MMA News
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.
Daniel Cormier reacts after UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones hints at early retirement: “I do believe that there are some challenges for Jon”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 4, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has weighed in on Jon Jones hinting at retirement. Jones is widely considered to be one of the best fighters to have ever stepped foot inside the Octagon. His lone career defeat is a late 2009 disqualification against Matt Hamill. His pro MMA record is a stellar 27-1, 1 NC, and he’s held UFC gold in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions.
Former UFC champ Conor McGregor hints at potential WWE SummerSlam appearance: “SummerSlam I’ll pull in on the yacht”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 4, 2023
Conor McGregor may be a UFC megastar, but he’s taking aim at WWE’s “Head of the Table.” McGregor has not been shy in teasing a potential appearance on WWE TV. Back in 2016, McGregor’s agent, Audie Attar, appeared on the “Five Rounds” podcast and said that when it comes to a potential move for his client to WWE, it’s all about business sense.
Rich Franklin says Israel Adesanya is currently ranked 3rd for greatest middleweight of all time
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 4, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer Rich Franklin doesn’t think Israel Adesanya can lay claim to being the best, or even second-best, middleweight of all time. Adesanya is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion. He’s a two-time 185-pound titleholder in the UFC, and he had five successful title defenses during his first run with the gold. He recaptured the UFC title in April, knocking out Alex Pereira, who had gone 3-0 against him in combat sports prior to “The Last Stylebender’s” huge victory.
Devin Clark say his real UFC 288 opponent is coach Sayif Saud, expects to finish Kennedy Nzechukwu and face a ranked fighter next: "After I'm in the top-15, I'll start talking my shit"
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2023
Devin Clark has an interesting wrinkle ahead of his UFC 288 fight against Kennedy Nzechukwu. Clark is coming off an upset win over Da Un Jung in February and will now face Nzechukwu in an intriguing light heavyweight fight. Clark is well aware of how dangerous Nzechukwu can be, but he believes the Fortis light heavyweight is overlooking him.
Robert Whittaker claims Israel Adesanya doesn't want to fight him again: "I’m the biggest threat to him and his reign"
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2023
Robert Whittaker believes Israel Adesanya doesn’t want to fight him again. After Adesanya reclaimed his middleweight title with a KO victory over Alex Pereira at UFC 287, it was uncertain who would be next for him. Yet, Dana White announced Robert Whittaker would face Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 290, and the winner of that fight would get the next title shot.
Henry Cejudo says beating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288 secures him a spot on “The Mount Rushmore of MMA"
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2023
Henry Cejudo believes he will enter the conversation as the best ever after UFC 288. Cejudo is the former UFC flyweight and bantamweight champion and retired following the first defense of his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249 in May of 2020. His retirement came to the surprise of many, but three years later he is ending his now returning to face Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 288.
Alex Pereira calls for a third MMA fight with Israel Adesanya: “Be real with your fans”
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2023
Alex Pereira is hoping to fight Israel Adesanya for the third time in MMA. Back at UFC 287, Pereira was looking to defend his middleweight title for the first time as he rematched Adesanya in MMA. The two fought back at UFC 281 with Pereira winning by fifth-round TKO to become the new champ, but this time around, it was Adesanya winning by second-round KO to even their series in MMA at 1-1. Of course, the two also fought twice in kickboxing with Pereira winning both, including one by KO.
Henry Cejudo says his UFC 288 fight against Aljamain Sterling is "personal": "I do want to hurt him"
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2023
Henry Cejudo wants to hurt Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288. Cejudo is ending his three-year retirement to face Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight title at UFC 288, as ‘Triple C’ is looking to reclaim the title he vacated after retiring. It’s an intriguing matchup and before the fight was made, the two were cordial with one another. However, since the scrap has been made official, the pair have been trash-talking one another to promote the fight.
