MMA News
Rich Franklin to appear at USA Muaythai Grand Nationals
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 5, 2024
The American martial arts community will witness a momentous occasion when Rich Franklin makes an appearance at the 2024 USA Muaythai Grand Nationals Tournament. The four-day competition goes down at the Hockessin PAL Center in Delaware from Thursday, April 4, to Sunday, April 7.
Chael Sonnen pokes at 'Pet Idiot' Jorge Masvidal in creative haiku
Curtis Calhoun - April 4, 2024
The latest chapter in the ongoing beef between Chael Sonnen and former UFC star Jorge Masvidal featured creative writing. Sonnen and Masvidal have been on each other’s nerves for months. Things have quickly turned hostile between the two sides, leading to Sonnen needing extra security while working as an analyst at UFC 299 in Miami.
Daniel Cormier reveals gift that former UFC foe Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson left him shortly before he tragically passed away
Curtis Calhoun - April 4, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier and two-time light heavyweight title foe Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson had a special friendship. Cormier and Johnson had two intense battles inside the Octagon during their careers. Outside of it, their respect for each other was palpable, and they developed a strong relationship.
Brendan Allen eyes rematch with Sean Strickland with a win over Chris Curtis at UFC Vegas 90
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2024
Brendan Allen is hoping to avenge another one of his losses should he beat Chris Curtis at UFC Vegas 90. Allen is set to headline UFC Vegas 90 on Saturday when he takes on Curtis, who took the fight on short notice, this after Marvin Vettori was forced to withdraw from the bout due to an injury. Although Allen is fighting down in the rankings, it’s a chance for him to avenge a loss as he suffered a second-round TKO loss to Curtis back in 2021.
Chael Sonnen defends Ronda Rousey against critics of 'Greatest fighter' remarks: "It's a cautionary tale"
Curtis Calhoun - April 4, 2024
Chael Sonnen defended UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey against fan criticism over naming herself as the greatest MMA fighter of all time. Rousey retired from MMA after a loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207. After a 12-fight unbeaten streak during her professional career, she finished her UFC tenure with losses to Holly Holm and Nunes.
Michael Chandler predicts how targeted Conor McGregor fight ends
Curtis Calhoun - April 4, 2024
Michael Chandler plans for a quick night in the Octagon if his expected fight with Conor McGregor becomes a reality. Chandler is expected to face McGregor later this year. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since suffering a leg injury at UFC 264, is ramping up his fight camp for a UFC comeback.
Dan Ige offers to be Alexander Volkanovski's tune-up fight at UFC 305: "Happy to take the challenge"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Dan Ige wants to welcome Alexander Volkanovski back to the cage. ’50K’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC Vegas 86 in February. There, Dan Ige scored a first-round knockout victory over Andre Fili. The win was the featherweight’s third in his last four appearances in the cage. With that sort of recent success, Ige believes that he should be next for Alexander Volkanovski.
Sean Strickland believes "it's time" to fight Michael Chiesa over feud about dogs: "You haven't earned that right"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland wants to fight Michael Chiesa. ‘Tarzan’ regularly takes to social media with his thoughts about politics, pop culture, and society in general. That has led Sean Strickland to cultivate quite a big fanbase online. However, his newest take has earned him the scorn of UFC analyst Michael Chiesa, and several others.
Brendan Allen believes Dricus Du Plessis only has a "puncher's chance" against him if they ever fight
Cole Shelton - April 4, 2024
Brendan Allen is confident he’d beat UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis with ease. Allen is set to headline UFC Vegas 90 on Saturday in a rematch against Chris Curtis. The two fought back in 2021 and it was Curtis who won by second-round knockout.
Georges St-Pierre updates fans on his health ahead of potential combat sports return
Curtis Calhoun - April 4, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre got some encouraging news this week ahead of a potential return to fighting. St-Pierre was supposed to make his combat sports return in December at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5 grappling event. He was originally targeted to face former UFC foe Nick Diaz, but St-Pierre withdrew due to injury.
Coach reveals Charles Oliveira and Conor McGregor traded direct messages prior to the Islam Makhachev fight
Susan Cox - April 4, 2024
Coach Diego Lima is revealing Charles Oliveira and Conor McGregor traded direct messages prior to the Islam Makhachev fight. ‘do Bronx’ fought Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) back in October of 2022 at UFC 280. The result was a submission loss for Oliveira at 3:16 of round 2.
Frank Mir opens up on how he and Brock Lesnar were drastically underpaid for their fight at UFC 100
Susan Cox - April 4, 2024
Frank Mir is opening up about how he and Brock Lesnar were drastically underpaid for their fight at UFC 100. UFC 100 took place on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Smilla Sundell to battle Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 4, 2024
The main event of ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video promises an encounter like no other. In fact, two of Muay Thai’s biggest stars gear up to slug it out with 26 pounds at stake. Smilla Sundell puts her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against Natalia Diachkova. This five-round duel airs in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on May 3.
Ian Machado Garry vows to retire Colby Covington in potential UFC showdown: “He never puts on MMA gloves ever again”
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has reiterated his desire to take on Colby Covington as their feud continues to evolve. For the longest time now, Ian Machado Garry has been a rising star in the UFC’s welterweight division. In equal measure, though, he’s also gained quite a few critics along the way. From trash talk to accusations about his wife, the Irishman has had to deal with a lot outside of the cage.
Video | Sean O’Malley lays a beatdown on influencer Adin Ross after being gifted a new car
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
Sean O’Malley had a fun sparring session with influencer Adin Ross after the latter gifted him a new car following his recent win. Over the course of the last few years, Sean O’Malley’s popularity has gone through the roof. The eccentric star has been able to capture the UFC bantamweight championship and at UFC 299, he successfully defended it. He did so by dismantling long-time rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera in an emphatic performance.
MMA legend Cris Cyborg set to return to the boxing ring at Green Bay Fight Night on April 27
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
Mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg will make her boxing return against Widnelly Figueroa at Green Bay Fight Night. On April 27, as per a press release, Cris Cyborg will return to the squared circle. She’ll be putting her unbeaten 3-0 pro record on the line against Widnelly Figueroa (0-2), in a move that has come as a surprise to many.
Chael Sonnen encourages Joaquin Buckley amidst Ariel Helwani feud: "Don't answer questions. Handle them!"
Curtis Calhoun - April 3, 2024
Former UFC star Chael Sonnen weighed in on Joaquin Buckley’s recent tense back-and-forth with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Buckley defeated Vicente Luque by TKO at UFC Atlantic City last Saturday. It was arguably the biggest win of his career and skyrocketed his stock in the UFC welterweight division.
Damon Jackson expects Alexander Hernandez fight to be a "banger" for however long it lasts: "First round is going to be a fury"
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024
Damon Jackson is expecting his UFC Vegas 90 co-main event fight against Alexander Hernandez to be wild and chaotic for however long it lasts. Jackson is coming off a decision loss to Billy Quarantillo back in August, which was his second straight defeat. After the loss, Jackson focused on getting healthy and says he is now back to one hundred percent.