UFC News
Michael Chandler responds to critics suggesting he should walk away from Conor McGregor fight: “I have way too many assurances”
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler has explained why he doesn’t want to walk away from the Conor McGregor fight. For the longest time now, Michael Chandler has been pushing for a fight against Conor McGregor. After their season of coaching The Ultimate Fighter, it seemed like just a matter of time before an official announcement was made. Alas, up to this point, nothing has been confirmed by the promotion.
Matched up! Who has the better lineup, UFC 299 or UFC 300?
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2024
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has two major PPVs coming up – UFC 299 and UFC 300. But which is better? Over the years, the UFC has established itself as the leading promotion in mixed martial arts. We’ve all known that to be the case for a long time, but it’s always nice when they remind us with some blockbuster events. Thankfully for casual and hardcore fans alike, we have two huge pay-per-views coming up in March and April.
Video | Merab Dvalishvili becomes the latest fighter to lay a beatdown on Sneako
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2024
UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili has become the latest fighter to get into a grappling exchange with Sneako. Over the course of the last few years, Merab Dvalishvili has done a fantastic job of building up his star power. Between his social media presence and his wins in the cage, he’s become one of the most interesting fighters in the bantamweight division. Now, following his win over Henry Cejudo, he’s in line for the next title shot at 135 pounds.
Video | Alex Pereira is training with Steven Seagal ahead of UFC 300
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been seen training with Steven Seagal heading into UFC 300. In the main event of UFC 300, Alex Pereira will defend his UFC light heavyweight championship against Jamahal Hill. While it’s a contest many have been waiting a long time to see, some are surprised to see it in the headline slot for such a blockbuster pay-per-view.
Yair Rodriguez says he doesn't want to just fight Ilia Topuria but wants to "f**k him up"
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2024
Yair Rodriguez is happy Ilia Topuria became the featherweight champion, as he wants to hurt the Georgian-Spaniard to win the title. Before Topuria fought Alexander Volkanovski for the title at UFC 298, he and Rodriguez had been taking shots at one another as the two clearly don’t see eye to eye. Topuria also said he wouldn’t give Rodriguez a title shot, which added some fuel to their rivalry.
Brian Ortega doesn't think Alexander Volkanovski looked "like the same Volk" against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2024
Brian Ortega doesn’t think Alexander Volanovski looked like his usual self in his UFC 298 title fight against Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski was coming off a KO loss to Islam Makhachev back in October for the lightweight title and was making a fairly quick turnaround to face the undefeated challenger. Heading into the fight, Volkanovski was a slight betting favorite, but Topuria was confident he would KO the champ.
Pro fighters make their picks for Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval 2
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2024
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, a rematch between top-three flyweights goes down as Brandon Moreno takes on Brandon Royval. Heading into the fight, Moreno is a -310 favorite while the American is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the flyweight main event. The pros believe Moreno will get his hand raised again as he beat Royval back in 2020, and with the fight being in Mexico they believe he will let the crowd go home happy on Saturday night.
Jorge Masvidal eyeing future 'BMF against BMF' fight with Justin Gaethje: "I will break his f*cking orbital"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2024
Retired UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal really wants to fight the new ‘BMF’ titleholder Justin Gaethje. ‘Gamebred’ famously retired from MMA following a unanimous loss to Gilbert Burns last April. In the process, Jorge Masvidal vacated the symbolic ‘BMF’ championship. The Miami native won the gold with a 2019 stoppage win over Nate Diaz, but never defended it. Months later, the UFC announced plans to put the title on the line for Justin Gaethje vs. Dustin Poirier 2.
Brandon Royval admits he accepted UFC Mexico City backup spot for free vacation: "For sure I want that!"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2024
UFC flyweight Brandon Royval wasn’t really expecting to fight Brandon Moreno this Saturday night. ‘Raw Dawg’ is fresh off a title shot against Alexandre Pantoja in December at UFC 296 in December. The bout took place over two years after their first bout, which saw ‘The Cannibal’ win by second-round submission. While Brandon Royval put forth a better performance last year, he still suffered a unanimous decision loss.
