MMA News
Referee Herb Dean defends encouraging Merab Dvalishvili to "work" more in later rounds at UFC 306
Curtis Calhoun - September 25, 2024
MMA referee Herb Dean explained his persistence in wanting more volume and action from Merab Dvalishvili in the later rounds of the UFC 306 headliner. Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision to earn the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 306. He largely dominated the fight against O’Malley with his wrestling, despite O’Malley believing he was robbed on the judges’ scorecards.
Brendan Schaub pitches Conor McGregor vs. Paddy Pimblett for the Irishman's return: "You wouldn't watch that?"
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub believes Conor McGregor vs. Paddy Pimblett makes sense. ‘The Notorious’ is currently without an opponent for his long-awaited UFC return. While Conor McGregor was set to face Michael Chandler earlier this year, he was forced out due to injury. ‘The Notorious’ called to face ‘Iron’ in December, but the former Bellator star had other plans. Instead, he signed a deal to face Charles Oliveira in November.
Reinier de Ridder explains decision to leave ONE Championship for the UFC: "We had a plan..."
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2024
Former ONE Championship titleholder Reinier De Ridder is opening up on his UFC signing. ‘The Dutch Knight’ has long been viewed as one of the best fighters outside of Dana White’s promotion. From 2019 to 2022, Reinier de Ridder picked up big win, after big win, inside ONE Championship. At one point, the Dutchman held gold at two different weight classes and held wins over the likes of Aung La Nsang and Vitaly Bigdash.
Brendan Allen targeting winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2 with UFC Paris win: "I've checked every box"
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen believes the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Sean Strickland 2 should be next. ‘All In’ is currently set to return to the octagon this Saturday night in Paris. Back for the first time since a split-decision victory over Chris Curtis in April, Brendan Allen will face Nassourdine Imavov. For his part, the Frenchman hasn’t competed since a controversial stoppage win over Jared Cannonier in early June.
Former ONE champ Reinier de Ridder's UFC debut set for November 9th against Gerald Meerschaert
Curtis Calhoun - September 25, 2024
Former two-division ONE titleholder Reinier de Ridder is set for his UFC debut just hours after his reported signing with the promotion in free agency. De Ridder will face the veteran Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 100 on November 9th. Dutch publication UFC op Eurosport was the first to report the news of the De Ridder vs. Meerschaert booking.
REPORT | Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo headlines UFC Macau on November 23
Curtis Calhoun - September 25, 2024
Former UFC titleholders Petr Yan and Deiveson Figueiredo are reportedly set to clash in a potential No. 1 bantamweight contender fight. Yan and Figueiredo will reportedly headline UFC Fight Night: Macau on November 23rd. MMA journalist Léo Guimaraes was the first to report the Yan vs. Figueiredo fight news.
REPORT | Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque targeted for UFC 310
Curtis Calhoun - September 25, 2024
A UFC welterweight matchup between Nick Diaz and Vicente Luque is reportedly in the works for a rebooking at UFC 310 on December 7th. MMA Mania‘s Alex Behunin was the first to report the Diaz vs. Luque booking news. As of this writing, promotion officials haven’t confirmed the fight.
Pro fighters make their picks for Benoit Saint-Denis vs Renato Moicano
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2024
In the main event of UFC Paris, a pivotal lightweight bout goes down as Benoit Saint-Denis takes on Renato Moicano. Heading into the fight, Saint-Denis is a -290 favorite while the Brazilian is a +215 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros believe Saint-Denis will get his hand raised, as he will be able to KO Moicano early in the fight to get a big win at home.
Dricus Du Plessis exposes poor analysis of his fighting style: "What are you talking about?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 25, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is puzzled by all the bad takes on his fighting style. Du Plessis has solidified himself as the king of the middleweight division. He’s defeated the likes of Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Sean Strickland. He’s the UFC middleweight champion with one successful title defense on his resume.
Michael Bisping wonders how Renato Moicano will handle hostile UFC Paris fans
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 25, 2024
Michael Bisping believes Renato Moicano is stepping into the lion’s den when he meets Benoit Saint Denis in enemy territory. Moicano and Saint Denis will collide this Saturday at a UFC Paris event. The fight will be held inside the Accor Arena. This is a big opportunity for “Money” Moicano to extend his winning streak to four and emerge as a true contender at 155 pounds. As for Saint Denis, he’ll want to make a statement coming off a second-round knockout loss to Dustin Poirier.
Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier believe now is the time for UFC champion Islam Makhachev to do a heel turn: “I think that’s the move”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2024
Chael Sonnen and Daniel Cormier believe now is the time for Islam Makhachev to take on a more villainous persona. Islam Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion and he has earned that title. He defeated Charles Oliveira to capture the strap before going on to defend it against the likes of Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier.
UFC CEO Dana White opens up on plans to enter the world of Boxing: “I’m coming in guns blazing”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has explained why he believes now is the right time for him to enter the world of pro boxing. For the longest time, Dana White has been teasing a move into the world of boxing. It’s where his combat sports passion first really began before he eventually made his way over to mixed martial arts. Now, after years of pondering a venture over, it seems as if he’s going to be dipping his toe in the water.
Dana White reacts after 8-1 underdog scores wild upset finish on Contender Series: “I love this sh*t”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has reacted to an 8/1 underdog scoring a big upset victory on the Contender Series. As we know, the Contender Series has served as a great entry point into the Ultimate Fighting Championship for so many fighters. From former champions to top prospects, the show has produced some incredible talent over the years.
John Lineker to battle Alexey Balyko in Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 25
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 24, 2024
John Lineker has just signed up for his second assignment in Muay Thai. This is booked to happen at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video. The U.S. primetime event airs live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 4.
Chael Sonnen calls Jorge Masvidal "Thirsty" after recent Leon Edwards callout
Curtis Calhoun - September 24, 2024
Chael Sonnen is at it again with his jabs toward Jorge Masvidal after the former BMF champion’s recent callout for a possible UFC return. Masvidal wants to re-sign with the UFC after retiring from the promotion last year following UFC 287. In what many anticipated was his UFC swan song, he lost to Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision.
Matt Frevola planning to bring Fares Ziam into a "dogfight" at UFC Paris: "He will finally have an exciting fight"
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2024
Matt Frevola is excited to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Frevola is set to return on Saturday at UFC Paris against Fares Ziam. It’s his first since November of last year when he suffered a KO loss to Benoit Saint-Denis. Since then, his wife welcomed their son into the world, so he took time to be a dad. But, once he was ready to return, he says he pushed to be on this Paris card.
Sean Strickland joins Alex Pereira for UFC 307 camp, sends a message to Dricus du Plessis
Curtis Calhoun - September 24, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is joining forces with Alex Pereira for the latter’s upcoming title defense in Salt Lake City. Pereira will defend the UFC light heavyweight title against the surging Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 307 on October 5th. He returns to the Octagon after two successful title defenses this year, including on weeks’ notice at UFC 303.
Benoit Saint-Denis lays out his path to earn rematch with Dustin Poirier
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2024
Benoit Saint-Denis hopes to earn a rematch with Dustin Poirier. Saint-Denis suffered a second-round TKO loss to Poirier at UFC 299. The Frenchman had success in the first round but Poirier took over in the second and got the win.