MMA News

Harry Kettle - September 23, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has made a surprising revelation regarding his former career outside the cage. Merab Dvalishvili is the new king at 135 pounds. Earlier this month at Noche UFC, he defeated Sean O’Malley to become the new champion – and he did so in emphatic fashion. It marks the end of a long journey for the Georgian superstar that saw him scratch and claw to make his way to the top of the mountain.

Harry Kettle - September 23, 2024

He may not have a fight lined up, but Colby Covington is certainly keeping himself busy outside of the Octagon. As we know, Colby Covington is one of the most polarizing figures in mixed martial arts. For over half a decade now, he has been using a ‘heel’ persona in the sport as a tactic for trying to get big fights. For the most part, it’s worked, even though he hasn’t quite been able to claim the undisputed world title.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 22, 2024

Legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas is more than happy to see UFC CEO Dana White enter the sweet science. For years, White has expressed interest in getting involved with the sport of boxing. The UFC boss has claimed the holdup has been the politics of boxing. More recently, White has been dipping his toes in the water, helping promote rising star Callum Walsh.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 22, 2024

UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik has recalled how his broadcast colleague Joe Rogan reaction to the Sphere in Las Vegas. UFC 306 was held inside the Sphere, and it was an expensive endeavor for the promotion. Dana White has been adamant that the Sphere show was a one and done scenario. The event received praise from fans and experts for its unique feel as well as its tributes to Mexican culture to represent the Noche UFC theme.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 22, 2024

TJ Dillashaw believes Merab Dvalisvili made Sean O’Malley look weak in their UFC 306 title fight. Dvalishvili put forth a stellar performance against “Suga.” His pressure and wrestling gave O’Malley problems throughout the fight. When the score totals were read, it was Dvalishvili who had his hand raised via unanimous decision, securing the UFC bantamweight title in the process.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 22, 2024

Conor McGregor hasn’t dipped a single toe inside the Octagon since June 2021, but he insists the comeback will happen. McGregor was in attendance for the big Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois fight this past Saturday. It was a familiar sight for fans of “Mystic Mac,” as the Irishman appeared to be having the time of his life. Many are convinced that McGregor will never return to pro MMA competition.

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 22, 2024

ONE Championship has officially appointed Tom DeBlass as Vice President of Grappling.   The third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and former professional MMA fighter joins Leo Vieira in this critical role as the promotion pushes submission grappling to new heights of popularity. 

Chris Taylor - September 21, 2024

Conor McGregor and Tyson Fury had very different reactions to Daniel Dubois knocking out Anthony Joshua. Dubois (22-2) and Joshua (28-4) squared off in a twelve-round bout for the IBF heavyweight title earlier tonight in Wembley.

Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2024

UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell is ready to step up and face Movsar Evloev. ‘Thug Nasty’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a short-notice bout with Josh Emmett in December. Bryce Mitchell stepped in for the injured Giga Chikadze and hoped to keep his momentum going. Sadly for the featherweight contender, he was handed a brutal first-round knockout loss.

Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2024

Tommy Fury is willing to be Jake Paul’s first opponent in the PFL cage. ‘TNT’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports for nearly a year. Tommy Fury last appeared in the boxing ring last October, against YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI. Despite some early trouble from ‘The Nightmare’, the younger brother of Tyson Fury wound up securing a unanimous decision victory.

Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2024

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway wants to see an end to gun violence. ‘Blessed’ is just a few months removed from his monumental UFC 300 win over Justin Gaethje. With that victory, Max Holloway earned the ceremonial ‘BMF’ championship. Despite some brief talk about a potential lightweight title bout against Islam Makhachev, the Hawaiian instead decided to return to 145 pounds.

Curtis Calhoun - September 20, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling nearly got into a brawl with a group of Sean O’Malley’s fans during UFC 306 fight week. Sterling’s teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, defeated O’Malley in the UFC 306 main event last weekend in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili got some revenge for the Serra-Longo team after Sterling lost to O’Malley by TKO at UFC 292.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 20, 2024

One former UFC bantamweight champion has warned Sean O’Malley to stay clear from a certain 135-pound contender. O’Malley won’t have to worry about future opponents at the moment. The “Suga” show will be going under the knife following his UFC 306 loss to Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley claims he suffered a torn labrum 10 weeks before losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 20, 2024

Tim Welch, Sean O’Malley’s coach, has responded to criticisms of his corner advice going into the final round of the UFC 306 main event. It was clear that O’Malley needed a finish in the final round if he wanted to retain the bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili. Welch told his fighter that he was “almost done with this.” Fans gave Welch some flak for what they perceived to be a lack of urgency.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 20, 2024

Deiveson Figueiredo doesn’t believe it’s time for Umar Nurmagomedov to receive a UFC title opportunity. Much has been made over newly-minted UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili expressing his desire to fight Figueiredo next over Nurmagmedov. While Nurmagomedov’s latest win was against Cory Sandhagen, Dvalishvili argues that “Figgy’s” resume should earn him a shot at the 135-pound gold first.

Cole Shelton - September 20, 2024

Comedian and actor Steve-O says Dana White left the UFC Nashville main event between Cory Sandhagen and Rob Font so he could watch Jake Paul box Nate Diaz. Paul and Diaz were boxing on August 5, 2023, in Dallas, while the UFC was in Nashville that same night. In the main event of the Fight Night card, Sandhagen outwrestled Font for five rounds to get a decision win.

Cole Shelton - September 20, 2024

Jake Paul plans to end his UFC fighter pay campaign if Dana White makes one change. Since Paul has become a boxer, he has taken aim at White and the UFC’s pay model. He has wanted the promotion to up the minimum fighter pay, but despite him constantly bringing it up publicly, a change has yet to happen.

Zain Bando - September 19, 2024

Dana White has always been open to new ideas. From “Power Slap” to taking the UFC to greater heights, he continues looking for new ways to be innovative. White, the CEO of the UFC, took a keen interest in promoting Callum Walsh, a young, up-and-coming Irish boxing prospect.