MMA News
Merab Dvalishvili opens up on bad blood with Umar Nurmagomedov ahead of UFC 311 clash: "He needs to apologize"
Josh Evanoff - December 10, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili wants an apology from Umar Nurmagomedov. ‘The Machine’ finally has his first title defense set. Just a few months removed from defeating Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili will defend the gold against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January. For his part, ‘Young Eagle’ earned the title opportunity by defeating Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision in August.
UFC announces two fights for UFC London including potential title eliminator at light heavyweight
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2024
Two fights for UFC London on March 22 have been announced. The promotion took to social media to reveal two fights for the Fight Night card, and it includes a potential title eliminator fight at light heavyweight. The bout sees former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz take on rising contender Carlos Ulberg.
Christian Lee open to "immediate" rematch with Alibeg Rasulov
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 10, 2024
The long-awaited return of two-division ONE MMA World Champion Christian Lee was far from cathartic. Lee’s defense of his lightweight MMA gold against Alibeg Rasulov ended in a no contest following a poke to the eye of the challenger in the second round in ONE Fight Night 26’s main event this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Clay Guida issues statement following UFC 310 loss to Chase Hooper: 'We will be back'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2024
Clay Guida has issued a statement on his UFC 310 loss to Chase Hooper, and he isn’t going anywhere. Guida took on Hooper during the early UFC 310 prelims. “The Carpenter” was submitted in the first round via armbar. This is the first time in Guida’s pro MMA career where he’s dropped three fights in a row. During the UFC 310 post-fight press conference, Dana White admitted he’d like to see Guida retire.
Ilia Topuria claims he is moving on from featherweight, targets #1 contender bout with Charles Oliveira at lightweight
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has sensationally revealed that he could be planning on moving up to lightweight in the near future. For the longest time, Ilia Topuria has served as one of the most impressive fighters in all of mixed martial arts. For the most part, his accomplishments have come at featherweight, which is the division in which he currently holds the gold right now. Moving forward, the expectation was that he’d stay there and defend his crown – at least a few times, if he’s able to do so.
Aljamain Sterling admits he is contemplating retirement after recent loss at UFC 310: “I can’t train the way I used to”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
UFC star Aljamain Sterling has admitted that he is contemplating retirement from mixed martial arts following his recent setback at the hands of Movsar Evloev. At UFC 310, Aljamain Sterling faced a pretty tough test – and that’s us putting it lightly. He went up against an absolute machine in the form of Movsar Evloev, and in the eyes of many, he did just about enough to get the job done and get his hand raised. Unfortunately, the judges didn’t quite agree with that.
Kamaru Usman slams Ian Machado Garry for ducking accusations: “Who the f*** is that guy for me to be a late replacement for?”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman isn’t happy with recent comments made by top welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry. For the longest time now, Kamaru Usman has served as one of the biggest names in the welterweight division. Once upon a time, he was one of the most notable stars in the entire sport of mixed martial arts.
Dricus Du Plessis reacts after booking Sean Strickland rematch for UFC 312: “This time they won’t call it a robbery, they’ll call it attempted murder”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has issued a warning heading into his upcoming title showdown with Sean Strickland. At UFC 312, it’s been confirmed that Dricus du Plessis will defend his belt against Sean Strickland – the man he captured the title from. It’s a showdown that has been in the making for a while now, and although some felt as if Khamzat Chimaev deserved a crack at the gold, instead it will be former champion Strickland who gets the nod.
John Lineker excited to meet Kulabdam in “test of fire” at ONE Fight Night 27
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 10, 2024
There’s nothing former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker loves more than to land a one-punch knockout on his opponent. He’s done it time and again across his MMA career. And he’s kept that reputation alive and well into his Muay Thai chapter. But at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev, the Brazilian slugger meets Kulabdam in bantamweight Muay Thai on Friday, January 10, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
ONE 171: Qatar gets two ONE World Title headliners
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 9, 2024
ONE 171: Qatar has only just been announced but that hasn’t stopped ONE Championship from getting started on adding bouts to the fold. On Thursday, 20 February, 2025, ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty will defend his crown against #1-ranked contender Wei Rui inside Lusail Sports Arena.
What's next for the stars of UFC 310?
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2024
The UFC was in Las Vegas, Nevada for their year-end pay-per-view for a solid UFC 310 card. In the main event, Alexandre Pantoja was defending his flyweight title against UFC newcomer Kai Asakura. The co-main event saw a pivotal welterweight bout between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry.
Ciryl Gane reveals devastating injury suffered in controversial win over Alexander Volkov: "There was no foot left"
Josh Evanoff - December 9, 2024
Ciryl Gane fought Alexander Volkov with an injured foot at UFC 310 over the weekend. ‘Bon Gamin’ returned to the cage over the weekend in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since knocking out Serghei Spivac last September, Ciryl Gane faced off with Alexander Volkov once again. The Frenchman had handed ‘Drago’ a unanimous decision loss back in 2021, but the Russian entered UFC 310 riding a four-fight winning streak.
Dana White open to signing more RIZIN fighters despite Kai Asakura's loss at UFC 310: "I would love to do it"
Josh Evanoff - December 9, 2024
UFC President Dana White is open to working with RIZIN after Kai Asakaura’s debut over the weekend. On Saturday night in Las Vegas, the former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion made his promotional debut. In the main event of UFC 310, Kai Asakura met longtime flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja. With ‘The Cannibal’ having beaten most of the top ten, Dana White gave the Japanese star a title shot in his debut.
Colby Covington continues to take aim at Kamaru Usman: "He is a cheater and coward"
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2024
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has continued to take aim at his rival Kamaru Usman. Covington and Usman had a heated rivalry while ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ was the champion as they had two great fights. Although a trilogy does seem unlikely given both aren’t the champion, Covington continues to take aim at Usman as he called the former champ the opponent he hates the most.
Dominick Reyes reflects on UFC 310 win against 'true warrior' Anthony Smith: 'God bless Anthony'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2024
Dominick Reyes has reflected on his UFC 310 clash with a “true warrior” in Anthony Smith. Reyes and Smith collided on preliminary portion of the card. It was a tough ask of Smith to compete against a fellow ex-title challenger after losing his close friend and coach Scott Morton. “Lionheart” went through with the fight and he was ultimately stopped via second-round TKO.
Kamaru Usman reacts to Belal Muhammad being stopped by security at UFC 310: 'Joe Rogan had to vouch for you'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2024
Kamaru Usman shared a laugh at the expense of Belal Muhammad following the UFC 310 co-main event. Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry took the co-headlining spot. Initially, Muhammad was going to defend his gold against Rakhmonov, but a bone infection put a halt to that plan. Rakhmonov ended up scoring a close but unanimous decision win over Garry, cementing himself as the number one contender.
Daniel Cormier gives his thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov's face-off with Belal Muhammad
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier gives his thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov’s face-off with Belal Muhammad at UFC 310. At UFC 310, Shavkat Rakhmonov overcame Ian Machado Garry in what proved to be a really interesting and competitive fight. He managed to get the job done on the scorecards, marking the first time that he didn’t actually finish his opponent inside the cage.
Alex Pereira gives his prediction for possible Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall fight
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2024
Alex Pereira has expressed his thoughts on the heavily rumored title unification between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. For Alex Pereira, things are looking pretty great right now. He is the UFC light heavyweight champion, he’s already defended his belt three times, and he has a plethora of options regarding his next fight. Of course, the most likely next step for him seems to be defending against Magomed Ankalaev.