UFC News
Chael Sonnen explains how Josh Emmett and Yair Rodriguez “botched” their championship fight at UFC 284
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he isn’t a fan of how Yair Rodriguez and Josh Emmett have built up their UFC 284 title fight. This Saturday night in Australia, the co-main event will feature Yair Rodriguez vs Josh Emmett. In that contest, the two will compete for the UFC interim featherweight championship.
Report | Charles Oliveira set to return at UFC 288 against Beneil Dariush
Harry Kettle - February 10, 2023
Charles Oliveira is reportedly set to return to the Octagon later this year when he meets Beneil Dariush at UFC 288. Towards the end of 2022, Charles Oliveira’s phenomenal run as UFC lightweight champion came to an end. He was beaten thoroughly by Islam Makhachev, leaving many to wonder what his future would look like in mixed martial arts.
Alexander Volkanovski doubts Islam Makhachev will actually look for KO win: "Him coming looking for a knockout, that’s an unnecessary risk"
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski isn’t sure Islam Makhachev will actually strike with him. Volkanovski is set to move up to lightweight to fight for the title against Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 284. In the lead-up to the scrap, Makhachev has been critical of Volkanovski’s wrestling, while also saying he is gunning for the KO.
Don Shainis knows he can't leave it up to the judges against local fighter Jack Jenkins at UFC 284: "I know deep down if it is a close decision it probably isn't going my way"
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Don Shainis knows he has to finish Jack Jenkins at UFC 284 if he is going to win. Shainis made his UFC debut last October on short notice and was submitted in 30 seconds against Sodiq Yusuff. Although the fight didn’t go his way, he already had his eye on Jenkins as he watched the Contender Series live the week of his fight and saw Jenkins get a win.
Alexander Volkanovski's coach believes Islam Makhachev is only "good at holding people down," says Ortega is more dangerous
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski’s grappling coach Craig Jones believes Brian Ortega is more dangerous on the ground than Islam Makhachev will be. Volkanovski defended his featherweight strap back in September of 2021 against Ortega in a fight he had to get out of multiple submission attempts. With that, Jones has confidence that Volkanovski will be able to handle Makhachev on the ground.
VIDEO | Mark Zuckerberg spars with Alexander Volkanovski in Meta ad ahead of UFC 284
Josh Evanoff - February 9, 2023
Ahead of UFC 284, Mark Zuckerberg has sent a sign of support to Alexander Volkanovski. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trilogy bout with Max Holloway last July. In that outing, Volkanovski dominated en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory. In the process, he closed the book on his series with ‘Blessed’, winning all three fights.
Islam Makhachev hits back at Bobby Green over steroids accusation: "I training hard, that’s why. That’s why he feel the power"
Josh Evanoff - February 9, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has hit back at Bobby Green‘s steroid accusations. The Russian is slated to headline UFC 284 this Saturday night against Alexander Volkanovski. The bout will be Makhachev’s first title defense since winning the title last October against Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ wound up losing by second-round submission, ending his historic winning streak.
Islam Makhachev says he's "the best MMA fighter" in the world, despite Alexander Volkanovski being atop pound-for-pound rankings
Cole Shelton - February 9, 2023
Islam Makhachev isn’t sold on Alexander Volkanovski being the best fighter in the UFC. Volkanovski – who’s the current featherweight champion – is ranked number one on the UFC’s official pound-for-pound rankings. However, Makhachev who is defending his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 284 against Volkanovski believes he is the best fighter in the world and will prove that on Saturday.
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev confirms his intentions of eventually competing at welterweight: “It's gonna happen one day”
Susan Cox - February 9, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is confirming his intentions of eventually competing at welterweight. The reigning lightweight champion is set to defend his title this coming Saturday, February 11th at UFC 284 which takes place at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Alexander Volkanovksi discusses the potential of fighting Conor McGregor after UFC 284: “Its good to look at because I plan on taking that lightweight belt”
Susan Cox - February 9, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski is discussing the potential of fighting Conor McGregor after UFC 284. UFC 284 takes place this coming weekend, Saturday, February 11th at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Dan Hooker requests Dana White allow him to compete on upcoming Power Slap pay-per-view: “Show/win and I’m in”
Susan Cox - February 9, 2023
Dan Hooker is requesting Dana White allow him to compete on the upcoming Power Slap pay-per-view. ‘Power Slap’ premiered on Wednesday, January 18th on TBS to a viewing audience of approximately 295,000.
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.
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.
Dana White announces fans will be able to bet on Power Slap matches starting at the live event in March
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2023
Dana White has announced that starting in March, fans will be able to bet on events and fights from the Power Slap league. While it may be pulling in big numbers, Power Slap is still a source of great controversy in the world of combat sports. UFC president Dana White continues to push ahead with it, giving the show the kind of promotion that a lot of UFC events can only dream of.
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.
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.