MMA News
Conor McGregor asks Turki Alalshikh to book UFC return after Michael Chandler fight falls through: "I'm out of the loop"
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2024
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor hopes Turki Alalshikh can help book his return. ‘The Notorious’ is in a bit of a weird spot. Conor McGregor hasn’t appeared in the cage since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in their July 2021 trilogy bout. Since then, the former champion has spent time on the shelf recovering. However, McGregor finally booked his return against Michael Chandler earlier this summer for UFC 303.
Khamzat Chimaev says champion Dricus du Plessis is a "bad version of me" ahead of middleweight return
Curtis Calhoun - September 18, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev believes Dricus du Plessis’s best fighting days are behind him, despite pulling off arguably the biggest win of his career. Chimaev will face former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the UFC 308 co-main event next month. The middleweight matchup comes after Chimaev withdrew from their previously scheduled fight earlier this year at UFC Saudi Arabia due to illness.
Brian Ortega vows "to make some moves to get better" after UFC 306 loss
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2024
Brian Ortega knows he has to make some moves if he is going to get better. Ortega is coming off a clear-cut decision loss to Diego Lopes at UFC 306 on Saturday. Lopes dropped Ortega early, and the Brazilian cruised to a lopsided decision win. Following the loss, Ortega took to his Instagram story to share an update on his face and leg and said he knows he has to do something if he is going to improve.
Aljamain Sterling reveals he's out of UFC 307 bout against Movsar Evloev due to injury
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2024
Aljamain Sterling is out of his UFC 307 fight against Movsar Evloev. Sterling released a YouTube video on Wednesday announcing he suffered an injury that forced him out of the bout. The former bantamweight champ said the injury happened in sparring and showed the training footage of when it happened.
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.
Cory Sandhagen claims Deiveson Figueiredo turned down year-end UFC fight: "I thought Figgy was a little bit more about that life than that"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 18, 2024
Cory Sandhagen claims that former UFC flyweight champion Deveison Figueiredo turned down a fight against him. Sandhagen is hoping for a fight that puts him right back in title contention after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Umar Nurmagomedov. While he was hoping to share the Octagon with former UFC bantamweight titleholder Sean O’Malley, that fight won’t be happening anytime soon. That’s because O’Malley will be on the shelf due to a torn labrum.
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.
Anatoly Malykhin returns fire at Shamil Erdogan: “I’ll be ready”
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin is not going to pretend that he hasn’t heard the challenge laid out by old foe Shamil Erdogan. The Turkish powerhouse is coming off a victory at ONE 168: Denver on September 6, manhandling Aung La N Sang in a 213.75-pound catchweight MMA bout.
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.
PFL's Donn Davis claims Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira will cost more than Noche UFC: "Fighters here make more"
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
According to Donn Davis, PFL’s ‘Battle Of The Giants’ PPV headlined by Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira will be quite the expense. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage for over two years now. In January 2022, Francis Ngannou defeated Ciryl Gane, in what was his final appearance as UFC heavyweight champion. The following year, the former titleholder signed with the PFL to compete. However, for the last year or so, he’s been busy in the boxing world.
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.