Belal Muhammad shares his pick for the most overhyped welterweight in the UFC
Susan Cox - May 3, 2023
Belal Muhammad is sharing his pick for the most overhyped welterweight in the UFC. Muhammad (22-3 MMA) is currently preparing for his fight with Gilbert Burns (22-5 MMA) this coming weekend, Saturday, May 6th at UFC 288 which takes place at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey.
Jon Jones not interested in fighting fellow UFC “star” Israel Adesanya, names the one opponent who can keep him from retiring
Susan Cox - May 3, 2023
Jon Jones is not interested in fighting fellow UFC ‘star’ Israel Adesanya and is naming the one opponent who can keep him from retiring. It was during a recent interview with ‘Fox Sports’ Australia that Jones opened up about a potential fight with UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya:
UFC 288 | Pro fighters make their picks for Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo title fight
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2023
In the main event of UFC 288, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Aljamain Sterling looks to defend his belt against former champion Henry Cejudo. Heading into the scrap, Sterling is -111 while ‘Triple C’ is -115 on FanDuel, making the fight to be a pick’em. Ahead of the fight at UFC 288, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority of pros believe Sterling will get it done as many think the time off will be too much for Cejudo to overcome.
Paul Craig calls out Sean Strickland after announcing move to the UFC’s middleweight division
Harry Kettle - May 3, 2023
Paul Craig has called out Sean Strickland after announcing plans to make a move to the UFC’s middleweight division. While he may not be the most consistent, Paul Craig is certainly entertaining. In addition to his fun personality, he also holds UFC wins over the likes of Magomed Ankalaev and Jamahal Hill. If that doesn’t prove his credentials, nothing will.
UFC heavyweight contender says fight fans need to forget about a Jon Jones vs. Sergei Pavlovich matchup: “There’s no chance”
Harry Kettle - May 3, 2023
UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall has explained why he doesn’t think fight fans should get excited about a Jon Jones vs Sergei Pavlovich showdown. Right now, Jon Jones is the king of the world at heavyweight. He won the belt against Ciryl Gane, with the expectation being that he’ll take on Stipe Miocic later this year.
Cris Cyborg says she would be willing to fight in BKFC, would want to train with Mike Perry before debut
Harry Kettle - May 3, 2023
Cris Cyborg has revealed that she would be interested in competing in bare-knuckle boxing before she walks away from combat sports. Within the mixed martial arts realm, Cris Cyborg is easily one of the best female fighters of all time. She’s won belts in a handful of major organizations, and in recent times, she’s only lost to Amanda Nunes – a woman that many consider to be in the GOAT conversation.
Matt Frevola admits he was "surprised" to get Drew Dober fight at UFC 288, vows to be the first person to KO him in the UFC: "He's never been hit by me before"
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
Matt Frevola didn’t expect to get a ranked opponent for his next fight, but was thrilled when he was offered Drew Dober at UFC 288. After Frevola picked up a KO win over Ottman Azaitar at UFC 281 last November, he thought he would be fighting someone like Michael Johnson or Clay Guida his next time out. Yet, he was offered Dober and couldn’t be more excited for the matchup.
Julianna Pena out of UFC 289 with a broken rib, Amanda Nunes now defends title against Irene Aldana
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
The trilogy between Julianna Pena and Amanda Nunes will no longer be happening at UFC 289. UFC president, Dana White took to Instagram to announce that Pena has suffered a broken rib and is out of their scheduled main event fight. However, Irene Aldana has agreed to step up on short notice and will now headline the pay-per-view event for the bantamweight title against Nunes on June 10 in Vancouver, Canada.
Nate Diaz set for court hearing in June for involvement in New Orleans street fight
Cole Shelton - May 2, 2023
Nate Diaz will be heading to a New Orleans court in June. MMAFighting revealed that Diaz is scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on June 27 at 3 p.m. in New Orleans for his involvement in a brawl that occurred on Bourbon Street. Diaz is facing second-degree battery charges which carry a potential penalty of up to eight years in prison “with or without hard labor” and/or up to a $2,000 fine.