MMA News
Glover Teixeira admits that he's itching to fight again but will stay retired: "It's time right?"
Josh Evanoff - November 24, 2023
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira is too mellow these days to return to fighting. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a bout for vacant light-heavyweight gold in January. There, Glover Teixeira faced Jamahal Hill, in his home country of Brazil. Pre-fight, the 44-year-old admitted that he was on the verge of retirement, and a loss to ‘Sweet Dreams’ might do him in.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he called Alex Pereira a “slimy one” following UFC 295 title win
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is explaining why he called Alex Pereira a ‘slimy one’ following his UFC 295 title win. It was Alex Pereira (9-2 MMA) vs Jiří Procházka (29-4 MMA) in a light heavyweight title fight at UFC 295 on November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The outcome was a TKO victory for Pereira at 4:08 of round 2 to claim light heavyweight gold.
Joaquin Buckley plans to step in for Stephen Thompson after ‘Wonderboy’ bails on Shavkat Rakhmonov fight: “He ain’t going to show up to that”
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Joaquin Buckley is saying he plans to step in for Stephen Thompson after ‘Wonderboy’ bails on his fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov. UFC 296 takes place on Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Israel Adesanya teases fans with UFC 298 title fight against Alex Pereira
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Israel Adesanya teased fight fans on Thursday with a UFC 298 title bout against Alex Pereira. UFC 298 will take place on February 17th of 2024 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 to defend flyweight kickboxing strap against Elias Mahmoudi in ONE Fight Night 18 headliner
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 24, 2023
ONE Championship has set the stage for an epic clash between Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Elias Mahmoudi to headline its first U.S. primetime show of 2024. The bout for Superlek’s ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title takes place at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. It airs live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 12.
Sean O'Malley explains how Snoop Dogg's commentary during DWCS played a “massive” role in his UFC stardom
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Sean O’Malley is explaining how Snoop Dogg’s commentary during DWCS played a ‘massive’ role in his UFC stardom. It was back in July of 2017, on the second season of Dana White’s Contender Series, where Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) knocked out Alfred Khashakyan (11-5 MMA) at 4:14 of round 1. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Ilia Topuria details the key “advantage” he will have over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ilia Topuria is detailing the key ‘advantage’ he will have over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298. UFC 298 will take place on Saturday, February 17th at a TBD venue in Los Angeles, California.
Ben Rothwell expresses interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner: “Something like that would be fun”
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ben Rothwell is expressing an interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner. Rothwell (39-14 MMA) parted ways with with UFC in 2022 after 13 years with the promotion. The 42 year old subsequently signed with the BKFC where he holds a record of 2-0.
Ilia Topuria already eyeing Max Holloway after Alexander Volkanovski: "It's going to happen"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria wants Alexander Volkanovski, then he wants Max Holloway in Spain. ‘El Matador’ and ‘The Great’ are currently slated to face off at UFC 298 in February. That bout will be Alexander Volkanovski’s first since a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in October. Due to that knockout defeat, there were questions if the featherweight champion would be able to fight Ilia Topuria in early 2024.
Derek Brunson reveals conversation with Dana White following UFC release: "No ill will"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2023
PFL middleweight contender Derek Brunson has discussed his exit from the UFC. The longtime middleweight contender left the company following a knockout loss to Dricus du Plessis earlier this year. While Derek Brunson booked a UFC 295 return against Roman Dolidze, he was later released. In September, he was suddenly cut and signed with the PFL just days later.
Former MMA world champ John Lineker to face dangerous Liam Harrison under Muay Thai rules
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 23, 2023
As the clock ticks down to the beginning of 2024, combat sports fans have been chomping at the bit for one fight — John Lineker’s long-teased debut in Muay Thai. The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion is set to duke it out against Muay Thai savant Liam Harrison at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. The event will air live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 12.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals that ONE Championship is poised for record-breaking numbers in 2024
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 23, 2023
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong expressed unwavering confidence in the company’s financial future. In a recent interview with CNBC, Sityodtong said that he fully believes ONE will achieve profitability by the second half of 2024.
Jacob Smith chasing $50K bonus at ONE Fight Night 15: ‘I’m coming for that 50 bags’
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 23, 2023
Jacob Smith harbors a desire to win his upcoming bout in the most rewarding way possible. The British striker takes on #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Walter Goncalves at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. This emanates live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 8.
Chase Hooper explains why he was "surprised" to finish Jordan Leavitt in the first round at UFC Vegas 82
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Chase Hooper has his first win streak in the UFC. Hooper moved up to lightweight back in May and scored a decision win over Nick Fiore. He was then booked to face Jordan Leavitt at UFC Vegas 82 in a scrap he was a sizeable betting favorite.
Jan Blachowicz plans to silence Aleksandar Rakic with a "clear KO" at UFC 297: "He’s going to have nothing to say"
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is excited to silence Aleksandar Rakic once and for all. Blachowicz and Rakic fought in the main event of UFC Vegas 54 in May of 2022 and it was the Pole who won the fight by TKO as Rakic blew out his knee after leg kicks from Blachowicz. Since then, Rakic has been adamant he will get a rematch with Blachowicz and beat him when they do.
Dan Hooker speaks following withdrawal from Bobby Green fight: "It's all on me"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has explained why he’s no longer fighting Bobby Green. ‘The Hangman’ and ‘King’ were slated to clash next month at UFC Austin. For Dan Hooker, he was hoping to score his third win in a row, previously scoring victories over Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles. Meanwhile, Bobby Green is coming off a knockout win over Grant Dawson in October, his second in a row.
Tom Aspinall interested in boxing match if UFC doesn't let him be active: "Don't want to be waiting around for Jon Jones"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is down to box if he can’t fight in the cage. The British fighter is fresh off his return opposite Sergei Pavlovich last month at UFC 295. Famously, Tom Aspinall only stepped in on short notice, following the cancelation of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. In the interim title fight earlier this month, the Brit scored a first-round knockout win.
Kayla Harrison hopeful for Cris Cyborg fight after PFL-Bellator sale: "It feels closer than ever"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
Former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison doesn’t want to jinx it, but she might fight Cris Cyborg. The Olympic judoka is set to return to the PFL Smart Cage this Friday night against Aspen Ladd. Originally slated to face Julia Budd, the fight will be Kayla Harrison’s first in over a year. Famously, she suffered the first loss of her career last time out, suffering a decision defeat to Larissa Pacheco last Fall.