MMA News
Deiveson Figueiredo makes case for UFC bantamweight title shot over Umar Nurmagomedov: "He has to get tested more"
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.
Steve-O claims Dana White dipped out of the UFC Nashville main event to watch Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
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.
Khalil Rountree's coach shares bold prediction for UFC 307 title fight with Alex Pereira: “He’s the one that breaks game first”
Cole Shelton - September 20, 2024
John Wood the coach of Khalil Rountree shared a bold prediction for his fighter’s upcoming title fight against Alex Pereira. Rountree is set to headline UFC 307 on October 5 against Pereira for the light heavyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and many expect it to be a striking matchup. However, Wood thinks once Pereira sees Rountree’s striking and power he will shoot for a takedown.
Jake Paul vows to end his UFC fighter pay campaign if Dana White makes one change: “I’ll shut the f**k up!”
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.
Dana White plans to make 'big announcements' regarding boxing future
Zain Bando - September 19, 2024
Belal Muhammad says Kamaru Usman "got physical" with him during recent podcast face-to-face
Curtis Calhoun - September 19, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad got into a physical altercation with former titleholder Kamaru Usman while on the former champion’s podcast. Muhammad earned the UFC welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in July. He hasn’t lost a fight since 2019 and is looking ahead to his first welterweight title defense.
Chael Sonnen axes "Foolish" hopes for a Conor McGregor UFC comeback after Michael Chandler's recent booking
Curtis Calhoun - September 19, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes Conor McGregor is no longer interested in a UFC comeback after Michael Chandler’s new fight booking. McGregor’s ongoing hiatus fuels speculation over whether or not he’ll return to fight again. He was supposed to headline UFC 303 against Chandler before withdrawing due to a toe injury.
TJ Dillashaw explains why he believes Cory Sandhgaen would "piece up" Sean O'Malley
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes Cory Sandhagen would beat Sean O’Malley with relative ease. Dillashaw used to train with Sandhagen and even fought him. Although Dillashaw did get the better of Sandhagen, winning a decision, he doesn’t think O’Malley matches up well with him. Instead, he thinks Sandhagen would piece up ‘Suga’ if they ended up fighting.
Paul Hughes eyeing Bellator title fight against Usman Nurmagomedov with victory over A.J. McKee: "It's got to be next"
Josh Evanoff - September 19, 2024
Paul Hughes is angling for a fight with Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov. ‘Big News’ is still early on in his tenure with PFL and Bellator. Paul Hughes famously chose to sign with Donn Davis and the promotion, over Dana White and the UFC earlier this year. In his promotional debut earlier this summer, the Irishman scored a second-round knockout victory over Bobby King.
Stephen Thompson dismisses age concerns ahead of UFC 307 return: "I feel like I'm 25!"
Josh Evanoff - September 19, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Stephen Thompson doesn’t feel his age. ‘Wonderboy’ has been out of the cage since a title eliminator against Shavkat Rakhmonov in December. Despite Stephen Thompson hoping to earn a bid at UFC gold, he was taken down and submitted in the second round. At 41 years old, the fight was likely the striker’s last chance to earn a title shot.
Former UFC fighter Kevin Lee set for September 28th MMA return at Lights Out Championship
Josh Evanoff - September 19, 2024
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee will return to the cage later this month. ‘The Motown Phenom’ hasn’t competed since his return to the UFC last summer. Last July, Kevin Lee faced the rising Rinat Fakhretdinov, in his first fight in the cage in over a year. However, it didn’t take long for ‘Gladiator’ to score a first-round submission victory. Following the defeat, Lee laid his gloves down and retired.
Tim Welch addresses backlash following Sean O'Malley's loss at Noche UFC: "I know what's going through his mind"
Josh Evanoff - September 19, 2024
Tim Welch has responded to the critics following Sean O’Malley’s loss at Noche UFC. ‘Sugar’ returned to the cage in the main event of UFC 306 on Saturday night. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Marlon Vera in March, Sean O’Malley faced Merab Dvalishvili. Heading into the bout, things were intense. Not only between O’Malley and ‘The Machine’, but also between the Georgian fighter and Tim Welch.
Sean O'Malley claims he won three rounds over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306
Curtis Calhoun - September 19, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is moving forward as if he got his hand raised against Merab Dvalishvili last weekend. O’Malley lost to Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to lose the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 306. The elite striker struggled against Dvalishvili’s wrestling pace and pressure and failed to get the nod on the judges’ scorecards.
Ilia Topuria moves on from Sean O'Malley following UFC 306: "I’m better than you, so why fight?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria says Sean O’Malley has blown a potential super fight with him following UFC 306. O’Malley fell short in his bid for another successful UFC bantamweight title defense at UFC 306. It was a historic event with the UFC making its debut at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The “Suga” show lost the 135-pound gold to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision.
Matt Serra goes scorched earth on Sean O’Malley's coach following UFC 306: "He exposed himself"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2024
Matt Serra has gone off on Sean O’Malley’s coach for his advice in-between rounds during UFC 306. O’Malley suffered just the second loss in his pro MMA career against Merab Dvalishvili on September 14th. The “Suga” show was outmatched in the grappling department and he struggled with the forward pressure of Dvalishvili. Ultimately, it was Dvalisvili who walked out of the Sphere in Las Vegas with the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Dana White reacts to Jon Jones saying UFC 309 is his final fight: "We’ll go from there"
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has opened up following the news that heavyweight champion Jon Jones said his UFC 309 fight against Stipe Miocic will be his last. The UFC officially announced that Jones will be defending his heavyweight title on November 16 against Stipe Miocic in an intriguing bout. However, while attending UFC 306 on Saturday, ‘Bones’ said this fight is likely his last.
UFC 309: ‘Jones vs. Miocic’ Fight Card and Start Times
Cole Shelton - September 19, 2024
The UFC heads back to Madison Square Garden for their annual November date for a solid UFC 309 card that sees the heavyweight title up for grabs. Event: UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic Date: Saturday, November 16, 2024 Location: Madison Square Garden (New York City, New York) Broadcast: Pay-per-view & ESPN+ (10 p.m. main card, 6 p.m. prelims)
Joe Rogan gushes over Superlek’s 49-second elbow win at ONE 168
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 18, 2024
Joe Rogan is one of many who couldn’t help but rave about Superlek Kiatmoo9’s stunning victory at ONE 168: Denver earlier this month. The Thai superstar took only 49 seconds to secure a monumental win over Jonathan Haggerty in a rematch of their 2018 bout. It left fans and experts alike in awe, including the renowned MMA personality and podcaster.
Ben Askren destroys "Addict" Conor McGregor after Michael Chandler ends wait for fight
Curtis Calhoun - September 18, 2024
Ben Askren is the latest to accuse Conor McGregor of substance abuse after Michael Chandler ended his wait for the former two-division UFC champion. McGregor and Chandler were supposed to headline UFC 303 in June for the Irish star’s return to the Octagon. But, McGregor withdrew from the event on weeks’ notice due to a toe injury, and he hasn’t been re-booked for a fight.