MMA News

Brandon Royval, Tatsuro Taira
Tatsuro Taira

Tatsuro Taira issues statement following FOTN loss to Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98

Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024

UFC contender Tatsuro Taira has issued a statement following his dramatic defeat to Brandon Royval last weekend. Last Saturday night, Tatsuro Taira stepped up to battle it out with Brandon Royval in a blockbuster flyweight main event. The two men were expected to go out there and put on a show, and boy oh boy is that what they did. They tore the house down in a true Fight of the Night contender that only left us wishing more fans had been in attendance to see it.

Francis Ngannou
Francis Ngannou

PFL’s Donn Davis expects Dana White to make major UFC announcement in attempt to stifle Francis Ngannou’s MMA return

Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024

PFL boss Donn Davis believes Dana White will make a major UFC announcement this week in an attempt to overshadow Francis Ngannou’s PFL debut. This weekend, the PFL’s blockbuster Battle of the Giants event will take place in Saudi Arabia. The main event will see Francis Ngannou go head to head with Renan Ferreira, in what is expected to be an absolute blockbuster of a fight.

Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

NFL legend Ray Lewis to address fighters before their ‘PFL: Battle of the Giants’ bouts

Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024

The PFL is set to ensure maximum violence at Battle of the Giants with Ray Lewis chatting to fighters before they go out. At this point, it certainly seems as if the PFL is willing to do just about anything to promote Battle of the Giants. It makes sense, too, given that this is by far the biggest event they’ve ever produced from top to bottom.

Stipe Miocic
Jon Jones

Francis Ngannou explains why he “wouldn't be surprised” if Stipe Miocic beats Jon Jones at UFC 309

Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024

Francis Ngannou has explained why he wouldn’t be surprised to see Stipe Miocic defeat Jon Jones at UFC 309 next month. As we know, Stipe Miocic will challenge Jon Jones for the UFC heavyweight championship next month. If he’s able to win the strap, he’ll become a three-time UFC world champion. In doing so, he’ll surely cement his legacy as the greatest heavyweight ever.

Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones
Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall responds to Jon Jones's declaration he won't win more UFC titles than him

Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024

Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall responded to Jon Jones’s latest promise that the UK star won’t surpass him when it comes to title victories. Jones will return to the Octagon to defend the UFC lineal heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 next month. He was supposed to face Miocic at UFC 295 before withdrawing due to injury.

Conor McGregor, Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Conor McGregor offers Sean O'Malley all-expenses paid trip to train with him in Ireland: "He would regain his title!"

Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024

Now that Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley have squashed their beef, McGregor wants O’Malley and his longtime coach Tim Welch to train on his home soil. O’Malley lost the UFC bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last month. The loss snapped a lengthy unbeaten streak and ended his bantamweight title reign.

Francis Ngannou, Dana White, UFC, UFC 285
Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou again taunts Dana White over comments about his UFC pay: "I have all the receipts"

Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024

PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou has responded to UFC President Dana White. ‘The Predator’ is set to return to the cage this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since a decision victory over Ciryl Gane in early 2022, Francis Ngannou will face Renan Ferreira. The bout will be the former champion’s first under the PFL banner, but not his first since leaving the UFC.

Tony Ferguson, UFC, UFC 296, Statement
UFC

Tony Ferguson confirms he's not retired, announces plans for early 2025 UFC return: "F*ck no I'm not retiring!"

Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson isn’t done quite yet. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of the cage since a trip to Abu Dhabi in August. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Paddy Pimblett in December, Tony Ferguson faced fellow veteran Michael Chiesa. Ahead of the bout, Dana White stated that the 40-year-old would have to retire afterward, win or lose.

Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes
Julianna Pena

Julianna Pena reveals UFC wants to book Amanda Nunes against her or Kayla Harrison next: "Wants to look like a hero"

Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024

The UFC reportedly wants to book Amanda Nunes against the winner of Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison. ‘The Veneluzen Vixen’ returned to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 307 earlier this month. There, Julianna Pena competed for the first time since her defeat against Amanda Nunes in the summer of 2022. For her first fight back, the former champion faced new bantamweight titleholder, Raquel Pennington.

