Brian Kelleher News

Brian Kelleher
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Brian Kelleher plans to finish Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 272 to derail his hype: "I'm not looking at him like he is just like Khabib"

Cole Shelton - March 2, 2022

Brian Kelleher is excited to fight Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 272, who is the cousin of Khabib. Kelleher picked up a decision win over Kevin Croom back in January and quickly jumped at the chance to return not even three months later against Nurmagomedov. Part of the reason why he took the fight is due to the fact it will be at featherweight.

Just Scrap Radio
Dustin Jacoby

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 69 with Tim Elliott, Brian Kelleher, Dustin Jacoby, and Jalin Turner

Cole Shelton - March 1, 2022

The 69th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC 272. We’re first joined by the 13th-ranked flyweight, Tim Elliott (2:47). Next, UFC bantamweight, Brian Kelleher (18:48) comes on. UFC light heavyweight, Dustin Jacoby (35:07) joins the show. UFC lightweight, Jalin Turner (55:23) closes out the program.

Brian Kelleher, Sean O'Malley
UFC

Brian Kelleher to walkout with Ukraine flag for UFC 272 bout

Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2022

Brian Kelleher has announced that he’s going to walk out with the flag of Ukraine for his next fight. Earlier this week, Russia invaded Ukraine and sparked protests and outrage across the entire international community. ‘Boom Boom’ is set to face Umar Nurmagomedov next week at UFC 272. The buildup to the fight has been quite entertaining, as both have talked trash on social media. Kelleher has even asked Conor McGregor to corner him in his fight against Nurmagomedov. A nod to ‘The Notorious’ rivalry with Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Brian Kelleher
Conor McGregor

Brian Kelleher requests Conor McGregor corner him for Umar Nurmagomedov fight, the undefeated Dagestani responds

Josh Evanoff - February 14, 2022

Brian Kelleher attempted to enlist the help of Conor McGregor for a potential bout against Umar Nurmagomedov. However, the Russian doesn’t seem to think that ‘The Notorious’ would help much. Kelleher called out Nurmagomedov following his most recent win over Kevin Croom last month. ‘Boom’ got his wish and is now set to fight the undefeated fighter in his next bout.

Brian Kelleher, Sean O'Malley
Sean O'Malley

Brian Kelleher wants Sean O'Malley next: "He says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now"

Adam D Martin - August 24, 2021

UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher wants Sean O’Malley next, saying “he says he doesn’t want to fight ranked guys. I’m not ranked right now.” Kelleher defeated Domingo Pilarte via dominant unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 34 this past weekend. Since joining the UFC back in 2017, Kelleher is 7-5 overall in the Octagon. While he has yet to break through and become a top-15 ranked fighter, he has proven himself to be quite the gatekeeper into the rankings, and with O’Malley recently suggesting he has no interest in fighting ranked opponents for the same pay, Kelleher called him out.

Brian Kelleher
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Brian Kelleher expects to finish Domingo Pilarte and call for a spot on the MSG card, eyes Sean O'Malley as future opponent

Cole Shelton - August 18, 2021

BBrian Kelleher wasn’t too surprised he is fighting Domingo Pilarte at UFC Vegas 34. After Kelleher lost a decision to Ricky Simon at UFC 258, he knew he would have to fight someone below him in the rankings. That is exactly what is happening as he is facing Pilarte, which is a rebooking as the two were supposed to fight one another at UFC 230 back in 2018.

Just Scrap Radio
Brian Kelleher

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 47 with Brandon Royval, Chase Sherman, Brian Kelleher, Vinc Pichel, and Ramiz Brahimaj

Cole Shelton - August 17, 2021

The 47th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN with Cole Shelton is here ahead of UFC Vegas 34. We’re first joined by sixth-ranked flyweight, Brandon Royval (2:54) Next, UFC heavyweight, Chase Sherman (16:52) joins the show. UFC bantamweight, Brian Kelleher (30:36) then comes on. Next, UFC lightweight, Vinc Pichel (47:50) comes on the program. Closing out the show, is UFC welterweight, Ramiz Brahimaj (1:02:59).

