MMA News

John Lineker
ONE Championship

John Lineker savors triumphant Muay Thai debut: “I did very well” 

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2024

John Lineker is giving himself a pat on the back after stepping outside of his comfort zone.   The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion ventured into Muay Thai against Asa Ten Pow at ONE 168: Denver on September 6. 

Adrian Lee
ONE Championship

Adrian Lee elated by victory at ONE 168: “It couldn’t have gone any better” 

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2024

Adrian Lee would be the first one to say he’s delighted with how matters transpired in his most recent outing.   The 18-year-old Hawaii native needed less than a round to choke out Nico Cornejo in a lightweight MMA clash at ONE 168: Denver on September 6. 

Panpayak
ONE Championship

Panpayak returns to action at ONE Friday Fights 83 against Silviu Vitez 

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2024

One of Thailand’s most celebrated Muay Thai warriors — Panpayak Jitmuangnon — makes his much-awaited comeback at ONE Friday Fights 83 on October 18.   Fans across Asia and beyond can witness his return live from the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Merab Dvalishvili and UFC 306
Merab Dvalishvili

What's next for the stars of UFC 306?

Cole Shelton - September 16, 2024

The UFC held its first-ever event at Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday for a solid UFC 306 card, that saw two titles on the line. In the main event, Sean O’Malley was looking to defend his bantamweight title for the second time against Merab Dvalishvili. The co-main event saw Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko having their trilogy match for the 125lbs title.

Merab Dvalishvili
UFC

VIDEO | Georgian fans go berserk as Merab Dvalishvili wins a UFC title

Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili gave Georgians a new role model to look up to after his triumphant showing at UFC 306. Dvalishvili became the UFC’s second Georgian champion by defeating Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision on Saturday. He wrestled his way to a title win and largely shut down O’Malley’s striking offensive.

Terence Crawford, Kendrick Lamar
Terence Crawford

Terence Crawford comments on "Intentional" Kendrick Lamar mix-up during UFC 306 broadcast

Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2024

Boxing superstar Terence Crawford was mistaken for Grammy-award-winning artist Kendrick Lamar while cage-side at UFC 306 last weekend. Crawford sat cage-side to watch an unprecedented event at the Las Vegas Sphere. UFC 306 featured plenty of exciting moments, capped off by Merab Dvalishvili’s win over Sean O’Malley in the main event.

Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov
UFC

Umar Nurmagomedov responds after Merab Dvalishvili title potential title shot: "When Merab's friend..."

Josh Evanoff - September 16, 2024

Umar Nurmagomedov believes he’s still next in line for UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of Noche UFC over the weekend. Back for the first time since a decision victory over Henry Cejudo in February, Merab Dvalishvili faced Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ entered the cage a slight betting favorite, but was no match for the wrestler on Saturday night.

Jon Jones, Alex Pereira
Jon Jones

Jon Jones praises 'awesome champion' Alex Pereria after meeting at Noche UFC: "He was so humble"

Josh Evanoff - September 16, 2024

UFC heavyweight Jon Jones has nothing but respect for fellow champion Alex Pereira. ‘Bones’ was in attendance for the massive Noche UFC show in Las Vegas over the weekend. There, the promotion finally made Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic official. With the heavyweight champion on hand, it was announced that he would face the 41-year-old former titleholder in November at UFC 309 in New York City.

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall
Stipe Miocic

Tom Aspinall reacts to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight announcement: "Give me my undisputed title"

Josh Evanoff - September 16, 2024

Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is ready to fight Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The British fighter has been out of the cage since his first title defense in Manchester earlier this summer. In the co-main event of UFC 304, Tom Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes, handing ‘Razor’ a first-round knockout defeat. Following the victory, the interim heavyweight champion called for a bout with Jon Jones.

Alexa Grasso
UFC

Alexa Grasso issues social media statement after UFC 306 title loss

Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2024

Former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is already thinking about her shot at redemption after falling short at UFC 306. Grasso lost to Valentina Shevchenko by unanimous decision in the UFC 306 co-main event on Saturday. The loss snapped a six-fight unbeaten streak, including back-to-back title retains against Shevchenko in 2023.

