UFC News
Michael Page lays out path to potential UFC title shot: "I'm here to get the bling"
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2024
UFC welterweight Michael Page believes he only needs two wins to get a title shot. The man known to many fans simply as ‘MVP’ is set to make his UFC debut this Saturday night. Michael Page hasn’t competed in nearly a year, last defeating Goiti Yamaguchi in the Bellator cage last March. That was his last fight on his deal with the Scott Coker-led promotion, and he became a free agent afterward.
WATCH | Katlyn Chookagian gets emotional at UFC 299 media day revealing she had two miscarriages during time off
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
Katlyn Chookagian has had a rough time off, which is why she’s excited to be returning to the Octagon at UFC 299. Chookagian hasn’t fought since UFC 280 in October of 2022 when she suffered a decision loss to Manon Fiorot. After the fight, Chookagian took time off as she was a free agent, and wanted to start a family. However, during her time off, Katlyn Chookagian revealed at UFC 299 media day she had two miscarriages, and she is returning to help get her mind off of that.
UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
In the main event of UFC 299, the bantamweight title is on the line as Sean O’Malley defends his strap in a rematch against Marlon Vera. Heading into the fight, O’Malley is a -280 favorite while the the challenger is a +210 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight title fight. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Vera to get his hand raised and become the bantamweight champion.
Tom Aspinall goes to bat for “misunderstood” Paddy Pimblett amidst online hate
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
Tom Aspinall is going to bat for ‘misunderstood’ Paddy Pimblett amidst online hate. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett (21-3 MMA) last fought and defeated Tony Ferguson (25-10 MMA) by unanimous decision this past December at UFC 296.
MMA legend Urijah Faber returns to headline A1 Combat 21
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
MMA legend Urijah Faber is returning to headline A1 Combat 21. Faber (35-11 MMA) retired from MMA in 2016 after defeating Brad Pickett (25-14 MMA) by unanimous decision. Making a comeback in 2019, ‘The California Kid’ fought and defeated Ricky Simon (20-5 MMA) by TKO. That same year, Faber got in the cage with Petr Yan (16-5 MMA) at UFC 245 but lost by a third round TKO.
Joe Rogan set to return to the commentary booth for UFC 299 in Miami
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
Joe Rogan is set to return to the commentary booth for UFC 299 in Miami. UFC 299 takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Ilia Topuria's coach advises Alexander Volkanovski to take a tuneup fight before rematching ‘El Matador’
Harry Kettle - March 6, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski getting a rematch for the title. Just a few weeks ago, Ilia Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become the new UFC featherweight champion. In doing so, he brought an end to the Australian’s incredible reign as the king at 145 pounds.
Merab Dvalishvili booked as the official backup fighter for Saturday’s UFC 299 event
Harry Kettle - March 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili is officially stepping up as the backup fighter for Saturday’s UFC 299 event. Just a matter of weeks ago, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo. In doing so, he set himself up nicely for a future shot at the UFC bantamweight championship. As we know, two men will be competing for that belt this weekend. Sean O’Malley will be defending the strap against Marlon Vera in the main event of the utterly incredible UFC 299 showcase.
Sean O’Malley admits he is just a “causal fan” when it comes to UFC: “I didn’t watch one fight on the card last week”
Harry Kettle - March 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has revealed that he sees himself as more of a casual fan of the promotion. This weekend, the masses will be tuning in to see Sean O’Malley defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Marlon Vera. Between his personality outside of the cage and his fun style in it, ‘Suga’ has turned himself into a real superstar in recent years.
Kyler Phillips expects to be "too fast" for Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Kyler Phillips believes his speed and striking will be too much for Pedro Munhoz to handle at UFC 299. Phillips is coming off a decision win over Raoni Barcelos back in August and after the victory, he figured a ranked opponent would be next. Phillips is on a two-fight winning streak and is 5-1 in the UFC, so he’s eager to face someone like Munhoz who has fought some of the who’s who of the bantamweight division.
Sean Strickland admits he’s “a little” mentally unstable: “I'll wake up some days wanting to strangle a puppy”
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland admits he is a little mentally unstable. Strickland has never been afraid to say what is on his mind and he often gets close or does cross the line with what he says. He has said a lot of that is due to how he was raised, explaining the situation on Theo Von’s podcast speaking about his childhood.
Kevin Holland thinks Michael Page is just focused on getting "paid" ahead of UFC debut
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Kevin Holland thinks Michael Page only cares about getting paid ahead of his UFC debut. Page signed with the UFC last year and it was announced he would be making his debut at UFC 299 against Kevin Holland. It was a bit of a surprise that ‘MVP’ had signed with the UFC as he is about to turn 37 next month. Yet, Holland thinks Page finally signed with the UFC because he knows his career is coming to an end and he wanted to get paid as much as possible.
Conor McGregor blames UFC's "lack of action" as reason for return delay: "I need a decision"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
Former two-weight UFC world champion Conor McGregor badly wants to fight in June. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t competed since a July 2021 trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. As the story goes, Conor McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of the first round. As a result, he lost the bout and was forced onto the sidelines for nearly three years. However, according to McGregor, he’s ready to return.
Dricus Du Plessis details why he rejected Israel Adesanya fight offer for UFC 300
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is detailing why he rejected the offer to fight Israel Adesanya at April’s historic UFC 300 event. UFC 300 takes place of Saturday, April 13th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Khabib Nurmagomedov opens up on life after stepping back from MMA: "I like fighting more than talking"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired from fighting, but not coaching. ‘The Eagle’ is one of the more interesting figures in MMA history. Holding a 29-0 undefeated record, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the rare athlete to retire in his prime. Due to the death of his father, the Russian retired after a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje in 2020.
Sean O'Malley reveals he will be rocking special shorts at UFC 299
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has revealed that he will be rocking special shorts at UFC 299. UFC 299 takes place this weekend, on Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
The countdown is on for UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ which takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The Early Prelims will kickoff this Saturday at 6pm ET / 3pm PT in the United States on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. The Prelims will air at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on ESPN, ESPN News and ESPN+. The Main Card will air exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.
Alexander Volkanovski voices support for fellow former champ Petr Yan ahead of UFC 299: “This will put him right back up there”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski has voiced his support for Petr Yan ahead of his return to action at UFC 299. This Saturday night, Petr Yan makes his long-awaited return to action. The Russian sensation hasn’t been seen since last March, when he was handily beaten by Merab Dvalishvili in a decision loss. This time around, he’ll be battling Song Yadong, in an attempt to break a run of four losses in his last five fights with an impressive return to form.