Anatoly Malykhin more than ready to defend heavyweight crown
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 18, 2024
What's next for Marcin Tybura and Tai Tuivasa after UFC Vegas 88?
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
Colby Covington reacts to Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 announcement: "Two complete washouts"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Francis Ngannou opens up on devastating knockout loss to Anthony Joshua: "I wasn't there anymore"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
VIDEO | Mark Coleman seen at the gym just days after devastating house fire
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Mike Tyson's trainer downplays health risk ahead of Jake Paul bout: "He knows how to fight"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Conor McGregor reveals there's been "no talk" with the UFC over his return
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
Islam Makhachev confirms he was offered Leon Edwards super fight for UFC 300: “I’m very upset”
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
Michael Page lists three names as potential opponents for his next UFC fight
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
MMA News
Anthony Smith explains why he’s “offended’ by Vitor Petrino’s callout: “I refuse to be the new Neil Magny”
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2024
Anthony Smith explained why he was offended by being called out by his next opponent, Vitor Petrino. At UFC 301, MMA veteran Anthony Smith will return to action. He’ll take on rising prospect Vitor Petrino as he attempts to make a return to the win column. That won’t, of course, be easy, especially given how impressive Petrino has looked in the UFC thus far.
Francis Ngannou shares behind the scenes locker room footage from his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has shared some behind the scenes footage from his boxing showdown with Anthony Joshua. Earlier this month, Francis Ngannou went head to head with Anthony Joshua in just his second ever professional boxing match. It came hot on the heels of his narrow loss to Tyson Fury, which proved to the passes that he has a lot of potential inside the squared circle.
Kade Ruotolo vs. Francisco Lo official for ONE Fight Night 21
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 18, 2024
As the anticipation for ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video this April 5 continues to build, Kade Ruotolo joins the fanfare. The reigning ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion competes in a 180-pound catchweight contest against Francisco Lo. This bout takes place live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Paddy Pimblett targets UFC fight against Renato Moicano amid social media beef: "You owe me money, lad"
Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2024
Paddy Pimblett has something to say to Renato Moicano. Paddy “The Baddy” has had some back and forth exchanges with “Money” Moicano on social media. The Brazilian bruiser has gained some new fans with his hilarious personality, but Pimblett isn’t laughing. Back in January, Moicano poked fun at Pimblett’s weight gains after each fight. Moicano had the following to say on his YouTube channel:
Nate Diaz stands with Conor McGregor amid UFC inactivity: "This was me for years before Conor even got here"
Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2024
Nate Diaz has posted a message on social media in support of Conor McGregor. McGregor hasn’t been inside the Octagon since suffering a broken leg during his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier back in July 2021. McGregor has expressed frustration due to the fact that a fight hasn’t been booked for his return. UFC CEO Dana White has said that Conor McGregor’s next fight is up to how “Mystic Mac” is feeling about wanting to step back inside the Octagon when he’s made a substantial amount of money throughout his career and outside of fighting.
Michael Bisping applauds Marcin Tybura for "beautiful" strategy in submission win over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Vegas 88
Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2024
Michael Bisping believes Marcin Tybura’s game plan against Tai Tuivasa worked to perfection. Tybura shared the Octagon with “Bam Bam” in the main event of UFC Vegas 88. The Polish heavyweight didn’t allow the fight to move past round one. Tybura ended up choking out Tuivasa in the opening frame. It was a solid rebound victory for Tybura, who was coming off a first-round TKO loss against the current interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall. Tybura has now gone 8-2 in his last 10 outings, and he earned his fourth Performance of the Night bonus.
Marcin Tybura thinks Tai Tuivasa has earned another UFC fight: "He deserves one more shot"
Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2024
Marcin Tybura is all class following his technical submission victory over Tai Tuivasa at UFC Vegas 88. Tybura choked out Tuivasa in the first round, handing “Bam Bam” his fourth loss in a row. While Tuivasa has become a fan favorite over the years, many believe he could be in danger of losing his spot on the UFC roster.
Marvin Vettori sends harsh warning to Brendan Allen after being removed from UFC Fight Night headliner
Fernando Quiles - March 17, 2024
Marvin Vettori has a message for Brendan Allen after being forced off their planned UFC Vegas 90 main event. Vettori suffered an injury, and it’s something he called a “freak accident.” Vettori ended up being replaced by Chris Curtis. While the one-time UFC middleweight title challenger won’t be facing Brendan Allen on April 6, he says he wants the fight once he’s healthy enough to return to the Octagon.
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg official for UFC 301 in Brazil
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024
UFC flyweight Alexandre Pantoja will defend the gold at home against the rising Steve Erceg in May. ‘The Cannibal’ is in a bit of a weird spot. As Alexandre Pantoja has pointed out on several occasions, he’s already defeated most top contenders at 125 pounds. As of now, the flyweight champion has scored victories over Brandon Moreno three times, Brandon Royval twice, and wins over the likes of Manel Kape and Alex Perez.
Arman Tsarukyan accuses Islam Makhachev of avoiding rematch: "He feels like I'm going to win"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes that Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight him. Back in April 2019, the Armenian stepped on short notice to face the rising Islam Makhachev. Despite being very young in his career, Arman Tsarukyan impressed many with his success against the future champion. Still, it was the Russian who claimed a unanimous decision victory after three rounds of action.
Daniel Cormier doesn't hold back on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: "It absolutely sucks"
Josh Evanoff - March 15, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier isn’t happy with Mike Tyson’s boxing return against Jake Paul. Earlier this month, ‘Iron Mike’ and ‘The Problem Child’ announced plans to compete in a boxing match this summer. The two stars will compete in a Netflix-produced event, in what will likely be Mike Tyson’s first real boxing match since 2005. However, depending on what the Texas State Athletic Commission says, the bout with Jake Paul may go down as an exhibition.
