MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2024

Once bitter rivals in the ring, Tenshin Nasukawa has extended an unexpected gesture of goodwill toward Takeru Segawa. It all started in June 2022 when the Tokyo Dome played host to a monumental kickboxing clash between the two. The sold-out crowd of 56,399 witnessed an epic battle that ended with Nasukawa claiming victory by a close unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles - January 14, 2024

Paul Felder doesn’t know if he’ll ever have another pro MMA fight, but he isn’t shy to admit the thought of another bout is enticing. Felder’s last pro MMA fight took place back in November 2020. He dropped a split decision to former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. During the UFC Vegas 27 broadcast, Felder, who was on commentary duties that night, announced his retirement.

Fernando Quiles - January 14, 2024

Magomed Ankalaev has sent a clear message to UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Ankalaev was in action this past Saturday. He went one-on-one with Johnny Walker in the main event of UFC Vegas 84. This was a rematch, as Ankalaev and Walker fought to a no contest at UFC 294. Ankalaev landed an illegal knee strike, and the Octagon doctor called the fight off after evaluating Walker.

Fernando Quiles - January 14, 2024

Fans have shared their views on the UFC 297 card, and it isn’t pretty. UFC 297 will be held inside the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario on January 20. In the main event of the first UFC pay-per-view of 2024 it’ll be Sean Strickland putting his UFC Middleweight Championship at stake against Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland and Du Plessis have some bad blood brewing, and it led to the two brawling in the crowd during UFC 296.

Fernando Quiles - January 14, 2024

Unsealed documents have revealed a stunning text exchange between UFC CEO Dana White and then-UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta. In May 2014, the UFC was looking to book a light heavyweight title rematch between then-champion Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. The two had their first encounter back in September 2013, and it eventually earned a spot in the Fight Wing section of the UFC Hall of Fame. Jones won the fight via unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles - January 14, 2024

Marlon Vera has named one fighter who he is considering calling out if he becomes the UFC bantamweight champion. Vera will be challenging Sean O’Malley for the 135-pound gold at UFC 299 on March 9. Some have criticized the matchup, feeling that “Chito” hadn’t done as much as other contenders to warrant a title opportunity. Of course, the UFC feels it’s the most lucrative bantamweight title fight at this time.

Chris Taylor - January 13, 2024

Jim Miller is hoping to throw hands with Matt Brown at UFC 300 following his submission victory over Gabriel Benitez on Saturday night. Miller (37-17 MMA) collided with Benitez (23-11 MMA) in the co-headliner of tonight’s UFC Vegas 84 event at the Apex.

Chris Taylor - January 13, 2024

The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 84 event, an 11-bout fight card headlined by Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker 2. The highly anticipated light heavyweight rematch proved to be a coming out party for Magomed Ankalaev. After a close opening round, the Russian standout was able to get the better of Johnny Walker early and often in round two. Ankalaev eventually sent Walker crashing to the canvas with a big combination and promptly finished the fight with a follow up right hand (see that here).

Chris Taylor - January 13, 2024

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 84 event is headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. Ankalaev (17-1-1 MMA) and Walker (21-7 MMA) originally collided at October’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi, where their fight ended in a no-contest after the Russian tagged the Brazilian with an illegal knee.

Chris Taylor - January 13, 2024

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 84 event was co-headlined by a lightweight bout featuring Jim Miller taking on Gabriel Benitez. Miller (37-17 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring a 23-second knockout victory over Jesse Butler (see that here) this past June. The New Jersey native had gone 4-1 over his last five Octagon appearances ahead of tonight’s contest, scoring finishes in all four of those wins.

Chris Taylor - January 13, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Vegas 84 results, including the co-main event between Jim Miller and Gabriel Benitez. Miller (36-17 MMA) has gone 4-1 over his last five Octagon appearances, scoring finishes in all four of those wins. In his most recent effort this past June, the New Jersey native scored a 23-second knockout victory over Jesse Butler (see that here).

Chris Taylor - January 13, 2024

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Vegas 84 results, including the heavyweight bout between Andrei Arlovski and Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Arlovski (34-22 MMA), a former UFC heavyweight champion, will be looking to snap a two-fight losing skid when he takes to the Octagon this evening. Prior to those setbacks, the now 44-year-old had strung together a 4-fight winning streak, with all four wins coming by way of decision.

Cole Shelton - January 12, 2024

Marcus McGhee is ready to build off of his success in 2023. McGhee made his UFC debut in April of last year where he scored a second-round submission win over Journey Newson. He then followed that up with a first-round knockout over JP Buys in August. Although McGhee went 2-0 with two Performance of the Night Bonuses and is becoming more known, he says that doesn’t add any pressure to him.

Cole Shelton - January 12, 2024

Matheus Nicolau is frustrated with Manel Kape. Nicolau and Kape were set to have their rematch in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 84 tomorrow night in Nevada. However, on Friday morning, Kape weighed in at 129.5lbs, 3.5lbs over the flyweight limit. After Kape missed weight, the fight was scratched and he took to social media to claim Nicolau turned down the fight.

Cole Shelton - January 12, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White has announced the main event for UFC Atlantic City in March. White took to his social media accounts on Friday evening to confirm three fight announcements while also announcing the headliner of UFC Atlantic City. In the main event of UFC Atlantic City on March 30, seventh-ranked welterweight Sean Brady will take on ninth-ranked Vicente Luque.

Josh Evanoff - January 12, 2024

Francis Ngannou will be training in Saudi Arabia for his boxing match against Anthony Joshua. Earlier this month, ‘The Predator’ signed a deal to return to the boxing ring. Just a few months removed from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou signed a deal to face Anthony Joshua. The March 8th heavyweight clash was only possible due to Deontay Wilder’s upset loss last month to Joseph Parker.

Josh Evanoff - January 12, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has released a statement after missing weight earlier this morning. ‘Starboy’ has been out of the cage since a unanimous decision win over Felipe dos Santos in September. The victory was Manel Kape’s fourth in a row in the octagon, previously defeating names such as Ode’ Osbourne. Following that win last year, he was scheduled for a rematch with Matheus Nicolau, this Saturday at UFC Vegas 84.

Josh Evanoff - January 12, 2024

Sean Brady believes that his former opponent Belal Muhammad has to be next in line for a UFC title shot. ‘Remember the Name’ is currently in a bit of a weird position. In May, Belal Muhammad defeated Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision, in a fight that was labeled a title eliminator. The victory moved him to a ten-fight unbeaten streak, previously scoring wins over Sean Brady, among others.