MMA News
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.
Dricus du Plessis claims Khamzat Chimaev fight was discussed before UFC 312 booking against Sean Strickland
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Dricus du Plessis has revealed that a UFC title defense against Khamzat Chimaev was initially discussed. When du Plessis steps back inside Octagon, he’ll be facing a familiar foe. The reigning middleweight champion will go one-on-one with the man he narrowly defeated for the gold, Sean Strickland. The two first collided in early 2024 and it was du Plessis who scored the split decision win to capture the 185-pound gold.
UFC veteran announces shocking retirement one month after submission loss: 'Injuries have caught up with me'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
One UFC fighter has stunned the MMA community with the announcement of his retirement. Since his days under the Cage Warriors banner, fans enjoyed the fighting style of Jack Shore, and for good reason. Shore has only gone the distance four times in his career and he’s scored nine submissions and four knockouts. With 13 finishes in 17 wins and only three losses on his resume, one wouldn’t think that a 29-year-old would walk away from the sport.
Jonathan Di Bella satisfied with return to win column at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2024
Former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella proved he belongs in the mix for the weight bracket’s crown at ONE Fight Night 26. The Canadian-Italian executed a decisive three-round display against surging contender Rui Botelho this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Conor McGregor calls out 'wannabe' featherweight champ Ilia Topuria
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Conor McGregor is back beefing with champions instead of worrying about his personal issues. Based on McGregor’s status with the UFC and Dana White’s non-committal stance regarding McGregor’s legal troubles, a return to MMA is anything but priority.
Billy Quarantillo eyes "highlight-reel finish" over Cub Swanson at UFC Tampa: "People will tune in"
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2024
Billy Quarantillo is thrilled he gets to fight at home in Tampa. Quarantillo has called Tampa home for several years now and after rumors that the UFC was returning there, he made it clear he wanted to be on the card. So, when he got the call from his coach, he said it was an immediate yes.
Dustin Poirier intrigued with Ilia Topuria's potential move to lightweight
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier has responded to Ilia Topuria’s potential plans to move up to lightweight. Poirier, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, is itching for one more fight before his eventual retirement.
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).