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Arman Tsarukyan picks surprising name for Ilia Topuria’s next opponent

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Arman Tsarukyan picks surprising name for Ilia Topuria’s next opponent

Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria's return fight will be against a well-known veteran in the lightweight division, but maybe one anyone is expecting.

In an interview on the UFC on Paramount+ YouTube channel, Tsarukyan was asked where Topuria fights in the 155-pound title picture after losing his championship and suffering his first defeat to Justin Gaethje in a shocking upset at UFC White House this past June. Topuria suffered facial injuries in the hard-fought contest and his recovery timetable is unclear, but Tsarukyan thinks Michael Chandler is a logical tune-up for Topuria before throwing Topuria back into the thick of contender race.

“He's still recovering and probably next for him a fight with Michael Chandler and then come back and fight for the title,†Tsarukyan said, adding, “Who else? After this fight, he needs someone easy, an easy fight, and then after that fight come and fight again.â€

Prior to his loss to Gaethje, Topuria was on one of the best runs in MMA history. He compiled a 17-0 record, capped by consecutive championship fight knockouts over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski, the latter two at featherweight. However, the lightweight division continues to move on with Topuria on the shelf, with Tsarukyan set to take on Mauricio Ruffy in a pivotal contender contest in the five-round co-main event at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles.

“Already No. 1 contender,†Tsarukyan said when asked if the stakes are high for him on Sept. 19.

Tsarukyan and Topuria have been at odds for years now, though a bout is yet to materialize despite the two now residing in the same weight class. A grudge match for the title would draw plenty of interest, and could be one option for Tsarukyan if he completes his mission of becoming the champion.

“There's a lot of top guys,†Tsarukyan said. “Me, Oliveira still. Paddy Pimblett. Topuria. Max Holloway is tough as well. But when I beat Ruffy, I'm going to fight for the title and then I can pick who I want to fight.â€

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Bare Knuckle FC teases Michael 'Venom' Page reunion after potential UFC split

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Bare Knuckle FC teases Michael 'Venom' Page reunion after potential UFC split

Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman says they're actively monitoring Michael ‘Venom' Page's UFC status after his contract expired.

UFC welterweight Michael ‘Venom' Page's standing with the promotion remains unknown after his fourth straight win against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris last weekend. Page, a former Bellator title challenger, was removed from the UFC's media rankings after his latest win, signaling a potential departure from the promotion.

Page's contract expired once he departed the Octagon on Saturday night, and it's uncertain whether or not the UFC will opt to sign him to a new contract. While earning recent victories in the cage, the lackluster, sluggish nature of his wins has turned off many fight fans.

Before Page signed with the UFC in 2023, he fought once in Bare Knuckle FC against Mike Perry in what turned out to be an instant classic fight. If Page isn't brought back to the UFC, his former promotion is interested in a reunion.

David Feldman confirms BKFC ‘interested' in re-signing Michael ‘Venom' Page

In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, BKFC president David Feldman reacted to Page's reported removal from the UFC roster.

“I don't know if his contract is actually terminated,†Feldman said of Page.

“That's a pretty fast time to get his contract terminated, so I don't wanna make any moves on him yet, and say that's what we want. We would definitely welcome ‘MVP'. When he fought for us with Mike Perry, it was a pretty exciting match, and a lot of people actually thought he won that fight.

“You can't really be boring in BKFC, so it's hard for him to fight that type of fight in BKFC,†Feldman continued on Page. “We would be interested? Yes. I think BKFC will force excitement out of ‘MVP', and I think that the fans would love that.â€

What should be Michael ‘Venom' Page's next move? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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GRAPHIC | Dillon Danis shares nasty aftermath of injury that forced Mike Perry fight withdrawal

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GRAPHIC | Dillon Danis shares nasty aftermath of injury that forced Mike Perry fight withdrawal

Polarizing combat sports star Dillon Danis' arm injury which forced him out of his scheduled Mike Perry clash was gruesome.

Dillon Danis and Bare Knuckle FC superstar Mike Perry were supposed to clash in the inaugural Duel Arena MMA main event last month in Florida. But just hours before the event, Danis withdrew from the fight due to an arm injury suffered during his final preparations.

Despite his brash nature, Danis seemed genuinely heartbroken at having to pull out of his clash with Perry in his MMA return. Perry went on to lose to short-notice replacement Brandon Jenkins in the Duel Arena 1 main event due to injury.

Danis shared initial footage of his injury showing a graphic laceration on his arm during Duel Arena 1 fight week. As Danis prepares for his potential combat sports return, he shared additional footage that showed the severity of the ailment.

Dillon Danis shares graphic footage of arm injury suffered ahead of Mike Perry fight

In a recent tweet, Danis shared the aftermath of his gruesome arm injury. You can watch the video he posted here.

Danis hasn't fought in Mixed Martial arts since submitting Warren Spencer in 15 seconds at Misfits 22 last year. He won the inaugural Misfits MMA light heavyweight championship after six years away from the cage.

In addition to his MMA aspirations, Danis remains a top name on the Real American Freestyle mats and will face off with Arman Tsarukyan next month. Danis lost back-to-back wrestling matches against Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev earlier this year.

As of this writing, it's uncertain how long Danis will need to recover from his arm injury, but he's expected to miss the rest of 2026. When he's ready to return to action, expect Danis to be a name to watch in 2027.

Would you want to see a Dillon Danis vs. Mike Perry MMA rebooking? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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Salahdine Parnasse uncertain Max Holloway will accept fight after his UFC Paris win: 'I’m ready for anyone'

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Salahdine Parnasse uncertain Max Holloway will accept fight after his UFC Paris win: 'I’m ready for anyone'

Salahdine Parnasse isn't sure Max Holloway will accept his callout.

Parnasse is coming off his UFC debut, as he headlined UFC Paris on Saturday and scored a first-round TKO win over Dan Hooker. It was a great performance, and after the win, he called out Holloway but isn't sure if he will accept it, as he knows he poses a lot of problems for the Hawaiian.

“I really, really think I'm ready. I've been training for a long time, since I was 11 years old, for this. I'm very ready for that. In KSW, I had three fights before fighting for the belt, against very big names in KSW. I had great fights. In the UFC, I don't know what's going to happen, but I called out Max Holloway. I really hope he's going to accept,†Parnasse said to Ariel Helwani.

Parnasse vs. Holloway does make a lot of sense, as the winner could get a title shot. Yet, whether or not the Hawaiian would take on Parnasse, who isn't as well-known as other contenders.

Salahdine Parnasse open to fighting whoever after UFC Paris

Although Parnasse called out Holloway after his win, he said he's open to anything.

Parnasse knows some top contenders may not want to fight him, so he's willing to face whoever to prove how good he is.

“Look at my face. It's clean. Tomorrow, I'm ready,†Parnasse added. “Max Holloway would be the perfect fight. He likes challenges, and I think we could have a very good war together. I have a lot of respect for Max, and I don't like trash talk — that's not my personality. I'm ready for anyone in the top five.â€

Parnasse is 24-2 as a pro and coming off the win over Hooker. He's the former KSW featherweight and lightweight champion.

Would you like to see Salahdine Parnasse vs. Max Holloway after UFC Paris?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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