Francis Ngannou, Renan Ferreira
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Francis Ngannou explains why he feels like a significant "underdog" ahead of MMA return vs. Renan Ferreira

Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024

Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou admits he’s entering his PFL debut with a steep mountain to climb against the formidable Renan Ferreira. Ngannou and Ferreira headline Battle of the Giants this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The PFL’s latest pay-per-view event marks the long-awaited return to the cage for Ngannou, almost three full years since his last MMA fight.

Michael Chandler, Conor McGregor
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler says Conor McGregor's MMA legacy is on the line after long UFC absence

Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024

Former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler feels Conor McGregor’s fighting legacy is in jeopardy if he doesn’t return. Chandler will face former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the UFC 309 co-main event. He returns to the Octagon almost two full years after his last fight amidst a long wait for the McGregor booking.

Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland, UFC, UFC 297, Pros react
UFC

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis predicts a finish in his next fight

Harry Kettle - October 14, 2024

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has seemingly predicted a finish for his next fight inside the cage. Over the course of the last few years, Dricus du Plessis has made a real name for himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He introduced himself as an emerging contender but in a short space of time, he made his way to the very top of the division.

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Alex Morono
Daniel Rodriguez

Alex Morono looking to prove he's much better than his last outing at UFC Vegas 98: "I performed horribly"

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.

Mario Bautista
Jose Aldo

Mario Bautista plans to bring the fight to Jose Aldo at UFC 307: "I'm going to make him fight"

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.

Alex Pereira and Khalil Rountree
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 307 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree title fight

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.

Vince Morales
UFC

Vince Morales confident he will "break" Taylor Lapilus at UFC Paris

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.

Benoit Saint-Denis and Renato Moicano
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Pro fighters make their picks for Benoit Saint-Denis vs Renato Moicano

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.

Matt Frevola
Matt Frevola

Matt Frevola planning to bring Fares Ziam into a "dogfight" at UFC Paris: "He will finally have an exciting fight"

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.

Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 306 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko 3 title fight

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.

Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili

UFC 306 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title fight

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.

Isaac Dulgarian
UFC

Isaac Dulgarian confident he will finish Brendon Marotte "early" at UFC Vegas 97: "I'm the better fighter"

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024

Isaac Dulgarian is set to return to the Octagon against Brendon Marotte at UFC Vegas 97. It will be Dulgarian’s first fight since he suffered his first career loss. That loss came back in March and was a controversial decision defeat to Christian Rodriguez which is a fight Dulgarian still believes he won.

Gilbert Burns and Sean Brady
Gilbert Burns

Pro fighters make their picks for Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024

In the main event of UFC Vegas 97, a pivotal welterweight bout goes down as Gilbert Burns takes on Sean Brady. Heading into the fight, Burns is a +150 underdog while the American is a -194 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the welterweight fight. The pros believe Burns will pull off the upset and get the win over Brady on Saturday.

Kyle Nelson
Kyle Nelson

Kyle Nelson expects Steve Garcia to "gas" out at UFC Vegas 97 en route to second-round TKO

Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024

Kyle Nelson was supposed to get the biggest fight of his career as he was booked to face Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 97. However, just about a month out from the fight, it was revealed Kattar was injured and the fight was off. It was disappointing news for Nelson who had a chance to crack the top-10.

Israel Adesanya and Dricus Du Plessia
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 305 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya title fight

Cole Shelton - August 14, 2024

In the main event of UFC 305 in Perth, Australia, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Dricus Du Plessis looks to defend his belt for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a slight -104 underdog while ‘The Last Stylebender’ is a -122 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the middleweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Adesanya will reclaim his middleweight title.