MMA News
Daniel Cormier responds to Bo Nickal's criticism of UFC 309 commentary: "There's room for improvement!"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has responded to Bo Nickal’s recent comments. ‘DC’ was in the broadcast booth for the massive UFC 309 card in New York City over the weekend. On the main card, Bo Nickal returned to the octagon for the first time since a submission win over Cody Brundage in April. There, the former NCAA champion met Paul Craig, in the biggest test of his career thus far.
Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders added to UFC 310 in December following sudden fight cancelation
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will meet Eryk Anders next month. ‘The All-American’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a controversial April win over Bruno Silva. Despite the Brazilian’s post-fight appeal citing several eyepokes from Chris Weidman, the former UFC champion emerged with a technical decision win. Following the victory, he booked a fight with longtime middleweight Eryk Anders.
Bellator announces Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes for "Dagestan vs. Ireland 2" card in Dubai
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2024
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov will meet Paul Hughes in Dubai. ‘Big News’ is fresh off his return to the PFL cage last month in Saudi Arabia. There, Paul Hughes met former Bellator featherweight champion A.J. McKee in a lightweight title eliminator. ‘Mercenary’ was considered the Irishman’s biggest test of his career, and he passed the test with flying colors.
Pro fighters make their picks for Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2024
In the main event of UFC 309, a pivotal bantamweight bout goes down as Petr Yan takes on Deiveson Figueiredo. Heading into the bout, Yan is a -310 favorite while the Brazilian is a +230 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the bantamweight fight. The pros believe Figueiredo can pull off the upset. The majority of pros like what they have seen from Figueiredo at bantamweight as he’ll cement himself as a contender with a win over Petr Yan.
Petr Yan plans to skip over Umar Nurmagomedov for UFC bantamweight title shot if he wins at UFC Macau
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 20, 2024
Petr Yan feels he can get another crack at UFC gold with a win over Deiveson Figueiredo. Yan and Figueiredo will collide in the main event of UFC Macau this Saturday. Both men are former UFC champions and remain strong contenders. For Figueiredo, he’s hoping to become a two-division UFC titleholder. He’s already captured flyweight gold in the past.
"Reug Reug" Oumar Kane receives homecoming parade in Senegal
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 20, 2024
ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane wasn’t kidding when he said he had a nation behind him. And that was on show when he returned to his home country this past week. Kane fought off now two-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin in the main event of ONE 169 on Friday, November 9. In doing so, he became the newly minted heavyweight king inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Francis Ngannou admits he was bothered by Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: 'It just hurt me to see Mike there in that situation'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 20, 2024
Francis Ngannou admits he didn’t like seeing a 58-year-old Mike Tyson vulnerable against a far younger Jake Paul. Many fans and analysts had concerns going into the boxing match between “Iron” Mike and “The Problem Child.” After all, Paul is a 27-year-old and despite not being the most seasoned or credible boxer, he does have some pop in his punches. Ultimately, the fight took place inside AT&T Stadium and Paul won the bout via unanimous decision.
Glover Teixeira played a prank on Tom Aspinall in the lead up to UFC 309: “Jon Jones tripped in the bus”
Harry Kettle - November 19, 2024
UFC legend Glover Teixeira played an amusing prank on Tom Aspinall over the weekend during UFC 309 in New York City. On Saturday night, Jon Jones defeated Stipe Miocic to successfully defend his UFC heavyweight championship. However, if necessary, interim champion Tom Aspinall was ready to step in on short notice and prove himself against the best of the best. He made weight, he’d done his media obligations, and he was ready to go.
