MMA News
Dricus Du Plessis opens up on the DM he received from Sean Strickland
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis has revealed that Sean Strickland sent him a DM after their altercation at UFC 296. Du Plessis and Strickland sat a few rows in front of each other at UFC 296, where some trash-talking led to an eventual physical altercation. Shortly after their cage side skirmish, Strickland revealed on his podcast that he sent a message to Du Plessis, and at UFC 297 media, the South African opened up on what was said in the text.
Oscar De La Hoya reacts to Dana White's fighter pay stance: "All I can say or do is laugh"
Zain Bando - January 17, 2024
The famed boxing promoter and former Golden Boy mainstay, Oscar De La Hoya, still hates UFC CEO Dana White’s disdain for fair fighter compensation. De La Hoya, whom MMA Mania recently interviewed, gave his thoughts on how the UFC and White do business, why boxing is thriving in its current environment and the myths White has about the other side of combat sports.
Sean Strickland absolutely goes off on Canadian reporter ahead of UFC 297: “Go f**k yourself”
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland wasn’t happy with a question a Canadian reporter asked him ahead of his UFC 297 title defense against Dricus Du Plessis. Ahead of his title fight, Strickland was at media day when a reporter asked the middleweight champ about his past comments about the LGBTQ+ community. The reporter said Toronto is known to have a strong LGBTQ+ community, and Strickland wasn’t thrilled about it and proceeded to blast him, ‘Tarzan’ also asked the reporter if he voted for current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Sean Strickland explains why Dricus Du Plessis is a "harder fight" compared to Israel Adesanya
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
Sean Strickland doesn’t think Dricus Du Plessis is better than Israel Adesanya but does think he will be a harder fight. Strickland pulled off arguably the biggest upset of 2023 as he beat Adesanya in a lopsided fashion to become the new middleweight champion. It was a stunning performance, and heading into his first title defense at UFC 297 against Du Plessis, Strickland thinks this fight could be more challenging, despite him thinking Adesanyais a better fighter.
WATCH | HBO releases trailer for 'The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez' documentary
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
HBO has announced plans to release a documentary about UFC women’s strawweight contender Tatiana Suarez. The 33-year-old wrestler has had a rough few years, to put it mildly. Following a 2019 win over Carla Esparza, Tatiana Suarez was forced to undergo a lengthy hiatus. Over the next four years, she missed out on fight after fight, opportunity after opportunity, due to a multitude of injuries. Most of them are neck-related.
Dricus Du Plessis says he’s open to fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC 300: “Give the fans what they want”
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
If Dricus du Plessis wins the middleweight title on Saturday, he’s down to face Israel Adesanya at UFC 300 in April. ‘Stillknocks’ is currently set to face Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 297 this Saturday night. In the first title shot of his career, the South African will face the newly crowned champion, Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ famously captured the title last September, with a unanimous decision win over Israel Adesanya.
PFL's Donn Davis takes shot after UFC postpones 'poor' Saudi Arabia event: "I don't think it's any coincidence"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
PFL executive Donn Davis believes that it’s not a coincidence that the UFC recently moved their March Saudi Arabia event. The rising organization is primed for a big, big 2024. With names such as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul poised to finally make their promotional debut this year, the PFL is excited about their future. A big part of that future is the influx of cash from Saudi Arabia.
Julianna Pena believes 'nobody' is excited for UFC 297 title fight between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
Julianna Pena believes that Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva are fighting for the chance to face her at UFC 297. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her rematch with Amanda Nunes in July 2022. That night saw Julianna Pena absolutely battered, and lose her UFC bantamweight gold. The following year, ‘The Lioness’ retired following a win over Irene Aldana. In the process, leaving the women’s bantamweight division without a champion.
Current UFC 300 lineup and rumored fights
Susan Cox - January 17, 2024
Check out the current lineup for April’s historic UFC 300 event as well as some rumored fights for the blockbuster event. The current UFC 300 Fight Card reads as follows:
Israel Adesanya takes aim at Sean Strickland for getting “triggered” over trash talk from Dricus Du Plessis
Susan Cox - January 17, 2024
Israel Adesanya has taken aim at Sean Strickland for getting ‘triggered’ over the trash talk from Dricus Du Plessis. UFC 297 is taking place on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are extremely cordial in backstage meeting at UFC 297 (Video)
Susan Cox - January 17, 2024
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis were extremely cordial in their backstage meeting ahead of UFC 297. UFC 297 takes place this coming Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Stamp Fairtex faces Denice Zamboanga in first title defense at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 17, 2024
Stamp Fairtex will make the first defense of her ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title against Denice Zamboanga. The bout will be one of the co-feature attractions at ONE 166: Qatar. This will air live from the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
Sean O'Malley was surprised that Cody Garbrandt called for Deiveson Figueiredo fight
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has expressed his surprise at Cody Garbrandt calling for a fight with Deiveson Figueiredo. For the longest time now, Cody Garbrandt has been facing an uphill battle. While he’s a former champion at 135 pounds, he’s had to deal with a lot of setbacks in the form of big defeats in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, after a return to knockout form last year, ‘No Love’ made it crystal clear that he believes he has another title run in him in the near future.
Mackenzie Dern set to replace Tatiana Suarez and fight Amanda Lemos at UFC 298
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
As per The Orange County Register, Mackenzie Dern will replace the injured Tatiana Suarez in a showdown with Amanda Lemos at UFC 298. Many fans were excited to see the return of Tatiana Suarez next month with the belief being that it’s just a matter of time before she becomes a number one contender. Alas, that isn’t going to happen, with an injury ensuring that her contest with Amanda Lemos will not go ahead – for now.
Justin Gaethje and Bobby Green open as favorites in blockbuster UFC 300 fights
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
Justin Gaethje and Bobby Green have opened as the two favorites in their recently announced UFC 300 fights. Last night, UFC president Dana White made two huge announcements within the context of UFC 300. We already know it’s going to be one of the biggest events in promotional history, but on Tuesday, the card got even stronger. With three months to go, more contests are likely to be announced, but we’re off to a great start based on this evidence.
UFC stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann set to take part in TV show
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are set to star in their own TV show, the BBC has announced. Over the course of the last few years, Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann have become two of the most recognizable faces in English mixed martial arts. The two Liverpudlians have been riding a huge wave of momentum, to the point where they’ve become ever-present members of the UFC roster.
Liam Nolan wants Regian Eersel next: “I think I have a good style to beat him”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 17, 2024
Liam Nolan exudes confidence that he is more than capable of putting an end to Regian “‘The Immortal” Eersel‘s dominant reign. Since joining ONE Championship in 2018, “The Immortal” has been virtually unstoppable.
Daniel Cormier still not sold on Jim Miller being a Hall of Famer after UFC Vegas 84
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Daniel Cormier still doesn’t think Jim Miller is a UFC Hall of Famer. Miller scored a third-round submission over Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84 on Saturday to improve to 26-16 and one NC in the UFC. The American has the records for most fights and most wins in the UFC, but despite holding those records, he has never held a title, which Cormier believes is why he shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame.