MMA News
Conor McGregor reveals the easiest opponent of his career
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2021
UFC star Conor McGregor believes his first fight against Dustin Poirier was the easiest fight of his career thus far. McGregor is set to square off against Dustin Poirier for the third time in their trilogy bout at UFC 264 this summer. If Conor wins that contest, the expectation is that he’ll go on to face either Charles Oliveira or Michael Chandler for the UFC Lightweight Championship. If he loses, it’s anyone’s guess as to what he may have in store for us in the future.
Dan Hardy asks for release from UFC fighter contract, says 'I'd love to fight in Japan'
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
No longer under contract with the UFC as a commentator, former welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy now hopes to part ways as a fighter. Despite it nearly being 10 years since “The Outlaw” stepped foot inside the Octagon, Hardy still aims for a return to competition if possible. But first, he needs to be released from his UFC fighter contract.
UFC welterweight Alan Jouban announces his retirement
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
Alan Jouban announced Monday that his time as a fighter has come to an end. The UFC welterweight took to Twitter to share that he will be sticking to the analyst desk as he heads into retirement.
Dana White confirms Derrick Lewis is next for Francis Ngannou, provides update on Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - May 10, 2021
UFC President Dana White confirmed on Monday that a rematch with Derrick Lewis will be next for Francis Ngannnou, this while providing an update on Jon Jones. Prior to March’s UFC 260 event, it was thought that the winner of Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 would be fighting ‘Bones’ in their next outing. However, shortly after ‘The Predator’ dethroned Stipe with a second round knockout, negotiations between Jones and the UFC quickly went south.
Zhang Weili details hostile Jacksonville territory and struggles landing Rose Namajunas fight
Drake Riggs - May 10, 2021
The build-up to the big strawweight title clash between Zhang Weili and Rose Namajunas culminated with some political integration. However, it was just a struggle to make the fight happen in the first place. Now the former champion, China’s Zhang (21-2) hadn’t fought in over a year before the Namajunas encounter in Jacksonville, Florida at UFC 261. “Magnum” ultimately found herself in enemy territory when once again making the walk.
Report | Billy Joe Saunders fighting career in jeopardy following loss to Canelo Alvarez
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Billy Joe Saunders suffered a severe eye injury in his loss to Canelo Alvarez and his career is now in jeopardy, according to a recent report. On Saturday night, Saunders and Alvarez took one step closer to unifying the 168-pound division. It was a massive fight and early on, Saunders had success. Yet, as the fight wore on, Alvarez started to go to the body and then landed a beautifully timed uppercut that landed flush on the eye of Saunders.
Donald Cerrone will get one more UFC fight at lightweight, says Dana White
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
Donald Cerrone will get another shot to end his winless streak. On Saturday night in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 26, Cerrone suffered a first-round TKO loss to Alex Morono. “Cowboy” was supposed to face Diego Sanchez, but after the TUF 1 winner was released, Morono stepped up on short notice and got the win.
New Jersey commission overturns Renan Ferreira's controversial win over Fabricio Werdum
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
The New Jersey Athletic Control Board has overturned Renan Ferreira’s controversial win over Fabricio Werdum at PFL 3. Werdum headlined the card and just seconds into the fight, he got the fight to the ground. He then threatened a triangle choke and it looked like it was tight, but Ferreira landed ground and pound and got the first-round KO win over Werdum.
Michael Chandler shares prediction for Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 262: "He’s going to get his clock cleaned"
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler shared his prediction for the Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 262: “He’s going to get his clock cleaned.” Chandler steps into the Octagon for the second time this Saturday night when he fights Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title. For Chandler, he earned this title shot after being a champion in Bellator for the better part of 10 years and after scoring a knockout over Dan Hooker in his promotional debut at UFC 257. Although Oliveira is a tough matchup as the Brazilian is well-rounded and elite on the ground, Chandler is still confident that he will win this fight, and he’s excited to score another highlight-reel knockout.
Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Jack Hermansson off UFC 262, rescheduled for UFC Vegas 27
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
A pivotal middleweight bout between Edmen Shahbazyan and Jack Hermansson will not happen this Saturday at UFC 262. Multiple sources informed BJPENN.com’s Cole Shelton and Adam Martin the fight is off UFC 262 and postponed one week to UFC Vegas 27 on May 22. It’s expected to serve as the co-main event. MMA reporter, Marcell Dorff was the first to report the news.
