC middleweight championship after getting finished by long-time rival Alex Pereira at Madison Square Garden.
Tyson Fury blames “little sh*tbag” Joe Rogan for Jon Jones fight rumors: “There was never talk of me saying I was going to go in a cage with Jon”
Harry Kettle - June 22, 2023
Tyson Fury has hit out at Joe Rogan for kickstarting talk of a fight between himself and UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. As we all know, Tyson Fury is considered by many to be the best heavyweight boxer of his generation. In the eyes of some, he’s one of the greatest of all time. On the flip side, Jon Jones is seen as the GOAT by the majority of pundits in mixed martial arts.
Gillian Robertson plans to call out Mackenzie Dern after she submits Tabatha Ricci at UFC Jacksonville
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2023
Gillian Robertson is making a quick turnaround. Robertson returned at strawweight back in April and submitted Piera Rodriguez in the first round. After the win, she called out Tabatha Ricci and was granted her wish as she will return just two months later at UFC Jacksonville.
Henry Cejudo opens as a sizeable betting favorite over Marlon Vera at UFC 292
Cole Shelton - June 21, 2023
Henry Cejudo has opened as the betting favorite for his UFC 292 fight against Marlon Vera. Earlier this week, Dana White announced that Cejudo would return at UFC 292 on August 19 in Boston against Vera. It’s an intriguing matchup as ‘Triple C’ looks to rebound from his loss to Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title following his return fight from retirement.
Chris Avila vs. Jeremy Stephens added to the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
Josh Evanoff - June 21, 2023
UFC veterans Chris Avila and Jeremy Stephens have been added to Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz. ‘The Problem Child’ is slated to face the former UFC star in August on DAZN pay-per-view. The bout will be Nate Diaz’s first boxing match and his first combat sports appearance since September. That month at UFC 279, he scored a submission win over Tony Ferguson to close out his contract with the promotion.