MMA News
ONE Championship returns to Qatar for ONE 171 in February
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 8, 2024
ONE Championship has announced that it will return to the Middle East in 2025. The promotion will head back to Lusail Sports Arena for ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, 2025, along with many of ONE’s biggest stars.
Conor McGregor roasts Belal Muhammad following UFC 310 security blunder: 'You barely got into the ring'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2024
Conor McGregor went scorched earth on Belal Muhammad during the UFC 310 pay-per-view. McGregor has taken aim at numerous fighters over the years. More recently, he’s found himself in a war of words with Muhammad, who is the reigning UFC welterweight champion. Muhammad was in attendance for UFC 310, and his presence was requested inside the Octagon by Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Ian Machado Garry proud of UFC 310 performance against Shavkat Rakhmonov: 'I fought the boogeyman and showed he's f*cking human'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2024
Ian Machado Garry has suffered the first defeat of his pro MMA career, but he doesn’t feel it’s a setback. Garry stepped up when the UFC needed a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov. While Rakhmonov was scheduled to challenge Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 310, the champion suffered a bone infection. Garry answered the call and had his moments against Rakhmonov.
Marcelo Garcia to face Japanese grappler Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 8, 2024
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia has found a worthy adversary in his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut at ONE 170. The legendary grappler will collide with fellow icon Masakazu Imanari on Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena in an openweight submission grappling tilt.
Dana White reacts after Merab Dvalishvili gets into another altercation with a fan at UFC 310: “He's my mini Sean Strickland without the mouth”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2024
Dana White has reacted to Merab Dvalishvili’s latest incident with a fan. Dvalishvili was in attendance for UFC 310 in support of his teammate Aljamain Sterling. On the preliminary portion of the card, Sterling dropped a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev in a competitive fight. Dvalishvili ended up getting physical with a fan in the stands, something that has become common for the reigning UFC bantamweight champion.
UFC boss Dana White claims "things aren't looking good" for rival promotion PFL
BJ Penn Staff - December 8, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White believes the Professional Fighters League (PFL) is in financial trouble. The PFL as long been one of the UFC’s chief rivals, but after purchasing Bellator MMA late last year, established itself as the clear cut No. 2 in the sport of MMA.
Alexandre Pantoja reacts after Demetrious Johnson shoots down his UFC 310 callout: “It’s not about money”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja is aware of Demetrious Johnson’s response to his callout. Pantoja surprised MMA fans when he called for a showdown with “Mighty Mouse” at the conclusion of UFC 310. The UFC flyweight champion had a successful title defense against Kai Asakura, earning a second-round submission finish. After the fight, Pantoja expressed his desire to share the Octagon with Johnson, who retired from pro MMA competition earlier this year.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts to Conor McGregor’s civil case verdict: “He hasn’t been fighting here in I don’t know how long”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2024
Conor McGregor continues to stir controversy, and Dana White has reacted to the “Notorious” one’s civil case verdict. A Dublin court recently found McGregor liable for sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident back in 2018. The verdict has led to McGregor being pulled from numerous sponsorship deals. He’s no longer the face of the Proper No. 12 Irish Whiskey brand, and has been pulled from the Hitman video game franchise as a DLC character.
Sean O’Malley takes aim at former opponents Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 310
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2024
UFC star Sean O’Malley has taken a shot at former opponents Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 310. As was the case for most of us last night, Sean O’Malley was watching closely during a really fascinating UFC 310 pay-per-view event. It featured some notable moments for two of his rivals, too, with Aljamain Sterling losing to Movsar Evloev and Merab Dvalishvili getting involved in a fight with a fan in the crowd.
Video | Merab Dvalishvili got into an altercation with a fan following Aljamain Sterling’s loss to Movsar Evloev
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2024
UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili got into an altercation with a fan following Aljamain Sterling’s loss at UFC 310. If there’s one thing we know to be true about Merab Dvalishvili, it’s that he’s a pretty passionate guy. Whether it be himself or his teammates, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Sometimes, that takes him all the way to a world championship. In other instances, though, that leaves him on the verge of creating a real problem for himself.
Aljamain Sterling issues statement following UFC 310 loss to Movsar Evloev
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2024
UFC star Aljamain Sterling has issued a statement following his narrow defeat to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 last night.a On Saturday, Aljamain Sterling went head to head with Movsar Evloev. It was a fight that many felt should’ve been on the main card of UFC 310, but in the end, it was relegated to the prelims for reasons unknown. Still, it was always going to be a fun, competitive fight, with the end result being up in the air until the scorecards were read.
Two title fights announced for UFC 312, including Dricus Du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2024
Two championship fights have been announced for UFC 312 on February 8, including Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2. As we look ahead to 2025, it’s time to start thinking about what kind of title fights we’re going to see in the new year. As we know, we’re going to get two championship bouts at UFC 311 in January when the promotion heads to Inglewood, California. Now, we also know that when they venture back to Sydney, Australia in February, it will be main evented by Dricus du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2.
Sean O’Malley confirms he will be in attendance for UFC 311: “Need to see who I fight next”
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2024
UFC star Sean O’Malley has confirmed that he will be in attendance for the blockbuster UFC 311 event next month. For many, ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts. He enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence in the UFC, capped off by him winning the UFC bantamweight championship by knocking out Aljamain Sterling. Following that, he went on to successfully defend the belt against long-time rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
Joe Rogan names former UFC fighter he believes could have gone undefeated: “Probably nobody would’ve ever beaten him”
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2024
Joe Rogan has named the former UFC fighter that he believes could’ve gone undefeated like Khabib Nurmagomedov. In the last few decades, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has grown massively. In that time, we’ve seen some outstanding fighters come and go – but very few have ever gone unbeaten. Khabib Nurmagomedov is one that managed to do so, and Joe Rogan was there to see the evolution of his career on the big stage.
Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev clash in backstage encounter
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2024
Nate Diaz and Islam Makhachev were engaged in a confrontation backstage in Las Vegas last night. If there’s one thing we know to be true about Nate Diaz, it’s that he’s unpredictable. Throughout the course of his entire career, Diaz has made a point of making headlines. Whether it be his performances inside the cage or what he says and does outside of it, everyone knows him to be a wild card – and that’s proven to be the case once again.
Ian Garry vows to win title eliminator, smash Colby Covington: 'I would dog walk him'
Zain Bando - December 6, 2024
Ian Garry co-headlines UFC 310 on Saturday night against Shavkat Rakhmonov in Las Vegas. Both men have the most combined wins without a loss in UFC history, entering the contest 33-0. However, there is another fighter Garry is keeping tabs on – former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington.
Chael Sonnen nominates rising welterweight to face Jorge Masvidal in UFC return: "Whip Jorge in my place"
Josh Evanoff - December 6, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen wants to see Jorge Masvidal vs. Oban Elliott. ‘Gamebred’ is currently on the comeback trail. Last April, Jorge Masvidal retired after being handed a decision loss by Gilbert Burns at UFC 287, his fourth defeat in a row. However, almost as soon as he hung up the gloves, he began discussing a comeback. Earlier this year, Masvidal headed to the boxing ring for a one-off bout against Nate Diaz.
Vicente Luque hopes Nick Diaz fight isn't rebooked after UFC 310: "That's in the past"
Josh Evanoff - December 6, 2024
Vicente Luque doesn’t have any interest in facing Nick Diaz after his return at UFC 310. ‘The Silent Assassin’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since a March clash against Joaquin Buckley. Fresh off a decision win over former UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos in August, the Brazilian hoped to move his winning streak to two. However, Vicente Luque was battered by Buckley, ultimately being stopped in the second round.