MMA News
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.
UFC Tampa weigh-in results: Colby Covington, Joaquin Buckley, and the entire card on point
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 13, 2024
The UFC Tampa weigh-in results are in and there was no scale fail to be had. All 26 fighters scheduled to compete on this Saturday’s Fight Night card weighed in on Friday morning. That includes welterweight headliners Colby Covington and Joaquin Buckley. Both men tipped the scales at 171 pounds ahead of their pivotal showdown inside Amalie Arena.
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.
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.
Joaquin Buckley expects to leapfrog Shavkat Rakhmonov for title shot with KO win over Colby Covington at UFC Tampa
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2024
Joaquin Buckley believes he could get the next welterweight title shot. Buckley is set to headline UFC Tampa on Saturday against Colby Covington in an intriguing welterweight bout. The winner of the fight will be right in the title picture, but Buckley thinks if he KO’s Covington in impressive fashion, he can leapfrog Rakhmonov for the next title shot.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.