UFC News
Derrick Lewis recounts blacking out due to unhealthy weight cut before last UFC fight: “I felt like I actually died”
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
UFC heavyweight Derrick Lewis has revealed that he blacked out due to an unhealthy weight cut prior to his last bout. When it comes to fan favorites in mixed martial arts, Derrick Lewis is up there with the best of them. He is the knockout king in the promotion and even at the age of 38, it still seems as if he’s got a lot left in the tank. This weekend, he’ll return to action for the first time since February when he battles Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
Michael Chiesa responds to Kevin Lee’s claims that he turned down a short-notice fight: “He f**king fed you guys a bunch of sh*t”
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
Michael Chiesa has rejected a claim from Kevin Lee that he offered to step in and fight him on short notice. After more than 18 months away, Michael Chiesa will return to the Octagon this weekend to face Kevin Holland. He’s currently riding a two-fight losing streak, with his hope being that he can bounce back in Salt Lake City.
Sean Strickland says he won’t be fighting Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293: “Someone at the UFC really dropped the ball on this”
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2023
Sean Strickland has claimed that he will not be fighting Israel Adesanya for the UFC middleweight title at UFC 293. After UFC 290, it seemed pretty nailed on that Dricus du Plessis would face Israel Adesanya for the belt later this year. Unfortunately, with the South African not being available, it was then suggested that Sean Strickland would get the call. He made it clear from the word go that he’d need to receive a big payday in order to say yes, especially with there being less than two months to go until fight night.
Stephen Thompson expecting a 'Fight of the Year' contender against Michel Pereira at UFC 291: "Preparing for the hardest fight ever"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Stephen Thompson is excited to finally get the chance to face Michel Pereira. After Thompson lost back-to-back fights to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns he told BJPENN.com he wanted to be matched up with Pereira next. However, he ended up facing Kevin Holland and scored a TKO win but will now face Pereira at UFC 291.
Dustin Poirier warns Justin Gaethje of trying to be technical at UFC 291: "I'm going to show you levels"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Dustin Poirier has sent a warning to Justin Gaethje. Poirier and Gaethje are set to headline UFC 291 on Saturday for the vacant BMF title. It serves as a rematch of their 2018 Fight of the Year where Poirier won by fourth-round TKO. Since then, many fans have wanted the two to rematch and it will finally happen on Saturday night.
Daniel Cormier downplays Molly McCann's strawweight move: "There are great grapplers at 115!"
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Molly McCann’s biggest issue is her grappling, not weight class. ‘Meatball’ made her high-profile return on Saturday night in London. The bout was her first since a destructive first-round submission loss at the hands of Erin Blanchfield last November. Sadly for Molly McCann, it was Déjà vu against Julija Stoliarenko at UFC London earlier this month.
Michel Pereira wants to be the man to welcome Michael Venom Page to the UFC: "To give a show"
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
Welterweight contender Michel Pereira is willing to welcome Michael Venom Page to the UFC. ‘Demolidor’ is slated to return at UFC 291 this Saturday night against Stephen Thompson. The fight will be the biggest of the Brazilian’s career, entering riding a five-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, ‘Wonderboy’ is fresh off his win over Kevin Holland in December, snapping a two-fight skid.
Justin Gaethje wants to "make" Jorge Masvidal wrap the BMF belt around his waist after UFC 291: "He’ll hate it"
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
Justin Gaethje is excited to make Jorge Masvidal wrap the BMF belt around his waist. Justin Gaethje is set to headline UFC 291 on Saturday against Dustin Poirier for the vacant BMF belt. Ahead of the fight, Jorge Masvidal, who won the title back in 2019, has said he will be awarding the winner with the title.
Justin Gaethje rejects notion that he caused Tony Ferguson's downfall: "We play a rough game"
Josh Evanoff - July 26, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has commented on Tony Ferguson’s recent performances. ‘The Highlight’ and ‘El Cucuy’ are both slated to return at UFC 291 this Saturday night. However, the two former champions are in very different stages of their careers. For his part, Justin Gaethje is coming off a decision win over Rafael Fiziev in March and is slated for a main-event rematch with Dustin Poirier.
