MMA News
Conor McGregor remains interested in Michael Chandler fight despite ongoing legal issues: "I'll see you at the top"
Josh Evanoff - December 10, 2024
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has again teased a return to the cage against Michael Chandler. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t been seen in action since a 2021 stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier. That night saw Conor McGregor snap his leg in the final seconds of their UFC 264 headliner, but he swore a return to the cage by the end of 2022. Nearly four years on from his loss to ‘The Diamond’, the Irishman still hasn’t fought.
Michael Chiesa eyeing Demian Maia's submission record following UFC 310 win: "I want that so bad"
Josh Evanoff - December 10, 2024
Longtime welterweight contender Michael Chiesa wants to make UFC history. ‘Maverick’ is fresh off his return to the octagon on the prelims of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since submitting Tony Ferguson in August, Michael Chiesa faced Max Griffin. ‘Max Pain’ entered the bout fresh off a split-decision victory over Jeremiah Wells in February, and hoped to move his winning streak to two.
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.
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.
Former UFC star backs Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 310 fan altercation: 'Keep to your f*cking self, bro'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2024
One former UFC star is on Merab Dvalishvili’s side when it comes to fan altercations. Dvalishvili was in attendance for UFC 310 in support of Aljamain Sterling. After Sterling dropped a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev, Dvalishvili got physical with a fan in the crowd. The bantamweight champion has since claimed the fan in question was a plant set up by Umar Nurmagomedov and his team.
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.
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.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 185 with Billy Quarantillo, Drakkar Klose, and Davey Grant
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2024
The 185th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Tampa. We’re first joined by UFC featherweight Billy Quarantillo (1:38). Next, UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose (18:42) comes on. Closing out the show is UFC bantamweight Davey Grant (27:15).
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.
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.
Demetrious Johnson opens up on decision to reject UFC title shot offer from Alexandre Pantoja: "My legacy doesn't need him"
Josh Evanoff - December 9, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson has no interest in facing Alexandre Pantoja. ‘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 met former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 31-year-old challenger entered the bout riding a wave of momentum, last knocking out Juan Archuleta last December.
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.
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.
Robert Whittaker assesses Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland rematch at UFC 312: 'What could Sean do differently to change the outcome?'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2024
Robert Whittaker has given his take on how the Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland rematch will go. Du Plessis is scheduled to put the UFC Middleweight Championship at stake against Strickland in the main event of UFC 312 on February 9th. It was “Stillknocks” who took the 205-pound gold from Strickland in their January 2024 showdown. That fight went down to the wire and Du Plessis captured gold via split decision.