MMA News
Henry Cejudo explains why he would never train former UFC champion Conor McGregor: “He’s offended too many of my good friends”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2023
Henry Cejudo believes Conor McGregor can make significant improvements to his game, but don’t expect the two to share a gym anytime soon. Cejudo and McGregor have traded barbs over the years, and it’s easy to see why. After all, Cejudo’s manager is Ali Abdelaziz, someone who McGregor has a personal beef with. McGregor has also slammed UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, someone Cejudo considers to be a good friend.
Julianna Pena releases statement after pulling out of UFC 289 title fight against Amanda Nunes: "Looking forward to fighting the winner to regain my belt"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2023
Julianna Pena has issued a lengthy statement after pulling out of her UFC 289 title fight against Amanda Nunes. Pena was set to headline UFC 289 against Nunes in their trilogy match for the women’s bantamweight belt. Yet, this week, Dana White announced that Pena suffered a broken rib and was forced to withdraw.
Michael Bisping believes Jon Jones’ recent comments could lead to Francis Ngannou returning to the UFC
Susan Cox - May 5, 2023
Michael Bisping believes Jon Jones’ recent comments could lead to Francis Ngannou returning to the UFC. Earlier this week, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones alluded to the fact that following his fight with Stipe Miocic, time, date and place yet to be confirmed, he will probably retire. That with the caveat that perhaps the only thing that might keep him’ in the game’, would be a battle in the Octagon with Francis Ngannou.
Daniel Cormier explains why former UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal should stay retired: “He hasn't ever been the best in the world”
Susan Cox - May 5, 2023
Daniel Cormier is explaining why former UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal should stay retired. Jorge Masvidal (35-17 MMA) announced his retirement following his unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns (22-5 MMA) last month at UFC 287. It was to be ‘Gamebred‘s 4th consecutive loss in the Octagon.
Kron Gracie explains why one-round fights would “change the sport for the better” ahead of UFC 288
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2023
UFC 288 fighter Kron Gracie believes that the sport of MMA would benefit from having one-round fights as opposed to the current structure. Fight fans have grown accustomed to seeing fights that last for three five-minute rounds or five five-minute rounds. In the Pride FC days, the first round would last 10 minutes, with the second and third rounds lasting five minutes each for Japanese events. If the bout was contested within a Grand Prix, that fight would have two rounds, with the first being scheduled for 10 minutes and the second lasting five minutes.
UFC 288 is down to thirteen fights following late cancellation
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 5, 2023
Another injury has impacted the UFC 288 card, but this time it has led to a fight cancellation. The UFC has announced that the planned bantamweight clash between Daniel Santos and Johnny Munoz Jr. is now off this Saturday’s UFC 288 event. The announcement notes that Santos suffered an injury, but specifics were not revealed.
Parker Porter plans to take Braxton Smith into deep waters at UFC 288 on the final fight of his contract: "This is absolutely do-or-die"
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023
Parker Porter knows he’s fighting for his job on Saturday night at UFC 288. Porter fought back in February and suffered a first-round knockout loss to Justin Tafa and just three months later, he is already making his return. Although it may seem quick after the loss, he says he was fully cleared and ready to get the bad taste of two straight losses out of his mouth.
Dana White reveals backup fighter for Amanda Nunes vs Irene Aldana at UFC 289
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023
Dana White has revealed there will be a backup fighter for the UFC 289 main event between Amanda Nunes and Irene Aldana. On Tuesday, White revealed that Pena was out of the UFC 289 main event against Nunes and Aldana has stepped in on short notice. Aldana, meanwhile, was supposed to headline the May 20 event against Raquel Pennington, so with that fight off, White revealed Pennington will be the backup fighter for June’s title bout.
Aljamain Sterling believes he's still chasing Dominick Cruz as the bantamweight GOAT even with a win over Henry Cejudo at UFC 288
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023
Aljamain Sterling thinks Dominick Cruz is still the bantamweight GOAT. Sterling is looking for his third title defense – which would set the record – in the main event of UFC 288 as he takes on the former champ, Henry Cejudo. Even if Sterling wins and sets the record for most title defenses, he still doesn’t think he would pass Cruz as the bantamweight GOAT but is even honored to be in the discussion.