Conor McGregor releases statement following the death of legendary Irish singer Sinead O’Connor
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Conor McGregor has released a statement following the death of legendary Irish singer Sinead O’Connor. It was announced earlier today that acclaimed Irish singer Sinead O’Connor had died at the age of 56.
Donald Cerrone challenges “little girl” Andrew Tate to fight on Musk vs Zuckerberg undercard
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Donald Cerrone is challenging ‘little girl’ Andrew Tate to fight on the Musk vs Zuckerberg undercard. The much-anticipated battle of the billionaires between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg has drawn a lot of attention with many fighters angling to include their name on the potential high-profile event.
Justin Gaethje explains why there’s been no trash talk ahead of rematch with Dustin Poirier at UFC 291
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Justin Gaethje is explaining why there’s been no trash talk ahead of his rematch with Dustin Poirier. UFC 291 takes place this weekend, on Saturday, July 29th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Michael Bisping believes Tom Aspinall would make quick work of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones: “I don’t think he can hold a candle to Tom”
Susan Cox - July 26, 2023
Michael Bisping believes Tom Aspinall would make quick work of UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Tom Aspinall (13-3 MMA) is riding high after his recent victory over Marcin Tybura (24-8 MMA) last Saturday in the heavyweight main event. Aspinall, in front of his home town crowd at the O2 Arena in London, England, knocked out Tybura at 1:13 of round 1.
UFC 291 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Justin Gaethje 2 BMF title fight
Cole Shelton - July 26, 2023
In the main event of UFC 291, the vacant BMF title is up for grabs as Dustin Poirier takes on Justin Gaethje in a highly-anticipated rematch. Heading into the scrap, Poirier is a -162 favorite while ‘The Highlight’ is a +126 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 Poirier will get the win in a rematch but most, to no surprise, are expecting it to be a potential Fight of the Year contender.
Sean O’Malley dubs Israel Adesanya as “the best champ UFC's ever seen”
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
UFC star Sean O’Malley has heaped praise on Israel Adesanya for being one of the greatest UFC champions of all time. Following his win over Alex Pereira, Israel Adesanya is once again the UFC middleweight champion. Later this year, he’s expected to defend the belt once again, reportedly against Sean Strickland. In the eyes of many, he’s one of the best to ever do it – and may have even surpassed Anderson Silva at 185 pounds.
Brendan Schaub details the “significant advantage” Dustin Poirier has over Justin Gaethje at UFC 291
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
MMA analyst and former fighter Brendan Schaub has explained the advantage he believes Dustin Poirier holds over Justin Gaethje. This Saturday night at UFC 291, the BMF title is on the line. In the main event of the evening, Dustin Poirier will battle Justin Gaethje for the second time. The two men will go to war at lightweight, with the hope being that we see another absolute classic unfold in Salt Lake City.
Jorge Masvidal reacts after Ben Askren calls for rematch
Harry Kettle - July 26, 2023
Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has reacted to Ben Askren calling for a rematch with him in the future. Four years ago, Jorge Masvidal became a superstar. While his wins over Darren Till and Nate Diaz were notable, it was his vicious knockout of Ben Askren that really put him on the map. Just five seconds into their highly anticipated grudge match, ‘Gamebred’ was able to knock Askren out cold with a nasty knee to the head.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he asked the UFC for Alex Pereira matchup, plans to "test" his striking against the Brazilian at UFC 291
Cole Shelton - July 25, 2023
Jan Blachowicz wanted some time off after his last fight. Blachowicz last competed back in December and fought Magomed Ankalaev to a draw for the vacant lightweight title. After the fight ended, Blachowicz wanted some time off to heal for some injuries, and he said the plan was to return in the summer.