UFC News
Ian Garry believes he's the biggest draw of UFC 292: "They're tuning in for me because I'm a superstar!"
Josh Evanoff - August 16, 2023
UFC welterweight Ian Garry believes that the fans are tuning in for him on Saturday night. ‘The Future’ has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Daniel Rodriguez in May. That was the victory that many needed to see to believe the hype. While undefeated at 12-0, Ian Garry’s win earlier this year was the biggest of his career to date, sending him into the rankings.
Canelo Alvarez laughs off potential boxing match with Conor McGregor: "He's crazy!"
Josh Evanoff - August 16, 2023
Don’t expect to see Canelo Alvarez boxing former UFC champion Conor McGregor anytime soon. ‘The Notorious’ is currently on the comeback trail, having been out of action for over two years. Suffering a broken leg in his July 2021 trilogy with Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor has recently coached The Ultimate Fighter. While he coached the show opposite Michael Chandler, he’s been admittedly uninterested in that bout.
UFC 292 | Pro fighters make their picks for Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O'Malley title fight
Cole Shelton - August 16, 2023
In the main event of UFC 292, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Aljamain Sterling looks to defend his title against Sean O’Malley. Heading into the scrap, Sterling is a sizeable -265 favorite while ‘Suga’ is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Sterling defends his belt, with some thinking it comes with ease due to his grappling.
Joanna Jedrzejczyk exits USADA testing pool, officially notifies UFC of retirement
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 16, 2023
Joanna Jedrzejczyk has decided to make her UFC retirement official. The once-dominant UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion had announced her retirement following a knockout loss against Zhang Weili back in June 2022. Things weren’t made official up to this point, however. That’s because Jedrzejczyk remained in the USADA testing pool and was going back-and-forth on whether or not to pump the brakes on leaving pro MMA competition.
The UFC parts ways with three more fighters including James Krause
Harry Kettle - August 16, 2023
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has announced the departure of three more fighters, including James Krause. The wicked nature of mixed martial arts, and the UFC, often means that fighters get released. It happens all the time with the promotion making moves that they believe will benefit them in the long run. There are some instances in which the fans and media agree with the decision, and others whereby it leads to some extended questioning.
Alex Pereira explains why he feels Jan Blachowicz is a “tougher fight” than future opponent Jiri Prochazka
Harry Kettle - August 16, 2023
Alex Pereira has explained why he believes Jiri Prochazka won’t be as tough as his recent opponent Jan Blachowicz. Back at UFC 291, Alex Pereira fought Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight debut. It was a pretty close bout but in the end, the Brazilian sensation was able to edge out a victory over the man behind Polish Power. Now, he’s largely expected to face Jiri Prochazka in a bout for the vacant UFC light heavyweight championship.
Sean O’Malley reacts to Cody Garbrandt pulling out of UFC 292 fight: “Some people aren’t built for this”
Harry Kettle - August 16, 2023
Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on Cody Garbrandt pulling out of his scheduled bout at UFC 292 this weekend. On Saturday night, Cody Garbrandt was set to return to the Octagon for the first time since March. He was going to take on Mario Bautista, hoping to follow up with another win after his triumph over Trevin Jones. Unfortunately, it’ll no longer be happening as a result of Garbrandt pulling out of the bout due to injury.
Michael Chandler believes Conor McGregor tried to ‘get under his skin’ every chance he could on TUF 31
Zain Bando - August 15, 2023
After nearly an entire summer of reality television, Michael Chandler was given a chance to reflect on his experiences, coaching opposite Conor McGregor on TUF 31. Michael Chandler’s veterans team dominated McGregor’s prospects, winning all but one fight throughout the first nine weeks of competition.
Logan Paul extends million dollar bet to Conor McGregor for Dillon Danis fight: "Imagine all the coke you can buy!"
Josh Evanoff - August 15, 2023
Ahead of his fight with Dillon Danis, Logan Paul has extended an offer to UFC star Conor McGregor. ‘The Maverick’ and ‘El Jefe’ recently announced their fight slated for October. Set for the co-main event of KSI vs. Tommy Fury, the boxing match will be Logan Paul’s first in over two years. The WWE superstar last fought to a no-contest against Floyd Mayweather in a June 2021 exhibition.
