MMA News
Sean O'Malley reveals UFC signed off on potential Ryan Garcia boxing match: "If it makes us money, we'll do it"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley could face Ryan Garcia in the boxing ring, if it makes money. ‘Sugar’ recently booked his 2024 return, and a rematch with Marlon Vera. Sean O’Malley is currently expected to face ‘Chito’ once again at UFC 299 in March, for the first time since 2020. That year, the Ecuadorian scored a first-round stoppage win over the future champion after he suffered an injury.
Alex Pereira doesn't buy Israel Adesanya's hiatus talk: "He needs a bit more motivation"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira believes Israel Adesanya is just lacking some motivation. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has been out of action since a title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Despite heading into the matchup a massive favorite, Israel Adesanya was dominated that night earlier this year. ‘Tarzan’ dropped the champion in round one, eventually winning by unanimous decision on the scorecards.
WATCH | Tony Ferguson trains with David Goggins ahead of UFC 296 return against Paddy Pimblett
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is pulling out all the stops ahead of his return against Paddy Pimblett. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of the octagon since a clash with Bobby Green in July at UFC 291. Despite dropping ‘King’ in the first round, Tony Ferguson suffered a third-round submission defeat. The loss was the former champion’s sixth in a row, and he received many calls to retire post-fight.
REPORT | Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou did better PPV numbers than first believed
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
According to Ariel Helwani, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s boxing match was far more successful than first thought. ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Predator’ faced off in a high-profile boxing match last month in Saudi Arabia. The two headlined an ESPN pay-per-view offering, with Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in the main event. Despite the boxer heading into the matchup a massive favorite, it didn’t look that way on fight night.
Chael Sonnen unloads on Jorge Masvidal after 'Gamebred' threatens him: "Go see a therapist"
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Chael Sonnen has continued to take aim at Jorge Masvidal. On Monday, Sonnen blasted ‘Gamebred’ on social media over the Colby Covington incident as Masvidal threatened to knock the rest of Covington’s teeth out. Of course, Sonnen and Covington are friends, so after ‘The American Gangster’ ripped ‘Gamebred’, Masvidal took to social media to tell him to say it to his face.
The UFC parts ways with three more fighters, including Mayra Bueno Silva?
Susan Cox - November 7, 2023
The UFC has parted ways with three more fighters according to recent reports from @UFCRosterWatch on ‘X’. It should be noted that it has not been confirmed if all of these moves were outright releases, contracts which were not renewed or suspensions.
Aljamain Sterling discusses his relationship with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones: “We aren't as cool as we once were”
Susan Cox - November 7, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is discussing his relationship with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Sterling (23-4 MMA) and Jones (27-1 MMA) were junior college wrestling teammates at SUNY Morrisville.
Islam Makhachev takes over top spot in UFC pound for pound rankings
Susan Cox - November 7, 2023
Islam Makhachev has taken over top stop in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. The reigning lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) has taken the No. 1 spot away from the current heavyweight champion Jon Jones (27-1 MMA) on the pound-for-pound official UFC rankings.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 145 with Matt Frevola, Jason Knight, Loopy Godinez, and John Castaneda
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
The 145th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 295 and Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA. We’re first joined by 14th-ranked UFC lightweight Matt Frevola (2:21). Next, former UFC fighter Jason Knight (18:33) comes on. 13th-ranked UFC strawweight Loopy Godinez (38:59) then joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Jon Castaneda (46:56).
Seksan eager to compete on U.S. soil after ONE Fight Night 16 win: "It's one of my dreams"
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 7, 2023
Following his U.S. primetime debut at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video last Friday, November 3, Seksan Or Kwanmuang harbors a strong desire to showcase his skills in front of a live American audience. His triumphant outing against Karim Bennoui in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai contest was not just another win in his illustrious career. It also marked his 200th victory.
Stephen Thompson says the UFC “settled” pay dispute from cancelled Michel Pereira fight
Harry Kettle - November 7, 2023
Stephen Thompson has revealed that his financial dispute with the Ultimate Fighting Championship is now over. Next month, Stephen Thompson will take on top welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. It serves as a huge opportunity for the veteran as he attempts to make one final title push before walking away from mixed martial arts.
Israel Adesanya explains why he wants to see Francis Ngannou fight in MMA next: “I just want to see him use all f*cking limbs”
Harry Kettle - November 7, 2023
Israel Adesanya has explained why he wants to see his close friend Francis Ngannou compete in MMA for his next fight. Last month, Francis Ngannou went toe to toe with Tyson Fury in his first pro boxing match. It was an intriguing, competitive affair, and in the end, Fury was the one who edged out a decision win. In equal measure, though, Ngannou put forward a sensational showing and even managed to drop ‘The Gypsy King’ in the third round.
Tye Ruotolo open to facing twin brother for lightweight gold following inaugural world title win
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 7, 2023
ONE Fight Night 16 last Friday, November 3, marked a momentous occasion for Tye Ruotolo as he captured the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title. On the card at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, he put forth an impressive performance against Magomed Abdulkadirov. Throughout the match, he launched attacks from various positions, ultimately securing a unanimous decision win.
Cory Sandhagen reacts to news that Sean O’Malley will be fighting Marlon Vera at UFC 299: “That’s a bummer. March? Damn.”
Harry Kettle - November 7, 2023
UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen has given his thoughts on the announced title showdown between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera. Last night, UFC president Dana White announced that Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera will battle it out over the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 299. While many are excited about their rematch, others wonder whether or not Vera has earned the right to get such a fight. While he did beat Pedro Munhoz in his last outing, it wasn’t overly convincing, and he lost fairly convincingly to Cory Sandhagen prior to that.
What's next for Jailton Almeida and Derrick Lewis after UFC Sao Paulo?
Cole Shelton - November 6, 2023
In the main event of UFC Sao Paulo, top-10 heavyweights collided as Jailton Almeida took on Derrick Lewis who accepted the fight on short notice. Almeida entered the fight coming off a first-round stoppage over Jairzinho Rozenstruik back in May in his first UFC headlining spot. He was a perfect 5-0 in the UFC coming into his second headling spot at UFC Sao Paulo. Lewis, meanwhile, had snapped his three-fight losing streak back in July with a first-round KO over Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
Watch | Marlon Vera trolls Sean O’Malley during his appearance on today’s episode of The MMA Hour
Cole Shelton - November 6, 2023
Marlon Vera trolled Sean O’Malley on Monday by calling into his ‘Suga’s’ appearance on The MMA Hour. On Monday it was announced that O’Malley would be defending his bantamweight title for the first time as he rematches Vera. It’s a fight that is years in the making, and ever since they fought back in August 2020, the two have continued to take shots at one another.
Ariel Helwani responds to recent criticism from former UFC champion Jamahal Hill: “I am not going anywhere”
Josh Evanoff - November 6, 2023
Longtime MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has responded to former UFC champion Jamahal Hill. Over the weekend, ‘Sweet Dreams’ put out a video slamming Ariel Helwani. The video itself took aim at the journalist’s recent interview with Chael Sonnen on The MMA Hour. ‘The Bad Guy’ got into it with him over Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, as well as the pay-per-view numbers accompanying it.
Bantamweight champ Sean O’Malley explains why the UFC should sign Dillon Danis
Josh Evanoff - November 6, 2023
Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley would like to see Dillon Danis in the UFC. ‘El Jefe’ has been out of action since his boxing match with Logan Paul in October. That was Dillon Danis’ first boxing match of his career, and he lost badly. He was easily outboxed by ‘The Maverick’, eventually being disqualified in the sixth round after attempting a takedown and guillotine on the YouTuber.