MMA News
UFC 278 | Pro fighters make their picks for Paulo Costa vs. Luke Rockhold
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2022
In the co-main event of UFC 278, an intriguing middleweight bout goes down as Paulo Costa takes on the returning Luke Rockhold. Heading into the fight, Costa is a sizeable -340 favorite while the former UFC middleweight champ is a +250 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The majority of pros believe Costa will eventually land something big and KO Rockhold.
Demetrious Johnson applauds Khabib Nurmagomedov for getting out “unscathed” at 29-0: “If Khabib had of continued to keep on fighting, he would have lost”
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2022
Demetrious Johnson has applauded Khabib Nurmagomedov for managing to retire undefeated from mixed martial arts. Just under two years ago at UFC 254, Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from MMA following his submission win over Justin Gaethje. ‘The Eagle’ was able to leave the sport with an unbeaten 29-0 record, serving as one of the only elite champions to ever do so.
TJ Dillashaw says Sean O’Malley is “good for the sport” but expects Petr Yan will be able to “run through him” at UFC 280
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2022
TJ Dillashaw has explained why he thinks Petr Yan will be able to defeat Sean O’Malley when they clash at UFC 280. Later this year in Abu Dhabi, Petr Yan and Sean O’Malley will meet in a huge grudge match at bantamweight. The two have been going back and forth at one another for quite some time and despite how far apart they are in the rankings, the UFC has decided to strike while the iron is hot by booking them against one another.
Kamaru Usman responds to critics who say he’s gone “Hollywood” ahead of UFC 278
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2022
Kamaru Usman has responded to those who say he’s gone ‘Hollywood’ heading into UFC 278 this weekend. On Saturday night, Kamaru Usman will look to maintain his place at the top of the food chain when he defends the UFC welterweight championship against Leon Edwards. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has already successfully defended the strap five times and as he aims to make it six, many wonder whether or not a victory in Salt Lake City would vault him into the GOAT conversation.
Jay Perrin is expecting a "war" against Aoriqileng, but plans to "make a statement” and make sure everyone knows he’s here to stay
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2022
Jay Perrin is expecting to look like a completely new fighter at UFC 278. Perrin is coming off a loss to Mario Bautista in his Octagon debut, a fight which he took on short notice. Although he lost the fight, Perrin says he learned a lot from it and believes he proved he belongs with his performance.
Francis Ngannou echoes Luke Rockhold's fighter pay complaints: "Fighters are ripped off"
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2022
Francis Ngannou agrees with Luke Rockhold that fighters need to be paid more. Ngannou has been vocal about his displeasure with his UFC contract and it has been reported that he has just one fight left on his current deal. He has been disappointed with the promotion’s pay, as well as their refusal to let him take boxing fights.
Paulo Costa reveals he's fighting out his contract at UFC 278, unsure what the future holds: “We’ll see”
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2022
Paulo Costa will be fighting out his UFC contract on Saturday night at UFC 278. Costa is set to serve as the co-main event of the pay-per-view card from Salt Lake City, Utah against Luke Rockhold. The Brazilian enters the fight on a two-fight losing skid and he revealed at media day that he is fighting out his contract on Saturday night.
Daniel Cormier advocates for Rory MacDonald to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for Robbie Lawler fight: "I don't know why it's not in already"
Josh Evanoff - August 17, 2022
Former UFC dual-weight champion Daniel Cormier believes Rory MacDonald should join him in the Hall. ‘Red King’ is fresh off his knockout defeat to Dilano Taylor at PFL 8 last weekend. The defeat was MacDonald’s fourth in the last five contests. Following the loss, the former UFC title challenger decided to hang up the gloves and retire.
Leon Edwards doesn't believe Kamaru Usman is the pound-for-pound best ahead of UFC 278: "I don’t see it"
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2022
Leon Edwards doesn’t think Kamaru Usman is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC. Edwards is set to rematch Usman in the main event of UFC 278 as he looks to end the championship reign of ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. Although Usman has been dominant in the UFC, Edwards doesn’t think the champ is the pound-for-pound best.
