MMA News
Dana White vows to fix UFC rankings after 'morons' don't move up Khalil Rountree Jr. after Alex Pereira loss: "They strike again"
Josh Evanoff - October 15, 2024
Dana White is ready to fix the UFC rankings after the latest update. Earlier this month in Salt Lake City, Khalil Rountree Jr. faced off with Alex Pereira. Heading into the contest, ‘The War Horse’ was a massive underdog given his ranking, among other factors. However, Rountree Jr. nearly upset ‘Poatan’ in the main event of UFC 307, scoring an early knockdown and leading on the judges’ scorecards through three frames.
Ilia Topuria challenges Conor McGregor to a sparring match, explains why UFC fight is now "Impossible"
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has officially given up his pursuit of a booking with Conor McGregor but issued an open invitation to the Irish superstar. Topuria will face BMF titleholder Max Holloway in the UFC 308 main event next weekend in Abu Dhabi. He’ll make his first UFC featherweight title defense after finishing Alexander Volkanovski for the belt in February.
Dustin Poirier shares prediction for potential Conor McGregor vs. Dan Hooker fight
Cole Shelton - October 15, 2024
Dustin Poirier thinks a potential fight between Conor McGregor and Dan Hooker would be fun for however long it lasts. On Saturday, McGregor claimed he would be fighting Hooker in February in Saudi Arabia in his UFC return. It caught many by surprise, as most assumed the Irishman would wait to see what happened in the Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira fight.
Tom Aspinall questions Francis Ngannou's elite status outside UFC: "These aren’t the best guys in the world"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2024
Tom Aspinall believes it’s tough to put Francis Ngannou in an elite class if he isn’t fighting under the UFC banner. Ngannou is a former UFC heavyweight champion, and he was never beaten for the belt. “The Predator” and the UFC couldn’t come to terms on a new deal. Ngannou ended up having lucrative boxing matches with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, as well as inking a deal with PFL.
UFC legend Donald Cerrone reveals MMA comeback plans: "I want to go back and get two more fights"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2024
Donald Cerrone is planning to make his MMA comeback for at least two more fights. Cerrone retired from pro MMA competition back in July 2022 after being submitted by Jim Miller. At the time “Cowboy” walked away from the sport, he had gone 0-6, 1 NC in his last seven fights.
What's next for Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira after UFC Vegas 98?
Cole Shelton - October 15, 2024
The UFC returned to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday for UFC Vegas 98 in a battle of top-ranked flyweights between Brandon Royval and Tatsuro Taira. In the main event, top-ranked flyweight contender Brandon Royval took on Tatsuro Taira. Roval entered the bout coming off a decision win over Brandon Moreno while Taira beat Alex Perez by TKO due to an injury as he was 6-0 in the UFC.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 180 with Mario Bautista and Brady Hiestand
Cole Shelton - October 15, 2024
The 180th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 99 and recap UFC 307. We’re joined by ninth-ranked UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista (0:40). We close things out by chatting with UFC bantamweight Brady Hiestand (12:10).
Anissa Meksen to battle Jackie Buntan for strawweight kickboxing gold at ONE 169
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 15, 2024
Fans have another reason to be excited for ONE 169 on November 8 live in U.S. primetime. The event just added an intriguing bout to its already stacked lineup. This pits Anissa Meksen against Jackie Buntan for the inaugural ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship.
PFL’s Donn Davis expects Dana White to make major UFC announcement in attempt to stifle Francis Ngannou’s MMA return
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024
PFL boss Donn Davis believes Dana White will make a major UFC announcement this week in an attempt to overshadow Francis Ngannou’s PFL debut. This weekend, the PFL’s blockbuster Battle of the Giants event will take place in Saudi Arabia. The main event will see Francis Ngannou go head to head with Renan Ferreira, in what is expected to be an absolute blockbuster of a fight.
NFL legend Ray Lewis to address fighters before their ‘PFL: Battle of the Giants’ bouts
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024
The PFL is set to ensure maximum violence at Battle of the Giants with Ray Lewis chatting to fighters before they go out. At this point, it certainly seems as if the PFL is willing to do just about anything to promote Battle of the Giants. It makes sense, too, given that this is by far the biggest event they’ve ever produced from top to bottom.
Francis Ngannou explains why he “wouldn't be surprised” if Stipe Miocic beats Jon Jones at UFC 309
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024
Francis Ngannou has explained why he wouldn’t be surprised to see Stipe Miocic defeat Jon Jones at UFC 309 next month. As we know, Stipe Miocic will challenge Jon Jones for the UFC heavyweight championship next month. If he’s able to win the strap, he’ll become a three-time UFC world champion. In doing so, he’ll surely cement his legacy as the greatest heavyweight ever.
Daniel Cormier shares his biggest concerns for Nick Diaz's UFC 310 comeback fight
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier has some profound concerns about Nick Diaz’s upcoming comeback fight against Vicente Luque. Diaz will face Luque at UFC 310 at the promotion’s final pay-per-view event of the year. He returns after a three-year absence, stemming from a loss to former UFC welterweight champ Robbie Lawler at UFC 266.
Conor McGregor offers Sean O'Malley all-expenses paid trip to train with him in Ireland: "He would regain his title!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
Now that Conor McGregor and Sean O’Malley have squashed their beef, McGregor wants O’Malley and his longtime coach Tim Welch to train on his home soil. O’Malley lost the UFC bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last month. The loss snapped a lengthy unbeaten streak and ended his bantamweight title reign.
Francis Ngannou again taunts Dana White over comments about his UFC pay: "I have all the receipts"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024
PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou has responded to UFC President Dana White. ‘The Predator’ is set to return to the cage this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since a decision victory over Ciryl Gane in early 2022, Francis Ngannou will face Renan Ferreira. The bout will be the former champion’s first under the PFL banner, but not his first since leaving the UFC.
Tony Ferguson confirms he's not retired, announces plans for early 2025 UFC return: "F*ck no I'm not retiring!"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson isn’t done quite yet. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of the cage since a trip to Abu Dhabi in August. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Paddy Pimblett in December, Tony Ferguson faced fellow veteran Michael Chiesa. Ahead of the bout, Dana White stated that the 40-year-old would have to retire afterward, win or lose.
Sean O'Malley shows interest in facing 'legend' Jose Aldo in UFC return: "That would be f*cking crazy"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley wants to fight Jose Aldo. ‘Sugar’ is fresh off his return to the cage at the Las Vegas Sphere last month. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Marlon Vera in April, Sean O’Malley faced Merab Dvalishvili. The two headlined the massive Noche UFC card, in what was supposed to be another star-making performance for the champion.
Francis Ngannou explains why he feels like a significant "underdog" ahead of MMA return vs. Renan Ferreira
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou admits he’s entering his PFL debut with a steep mountain to climb against the formidable Renan Ferreira. Ngannou and Ferreira headline Battle of the Giants this Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The PFL’s latest pay-per-view event marks the long-awaited return to the cage for Ngannou, almost three full years since his last MMA fight.
Michael Chandler says Conor McGregor's MMA legacy is on the line after long UFC absence
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler feels Conor McGregor’s fighting legacy is in jeopardy if he doesn’t return. Chandler will face former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in the UFC 309 co-main event. He returns to the Octagon almost two full years after his last fight amidst a long wait for the McGregor booking.