Dana White reveals Vladimir Putin gifts to Khabib Nurmagomedov after Conor McGregor win: "Whatever he wanted"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2024
Dana White has opened up on the aftermath of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s win over Conor McGregor at UFC 229. Over five years removed from UFC 229, the card is still the highest-grossing in MMA history. At the top of the billing, were lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor. Leading into the event, the two stars were in a heated feud, that would continue for years beyond that night in 2019.
Brandon Royval reveals Alexandre Pantoja will be in attendance for his UFC Mexico City main event against Brandon Moreno
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will be in attendance for Saturday’s UFC Mexico City main event which sees Brandon Moreno rematch Brandon Royval. Moreno was supposed to headline the card against Amir Albazi, but the latter was forced to withdraw due to an injury and was replaced by Royval. With Moreno and Royval currently ranked in the top three, the winner of the main event could get the next title shot, despite both men coming off decision losses to Pantoja.
Chael Sonnen shares advice for Robert Whittaker & Paulo Costa following UFC 298: "You got to compete"
Fernando Quiles - February 21, 2024
Chael Sonnen has some advice for Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa following UFC 298. Whittaker and Costa went one-on-one inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on February 17. It was a hard-fought three-round fight, and “The Reaper” ended up taking a unanimous decision over “Borrachinha.” Now that the dust has settled, Sonnen believes there is a key piece of advice both Whittaker and Costa should follow.
Ian Machado Garry puzzled by UFC not booking Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad yet: "I don't understand this"
Fernando Quiles - February 21, 2024
Ian Machado Garry doesn’t understand why Leon Edwards vs. Belal Muhammad for the UFC Welterweight Championship hasn’t been booked yet. Edwards is the reigning UFC welterweight champion, who was offered three fights for UFC 300, per Dana White. Despite this, he has yet to be booked against the consensus rightful number one contender Belal Muhammad. The situation has confused many fans and experts.
Sean Strickland gets scolded by former UFC champion Tyron Woodley for asking permission to fight Jake Paul: "Why the f*ck you asked Hunter?"
Fernando Quiles - February 21, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley has taken issue with Sean Strickland asking UFC for permission to fight Jake Paul. Strickland, an ex-UFC middleweight titleholder, has gotten into a back-and-forth exchange with Paul on social media. “The Problem Child” slammed Strickland for taking advantage of influencer Sneako during a sparring session. In the clip, Sneako was covering up while Strickland unloaded with punches. Strickland isn’t known for having an off-switch, and often dials things up to 100 with just about anyone he interacts with.
Ilia Topuria shakes up the pound-for-pound rankings following UFC 298 title win
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has made quite the debut in the pound-for-pound rankings. Last weekend at UFC 298, Ilia Topuria won the UFC featherweight championship. He did so by knocking out Alexander Volkanovski, a man who is widely considered to be one of the best fighters on the planet. It served as the latest in a string of memorable wins in his MMA career, as he fulfilled the prophecy he set out for himself years ago.
Jorge Masvidal slams Colby Covington for making excuses on his UFC 296 performance: “Now you’re blaming the f**king greatest president this country has ever seen?”
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2024
Former UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal has hit out at Colby Covington for making excuses for his defeat at UFC 296. Back in the day, Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington were the best of friends. These days, that isn’t quite the case – and they can be better described as bitter enemies.
Demetrious Johnson doesn’t like Alexander Volkanovski’s chances in a rematch with Ilia Topuria: “All Ilia has to do is touch him”
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2024
Demetrious Johnson has explained why he doesn’t like Alexander Volkanovski’s chances in a rematch against Ilia Topuria. Last weekend at UFC 298, Ilia Topuria shocked the world by knocking Alexander Volkanovski out cold. In doing so, he vaulted himself into a level of superstardom that we haven’t seen in quite some time.
Max Griffin wants to "finish" his career in the UFC after fighting out his deal, hopes for a quick turnaround
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2024
Max Griffin is ready to re-sign with the UFC. Griffin fought out his contract at UFC Vegas 86 against Jeremiah Wells and he earned a hard-fought split decision win. Going into the fight, Grifin knew there was pressure on him to get the victory, but he believed that same pressure would prove to be good motivation and make him perform at his best.