Ali Abdelaziz takes aim at Cris Cyborg for re-signing with Bellator: “I knew all along”
Zain Bando - May 4, 2023
Thursday afternoon, Bellator MMA officials announced the re-signing of women’s featherweight champion, Cris “Cyborg” Justino, to a multi-fight deal. Justino had previously been linked to a potential super-fight with former multiple-time PFL champion, Kayla Harrison. Now, with Cyborg returning to the Bellator cage to defend her throne, a Harrison fight seems too far-fetched.
Dana White explains why he hates Kamaru Usman's callout of Khamzat Chimaev
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023
UFC president Dana White is not a fan of Kamaru Usman’s callout of Khamzat Chimaev. Usman recently came out and said he would be interested in facing Chimaev his next time out as he thinks it would be a fun fight for the sport. But, he wasn’t sure it would take place at welterweight or middleweight and instead was interested in a catchweight.
Jorge Masvidal's father arrested for allegedly shooting someone at the retired UFC fighter's home
Chris Taylor - May 4, 2023
Jorge Masvidal’s father has been taken into police custody for allegedly shooting someone after an argument at the retired UFC fighter’s home. The news was first reported by Andy Slater, who shared the following information on Twitter:
Sean O'Malley highlights large scar on Henry Cejudo's face ahead of UFC 288: "He forgot how to box"
Lewis Simpson - May 4, 2023
Sean O’Malley has highlighted the large scar on Henry Cejudo’s face ahead of his bantamweight title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 in New Jersey on May 6. While preparing to challenge for the 135-pound strap that was once his, a large gash that required stitches appeared on his face during a video uploaded to his Youtube Channel one month ago, which concerned fans ever so slightly. However, the former two-weight division champion didn’t reveal how the gash occurred, but O’Malley has his own simple conspiracy about how it got there.
UFC 288 | Pro fighters make their picks for Belal Muhammad vs. Gilbert Burns
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 288, a five-round welterweight bout goes down on short notice as Belal Muhammad takes on Gilbert Burns. Heading into the scrap, Burns is a -132 favorite while ‘Remember The Name’ is a +104 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC 288, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. All seven pros asked are picking Burns to get the job done on short notice, and many think it will be by decision, even though it is five rounds and both took it on short notice.
Muhammad Usman says Leon Edwards didn’t beat his brother in trilogy fight at UFC 286: “If that fight was in America, Kamaru would have won”
Susan Cox - May 4, 2023
Muhammad Usman doesn’t believe Leon Edwards beat his brother Kamaru in their trilogy fight at UFC 286. It is Mohammed Usman’s belief that the most recent fight between his brother, Kamaru Usman, and Leon Edwards would have had a much different ending had it taken place in the United States.
Bellator re-signs featherweight champion Cris Cyborg to a multi-fight deal
Cole Shelton - May 4, 2023
Cris Cyborg will be sticking around in Bellator for the foreseeable future. On Thursday, Bellator announced via a press release and on social media that the promotion has inked a new multi-fight deal with their women’s featherweight champ, Cris Cyborg. Cyborg had been vocal about her contract and being a free agent but after some time in negotiations, she has re-signed with Bellator.
Daniel Cormier believes Francis Ngannou should just “bite the bullet” and return to UFC: “The money that he was offered, I’ve heard, was a very lucrative number”
Susan Cox - May 4, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes Francis Ngannou should just ‘bite the bullet’ and return to the UFC. Ngannou (17-3 MMA) has not fought in the Octagon since January of 2022 at UFC 270. The former UFC heavyweight champion last defeated Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA) via unanimous decision. Following the victory and unable to come to terms on his UFC contract, the fighter was released from the promotion in January of this year and stripped of his title in the process.
Drew Dober says Paddy Pimblett and his “protectors” shot down a potential fight: “It was a hard no from Paddy and a hard no from those protecting him too”
Susan Cox - May 4, 2023
Drew Dober says Paddy Pimblett and his ‘protectors’ shot down a potential fight. Drew Dober (26-11 MMA) is preparing for his upcoming lightweight bout with Matt Frevola (10-3 MMA) this coming Saturday, May 6th at UFC 288 which takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.