UFC News
Anthony Smith says Dominick Reyes wasn't "that good" at UFC 310: "I overpredicted how good he was going to be"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2024
Anthony Smith doesn’t think Dominick Reyes is that good despite losing to him via TKO at UFC 310. Smith took on Reyes last Saturday in a prelim fight between two ranked light heavyweights. Smith was looking to get back into the win column, but he struggled right from the get-go. Reyes was to land some big power shots and eventually got a stoppage win in the second round.
Michael Chandler not thinking about retirement despite recent UFC losses: "I've got a lot of tread left on the tires"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler isn’t thinking about retirement quite yet. ‘Iron’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in New York City. Back for the first time since being submitted by Dustin Poirier in 2022, Michael Chandler again faced Charles Oliveira. While the former Bellator champion was initially set to face Conor McGregor in June, ‘The Notorious’ withdrew due to injury.
Michael Chandler interested in facing Colby Covington after UFC Tampa: "He just doesn't have it anymore"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is down to meet Colby Covington at 170 pounds. ‘Iron’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 309 last month in New York. Back for the first time since being submitted by Dustin Poirier two years ago, Michael Chandler again met Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ previously handed the former Bellator star a knockout loss in a bid for vacant UFC gold in 2021.
Ilia Topuria explains decision to move up to lightweight for his next fight: “I will not leave the title vacant”
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is elaborating on his comments about a lightweight move. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Just months after dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria met another featherweight great in the form of Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title bout riding a wave of momentum, having knocked out Justin Gaethje in April in a rare lightweight appearance.
Ilia Topuria's coach explains why his fighter wants to move up to UFC lightweight division: 'He don't want to do this anymore'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024
Ilia Topuria has expressed a desire to move on from the featherweight division, and his coach has explained why. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight titleholder. He’s had one successful title defense and that was a huge knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 back in October. To capture the gold at 145 pounds, Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski. While some might say a move to lightweight is too soon for Topuria, he’s already beat two future UFC Hall of Famers and stalwarts of the featherweight division.
Joe Rogan unsure if Conor McGregor will return to UFC following recent sexual assault verdict: “He likes coke”
BJ Penn Staff - December 12, 2024
Joe Rogan is uncertain if we’ll ever see UFC star Conor McGregor back in the Octagon. On Nov. 22, a jury in Dublin, Ireland’s High Court ruled McGregor was civically liable for sexually assaulting a woman named Nikita Hand in local hotel room in 2018. The court ordered the former two-division UFC champion to pay just shy of $260,000 in damages, and the fallout continued from there, as many of his corporate partners — including his beloved Proper No. 12 whiskey — cut ties with him.
Maycee Barber provides positive update on her future after health scare
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC contender Maycee Barber has provided an update on her future in mixed martial arts following a recent health scare. Over the course of the last few years, Maycee Barber has been viewed as a real prospect. She started off incredibly young in mixed martial arts but now, after some fine-tuning and losses, she’s been able to string together a really nice run of form.
Belal Muhammad goes off on Conor McGregor over his actions and his future
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has gone off on Conor McGregor following the latter’s UFC 310 jokes. As we know, Conor McGregor has gone through a pretty big transition in the last month or so. After being found liable in his sexual assault civil case, the perception of the Irishman from the general public has shifted dramatically.
Paddy Pimblett gives his thoughts on Ilia Topuria's potential lightweight move
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria potentially making the move up to lightweight. For the longest time, Paddy Pimblett has been one of the biggest names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While you may not be a big fan of him, nobody can deny the success he’s enjoyed since arriving in the promotion a few years ago.
Joaquin Buckley claims Colby Covington was "scared" to train with him in the past
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
Joaquin Buckley claims Colby Covington was scared to train with him in the past. While Covington was in training camp for the second fight against Kamaru Usman, Buckley showed up to MMA Masters. There, he says he met Covington for the first time, and when Buckley asked if he needed any help, ‘Chaos’ reportedly shot it down.
Colby Covington sends threatening warning to Joaquin Buckley ahead of UFC Tampa: "I'm going to break every bone in his body"
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
Colby Covington has sent a scathing warning to Joaquin Buckley ahead of UFC Tampa. Covington and Buckley are set to headline UFC Tampa on Saturday in an intriguing welterweight bout. It’s Covington’s first fight in a year since he lost to Leon Edwards for the welterweight title.
Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs Joaquin Buckley
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
In the main event of UFC Tampa, a massive welterweight bout takes place as Colby Covington takes on Joaquin Buckley. Heading into the fight, Covington is a +230 underdog while Buckley is a -310 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the fight. The pros believe Buckley will get the biggest win of his career on Saturday night at UFC Tampa. Many of the pros wonder if Covington is past his prime and believe the short notice will also impact him.
Alexandre Pantoja believes Kai Kara-France is most likely title challenger following UFC 310 win: "Makes the most sense"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja believes a fight with Kai Kara-France is likely next. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Steve Erceg in May, Alexandre Pantoja faced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 32-year-old was granted a near-unprecedented title shot in his promotional debut, given the Brazilian’s dominance over the division.
Dricus du Plessis claims Khamzat Chimaev fight was discussed before UFC 312 booking against Sean Strickland
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Dricus du Plessis has revealed that a UFC title defense against Khamzat Chimaev was initially discussed. When du Plessis steps back inside Octagon, he’ll be facing a familiar foe. The reigning middleweight champion will go one-on-one with the man he narrowly defeated for the gold, Sean Strickland. The two first collided in early 2024 and it was du Plessis who scored the split decision win to capture the 185-pound gold.
UFC veteran announces shocking retirement one month after submission loss: 'Injuries have caught up with me'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
One UFC fighter has stunned the MMA community with the announcement of his retirement. Since his days under the Cage Warriors banner, fans enjoyed the fighting style of Jack Shore, and for good reason. Shore has only gone the distance four times in his career and he’s scored nine submissions and four knockouts. With 13 finishes in 17 wins and only three losses on his resume, one wouldn’t think that a 29-year-old would walk away from the sport.
Daniel Cormier shares interesting theory on Ilia Topuria's callout of Charles Oliveira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Daniel Cormier has shared why he thinks Ilia Topuria called out Charles Oliveira. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion, but he has flirted with the idea of moving up to lightweight. In fact, he has already shown interest in expediting the process. More recently, “El Matador” suggest a clash with Oliveira where the winner gets a shot at the 155-pound gold.
Billy Quarantillo eyes "highlight-reel finish" over Cub Swanson at UFC Tampa: "People will tune in"
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2024
Billy Quarantillo is thrilled he gets to fight at home in Tampa. Quarantillo has called Tampa home for several years now and after rumors that the UFC was returning there, he made it clear he wanted to be on the card. So, when he got the call from his coach, he said it was an immediate yes.
Dustin Poirier intrigued with Ilia Topuria's potential move to lightweight
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier has responded to Ilia Topuria’s potential plans to move up to lightweight. Poirier, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, is itching for one more fight before his eventual retirement.