UFC News
Michael Chandler eyes rematch with “absolute savage” Charles Oliveira following UFC 289: “See you at the top”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2023
Michael Chandler is eyeing a rematch with ‘absolute savage’ Charles Oliveira following the former champ’s win at UFC 289. The lightweight co-main event at UFC 289 took place last Saturday, June 10th and saw Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA) vs Beneil Dariush (22-5 MMA) with ‘do Bronx’ achieving victory by knockout at 4:10 of Round 1 (see that here).
Israel Adesanya believes Francis Ngannou’s split with the UFC will be short-lived: “The story's not over yet”
Susan Cox - June 14, 2023
Israel Adesanya believes Francis Ngannou’s split with the UFC will be short-lived. Ngannou and the UFC parted ways in January of this year after ongoing contract negotiations ultimately failed.
Pro fighters make their picks for Marvin Vettori vs. Jared Cannonier
Cole Shelton - June 14, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 75, a battle of top-five middleweights goes down as Marvin Vettori takes on Jared Cannonier. Heading into the fight, Vettori is a -120 favorite while the American is a slight -106 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight at UFC Vegas 75, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their predictions for the scrap. The pros lean towards Vettori getting his hand raised, likely by decision in what should be a close, competitive fight.
Julianna Pena believes she finishes on top of Amanda Nunes rivalry: “A finish is better than a scorecard”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
Julianna Pena believes she has been able to get the edge on Amanda Nunes in their rivalry despite it being locked at 1-1. Last weekend, Amanda Nunes retired from professional mixed martial arts. She did so following her win over Irene Aldana, ensuring she walked away as a double champ. Julianna Pena, meanwhile, was in the crowd, heckling Nunes as she gave her retirement speech.
Miranda Maverick reveals she received death threats and messages to commit suicide following loss at UFC 289: “It is insane”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
UFC fighter Miranda Maverick has opened up on some of the disturbing messages she’s received since her fight last weekend. For a long time now, Miranda Maverick has been seen as an interesting prospect in the women’s flyweight division. At the age of just 25, she already has a great set of tools – and has many years ahead of her to continue developing them.
Watch | Jorge Masvidal attends Donald Trump’s post-arraignment gathering in Little Havana: “We got your back”
Harry Kettle - June 14, 2023
Jorge Masvidal has come out in support of former president Donald Trump following his post-arraignment gathering in Little Havana. While he may be retired from mixed martial arts, Jorge Masvidal is still pretty active in the media spotlight. From interviews to his business ventures, he still wants everyone to know he’s around. The former BMF title holder has several interests outside of fighting and as many of you know, one of them is politics.
Modestas Bukauskas says fighting back at the Apex is a chance to "change the script," vows to finish Zac Pauga
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Modestas Bukauskas wanted to fight in London in July but is ready for redemption at the UFC Apex. Bukauskas was re-signed by the UFC earlier this year as he took on Tyson Pedro on short notice at UFC 284. Heading into the fight, the former Cage Warriors champ was a sizeable underdog but shocked many when he pulled off a decision win.
WATCH | Alex Pereira shares footage of sparring with former opponent Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Alex Pereira and Sean Strickland did end up sparring with one another. Pereira recently revealed that Strickland was going to Connecticut and the two were going to train and spar with one another. The Brazilian also planned to learn some trash talk and English from Strickland. Although the two are former opponents, both Pereira and Strickland seem kind to one another, and in the sparring video, the American made it clear to keep his hand up.
Henry Cejudo wants to settle "bad blood" against Brandon Moreno or fight Max Holloway at 145lbs if Merab Dvalishvili isn't healthy in time
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Henry Cejudo has two names in mind if Merab Dvalishvili isn’t able to get healthy in a timely fashion. Dvalishvili recently underwent surgery and when he will be able to fight again is uncertain. With that, Cejudo says he wants to remain active so if he can’t fight Dvalishvili, he would like to settle his bad blood against Brandon Moreno, but it would have to be at 135lbs, as he can’t see himself fighting at flyweight again.
