MMA News
Rui Botelho promises to walk through Jonathan Di Bella at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2024
Portuguese striking star Rui Botelho has been in ONE Championship since 2018, but in the past year, the Dinamite Team product has showcased a second coming. The 30-year-old has tacked back-to-back wins together in recent time, and next he meets former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov this Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Mayssa Bastos predicts submission finish of Danielle Kelly at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2024
ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mayssa Bastos wants to double down on her position as the division’s queen. And she believes the best way to do so is to submit Danielle Kelly at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov. Bastos meets the former champ in a rematch this Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, following their initial clash this past August.
Ian Garry gets added boost with former UFC champ in corner for co-main event
Zain Bando - December 3, 2024
Ian Garry will have some help Saturday night when he fights Shavkat Rakhmonov in the co-main event of UFC 310 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Enter former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Garry announced Tuesday that Oliveira would be in his corner, giving him an extra set of experience on fight night.
Chael Sonnen claims UFC title shot for Kai Asakura is “right”
Zain Bando - December 3, 2024
Chael Sonnen, a former UFC fighter-turned-analyst, quickly gave his thoughts on the UFC 310 pay-per-view main event between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura, which headlines this Saturday. Sonnen never won a UFC world title. Between 2010 and 2013, he came up short on three occasions against former middleweight champion Anderson Silva (twice) and current heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
Michael Chandler and Jorge Masvidal tease April showdown in Miami: "Say the word and it's a go"
Josh Evanoff - December 3, 2024
It appears a clash between UFC stars Michael Chandler and Jorge Masvidal is on the horizon. ‘Iron’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in the co-main event of UFC 309. Ending a two-year hiatus, Michael Chandler faced former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. ‘Do Bronx’ had famously handed the former Bellator star a second-round knockout loss in 2022, in a bid for vacant UFC gold.
Shavkat Rakhmonov claims he submitted Ian Machado Garry in training ahead of UFC 310 clash: "They didn't release that"
Josh Evanoff - December 3, 2024
Days out from his UFC 310 return, Shavkat Rakhmonov is opening up on his infamous sparring session with Ian Machado Garry. ‘Nomad’ is currently set to meet ‘The Future’ in the co-main event of UFC 310 this Saturday. The bout will be a rare non-title five-round co-main event, only being made as a result of Belal Muhammad’s injury. While Shavkat Rakhmonov was set to fight for welterweight gold, ‘Remember The Name’ was forced out last month.
Petr Yan shows interest in Sean O'Malley rematch with title shot unlikely: "I'm leaning towards it"
Josh Evanoff - December 3, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan wants another crack at Sean O’Malley. ‘No Mercy’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in Macau, China. Back for the first time since halting Song Yadong’s rise in March, Petr Yan met Deiveson Figueiredo. For his part, the former flyweight champion was undefeated since moving to bantamweight last year, recently beating Marlon Vera in August.
Michael Chiesa surprised he's the underdog at UFC 310, vows to rely on experience against Max Griffin
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2024
Michael Chiesa was hoping to get one more fight in 2024 and he got his wish. After Chiesa submitted Tony Ferguson, the goal was to return in December. He ended up getting his wish as he will face Max Griffin on Saturday night at UFC 310.
MMA icon thinks Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman feel they've been demoted with UFC 310 prelim spot
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2024
One former UFC icon believes Aljamain Sterling and Chris Weidman aren’t gung-ho over being on the UFC 310 prelims. UFC 310 is coming up this Saturday. It’ll be the UFC’s year-end pay-per-view. Sterling and Weidman will be featured on the card, but not on the PPV. Instead, the “Funk Master” will fight on the ESPN2 prelims, while the “All American” will compete on the early prelims.
Ian Machado Garry unleashes brutal rant on Kamaru Usman: 'Where it matters between the legs, he’s a little man'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2024
Ian Machado Garry has some harsh words for Kamaru Usman. Usman has been trolled by fans online with ducking accusations. “The Nigerian Nightmare” explained that he decided against fighting Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 due to not having a full camp to prepare. Some have continued to lambast the former UFC welterweight champion.
Kongthoranee anticipates firefight with Nakrob Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 3, 2024
Thai striking favorite Kongthoranee Sor Sommai has quickly become a must-see fighter in ONE Championship, and he insists his return at ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov will be another prolific affair. The deadly puncher meets #4-ranked contender Nakrob Fairtex in flyweight Muay Thai action this Friday, December 6, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 184 with Michael Chiesa, Max Griffin & Chase Hooper
Cole Shelton - December 3, 2024
The 184th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 310. We’re first joined by UFC welterweights Michael Chiesa (0:41) and Max Griffin (14:49). We close things out by chatting with UFC lightweight Chase Hooper (26:21).
Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller offers to help former rival Nick Diaz: “We had our beef or whatever since we were kids”
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2024
Jason Miller has offered to help former rival Nick Diaz in the midst of the latter’s recent struggles outside of the cage. For over two decades now, Nick Diaz has been a prevalent name in the world of mixed martial arts. From Strikeforce to UFC and beyond, he has constantly been a name on everyone’s lips. Unfortunately, in recent times, Diaz appears to have been struggling in more ways than one.
Ian Machado Garry slams 'absolute coward' Colby Covington for accepting Joaquin Buckley fight at UFC Tampa
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2024
Ian Machado Garry has hit out at Colby Covington for accepting a fight against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa. For the longest time, Ian Machado Garry has made one thing crystal clear: he wants to fight Colby Covington. It’s never been any kind of big secret and if anything, he’s been telling the world ever since he stepped foot in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. With that being said, Colby has never seemed overly interested in making that happen.
Igor Severino books MMA return after serving suspension for biting opponent in UFC
Harry Kettle - December 3, 2024
Controversial former UFC fighter Igor Severino is set to make his mixed martial arts return after a nine-month suspension due to biting. In the Ultimate Fighting Championship, we’ve seen plenty of strange things over the years. From weird disqualifications to bizarre knockouts and beyond, you never quite know what you’re going to get with the MMA leader. Back in March 2024, that was on full display when Igor Severino bit Andre Lima during their fight, bringing a premature end to his time with the company.
Jorge Masvidal reveals his UFC return is set for April in Miami: "I will be back!"
Josh Evanoff - December 2, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Jorge Masvidal intends to return to the octagon in April. ‘Gamebred’ is in an incredibly weird position at this stage of his career. He last appeared in action in July, ending a short-lived retirement to face Nate Diaz in the boxing ring. While Jorge Masvidal is still under UFC contract, Dana White gave his blessing for the former title challenger to face off against an old rival.
Dakota Ditcheva opens up on MMA future following PFL tournament win: "I'm not abandoning that belt just yet"
Josh Evanoff - December 2, 2024
Dakota Ditcheva has no plans of leaving the PFL for the UFC just yet. ‘Dangerous’ returned to the cage over the weekend in Saudi Arabia. On Friday night, Dakota Ditcheva met former UFC title challenger Taila Santos in the finals of the 2024 PFL women’s flyweight tournament. The Brazilian was expected to serve as the undefeated striker’s biggest challenge to date.
Joe Rogan shares examples of "artistic" fighters in boxing and MMA: "If you watch it, it’s beautiful"
BJ Penn Staff - December 2, 2024
Like many fight fans, Joe Rogan believes there is real artistry in the martial arts. The UFC commentator got to talking about the artistry of combat sports in a conversation with television personality Mike Rowe on a recent episode of his podcast.