MMA News
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.
Patricio Pitbull expecting to dominate Sergio Pettis to win third Bellator championship: "Put him down"
Josh Evanoff - June 14, 2023
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull expects to stop Sergio Pettis this weekend. The Brazilian has been out of action since a non-title clash with Kleber Koike Erbst last December. There, Patricio Pitbull scored a unanimous decision win, his third in a row. That April, he re-earned the featherweight title by avenging his prior loss to A.J. McKee, defeating ‘Mercenary’ by decision.
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.
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.
Watch | Alex Pereira spooks unsuspecting fan during training session: “I thought I was going to die”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2023
Alex Pereira spooked an unsuspecting fan during an outdoor training session. The former UFC middleweight champion, Alex Pereira (7-2 MMA) is preparing to face UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz (29-9 MMA) in the co-main event at UFC 291.
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.
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.
Julianna Pena believes she finishes on top of Amanda Nunes rivalry: “A finish is better than a scorecard”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
Julianna Pena believes she has been able to get the edge on Amanda Nunes in their rivalry despite it being locked at 1-1. Last weekend, Amanda Nunes retired from professional mixed martial arts. She did so following her win over Irene Aldana, ensuring she walked away as a double champ. Julianna Pena, meanwhile, was in the crowd, heckling Nunes as she gave her retirement speech.
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.
Watch | Jorge Masvidal attends Donald Trump’s post-arraignment gathering in Little Havana: “We got your back”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
Jorge Masvidal has come out in support of former president Donald Trump following his post-arraignment gathering in Little Havana. While he may be retired from mixed martial arts, Jorge Masvidal is still pretty active in the media spotlight. From interviews to his business ventures, he still wants everyone to know he’s around. The former BMF title holder has several interests outside of fighting and as many of you know, one of them is politics.
Modestas Bukauskas says fighting back at the Apex is a chance to "change the script," vows to finish Zac Pauga
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Modestas Bukauskas wanted to fight in London in July but is ready for redemption at the UFC Apex. Bukauskas was re-signed by the UFC earlier this year as he took on Tyson Pedro on short notice at UFC 284. Heading into the fight, the former Cage Warriors champ was a sizeable underdog but shocked many when he pulled off a decision win.
Aspen Ladd plans to "start faster" at PFL 5 believing she needs "a first-round finish" to advance to playoffs
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Aspen Ladd knows the stakes are high for her 2023 PFL 5 fight against Karolina Sobek. Ladd lost her season-opening fight by a majority decision to Olena Kolesnyk. It was a close fight that Ladd really took over late in the bout, so with that, she knows she needs to start faster and be aggressive out of the gate.
WATCH | Alex Pereira shares footage of sparring with former opponent Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland did end up sparring with one another. Pereira recently revealed that Strickland was going to Connecticut and the two were going to train and spar with one another. The Brazilian also planned to learn some trash talk and English from Strickland. Although the two are former opponents, both Pereira and Strickland seem kind to one another, and in the sparring video, the American made it clear to keep his hand up.
Henry Cejudo wants to settle "bad blood" against Brandon Moreno or fight Max Holloway at 145lbs if Merab Dvalishvili isn't healthy in time
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Henry Cejudo has two names in mind if Merab Dvalishvili isn’t able to get healthy in a timely fashion. Dvalishvili recently underwent surgery and when he will be able to fight again is uncertain. With that, Cejudo says he wants to remain active so if he can’t fight Dvalishvili, he would like to settle his bad blood against Brandon Moreno, but it would have to be at 135lbs, as he can’t see himself fighting at flyweight again.
Max Holloway praises former opponent Charles Oliveira and calls for Islam Makhachev rematch: "Excited to watch it"
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has high praise for Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ returned to the octagon over the weekend at UFC 289 in the co-main event. There, he faced Beneil Dariush in a title eliminator fight, with champion Islam Makhachev currently waiting for his next opponent. The two lightweights were highly motivated by that potential title shot headed into Saturday night.