MMA News
Sean Strickland takes aim at "fraudulent" Colby Covington
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Sean Strickland has taken a shot at Colby Covington. Strickland and Covington haven’t seen eye-to-eye for quite some time, but after ‘Chaos’ brought up Leon Edwards’ deceased father at UFC 296, their rivalry only escalated. Covington ripped Strickland for his comments about women and also said ‘Tarzan’ moved up to middleweight because he couldn’t hang with the “real division” of welterweight.
Official poster released for next month’s UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria event
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
The official poster has been released for next month’s UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria event. UFC 298 will take place on Saturday, February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Joe Rogan will not be a part of the UFC 297 commentary team
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
It has been announced that Joe Rogan will not be a part of the UFC 297 commentary team. UFC 297 takes place this coming Saturday, January 20th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jonathan Haggerty to defend Muay Thai crown against Felipe Lobo at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 16, 2024
ONE Championship’s next live event in U.S. primetime this 2024 will prominently feature Jonathan Haggerty’s highly anticipated first World Title defense. “The General” will put his bantamweight Muay Thai crown at stake against Felipe Lobo in the main event of ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. This broadcasts from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 16.
Several bouts announced for PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
Several bouts have been announced for the PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos. The much-anticipated PFL vs. Bellator event is set for Saturday, February 24th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 150 with Bruce Buffer, Gillian Robertson, and Jimmy Flick
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
The 150th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 297 in Toronto this Saturday. We’re first joined by the voice of the Octagon Bruce Buffer (1:14). Next, UFC strawweight Gillian Robertson (13:49) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC flyweight Jimmy Flick (23:36).
Conor McGregor scoffs at Michael Chandler’s claim about being the stronger man: “Lifting belts > Lifting weights”
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
UFC star Conor McGregor has laughed off Michael Chandler’s claim that he is the stronger man between them. At some point this year, we’re expected to see Conor McGregor finally square off with Michael Chandler. The expectation is that it’ll happen during International Fight Week this summer, but there’s been no official confirmation of that one way or the other.
Arman Tsarukyan's coach believes Charles Oliveira is “more dangerous” than current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “He's dangerous everywhere”
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan’s coach believes that Charles Oliveira is actually more dangerous than UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. At UFC 300, Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan will collide in a number one contender fight. The winner is expected to take on Islam Makhachev later this year, with their contest being used as a way to determine who the true top guy is to battle Makhachev.
Sean O’Malley responds to fans questioning his “star power” because of UFC 299 card: “It’s so funny”
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has responded to fans questioning his star power due to the strength of the UFC 299 card. At UFC 299, Sean O’Malley will defend his title against Marlon Vera in a massive grudge match. In addition to that contest, the Miami event is absolutely stacked with talent from head to toe. When you take a look at it as a whole, there’s a real argument to be made that this is one of the most impressive shows the promotion has ever produced.
Kwon Won Il calls out Fabricio Andrade after ONE Fight Night 18 win: "I’m coming for you"
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 16, 2024
It’s safe to say that Kwon Won Il will not rest on his laurels following his spectacular win at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video last Friday, January 12. The South Korean hard-hitter now has set his sights on a specific target — ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade.
What's next for Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker after UFC Vegas 84?
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 84, top 10 light heavyweights collided as Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker had their rematch. Ankalaev and Walker had first fought back in October at UFC 294, and the fight ended in a No Contest due to the Dagestani native landing an illegal knee in the first round. Before that, Ankalaev was coming off a draw to Jan Blachowicz for the vacant light heavyweight title. Walker, meanwhile, was on a three-fight winning streak before the NC against Ankalaev.
Jiri Prochazka explains why he didn't pull out of UFC 295 title fight despite battling staph infection
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2024
Jiri Prochazka battled a staph infection before his UFC 295 title fight against Alex Pereira but never thought of pulling out. Prochazka was set for his first fight since vacating the light heavyweight title due to a shoulder injury. After being away from the Octagon for nearly a year-and-a-half, Prochazka says he was adamant he would fight even though he couldn’t train and prepare properly due to the infection, which was started on his leg and went all the way to his ear.
Dricus du Plessis doubles down on 'Mr. Moral Compass' Sean Strickland: "He had that victim mentality"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Dricus du Plessis doesn’t care about Sean Strickland’s recent comments. The rivalry between ‘Stillknocks’ and ‘Tarzan’ has quickly, quickly become a heated one. Following Sean Strickland’s win over Israel Adesanya in September, he became UFC champion. This Saturday night in Canada, he will look to make his first title defense against the rising Dricus du Plessis.
REPORT | Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou winner to likely fight for undisputed heavyweight title next
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2024
The winner of Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua’s boxing match could be fighting for gold next. ‘The Predator’ and ‘AJ’ recently made their March boxing match official. Originally, Anthony Joshua was expected to face Deontay Wilder, but that bout fell apart after December’s Day Of Reckoning event. That night last month saw ‘The Bronze Bomber’ dominated by Joseph Parker, losing by unanimous decision.
Alex Pereira seemingly confirms Jamahal Hill fight is next: "Focus on what matters"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has confirmed plans to fight Jamahal Hill next. Over the weekend, Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker met in the main event of UFC Vegas 84. The bout was a rematch of their prior no-contest in October, and it wasn’t even close. The Russian scored a first-round knockout win and quickly set his sights on Alex Pereira.
Sean Strickland threatens to “stab” Dricus Du Plessis at the UFC 297 presser if he crosses the line: “I’m gonna go to jail”
Susan Cox - January 15, 2024
Sean Strickland is threatening to ‘stab’ Dricus Du Plessis at the UFC 297 presser if he crosses the line. Strickland (28-5 MMA) will be making his first middleweight title defense against Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) this coming Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dominick Cruz recounts the marketing advice he received from Conor McGregor: “Those are moments in time I look back at”
Susan Cox - January 15, 2024
Dominick Cruz is recounting the marketing advice he received from Conor McGregor. Cruz (24-4 MMA) last fought and was defeated by Marlon Vera (23-8 MMA) in a bantamweight bout in August of 2022.
Matt Brown believes he's the "front-runner" to face "f*****g legend" Jim Miller at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2024
Matt Brown has already texted Sean Shelby to try and make the Jim Miller fight at UFC 300. After Miller scored a third-round submission over Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84 on Saturday, he called out Paul Felder and Matt Brown as potential opponents for UFC 300. Miller has competed at UFC 100 and UFC 200, so Dana White has already promised him a spot on April’s historic UFC 300 fight card.