MMA News
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.
Conor McGregor questions Francis Ngannou’s decision to part ways with the UFC: “I wasn’t sure why he did that to be honest”
Susan Cox - March 16, 2023
Conor McGregor is questioning Francis Ngannou’s decision to part ways with the UFC. Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) parted ways with the UFC in January of this year. Following a lengthy contract dispute, the heavyweight champion refused the most recent offer from the UFC and left the promotion. With the departure, ‘The Predator’ was stripped of his belt.
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.
Gunnar Nelson expects teammate Conor McGregor to shine in his UFC return if he comes prepared: “He’ll kick the sh*t out of him”
Harry Kettle - March 16, 2023
UFC welterweight Gunnar Nelson expects Conor McGregor to shine when returning to the Octagon – if he trains properly. It’s been well-documented that Conor McGregor has a pretty tight circle of friends in mixed martial arts. One person who has been there for the majority of his journey is none other than Gunnar Nelson.
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.
Leon Edwards says he'll "open the door" for Kamaru Usman to retire after UFC 286, 'The Nigerian Nightmare' fires back
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2023
Leon Edwards believes once he beats Kamaru Usman at UFC 286, the former champ will retire from MMA. Edwards and Usman are set for their trilogy match in the main event of UFC 286 on Saturday in London. The two fought back in August with Edwards becoming the new welterweight champ with a fifth-round head kick KO.
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.
Conor McGregor names Nate Diaz the toughest opponent he's had in his career: "I look forward to completing that trilogy"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2023
While they might be rivals, Conor McGregor still holds a lot of respect for Nate Diaz. ‘The Notorious’ is currently preparing for his return to the octagon. McGregor has been out of action since a broken leg in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Due to the injury, he’s been on the shelf for over a year and a half.
Justin Gaethje argues that he's the most exciting fighter in UFC history: "It's not on purpose it's just who I am"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2023
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje believes he’s the most exciting fighter ever. ‘The Highlight’ has been out of the cage since his title bid against Charles Oliveira last May. Prior to the bout, ‘Do Bronx’ missed weight and was stripped of his lightweight gold. As a result, only Gaethje was eligible to win the championship at UFC 274 last year.
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou reveals that he's close to signing to next MMA promotion: "We are very close"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has revealed that he will sign with PFL or ONE Championship. ‘The Predator’ walked out of the UFC in January, as he declined to re-sign after fighting out his contract. As a result, the promotion stripped Ngannou of his title, and later set Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight championship.
TUF 31 roster includes eight former UFC fighters
Susan Cox - March 15, 2023
The TUF 31 roster will include eight former UFC fighters. ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31’ will debut on Tuesday, May 30th on ESPN and run through to Tuesday, August 15th.
Team Alistair Overeem denies PED use following recent suspension
Susan Cox - March 15, 2023
Team Alistair Overeem is denying PED use following the recent suspension he received from Glory Kickboxing. Alistair Overeem (47-19 MMA) was cut from the UFC roster following a TKO loss in his fight with Alexander Volkov (36-10 MMA) at UFC Vegas 18 back in February of 2021.