Denice Zamboanga, Alyona Rassohnya set for Interim Atomweight World Title fight
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 19, 2024
ONE Championship is kicking off 2025 with a double main event on Friday, January 10, at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev. There, ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai defends his crown against Akbar Abdullaev in the headline attraction. But the co-main event sees #2-ranked Denice Zamboanga and #4-ranked Alyona Rassohnya vie for the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Jarred Brooks moves up to flyweight, faces Reece McLaren at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 19, 2024
The card for ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov continues to evolve. In addition to many pivotal contests already announced, another high-stakes bout has entered the mix featuring Jarred Brooks. The ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion will move up to flyweight to face #4-ranked divisional contender Reece McLaren on Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Tang Kai vs. Akbar Abdullaev Featherweight MMA World Title fight to headline ONE Fight Night 27
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 19, 2024
ONE Championship’s first U.S. primetime event of 2025 features the highly anticipated return of Tang Kai. ONE Fight Night 27 sees the ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion defend his crown against unbeaten challenger Akbar Abdullaev in the main event. The juggernauts meet on Friday, January 10, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Chael Sonnen reveals the concern he has for Tom Aspinall in a potential Jon Jones fight
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2024
Chael Sonnen says there is a major concern about Tom Aspinall if he does land the Jon Jones fight. After Jones defended his heavyweight title with a third-round TKO over Stipe Miocic, many fans were hopeful that he would face Aspinall next. Yet, ‘Bones’ was quick to admit that he wasn’t too interested in that bout when speaking at the UFC 309 post-fight press conference. However, if the bout does eventually happen, Sonnen says Aspinall’s lack of fight time in the Octagon is a concern.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson reportedly draws 108 million viewers, Netflix claims
Josh Evanoff - November 19, 2024
Netflix has claimed the professional boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was the most streamed fight ever. ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Iron Mike’ finally met over the weekend in Dallas. The two were originally slated to meet in July, but Mike Tyson was forced out due to a medical emergency. He later revealed that he nearly died in June, but wanted to compete one final time. As a result, Paul knocked out short-notice replacement Mike Perry earlier this summer instead.
Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens announced for BKFC KnuckleMania on January 25th
Josh Evanoff - November 19, 2024
Eddie Alvarez and Jeremy Stephens will meet at BKFC KnuckleMania 5 early next year. ‘The Underground King’ has quickly become one of the bare-knuckle boxing promotion’s biggest stars. After leaving ONE Championship in late 2022, Eddie Alvarez signed with BKFC. The following April, the former UFC lightweight champion put forth a ‘Fight of the Year’ contender in a five-round war with Chad Mendes.
Jake Paul seemingly accepts callout from heavyweight boxing champion Daniel Dubois: "I'll get you in line"
Josh Evanoff - November 19, 2024
It appears that Jake Paul could end up fighting IBF heavyweight boxing champion Daniel Dubois next. ‘The Problem Child’ is fresh off his return to the boxing ring on Friday night. Live on Netflix, Jake Paul finally met former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. The two were originally set to fight in July, but the legendary boxer was forced out due to a health emergency in June. As a result, Paul knocked out short-notice replacement Mike Perry instead.
Darren Till claims he'll kick Tommy Fury in the "face" if he's losing in their boxing match
Cole Shelton - November 19, 2024
Darren Till has a plan in place should he start to lose to Tommy Fury in their boxing match. Till is set to return to the boxing ring on January 18 on a Misfits boxing card against Fury. It’s an intriguing matchup and after the fight got announced, the two held a press conference on Tuesday.
Conor McGregor criticizes "woeful" Tom Aspinall sparring footage in message to Jon Jones
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2024
Conor McGregor believes there actually is enough tape of Tom Aspinall for Jon Jones to study. The talk of the MMA world has been a potential title unification clash between Jones and Aspinall. “Bones” had a successful defense against Stipe Miocic this past Saturday night at UFC 309. Interim titleholder Aspinall was inside Madison Square Garden in New York City to witness the fight.
Demetrious Johnson explains how Tom Aspinall can give Jon Jones issues in title fight: 'I feel comfortable saying that'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2024
Demetrious Johnson believes Tom Aspinall has the physical traits to dethrone Jon Jones. Jones holds the UFC Heavyweight Championship, while Aspinall is the interim titleholder. Aspinall was in attendance for UFC 309 to witness Jones pick Stipe Miocic apart. “Bones” scored a third-round TKO finish courtesy of a spinning back kick to the solar plexus.