UFC News
Henry Cejudo shares prediction for newly announced Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera title fight at UFC 299
Susan Cox - November 9, 2023
Henry Cejudo is sharing his prediction for the newly announced Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera title fight at UFC 299. UFC 299 will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at a yet to be disclosed location. Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) will defend his bantamweight title in a rematch with Marlon Vera (23-8 MMA).
UFC 295 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tom Aspinall interim title fight
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 295, the interim heavyweight title is up for grabs as Sergei Pavlovich takes on Tom Aspinall. Heading into the fight, Pavlovich is a slight -104 underdog while the Brit is a -122 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the interim title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Pavlovich getting the KO, but the pros know this fight ends early regardless of who wins.
Anthony Smith claims Alex Pereira’s “stoic serial killer” look is just an act: “No you’re not”
Susan Cox - November 9, 2023
Anthony Smith claims Alex Pereira’s ‘stoic serial killer’ look is just an act. This Saturday, November 11th will see Alex Pereira (8-2 MMA) facing former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka (29-3 MMA) in the main event for the vacant light heavyweight belt at UFC 295 which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Firas Zahabi says he was “speechless” after hearing news of the UFC’s split with USADA: “One guy is going to ruin it for everybody?”
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2023
Georges St-Pierre’s head coach Firas Zahabi has revealed his concern for the future after UFC’s split with USADA. Last month, it was announced that the Ultimate Fighting Championship would be parting ways with USADA, starting in January 2024. It appeared to be quite a bitter split, with USADA releasing a statement that noted their frustration with Conor McGregor and when he’d be cleared to compete again.
Dana White shoots down rumors of Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey fighting at UFC 300: “They’re not coming back”
Harry Kettle - November 9, 2023
UFC president Dana White has dismissed the idea of Brock Lesnar or Ronda Rousey returning in time for UFC 300. In April 2024, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is expected to host its landmark UFC 300 event. The show is set to be one of the biggest in the history of mixed martial arts, and as such, plenty of big stars are likely to appear on the card.
Loopy Godinez expecting a "dirty, bloody" fight against Tabatha Ricci at UFC 295: "I'm excited about this matchup"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
Loopy Godinez didn’t think she would fight again this year but was thrilled when she was offered to return at UFC 295. After Godinez submitted Elise Reed in the second round at Noche UFC, a week later she got the call to face Tabatha Ricci at UFC 295. It was an exciting opportunity and for Godinez, she’s honored to be able to fight at Madison Square Garden.
Mackenzie Dern says she's still dealing with the aftermath of her divorce ahead of UFC 295: “Literally this whole fight is still paying me ex”
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
Mackenzie Dern is still dealing with the aftermath of her divorce ahead of her UFC 295 fight against Jessica Andrade. Dern revealed she got a divorce ahead of her last fight against Angela Hill, which she won by decision back in May. It was a dominant performance, but Dern admitted there were a lot of mental struggles ahead of the fight.
Sergei Pavlovich says UFC 295 fight against Tom Aspinall is for the "legit title"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
Sergei Pavlovich doesn’t think he’s fighting for the interim heavyweight title on Saturday. Pavlovich is set to fight Tom Aspinall in the co-main event of UFC 295 from Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Originally, the card was supposed to be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. However, just over two weeks out from the event, Jones tore his pec so the promotion made an interim title fight between Pavlovich and Aspinall.
UFC 295 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira title fight
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 295, the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Jiri Prochazka takes on Alex Pereira. Heading into the fight, Prochazka is a +100 underdog while the Brazilian is a -128 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Prochazka becoming the light heavyweight champion again at UFC 295, but all expect this to be a very exciting scrap.
Anthony Smith still backing Jon Jones in possible Francis Ngannou clash: "Would've left there without a mark on his face"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight Anthony Smith is still backing Jon Jones if he ever faces Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ returned to action late last month in Saudi Arabia in the boxing ring against Tyson Fury. There, Francis Ngannou turned in a spirited effort, knocking down ‘The Gypsy King’ in round three. However, it wasn’t enough to earn a win, as the boxer instead scored a split-decision victory.
Daniel Cormier believes Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will headline UFC 300: "How crazy is that?!"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier believes Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will meet next April. ‘The Notorious’ and ‘Iron Mike’ have been in discussions for a fight for seemingly all of 2023. Earlier this year, Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler coached against one another on The Ultimate Fighter. However, it took him months to enter the USADA testing pool, postponing his return. Despite the Irishman’s comments about fighting names such as Justin Gaethje, he will seemingly return against the former Bellator champion.
Alex Pereira rooting for "very talented" Dillon Danis to get into the UFC: "He’s a great guy"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
Alex Pereira is rooting for Dillon Danis to get a UFC deal and fight in the Las Vegas-based promotion. Danis was recently released from his contract with Bellator after boxing Logan Paul. Since then, he has been vocal on social media that he wants to fight in the UFC. Although Danis hasn’t fought in MMA since 2019, Alex Pereira believes ‘El Jefe’ would have success in the promotion as he’s a very talented fighter.
Michael Bisping shares prediction for Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich title fight at UFC 295: “He’s going to make this look easy”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2023
Michael Bisping is sharing his prediction for Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich title fight at UFC 295. UFC 295 takes place this Saturday night, November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Chael Sonnen suggests Alex Pereira will become Fighter of the Year with victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Alex Pereira could become Fighter of the Year with a victory at UFC 295. This Saturday night, Alex Pereira returns to action in a blockbuster encounter with Jiri Prochazka. The two will fight for the UFC light heavyweight championship, with Pereira attempting to become the latest two-division UFC champion.
Joe Rogan set to return to the commentary booth for first time in 3 months at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Joe Rogan will reportedly return to the commentary booth for the first time in three months at UFC 295 this weekend. Over the course of the last few decades, Joe Rogan has been an ever-present member of the UFC family. From major event to major event, Rogan has been there every step of the way to react to some of the greatest moments in mixed martial arts history.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts after Islam Makhachev dethrones Jon Jones for top spot in UFC pound for pound rankings
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev finally being given the #1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Last month, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to successfully retain his UFC lightweight championship. In doing so, many felt as if he established himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC. Alas, at the time, Jon Jones was kept at the top of the mountain.
Matt Frevola hopes Benoit Saint-Denis tries to grapple him at UFC 295, believes it's a "perfect fight" for him
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Matt Frevola always knew his next fight would be at Madison Square Garden. Frevola started the year off with an upset first-round TKO win over Drew Dober in May. After the victory, Frevola knew he would be fighting at home at Madison Square Garden but wasn’t sure if he’d be able to sneak in another fight before then.
Jason Knight expects to make Randy Costa "quit" at Gambred Bareknuckle MMA, hopes UFC call comes next
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Jason Knight will be fighting for the first time since he competed on The Ultimate Fighter. Knight lost in the semi-finals of TUF 21 to the eventual winner Kurt Holobaugh in a back-and-forth war. Although Knight lost by second-round TKO, Dana White called it the fight of the season, so ‘Hick Diaz’ was hopeful to get a UFC deal which unfortunately never came.