MMA News
Sean Strickland admits he’s “a little” mentally unstable: “I'll wake up some days wanting to strangle a puppy”
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland admits he is a little mentally unstable. Strickland has never been afraid to say what is on his mind and he often gets close or does cross the line with what he says. He has said a lot of that is due to how he was raised, explaining the situation on Theo Von’s podcast speaking about his childhood.
Kevin Holland thinks Michael Page is just focused on getting "paid" ahead of UFC debut
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Kevin Holland thinks Michael Page only cares about getting paid ahead of his UFC debut. Page signed with the UFC last year and it was announced he would be making his debut at UFC 299 against Kevin Holland. It was a bit of a surprise that ‘MVP’ had signed with the UFC as he is about to turn 37 next month. Yet, Holland thinks Page finally signed with the UFC because he knows his career is coming to an end and he wanted to get paid as much as possible.
Islam Makhachev names Anatoly Malykhin as “most dangerous guy on the planet”
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 5, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin has earned the respect and admiration of Islam Makhachev following the Russian hard-hitter’s historic milestone. The unprecedented feat unfolded in his epic rematch against Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar last Friday, March 1.
Sean O'Malley's coach takes blame for loss to Marlon Vera at UFC 252: "That was definitely a mistake"
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Tim Welch, the head coach of Sean O’Malley is taking the blame for ‘Suga’s’ UFC 252 loss to Marlon Vera. O’Malley’s lone career loss came by first-round TKO to Vera in a fight that ‘Suga’ hurt his ankle in the first round. O’Malley entered the fight as a sizeable betting favorite but in the scrap, he rolled his ankle several times and ended up not being able to get back to his feet.
Francis Ngannou reveals the fight he wants after Anthony Joshua: "I still have those three names"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
PFL star Francis Ngannou still wants to meet Deontay Wilder in the boxing ring. ‘The Predator’ is currently slated to return to the boxing ring this Friday night, against Anthony Joshua. The bout will be Francis Ngannou’s second in the sport, previously crossing over to face Tyson Fury in October. In his debut, the former UFC champion dropped, and cut ‘The Gypsy King’ in their ten-round bout.
Dricus Du Plessis details why he rejected Israel Adesanya fight offer for UFC 300
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is detailing why he rejected the offer to fight Israel Adesanya at April’s historic UFC 300 event. UFC 300 takes place of Saturday, April 13th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Khabib Nurmagomedov opens up on life after stepping back from MMA: "I like fighting more than talking"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired from fighting, but not coaching. ‘The Eagle’ is one of the more interesting figures in MMA history. Holding a 29-0 undefeated record, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the rare athlete to retire in his prime. Due to the death of his father, the Russian retired after a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje in 2020.
Conor McGregor shows interest in December boxing match with Manny Pacquiao: "It's still there"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
Former UFC two-weight champion Conor McGregor is down to face Manny Pacquiao in boxing. ‘The Notorious’ is currently awaiting his return to the octagon. Conor McGregor famously broke his leg in his July 2021 trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, and he’s been on the sidelines since then. As of now, the Irishman is hoping to return to the UFC cage later this year against Michael Chandler.
Conor McGregor reveals new two-fight plan which includes Nate Diaz trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Conor McGregor is hopeful to fight two times this year, as he took to social media to reveal his new plan. McGregor has not fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he has been rehabbing and is getting closer to a return. He said back in December he would return in June against Michael Chandler in a highly anticipated matchup.
UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
The countdown is on for UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ which takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The Early Prelims will kickoff this Saturday at 6pm ET / 3pm PT in the United States on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. The Prelims will air at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on ESPN, ESPN News and ESPN+. The Main Card will air exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.
Francis Ngannou’s coach guarantees ‘The Predator’ will knockout Anthony Joshua: “Lightning will strike twice”
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou’s coach is guaranteeing ‘The Predator’ will knockout Anthony Joshua in their upcoming boxing bout. It will be Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) battling Francis Ngannou (0-1) in a 10-round heavyweight main event bout from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this coming Friday, March 8th.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 156 with AJ McKee, Kyler Phillips, and Anthony Taylor
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
The 156th episode of Just Scrap Radio is live to preview UFC 299 and talk about the latest in combat sports. We’re first joined by former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee (1:16). Next, UFC bantamweight Kyler Phillips (13:25) comes on. Closing out the program is boxer Anthony Taylor (23:22).
Sean O’Malley believes Umar Nurmagomedov is probably “the toughest fight” at bantamweight: “I believe Umar is a potential superstar”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
Sean O’Malley believes that Umar Nurmagomedov serves as one of the toughest fights available to him at bantamweight. This weekend, Sean O’Malley will attempt to cement his position as one of the biggest stars in MMA. He’ll do so by defending his championship against long-time rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
Chatri Sityodtong claims ONE heavyweight champion Anatoly Malykhin would “smash” Francis Ngannou in MMA: “The greatest Heavyweight on the planet”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong believes Anatoly Malykhin would defeated Francis Ngannou in an MMA fight. Last weekend, Anatoly Malykhin made history. He finished Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166, earning himself a third world title in the promotion. In the eyes of many, Malykhin is easily one of the best heavyweights on the planet.
Gilbert Burns walks back on comments about Belal Muhammad not deserving a UFC title shot: “I don’t like the guy very much”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
Gilbert Burns has gone back on his remarks about Belal Muhammad not deserving a UFC title shot. For the longest time now, Gilbert Burns has been a big fan favorite in the UFC. He may not always be the most successful, but he’s certainly one of the most entertaining fighters in the welterweight division. This weekend at UFC 299, he’ll attempt to make a real statement when he locks horns with Jack Della Maddalena.
Nong-O looks for rebound win against dangerous Kulabdam at ONE Friday Fights 58
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 5, 2024
ONE Friday Fights 58 brings together the old guard and the new blood as Nong-O Hama goes up against Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai. This three-round bantamweight Muay Thai clash takes place on April 5. It airs live in Asian primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jailton Almeida believes three rounds is better for Curtis Blaydes, eyes an interim title shot against Tom Aspinall in Brazil with a win
Cole Shelton - March 4, 2024
Jailton Almeida is glad he got rebooked against Curtis Blaydes but is disappointed the fight is only three rounds. Almeida and Blaydes were supposed to headline UFC Sao Paulo last November, but an injury to the American knocked him out of the fight. Almeida went on to dominate Derrick Lewis and then got rebooked against Blaydes at UFC 299 in Miami, which he was happy about. However, the Brazilian wishes it was five rounds as he feels like a twenty-five-minute contest favored him.
Michael Page foresees future title fight "in a stadium in the UK" against fellow Brit Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - March 4, 2024
Michael Page is ready to be part of the biggest MMA fight in UK history. Page is set to make his UFC debut on Saturday night at UFC 299 as he takes on Kevin Holland. The former Bellator welterweight contender is getting a top-15 opponent right away, as he looks to make an immediate statement to the UFC fans. It’s also a fight that excites Page a ton as he believes it is a fan-friendly fight.