UFC News
Conor McGregor confirms plans for December return against Michael Chandler at UFC 310
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor will (probably) fight Michael Chandler in December. ‘The Notorious’ was set to end his long hiatus in June, at UFC 303. Conor McGregor hasn’t competed since breaking his leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. Due to that injury, as well as ‘Road House’ obligations, the Irishman has been out of action for three years. However, he finally had a fight date against Michael Chandler earlier this summer.
Islam Makhachev interested in Max Holloway fight if 'Blessed' can get past Ilia Topuria: "Crazy fight for the fans"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
If Max Holloway can get through Ilia Topuria, he could have a shot at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The Russian has been out of the cage since a fifth-round submission victory over Dustin Poirier in June. That win at UFC 302 was Islam Makhachev’s second title defense, and he already began to eye a move to welterweight. However, with Belal Muhammad’s victory over Leon Edwards over the weekend, those plans were dashed.
Tony Ferguson has no plans to retire ahead of UFC Abu Dhabi return: "Where am I going to go?"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has no plans to retire. ‘El Cucuy’ is currently set to make the walk tomorrow night in Abu Dhabi. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Paddy Pimblett in December, Tony Ferguson will face Michael Chiesa. Much like the former interim champion, ‘The Maverick’ has struggled as of late. Heading into UFC Abu Dhabi, Chiesa has lost three straight.
Tom Aspinall confirms backup role for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic: "I'll wipe out both in one night if I have to!"
Josh Evanoff - August 2, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall will be the backup for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. The British fighter is fresh off his return late last month in Manchester. Just eight months after winning interim heavyweight gold against Sergei Pavlovich, Tom Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes. ‘Razor’ had handed the interim champion a stoppage loss due to injury back in July 2022. However, the rematch couldn’t have gone any differently.
Manager reveals Magomed Ankalaev has his next fight booked and it's not against Alex Pereira
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev will not be the next title contender for Alex Pereira. After Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka at UFC 303, all signs pointed to his next title defense being against Ankalaev who is ranked second at light heavyweight. It is an intriguing fight, but according to Ankalaev’s manager, Rizvan Magomedov, the Russian has his next fight booked and it is not against Pereira for the belt as the UFC wanted to go in a different direction.
Steve Erceg demolishes Muhammad Mokaev for “Coward Mentality” after UFC release, Mokaev responds
Curtis Calhoun - August 2, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Steve Erceg didn’t mince words in his reaction to Muhammad Mokaev’s controversial release from the promotion. Erceg will face Kai Kara-France in the UFC 305 co-main event later this month. The card marks the UFC’s return to Perth, Australia, headlined by Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.
UFC champion Belal Muhammad takes aim at “so-called experts” Demetrious Johnson and Kamaru Usman: “They don’t know what they’re talking about”
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
UFC champion Belal Muhammad is taking aim at ‘so-called experts’ Demetrious Johnson and Kamaru Usman. ‘Remember the Name’ (24-3 MMA) is riding high after defeating Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA) to win welterweight gold last weekend at UFC 304 which took place at the Co-Op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
Carla Esparza announces her retirement fight will take place at UFC 307: “I feel it’s time”
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
Carla Esparza has announced that her retirement fight will take place at UFC 307. UFC 307 will take place on Saturday, October 5th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dustin Poirier responds after Colby Covington claims he walked out of recent restaurant run-in in Florida
Susan Cox - August 2, 2024
Dustin Poirier is responding after Colby Covington claimed he walked out of a recent restaurant run-in in Florida. Covington (17-4 MMA) and Poirier (30-9 MMA) have a history together as they both used to train at American Top Team.
Pro fighters make their picks for Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2024
In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, a pivotal bantamweight bout goes down as Cory Sandhagen takes on Umar Nurmagomedov. Heading into the fight, Sandhagen is a sizeable +230 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -310 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight fight. The pros believe Sandhagen will be able to edge it out as they think it is too much too soon for Nurmagomedov.
UFC star Conor McGregor responds to criticism from Sean O'Malley
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
UFC stars Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley have reignited their feud on social media. As we’ve all seen in recent months, the apparent friendship between Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley has deteriorated. For whatever reason, the Irishman doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of ‘Suga’ anymore. In response, O’Malley hasn’t been overly kind in his words to McGregor either.
Tom Aspinall admits he has "no idea" if he'll ever fight Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has admitted he has no idea if he will ever fight Jon Jones. Last weekend, Tom Aspinall made yet another emphatic statement. He defended his interim UFC heavyweight championship against Curtis Blaydes, dusting off the American in just one minute. Then, after the bout concluded, he opted to call out undisputed UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Sean Strickland blames "Political wokeness" for Summer Olympics boxing controversy
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland didn’t mince words in expressing his views on the controversy surrounding Olympic boxing. Strickland is in line for another UFC middleweight title shot after defeating Paulo Costa at UFC 302. Before that, he lost to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297, ending his middleweight title reign.
Marlon Vera vows to “slice” up Deiveson Figueiredo with elbows if he tries to wrestle at UFC Abu Dhabi
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024
Marlon Vera has sent a warning to Deiveson Figueiredo incase he decides to wrestle at UFC Abu Dhabi Vera is set to take on Figueiredo on the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi in a pivotal bantamweight bout. Figueiredo is looking to improve to 3-0 in the weight class, while Vera is coming off a decision loss to Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title.
Umar Nurmagomedov "ashamed" that Sean O'Malley is the UFC bantamweight champ: "You have to be a good example"
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov feels Sean O’Malley is setting a poor example for other championship-caliber athletes. Nurmagomedov faces Cory Sandhagen in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event this Saturday. He returns to the Octagon for the biggest test of his career, and a potential opportunity to earn the next bantamweight title shot.
Alexander Volkanovski claps back at Belal Muhammad, believes welterweight champ is "a good stylistic match up" for him
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has clapped back at Belal Muhammad. In the lead-up to UFC 304, Volkanovski claimed he thought Muhammad was a good stylistic matchup for him, despite the weight difference. After Muhammad scored an upset win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 to become the welterweight champion, he fired back at Volkanovski over his recent comments.
Arnold Allen says preparing for UFC 304 early start time caused him to crash his car: “It was pretty scary”
Curtis Calhoun - August 1, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen’s last sparring session ahead of UFC 304 preceded his first-ever car accident due to fatigue and tiredness. Allen defeated Giga Chikadze to kick off the UFC 304 main card on Saturday in Manchester. After back-to-back losses entering UFC 304, Allen got back in the win column and remains a key player in the featherweight title picture.
Pro fighters make their picks for Tony Ferguson vs. Michael Chiesa
Cole Shelton - August 1, 2024
On the main card of UFC Abu Dhabi, a highly-anticipated welterweight bout goes down as Tony Ferguson takes on Michael Chiesa. Heading into the fight, Ferguson is a massive +420 underdog while ‘The Maverick’ is a -720 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. Although many pros want to see Ferguson get the win and end his losing streak, the majority of pros expect Chiesa to use his wrestling and size to control ‘El Cucuy’ on the ground.