MMA News
Ilia Topuria explains decision to move up to lightweight for his next fight: “I will not leave the title vacant”
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is elaborating on his comments about a lightweight move. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Just months after dethroning Alexander Volkanovski, Ilia Topuria met another featherweight great in the form of Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title bout riding a wave of momentum, having knocked out Justin Gaethje in April in a rare lightweight appearance.
Drakkar Klose explains why he doesn't think Joel Alvarez fight at UFC Tampa "makes sense"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2024
Drakkar Klose was expecting to fight a ranked opponent in his next fight. After Klose defeated Joaquim Silva at UFC 301 in May to extend his win streak to four in a row, the goal was to return later this year and against a ranked opponent. But, Klose suffered a minor injury in his win which he needed to take care of.
Ilia Topuria's coach explains why his fighter wants to move up to UFC lightweight division: 'He don't want to do this anymore'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024
Ilia Topuria has expressed a desire to move on from the featherweight division, and his coach has explained why. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight titleholder. He’s had one successful title defense and that was a huge knockout victory over Max Holloway at UFC 308 back in October. To capture the gold at 145 pounds, Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski. While some might say a move to lightweight is too soon for Topuria, he’s already beat two future UFC Hall of Famers and stalwarts of the featherweight division.
Deiveson Figueiredo questions why Alexandre Pantoja hasn't mentioned his name as potential opponent following UFC 310
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024
Deiveson Figueiredo is calling for a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja. Back in July 2019, Figueiredo defeated Pantoja in a bout that earned “Fight of the Night” honors. Figueiredo eventually became a two-time UFC flyweight champion before moving up to the bantamweight division. As for Pantoja, he’s gone 8-1 since the loss to Figueiredo and he’s now the reigning UFC flyweight titleholder.
Joe Rogan unsure if Conor McGregor will return to UFC following recent sexual assault verdict: “He likes coke”
BJ Penn Staff - December 12, 2024
Joe Rogan is uncertain if we’ll ever see UFC star Conor McGregor back in the Octagon. On Nov. 22, a jury in Dublin, Ireland’s High Court ruled McGregor was civically liable for sexually assaulting a woman named Nikita Hand in local hotel room in 2018. The court ordered the former two-division UFC champion to pay just shy of $260,000 in damages, and the fallout continued from there, as many of his corporate partners — including his beloved Proper No. 12 whiskey — cut ties with him.
Maycee Barber provides positive update on her future after health scare
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC contender Maycee Barber has provided an update on her future in mixed martial arts following a recent health scare. Over the course of the last few years, Maycee Barber has been viewed as a real prospect. She started off incredibly young in mixed martial arts but now, after some fine-tuning and losses, she’s been able to string together a really nice run of form.
Belal Muhammad goes off on Conor McGregor over his actions and his future
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has gone off on Conor McGregor following the latter’s UFC 310 jokes. As we know, Conor McGregor has gone through a pretty big transition in the last month or so. After being found liable in his sexual assault civil case, the perception of the Irishman from the general public has shifted dramatically.
Michael Bisping explains why he wants to see Anthony Smith fight again after UFC 310
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has explained why he wants to see Anthony Smith fight again after his UFC 310 loss. Last weekend at UFC 310, Anthony Smith took on Dominick Reyes. It came just weeks after his close friend and coach Scott Morton suddenly passed away, leaving many to wonder whether or not he’d even make the walk. Alas, he did, and he wound up losing fairly convincingly.
Joaquin Buckley claims Colby Covington was "scared" to train with him in the past
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
Joaquin Buckley claims Colby Covington was scared to train with him in the past. While Covington was in training camp for the second fight against Kamaru Usman, Buckley showed up to MMA Masters. There, he says he met Covington for the first time, and when Buckley asked if he needed any help, ‘Chaos’ reportedly shot it down.
Corey Anderson vs. Vadim Nemkov 3 added to the undercard of Bellator Dubai in January
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
Bellator light-heavyweight champion Corey Anderson will face Vadim Nemkov again in January. Next month, the promotion is set to hold its biggest event since being bought by the PFL in late 2023. In the main event of Bellator Champions Series: Dubai, Usman Nurmagomedov will defend his gold against Paul Hughes. The 18-0 lightweight champion will look to halt the Irishman’s progress, who is fresh off a win over A.J. McKee in October.
Colby Covington sends threatening warning to Joaquin Buckley ahead of UFC Tampa: "I'm going to break every bone in his body"
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
Colby Covington has sent a scathing warning to Joaquin Buckley ahead of UFC Tampa. Covington and Buckley are set to headline UFC Tampa on Saturday in an intriguing welterweight bout. It’s Covington’s first fight in a year since he lost to Leon Edwards for the welterweight title.
Pro fighters make their picks for Colby Covington vs Joaquin Buckley
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2024
In the main event of UFC Tampa, a massive welterweight bout takes place as Colby Covington takes on Joaquin Buckley. Heading into the fight, Covington is a +230 underdog while Buckley is a -310 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the fight. The pros believe Buckley will get the biggest win of his career on Saturday night at UFC Tampa. Many of the pros wonder if Covington is past his prime and believe the short notice will also impact him.
Colby Covington unleashes on 'woman beater' Jon Jones: "He is a f*cking coward!"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC welterweight Colby Covington has again taken aim at heavyweight champion Jon Jones. ‘Chaos’ is set to return to the cage for the first time in a year this Saturday night in Tampa. Back for the first time since losing to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December, Colby Covington will meet Joaquin Buckley. For his part, ‘New Mansa’ is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Stephen Thompson in October.
Alexandre Pantoja believes Kai Kara-France is most likely title challenger following UFC 310 win: "Makes the most sense"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja believes a fight with Kai Kara-France is likely next. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Steve Erceg in May, Alexandre Pantoja faced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 32-year-old was granted a near-unprecedented title shot in his promotional debut, given the Brazilian’s dominance over the division.
Yuya Wakamatsu wants shot at vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2024
It’s been over two years since #2-ranked flyweight MMA contender Yuya Wakamatsu last challenged for the gold. And now that he’s accumulated a strong three-fight winning streak, the Japanese jouster wants his punt at the vacant belt. “Little Piranha” dominated newcomer Gilbert Nakatani this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium at ONE Fight Night 26, strengthening his chance to vie for the weight bracket’s coveted prize.
Dricus du Plessis claims Khamzat Chimaev fight was discussed before UFC 312 booking against Sean Strickland
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Dricus du Plessis has revealed that a UFC title defense against Khamzat Chimaev was initially discussed. When du Plessis steps back inside Octagon, he’ll be facing a familiar foe. The reigning middleweight champion will go one-on-one with the man he narrowly defeated for the gold, Sean Strickland. The two first collided in early 2024 and it was du Plessis who scored the split decision win to capture the 185-pound gold.
Daniel Cormier shares interesting theory on Ilia Topuria's callout of Charles Oliveira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Daniel Cormier has shared why he thinks Ilia Topuria called out Charles Oliveira. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion, but he has flirted with the idea of moving up to lightweight. In fact, he has already shown interest in expediting the process. More recently, “El Matador” suggest a clash with Oliveira where the winner gets a shot at the 155-pound gold.
Jonathan Di Bella satisfied with return to win column at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2024
Former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella proved he belongs in the mix for the weight bracket’s crown at ONE Fight Night 26. The Canadian-Italian executed a decisive three-round display against surging contender Rui Botelho this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.