MMA News
Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman welcome Conor McGregor receiving welterweight title shot: "I welcome all challengers"
Josh Evanoff - March 16, 2023
The UFC 286 headliners seemingly have no issue facing Conor McGregor next. ‘The Notorious’ is currently preparing for his comeback fight against Michael Chandler. While no date has been set for the clash, it’s expected to take place at welterweight. Furthermore, the two recently wrapped shooting for the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Conor McGregor reacts after USADA states he will need to be tested for 6 months prior to UFC return
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2023
Conor McGregor has responded after USADA confirmed he would need six months of testing in order to return. After the Irishman broke his leg in his trilogy match against Dustin Poirier, it was revealed McGregor withdrew from the USADA testing pool. McGregor had said he wanted to focus on rehabbing but many fighters wondered if he was using PEDs to speed up his return.
Stipe Miocic responds after heavyweight champion Jon Jones casts doubt on UFC 290 title fight: “See you in July”
Josh Evanoff - March 16, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic has responded to Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ called out the former titleholder after submitting Ciryl Gane earlier this month at UFC 285. The victory handed Jones his first in the weight class, and also the heavyweight title. Francis Ngannou famously vacated the championship after parting ways with the UFC in January.
Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman have heated back and forth at UFC 286 press conference (Video)
Josh Evanoff - March 16, 2023
UFC welterweights Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman had a heated back-and-forth earlier today. ‘Rocky’ and ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ are slated to headline UFC 286 in London this Saturday. The bout will be the third time that they’ve clashed, and the first since their historic welterweight title fight last August. In that outing, Usman appeared to be on his way to a second unanimous decision win over Edwards.
Chris Duncan plans to "throw down" with Omar Morales at UFC 286 to earn 50k bonus and prove he's "one of the most exciting fighters"
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2023
Chris Duncan wants to be known as an exciting fighter. Duncan is set to make his UFC debut at UFC 286 against Omar Morales. He is coming off a wild Contender Series fight that saw him get an incredible comeback KO. After that, he was booked to face Michal Figlak, but his scheduled foe pulled out and it took some time for him to get a replacement opponent for Saturday’s event in London.
Jon Jones casts doubt on Stipe Miocic fight happening at UFC 290 in July: "Bro it’s simple, either you believe in yourself or you don’t"
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2023
Jon Jones may not be fighting Stipe Miocic after all. Jones took to Twitter on Thursday to accuse Miocic of ducking him all last year and now revealed their fight in July may not be happening after all. Of course, after Jones submitted Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, he called out Miocic and all signs pointed to that fight happening on International Fight Week this summer.
USADA issues statement following Conor McGregor’s recent comments about his eligibility to fight in UFC
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
The USADA has issued a statement following Conor McGregor’s recent comments about his eligibility to fight in the UFC. Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) is expected to return to the Octagon for the first time in two years to take on Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) after the two coaches face-off at TUF 31.
Aljamain Sterling is open to fighting training partner Merab Dvalishvili if the UFC offers up “NFL money”
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is open to fighting training partner Merab Dvalishvili if the UFC offers up ‘NFL money’. Sterling (22-3 MMA) is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, his latest victory coming via TKO against T.J. Dillashaw (17-5 MMA) in October of last year at UFC 280.
Sean Strickland slams the UFC for allowing Jon Jones to return: “It’s a mockery that they let him fight”
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
Sean Strickland is slamming the UFC for allowing Jon Jones to return. It was at UFC 285 earlier this month where Jon ‘Bones‘ Jones (27-1 MMA) returned to the Octagon for the first time in three years to meet up with Ciryl Gane (11-2 MMA) in the heavyweight main event. The battle was for the vacant heavyweight belt and Jones took no time (2:04 of round 1) in defeating Gane to become the new champion.
UFC 286 | Pro fighters make their picks for Justin Gaethje vs. Rafael Fiziev
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 286, a banger of a lightweight bout takes place as Justin Gaethje takes on Rafael Fiziev. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is a +190 underdog while Fiziev is a -225 favorite. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards the underdog in Gaethje getting his hand raised. But, all the fighters are expecting it to be a very entertaining scrap for however long it lasts.
