MMA News
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.
Alexander Volkanovski reacts after Jon Jones bumps him from top spot in UFC P4P rankings: “Can I really argue that when you look at it?”
Susan Cox - March 15, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is reacting after Jon Jones bumped him from top spot in the UFC P4P rankings. It was at UFC 284 on February 11th of this year where Alexander Volkanovski (25-2 MMA) fought Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) in the lightweight main event taking place at The RAC Arena In Perth, Western Australia. The result was a unanimous decision win for Makhachev.
UFC 286 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman 3 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2023
In the main event of UFC 286, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Leon Edwards is defending his welterweight title for the first time in the trilogy match against Kamaru Usman. Heading into the fight, Edwards is a +196 underdog while the challenger is a sizeable -260 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The majority of the pros expect Usman to have a wrestling-heavy game plan to get his hand raised and reclaim his welterweight title.
Alex Pereira taunts rapper Drake ahead of his UFC 287 rematch with Israel Adesanya: “I hope this time you bet on the right person”
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira has taunted superstar Drake ahead of his rematch with Israel Adesanya. Last November, Alex Pereira shocked the world by finishing Israel Adesanya in the fifth round of their UFC 281 main event. In doing so, he captured the middleweight title and took his series lead over ‘Stylebender’ to 3-0 in combat sports.
Conor McGregor is still not listed in the USADA testing pool
Harry Kettle - March 15, 2023
UFC star Conor McGregor has reportedly still not re-entered the USADA testing pool ahead of his return to the cage this year. In 2023, we’re expected to see Conor McGregor compete in the Octagon for the first time in two years. His opponent is set to be Michael Chandler, one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts.
Conor McGregor talks about "issue" with Michael Chandler during TUF filming: "Tempers are flaring"
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
Conor McGregor says he still respects Michael Chandler despite the altercation that happened on TUF. Currently, McGregor and Chandler are coaching TUF and the two will fight later this year. With that, many were interested in seeing how the two would deal with one another on the show. And, during UFC 285 post-fight press conference we got an answer as Dana White revealed something went down between the two that shouldn’t have happened.
Vitor Belfort reveals he was orignally supposed to box Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4, vows to KO Jacare Souza: "When I come to the ring, I come to knock people out"
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
Vitor Belfort was hoping to box Roy Jones Jr. at Gamebred Boxing 4. When Belfort was first offered to box on the card, the Brazilian says he was going to headline the card against Jones Jr. in a massive fight for both men. Yet, the former UFC light heavyweight champion revealed Jones Jr. turned him down as he wanted an easier matchup.
Justin Gaethje believes UFC 286 scrap against Rafael Fiziev is "bound to be" the Fight of the Year
Cole Shelton - March 14, 2023
Justin Gaethje is expecting another barn burner of a fight at UFC 286. Gaethje is set to return to the Octagon for the first time in nearly a year in the co-main event of UFC 286 against Rafael Fiziev. On paper, it looks to be a fun fight as both men are strikers and like to stand and trade. With that being considered, Gaethje expects it to be a potential the ‘Fight of the Year’ affair.
Recently released Darren Till reportedly in-talks to face Logan Paul in boxing match
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2023
Former UFC middleweight contender Darren Till might not be returning to the MMA promotion after all. ‘The Gorilla’ has been out of action since his clash with Dricus du Plessis last December. The two fought on the main card of UFC 282 and put on a show. Ultimately, Till lost by third-round submission, but was given ‘Fight of the Night’ honors for his performance.