MMA News
Takeru donates portion of fight purse to flood victims in Myanmar
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 15, 2024
In a touching display of sportsmanship, Takeru Segawa extended a heartfelt gesture to Thant Zin. The two strikers faced off in an intense flyweight kickboxing match at ONE Friday Fights 81 this past September. There, the Japanese superstar emerged victorious in a commanding performance.
Dustin Poirier reveals recent near-altercation with Conor McGregor in Las Vegas, says fight "For sure" would've happened
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2024
Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor nearly came to blows while both were at a Las Vegas convention earlier this month promoting their respective businesses. Poirier hasn’t fought since a loss to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in June. After initially suggesting he’d retire and walk away from mixed martial arts, he’s planning at least one comeback fight in 2025, and potentially two.
Ilia Topuria intends to move to lightweight following UFC 308 fight against Max Holloway: "I want to do it!"
Josh Evanoff - October 15, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria is ready to move to lightweight after fighting Max Holloway. ‘El Matador’ is set to return to the cage later this month in the main event of UFC 308. Back for the first time since winning featherweight gold against Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria will meet ‘Blessed’. For his part, Max Holloway is fresh off a brutal fifth-round knockout victory over Justin Gaethje in April.
Takeru wants Rodtang next following bounce-back win
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 15, 2024
Takeru Segawa knows exactly who he wants to face next — Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Fresh off his redemption win at ONE Friday Fights 81 in September, the Japanese superstar has his eyes locked on the reigning ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion.
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.
Belal Muhammad has no fear of Shavkat Rakhmonov ahead of UFC 310, says coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2024
Coach Mike Valle isn’t fazed by the challenge Shavkat Rakhmonov presents to Belal Muhammad. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Rakhmonov will take on UFC welterweight champion Muhammad at the UFC 310 pay-per-view. The title fight is set to headline the event inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 7th.
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.
Tatsuro Taira issues statement following FOTN loss to Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 98
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2024
UFC contender Tatsuro Taira has issued a statement following his dramatic defeat to Brandon Royval last weekend. Last Saturday night, Tatsuro Taira stepped up to battle it out with Brandon Royval in a blockbuster flyweight main event. The two men were expected to go out there and put on a show, and boy oh boy is that what they did. They tore the house down in a true Fight of the Night contender that only left us wishing more fans had been in attendance to see it.
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.
Tom Aspinall responds to Jon Jones's declaration he won't win more UFC titles than him
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2024
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall responded to Jon Jones’s latest promise that the UK star won’t surpass him when it comes to title victories. Jones will return to the Octagon to defend the UFC lineal heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 next month. He was supposed to face Miocic at UFC 295 before withdrawing due to injury.
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.