UFC News
Israel Adesanya explains why he’s picking Alexander Volkanovski to finish Islam Makhachev at UFC 294: “His 8 Mile moment”
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2023
Israel Adesanya has explained why he believes Alexander Volkanovski will defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 294. This weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will attempt to do what many believe is quite unlikely. He’ll lock horns with Islam Makhachev for the second time as he goes after the UFC lightweight championship. If he wins, especially on short notice, many believe he’ll be taking the first step on the road to being involved in the GOAT conversation.
John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor is "very hungry" to make "inevitable return"
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023
John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor is getting antsy to make his MMA return. McGregor has not fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in the trilogy match. Since then, he has been rehabbing his leg and finally re-entered the USADA testing pool as he expects to return to the Octagon sometime in 2024.
UFC parts ways with former title challenger Jennifer Maia after recent loss
Josh Evanoff - October 19, 2023
The UFC has parted ways with Jennifer Maia after her recent loss. The Brazilian is fresh off her return opposite Viviane Araujo earlier this month at UFC Vegas 81. Leading into that bout, Jennifer Maia was riding a two-fight winning streak. defeating Casey O’Neill and Maryna Moroz. Sadly for the former title challenger, her winning streak came to a close earlier this month.
WATCH | Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev get heated in a back-and-forth over rehydration: "He needs all the advantages"
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023
Alexander Volkanovski and Islam Makhachev had a heated back-and-forth over rehydration during the UFC 294 press conference. Volkanovski and Makhachev fought back in February in Australia and after the fight, Dan Hooker accused the lightweight champ of using an IV to rehydrate. Although it has never been proven, ahead of UFC 294, Makhachev claims having 40 hours to rehydrate before this fight will be a difference in his power.
Cain Velasquez opens up on struggles in jail after arrest: "Appreciate what you have"
Josh Evanoff - October 19, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has opened up a bit about his legal situation. In February 2022, the former MMA fighter was arrested on charges of attempted murder, as well as a litany of other charges. Cain Velasquez reportedly fired several times after a car in traffic, and struck one man inside the car. The news frankly shocked the UFC world, considering the fighter’s strong reputation as a family man, and kind individual.
'Biased' Dana White believes UFC 294 will outsell Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury: "You want to see the best fight the best"
Josh Evanoff - October 19, 2023
Dana White is a bit biased, but he believes that UFC 294 will be the biggest event of the month. Earlier today, the UFC 294 press conference went down from Abu Dhabi. As one would expect, the main event fighters, Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski were talkative and went back and forth. As did the co-main event with Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev being tense, in a conversation moderated by Dana White.
Georges St-Pierre reveals he was set to grapple Nick Diaz in December before an injury postponed it
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023
Georges St-Pierre was supposed to grapple at a UFC Fight Pass event in December but that won’t happen after all. The UFC announced that St-Pierre would return to competition to grapple in December, but no opponent was revealed. Demian Maia was among the many fighters to campaign to grapple the Canadian legend, but Georges St-Pierre revealed the opponent would be Nick Diaz. Unfortunately, both men have suffered injuries while training so the grappling match has now been postponed.
Dana White defends "pain in the ass" Paulo Costa after withdrawing from UFC 294: "It's legit"
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has defended Paulo Costa following his withdrawal from his UFC 294 fight against Khamzat Chimaev. Costa hadn’t fought since August of last year but was supposed to face Robert Whittaker in February in Perth. However, the Brazilian was in a contract dispute with the UFC, and the fight was scrapped. The former middleweight title challenger was then booked against Ikram Aliskerov in July, but that fight also never came to fruition.
UFC 294 | Pro fighters make their picks for Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker
Cole Shelton - October 19, 2023
On the main card of UFC 294, a pivotal light heavyweight bout goes down as Magomed Ankalaev takes on Johnny Walker. Heading into the fight, Ankalaev is a sizeable -390 favorite while the Brazilian is a +280 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros agree with the odds as they expect Ankalaev to cruise to a decision win here and likely cement himself as the next title contender.
Robert Whittaker shares uncompetitive prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 19, 2023
Robert Whittaker is sharing an uncompetitive prediction for Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place this coming Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Conor McGregor takes aim at Canelo Alvarez and his drawing power: “Grow some balls and fight for real”
Susan Cox - October 19, 2023
Conor McGregor is taking aim at Canelo Alvarez and his drawing power. Alvarez, at 33, has a phenomenal record of 60 wins and 2 losses in the boxing ring. The 2 career losses came against Floyd Mayweather back in 2013 and more recently against Dmitry Bivol in May of 2022.
Belal Muhammad reacts to Charles Oliveira withdrawing from UFC 294: “He chose not to fight”
Harry Kettle - October 19, 2023
UFC fighter Belal Muhammad has given his thoughts on Charles Oliveira withdrawing from UFC 294. This weekend was supposed to see Charles Oliveira take on Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. Unfortunately, due to a cut sustained by ‘Do Bronx’ in training, he will no longer take part in the event. Instead, Alexander Volkanovski has stepped in on short notice to battle Makhachev for the second time.
Beneil Dariush books Octagon return at UFC Austin
Harry Kettle - October 19, 2023
Beneil Dariush will return to the Octagon later this year when he battles Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Austin. Following an eight-fight win streak, lightweight contender Beneil Dariush came up against Charles Oliveira this past summer. Unfortunately, he came up short, losing via TKO to the Brazilian in the first round.
Dana White discusses body transformation: "So addicting that it just makes everything in your life better"
Zain Bando - October 18, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has become a completely different person over the last year or so. While his fiery personality with fighters and media members has remained status quo, it’s the drastic change in his health that has the Boston and Las Vegas native singing the praises of Gary Brecka, a human biologist who implemented a 10-week program in the summer of 2022 to increase his life occupancy and make him feel better physically overall.
Trevor Peek believes he's being brought into lose at UFC 294, expects to put Mohammad Yahya to sleep after "running his mouth"
Cole Shelton - October 18, 2023
Trevor Peek is excited to go into enemy territory at UFC 294. Peek is set to face Mohammad Yahya, who will be making his promotional debut on Saturday at UFC 294. Although being part of this card is special for Peek, he knows the travel and the cost of fighting in Abu Dhabi is tough.
Nate Diaz claims he's rematching Jake Paul in December
Cole Shelton - October 18, 2023
Nate Diaz says he will be rematching Jake Paul in December. Diaz and Paul first met in August as it was the YouTuber who cruised to a clear-cut decision. It was a lackluster fight, and after it, Paul claimed he wanted to rematch Diaz in MMA in the PFL. However, Diaz was adamant he wanted it to be in boxing, despite the first fight being lopsided.
Former champion Cody Garbrandt books December return against Brian Kelleher
Josh Evanoff - October 18, 2023
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will face Brian Kelleher on December 16th. ‘No Love’ has been out of the cage since a unanimous decision win over Trevin Jones in December. That was a massive victory for Cody Garbrandt, as it snapped a two-fight losing streak. Previously, the former champion had suffered back-to-back lopsided defeats at the hands of Kai Kara-France and Rob Font.
Jon Jones takes the high road while responding to criticism from Islam Makhachev: “Now thats gangsta”
Josh Evanoff - October 18, 2023
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has responded to Islam Makhachev. The lightweight titleholder is set to return to the cage this Saturday night at UFC 294. Back for the first time since February, Islam Makhachev will again face Alexander Volkanovski. At media day earlier this week, the lightweight champion took a bit of a shot at Jon Jones.