MMA News
UFC 284 | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett interim title fight
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 284, Yair Rodriguez is set to take on Josh Emmett for the interim featherweight title. Heading into the fight, Rodriguez is a -196 favorite while the American is a +152 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Rodriguez getting it done, likely by decision to become the interim featherweight champ.
Josh Emmett hits back at fans critical of his upcoming title opportunity at UFC 284: “It’s just because they cannot do it”
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2023
Josh Emmett has hit back at fans for criticising his interim title fight against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 284 this weekend. In the co-main event of the evening, Josh Emmett and Yair Rodriguez will battle it out over the UFC interim featherweight championship. In doing so, they will set up the next challenger for Alexander Volkanovski.
Islam Makhachev believes Michael Chandler will retire following his fight with Conor McGregor: “This fight is last fight for him”
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2023
Islam Makhachev has predicted that Michael Chandler will leave the UFC following his fight with Conor McGregor later this year. After months of waiting, the return of Conor McGregor was finally announced last week. The Irishman will be back in action later on in 2023, facing Michael Chandler, after the two coach opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.
Jamahal Hill advises fellow UFC champion Alex Pereira to focus on his rematch with Israel Adesanya: “He was getting his ass whopped”
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2023
UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill has given Alex Pereira some advice ahead of his upcoming rematch with Israel Adesanya. Ever since capturing the belt at UFC 283, Jamahal Hill has been a man in high demand. ‘Sweet Dreams’ battered and bruised Glover Teixeira to become the new champion and now, plenty of potential challengers are lining up at his door.
Robert Whittaker reacts to callout from Khamzat Chimaev: “Oh yeah, cool – let’s do it”
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
Robert Whittaker has responded to Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev has recently come out and said he wants to fight Whittaker in his return to middleweight. He believes it would be a fun fight for the fans where the winner would also get the next title shot, and now Whittaker has responded and is open to making it happen.
Parker Porter plans to "bite down" on his mouthpiece and "start throwing leather" with Justin Tafa at UFC 284: "I think we are getting a good finish in the first round"
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
Parker Porter plans to stand and trade with Justin Tafa. Porter is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 284 as he goes into enemy territory against Tafa on the pay-per-view portion of the card. On paper, it could be a fun fight and that is what Porter is expecting as he believes he and Tafa are going to bite down on their mouthpieces and trade leather.
Dana White says Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will be at lightweight, uncertain if winner gets a title shot
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler won’t be fighting at welterweight after all. It was recently announced that McGregor and Chandler will coach TUF and will fight later this year. It was then reported the fight would be at welterweight, with even Chandler saying that will be the case, but now White says it will be at lightweight.
Michael Bisping believes Tony Ferguson "more winnable" fight for Conor McGregor in return than Michael Chandler: "There were easier fights for him"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2023
UFC commentator Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor had easier options for his return. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. In the main event of UFC 264, McGregor broke his leg in the waning seconds of the first round. As a result, the former dual-weight champion has been out of the cage for well over a year.
Max Holloway vs. Arnold Allen officially announced for UFC Kansas City on April 15th
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2023
Featherweight contenders will be headlining the UFC’s return to Kansas City, Missouri. Last month, there were reports that Max Holloway would face Arnold Allen next. ‘Blessed’ has been out of the cage since his trilogy bout with Alexander Volkanovski last July. In the co-main event at UFC 276, ‘The Great’ dominated en route to a lopsided decision victory.
Chael Sonnen believes Jon Jones will easily become heavyweight champion in return: "He’s now going with guys that suck, of course he can be champion"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2023
Chael Sonnen believes Jon Jones will coast to championship status in the heavyweight division. ‘Bones’ has been out of action since his decision victory over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247 in February 2020. Following that win, Jones announced his intentions to move up in weight and even vacated his light-heavyweight championship. Three years on, we’re finally getting close to seeing it happen.
Gabi Garcia announces return to MMA after five-year hiatus: "I am the one who holds the crown"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2023
Former jiu-jitsu world champion Gabi Garcia is targeting a return to the cage. The 37-year-old had a lot of interest when she made her MMA debut back in 2015. A multiple-time jiu-jitsu champion, Garcia quickly signed to RIZIN. Given her stature at 6’2″ and 209 pounds, there weren’t many destinations for her to sign otherwise.
Rampage Jackson explains why he believes Jon Jones is the dirtiest fighter in MMA
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
Rampage Jackson believes Jon Jones is the dirtiest fighter in MMA. Jackson and Jones fought at UFC 135 in 2011 for the light heavyweight title with ‘Bones’ winning by fourth-round submission. However, Jackson says he was frustrated with Jones’ knee kicks and after watching him progress in his career, he believes Jones is the dirtiest fighter in MMA.
UFC 284 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski title fight
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 284, Islam Makhachev looks to defend his lightweight title for the first time against featherweight champ, Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -400 favorite while the Aussie is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros slightly lean towards Makhachev winning due to his size and strength but some do think Volkanovski can pull off the upset.
Michael Bisping and Dominick Cruz replace Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan on commentary desk for UFC 284
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Michael Bisping and Dominick Cruz will replace Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan on the commentary desk for UFC 284. UFC 284 takes place this Saturday, February 11th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
Michael Chandler anticipates second-round knockout over Conor McGregor following 'TUF 31': "Hopefully it comes to fruition"
Lewis Simpson - February 8, 2023
Michael Chandler is anticipating a second-round knockout over Conor McGregor after the pair have finished filming the upcoming season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter‘. On Saturday past, UFC President Dana White announced that ‘TUF’ Season 31 coaches would feature McGregor and Chandler. In the wake of the season, the lightweight standouts are expected to collide towards the end of the year.
Deontay Wilder offers Francis Ngannou boxing match followed by MMA bout: “I would love to do that one in Africa”
Susan Cox - February 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has offered Francis Ngannou a boxing match followed by an MMA bout. Francis Ngannou recently parted ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and in doing so vacated his heavyweight title. The promotion and Ngannou could not come to terms on a new contract.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals plans to trash talk Islam Makhachev while in the Octagon at UFC 284: “I love seeing people's faces freak out like that”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski plans on trying to get into Islam Makhachev’s head when they battle at UFC 284 this weekend. At UFC 284 in Australia, Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to make history. He will try and become a two-weight UFC champion, cementing his place as the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the sport in the process.
Khamzat Chimaev says Colby Covington went “running”, claims he will fight the winner of Usman vs. Edwards 3: “Whoever takes it will face me”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev has claimed that Colby Covington doesn’t want to fight him after laying out his future plans in the UFC. The rise of ‘Borz’ has been pretty incredible to watch in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In the space of just a few short years, he has become one of the biggest stars in the promotion – and all of mixed martial arts.