MMA News
Dana White rips PFL's Donn Davis over latest event comparisons: "Talks a lot, but says nothing!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 24, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White quickly responded to PFL founder Donn Davis’s latest claims, comparing the two top MMA organizations. White and the UFC are hours away from one of their biggest cards of the year in Abu Dhabi. UFC 308 is headlined by a featherweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway.
Dana White takes aim at Francis Ngannou, claims the UFC nearly cut 'The Predator' after loss to Derrick Lewis
Cole Shelton - October 24, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has continued to take aim at Francis Ngannou. White and Ngannou hadn’t seen eye-to-eye well before ‘The Predator’ left the UFC to sign with the PFL and box. But, following the Power Slap event on Thursday, White was speaking to the media and claimed he nearly cut Ngannou before he became the heavyweight champ.
'Optimistic' Donn Davis says Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou is unlikely, but not impossible
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
PFL Chairman Donn Davis isn’t exactly ruling out Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou. Jones vs. Ngannou is a fight that escaped the UFC’s grasp. Ngannou, who was the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, decided to leave the promotion to pursue lucrative boxing matches and a PFL contract. While Jones and Ngannou traded barbs over the situation, “Bones” was recently complimentary of “The Predator’s” successful return to MMA.
Belal Muhammad dismisses Ilia Topuria's three-division champion claim: "Short guys always act like they’re tough"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 24, 2024
Belal Muhammad finds humor in Ilia Topuria’s plan to become a three-division UFC champion. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion. He will be putting his title at stake against Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday. It’s “El Matador’s” first attempt at a successful title defense.
Joaquin Buckley reveals his frustration at UFC welterweight division
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
UFC fighter Joaquin Buckley has explained why he’s frustrated with the current state of the welterweight division. Over the course of the last few years, Joaquin Buckley has really put everything together. He has become a genuine contender at welterweight and, in the process, has developed quite the persona outside of the cage.
Shara Magomedov explains why Michael Bisping is his MMA inspiration
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
UFC star Shara Magomedov has explained why he views former champion Michael Bisping as an inspiration. As many of you know, Shara Magomedov is viewed by many as the next big thing. The 30-year-old is 14-0 in his professional mixed martial arts career and he’s 3-0 since arriving in the UFC. This weekend, he’ll attempt to extend that record when he goes head to head with Armen Petrosyan in what promises to be an electric bout.
Dustin Poirier thinks Ilia Topuria's KO prediction of Max Holloway is "almost impossible"
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
Dustin Poirier has questioned whether or not Ilia Topuria is capable of one-punch KO’ing Max Holloway at UFC 308. On Saturday night, Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Max Holloway. In the eyes of many, this is the most fascinating fight on the calendar in mixed martial arts. No matter which way you slice it, this one has the potential to be a Fight of the Year contender.
Jake Hadley opens up on recent UFC departure
Harry Kettle - October 24, 2024
Former UFC fighter Jake Hadley has opened up on his recent departure from the promotion. For the longest time, it felt as if Jake Hadley had the potential to become a real player in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, things never quite clicked into place for him. Following a run of 3-4 in the promotion, including a loss to Cameron Smotherman last weekend, he was not re-signed to a new contract.
UFC 308 | Pro fighters make their picks for Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway title fight
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
In the main event of UFC 308, the featherweight title is up for grabs as Ilia Topuria looks to defend his belt for the first time against Max Holloway. Heading into the bout, Topuria is a -260 favorite while the challenger is a +196 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros believe it should be an exciting striking match but they are shockingly unanimous in thinking Holloway pulls off the upset to get the win.
Israel Adesanya predicts Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya isn’t expecting Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev to go the full distance at UFC 308. Whittaker and Chimaev battle in a potential No. 1 contender fight at UFC 308 this Saturday in Abu Dhabi. The co-main event is one of the most anticipated co-headliners in recent memory based on the decorated runs of both stars.
Glory superstar Rico Verhoeven sends a message to Francis Ngannou about possible crossover fight: "This must happen!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
Glory heavyweight kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven has a crossover fight with former UFC champ Francis Ngannou at the top of his fighting priority list. Ngannou defeated 2023 PFL heavyweight title winner Renan Ferreira in the Battle of the Giants main event last Saturday in Riyadh. He made his long-awaited return to MMA to make his PFL debut, finishing Ferreira in the first round by ground and pound.
PFL founder Donn Davis responds to Usman Nurmagomedov’s comments about a future UFC move
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
PFL founder Donn Davis didn’t take long to respond to Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov’s timeline for a potential move to the UFC. Nurmagomedov, regarded by many as one of the top fighters outside of the UFC, defeated Alexandr Shabliy by unanimous decision in his last Bellator title defense. Usman is the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, considered one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Conor McGregor continues feud with Johnny Eblen over lackluster Bellator title fight: "Bum b*tch nobody"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
It appears that the feud between UFC star Conor McGregor and Bellator champion Johnny Eblen isn’t over. The middleweight returned to the cage on the PFL pay-per-view offering over the weekend in Saudi Arabia. There, Johnny Eblen met Fabian Edwards for a rematch of their firefight in Ireland last September. That first encounter ended a third-round knockout for the champion, and a near-brawl with Leon Edwards afterward.
VIDEO | Mike Tyson brutalizes sparring partner in preparation for Jake Paul fight
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Boxing legend Mike Tyson isn’t holding back in training for his upcoming fight against Jake Paul. ‘Iron Mike’ hasn’t competed in a professional boxing match in nearly two decades. Mike Tyson last stepped into the ring in June 2005, suffering a stoppage loss to journeyman Kevin McBride. 19 years later, the 58-year-old legend will lace up the gloves one final time against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Max Holloway opens up on CTE concerns ahead of UFC 308 return: "I don't want to be a vegetable when I'm older"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Max Holloway is opening up on his concerns about brain trauma ahead of his UFC 308 return. ‘Blessed’ is set to return to the cage in Abu Dhabi this Saturday night. Back for the first time since scoring a fifth-round knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April, Max Holloway will face Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ famously won featherweight gold with a stoppage victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February.
Khamzat Chimaev dismisses Sean Strickland's recent criticism, opens up on prior training session: "I tapped him out"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has opened up on his training sessions with former UFC champion Sean Strickland. ‘Borz’ is set to return to the cage in the co-main event of UFC 308 on Saturday night. Back for the first time since defeating Kamaru Usman by a majority-decision last October, Khamzat Chimaev will meet Robert Whittaker. ‘The Reaper’ enters the five-round bout riding a two-fight winning streak last knocking out Ikram Aliskerov in June.
Arnold Allen calls out Yair Rodríguez for 2025 UFC return, weighs in on Mexico City booking
Curtis Calhoun - October 23, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Arnold Allen has Yair Rodríguez in his sights for a pivotal matchup between top 145lbers. Allen snapped a two-fight skid to defeat Giga Chikadze by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in July. He stifled Chikadze’s always-dangerous kickboxing and put on one of his best performances in recent years.
Ilia Topuria shoots down the idea of rematching Alexander Volkanovski in Australia: "I'm the champion"
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2024
Ilia Topuria says if he rematches Alexander Volkanovski it will not be in Australia as ‘The Great’ wants. The UFC is returning to Sydney in February and Volkanovski says he wants to return on that card and fight for the title. However, should Topuria beat Max Holloway at UFC 308 and defend his belt, he says he won’t be going to Australia to defend his belt.