Conor McGregor weighs in on Nate Diaz’s guillotine attempt during boxing match with Jake Paul: “Why did he not finish it?”
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2023
Conor McGregor questions why Nate Diaz didn’t try to finish the guillotine attempt in his boxing match against Jake Paul. Diaz boxed Paul in a pay-per-view headliner in Dallas, Texas, in a fight many fans were excited for. It was Paul’s first fight since he lost to Tommy Fury so the pressure was on him to return to the win column as his camp said if he lost, he would retire.
Aljamain Sterling confirms move to featherweight with UFC 292 win over Sean O'Malley: "I'm out of here!"
Josh Evanoff - August 15, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling won’t be at 135 pounds after his fight with Sean O’Malley. ‘Funk Master’ is slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night in the main event of UFC 292. There, he will face ‘Sugar’, nearly a year after the bantamweight contender scored a controversial decision win over Petr Yan. For Aljamain Sterling, he’s making a quick turnaround after defeating Henry Cejudo in May.
Israel Adesanya claims the UFC originally didn't want to give Sean Strickland the title shot in fears of "embarrassing the company"
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2023
Israel Adesanya claims the UFC wasn’t originally interested in having Sean Strickland fight for the middleweight title. The original plan was for Adesanya to defend his middleweight title at UFC 293 in Australia against the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Robert Whittaker. ‘DDP’ ended up winning by TKO, but he suffered a foot injury, and couldn’t fight on that date.
Sean O'Malley's coach believes Aljamain Sterling will leave himself open at UFC 292: "He's going to take a big risk"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 15, 2023
Sean O’Malley could take advantage of a huge mistake by Aljamain Sterling, says “Sugar’s” coach. O’Malley and Sterling are set to collide in the main event of UFC 292 this Saturday night (August 19). Sterling’s UFC Bantamweight Championship will be at stake inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The “Funk Master” is a -260 betting favorite, per Bovada, while O’Malley is a +205 underdog. It’ll be interesting to see who the late money favors on fight night.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 135 with John Dodson and Andre Petroski
Cole Shelton - August 15, 2023
In the 135th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com, host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 292 and recapping BKFC 48. We’re first joined by the new BKFC flyweight champion John Dodson (1:17). Closing out the show is UFC middleweight Andre Petroski (14:31). Sorry for only two guests, we did have interviews with Rob Font and Mario Bautista that went out after their opponents pulled out, as well as an interview scheduled with Geoff Neal before he withdrew.
Israel Adesanya warns Dricus Du Plessis that he has not secured a title opportunity: “He’s not calling the shots, I am”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
Israel Adesanya has issued a warning to Dricus du Plessis that he hasn’t necessarily earned a shot at the title yet. Back at UFC 290, Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis faced off in the Octagon following the latter’s win over Robert Whittaker. By all accounts, it seemed as if du Plessis would get the next shot at Adesanya’s UFC middleweight championship. However, with Dricus not being ready in time for UFC 293, Sean Strickland got the call instead.
Terrance McKinney says UFC Vegas 78 win is the start of his championship run: “God resurrected my career and we’re back”
Harry Kettle - August 15, 2023
UFC fighter Terrance McKinney believes that his win last weekend could be the start of his championship run. For quite some time now, Terrance McKinney has been seen as a really fun prospect in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately for him, while he always puts on fun fights, he doesn’t always pick up the win. Heading into Saturday night, McKinney was riding a two-fight losing streak after being finished by Ismael Bonfim and Nazim Sadykhov.
Aljamain Sterling reveals he has a bet with Sean O'Malley over who shoots a takedown first
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has a bet made with Sean O’Malley over their UFC 292 title fight. Sterling and O’Malley are set to headline UFC 292 in Boston in a highly anticipated matchup. In the lead-up to the fight, both men have been vocal in suggesting they will be getting a stoppage win. However, on Monday, Sterling revealed another interesting wrinkle to the fight as the two sides have agreed to a side bet.
Mario Bautista remains on UFC 292, set to face Da'Mon Blackshear
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Mario Bautista has gotten a replacement opponent. Bautista was supposed to face Cody Garbrandt at UFC 292 in Boston but the former bantamweight champion had to pull out due to an injury. Now, multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Bautista will face Da’Mon Blackshear on Saturday at UFC 292.