MMA News
Francis Ngannou's coach criticizes PFL's lack of promotion for former UFC champ's MMA return
Curtis Calhoun - October 11, 2024
The head coach of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou believes the PFL has overlooked one of the biggest aspects of his return to the cage. Ngannou will face 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in a pay-per-view main event on October 19th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After almost three full years away from MMA, Ngannou will make his long-awaited return to debut in the PFL SmartCage.
Joaquin Buckley answers Kamaru Usman's 'Get in line' response to his fight callout: "S*** shouldn't be given to you!"
Curtis Calhoun - October 11, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley was taken aback by Kamaru Usman’s nonchalant response to his fight callout at UFC 307. Buckley knocked out Stephen Thompson at UFC 307 last weekend in Salt Lake City. Since making the full-time move to welterweight, Buckley’s on a roll, with five consecutive victories in the Octagon.
Conor McGregor again teases boxing match against KSI: "I'll fight him for that bulls*it song alone!"
Josh Evanoff - October 11, 2024
It appears that former UFC champion Conor McGregor is again teasing a boxing match with KSI. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t appeared in the octagon in over three years. Conor McGregor last fought in July 2021, suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. While the Irishman was set to return to the cage in June against Michael Chandler, he pulled out due to a broken toe. As of now, he’s yet to book his return.
Yaroslav Amosov hoping for UFC contract after leaving Bellator: "I will take this belt"
Josh Evanoff - October 11, 2024
Former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov is ready to join the UFC. The Ukrainian has been out of the cage since last November when he faced Jason Jackson. Holding an undefeated 27-0 record, the fight was going to be Yaroslav Amosov’s second title defense. However, the challenger flipped the script on the champion. Jackson got the better of Amosov on the feet, ultimately scoring a third-round knockout victory.
TJ Dillashaw criticizes Jose Aldo's strategy for Mario Bautista fight at UFC 307
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 11, 2024
TJ Dillashaw is baffled by Jose Aldo’s strategy against Mario Bautista. Aldo and Bautista shared the Octagon on the main card of UFC 307. Aldo was hoping to defeat another rising prospect and eventually earn another title fight. Instead, Bautista scored a split decision victory.
Mario Bautista explains why fans should be pointing the finger at Jose Aldo for lackluster fight at UFC 307
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2024
Mario Bautista believes fans should be pointing the finger at Jose Aldo for their poor fight at UFC 307 last weekend. As you may have heard, Mario Bautista defeated Jose Aldo last weekend in the biggest win of his career. You may have also heard that a lot of fans and pundits weren’t too happy about it.
The Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones beef boils over with accusations of gym abuse and racism
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2024
Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones continue to go back and forth at one another as their bitter rivalry grows even greater. In the world of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, things have been getting pretty interesting for a long time now. As we know, there are two pretty big names that stand tall above the rest right now: Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones.
The UFC’s roster purge continues as 6 more fighters part ways with the promotion
Harry Kettle - October 11, 2024
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has continued to release fighters with six more being let go from the promotion. As we know, the UFC has a pretty substantial roster size. When you consider the fact that it only seems to be getting bigger courtesy of new signings, Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, it’s amazing that they’ve even kept this many people on the books. With that being said, it seems as if they’re slowly but surely starting to trim things down.
Nabil Anane vows to sustain impressive streak in ONE Championship
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 11, 2024
Nabil Anane is determined to keep his professional career on a winning trajectory. The 20-year-old phenom recently secured his fifth consecutive win, beating Soe Lin Oo by unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 81 in September.
Cain Velasquez shares how he'd match up with Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall in his prime
Curtis Calhoun - October 10, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez sized up two of the top heavyweight fighters on the planet, Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall, and how the fights would go in his prime. Velasquez is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time after a decorated run in the UFC. His otherworldly cardio, combined with his elite wrestling skillset, made him a nightmare matchup for the heavyweight division to study.
REPORT | Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates booked for November 9th headliner
Curtis Calhoun - October 10, 2024
Experience meets youth on November 9th, as a UFC welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Carlos Prates is reportedly set to headline UFC Vegas 100. MMA Fighting was the first outlet to report the news of the Magny vs. Prates booking.
Jorge Masvidal reveals timeframe for his potential UFC return: "I’m gonna f**k somebody up"
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2024
Jorge Masvidal is looking to make his return to the UFC in March, preferably in Miami. Masvidal retired from MMA following his decision loss to Gilbert Burns in April 2023. He then boxed Nate Diaz in July and dropped a razor close decision. After some time away from MMA, Masvidal recently revealed he’s in talks to return to the UFC, and ‘Gamebred’ says he plans on returning in March.
Khalil Rountree reflects on UFC 307 title fight against 'real life final boss' Alex Pereira: "He just kept making adjustments"
Josh Evanoff - October 10, 2024
Khalil Rountree has nothing but respect for Alex Pereira after their war at UFC 307. ‘The War Horse’ and ‘Poatan’ faced off in Salt Lake City over the weekend. For Khalil Rountree, the title fight was his first appearance in the cage since knocking out Anthony Smith last December. Meanwhile, Alex Pereira was fresh off a second-round stoppage win over Jiri Prochazka in their June rematch in Las Vegas.
Francis Ngannou opens up on retirement plans ahead of PFL debut: "I would like to leave at the top of my game"
Josh Evanoff - October 10, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is discussing retirement ahead of his PFL debut. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since defeating Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision in early 2022. That fight wound up being Francis Ngannou’s last in the UFC, as he left the company soon afterward. In early 2023, the former heavyweight champion shockingly signed with Donn Davis and the PFL.
Jake Paul claims he'd "1000 percent" beat Alex Pereira in Boxing, says Khalil Rountree Jr. exposed glaring holes
Curtis Calhoun - October 10, 2024
Jake Paul is supremely confident in his chances if he comes face-to-face with UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira in the boxing ring. Pereira successfully defended the UFC light heavyweight for the third time in 2024 by finishing Khalil Rountree Jr. last Saturday. After falling behind in the early rounds, Pereira badly battered Rountree in Round 4 to eventually finish the title challenger.
Valentina Shevchenko won't rule out UFC bantamweight return after flyweight title win: "We will make the decision"
Josh Evanoff - October 10, 2024
Fresh off a UFC flyweight title win, Valentina Shevchenko won’t rule out a move to bantamweight. ‘Bullet’ recently appeared in the cage in the co-main event of Noche UFC last month in Las Vegas. There, Valentina Shevchenko faced Alexa Grasso for the third, and likely final time. Over a year and a half after losing the gold to the Mexican fighter, the former champion avenged her defeat.
Josh Fremd expecting a brawl against Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 98: "Try to take each other's heads off"
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2024
Josh Fremd wasn’t sure if he was going to get another fight in the UFC. Fremd suffered a lackluster decision loss to Andre Petroski back at UFC Denver in a fight that he thought was super boring. He was frustrated with how the fight played out and after the scrap, he wasn’t sure what would be next. Luckily, the UFC quickly offered him Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 98 and he jumped at the offer.
Glover Teixeira interested in ending retirement and making UFC return: "I want to compete"
Cole Shelton - October 10, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira is interested in ending his retirement. Teixeira announced his retirement from MMA back in January of 2023 after he lost to Jamahal Hill for the vacant light heavyweight title. Since then, Teixeira has gone into a coaching role, as he helps train Alex Pereira. Yet, as he the success the Brazilian is having, Teixeira says he’s getting the itch to compete and is contemplating a return.