MMA News
Anthony Smith says Dominick Reyes wasn't "that good" at UFC 310: "I overpredicted how good he was going to be"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2024
Anthony Smith doesn’t think Dominick Reyes is that good despite losing to him via TKO at UFC 310. Smith took on Reyes last Saturday in a prelim fight between two ranked light heavyweights. Smith was looking to get back into the win column, but he struggled right from the get-go. Reyes was to land some big power shots and eventually got a stoppage win in the second round.
Michael Chandler not thinking about retirement despite recent UFC losses: "I've got a lot of tread left on the tires"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler isn’t thinking about retirement quite yet. ‘Iron’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in New York City. Back for the first time since being submitted by Dustin Poirier in 2022, Michael Chandler again faced Charles Oliveira. While the former Bellator champion was initially set to face Conor McGregor in June, ‘The Notorious’ withdrew due to injury.
REPORT | PFL signs former UFC prospect Sage Northcutt for 2025 debut
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
According to a recent report, PFL has signed former UFC and ONE Championship star Sage Northcutt. ‘Super Sage’ hasn’t been seen in action since a trip to the cage last May in Colorado. The bout was Sage Northcutt’s first since being flattened by Cosmo Alexandre in 2019, and he looked stellar. It took less than a round for the welterweight prospect to earn a submission victory over Ahmed Mujtaba via heel hook.
Michael Chandler interested in facing Colby Covington after UFC Tampa: "He just doesn't have it anymore"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is down to meet Colby Covington at 170 pounds. ‘Iron’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 309 last month in New York. Back for the first time since being submitted by Dustin Poirier two years ago, Michael Chandler again met Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ previously handed the former Bellator star a knockout loss in a bid for vacant UFC gold in 2021.
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.
UFC legend thinks Sean Strickland has fire lit under him going into UFC 312 rematch with Dricus du Plessis: 'That care meter went through the roof'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes that Sean Strickland has a fire lit under him going into UFC 312. Strickland will get a chance to reclaim the UFC Middleweight Championship when he challenges Dricus du Plessis on February 8th. In their first meeting earlier this year, du Plessis clinched a split decision win to take home the 185-pound gold. It was a competitive fight, but Sonnen feels Strickland didn’t exactly care about being a world champion.
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.
Paddy Pimblett gives his thoughts on Ilia Topuria's potential lightweight move
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2024
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria potentially making the move up to lightweight. For the longest time, Paddy Pimblett has been one of the biggest names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While you may not be a big fan of him, nobody can deny the success he’s enjoyed since arriving in the promotion a few years ago.
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.
Global Fight League announces April 2025 launch, roster comprised of 8 ex-UFC champions including Tyron Woodley
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
Earlier today, the newly founded Global Fight League announced a spree of signings including Tyron Woodley. Heading into 2025, the MMA space is largely lacking big-name promoters. While the UFC and Dana White are going strong, the likes of PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship have all seen better days. Organizations such as KSW and RIZIN have kept their footholds in the market, but haven’t drawn a lot of North American attention as of late.
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.