MMA News
Sean O'Malley reveals UFC already shot down potential boxing match with Devin Haney: "No one knows him"
Josh Evanoff - October 31, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley isn’t going to be fighting Devin Haney. ‘Sugar’ is currently awaiting his first title defense, last defeating Aljamain Sterling in August. That knockout victory handed Sean O’Malley the bantamweight championship, and he quickly zeroed in on a rematch with Marlon Vera next. However, he’s instead been in a war of words with Devin Haney.
Tom Aspinall says Francis Ngannou should've beaten his training partner Tyson Fury: "I couldn’t believe it. I’m still shocked."
Cole Shelton - October 31, 2023
Tom Aspinall thinks Francis Ngannou should have gotten his hand raised over Tyson Fury. Aspinall is a longtime training partner of Fury and a close friend of his, but the UFC heavyweight contender admits he was shocked to see how Fury vs. Ngannou played out. Tyson Fury entered the fight as a massive betting favorite, as many, including Aspinall, expected him to cruise to a win.
Chael Sonnen details the “huge mistake” Justin Gaethje is making in his pursuit for a lightweight title shot
Susan Cox - October 31, 2023
Chael Sonnen is detailing the ‘huge mistake’ Justin Gaethje is making in his pursuit for a lightweight title shot. Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) is the current UFC lightweight champion.
Dana White announces stacked UFC Austin fight card for December 2
Susan Cox - October 31, 2023
Dana White has announced a stacked UFC Austin fight card for December 2nd. UFC Austin will takes place on Saturday, December 2nd at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 144 with Vinc Pichel and Modestas Bukauskas
Cole Shelton - October 31, 2023
The 144th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Sao Paulo. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Vinc Pichel (1:17). Closing out the program is UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (14:11).
Chael Sonnen explains how Francis Ngannou still “fumbled the bag” by not accepting a fight with Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023
Chael Sonnen believes Francis Ngannou still somewhat “fumbled the bag” despite his fight against Tyson Fury. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou battled Tyson Fury in a boxing superfight. While Fury got the split decision win, Ngannou was able to drop ‘The Gypsy King’ in the third round. In addition to that, many fans felt as if Ngannou actually did enough to get his hand raised in victory.
Undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner chimes in after Cris Cyborg calls out Katie Taylor
Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023
Boxing super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner has called out Cris Cyborg for a superfight. Following on from her win over Cat Zingano, Cris Cyborg is on top of the world. She seems to have conquered just about everyone she can in mixed martial arts, with her focus now shifting to professional boxing.
Demetrious Johnson advises Francis Ngannou to walk away from MMA following Tyson Fury fight: “There's nothing left for him to do in that sport”
Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023
MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has advised Francis Ngannou to focus on boxing after his fight against Tyson Fury. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou surprised a whole lot of people. He went toe to toe with Tyson Fury in what proved to be a really competitive encounter. He even dropped Fury, but in the end, it was ‘The Gypsy King’ who was given the controversial split decision win.
Magomed Abdulkadirov aims to shock the world at ONE Fight Night 16: “Force My Opponent To Make Mistakes”
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 31, 2023
Magomed Abdulkadirov is on a mission to put the submission grappling world on notice, and his opportunity to do so comes on November 3. He faces Tye Ruotolo for the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title. The bout takes place at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video and broadcasts live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Zhang Peimian outlines path to victory at ONE Fight Night 16: “High-frequency striking”
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 31, 2023
Zhang Peimian knows that he cannot afford to slip up in his next assignment. The Chinese kickboxer is booked to slug it out with Rui Botelho in a three-round strawweight duel at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video. This event airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 3.
Robert Whittaker weighs in on proposed Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland matchup: “It's going to be a hard fight”
Susan Cox - October 30, 2023
Robert Whittaker is weighing in on the proposed Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland match-up. Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) is hot off a majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) which took place on October 21st at UFC 294.
Eddie Hearn wants to see Joshua vs. Ngannou: "Absolutely massive"
Zain Bando - October 30, 2023
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said he liked what he saw from former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou Saturday night in a losing effort to Tyson Fury. Although Ngannou did not possess prior boxing experience before facing the WBC heavyweight champion, Hearn said Ngannou’s fights would generate more and more attention moving forward.
Francis Ngannou opens as betting underdog in potential rematch against Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder favored to be next opponent
Cole Shelton - October 30, 2023
Francis Ngannou would be the betting underdog once again if he rematches Tyson Fury. Ngannou was a massive underdog against Fury, as the Brit was an above -1000 favorite. Many expected Fury to cruise to a win given it was Ngannou’s boxing debut. However, the fight was much closer as Ngannou even dropped Fury, and when the final bell rang, people were split on who won.
Mike Tyson doesn't believe Francis Ngannou's loss to Tyson Fury was a robbery: "Everyone knew the outcome!"
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
Mike Tyson doesn’t necessarily believe that Francis Ngannou was robbed in his boxing match with Tyson Fury. ‘The Predator’ made his boxing debut over the weekend against ‘The Gypsy King’ in Saudi Arabia. For his part, Francis Ngannou entered the matchup a massive underdog, despite his all-star corner, including Mike Tyson, Eric Nicksick, and Dewey Cooper. Meanwhile, Tyson Fury was a 14-to-1 favorite for the bout.
Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili reportedly in the works for January 2024
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
UFC bantamweight contenders Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili will reportedly meet next year. ‘Triple C’ has been out of action since his long-awaited return in May against Aljamain Sterling. The fight was Henry Cejudo’s first in over three years and he suffered a close decision defeat. Following the defeat, he called out ‘The Funk Master’s teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, for a title-eliminator bout. However, the former champion was later booked for a canceled fight with Marlon Vera.
Francis Ngannou reveals Deontay Wilder talks have begun for potential PFL fight: "He's really serious about the MMA"
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou might end up welcoming Deontay Wilder to the cage in 2024. ‘The Predator’ is fresh off his boxing debut over the weekend in Saudi Arabia against Tyson Fury. Despite entering the contest a massive underdog, Francis Ngannou nearly upset ‘The Gypsy King’. While he suffered a split-decision loss, he was praised by many, including Eddie Hearn, Mike Tyson, and more.
REPORT | Bellator sale to PFL has been finalized, will take over the company in 2024
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
It seems that the PFL’s sale with Bellator might be going through after all. As most MMA fans are aware, the Scott Coker-led company has had its troubles in 2023. For most of this year, Bellator has been linked to a potential sale to the PFL. The news was first reported by Todd Atkins earlier this summer. For the most part, the million-dollar deal has been played out in public, as Viacom confirmed their plans to drop combat sports from Showtime.
Francis Ngannou says he'd "like to know" Dana White's thoughts after his boxing match with Tyson Fury
Cole Shelton - October 30, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is interested in knowing what Dana White thought of his boxing match against Tyson Fury. Earlier this year, the UFC announced that Ngannou would be released from his deal, as the two sides did not see eye-to-eye. Throughout Ngannou’s contract negotiation, he and White were not getting along, and when he became a free agent, the UFC CEO wasn’t thrilled with his former champ.