Brian Kelleher
Ricky Simon

Photo | Brian Kelleher shows off brutal cut sustained in Ricky Simon fight at UFC 258

Adam Martin - February 16, 2021

UFC veteran Brian Kelleher showed off the brutal cut he sustained on his forehead in his unanimous decision loss to Ricky Simon at UFC 258. Kelleher moved up to 145lbs for the short-notice fight with Simon for this past weekend’s UFC 258 card. He lost a decision at the end of 15 minutes on the judges’ scorecards, with Simon controlling the majority of the bout with his wrestling. At one point during the match, Kelleher received a nasty cut to the middle of his forehead. It wasn’t bad enough to stop the fight, but it looks like Kelleher needed to get some stitches to fix the cut. Check out the cut photo that Kelleher shared with his followers on his social media.

Brian Kelleher, Sean O'Malley
UFC

Kevin Natividad pulled from UFC Vegas 9 main card bout with Brian Kelleher

Chris Taylor - September 5, 2020

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 9 event has endured a last minute change as Kevin Natividad has been forced to pull out of his slated main card bout with Brian Kelleher. No reason for Natividad’s late removal from the fight card has been given as of this time.

Cody Stamann
Cody Stamann

Breaking | Cody Stamann to take on Brian Kelleher at UFC 250

Cole Shelton - May 25, 2020

Cody Stamann will fight on June 6 after all. Stamann will take on Brian Kelleher at UFC 250 on June 6 multiple sources told BJPENN.com that the fight is agreed to with contracts expected to be issued in the coming days. The event is expected to take place at the UFC Apex.

Sean O'Malley, Dana White
Sean O'Malley

Sean O’Malley rips Brian Kelleher over recent callout: “He’s not going to do anything for my career”

Natasha Hooper - April 17, 2020

Sean O’Malley has attempted to put Brian Kelleher in his place after claiming he would “smoke” the bantamweight in a fight. O’Malley returned to action in March 2020 after two years on the sidelines. In his UFC 248 return, O’Malley finished Jose Quinonez with a first-round head kick and punches. He is now one of the most sought-after foes in the bantamweight division and only wants a worthwhile opponent. He shut down a callout from his fellow 135-pound fighter Kelleher.

Colby Covington
Colby Covington

BJPENN.COM Radio Ep. 123 // Colby Covington | Brian Kelleher | Curtis Blaydes

Jason Kindschy - February 5, 2020

Colby Covington has returned to the media spotlight following his closely contested loss to current welterweight champ Kamaru Usman. Colby kicks off this episode with his usual venomous verbiage and discusses a multitude of topics. We’ll get his thoughts on the fight against Usman and why he believes an immediate rematch should happen. Colby Covington also elaborates on his accusations of corrupt refereeing by Marc Goddard, and challenging 50 Cent to a charity boxing match. All that and much more with “Chaos.” Brian Kelleher joins us to recap his impressive submission win over Ode Osbourne at UFC 246 last month. Following a two-year layoff caused by an injury sustained during training, Kelleher is eager to make up for lost time. We’ll discuss his plans for climbing the bantamweight ranks in 2020, and hear his thoughts on the divisional landscape.

John Lineker
John Lineker

Bantamweight Brawl Added to UFC 224 In Brazil

Drake Riggs - March 13, 2018

The UFC’s next event in Brazil is really shaping up to be quite the banger. Already stacked with Brazilian legends, the card is now getting a fight that will be guaranteed fireworks between bantamweight title hopefuls. Fresh off his huge win over former champion, Renan Barao is Brian “Boom” Kelleher who called out John Lineker after his win at UFC on Fox 28 in Orlando, Florida. And as reported by Combate and confirmed by several other sources as well as the fighters themselves, that it shall be.

Bryan Caraway

After Being "Ducked" by Garbrandt and Lineker, Bryan Caraway Wants a Fight with Jimmie Rivera

Tom Taylor - November 2, 2016

Late last month, it was announced that a bantamweight title fight between champion Dominick Cruz and undefeated challenger Cody Garbrandt would be co-headlining UFC 207. Earlier this morning, news surfaced that another high profile bantamweight bout between former champ TJ Dillashaw and streaking contender John Lineker was close to being finalized for the same card. Barring a major shakeup, the winner of this latter fight will likely fight the winner of Cruz vs. Garbrandt for the title sometime in 2017. For fans of the bantamweight division, these announcements came as excellent news. Not everyone, however, is particularly thrilled about these bookings.