MMA
Bilal Hasan, top flyweight prospect, set for second UFC fight in 3 months
Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCUFC flyweight prospect Bilal Hasan will make his second UFC appearance of the year after earning a contract via DWCS last month.
Undefeated UFC flyweight Bilal Hasan wasted no time making a statement in his promotional debut last month, just days after earning a contract via Dana White's Contender Series.
Hasan knocked out Mridul Saikia in 45 seconds on the August 11th episode of this year's rendition of DWCS. Just days after signing the dotted line of his first UFC contract, Hasan was booked for his UFC debut at UFC Shanghai.
Hasan responded by earning a one-punch knockout against fellow unbeaten Nilson Rojas at UFC Shanghai. The talented flyweight is the latest top prospect to make a quick impact in the resurgent division.
After a successful UFC debut, Hasan will face another promising flyweight at the historic Madison Square Garden at UFC 334.
Generational prospect Bilal Hasan's return added to UFC's MSG card
As reported by MMA Fighting, Hasan will face Luis Gurule (11-4) at UFC 334 on November 14th. Gurule, a fellow DWCS alum, has lost four of his first five fights with the promotion since his promotional debut last year.
Before his recent UFC success, Hasan won the Cage Fury FC flyweight championship by defeating Jose Leon in September 2024. He went on to defend the title against Brian Hauser, Jason Eastman, and Renaldy Manse in three straight knockout victories.
Hasan could potentially move closer to a Top 15 spot in the flyweight rankings with a win over Gurule. Meanwhile, Gurule is looking to get back into the win column and to stop Hasan's quick ascent.
As of this writing, the UFC hasn't announced a headliner for the upcoming Madison Square Garden card. The card could potentially be headlined by a heavyweight title unification bout between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane.
What are your expectations for Bilal Hasan's flyweight future? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Credit: Atlanta Police DepartmentThe Atlanta Police Department published new footage of UFC legend Dustin Poirier's arrest for public intoxication earlier this year.
Dustin Poirier returned to the UFC's broadcast desk last month for the first time since his arrest for public intoxication. After he was kicked off a plane at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Poirier was arrested after berating flight attendants and other airport staff.
Poirier was quickly released on bond and faces up to a year in prison if convicted of the misdemeanor charge. As of this writing, Poirier's role as a UFC analyst remains intact, but Paramount could potentially punish the former UFC title challenger for his conduct.
Initial footage of Poirier's arrest showed him highly intoxicated and challenging one of the responding officers to a fist fight. Luckily, Poirier was eventually taken into custody without issue.
Poirier has since publicly apologized for the incident and revealed he's dealt with alcohol abuse since retiring from fighting last year. His last fight came against then-BMF titleholder Max Holloway at UFC 318, losing by unanimous decision.
WATCH: New footage of Dustin Poirier's arrest: ‘F— the fans'
YouTuber Mark Fighting shared the full footage of Poirier's arrest and detainment, courtesy of the Atlanta Police Department.
Several of Poirier's longtime fighting adversaries, including Colby Covington and Conor McGregor, have scolded the former interim titleholder in the months following his arrest. UFC CEO Dana White shared a compassionate reaction to Poirier's legal issues and revealed the promotion's post-career care program for fighters.
As of this writing, Poirier hasn't addressed the newly released footage of his June arrest.
Poirier isn't the only former fighter dealing with legal issues since hanging up the gloves. Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted of domestic violence, false imprisonment, and other charges linked to an altercation with his wife in Nebraska.
Share your thoughts on the latest news of Dustin Poirier's arrest in the comments
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCWelterweight veteran Niko Price will make his second, final walk to the Octagon next month at UFC Vegas 122.
UFC welterweight Niko Price dropped the gloves after a loss to Michael Chiesa at UFC Seattle earlier this year. In a fight in which both Price and Chiesa promised would be their last in the Octagon, Chiesa walked away with a storybook ending to his career.
Despite appearing to retire, Price didn't get any time on the microphone at UFC Seattle. A full video package played for Chiesa after his UFC Seattle victory to commemorate his tenure with the promotion.
After dropping the gloves at UFC Seattle, Price seemed destined never to return to the Octagon. But just months after UFC Seattle, Price will fight one more time at the UFC Apex before walking away from fighting.
Niko Price's second retirement fight booked for UFC Vegas 122
As reported by Heavy, Price will return to the Octagon to fight Leon Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 122 on October 10th at the Apex. The card is headlined by a middleweight bout between Top 10 contenders Brendan Allen and Christian Leroy Duncan.
Leon, the brother of UFC middleweight vet Edmen Shahbazyan, will make his second UFC appearance after a first-round loss to Levan Chokheli in June. Before his UFC debut, Shahbazyan won four consecutive fights in Tuff N' Uff.
Price is seeking his first UFC win since defeating Alex Morono by unanimous decision at UFC 302. He's been with the promotion since his UFC debut at UFC 207, a first-round submission over Brandon Thatch.
Price has earned wins over the likes of Randy Brown, Alan Jouban, and Tim Means during his UFC tenure. The 36-year-old will look for one last highlight-reel victory at UFC Vegas 122.
What are your thoughts on Niko Price's fighting return? Share your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
UFC Noche 4 ‘Silva vs. Delgado’ play-by-play, results & round scoring
Terence Crawford Claims Everyone Waited for His Retirement to Acknowledge His Greatness
Dana White Shuts Down Ryan Garcias Egg Stunt Controversy
-
MMA2 days agoRegina Tarin asked God for a sign; then the UFC called
-
MMA2 days agoJustin Gaethje vs Ilia Topuria rematch could be 'disaster' for UFC, says Eddie Alvarez
-
MMA2 days agoDana White claims Ilia Topuria is 'ready' to fight after UFC Freedom 250 defeat
-
MMA2 days agoJean Silva thinks Movsar Evloev will dethrone Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 333
-
MMA2 days agoTommy McMillen offers to be backup for Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev title fight, ‘dust any of those boys’ at UFC 333
-
MMA2 days agoSuper RIZIN 5 results: Razhabali Shaidulloev tops A.J. McKee to win RIZIN, PFL titles; Mikuru Asakura knocks out Shinya Aoki
-
MMA2 days agoJustin Gaethje claims Arman Tsarukyan blew his title shot because ‘he wasn’t going to make weight so he dropped out’
-
MMA2 days agoRyan Garcia explains why he skipped pre-fight faceoff with Conor Benn