MMA News
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.
Sean O'Malley suffered torn labrum weeks before UFC 306, set for surgery
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley suffered a significant hip injury just weeks ahead of his matchup with Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley revealed the pre-fight injury in a recent chat with streamer Adin Ross.
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.
Irene Aldana issues statement after suffering one of the worst cuts in history at UFC 306: “Off to recover and ready for the next one”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2024
Irene Aldana has released a statement after enduring one of the most gnarly cuts seen in combat sports. Aldana shared the Octagon with Norma Dumont at UFC 306 this past Saturday night. Not only did Aldana fall short via unanimous decision, but she also suffered a huge gash on her forehead. If anything, one can’t deny the toughness of the 23-fight veteran, who is already looking forward to getting back to business.
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 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 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.
Sean O'Malley says he's taking an extended break after UFC 306: "No one is next"
Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley will follow Israel Adesanya’s lead by taking a long break from competition following his recent defeat. O’Malley lost to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 306 last Saturday in Las Vegas. The defeat ended O’Malley’s bantamweight title reign as Dvalishvili outpointed him from start to finish.
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 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.
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.
Alexander Volkanovski open to interim title fight against Diego Lopes for UFC return: "You never know"
Josh Evanoff - September 16, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski believes he could face Diego Lopes next. The Brazilian fighter is fresh off his return to the cage on the main card of Noche UFC on Saturday. There, Diego Lopes faced the biggest test of his career in the form of Brian Ortega. ‘T-City’ was hoping to earn a title shot with a victory, and was coming off a submission victory over Yair Rodriguez in February.
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 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.
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 reveals UFC 309 is "going to be the last time" he fights
Cole Shelton - September 16, 2024
Dricus du Plessis rages at Alex Pereira for calling him a "scared clown" over fight talks
Curtis Calhoun - September 16, 2024
Tensions are intensifying between UFC champions Dricus du Plessis and Alex Pereira ahead of a potential high-stakes super fight. Du Plessis is fresh off a triumphant first title defense against Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. He’ll likely face Sean Strickland for his next title defense, although the UFC has yet to announce the booking formally.
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.