MMA News
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.
WATCH | Merab Dvalishvili confronts Umar Nurmagomedov backstage at UFC 310 weigh-ins
Josh Evanoff - December 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili nearly came to blows with Umar Nurmagomedov earlier today. ‘The Machine’ and ‘Young Eagle’ finally had their long-awaited clash finalized earlier this week. Despite talk of Merab Dvalishvili rematching Petr Yan or Sean O’Malley, he instead signed a deal to face Umar Nurmagomedov. The Russian famously earned a title opportunity with a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen in August.
UFC's Belal Muhammad considered amputation procedure to save canceled title fight
BJ Penn Staff - December 6, 2024
Belal Muhammad was willing to do almost anything to save his planned UFC 310 title fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov — even amputate the infected toe that eventually caused him to withdraw from the matchup. UFC 310, the promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year, goes down tomorrow night in Las Vegas. Chicago’s Muhammad, the welterweight champion, was originally slated to defend his belt against Kazakhstan’s Rakhmonov in the main event. Unfortunately, he suffered a toe injury in training. The injury later became infected, and forced him off the card.
Bo Nickal challenges trolls following UFC 309: 'You can see what it feels like to get punched in the face'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 6, 2024
Bo Nickal is daring those trolling him over his UFC 309 performance to meet him in the gym. Nickal took on Paul Craig inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. Despite scoring a unanimous decision win over a seasoned veteran in Craig, fans in attendance were not impressed. It was only Nickal’s seventh pro MMA fight, but the crowd chanted “overrated” at the rising middleweight, who was unfazed by the boobirds.
Alex Pereira downplays UFC PI run-in with Jamahal Hill: 'He should be worried about his next fight'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 6, 2024
Alex Pereira refuses to dwell on a recent run-in with Jamahal Hill. Pereira and Hill had a confrontation inside the UFC Performance Institute. At one point, “Poatan” tossed gloves at Hill and challenged him to a fight on the spot. Cooler heads prevailed, but Hill claims “Poatan” escalated things by asking if he’s still sleeping after suffering a KO loss against him back in April.
UFC 310 weigh-in results: Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Ian Machado Garry tip the scales
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 6, 2024
The UFC 310 weigh-ins are ongoing, and we’ve got you covered with results. This Saturday night, UFC 310 will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card will be a flyweight title clash between champion Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura. In the co-main event, undefeated welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry will collide.
Anthony Smith explains the “f***ed up mindset” he’s bringing into UFC 310 fight with Dominick Reyes
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2024
Anthony Smith has explained the mindset he’s bringing into his upcoming UFC 310 collision with Dominick Reyes tomorrow. For the longest time now, Anthony Smith has been a regular in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He has served as a tough opponent for countless fighters in the division’s top 15, and that’ll likely continue to be the case for as long as he sticks around.
Conor McGregor ordered to pay Nikita Hand's legal fees after being found liable for sexual assault
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2024
UFC’s Conor McGregor has been ordered to pay Nikita Hand’s legal fees after being found liable for sexual assault. As we know, Conor McGregor was recently found liable for sexual assault in his case against Nikita Hand. Ever since then, things have been a bit of a whirlwind for the former two-weight UFC champion. In addition to the court of public opinion, he’s also had to deal with a low of blowback when it comes to his investments and businesses.
UFC 311 adds numerous high profile fights, including Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2024
UFC 311 has added a parade of high profile fights – including a blockbuster light heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is coming out swinging to kickstart 2025. In what promises to be a blockbuster year for the promotion, they’ll be getting things underway in style with UFC 311, the first pay-per-view event, which will go down on January 18 in Inglewood, California.
Beneil Dariush set to end lengthy hiatus at UFC 311 against Renato Moicano
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2024
UFC lightweight contenders Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano will collide in January. The 35-year-old hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Arman Tsarukyan last December. That bout saw Beneil Dariush get knocked out in his second straight fight, previously being finished by Charles Oliveira in June. Due to concerns about his brain health, the lightweight contender decided to take a yearlong hiatus.
Bellator champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix request release due to inactivity: "Let me go respectfully"
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2024
Bellator champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix have become the latest to request a release. It’s been just over a year since Donn Davis and the PFL bought Bellator. When the deal was first announced, there was a lot of excitement among fighters, because of what they were told. PFL executives including Davis promised fighters the opportunity to compete in either the tournament format, or hop over to Bellator and fight in one-off events.
Christian Lee honors late sister Victoria with Prodigy Training Center
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 5, 2024
Two-weight ONE MMA World Champion Christian Lee will represent his newly founded Prodigy Training Center when he returns to action for the first time in two years at ONE Fight Night 26. He created the gym to honor the memory of his late sister Victoria Lee. “The Warrior” defends his lightweight MMA strap against Alibeg Rasulov this Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
UFC 310 | Pro fighters make their picks for Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 310, a No. 1 contender bout at welterweight goes down as Shavkat Rakhmonov takes on Ian Machado Garry. Heading into the fight, Rakhmonov is a massive -410 favorite while the Irishman is a +290 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the welterweight fight. In the end, the pros believe Rakhmonov will remain undefeated and hand Garry his first career loss at UFC 310 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Max Holloway warns fans not to underestimate Ian Machado Garry ahead of UFC 310: 'He can change on a dime'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2024
Max Holloway doesn’t believe the UFC 310 co-main event will be the wipeout some are predicting. Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry will do battle this Saturday night. The welterweight clash came to be after UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced to pull out of a planned title defense against Rakhmonov. Now, fight fans will get to witness a clash between two undefeated welterweight contenders.
Dana White announces two major title fights for UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2024
UFC 311 will be getting two major title fights. Dana White, UFC CEO, recently took to social media to drop some major news on his promotion’s first pay-per-view event of 2025. In the main event of UFC 311, Islam Makhachev will put his lightweight championship at stake against Arman Tsarukyan.
Chase Hooper says it's an "honor" to fight Clay Guida, vows to submit the veteran at UFC 310
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2024
Chase Hooper was ecstatic when he got offered to face a legend like Clay Guida. Hooper is coming off a big win over Slava Borschev in a dominant victory. After the win, he wasn’t sure what would be next for him. But, when he got offered Guida, he was thrilled about it as he’s eager to fight a legend.
Max Griffin doubts Michael Chiesa will be able to "withstand" his power at UFC 310: "He doesn't like getting hit"
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2024
Max Griffin is pumped to be fighting Michael Chiesa at UFC 310. Griffin was fighting out his contract back in February when he edged out a split-decision win over Jeremiah Wells. After the fight, he went down to Tijuana to get stem cell treatment to help his nagging injuries.