MMA News
Kamaru Usman encourages newly minuted UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili to embrace Umar Nurmagomedov’s challenge
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2024
Kamaru Usman has encouraged UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili to embrace Umar Nurmagomedov’s recent challenge. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the new UFC bantamweight champion. He earned the gold by defeating Sean O’Malley, dominating the former champion at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Now, as the champ, he’s able to call the shots in a way that he’s never been able to before.
Dana White confirms Tom Aspinall will be the backup for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 309
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2024
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Tom Aspinall will serve as the backup fighter for Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. As we know, Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. In the eyes of many, though, the true number one contender is Tom Aspinall. The Englishman has worked incredibly hard to get to the top of the mountain, but unfortunately, the promotion is pushing forward with plans for Jones to battle Miocic.
Khamzat Chimaev makes huge change in training camp ahead of UFC 308: "I am going to take a big step forward"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 18, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev has made one key adjustment to his training camp. Chimaev has endured several setbacks in his pro MMA career due to illness. He was off to a blazing start with his UFC run, scoring two finishes in the span of 10 days. Chimaev has even defeated former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
Max Holloway believes “deep down inside” Ilia Topuria is actually cheering for him ahead of UFC 308: “He’s an odd fella for sure”
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2024
Max Holloway believes Ilia Topuria is actually cheering for him heading into their mammoth UFC 308 collision next month. As we know, Max Holloway is one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history. He has achieved some incredible things throughout the course of his career and next month, he’ll try and pull off another impressive feat.
Video | Dana White reacts to Donn Davis’ claim that the PFL has spent more money on ‘Ngannou vs. Ferreira’ than the Ultimate Fighting Championship did with UFC 306
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2024
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on Donn Davis’ recent claims regarding PFL and their expenditures. This past weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship put on a mammoth event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. They spent a great deal of money doing so, too, making for one of the most unique events in the history of mixed martial arts. Dana White served as a huge part of the process, and he made it clear that they were going all in.
Dana White reacts to footage of Jake Paul “sneaking in” to UFC 306, says ‘The Problem Child’ is not actually banned from events
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2024
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on Jake Paul sneaking in to Noche UFC at the Sphere last weekend. As we know, Jake Paul is a pretty controversial figure in the world of combat sports. In addition to his blossoming pro boxing career, he’s also made some noise in mixed martial arts. Alongside his deal with PFL, he’s also been pretty outspoken when it comes to criticizing Dana White and the UFC over the issue of fighter pay.
Dana White reacts to Sean O'Malley's torn labrum injury prior to UFC 306: “He didn’t look explosive"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 18, 2024
Dana White has reacted to Sean O’Malley revealing he was injured two months prior to UFC 306. O’Malley put the UFC Bantamweight Championship at stake against Merab Dvalishvili inside the Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14th. It wasn’t “Suga’s” night, as he was defeated via unanimous decision. It’s just the second pro MMA loss in O’Malley’s career.
Johan Ghazali targets big names following ONE 168: Denver victory
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 18, 2024
Despite winning his most recent assignment in stunning fashion, Johan Ghazali is already setting his sights on greater challenges. The 17-year-old prodigy dazzled the Ball Arena crowd with a sensational performance at ONE 168: Denver on September 6. There, he scored a buzzer-beater knockout against Josue Cruz in the first round of their 142-pound catchweight bout.
REPORT | Tatiana Suarez vs. Virna Jandiroba in the works for UFC 310
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2024
A UFC women’s strawweight matchup between the undefeated Tatiana Suarez and streaking Virna Jandiroba is reportedly in the works for the year’s final pay-per-view card. The UFC matchmakers are working on finalizing the Suarez vs. Jandiroba fight for UFC 310 on December 7th. Ag.Fight was the first to report the news of the Suarez vs. Jandiroba matchup.
Max Holloway says UFC intentionally "shelled away" Ilia Topuria from him in favor of other contenders
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2024
BMF titleholder Max Holloway is looking to prove that the UFC made a wise move in not booking him against Ilia Topuria earlier in their careers. Holloway will face the UFC featherweight champion Topuria in the UFC 308 main event next month in Abu Dhabi. After three featherweight title losses to Alexander Volkanovski, Holloway is back in a featherweight title fight against the always-dangerous Topuria.
Kevin Lee announces he's set to make bare-knuckle debut, signs with Gamebred FC
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2024
Former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee announced his next fight will be in bare-knuckle. Lee took to social media to announce he has signed with Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred FC promotion. Gamebred FC is a bare-knuckle MMA promotion, and Lee will be making his debut at Gamebred FC 8 on November 15 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum.
VIDEO | Paddy Pimblett shatters restaurant's Chicken Wings record amidst weight ballooning criticism
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2024
UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett is thoroughly enjoying some downtime after his latest Octagon victory. Pimblett took his family and went out to Furusato Bar & Grill in Liverpool, UK. During their meal, Pimblett wanted to attempt to break the restaurant record of 36 chicken wings eaten in one sitting.
Islam Makhachev laughs off the possibility of Conor McGregor returning to the UFC: "It's already a fantasy"
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes Conor McGregor won’t fight again. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the cage for over three years now. Conor McGregor last appeared in the octagon in July 2021, suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. Since then, the Irishman has repeatedly called for a return to the cage. Luckily, he was finally booked for his comeback earlier this summer.
Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards 2 added to the undercard of PFL's 'Battle Of The Giants' PPV
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen will face Fabian Edwards next month on PFL pay-per-view. The two met in the main event of Bellator 299 last September in Dublin. Despite Johnny Eblen entering the cage a massive betting favorite, Fabian Edwards gave him the toughest bout of his career. However, the wrestler still retained his title via a brutal third-round knockout. Post-fight, tensions flared, and Eblen nearly fought Edwards’ brother, former UFC champion Leon Edwards.
Mike Tyson admits training is "a little shaky" ahead of boxing return against Jake Paul: "It's hard to walk right now"
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
Boxing legend Mike Tyson isn’t feeling too hot ahead of his November clash against Jake Paul. ‘Iron Mike’ hasn’t been seen in the boxing ring since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. Nearly four years later, Mike Tyson is set for another fight, this time against YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul. The contest will be the former heavyweight champion’s first professional bout since a stoppage loss to Kevin McBride in 2005.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach shares what he screamed at coach Tim Welch during UFC 306 headliner
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili took issue with Tim Welch’s taunting in the opening seconds of UFC 306, and his coach took mere minutes to hit back. Dvalishvili got the last laugh against Sean O’Malley by defeating him by unanimous decision in the UFC 306 main event. The Georgian’s long path to the title paid off in a big way as he largely dominated O’Malley over five rounds.
Henry Cejudo claims Merab Dvalishvili is "lucky" he was injured after the Georgian's UFC 306 performance
Cole Shelton - September 17, 2024
Henry Cejudo wasn’t impressed with Merab Dvalishvili’s performance at UFC 306. Despite Dvalishvili dominating Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 at The Sphere to become the new bantamweight champion, Cejudo wasn’t impressed by what he saw. Instead, his main takeaway was that Dvalishvili didn’t look all that impressive and he believes had he not been injured in his fight against the Georgian he would have won.
Michael Chandler reveals he was offered to fight Max Holloway at UFC 306: “If I was Max, I wouldn’t have taken the fight either”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2024
Michael Chandler has claimed a bout with Max Holloway was on the table for UFC 306, but he understands why it didn’t materialize. Chandler will not be getting his mega fight with Conor McGregor, and has settled for a rematch with Charles Oliveira. The two will meet at UFC 309.