Max Holloway praises former opponent Charles Oliveira and calls for Islam Makhachev rematch: "Excited to watch it"
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway has high praise for Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ returned to the octagon over the weekend at UFC 289 in the co-main event. There, he faced Beneil Dariush in a title eliminator fight, with champion Islam Makhachev currently waiting for his next opponent. The two lightweights were highly motivated by that potential title shot headed into Saturday night.
Alexander Volkanovski eyeing potential BMF title fight if Islam Makhachev is busy: "I can have three belts!"
Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski still wants to fight Islam Makhachev. ‘The Great’ has been out of action since his trip to lightweight in February. In the main event of UFC 284, Volkanovski faced Islam Makhachev in an instant classic. The two champions went back and forth for 25 minutes, with the lightweight champion retaining his title by unanimous decision.
Alexander Volkanovski explains why he thinks Yair Rodriguez is the "most dangerous" fighter he's fought
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski has shared some high praise for his upcoming opponent Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski is set to defend his featherweight title in the main event of UFC 290 – in his first fight since losing to Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Although Volkanovski is a sizeable betting favorite, he believes Rodriguez is a more dangerous fight than Makhachev and any other opponent he has faced.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 126 with Aspen Ladd, Modestas Bukauskas, Kyle Daukaus, Miles Johns, and Nikolas Motta
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
The 126th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of 2023 PFL 5, UFC Vegas 75, and CFFC 120 this weekend. We’re first joined by PFL featherweight Aspen Ladd (3:05). Next, UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (11:58) stops by. Former UFC middleweight and current CFFC fighter Kyle Daukaus (28:57) then comes on. UFC bantamweight Miles Johns (44:53) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight Nikolas Motta (57:26).
Nate Diaz scoffs at the idea of Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje fighting for the BMF title: “I don't feel they fit the criteria”
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023
Nate Diaz has laughed off the idea of Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje competing for the BMF championship. When the BMF title was first created, it happened as a result of the feud between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. Dana White needed a pay-per-view main event, and he got one. Diaz ultimately wasn’t able to overcome Masvidal, but it was certainly a memorable night of entertainment.
Jorge Masvidal shares his top payout from the UFC
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023
Former MMA fighter Jorge Masvidal has revealed that he once made millions from a UFC fight. Earlier this year, Jorge Masvidal retired from mixed martial arts. It came following a poor run of form that ended with a defeat to Gilbert Burns. Now, he’s focusing on business ventures outside of the Octagon, with some rumors indicating that he may consider having a boxing match.
Amanda Nunes explains why she believes Julianna Pena won’t return to UFC champion status
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2023
Amanda Nunes has explained why she doesn’t believe Julianna Pena will become a UFC champion again. Last weekend at UFC 289, Amanda Nunes retired from professional mixed martial arts. She did so after defeating Irene Aldana, cementing her status as the greatest female fighter of all time in the process. Many had been speculating for months that her time was coming and now, we know it to be true.
What's next for the stars of UFC 289?
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
The UFC finally returned to Canada for the first time since 2019 as the promotion headed to Vancouver, British Columbia for UFC 289. In the main event, Amanda Nunes was looking to defend her bantamweight title against Irene Aldana who took the fight on short notice after Julianna Pena was forced out of the scrap. The co-main event saw a pivotal lightweight bout go down as Charles Oliveira took on Beneil Dariush.
Jamahal Hill says it's "next man up" as Jiri Prochazka title fight keeps getting delayed
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2023
Jamahal Hill is ready to move on from Jiri Prochazka. Back in January, Hill became the UFC’s light heavyweight champion as he beat Glover Teixeira by decision to win the vacant title. Since then, he has been adamant about wanting to face Jiri Prochazka, who is the former champ that had to vacate the belt due to a shoulder injury.