MMA News
Robert Whittaker explains why he’s picking “awkward” Dricus du Plessis to defeat Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2024
UFC star Robert Whittaker has explained why he’s picking Dricus du Plessis to defeat Israel Adesanya in their rumored showdown. Last weekend, Dricus du Plessis made a pretty emphatic statement when defeated Sean Strickland to become the new UFC middleweight champion. The win completed his meteoric rise to the top of the 185-pound division.
Jasmine Jasudavicius details hectic UFC 297 fight week over weight dispute
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
Jasmine Jasudavicius had to plead for a spot on UFC 297 and then practically had to beg to stay on the card. Jasudavicius is from St. Catharines, Ontario, which is just an hour and a half away from Toronto. So, the flyweight contender really wanted a spot on the UFC 297 lineup and got her wish as she was the final fight added to the event.
Gillian Robertson says UFC 297 fight was "picture-perfect", hopes a ranked opponent is next
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
Gillian Robertson knew she would have a ton of success on the ground against Polyana Viana at UFC 297. Robertson entered the fight as the betting favorite and on paper it was a grappler vs. grappler matchup. However, when Robertson fights she knows not many people want to go to the ground with her, so she was glad to get matched up with Viana at UFC 297 as she knew that wouldn’t be a problem.
OKTAGON's Matěj Peňáz says "direct offer to UFC" is goal
Zain Bando - January 25, 2024
OKTAGON’s Matěj Peňáz returns to the cage for the first time since December on a two-fight winning streak opposite Matthew Bonner (16-9-1 MMA) on Saturday at OKTAGON 52 in Newcastle, England. The event airs live on DAZN and the promotion’s official website (via internet pay-per-view), beginning at noon ET/9 a.m. PT in the U.S. Peňáz (8-1 MMA) spoke to BJPenn.com ahead of his middleweight fight about his training camp, Bonner as an opponent, and future MMA career aspirations.
Brendan Schaub offers promising update after daughter's emergency surgery: "Forever grateful"
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub has released a promising update about the health of his daughter. ‘Big Brown’ has been retired from fighting for nearly a decade now. Following a knockout loss to Travis Browne, Brendan Schaub decided to hang the gloves up for good. At the urging of his friend Joe Rogan, the heavyweight contender instead got into podcasting and later stand-up comedy.
Max Holloway unbothered by worried fan reactions to Justin Gaethje fight: "Always going to be naysayers"
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is ready to prove fans wrong against Justin Gaethje. ‘Blessed’ has been out of action since a knockout win over The Korean Zombie in August. That victory was Max Holloway’s second in a row, but being locked out of the featherweight title picture has made him look upwards. Following his win last year, he called to face ‘BMF’ champion, Justin Gaethje.
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson weigh in on Kayla Harrison’s decision to sign with UFC: “I think she went where the easier fights are”
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson believe Kayla Harrison signed with the UFC to go after easier fights. Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced the promotion has signed Harrison and she will debut at UFC 300 against Holly Holm. It was a shocking announcement and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson was disappointed with the signing.
Mark Hunt sends a warning to UFC CEO Dana White and former opponent Brock Lesnar: “Karma is going to sting your ass so hard this year”
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt is still unhappy with Dana White and Brock Lesnar. ‘The Super Samoan’ recently announced his intention to return to fighting under the BKFC banner. While Mark Hunt hasn’t competed in MMA since a December 2018 loss to Justin Willis, he has been busy in boxing. In November 2022, he handed the previously undefeated Sonny Bill Williams his first career loss by knockout.
WATCH | Dricus Du Plessis gets incredible reception as he returns to South Africa with UFC title
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis got a hero’s welcome in South Africa after becoming the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 297. Du Plessis scored a split-decision win over Sean Strickland on Saturday night to become the promotion’s new 185lbs champion. After the win, he stayed in Toronto for a couple of days to celebrate. When he returned home, ‘DDP’ got an incredible reception as it looked like hundreds, if not thousands of people were there to welcome Du Plessis back to South Africa.
PFL CEO Peter Murray reacts after Kayla Harrison signs with the UFC
Susan Cox - January 25, 2024
PFL CEO Peter Murray is reacting to Kayla Harrison signing with the UFC. UFC CEO Dana White announced this past Tuesday that Kayla Harrison (16-1 MMA) had signed with the promotion and would be making her UFC debut at the historic UFC 300 on April 13th of this year. Harrison will be fighting Holly Holm (15-6 MMA) in a bantamweight bout in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Jon Anik says toxic fight fans could lead to career change: “I don’t know how much time I have left in this MMA space”
Susan Cox - January 25, 2024
UFC commentator Jon Anik is growing tired of toxic fight fans and says a career change could be on the horizon. It was just this past Saturday, at UFC 297, that saw Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) defeat Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) to become the new UFC middleweight champion.
Report | Mike Tyson will return to the ring for a bout with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko
Susan Cox - January 25, 2024
Mike Tyson will reportedly be returning to the ring for a bout with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Tyson, a former professional boxer competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed ‘Iron Mike’ and ‘Kid Dynamite’ ‘ early in his career, he is perhaps best known as ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’.
PFL announces the end of their women’s featherweight division, will be replaced by flyweight
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2024
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced that their women’s featherweight division will be replaced by flyweight. Ever since it was confirmed that the PFL had purchased Bellator, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding the promotion. From the crossover events to the roster and beyond, this is the best chance PFL has at becoming a legitimate contender to the UFC. Of course, some will disagree with that, but nobody can deny that they’re making significant moves.
Dana White responds to fans concerned that Kayla Harrison won’t be able to make weight at UFC 300
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has expressed his confidence in Kayla Harrison’s ability to make weight for UFC 300. Earlier this week, Dana White made the blockbuster announcement that Kayla Harrison has signed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In addition to that, her debut bout will come against Holly Holm at UFC 300.
Dana White teases “crazy” event headliner for UFC 300: “You guys can’t handle the main event”
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has teased a major headliner for the upcoming UFC 300 pay-per-view. On April 13, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on one of their biggest ever shows. UFC 300 will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and we already have ten blockbuster fights that have been announced.
Tommy Langaker seeks redemption against Kade Ruotolo at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 25, 2024
The flame of redemption burns brightly for Tommy Langaker as he gears up for a rematch against Kade Ruotolo. Both men are slated to run it back for Ruotolo’s ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title in the co-main event of ONE 165. It takes place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, this Sunday, January 28.
Kade Ruotolo aiming for decisive finish over old foe Tommy Langaker: “I want to submit him”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 25, 2024
Kade Ruotolo is on a mission to prove a point when he runs it back with Tommy Langaker this weekend. The rematch happens in the co-headliner of ONE 165. There, Ruotolo’s ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title will be on the line. This event airs live on pay-per-view from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, this Sunday, January 28.
UFC 300 is now up to ten fights with the addition of Diego Lopes vs. Sodiq Yusuff
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
UFC 300 has added its 10th fight of the card as a featherweight banger between Diego Lopes and Sodiq Yusuff is set. UFC CEO Dana White announced on his Instagram story on Wednesday that Lopes will return to the Octagon at UFC 300 on April 13 against 12th-ranked featherweight Yusuff. UFC 300 is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.