MMA News
What's next for Brandon Moreno and Amir Albazi after UFC Edmonton?
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2024
The UFC was in Alberta, Canada for UFC Edmonton with a ranked flyweight matchup headlining the card as Brandon Moreno took on Amir Albazi. Moreno entered the fight coming off back-to-back split decision losses including dropping his title to Alexandre Pantoja. Albazi, meanwhile, was fighting for the first time since November of 2023, and had gone 5-0 in his UFC career.
Tyron Woodley believes Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is a "very even fight"
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2024
Tyron Woodley doesn’t think Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson is the squash match that many people are making it out to be. Paul and Tyson are set to box on Friday, November 15 at AT&T Stadium, which is the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The bout is set to air on Netflix and is an intriguing matchup.
REPORT | Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 official for UFC 311 in Los Angeles
Josh Evanoff - November 4, 2024
It appears that Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2 is official for UFC 311 in January. The lightweight champion hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Dustin Poirier in June. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev entered the octagon as a massive betting favorite against ‘The Diamond’. While the challenger offered some resistance, the Russian emerged with a fifth-round submission victory.
Dustin Poirier seemingly approves Max Holloway trilogy fight for final UFC appearance: "The last dance"
Josh Evanoff - November 4, 2024
It appears that Dustin Poirier wants to face Max Holloway in his final UFC fight. ‘The Diamond’ has been out of the cage since a third crack at lightweight gold at UFC 302 in June. In the main event of that card, Dustin Poirier faced Islam Makhachev. Despite entering the cage a massive underdog, the longtime contender gave the champion all he could handle. However, Makhachev still scored a fifth-round submission to retain his title.
Stipe Miocic responds to criticism that Tom Aspinall should be fighting Jon Jones at UFC 309 instead: "It wasn't my choice"
Josh Evanoff - November 4, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic believes most fans want to see him fight Jon Jones. The 42-year-old hasn’t been seen in the cage since a second-round knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in early 2021. Due to the destructive nature of the defeat, some assumed Stipe Miocic would never fight again. However, over three years later, he’s set to return at UFC 309 opposite Jon Jones.
Shavkat Rakhmonov calls to fight Kamaru Usman for interim title at UFC 310
Cole Shelton - November 4, 2024
Shavkat Rakhmonov is hoping to remain on UFC 310 and wants to fight for the interim title. Rakhmonov was supposed to headline UFC 310 against Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title but the champ suffered an injury that forced him to withdraw. Although Rakhmonov could wait for the title shot, he wants to remain active and calls to fight Kamaru Usman for the interim title.
Javier Mendez says Khamzat Chimaev is on same level of Khabib Nurmagomedov & Islam Makhachev despite style differences
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 4, 2024
Renowned American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez has some big praise for Khamzat Chimaev. While Chimaev dazzled MMA fans with his red hot UFC start, illnesses halted his momentum. Perhaps mother nature can only hope to contain “Borz,” as he bounced back to deliver the most impressive performance of his fighting career. He injured Robert Whittaker’s bottom teeth to the point where “The Reaper” was forced to tap out as soon as a face crank was applied.
Sean O'Malley's coach responds to blowback over Khamzat Chimaev vs. Bo Nickal take
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 4, 2024
Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch has cleared the air on a recent social media post that was met with backlash. Welch was paying attention to the UFC 308 pay-per-view event. In particular, he was in awe of Khamzat Chimaev’s ability to force a submission on Robert Whittaker as quickly as he did. After the fight, Welch suggested that Bo Nickal might be the only fighter to give “Borz” a run for his money.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan dubs Ilia Topuria as being MMA’s new “high water mark”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has had high praise for Ilia Topuria as he continues his reign as the featherweight king. At this point, it’s impossible to deny that Ilia Topuria is one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts. In his last two fights alone, he’s managed to knock out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. If that doesn’t prove what kind of fighter we’re dealing with, we’re not sure what would.
Pedro Munhoz issues statement following recent loss at UFC Edmonton: “The scars are a lesson learned”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
UFC veteran Pedro Munhoz has issued a statement following his recent defeat at UFC Edmonton. Throughout the course of his time in the UFC, Pedro Munhoz has always given it his all. From blockbuster knockouts to absolute slugfests and beyond, he’s accomplished a great deal. Unfortunately, in his last three outings, things haven’t quite gone to plan.
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad scoffs at Shavkat Rakhmonov’s request for an interim title fight: “Bro, it’s six weeks”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has dismissed Shavkat Rakhmonov’s idea for an interim title fight at UFC 310. As we know, Belal Muhammad is the current king of the welterweight division. We also know that he was scheduled to defend the belt against Shavkat Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310. Now, however, Rakhmonov has been left without an opponent after Muhammad was forced to pull out due to injury.
Ilia Topuria’s mother says it was a “daily routine” for ‘El Matador’ to fight in the streets: “It was not rare”
Harry Kettle - November 4, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s mother has said that it was pretty common for the UFC star to fight in the streets when he was younger. Right now, Ilia Topuria is widely considered to be one of the best fighters on the planet. He has dominated the featherweight division and in his last two fights, he’s been able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. In the modern age, you just don’t see runs of form like that.
Mayssa Bastos versus Danielle Kelly II set for ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 4, 2024
The final U.S. primetime card of the year has only just been announced, yet ONE Fight Night 26: Lee vs. Rasulov on Prime Video is becoming the talk of the town. In the co-main event, ONE Women’s Atomweight Submission Grappling World Champion Mayssa Bastos makes the first defense of her crown.
ONE Championship signs BJJ stars Cole Abate and Dante Leon
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 3, 2024
ONE Championship’s submission grappling world has just been rocked by the arrival of two new superstars. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists Cole Abate and Dante Leon enter ONE looking to follow in the footsteps of ONE submission grappling kings Kade and Tye Ruotolo.
Manel Kape fires warning at Brandon Moreno following UFC Edmonton
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 3, 2024
Manel Kape has some words for Brandon Moreno following UFC Edmonton. Moreno scored a unanimous decision win over Amir Albazi inside Rogers Place this past Saturday night. It was a dominant performance from Moreno. “The Assassin Baby” succeeded in rebounding from a split decision loss to Brandon Royval earlier this year.
Alex Pereira reveals hand issue stemming from win over Khalil Rountree at UFC 307
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 3, 2024
Alex Pereira is not 100 percent healthy at the moment. Pereira was the UFC’s Iron Man in 2024. He would step up on late notice to save cards and was easily the promotion’s most reliable star this year. With that said, “Poatan” is human.
Jacob Smith excited to represent Liverpool at ONE 169: “It’s ingrained in me”
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 3, 2024
Flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith is a proud citizen of Liverpool, England. And he wants to give the city another World Champion when he goes to war at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug. The #3-ranked contender meets ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a rematch of their 2022 encounter on Friday, November 8, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Jon Jones' retirement should be on his terms, says coach ahead of UFC 309 fight against Stipe Miocic
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 3, 2024
Jon Jones’ retirement decision should ultimately be his choice, says his longtime coach. Jones will be defending his UFC Heavyweight Championship against Stipe Miocic. The title fight is scheduled to take place at UFC 309 on November 16th. “Bones” has hinted that this could be the last fight of his pro MMA career.