Stephen Thompson calls for a rematch with Jorge Masvidal: "The NMF versus the BMF"
Josh Evanoff - August 17, 2022
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson wants to face Jorge Masvidal next. ‘Wonderboy’ has been out of action since his decision loss to Belal Muhammad in December 2021. The defeat was the second in a row for the former UFC title challenger. Thompson previously lost to Gilbert Burns by decision at UFC 264 last July.
Rory MacDonald admits retirement was a long time coming: "It's not who I am anymore"
Josh Evanoff - August 17, 2022
PFL welterweight Rory MacDonald has admitted that his retirement has been brewing for a while. ‘Red King’ is fresh off his knockout loss to Dilano Taylor at PFL 8 last weekend. The defeat was MacDonald’s fourth in his last five contests. Following the defeat, the 33-year-old decided to hang up the gloves and call it a career.
Dana White reacts after UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett reveals he currently weighs over 200 lbs: "It makes it tough for us too"
Susan Cox - August 17, 2022
Dana White is reacting after UFC lightweight Paddy Pimblett revealed he currently weighs over 200 lbs. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett (19-3 MMA) spoke about his weight when he attended UFC on ESPN 41 in San Diego saying:
Luke Rockhold slams the UFC for allowing 'degenerate' Nelk Boys to be associated with the company
Susan Cox - August 17, 2022
Luke Rockhold is slamming the UFC for it’s association with the popular online group the Nelk Boys. Rockhold (16-5 MMA) is preparing for his upcoming middleweight fight with Paulo Costa (13-2 MMA) this coming Saturday, August 20th at UFC 278 which is being held at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Terrance McKinney doubts UFC would give him Paddy Pimblett next: "I'm too dangerous for Paddy right now"
Cole Shelton - August 17, 2022
Terrance McKinney knows he and Paddy Pimblett will fight one day but doubts it will be booked next. McKinney returned to the win column at UFC Vegas 59 as he scored a first-round submission win over Erick Gonzalez. Although it was another first-round win, McKinney admits he wishes it was by KO.
Dana White reacts to 'crazy' idea of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman fighting at light heavyweight
Susan Cox - August 17, 2022
Dana White is reacting to the ‘crazy’ idea of UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman fighting at light heavyweight. Kamaru Usman (20-1 MMA) is set to get in the Octagon with Leon Edwards (19-3 MMA) this coming Saturday, August 20th in the welterweight main event at UFC 278.
Khamzat Chimaev shares his prediction for Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards 2
Susan Cox - August 17, 2022
Khamzat Chimaev has shared his prediction for Kamaru Usman vs Leon Edwards 2. It will be Usman (20-1 MMA) vs Edwards (19-3 MMA) this coming Saturday, August 20th at the UFC 278 main event taking place at the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Leon Edwards has one stipulation for potential Jorge Masvidal title fight: “That’s what I wanna do next after this… Imagine”
Harry Kettle - August 17, 2022
Leon Edwards has said Jorge Masvidal needs to win a fight before getting a title shot against him if he wins the belt at UFC 278. This Saturday night in Salt Lake City, Leon Edwards has the opportunity to become just the second British UFC champion ever when he challenges Kamaru Usman for the UFC welterweight championship. The overwhelming expectation from many pundits is that Usman will find a way to win, but counting out Edwards certainly doesn’t seem like the smartest idea in the world.
TJ Dillashaw believes “competitive guy” Dominick Cruz has a chip on his shoulder that could keep him fighting: “We'll see if he really can step away”
Harry Kettle - August 17, 2022
TJ Dillashaw has questioned whether or not Dominick Cruz is ready to walk away from the sport of mixed martial arts. Last Saturday night, Dominick Cruz’s hopes of regaining the UFC bantamweight championship took a huge blow when he was knocked out by Marlon Vera in their main event clash at UFC San Diego. While Cruz looked good in defeat, some have wondered just how motivated he’ll be to work his way back to the top of the mountain.