MMA News

Curtis Calhoun - November 5, 2024

Getting hit by UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is one thing, but getting hit by a bunny costume Pereira adds insult to injury. Pereira successfully defended the UFC light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 last month. Almost immediately after the win, the UFC matchmakers approached Pereira to potentially headline UFC 310, after Belal Muhammad’s withdrawal due to injury.

Cole Shelton - November 5, 2024

Michael Chandler has shared his prediction for the expected rematch between Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev and Tsarukyan are rumored to rematch in January at UFC 311 for the lightweight title. It will be one of the most intriguing title fights, as it serves as a rematch of their 2019 fight, which Makhachev won by decision. However, that contest served as Tsarukyan’s UFC debut and was a fight he took on very short notice.

Josh Evanoff - November 5, 2024

Former WEC title challenger and professional boxer Hiromitsu Miura has passed away. A native of Fukuoka, Japan, the longtime welterweight began competing in 2004 in Pancrase. Over the next two years, Hiromitsu Miura compiled a 7-3 professional record, which was enough to sign with the WEC. While the Japanese fighter suffered a loss to Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller in his first outing, he rebounded with back-to-back stoppage wins.

Josh Evanoff - November 5, 2024

Former UFC star Nate Diaz recently decided to spar with a fan who wanted his autograph. The Stockton native hasn’t been seen in action since a boxing match with Jorge Masvidal earlier this year. The bout took place just five years after ‘Gamebred’ handed Nate Diaz a stoppage loss in the octagon at UFC 244 in New York City. In a rematch in the ring, however, the former fan favorite emerged with a decision victory.

Curtis Calhoun - November 5, 2024

UFC lightweight Rinat Fakhretdinov has responded to Daniel Cormier’s fiery remarks at a recent Q+A session in reaction to his post-UFC 308 criticism of the commentary team. Fakhretdinov earned a controversial nod on the judges’ scorecards in his matchup with Carlos Leal at UFC 308 last month. He earned a unanimous decision despite many believing Leal, who was making his UFC debut, deserved the victory over Fakhretdinov.

Cole Shelton - November 5, 2024

Ryan Hall is looking to make the walk to the Octagon again. Hall hasn’t fought since December of 2021 when he beat Darrick Minner. Since then, the fan-favorite has dealt with plenty of injuries and has had 19 surgeries since his last fight.

Fernando Quiles - November 5, 2024

UFC bantamweight Song Yadong has taken issue with some of Sean Strickland’s recent remarks. Strickland has been known to push the envelope. He often speaks without mincing words and doesn’t abide by social norms. The former UFC middleweight champion also isn’t afraid to poke fun at topics such as race.

Fernando Quiles - November 5, 2024

Michael Chandler believes his UFC 309 rematch with Charles Oliveira is the perfect scenario. Chandler was in for a letdown when he trusted that a mega fight with Conor McGregor would materialize. While the fight was booked to take place earlier this year, an injury sidelined McGregor, who won’t be fighting until at least 2025. Chandler then received a crucial lightweight showdown against Oliveira, which is set to take place inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Cole Shelton - November 5, 2024

The 182nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 100. We’re first joined by UFC featherweight Ryan Hall (1:10). We close things out by chatting with UFC bantamweight Cody Stamann (18:04).

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 5, 2024

Three-division ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is one of the most feared fighters on the planet. The Russian smasher is the only man to hold gold in three MMA divisions simultaneously. But not everyone believed he could reach this position.   “Sladkiy” defends his heavyweight MMA gold against “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane in ONE 169’s main event on Friday, November 8, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.  

Harry Kettle - November 5, 2024

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has looked back at a memory that many fans won’t be familiar with. In case you’ve forgotten, Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the greatest fighters of all time. While he may have left mixed martial arts at the peak of his powers, his unbeaten body of work in the sport speaks for itself.

Harry Kettle - November 5, 2024

UFC prospect Joe Pyfer has called for a rematch with Dustin Stoltzfus following the latter’s KO win over Marc-André Barriault. Over the course of the last few years, Joe Pyfer has emerged as a really interesting contender at middleweight. However, it’s safe to say that he hasn’t had everything go his way. In addition to a defeat against Jack Hermansson back in February, his first Contender Series appearance against Dustin Stoltzfus ended with him sustaining an injury.

