MMA News
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.
Carla Esparza hoping for future UFC Hall of Fame induction ahead of retirement fight: "That would be so cool"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2024
Ahead of her final fight, former UFC women’s strawweight champion Carla Esparza is thinking about her legacy. ‘Cookie Monster’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since her title defense against Weili Zhang in November 2022. Just a few months after upsetting Rose Namajunas to re-win UFC gold, Carla Esparza faced ‘Magnum’. Ultimately, it took only two rounds for the Chinese fighter to score a stoppage win to earn the title.
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.
Henry Cejudo reveals how Kayla Harrison can run into problems against Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 2, 2024
Henry Cejudo believes Ketlen Vieira can make things uncomfortable for Kayla Harrison. Vieira and Harrison will collide this Saturday inside the Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Harrison has said she expects to be a backup option if the women’s bantamweight title co-headliner needs her. Otherwise, it’s a chance for Harrison to solidify her place as a contender for the 135-pound gold.
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.
Fares Ziam apologizes for unnecessary punches in ‘POTN’ knockout of Matt Frevola at UFC Paris: “I am sorry about that”
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2024
Fares Ziam has apologized for unnecessary punches in his Performance of the Night win over Matt Frevola. Last weekend, we all got the chance to see some pretty incredible matchups take place at UFC Paris. They featured a mixture of established talent and rising stars, with one of them pitting Fares Ziam against Matt Frevola.
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.
Alex Pereira vows to "break" Khalil Rountree at UFC 307
Cole Shelton - October 1, 2024
Alex Pereira is confident he will still be the light heavyweight champion after UFC 307. Pereira is set to headline UFC 307 on Saturday against Khalil Rountree as he puts his 205lbs on the line. It’s an intriguing matchup and heading into the bout, Pereira is focused on doing whatever he needs to, to get his hand raised. With that said, ‘Poatan’ believes his pressure and fight IQ will be too much for Rountree and he will eventually break the title challenger.
WATCH | PFL releases Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira trailer ahead of pay-per-view clash
Josh Evanoff - October 1, 2024
The PFL has released a trailer to promote Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira. Later this month in Saudi Arabia, ‘The Predator’ will enter the cage for the first time since early 2022. Following a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270, Francis Ngannou parted ways with the Dana White-led promotion. The following year, the former heavyweight champion signed with the PFL.
Invicta FC 58 announced for November 6th in Kansas City, former UFC fighter Emily Ducote to headline
Josh Evanoff - October 1, 2024
Former UFC women’s strawweight contender Emily Ducote will headline Invicta FC 58 next month. In June, Shannon Knapp’s women’s MMA promotion finally returned. After nearly a year away, they held Invicta FC 55 in Kansas City, the city where they’ve largely remained since being founded a decade ago. Since then, they’ve held a few more high-profile events, including one in August headlined by former UFC title challenger Jennifer Maia.
Khalil Rountree plans to become the real "boogeyman" with KO win over Alex Pereira at UFC 307
Cole Shelton - October 1, 2024
Khalil Rountree believes he will be considered the real boogeyman with a KO win over Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Rountree is set to headline UFC 307 on Saturday against Pereira for the light heavyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that the oddsmakers have Pereira as a sizeable betting favorite. Although Pereira is the better favorite, Rountree is confident he won’t just win but will win by KO.
Raquel Pennington wants to derail Kayla Harrison hype train: "I would love to be the one to go out there and just shut that sh*t up"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 1, 2024
Raquel Pennington feels prepared to end the hype train of Kayla Harrison. Pennington is the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion. She will put her gold at stake against Julianna Pena. The title fight will serve as the UFC 307 co-main event this Saturday night. Harrison will also be on the card, fighting Ketlen Vieira.