Chris Curtis replaces Marvin Vettori, set to rematch Brendan Allen at UFC Vegas 90
Cole Shelton - March 15, 2024
Chris Curtis will be stepping up on short notice to rematch Brendan Allen in the main event of UFC Vegas 90. It was revealed on Thursday that Marvin Vettori was out of his main event fight against Allen. After the news broke, Allen took to Instagram to call out several middleweights ranked ahead of him like Jared Cannonier and Robert Whittaker.
Exclusive MMA Interviews
Anthony Taylor explains why Gabe Silva fight fell through, wants boxing match against Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
Anthony Taylor was supposed to box Gabe Silva, the son of Anderson Silva, later this month but that won’t be the case anymore. Taylor, the former Bellator fighter, has become one of the top draws in influencer boxing as he’s currently the Misfits boxing light heavyweight champion. Taylor is 3-1 in Misfits and was booked to defend his title against Silva on March 23 which was exciting for the MMA veteran.
UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
In the main event of UFC 299, the bantamweight title is on the line as Sean O’Malley defends his strap in a rematch against Marlon Vera. Heading into the fight, O’Malley is a -280 favorite while the the challenger is a +210 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight title fight. The pros are actually going with the underdog in Vera to get his hand raised and become the bantamweight champion.
AJ McKee says he was "always keen on" re-signing with Bellator, open to returning to featherweight for Patricio Pitbull trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
AJ McKee always knew he was going to re-sign with Bellator. McKee is the former Bellator featherweight champion and was recently a free agent but opted to re-sign with the promotion. McKee says he is a loyal person and wanted to continue to be the face of Bellator going forward.
Kyler Phillips expects to be "too fast" for Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Kyler Phillips believes his speed and striking will be too much for Pedro Munhoz to handle at UFC 299. Phillips is coming off a decision win over Raoni Barcelos back in August and after the victory, he figured a ranked opponent would be next. Phillips is on a two-fight winning streak and is 5-1 in the UFC, so he’s eager to face someone like Munhoz who has fought some of the who’s who of the bantamweight division.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik believes UFC Vegas 87 fight against Shamil Gaziev comes down to "who lands first"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2024
Jairzinho Rozenstruik knows his UFC Vegas 87 main event fight against Shamil Gaziev won’t be needing the judges. Rozenstruik is coming off a stoppage loss to Jailton Almeida back in May which he admits was a tough defeat to deal with. After that, Rozenstruik said he wanted time off to fix some things but was hoping to return at the end of 2023.
David Feldman says there are "top-20 pound-for-pound" boxers who are in talks with BKFC: "You won't believe it"
Cole Shelton - February 28, 2024
BKFC founder David Feldman says fans won’t believe the boxers they are in talks with to sign with their sans gloves promotion. At BKFC 57 on Feb. 2, pro boxer Austin Trout won the BKFC welterweight title with a decision win over Luis Palomino. It was just his second fight in the sans gloves promotion as he beat Diego Sanchez in his debut.
BKFC founder David Feldman praises UFC CEO Dana White after recent meeting: "He's a real guy and I like him"
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2024
BKFC founder David Feldman has nothing but praise for UFC CEO Dana White. Feldman recently went to the UFC headquarters and met with White and what they talked about isn’t known. However, Feldman says he wanted to meet with White and after talking to him, he has nothing but praise for the UFC CEO, who also had kind words for the BKFC founder.
Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega 2
Cole Shelton - February 22, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC Mexico City, a rematch between top-four featherweights goes down as Yair Rodriguez takes on Brian Ortega. Heading into the rematch, Rodriguez is a slight -158 favorite while ‘T-City’ is a +124 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the featherweight fight at UFC Mexico City. In their first fight back in July 2021 Rodriguez won in the first round due to a shoulder injury suffered by Ortega. However, in the rematch, the pros are actually going with the underdog in Ortega to pull off the upset.
Pro fighters make their picks for Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval 2
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2024
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, a rematch between top-three flyweights goes down as Brandon Moreno takes on Brandon Royval. Heading into the fight, Moreno is a -310 favorite while the American is a +230 underdog. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the flyweight main event. The pros believe Moreno will get his hand raised again as he beat Royval back in 2020, and with the fight being in Mexico they believe he will let the crowd go home happy on Saturday night.
Max Griffin wants to "finish" his career in the UFC after fighting out his deal, hopes for a quick turnaround
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2024
Max Griffin is ready to re-sign with the UFC. Griffin fought out his contract at UFC Vegas 86 against Jeremiah Wells and he earned a hard-fought split decision win. Going into the fight, Grifin knew there was pressure on him to get the victory, but he believed that same pressure would prove to be good motivation and make him perform at his best.
Dan Ige says KO of Andre Fili was "pretty gangster," eyes return at The Sphere against any ranked featherweight
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2024
Dan Ige returned to the win column in a big way at UFC Vegas 86. Ige was fighting in the co-main event as he took on short-notice replacement Andre Fili. The Hawaiian was originally supposed to fight Lerone Murphy, but the Brit was forced out of the bout. Fili ended up being the replacement opponent, which was tough for Ige as he says the two are friends and have trained together in the past.
UFC 298 | Pro fighters make their picks for Merab Dvalishvili vs Henry Cejudo
Cole Shelton - February 15, 2024
On the main card of UFC 298 on Saturday in Anaheim, California, top-three bantamweights collide as Merab Dvalishvili takes on Henry Cejudo. Heading into the fight, Dvalishvili is a -205 favorite while ‘Triple C’ is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight fight at UFC 298. Ultimately, the pros are siding with the favorite as they believe Merab Dvalihvili’s cardio and relentless wrestling will be too much for Cejudo at UFC 298.