MMA News
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling wants Henry Cejudo to honor his pre-fight bet: “Where the f**k is my gold medal?”
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has called out Henry Cejudo for not honoring a bet they made prior to their UFC 288 showdown. Last month at UFC 288, Aljamain Sterling and Henry Cejudo went to war over the UFC bantamweight championship. While it was a close and competitive bout, the judges ruled that ‘Funk Master’ was the man to have his hand raised in victory.
Islam Makhachev shares his thoughts on Jon Jones being ranked the #1 pound-for-pound fighter: “This is bullsh*t, brother”
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t happy about Jon Jones being the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the rankings. Following his win over Alexander Volkanovski, many believed Islam Makhachev was the new #1 P4P fighter in the world. However, because of how close the fight was, the UFC opted to keep Volkanovski at number one.
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan views former champion Charles Oliveira as an “easy” win
Harry Kettle - June 15, 2023
Arman Tsarukyan believes he has what it takes to defeat Charles Oliveira if the two ever squared off inside the Octagon. This Saturday night, Arman Tsarukyan will return to the cage. He’ll go head to head with Joaquim Silva, attempting to build on the victory he pulled off over Damir Ismagulov in December. Prior to that, he was beaten by Mateusz Gamrot in an incredibly tight and technical decision.
Kyle Daukaus reveals several opponents turned him down in first fight since UFC release, hopeful to sign with Bellator or PFL after CFFC 120
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
Kyle Daukaus could have still been a UFC fighter if he wanted. Daukaus lost back-to-back fights by knockout to Roman Dolidze and Eryk Anders and after the loss to Anders, he had fought out his contract. With him losing two in a row, Daukaus expected to get released but he was offered a short-notice fight at light heavyweight against Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 in Australia which he turned down. He was subsequently released shortly there after.
Scott Coker sends message to other MMA promotions: "We have as good or better fighters than other leagues, including the UFC"
Zain Bando - June 14, 2023
Bellator president Scott Coker has made his stance clear – his fighters are the cream of the crop. Ahead of Bellator 297 Friday night, which is headlined by two marquee title fights in Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero at light heavyweight and Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Pitbull at bantamweight, Coker was adamant his three champions could challenge a whos-who, including the best the UFC has to offer. “We have as good or better fighters than other leagues, including the UFC,” Coker said. “And I think that everybody knows that now.”
Marvin Vettori open to Khamzat Chimaev fight after he beats Jared Cannonier at UFC Vegas 75: "Bring him"
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
Marvin Vettori is open to fighting Khamzat Chimaev. Vettori is set to headline UFC Vegas 75 against Jared Cannonier on Saturday night as he looks to extend his win streak to two after beating Roman Dolidze. Although Vettori is ranked third, he likely needs multiple wins to get a title shot, especially due to the fact he is 0-2 against Israel Adesanya.
WATCH | Vadim Nemkov has virtual face-off with Yoel Romero as 'Soldier of God' misses presser due to fear of heights
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov had a unique staredown with Yoel Romero today. The Russian has been out of the cage since his rematch with Corey Anderson last October. At Bellator 288, Vadim Nemkov scored a unanimous decision win over ‘Overtime’ to retain his light-heavyweight title. That was a huge win for the champion, as it set the record for most Bellator title defenses in the division, with three.
Marvin Vettori discusses 'super weird' African rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has given his thoughts on the rivalry between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis. ‘The Italian Dream’ has been out of action since his unanimous decision win over Roman Dolidze in March. That was an important win for the middleweight contender, as it was his third victory in his last four octagon appearances. Just a few months later, he’s now set to return against Jared Cannonier.
Boxing champion Regis Prograis reflects on sparring session with Nate Diaz: "We just beat each other up"
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
WBC light welterweight champion Regis Prograis has discussed sparring with Nate Diaz. The Stockton slugger is set to return in August, in his first fight since leaving the UFC last September. However, this won’t be a fight in a cage. Instead, it’ll be Nate Diaz’s boxing debut, as he’s slated to face Jake Paul in August on DAZN pay-per-view. ‘The Problem Child’ is coming off a decision loss to Tommy Fury in February.
Conor McGregor reportedly has two days to enter USADA testing pool in order to fight in 2023
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
Time is running out on Conor McGregor if he wants to fight in 2023. Ever since it was announced McGregor would coach TUF 31 opposite Michael Chandler, many expect the two to fight at the end of the year. However, a major holdup has been that the Irishman is not in the USADA testing pool but last month, USADA came out and said McGregor would be back in the pool shortly.
Ian Machado Garry booked to return at UFC 292 opposite Geoff Neal
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
Ian Machado Garry will get the toughest test of his career at UFC 292 as he looks to break into the top 10 of the welterweight division. RTE Sport first broke the news that Garry is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 292 on August 19 in Boston, Massachusetts against Geoff Neal. The news was later confirmed by Garry on social media, who posted about the matchup. The main event of the pay-per-view card sees Aljamain Sterling defending his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley.
Bellator 297: Yoel Romero says the MMA community ‘knows what happened’ in last title fight appearance
Zain Bando - June 14, 2023
Yoel Romero has not forgotten what happened the last time he competed in Chicago. The 46-year-old Cuban light heavyweight was on the wrong end of a 2018 middleweight title fight with Robert Whittaker, a fight many believed Romero did enough to earn a decision.
Official main card lineup announced for next month’s UFC London event
Susan Cox - June 14, 2023
The official main card lineup for next month’s UFC London event has been announced. UFC London will take place on Saturday July 22nd at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Michael Chandler eyes rematch with “absolute savage” Charles Oliveira following UFC 289: “See you at the top”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2023
Michael Chandler is eyeing a rematch with ‘absolute savage’ Charles Oliveira following the former champ’s win at UFC 289. The lightweight co-main event at UFC 289 took place last Saturday, June 10th and saw Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA) vs Beneil Dariush (22-5 MMA) with ‘do Bronx’ achieving victory by knockout at 4:10 of Round 1 (see that here).
Israel Adesanya believes Francis Ngannou’s split with the UFC will be short-lived: “The story's not over yet”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2023
Israel Adesanya believes Francis Ngannou’s split with the UFC will be short-lived. Ngannou and the UFC parted ways in January of this year after ongoing contract negotiations ultimately failed.
Pro fighters make their picks for Marvin Vettori vs. Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 75, a battle of top-five middleweights goes down as Marvin Vettori takes on Jared Cannonier. Heading into the fight, Vettori is a -120 favorite while the American is a slight -106 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC Vegas 75, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Vettori getting his hand raised, likely by decision in what should be a close, competitive fight.
Nate Landwehr issues statement following loss to Dan Ige at UFC 289: “Ain’t no shame in my game man”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
UFC fighter Nate Landwehr has issued a statement following his defeat to Dan Ige at UFC 289 last weekend. Any fans who have watched UFC in the last few years will know just how exciting Nate Landwehr is. The 35-year-old is the kind of fighter who never gives up, and he always wants to put on a show for the fans. Heading into his meeting with Dan Ige on Saturday night, he was riding a three-fight win streak with all three victories landing him a bonus.
Miranda Maverick reveals she received death threats and messages to commit suicide following loss at UFC 289: “It is insane”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
UFC fighter Miranda Maverick has opened up on some of the disturbing messages she’s received since her fight last weekend. For a long time now, Miranda Maverick has been seen as an interesting prospect in the women’s flyweight division. At the age of just 25, she already has a great set of tools – and has many years ahead of her to continue developing them.