MMA News
What’s Next for Marat Grigorian After ONE Friday Fights 92?
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 25, 2024
ONE Friday Fights 92: Sitthichai vs. Shadow capped off a tremendous 2024 for ONE Championship. For #2-ranked featherweight kickboxing contender Marat Grigorian, the year couldn’t have ended better. The striking great scored a second-round TKO win over surging star Abdelali Zahidi in featherweight kickboxing action. The bout featured prominently on Friday, December 20, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.
Demetrious Johnson believes ONE rule set is superior
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 24, 2024
Former ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has competed worldwide for numerous promotions. And after all his experiences, he believes that ONE Championship’s rule set is superior. Johnson expressed his admiration for the ONE rule set during a recent episode of MightyCast with ONE Championship Vice President Rich Franklin.
Michael Bisping thinks judges got it right with Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 scorecards
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 24, 2024
Oleksandr Usyk has defeated Tyson Fury a second time, and UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping feels the score totals were justified. Usyk and Fury shared the ring inside the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past Saturday night. This was a rematch, as the two collided back in May. Usyk took the first fight via split decision, and while the second matchup was also competitive, the Ukrainian bruiser walked away with a unanimous decision verdict this go-around.
Paddy Pimblett explains why he wasn't impressed by Islam Makhachev's submission win over Dustin Poirier
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 24, 2024
Paddy Pimblett wasn’t exactly blown away by Islam Makhachev’s submission victory over Dustin Poirier. Back in June, Makhachev defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against “The Diamond.” The title fight headlined UFC 302 in Newark, New Jersey. It wasn’t an easy fight for Makhachev, but he held his own before locking up a choke for the finish in the final round.
Jon Jones details five-year plan for UFC retirement amid uncertainty of Tom Aspinall fight: "Money is a motivator"
Josh Evanoff - December 23, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has laid out his plans for the next five years. ‘Bones’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 309 in New York City last month. Back for the first time since a submission win over Ciryl Gane last spring, Jon Jones met former champion Stipe Miocic. The 42-year-old was ending his own hiatus, last being knocked out by Francis Ngannou in early 2021.
Francis Ngannou calls for rematch with Tyson Fury following loss to Oleksandr Usyk: "That's all that matters"
Josh Evanoff - December 23, 2024
PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou wants to face Tyson Fury in the boxing ring again. ‘The Gypsy King’ is fresh off his return to the boxing ring on Saturday in Saudi Arabia. There, Tyson Fury again met WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The bout took place just a few months after ‘The Cat’ edged out a split-decision win over the British heavyweight in May.
Paddy Pimblett seemingly teases showdown against Michael Chandler is next: "I'll see you at the top"
Josh Evanoff - December 23, 2024
Rising UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett could end up facing Michael Chandler next. ‘The Baddy’ hasn’t been seen since his clash with Bobby Green at UFC 304 in July. Heading into the bout, ‘King’ was seen as the biggest test of the rising Brit’s career. However, it took less than one round for Paddy Pimblett to submit the longtime lightweight, and earn himself a ranking at 155 pounds.
Tommy Fury goes off on Darren Till, blames him for fight cancellation: 'He's an idiot'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 23, 2024
Tommy Fury puts the blame on Darren Till for the cancellation of their planned boxing match. Fury and Till were expected to collide at Misfits Boxing 20 in early 2025. The fight was to be contested under traditional boxing rules. Till, a former UFC title challenger, threatened to go rogue and use MMA tactics on Fury. It didn’t take long after “The Gorilla’s” comments for the fight to be axed.
UFC veteran Jim Miller admits he still suffers from imposter syndrome
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2024
UFC veteran Jim Miller has admitted that he still suffers from imposter syndrome despite his incredible run in mixed martial arts. When it comes to legends in the UFC, few are bigger than Jim Miller. He is a cult hero at this point and even at this stage of his career, he’s still putting together highlight-reel moments. He’s an absolute gem of a fighter and a man, and we hope to see him stick around for as long as he desires.
Robert Whittaker teases shift up to light heavyweight in the UFC
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2024
UFC legend Robert Whittaker has teased the idea of moving up to light heavyweight for his next fight in the Octagon. As we know, Robert Whittaker is a real fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. He’s achieved some incredible things in the sport over the years, and his fun fight style runs nicely alongside his great personality. Alas, in his most recent fight, he suffered a big setback in the form of a brutal submission defeat to Khamzat Chimaev.
Joe Rogan praises what Daniel Cormier achieved in MMA
Harry Kettle - December 23, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has praised what Daniel Cormier has been able to achieve in the world of mixed martial arts. Throughout the course of his career, Daniel Cormier accomplished some incredible things. From his days as an Olympian to his dominant run in mixed martial arts, he didn’t waste any time. Nowadays, he’s enjoying life as an analyst and a commentator for the UFC after retiring.
Michael Chandler sends a message to Conor McGregor over long-awaited UFC collision
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.
ONE Championship: Three must-know storylines going into 2025
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.
Top UFC title contender backs Nate Diaz in backstage incident with Islam Makhachev's team
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.
Israel Adesanya explains why he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev: 'I was surprised'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2024
Israel Adesanya has offered an explanation for why he wants to eventually share the Octagon with Khamzat Chimaev. Adesanya and Chimaev have yet to cross paths. “The Last Stylebender” is coming off a failed bid to become a three-time UFC middleweight champion after being submitted by the current titleholder Dricus du Plessis. As for “Borz,” he’s fresh off the biggest victory of his pro MMA career, forcing Robert Whittaker to tap out in the opening frame of their bout back in October.
UFC 311: Arman Tsarukyan feels he's the only fighter who can defeat Islam Makhachev for lightweight gold
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.
Panpayak predicts he’ll be Superlek’s “toughest opponent”
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.
Manel Kape goes scorched earth on Kai Kara-France after recent comments: "I'll beat you till you love me"
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.