MMA News
Ilia Topuria sends a message to Max Holloway after intense UFC 308 face-off
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has issued one final warning to rival Max Holloway heading into UFC 308. Later tonight, Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Max Holloway in a blockbuster main event at UFC 308. In the eyes of most fans and pundits, Topuria is the favorite to walk away with the belt. Alas, Holloway is the kind of legendary figure who can’t be overlooked.
Magomed Ankalaev issues a warning ahead of Aleksandar Rakic fight at UFC 308
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2024
UFC fighter Magomed Ankalaev is ready to make a statement tonight as he prepares to battle Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308. In the eyes of many, Magomed Ankalaev is the rightful number one contender for the UFC light heavyweight championship. However, he was passed over for Khalil Rountree Jr, with Magomed instead being given a fight against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308.
Donald Trump praises Bo Nickal during recent Joe Rogan podcast appearance
Harry Kettle - October 26, 2024
Donald Trump praised rising UFC star Bo Nickal during a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In the last few years, Bo Nickal has emerged as one to watch in the world of mixed martial arts. His wrestling background helped get him on the map but now, he’s creating a real pedigree for himself as a future star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
UFC 308: 'Topuria vs. Holloway' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - October 25, 2024
The Octagon returns to Abu Dhabi for today’s UFC 308 event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway. Topuria (15-0 MMA) will be looking to earn his first career title defense when he takes on the Hawaiian this afternoon. ‘El Matador’ captured the UFC’s coveted featherweight title this past February at UFC 298, scoring a second-round knockout victory over Alex Volkanovski (see that here).
Daniel Cormier believes the PFL's recent event is proof the UFC has no competition: "It's never been more clear to me"
Josh Evanoff - October 25, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes the PFL’s recent event shows a lack of competition. Last Saturday night in Saudi Arabia, the Donn Davis-led company held their biggest show to date. In the main event, former UFC champion Francis Ngannou competed for the first time since 2022 to face Renan Ferreira. Meanwhile, the co-main event featured the legendary Cris Cyborg facing PFL tournament winner Larissa Pacheco.
Dana White shuts down Ilia Topuria's talk of challenging Islam Makhachev at lightweight: "This is his first title defense"
Josh Evanoff - October 25, 2024
UFC President Dana White doesn’t want to see Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev just yet. ‘El Matador’ is set to return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 this Saturday night. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold against Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria will face Max Holloway. ‘Blessed’ earned the title opportunity with a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
Umar Nurmagomedov says reported Song Yadong fight is canceled, reacts to Merab Dvalishvili's "Scared" comments
Curtis Calhoun - October 25, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov didn’t take long to respond to Merab Dvalishvili’s recent outburst at a fan Q+A event. Nurmagomedov is the presumptive No. 1 bantamweight contender after defeating Cory Sandhagen at UFC Abu Dhabi earlier this year. The undefeated Dagestani seemed destined to face Dvalishvili following the latter’s title win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306.
Francis Ngannou issues cold response to "Bully" Dana White's latest attacks
Curtis Calhoun - October 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou responded to UFC CEO Dana White’s latest claims and accusations regarding the rocky end to his promotional tenure. Ngannou’s long-awaited return to the cage went according to plan, as he finished 2023 PFL title winner Renan Ferreira earlier this month. He was making his PFL debut after almost three full years away from the cage.
WATCH | Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev have intense final faceoff before UFC 308 fight
Cole Shelton - October 25, 2024
Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev had an intense final faceoff ahead of their highly-anticipated UFC 308 fight. Whittaker and Chimaev are set to fight in a five-round co-main event in a crucial scrap for the middleweight division. The winner of the bout could get the next title shot and this fight is a long time coming.
PFL Chairman Donn Davis clarifies comments on UFC star Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 25, 2024
PFL Chairman Donn Davis has clarified his past comments on Kayla Harrison. Davis came under fire within the MMA community when he compared Harrison to NBA star Kevin Durant. Davis said that Harrison left PFL for the UFC because she’s a follower who needs validation.
Merab Dvalishvili says Umar Nurmagomedov is taking another fight due to being 'scared' of him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 25, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili believes Umar Nurmagomedov is running scared. While many believe Nurmagomedov is deserving of a number one contender fight, rumors have swirled that his next bout will not be for a title. Instead, the word going around is that Nurmagomedov will fight Song Yadong.
Khamzat Chimaev makes weight for UFC 308 with just minutes remaining
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2024
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev just about managed to make weight earlier today for his clash with Robert Whittaker. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is a pretty unpredictable guy. In the cage, he’s an undefeated monster. Outside of it, however, it’s often hard to predict what he’s going to do next. From missing weight to long periods of time on the shelf, it’s a far cry from the man who first burst onto the scene during the pandemic with two wins in less than two weeks.
Francis Ngannou admits he wasn't sure if he'd ever fight again after losing his son
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2024
PFL heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has admitted that he wasn’t sure he’d ever fight again after the death of his son. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou made his blockbuster return to mixed martial arts. Following his stint in professional boxing, ‘The Predator’ opted to head back into the cage with PFL. In doing so, he signed up to fight Renan Ferreira – a man who many believed was capable of defeating Francis.
Dana White reveals conversation with Mark Zuckerberg over UFC rankings
Harry Kettle - October 25, 2024
UFC president Dana White has revealed that he’s had conversations with Mark Zuckerberg over changing the promotion’s rankings system. As we know, Dana White is the man in charge at the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s been the face of the company fheor a long time now and beyond that, he’s also managed to take the promotion to unbelievable new heights. Of course, that doesn’t mean things are perfect – as there are still a few tidbits that he’d like to change.
Rodtang believes Jacob Smith is “still the same” ahead of ONE 169
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 25, 2024
ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon has been quietly weighing up #3-ranked contender Jacob Smith ahead of next month’s rematch, and he feels his old foe is still singing the same tunes. “The Iron Man” defends his gold against Smith at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Friday, November 8, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
UFC 308 | Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 308, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Robert Whittaker takes on Khamzat Chimaev. Heading into the bout, Whittaker is a +200 underdog while the undefeated fighter is a -265 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the pivotal middleweight fight. The pros believe Whittaker will be able to pull off the upset as they think he can drag the fight into the later rounds and get the win.
Dana White reveals he'll "absolutely" approve Islam Makhachev welterweight title shot with win over Arman Tsarukyan
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2024
UFC President Dana White has co-signed on Islam Makhachev’s future welterweight move. The Russian has been out of the cage since a June title defense against Dustin Poirier. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev faced ‘The Diamond’ in the latter’s third crack at undisputed gold. Despite some resistance from the challenger, the lightweight champion wound up securing a fifth-round submission victory.
REPORT | UFC champion Alex Pereira is in talks to join 'Onslaught' film in production at A24
Josh Evanoff - October 24, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira could soon be entering showbusiness. ‘Poatan’ has been out of the cage since his clash against Khalil Rountree Jr. earlier this month at UFC 307. Back for the first time since dominating Jiri Prochazka in June, the Brazilian went down on the scorecards early. ‘The War Horse’ scored a shocking second-round knockdown, and brought the fight to Alex Pereira.