MMA News

Harry Kettle - December 23, 2024

UFC star Michael Chandler has sent a message to Conor McGregor, once again, over the possibility of a fight between them. As we know, Michael Chandler has been calling for a fight with Conor McGregor for as long as we can remember. The two men have been going back and forth for years at this point, and they were even set to face off earlier this summer. Alas, due to an injury sustained by the Irishman, that didn’t come to fruition.

Harry Kettle - December 23, 2024

BKFC icon Mike Perry has called for a potential showdown with Robbie Lawler for his proposed return to the ring. Over the course of the last few years, Mike Perry has carved out quite the career for himself. Following on from his run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, he decided to make his way over to the world of bare-knuckle boxing. In doing so, he became a superstar.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 22, 2024

Athletes from the United States have continued to shine in ONE Championship throughout 2024. From MMA to Muay Thai and submission grappling, American fighters have consistently showcased their skills, and this momentum is set to carry over into 2025. Here are three stars you should keep an eye on next year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024

One highly-rated UFC title contender is backing Nate Diaz in the bottle-throwing incident involving Islam Makhachev’s team. Diaz and Makhachev were in attendance for the UFC 310 event earlier this month. The Stockton native was supporting Kron Gracie for his fight against Bryce Mitchell. At some point, things escalated between Diaz and Makhachev’s team. Video surfaced of Diaz hurling a water bottle backstage.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024

Arman Tsarukyan believes he’s the only one who can dethrone UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan and Makhachev will share the Octagon a second time to headline the first UFC pay-per-view of 2025. They will clash for the UFC Lightweight Championship on January 18th. The two had a competitive matchup in their first meeting back in 2019, and it was Makhachev who earned the unanimous decision victory.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 21, 2024

Although combat sports are in an eternal state of change, some things remain the same. That can be said for Dante Leon and Tommy Langaker, who are about to reignite a rivalry at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev.  The wrestling wizards collide in a 180-pound catchweight submission grappling affair on Friday, January 10, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. 

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2024

Thai great Panpayak Jitmuangnon is working his way up the ranks. And he believes that if he keeps winning, another showdown with two-sport king Superlek Kiatmoo9 is possible.  Panpayak looks to end his 2024 comeback run at ONE Friday Fights 92 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with a win. He meets unbeaten Egor Bikrev in a flyweight Muay Thai tilt on December 20, following a successful return this past October. 

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape has responded to Kai Kara-France. ‘Starboy’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC Tampa over the weekend. Back for the first time since a loss to Muhammad Mokaev in July, Manel Kape met the rising Bruno da Silva. ‘Bulldog’ entered the fight riding a four-fight winning streak, but was battered over the weekend. Kape wound up handing the Brazilian a third-round knockout loss.

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2024

Francis Ngannou has weighed in on the massive boxing rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. This Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, ‘The Cat’ and ‘The Gypsy King’ will collide. Back for the first time since their May outing which saw Oleksandr Usyk earn a split-decision, they will clash once again. Ahead of the rematch, Tyson Fury has promised a knockout win. It’s a fight that Francis Ngannou has a keen eye on.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 20, 2024

Daniel Cormier believes he knows the deciding factor in how Colby Covington recovers from suffering back-to-back losses. Covington stepped inside the Octagon for the final UFC event and fight of 2024. He went one-on-one with surging welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley. Covington’s chin was certainly on display and he ate some hard shots from Buckley, who was as crisp as ever in the standup. While “Chaos” found a little bit of success with his grappling in round two, the damage from “New Mansa” was evident.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 20, 2024

Francis Ngannou believes the circumstances throughout fight week and on fight night for his clash with Anthony Joshua were suspicious. Ngannou and Joshua collided inside the boxing ring back in March. The heavyweight bout was held inside Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Joshua earned a second-round knockout win and the bout never looked competitive.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 20, 2024

One former UFC titleholder believes Khamzat Chimaev would be able to dethrone the current light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Rumors have been swirling since Pereira took to social media to claim that Magomed Ankalaev will not be his next title challenger. Some have speculated that Chimaev will move up from 185 pounds to challenge Pereira for the gold at light heavyweight.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024

UFC legend Jon Jones has teased what he could end up doing when he eventually retires from mixed martial arts. As we know, Jon Jones is widely considered to be the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts. At this point, there are very few fans and pundits who dispute that. At the same time, he’s also the UFC heavyweight champion, and seems to have his eyes set on continuing his historic run next year.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024

Dan Hooker vs Justin Gaethje is reportedly being considered for a huge possible lightweight collision in the UFC next year. When you’re talking about the most entertaining fighters in the game, Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje have to be in the conversation. Throughout the course of their entire careers, they have put on some of the most incredible scraps imaginable. From violent knockouts to all-out wars, these two know how to do it all.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024

Robelis Despaigne dismantled Dominik Jedrzejczyk in short order at Karate Combat 51 with his usual electric style. When it comes to fun, striking heavyweights in mixed martial arts, few are better than Robelis Despaigne. Ever since he burst on the scene courtesy of his quick finishing ability and incredible size, people haven’t been able to stop talking about him. Unfortunately, things started to go south when he entered the UFC.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 19, 2024

A heated featherweight MMA showdown has been confirmed for ONE 171: Qatar.    Third-ranked contender Shamil Gasanov gets the clash he’s demanded versus the first-ever two-weight ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen. The pair will collide on Thursday, February 20, 2025, inside Doha’s Lusail Sports Arena.  

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 19, 2024

ONE Championship hasn’t closed out 2024 yet and the promotion is already in the process of making 2025 the biggest year yet.   This past Monday, ONE announced that at ONE 172 on Sunday, March 23, 2025, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will collide with former three-division K-1 World Champion Takeru Segawa. 

Cole Shelton - December 19, 2024

Gilbert Burns has responded to Colby Covington’s callout. After Burns leaked Chael Sonnen’s phone number, who is now Covington’s coach, ‘Chaos’ called out the Brazilian for his next fight. Covington said he wanted to get payback for Sonnen and felt like that fight also made sense.