Roy Jones Jr. explains why he accepted fight with former UFC champion Anthony Pettis: “It sounded kind of intriguing”
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2023
Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. has explained why he’s opted to take on Anthony Pettis as part of Gamebred Boxing 4 next month. On April 1 in Milwaukee, Roy Jones Jr. will return to the squared circle to take on former UFC champion Anthony Pettis. The two will meet in the main event as Jones Jr. prepares to compete professionally for the first time since 2018.
Conor McGregor expects Michael Chandler fight will be made soon, says he’s not worried about USADA: “The six months thing, what they had said was two clean tests and off I go”
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2023
UFC star Conor McGregor is not concerned about the USADA testing pool as he prepares for his return fight against Michael Chandler. Later this year, Conor McGregor is expected to return to the Octagon for the first time in two years. When he does, he’ll take on Michael Chandler, the man he’s coaching against in the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter.
UFC star Conor McGregor defends Dillon Danis from recent backlash: “He’s good for the game”
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2023
Conor McGregor has defended his friend Dillon Danis following recent backlash directed towards the controversial fighter. For many years now, Conor McGregor has had a pretty tight circle within his friendship group. While things have gone a bit sour with Artem Lobov, it seems as if he’s still good pals with Dillon Danis.
Conor McGregor confirms Michael Chandler fight will be at 170lbs, plans to attend Edwards-Usman 3 to secure welterweight title shot: "I'd like that"
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2023
Conor McGregor says he could be fighting for the welterweight title after his bout with Michael Chandler. McGregor is set to return to the Octagon sometime this year against Chandler in his return fight from his broken leg. The two coached The Ultimate Fighter to help hype up the fight, which McGregor says will be at welterweight, despite Dana White recently saying it would be at lightweight.
Davey Grant believes ref standing him and Raphael Assuncao up was fair but understands why his team was mad: "I was just squeezing for dear life"
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2023
Davey Grant knew Raphael Assuncao would be a tough out at UFC Las Vegas but admits it was a harder fight than he thought. Grant knew Assuncao was a good wrestler but the Brit was confident he would have his way on the feet and eventually get the KO. But, after ten minutes that wasn’t the case as Assuncao had won both rounds.
Conor McGregor reveals he was originally supposed to coach TUF 31 against Nate Diaz: "I'm not sure what went down on that end"
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2023
Conor McGregor has revealed that Michael Chandler wasn’t the first choice to coach TUF 31 opposite him. McGregor and Chandler were announced as the head coaches of TUF 31 and the two will fight later this year. It’s a massive fight and a highly-anticipated scrap but the Irishman revealed he originally agreed to coach TUF 31 against Nate Diaz.
Muhammad Mokaev reveals Jake Hadley nearly got physical: ‘He didn’t say one word and his dad started backing him up’
Zain Bando - March 15, 2023
Muhammad Mokaev’s UFC 286 fight week already got interesting as he revealed that another event participant, Jake Hadley, wanted a piece of him. During media day, according to Mokaev, things nearly got physical between he and Hadley. The only thing missing, however, is a fight between the two. Mokaev is scheduled to face Jafel Filho, who is making his Octagon debut. As for Hadley, his third UFC flyweight bout will see him fight Malcom Gordon. Both bouts will take place on the preliminary portion of the event, airing on ESPN+ and ESPN News stateside.
Kamaru Usman responds to Dricus du Plessis after recent South Africa comments: "That doesn't make you more African"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2023
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman feels Dricus du Plessis should be more careful with his comments. ‘Stillknocks’ is fresh off his victory over Derek Brunson earlier this month at UFC 285. The win was the biggest of the South African’s career thus far and was his seventh in a row. Prior to the win over Brunson, du Plessis had picked up victories over names such as Darren Till, and Brad Tavares.