Gordon Ryan to face Shinya Aoki in ONE Championship grappling match
Andrew Whitelaw - May 10, 2021
Gordon Ryan has an opponent for his ONE Championship debut. According to a Facebook post from ONE CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, the BJJ star will take on JMMA lcon Shinya Aoki in “an openweight grappling super match on August 27!”
Jiri Prochazka praises "king of the light heavyweight division" Jon Jones
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC light heavyweight contender Jiri Prochazka says that he believes Jon Jones is still the “king of the light heavyweight division.” Prochazka is one of the hottest names at 205lbs these days after knocking out Dominick Reyes and Volkan Oezdemir in his first two Octagon appearances. UFC president Dana White has already said Prochazka is next in line to fight the winner of UFC 266’s main event between UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and No. 1 contender Glover Teixeira, and that’s ideal because “Denisa” is hoping to win the belt. But if you ask Prochazka, the top opponent for him that he could choose would still be Jones.
What's next for Marina Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson after UFC Vegas 26?
Cole Shelton - May 10, 2021
In the main event of UFC Vegas 26, Marian Rodriguez and Michelle Waterson stepped up on short notice to headline the card up a weight class at flyweight. Rodriguez entered the fight coming off the biggest win of her career as she TKO’d Amanda Ribas at UFC 257 in January. The Brazilian was 3-1-2 in the UFC and her lone loss was a controversial split decision to Carla Esparza. Waterson, meanwhile, returned to the win column last September with a split decision win over Angela Hill.
Michael Page could be next in line for Bellator title shot, confirms Scott Coker
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed that welterweight star Michael Page could be next in line to get a title shot at 170lbs. Page knocked out Derek Anderson in highlight-reel fashion at Bellator 258 this past Friday night, and overall he has won his last five fights in a row, with four of those wins coming by way of knockout. Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is currently set to fight No. 1 contender Yaroslav Amosov, but Page has been vocal about wanting to fight the winner.
Giga Chikadze challenges Max Holloway to prove who the UFC's top striker is
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC featherweight contender Giga Chikadze wants to fight divisional rival Max Holloway in order to prove who the top striker in the UFC is. Chikadze is one of the hottest fighters in the UFC featherweight division right now after winning his first six fights at 145lbs in the world’s leading MMA promotion. His last performance, a first-round body kick TKO win over Cub Swanson at UFC Vegas 25, was his best showing yet, and following the fight, Chikadze called out a number of the division’s top fighters including Yair Rodriguez, Calvin Kattar, and the man he wants the most, Holloway.
Jon Jones trolls UFC president Dana White during his Instagram live session
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones trolled UFC president Dana White during his recent Instagram live session. Jones and the UFC are currently involved in public contract negotiations for a future fight with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Jones has said on social media that the UFC’s initial offer of $8 to $10 million was “way too low” for a fight of this magnitude, and so the UFC and Jones are having a hard time coming to a deal as the promotion does not want to meet Jones’ request of $30 million for the fight. We have seen the contract negotiations play out in public over the last few months and will continue to do so going forward as Jones is one of the UFC’s biggest stars and this is a huge story in MMA.
Chuck Liddell open to fighting Jake Paul: “I’m ready anytime for that clown”
Adam D Martin - May 10, 2021
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell said that he’s ready to fight YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, saying “I’m ready anytime for that clown.” Liddell was responding to a fan who had suggested that either Liddell, UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya or former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov should fight Paul, who has quickly turned himself into one of combat sports’ biggest names. Taking to his social media to respond, “The Iceman” said that he’d be happy to fight Paul.
Conor McGregor confirms he will fight at welterweight again: “I will most certainly be going back up!”
Harry Kettle - May 10, 2021
Conor McGregor has confirmed that he plans on moving back up to fight at welterweight as part of his future in the UFC. Throughout the course of his UFC career the Irishman has fought three times at welterweight. He first went 1-1 with Nate Diaz in two enticing 2016 bouts, before eventually returning to the weight class at the start of 2020. In that fight, he dispatched Donald Cerrone with ruthless efficiency in a convincing 40-second success.