MMA News
UFC Charlotte fighter salaries: Matt Brown takes home top payout
Harry Kettle - May 17, 2023
UFC veteran Matt Brown earned the highest payout from UFC Charlotte over the weekend as the fighter salaries are officially released. On Saturday night, we were treated to a night full of great action from the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From a heavyweight submission in the main event to seven total finishes, the city of Charlotte certainly got what it came for.
Conor McGregor gives update on Michael Chandler fight
Lewis Simpson - May 16, 2023
With The Ultimate Fighter 31 set to air in less than two weeks, Conor McGregor has teased fans on when to expect some news on his fight with Michael Chandler. McGregor is expected to return later this year after being sidelined with an injury suffered during his trilogy with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in 2021.
Diego Ferreira admits he thought about retiring due to injures, expects a "war" against Michael Johnson
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2023
Diego Ferreira wasn’t sure if he was going to fight again. Ever since Ferreira suffered a TKO loss to Mateusz Gamrot in December of 2021 – which was his third loss in a row – he has dealt with a plethora of injuries. Those ailments kept him from competing and he admits the time off has been difficult.
Chase Hooper explains why he moved up to lightweight, plans to drag Nick Fiore into "deep waters"
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2023
Chase Hooper is finally making the move up to lightweight. When Hooper entered the UFC he fought at featherweight, but as he started to get older and add size, the weight cut began getting harder and harder. Hooper had to stop eating food a week or two before the fight and instead only had protein shakes, which he says no doubt impacted his performance.
Dana White announces official main card lineup for UFC 291 and two big prelim fights
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
Dana White has announced a stacked UFC 291 card headlined by Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. ‘The Diamond’ and ‘The Highlight’ have been in talks to fight for a while now. Following Gaethje’s unanimous decision victory over Rafael Fiziev in March, he called for a REMATCH with Poirier. Their first bout back in April 2018 was an instant classic, with the Louisiana native earning the win by fourth-round stoppage.
UFC parts ways with three more fighters including Jessica-Rose Clark
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
The UFC has parted ways with three more fighters according to recent reports from @UFCRosterWatch on Twitter. It’s worth noting that these fighters have not been confirmed to be released from the company. Fighters PART WAYS with the UFC for a multitude of reasons, including poor performance, fighting out their contract with the company, as well as retirement. While these athletes have been removed from the UFC’s website, that doesn’t mean they can’t return in the future.
Francis Ngannou explains why PFL debut isn't slated until 2024
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has explained why his promotional debut won’t happen for a while. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage since a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022. That bout was the last of his contract with the UFC, and he became a free agent earlier this year. For months, fans and fighters alike wondered where Ngannou would sign.
Francis Ngannou hits back at "two-faced" BKFC's David Feldman after PFL signing
Josh Evanoff - May 16, 2023
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has taken time to hit back at BKFC’s David Feldman. ‘The Predator’ recently ended his lengthy free agency by signing with the PFL. Ngannou famously left the UFC in January, vacating the heavyweight title in the process. For months, fans and fighters wondered where the former champion would land.
Jake Paul sends welcome message to “baddest man on the planet” Francis Ngannou after signing with PFL
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Jake Paul is sending a welcome message to the ‘baddest man on the planet’, Francis Ngannou, after signing with PFL. The news broke this morning that Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, had signed with the Professional Fighters League.
Megan Olivi issues apology after referring to Jamahal Hill as an interim champion during UFC on ABC 4 broadcast
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Megan Olivi has issued an apology after referring to Jamahal Hill as an interim champion during the UFC on ABC 4 broadcast. Olivi, an MMA analyst and interviewer, has established herself as a well known force in the UFC.
Ian Machado Garry doubles down on Neil Magny callout
Andrew Whitelaw - May 16, 2023
Ian Machado Garry’s UFC stock has never been higher. The Irishman just got a new ’15’ tattoo to commemorate his first round TKO victory over Daniel Rodriguez last weekend – a win that sees him drive into the top-15 at welterweight for the first-time in his career. In fact, he’s usurped both Jack Della Maddalena and Michel Pereira and rides up to #13 in the rankings.
Francis Ngannou responds to 'ignorant' Conor McGregor
Lewis Simpson - May 16, 2023
Francis Ngannou has stuck by his gun and is confident he made the right decision to part ways with the UFC, even when the sport’s biggest star challenged it. On Tuesday, May. 16, it was announced that Francis Ngannou had signed a lucrative deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will make his debut with the promotion in mid-2024.
Francis Ngannou names the boxer he plans to face before making his PFL debut
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Francis Ngannou is naming the boxer he plans to face before making his PFL debut. The former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, made headlines today, Tuesday, May 16th, when it was revealed that he signed a multi-fight, exclusive MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Francis Ngannou signs with PFL, will make his promotional debut in 2024
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
‘The Predator’ has landed. Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) has signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will make his promotional debut in 2024. The news of the signing first broke with ‘The New York Times‘.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 123 with Diego Ferreira, Chase Hooper, Houston Alexander, Loopy Godinez, and Vanessa Demopoulos
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2023
The 123rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 73 and BKFC 43 this weekend. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Diego Ferreira (2:42). Next, UFC lightweight Chase Hooper (16:03) comes on. BKFC fighter Houston Alexander (37:15) stops by. UFC strawweight Loopy Godinez (52:33) then comes on. Closing out the program is UFC strawweight Vanessa Demopoulos (1:02:09).
Ali Abdelaziz slams Conor McGregor for mocking “overrated” Gilbert Burns
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has lashed out at Conor McGregor for mocking Gilbert Burns in a recent Twitter exchange. It’s no secret that Ali Abdelaziz and Conor McGregor don’t like one another. They’ve had a long-running feud for years now, dating back to Conor’s showdown with Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
UFC champion Aljamain Sterling reacts to Henry Cejudo’s callout of teammate Merab Dvalishvili: “He's got a tall task ahead of him”
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on Henry Cejudo possibly squaring off with his teammate Merab Dvalishvili. Earlier this month, Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo via split decision. It was a tight, competitive affair but in the end, it was Sterling who got his hand raised and walked away as the UFC bantamweight champion.
Israel Adesanya vows to take things to new levels when he fights the winner of Whittaker vs. du Plessis: My next game will be something special”
Harry Kettle - May 16, 2023
Israel Adesanya has promised to take his game to the next level when he takes on either Robert Whittaker or Dricus du Plessis in his next fight. In his latest outing, Israel Adesanya was finally able to defeat Alex Pereira. He did so with a fantastic knockout, reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship in the process. Now, he has his sights set on the future.