MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Julianna Pena reveals UFC wants to book Amanda Nunes against her or Kayla Harrison next: "Wants to look like a hero"
Josh Evanoff - October 14, 2024
The UFC reportedly wants to book Amanda Nunes against the winner of Julianna Pena vs. Kayla Harrison. ‘The Veneluzen Vixen’ returned to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 307 earlier this month. There, Julianna Pena competed for the first time since her defeat against Amanda Nunes in the summer of 2022. For her first fight back, the former champion faced new bantamweight titleholder, Raquel Pennington.
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.
Belal Muhammad responds after being labeled a “fake champion” by Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - October 14, 2024
Belal Muhammad has issued a response in the wake of being called a fake champion by UFC star Ilia Topuria. Earlier this year, Belal Muhammad produced a masterful performance to become the new UFC welterweight champion. He did so by dominating Leon Edwards, picking up what many considered to be one of the most dominant title wins of the year thus far.
Conor McGregor hits out at Belal Muhammad in latest social media rant
Harry Kettle - October 14, 2024
UFC star Conor McGregor has lashed out at UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in his latest social media rant. As we know, Conor McGregor is a pretty outspoken chap. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, especially when it comes to social media. The former two-weight UFC champion has made it crystal clear that he’s interested in a return to the Octagon but at this moment in time, nothing is set in stone.
Jorge Masvidal doubts Conor McGregor makes UFC return: "We'll see him at a bar and sh*t"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 13, 2024
Jorge Masvidal doesn’t see Conor McGregor ever stepping back inside the Octagon for a pro MMA fight. McGregor hasn’t been in a sanctioned bout since 2021. He suffered a broken leg in his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier.
Dana White and Joe Rogan think UFC 307 judges got it wrong with co-main event title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 13, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White and Joe Rogan were puzzled by the judging of the UFC 307 co-main event. Rogan was on commentary for the women’s bantamweight title fight between Raquel Pennington and Julianna Pena. White had the best seat in the house for the championship fight.
Justin Gaethje's next UFC fight will take place soon, opponent undecided
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 13, 2024
Justin Gaethje hasn’t been in action since a brutal KO loss back in April, but his manager has revealed a time frame for his return. Gaethje was last seen inside the Octagon at UFC 300 against Max Holloway. “The Highlight” was brutally knocked out in the final second of the fight. It was one of the most fascinating endings to a bout in MMA history.
Brandon Royval says it's title shot or bust following UFC Vegas 98 win over Tatsuro Taira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 13, 2024
Brandon Royval feels it’s time that he gets another crack at UFC gold. Royval shared the Octagon with Tatsuro Taira in the main event of UFC Vegas 98. The pivotal flyweight matchup went the distance. Two of the three judges scored the fight for Royval, awarding him the split decision victory.