MMA News
Top-5 heavyweight Curtis Blaydes reportedly booked for fight with UFC newcomer Rizvan Kuniev
BJ Penn Staff - December 13, 2024
Nobody can accuse Curtis Blaydes of ducking fights. The former UFC interim heavyweight title challenger, currently ranked No. 5 in the weight class, is reportedly set to welcome debuting prospect Rizvan Kuniev to the Octagon. The fight is apparently set for Feb. 22, when the UFC returns to Seattle.
'The Korean Zombie' thinks MMA return is unlikely, but he won't shut door entirely: 'I miss it all the time'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 13, 2024
“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung isn’t likely to return to the Octagon, but he won’t rule out the possibility entirely. Jung’s last pro MMA fight took place back in August 2023. He fought Max Holloway in the main event of a UFC Singapore card. “The Korean Zombie” fought his heart out, just as he always has. With that said, Jung was knocked out in the third round and hung up his gloves for good.
Alexander Gustafsson will "most likely accept" deal for BKFC fight with fellow MMA veteran
BJ Penn Staff - December 13, 2024
Alexander Gustafsson isn’t done yet. The former UFC light heavyweight title challenger recently signed with upstart MMA promotion Global Fight League (GFL), and is reportedly close to inking a deal with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC). In a recent interview with Matias Andres of Maximum Sports, Gustafsson’s manager Majdi Shammas opened up on his client’s deal with GFL.
Tom Aspinall calls Jon Jones' GOAT status into question due to past failed drug tests: 'That's absolutely cheating in my book'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 13, 2024
Tom Aspinall believes there is an asterisk on Jon Jones’ resume. There’s no denying that Jones is a future UFC Hall of Famer. “Bones” has looked dominant as a champion in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. His run at 205 pounds was legendary, and his lone career loss was a controversial disqualification.
Cub Swanson believes he's owed an apology from Joaquin Buckley
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2024
UFC star Cub Swanson believes he’s owed an apology from Joaquin Buckley following their recent war of words. This weekend, the legend that is Cub Swanson will make his return to the Octagon. He’ll do so when he goes up against Billy Quarantillo, with his hope being that he can prove he still has what it takes to compete at the elite level in mixed martial arts.
Colby Covington goes after LeBron James in latest rant
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2024
UFC star Colby Covington has gone after basketball legend LeBron James in his latest rant ahead of UFC Tampa. This weekend, Colby Covington will make his return to the Octagon. In the wake of his loss to Leon Edwards, many have been left to wonder whether or not he still has what it takes to compete at the elite welterweight level. This weekend, he’ll try and prove himself in a huge collision with rising contender Joaquin Buckley.
Alexandre Pantoja makes fresh pitch to Demetrious Johnson for superfight
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has made a fresh pitch to Demetrious Johnson for a possible superfight. Right now, Alexandre Pantoja is one of the most impressive champions in mixed martial arts. He took the belt in a great fight and ever since then, he’s been putting on some fantastic bouts – and successfully defending the belt along the way. Now, though, many are wondering what could be next for him.
Dante Leon wants Tommy Langaker after debut win at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2024
Lightweight submission grappling star Dante Leon announced his arrival to ONE Championship in emphatic fashion this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 26, and now he’s ready to rock against the biggest and best names on offer. The American standout submitted Bruno Pucci in just over two minutes of their lightweight submission grappling matchup on Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
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.