UFC News
Report | Conor McGregor no longer facing charges for alleged sexual assault at NBA Finals game
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2023
UFC star Conor McGregor is reportedly no longer facing charges for an alleged sexual assault at an NBA Finals game. While he may be the biggest name in mixed martial arts, Conor McGregor’s career hasn’t been without controversy. He has been involved in a number of legal issues outside of the cage, with a recent one stemming from an appearance at an NBA Finals game this past summer. Following the evening in question, a woman came forward and accused the Irishman of sexual assault.
Islam Makhachev claims Khabib Nurmagomedov could “easily” come back and defeat current UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland: “Without a doubt”
Harry Kettle - October 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev has stated that he believes Khabib Nurmagomedov would be able to defeat Sean Strickland if he returned to the UFC. It’s been over three years since Khabib Nurmagomedov walked away from mixed martial arts. The star from Dagestan walked away with an unbeaten record in his professional career, and while many wanted to see him return at some point, it doesn’t appear as if it’s going to happen.
Terrance McKinney says he drilled the flying knee just moments before walking out at UFC Vegas 81, eyes Chris Duncan at UFC 296
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2023
Terrance McKinney didn’t know if he would be able to fight at UFC Vegas 81. McKinney was supposed to face Chris Duncan, but the Scottish fighter couldn’t get his visa in time to fight. After that, Terrance was hoping to remain on the card, but weeks went by with nothing. However, on fight week, an opponent was found which was great news for McKinney.
UFC 294 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2023
In the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev is looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he rematches Alexander Volkanovski. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a -265 favorite while the featherweight champ is a +200 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, which was made on less than two weeks’ notice, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are actually leaning toward Volkanovski pulling off the upset, despite taking it on short notice.
Paul Felder replaces Joe Rogan on commentary for UFC 294
Susan Cox - October 17, 2023
Paul Felder is replacing Joe Rogan on commentary for UFC 294. UFC 294 takes place this coming Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Former title challenger Chael Sonnen weighs in on the UFC’s split with USADA
Susan Cox - October 17, 2023
Former title challenger Chael Sonnen is weighing in on the UFC’s split with USADA. The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had partnered with the UFC for the past nine years, ensuring that the integrity of the sport is upheld.
The UFC parts ways with eight more fighters
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2023
The UFC has parted ways with eight fighters according to recent reports from @UFCRosterWatch on X. It should be noted that it’s unconfirmed if all of these moves are indeed releases. Fighters are removed from the UFC’s roster for a variety of reasons including retirement, fighting out their contract, poor performance, and more. For these athletes, it’s unconfirmed why they’ve parted ways with the company.
Kelvin Gastelum praises Pat Miletich after suffering stoppage loss to Mike Jackson: "Still got that dawg in him"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2023
UFC welterweight Kelvin Gastelum has praised Pat Miletich after his comeback fight against Mike Jackson. ‘The Croatian Sensation’ and ‘The Truth’ met in a fight that many likely didn’t know was happening. On Saturday night, Pat Miletich faced UFC veteran Mike Jackson in his first fight since a 2008 win over Thomas Denny. Sadly for the former welterweight champion, the bout didn’t go his way.
Conor McGregor and Canelo Alvarez trade barbs over potential fight: "I'll kick you raw pink"
Josh Evanoff - October 17, 2023
Former UFC dual-weight champion Conor McGregor has begun a war of words with Canelo Alvarez. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of action for over two years, suffering a broken leg in his July 2021 trilogy with Dustin Poirier. As a result, Conor McGregor has been on the sidelines recovering since then, even leaving the USADA pool. During his time away, the Irishman has called out everyone from Nate Diaz to Canelo Alvarez.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 143 with Terrance McKinney and Trevor Peek
Cole Shelton - October 17, 2023
The 143rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 294 and recapping UFC Vegas 81. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (1:05). Closing out the program is UFC lightweight Trevor Peek (10:30).
Darren Till issues bold prediction for Saturday’s UFC 294 co-main event between Kamaru Usman and Khamzat Chimaev
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023
Darren Till has given his thoughts on what will go down when Kamaru Usman takes on Khamzat Chimaev this weekend. On Saturday night, aKhamzat Chimaev will battle Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294. ‘Borz’ was initially supposed to battle Paulo Costa, only for the Brazilian to pull out due to injury. Now, he’ll take on Usman, in a match-up that many have been waiting to see for quite some time.
Dan Hardy claims Alexander Volkanovski rematch is a “far less threatening” fight when compared to Charles Oliveira
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023
Dan Hardy believes Islam Makhachev has a clearer path to victory against Alexander Volkanovski than against Charles Oliveira. On Saturday night, Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC lightweight championship against Alexander Volkanovski for the second time. He should’ve been going up against Charles Oliveira, but ‘Do Bronx’ was forced to pull out as a result of a cut sustained in training.
Vinc Pichel explains why he will never be friends with “scumbag” Tony Ferguson: “That showed me what a piece of sh*t he really is”
Harry Kettle - October 17, 2023
UFC veteran Vinc Pichel has hit out at Tony Ferguson over a previous sparring session that went wrong. Over the course of the last few years, Tony Ferguson’s career has been on a downward trajectory. With loss after loss piling up, some wonder whether or not it’s time for him to hang up his gloves once and for all. Regardless of whether or not you subscribe to that theory, though, there’s no way of denying the impact he’s been able to have in mixed martial arts.
What's next for Edson Barboza and Sodiq Yusuff after UFC Vegas 81?
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 81, ranked featherweights threw down as Edson Barboza faced Sodiq Yusuff coming off a year-long layoff. Barboza entered the fight coming off a first-round knockout over Billy Quarantillo in April to return to the win column after losing two fights in a row. Yusuff, meanwhile, hadn’t fought since October of 2022 when he beat Don Shainis by submission in 30-seconds, and before that, beat Alex Caceres by decision.
Paddy Pimblett believes he has to "make a statement" against Tony Ferguson to prove he deserves a ranked opponent
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2023
Paddy Pimblett knows he has to make a statement against Tony Ferguson at UFC 296. Pimblett is set to fight for the first time in a year as he takes on Ferguson on Dec. 16. It’s a big fight for both of their careers, as Pimblett has a ton of hype while Ferguson is on a seven-fight losing skid.
Kamaru Usman reveals champ-champ aspirations ahead of middleweight debut: "I want both"
Josh Evanoff - October 16, 2023
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman might be moving up to middleweight, but his time at welterweight isn’t done. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has been out of action since a rematch with Leon Edwards in March. At UFC 286, Kamaru Usman suffered his second-straight loss to ‘Rocky’, this time by unanimous decision. Following the defeat, the former champion was linked to a matchup with Stephen Thompson.
Michael Bisping reacts to Paulo Costa’s latest fight cancellation: “He’s a bit of a madman isn’t he.”
Susan Cox - October 16, 2023
Michael Bisping is reacting to Paulo Costa’s latest fight cancellation. Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) was scheduled to fight Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) in a middleweight bout on Saturday, October 21st at UFC 294 which takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Former MMA champion takes aim at Charles Oliveira for “stupid” training methods that led to UFC 294 withdrawal: “He wasn’t wearing headgear”
Harry Kettle - October 16, 2023
Former MMA champion Josh Thomson has taken aim at Charles Oliveira for his training technique that contributed to him being forced out of UFC 294. As we now know, Charles Oliveira will not be competing against Islam Makhachev at UFC 294 for the UFC middleweight championship. Instead, Alexander Volkanovski will take his place as a result of Oliveira sustaining a nasty cut in training.