Tim Welch, Merab Dvalishvili, Herb Dean
UFC

Coach Tim Welch shares what he said to Merab Dvalishvili in opening seconds of UFC 306

Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2024

Sean O’Malley’s head coach, Tim Welch, has revealed what he told Merab Dvalishvili in the opening seconds of UFC 306 that forced referee Herb Dean to scold him. Dvalishvili dominantly defeated Welch’s pupil at UFC 306 last Saturday in Las Vegas. Under the immense spotlight of the Sphere, Dvalishvili put on arguably the best performance of his career to earn the UFC bantamweight title.

Jon Jones
UFC

Jon Jones reveals UFC 309 is "going to be the last time" he fights

Cole Shelton - September 16, 2024

Jon Jones says he will be making the walk to the Octagon for the final time at UFC 309. Jones is set to headline the pay-per-view card on November 16 at Madison Square Garden as he defends his heavyweight title for the first time against Stipe Miocic. Before the fight was made, there were rumors it would be the final fight for both Jones and Miocic.

Merab Dvalishvili, UFC 306, Results, Sean O'Malley, UFC
UFC

Merab Dvalishvili explains why he was “kissing” Sean O’Malley during their title fight at UFC 306

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 16, 2024

Merab Dvalishvili has explained why he taunted Sean O’Malley with kisses near the end of the first round of their UFC 306 title fight. It’s not often that fighters plant a big smooch on their opponent, but that’s exactly what Dvalishvili did against the “Suga” show this past Saturday night. Dvalishvili challenged O’Malley for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Ultimately, it was the Georgian’s pressure and grappling that earned him a unanimous decision win and UFC gold.

Jon Jones and Alex Pereira
Jon Jones

Alex Pereira plans to train with Jon Jones ahead of his Octagon return at UFC 309: “I want to grab his experience”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 16, 2024

Forget a super fight, Alex Pereira wants to train with Jon Jones. The stars were out for UFC 306 inside the Sphere in Las Vegas this past Saturday night. UFC heavyweight champion Jones and light heavyweight titleholder Pereira were both in attendance and got a chance to link up.

Jon Jones Dana White
Ryan Garcia

Dana White reacts to footage of Jon Jones hanging out with Ryan Garcia at UFC 306

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 16, 2024

Dana White had a priceless reaction to Jon Jones hanging out with Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas. UFC 306 took place at the Sphere this past Saturday, and Jones was in attendance. It was revealed that “Bones” will put his UFC Heavyweight Championship on the line against Stipe Miocic in the main event of UFC 309 inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 16th.

Jake Paul
UFC

Video | Jake Paul wore a disguise to get into UFC 306 at Sphere

Cole Shelton - September 16, 2024

Jake Paul had been banned from UFC events, but that didn’t stop him from getting into UFC 306 at Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. Paul and UFC CEO Dana White have had a feud for a while now, and after Paul caused a ruckus at a UFC event earlier, he says he had been banned from events. However, with the UFC going to Sphere, Paul put on a disguise so he could attend the event.

Mikey Musumeci
ONE Championship

Mikey Musumeci clears air on weigh-in mishap: “ONE Championship never forced me” 

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 15, 2024

Mikey Musumeci has finally spoken out after controversially losing the ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title on the scales.   “Darth Rigatoni” faced a series of hurdles in the lead-up to ONE 168: Denver on September 6. 

Merab Dvalishvili Noche UFC 306
UFC

Newly-minted UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili names worthy contender, and it isn't Umar Nurmagomedov

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 15, 2024

Newly-minted UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has a worthy contender in mind, and it isn’t Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili is now the king of the 135-pound division after dethroning Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306 in Las Vegas, It was the pressure and grappling of Dvalishvili that sealed the deal en route to a unanimous decision victory.