MMA News
Dana White reflects on failed boxing match against Tito Ortiz: "He knows I would've beat the s*it out of him"
Josh Evanoff - February 27, 2024
UFC President Dana White has zero doubt how a boxing match with Tito Ortiz would’ve gone. The rivalry between the promoter and ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ is the stuff of legend. While Dana White was first the manager of Tito Ortiz, he eventually fell into a role as the leader, and face of the UFC. Not long after that, the two began feuding, and wouldn’t stop for two decades.
Israel Adesanya reveals he agreed to headline UFC 300 against Dricus Du Plessis but the champ turned it down
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2024
Israel Adesanya has revealed that he was offered to headline UFC 300 against Dricus Du Plessis for the middleweight title. Adesanya’s coach recently came out and shared that ‘The Last Stylebender’ had ended his hiatus and was back in training and ready to return to MMA. Immediately, many thought that meant he would main event UFC 300, but the promotion ultimately booked Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill for April’s pay-per-vieww headliner.
Raul Rosas Jr. details the illness that forced him to withdraw from UFC Mexico City
Susan Cox - February 27, 2024
Raul Rosas Jr. is detailing the illness that forced him to withdraw from UFC Mexico City. UFC Mexico City took place this past weekend, on Saturday, February 24th, at the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Mexico.
Dan Hooker confirms Israel Adesanya was originally targeted to headline UFC 300: “I was not surprised at all”
Susan Cox - February 27, 2024
Dan Hooker is confirming that former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was originally targeted to headline UFC 300. According to Hooker, Israel Adesanya was ready, willing and able to headline the historic UFC 300, but it was middleweight champion, Dricus Du Plessis who turned the offer down.
Amir Aliakbari aims to sustain career resurgence at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 27, 2024
Amir Aliakbari exudes confidence as he approaches the most important bout of his professional career. The Iranian colossus faces former ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion Arjan Bhullar at ONE 166: Qatar on Friday, March 1. This historic event takes place at Lusail Sports Arena.
Anatoly Malykhin assures to be in “great shape” ahead of middleweight title clash
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 27, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin is poised to make history on Friday, March 1, as he vies for his third MMA World Title in ONE Championship. In the main event of ONE 166: Qatar, the Russian powerhouse challenges Reinier de Ridder for the ONE Middleweight MMA World Championship.
Movsar Evloev unloads on Ilia Topuria for his recent callout of Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2024
UFC featherweight Mosvar Evloev has questioned Ilia Topuria for calling out the likes of Khabib Nurmagmedov. Ever since becoming world champion, Ilia Topuria has been pretty busy. From interviews to celebrations and beyond, he’s enjoying life as the king. Alas, as you can imagine, there’s also been a lot of interest from other fighters who want to battle him. This includes Movsar Evloev, another undefeated fighter currently residing in the top 15 at 145 pounds.
Brian Ortega shakes up the featherweight rankings following win at UFC Mexico City
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2024
UFC star Brian Ortega has made his way up in the featherweight rankings following his win last weekend. On Saturday night, Brian Ortega went head to head with Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City. Despite a freak injury and a poor start to the first round, Ortega eventually turned things around and picked up a convincing win. Now, many are wondering what’s going to be next for him in the division.
Aljamain Sterling believes he could “exploit” the wrestling of both Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez after watching UFC Mexico City
Harry Kettle - February 27, 2024
Aljamain Sterling believes he could find success against Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez through his wrestling. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling will attempt to make a winning start to life at featherweight as he prepares to battle Calvin Kattar. The expectation is that it’ll be an all-action affair, with Sterling beginning his pursuit of a second world title.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 155 with David Feldman, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Steven Peterson
Cole Shelton - February 27, 2024
The 155th episode of Just Scrap Radio is live to preview UFC Vegas 87 and talk about the latest in combat sports. We’re first joined by BKFC founder David Feldman (1:16). Next, 12th-ranked UFC heavyweight Jairzinho Rozenstruik (16:01) comes on. Closing out the show is former UFC featherweight Steven Peterson (24:45).
Thanh Le promises to knockout old foe Tang Kai: “It's going to be a finish”
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 27, 2024
Thanh Le is determined to settle the score with Tang Kai in the most decisive way possible. Both men will run it back in a ONE Featherweight MMA World Title unification bout at ONE 166: Qatar this Friday, March 1. The historic event takes place at the majestic Lusail Sports Arena.
What's next for Brandon Royval and Brandon Moreno after UFC Mexico City?
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2024
In the main event of UFC Mexico City, top three flyweights threw down as Brandon Moreno took on Brandon Royval in a rematch from their 2020 fight. Moreno entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Alexandre Pantoja in July to lose his flyweight title. Royval, meanwhile, also lost to Pantoja by decision back in December for the flyweight title.
Former UFC fighter Mike Perry sounds off on “childish” Dana White
Susan Cox - February 26, 2024
Former UFC fighter, Mike Perry, is sounding off on the ‘childish’ antics of Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White. UFC CEO Dana White praised Merab Dvalishivili (17-4 MMA) after his unanimous decision victory over Henry Cejudo (16-4 MMA) at UFC 298 earlier this month. With the win ‘The Machine’ has an incredible 10 consecutive victories in the Octagon.
Michael Bisping, Chael Sonnen, and more to testify on UFC's behalf at antitrust trial in April
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
UFC employees such as Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen will likely be testifying in April. In 2014, several former fighters including the likes of Nate Quarry and Cung Le began suing the UFC. The claim made by the former athletes is that the promotion has illegally abused its power by operating effectively as a monopoly in MMA. They secured dominance by buying out competitors such as PRIDE and Strikeforce, enabling them to pay as little as 13% of revenue.
Oscar De La Hoya offers to fight Dana White on co-main of Sean O'Malley vs. Ryan Garcia: "Hell of a promotion"
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
Oscar De La Hoya is cool with UFC President Dana White, but he wouldn’t mind boxing him. Over the last few days, there have been discussions of Ryan Garcia vs. Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ has shown interest in stepping into the boxing ring for a while now. Earlier this year, the UFC champion revealed that he already broached the subject of facing ‘KingRy’ in the future with Dana White and top executives.
Jon Jones vows to defeat Francis Ngannou before MMA career is over, 'The Predator' responds: "You're f*cking fat!"
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is confident that he will one day meet PFL star Francis Ngannou. ‘Bones’ appeared at PFL vs. Bellator over the weekend in Saudi Arabia. However, Jon Jones was there seemingly in a ceremonial role, as he was still healing from a torn pec. The heavyweight champion suffered the injury preparing for a fight with Stipe Miocic last fall and is expected to be out of action for most of this year.
Brandon Royval reveals he likely tore his MCL in first minute of UFC Mexico City main event against Brandon Moreno
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2024
Brandon Royval had to fight through a serious injury during his UFC Mexico City main event fight against Brandon Moreno. Royval stepped up on short notice to rematch Moreno, in a fight he was a sizeable underdog in. In the first minute of the fight, ‘Raw Dawg’ appeared to injure his knee, as he even mentioned it after the first round to his corner.
Gilbert Burns claims Belal Muhammad doesn't deserve a title shot, 'Remember The Name' claps back: "This bum has done nothing"
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2024
Gilbert Burns doesn’t think Belal Muhammad deserves a welterweight title shot. Burns and Muhammad fought last May in the co-main event of UFC 288, with Muhammad winning a clear-cut five-round decision. Since then, neither Muhammad nor Burns has fought as ‘The Remember The Name’ is looking to fight for the belt next time out. However, Burns doesn’t think Muhammad should get the next title shot.