MMA News
Chael Sonnen explains why Valentina Shevchenko missed the mark in UFC 306 post-fight interview
Curtis Calhoun - September 18, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko missed out on a valuable opportunity after defeating Alexa Grasso in their trilogy fight. Shevchenko defeated Grasso by unanimous decision to reclaim the UFC women’s flyweight title at UFC 306. After back-to-back winless outings against Grasso, Shevchenko got her revenge and reeled in a new flyweight title reign.
Diego Lopes and Movsar Evloev trade barbs over potential rematch following Aljamain Sterling's withdrawal
Curtis Calhoun - September 18, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes shut down Movsar Evloev’s calls for a short-notice rematch after Aljamain Sterling’s withdrawal from UFC 307. Evloev and Sterling were scheduled to feature on the UFC 307 main card next month before Sterling announced his withdrawal due to injury. As of this writing, the UFC hasn’t named a potential replacement opponent for Evloev.
Merab Dvalishvili pivots on Umar Nurmagomedov title shot: "I am a company man!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 18, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has reversed course on his willingness to face Umar Nurmagomedov for his first title defense. Dvalishvili earned the UFC bantamweight title by unanimous decision against Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. He used his wrestling and timely striking to stifle and frustrate O’Malley over five rounds of action.
Brendan Schaub slams UFC 306 at 'Rainforest Cafe' Las Vegas Sphere: "Looks f*cking great, but the product is s*it!"
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub seemingly isn’t a fan of the Las Vegas Sphere. Over the weekend, Dana White and the UFC made their debut at the new arena. While some fans weren’t a fan of the card as a whole, it still had many highlights. In the main event of Noche UFC, Merab Dvalishvili picked up a dominant decision victory over Sean O’Malley. The co-main event saw Alexa Grasso outwrestled by Valentina Shevchenko in their trilogy bout.
PFL CEO opens up on Jake Paul's MMA debut ahead of Mike Tyson bout: "His opponent will be very credible"
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2024
PFL CEO Peter Murray still believes Jake Paul will get in the cage one day. ‘The Problem Child’ signed with the PFL in early 2023. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was one of many big signings around that time, including former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. However, while ‘The Predator’ is finally set to enter the cage next month, Jake Paul lacks an MMA fight date.
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.
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.