Cole Shelton - October 24, 2024

In the co-main event of UFC 308, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Robert Whittaker takes on Khamzat Chimaev. Heading into the bout, Whittaker is a +200 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -265 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the pivotal middleweight fight.  The pros believe Whittaker will be able to pull off the upset as they think he can drag the fight into the later rounds and get the win.

Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024

Dan Ige is expecting a fun fight against Lerone Murphy at UFC 308. Ige is coming off a decision loss to Diego Lopes back at UFC 303 in a fight he took on only a couple of hours’ notice. It was a hectic day for the Hawaiian and he says he was glad he did it as he proved to everyone just how good he is.

Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024

In the main event of UFC 308, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Ilia Topuria looks to defend his belt for the first time against Max Holloway. Heading into the bout, Topuria is a -260 favorite while the challenger is a +196 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros believe it should be an exciting striking match but they are shockingly unanimous in thinking Holloway pulls off the upset to get the win.

Cole Shelton - October 16, 2024

Mario Bautista knew getting past Jose Aldo would be tough, and he did what he needed to do to win. Bautista edged out a split decision win over Aldo at UFC 307 in what was considered by many to be a lackluster fight. Heading into the bout, the wrestling and clinch weren’t part of Bautista’s game plan until it was there for him to use.

Cole Shelton - October 8, 2024

Alex Morono is glad to be making a quick turnaround at UFC Vegas 98 as he hopes to get the bad taste out of his mouth. Morono is coming off a dissapointing decision loss to Niko Price at UFC 302 in June. It was a frustrating fight for Morono who said nothing went right for him all fight week.

Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024

Mario Bautista is excited and honored to fight a legend like Jose Aldo at UFC 307. Bautista is coming off a decision win over Ricky Simon back in January. Since then, he had been campaigning for a fight but nine months later, he will return to the Octagon on Saturday. Although it is a much longer wait, he says the opponent is well worth it.

Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024

In the main event of UFC 307, the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira takes on Khalil Rountree. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a sizeable -560 favorite while the challenger is a +370 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros believe it should be an exciting striking match but the slight majority believe Pereira will get his hand raised. However, some do think Rountree will shock the world.

Cole Shelton - September 26, 2024

Vince Morales wasn’t sure if he would ever fight in the UFC again. Morales was released from the UFC in January of 2023 and went on to fight in various promotions including RIZIN. Since his release, Morales won five straight fights. Then, as he noticed Taylor Lapilus was still without an opponent at UFC Paris, he asked his manager to try to get him that fight.

Cole Shelton - September 25, 2024

In the main event of UFC Paris, a pivotal lightweight bout goes down as Benoit Saint-Denis takes on Renato Moicano. Heading into the fight, Saint-Denis is a -290 favorite while the Brazilian is a +215 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros believe Saint-Denis will get his hand raised, as he will be able to KO Moicano early in the fight to get a big win at home.

Cole Shelton - September 24, 2024

Matt Frevola is excited to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Frevola is set to return on Saturday at UFC Paris against Fares Ziam. It’s his first since November of last year when he suffered a KO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis. Since then, his wife welcomed their son into the world, so he took time to be a dad. But, once he was ready to return, he says he pushed to be on this Paris card.

Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024

In the co-main event of UFC 306, the women’s flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexa Grasso looks to defend her belt in the trilogy match against Valentina Shevchenko. Heading into the fight, Grasso is a slight -140 favorite while the challenger is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the women’s flyweight title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Grasso getting the win, as most of them think Shevchenko’s age has caught up to her and that she’s lost a step.

Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024

In the main event of UFC 306, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Sean O’Malley looks to defend his belt for the second time against Merab Dvalishvili. Heading into the fight, O’Malley is a slight -140 favorite while the Georgian is a +110 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 majority of pros believe O’Malley will remain the bantamweight champ as they expect him to KO Dvalishvili.