UFC News
Michael Bisping taking Alexandre Pantoja to retain flyweight title: "He’s a nasty bastard"
Zain Bando - May 1, 2024
Michael Bisping is all too familiar with playing the underdog role. Despite Steve Erceg’s (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) similar position Saturday at UFC 301, Bisping said he plans to go conservative and pick Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) to defend his flyweight title in his home country of Brazil. “Alexandre Pantoja, this man’s phenomenal,” Michael Bisping said. “He’s pretty much gone through the entire flyweight division. Brandon Moreno, the Royvals, the Kapes. You name it, he’s been there and done it. He’s got no weak areas. He’s got a strong mind. He’s resilient. He’s got an amazing gas tank. He can strike. He can wrestle. He’s got world-class jiu-jitsu, and he’s a nasty bastard on top of it.”
Anthony Smith calls UFC fans 'stupid' over relentless criticism of his takes and career
Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith’s relationship with fans has become fractured in recent years. Smith will face Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 this Saturday in Rio de Janeiro. He returns looking to snap a recent skid of losses in three of his last four fights, including a knockout loss to Khalil Rountree in December.
UFC 301 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg title fight
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
In the main event of UFC 301, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja looks to defend his belt against Steve Erceg. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -200 favorite while the challenger is a +154 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the flyweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Pantoja will remain the flyweight champ as they believe this is too big of a step up in competition for Erceg.
Max Holloway hits back after Ilia Topuria questions his desire to fight for the featherweight belt: 'You're spiraling!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 1, 2024
BMF titleholder Max Holloway wasn’t one to hold animosity toward other UFC fighters, until Ilia Topuria claimed the featherweight throne. Holloway earned the BMF belt by knocking out Justin Gaethje with one second left at UFC 300 last month. The win was his first career UFC lightweight victory and opened up many options for his next fight.
WATCH | Alex Pereira outwrestles Daniel Cormier at UFC 301 media day
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024
It appears that UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has better wrestling than Daniel Cormier believed. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 300 last month. In the headliner of the historic event, Alex Pereria faced former champion Jamahal Hill. Ultimately, it took the Brazilian less than a round to knock out ‘Sweet Dreams’. However, Hill later stated that Herb Dean’s refereeing played a role in the defeat.
Jose Aldo turned down million-dollar payday to make return at UFC 301: "We had a lot of offers"
Josh Evanoff - May 1, 2024
Former featherweight champion Jose Aldo felt that he had to return to the UFC. ‘Junior’ famously retired from MMA after a unanimous decision defeat against Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022. For the next two years or so, Jose Aldo competed in the boxing ring. He compiled a 2-0-1 record and was in discussions for exhibitions with the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Instead, the former champion will return to the UFC.
WATCH | Jose Aldo gets into Jonathan Martinez's face in intense faceoff ahead of UFC 301
Cole Shelton - May 1, 2024
Jose Aldo got into a heated faceoff with Jonathan Martinez ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 301 on Saturday. Aldo is set to face Jonathan Martinez in the co-main event of UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It marks his first MMA fight since August of 2022 when he lost a decision to Merab Dvalishvili. Since then, the UFC allowed Aldo to take boxing fights, as he had three of them, but he will fight out his contract on Saturday.
David Feldman confirms Conor McGregor will have “a lot of say” in future BKFC operations
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
David Feldman is confirming that Conor McGregor will have ‘a lot to say’ in future BKFC operations. The announcement came this past Saturday, April 27th during the BKFC KnuckleMania 4 broadcast, that Conor McGregor is now a part owner in the promotion.
Alex Volkanovski tells Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion: “He’s saying no to everyone”
Susan Cox - May 1, 2024
Alex Volkanovski is telling Ilia Topuria to step up and start acting like a champion. The undefeated Topuria is the current UFC featherweight champion.
Muhammad Mokaev calls “number one bullsh*t” on updated UFC flyweight rankings
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Muhammad Mokaev has called out the updated UFC flyweight rankings as Alex Perez jumps above him in the pecking order. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev is a rising force of nature in the UFC’s flyweight division. The youngster fully believes he has what it takes to become a world champion, and with an unbeaten 12-0 record, the future certainly looks bright. With that being said, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the air right now when it comes to the title picture.
Robert Whittaker explains why he hopes Jiri Prochazka doesn’t move down to middleweight: “Then we’re enemies”
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Robert Whittaker has explained why he doesn’t want to see Jiri Prochazka move down to middleweight. For the longest time now, Jiri Prochazka has been a big fan favorite in mixed martial arts. That’s been especially true since he joined the UFC, with his eccentric style winning over the masses.
Daniel Cormier doesn’t believe Ilia Topuria “has much say in this as he thinks he does” with potential Max Holloway title fight
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2024
Daniel Cormier has questioned how much of a say Ilia Topuria has in his potential showdown with Max Holloway. Since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria has been enjoying life as one of the UFC’s biggest new stars. He’s a huge name in Spain, he’s the featherweight champion of the world, and he has plenty of fighters calling him out.