MMA News
Khalil Rountree Jr. reveals Sean Strickland issued him an apology ahead of UFC 307: “Khalil, I apologize, I’m a dumbass”
Harry Kettle - October 3, 2024
UFC title contender Khalil Rountree Jr has revealed that former champion Sean Strickland recently issued him an apology. This weekend, Khalil Rountree Jr faces the biggest test of his career thus far. He will challenge Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship in a fight that few people think he can win.
Khalil Rountree says he doesn't plan on wrestling Alex Pereira at UFC 307: "I’m not a wrestler"
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
Khalil Rountree has no plans to wrestle Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Rountree is set to challenge Pereira for the light heavyweight title in the main event of the pay-per-view card on Saturday night. It’s an intriguing matchup as both are strikers, but in the lead-up to the bout, many wondered if Rountree would attempt to wrestle Pereira.
Mario Bautista plans to bring the fight to Jose Aldo at UFC 307: "I'm going to make him fight"
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
Mario Bautista is excited and honored to fight a legend like Jose Aldo at UFC 307. Bautista is coming off a decision win over Ricky Simon back in January. Since then, he had been campaigning for a fight but nine months later, he will return to the Octagon on Saturday. Although it is a much longer wait, he says the opponent is well worth it.
UFC 307 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree title fight
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
In the main event of UFC 307, the light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Alex Pereira takes on Khalil Rountree. Heading into the fight, Pereira is a sizeable -560 favorite while the challenger is a +370 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 the slight majority believe Pereira will get his hand raised. However, some do think Rountree will shock the world.
Israel Adesanya says his story with Alex Pereira is officially over: "They can f*cking get off my d*ck now"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes his story with Alex Pereira is over. ‘Poatan’ is currently slated to return to the cage in the main event of UFC 307 on Saturday. Back for the first time since a stoppage win over Jiri Prochazka in June, Alex Pereira will face Khalil Rountree Jr. For his part, the latter is coming off a December knockout victory over former title challenger Anthony Smith.
Danial Williams vows to put Banma Duoji through the wringer at ONE Fight Night 25
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 2, 2024
Danial Williams expects nothing less than an all-out war at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video. There, “Mini T” goes up against Banma Duoji in a flyweight MMA clash. This three-round duel airs live in U.S. primetime from the fabled Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, October 4.
Kevin Holland rips 'bums' who complain about UFC fighter pay: "You want to get paid for s*it you don't do"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Kevin Holland has a few thoughts on certain fighters complaining about pay. ‘Trailblazer’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a submission win over Michal Oleksiejczuk in June. That victory at UFC 302 got Kevin Holland back on track, snapping a two-fight losing streak for the fan favorite. This Saturday night in Salt Lake City, he will look to keep his momentum going against Roman Dolidze.
Dana White seemingly shoots down Alex Pereira's tease of a boxing match: "I hate crossover fights"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2024
Dana White isn’t a big fan of the idea of sending UFC champion Alex Pereira to boxing. ‘Poatan’ is currently set to return to the octagon this Saturday night in Salt Lake City. Back for the first time since a knockout victory over Jiri Prochazka in June, Alex Pereira will face fellow striker Khalil Rountree Jr. For his part, ‘The War Horse’ hasn’t competed since a stoppage win over Anthony Smith last December.
Ali Abdelaziz claims UFC's Ottman Azaitar saved him from drowning in Hawaii: "He literally saved my life"
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2024
Prominent MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz nearly drowned in Hawaii. Abdelaziz was in Hawaii when he and others went for a swim, including UFC lightweight Ottman Azaitar. While they were swimming, Abdelaziz, according to TMZ Sports, isn’t a strong swimmer, ended up in an area that was deeper than he anticipated. He couldn’t touch the bottom when his head started to dip below the water.
Joshua Pacio weighs in on strawweight MMA bouts at ONE Fight Night 25
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 2, 2024
Joshua Pacio is not letting his ACL injury hinder his responsibility as the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion. The Filipino superstar is actively following the developments in his weight class. His attention will be fully locked on ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video this Friday, October 4. There, two pivotal strawweight MMA bouts are booked to take place live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dana White denies foul play from athletic commission following UFC Paris controversy
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 2, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White says there was no foul play with the French athletic commission stemming from UFC Paris. Both Renato Moicano and Brendan Allen were none too pleased with being held for hours after the weigh-ins to undergo drug testing. Allen felt the headache was suspicious given that both he and Moicano were facing French fighters.
Chael Sonnen vouches for Renato Moicano vs. Justin Gaethje following UFC Paris
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 2, 2024
Chael Sonnen thinks Renato Moicano vs. Justin Gaethje makes too much sense to pass on. Moicano scored a big win at UFC Paris recently. He defeated Benoit Saint-Denis via second-round TKO. “Money” Moicano battered Saint-Denis to the point where the doctor ruled the “God of War” could not continue.
ONE 168: Denver outsells WWE events at Ball Arena
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 2, 2024
ONE Championship achieved a significant milestone this past September by hosting its second spectacle in the United States. The ONE 168: Denver card, held at Ball Arena, exceeded expectations and even outperformed WWE’s two major events at the same venue. This is according to the report of veteran professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.
Israel Adesanya says he wants to fight one more time before the end of the year: “Just fight for fighting’s sake”
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wants to fight once more prior to the end of the calendar year. Earlier this year, Israel Adesanya failed in his attempt to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship. He fought well against Dricus du Plessis but ultimately, he came up short in a submission defeat to the South African champ.
Stephen Thompson believes Joaquin Buckley’s “ego” could result in his downfall at UFC 307: “I would love to get a submission win”
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2024
UFC veteran Stephen Thompson wonders whether or not Joaquin Buckley’s ego could cost him at UFC 307 this weekend. On Saturday night, Stephen Thompson returns to the Octagon once again. He’ll be doing so to battle it out with Joaquin Buckley in what promises to be an electric welterweight display.
UFC CEO Dana White weighs in on the “myth” that there is ‘life changing’ money in boxing: “That's the bullsh*t that the public believes”
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White isn’t convinced by the suggestion that there is life-changing money to be made in professional boxing. As we know, Dana White has a complicated relationship with professional boxing. On the surface, you’d think he hates it based on some of his critiques over the years. Alas, in many ways, this was his first love in the world of combat sports.
Superbon starches Nattawut, Bags $50K bonus at ONE Friday Fights 81
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 1, 2024
Superbon showcased his incredible striking prowess yet again in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 81, earning a $50,000 bonus courtesy of ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. The ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion made quick work of “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in a non-title Muay Thai bout last Friday, September 27, in Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Dana White reacts to Conor McGregor's drunk livestream, still believes the Irishman fights in 2025
Cole Shelton - October 1, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White still believes Conor McGregor will fight in 2025, despite his recent drunk livestream. McGregor did a livestream which was sponsored by Duelbits and was drinking throughout it. The Irishman was seen downing several drinks throughout the livestream and even took aim at Ilia Topuria.