MMA News
Anatoly Malykhin more than ready to defend heavyweight crown
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 18, 2024
As the dust settles from his historic triumph at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month, Anatoly Malykhin finds himself in a unique position. At the forefront of his agenda is a ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title defense. It’s a task not taken lightly by the Russian powerhouse.
What's next for Marcin Tybura and Tai Tuivasa after UFC Vegas 88?
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 88, ranked heavyweights threw down at the Apex as Marcin Tybura took on Tai Tuivasa. Tybura entered the fight coming off a first-round TKO loss to Tom Aspinall last summer, while Tuivasa was on a three-fight losing skid and coming off a stoppage loss to Alexander Volkov.
Colby Covington reacts to Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 announcement: "Two complete washouts"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington doesn’t have anything good to say about Jorge Masvidal or Nate Diaz. Earlier this month, ‘Gamebred’ made his return to combat sports official. Jorge Masvidal famously retired following a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 last April, his fifth defeat in a row. However, he will now be making a return to the boxing ring. On June 1st on pay-per-view, Masvidal will meet former rival, Nate Diaz.
Francis Ngannou opens up on devastating knockout loss to Anthony Joshua: "I wasn't there anymore"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Francis Ngannou doesn’t remember anything past the first round of his boxing match with Anthony Joshua. Earlier this month, ‘The Predator’ made his return to the boxing ring in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since a split-decision loss to Tyson Fury in October, Francis Ngannou faced Anthony Joshua. While some moral victories could be taken from the MMA fighter’s first crossover into the sport, his second bout had none.
Mike Tyson's trainer downplays health risk ahead of Jake Paul bout: "He knows how to fight"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Rafael Cordeiro doesn’t want fans to worry ahead of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. The longtime head of Kings MMA has developed quite a friendship with ‘Iron Mike’ over the years. In 2020, when Mike Tyson was looking to make a comeback to the ring, he began training with Cordeiro. In the years since then, the two have remained close, and the MMA trainer has held pads for the legend.
Conor McGregor reveals there's been "no talk" with the UFC over his return
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
Conor McGregor is growing frustrated with the UFC as he says there have been no talks on his potential return. McGregor has been vocal about wanting to return in June against Michael Chandler and then again in September against Nate Diaz. Dana White has since shot down both of those ideas and said he isn’t even sure if McGregor will fight this year.
Islam Makhachev confirms he was offered Leon Edwards super fight for UFC 300: “I’m very upset”
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
Islam Makhachev has confirmed that he was offered a super fight with Leon Edwards for UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 takes place on Saturday April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Michael Page lists three names as potential opponents for his next UFC fight
Susan Cox - March 18, 2024
Michael Page is listing three names as potential opponents for his next UFC fight. Page (22-2 MMA) made his UFC debut taking on Kevin Holland (25-11 MMA) in a welterweight bout on March 9th at UFC 299. The result was a unanimous decision victory for ‘Venom’.
Report | Jose Aldo set to return to the Octagon at UFC 301
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2024
UFC legend Jose Aldo is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 301 following his retirement in 2022. For the longest time now, Jose Aldo has been seen as a legend in mixed martial arts. He’s a fan favorite, he’s a former champion, and he has always had a fantastic fight style. At the age of 37, however, many will wonder how much he has got left in the tank.
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.
UFC fighter Ian Machado Garry unloads on Colby Covington, Challenges Him To WWE Style "I Quit" Match
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 17, 2024
Ian Machado Garry has gone full WWE mode on Colby Covington. Garry and Covington have been going at one another with personal digs. Covington has gone as far as to call Garry a “c*ck.” More recently, Covington made a video where he called “The Future’s” wife a “gold digging w*ore.”
Nate Diaz stands with Conor McGregor amid UFC inactivity: "This was me for years before Conor even got here"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - 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 Jr. - 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 Jr. - 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.
Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones removing hand from his shoulder during tense run-in: "I wasn't there to be disrespectful"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 17, 2024
Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall recently had a tense moment, and the interim UFC heavyweight champion has now responded to the brief encounter. Jones and Aspinall were able to have a brief conversation during the Arnold’s Sports Festival UK in Birmingham, England. Aspinall put his hand on “Bones'” shoulder, but Jones calmly took his hand off of him. The two did have a cordial conversation about a potential fight, but Jones turned down a face-to-face photo with Tom. Instead, he opted for a regular side-by-side picture with Aspinall.
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.