MMA News
UFC star Bo Nickal responds to fan criticizing him for inactivity
Harry Kettle - September 26, 2024
UFC prospect Bo Nickal has responded to someone who appears to have been criticizing his inactivity in the cage. As we know, big things are expected from Bo Nickal in his mixed martial arts career. So far, the 28-year-old has put together an unbeaten 6-0 record, which included two quick victories on Dana White’s Contender Series. Since March 2023, he’s gone 3-0 in the promotion, with all three victories coming via finish.
Belal Muhammad explains how Khabib Nurmagomedov changed the game
Harry Kettle - September 26, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has revealed how Khabib Nurmagomedov changed the game. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from mixed martial arts with an incredible 29-0 record. He walked away as the undisputed UFC lightweight champion, with many believing he belongs in the greatest of all time conversation.
Bryan Battle eager to go into enemy territory at UFC Paris, expects to finish Kevin Jousset in "spectacular fashion"
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2024
Bryan Battle jumped at the chance to go into enemy territory to face Kevin Jousset at UFC Paris. Battle is coming off a No Contest against Ange Loosa in March due to an accidental eye poke. It was a fight Battle was winning early on, and he says because of that, the UFC matchmakers saw enough to not have to rebook the bout.
Dustin Poirier shoots down Dan Hooker's recent call for a UFC rematch
Curtis Calhoun - September 25, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier feels former opponent Dan Hooker’s recent calls for a rematch inside the Octagon aren’t genuine. Poirier hinted at retirement following a loss to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 in June. But, after contemplating his combat sports future, he envisions at least one more fight in the Octagon before calling it quits.
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.
Belal Muhammad targets Shavkat Rakhmonov for first title defense despite Kamaru Usman talk: "He has more aura"
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad has his sights set on Shavkat Rakhmonov, not Kamaru Usman. ‘Remember The Name’ has been out of the cage since a trip to Manchester in July. In the main event of UFC 304, Belal Muhammad finally challenged for gold against Leon Edwards. Despite entering the cage as a heavy betting underdog, the challenger wound up earning a unanimous decision victory.
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.
Max Holloway reveals if preparation for Ilia Topuria is different from Justin Gaethje fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 25, 2024
Max Holloway has discussed his preparation for Ilia Topuria versus how he prepared for Justin Gaethje. Holloway is set to challenge Topuria for the UFC Featherweight Championship on October 26th. The title fight will headline UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi. It’s a chance for “Blessed” to become a two-time 145-pound titleholder, which would add to an already stellar career.
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.
Alexis Nicolas looks to extend reign beyond ONE Fight Night 25: “I’m the king”
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 25, 2024
ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video represents a significant chapter in Alexis Nicolas’ quest to build his own empire. The ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion defends his throne for the first time in a rematch with Regian Eersel. This matchup headlines the aforementioned U.S. primetime event. It airs live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 4.
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.