MMA News
Merab Dvalishvili claims issues with Sean O’Malley aren't personal: "This is for a UFC belt"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2024
Despite the war of words with Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili claims it’s all business ahead of UFC 306. Dvalishvili has expressed his dismay for O’Malley and his team, coach Tim Welch in particular. There have even been threats to take the fight outside the Octagon, but Merab understands that risking his big UFC title opportunity mere days before the event could be disastrous for his career.
Dana White Reveals Easter Egg Competition With Huge Payout For UFC 306
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is giving away big money to one fan who can nail the Easter egg challenge at UFC 306. The event is taking place this Saturday night and will be held inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The headliner is set to be a bantamweight title fight between champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. The co-main event will see UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso defend her gold against Valentina Shevchenko in a trilogy bout.
Diego Lopes intends to make two trips to the Octagon at UFC 306
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
UFC featherweight Diego Lopes is planning on making two trips to the Octagon this weekend at Noche UFC. On Saturday night, Diego Lopes faces the toughest test of his career. He will go up against Brian Ortega in a fight that could set him up for great things at 145 pounds. Of course, it’s going to be a tough bout, but he seems to be feeling pretty confident about his chances.
Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t want the judges to have a say in UFC 306 trilogy with Alexa Grasso: “The concern is to finish the fight”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t want the judges to have a say in her huge trilogy showdown with Alexa Grasso this weekend. On Saturday night, Valentina Shevchenko will challenge Alexa Grasso for the UFC women’s flyweight championship. It’s the belt that Shevchenko made famous, but right now, it’s in the possession of Alexa Grasso. She submitted Shevchenko to capture the belt, before the two fought to a draw in last year’s rematch.
Karate Combat President reveals James Vick was unconscious “for a couple of days” after nasty KO loss: “They put him in a self-induced coma”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi has revealed that James Vick was unconscious for a few days after his knockout loss in the promotion. For James Vick, he’s been on a downward trajectory for quite some time. During a horrific five-fight stretch at the end of his UFC run, he was knocked out four times in devastating fashion. Then, earlier this summer, he took on Rafael Alves, attempting to improve on his 1-1 record with Karate Combat.
Japanese kickboxing superstar Kana Morimoto joins ONE Championship
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 12, 2024
Kana Morimoto — also known as KANA — is the latest high-profile athlete to join the ONE Championship roster. The Japanese kickboxing sensation brings a wealth of experience. With an impressive track record, she’s poised to make waves in the promotion’s fiercely competitive striking divisions.
Liam Harrison has no regrets over retiring at ONE 168: "I’m so grateful"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 11, 2024
Liam Harrison seems at peace with his decision to call it quits on Muay Thai. The British legend retired after his grueling encounter against Seksan Or Kwanmuang at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6.
Brian Ortega admits he's "thankful" the UFC pulled him from June matchup against Diego Lopes: "They were looking out for me"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
Brian Ortega is happy the Ultimate Fighting Championship pulled him from his scheduled UFC 303 bout against Diego Lopes in June. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight on short notice after Conor McGregor withdrew from the event. The UFC needed to boost the card and Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight. However, on weigh-in day, the fight was moved from featherweight to lightweight.
Kevin Lee reveals he's willing to fight on Contender Series to get back in the UFC
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
Former UFC interim title challenger Kevin Lee is willing to fight on the Contender Series to try and get back in the UFC. Lee last fought in July of 2023. There, he suffered a 55-second submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Vegas 76. It was his return to the Octagon, and after the loss, he was released from the promotion.
Raul Rosas Jr. plans to retire as a UFC champion by his 25th birthday
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024
UFC bantamweight prospect Raul Rosas Jr. forecasts a short-lived career in the Octagon if everything falls into place as he wants. Rosas faces former flyweight contender Aoriqileng to kick off UFC 306 this Saturday in Las Vegas. He returns to the Octagon after finishing Ricky Turcios at UFC Louisville in June.
Merab Dvalishvili calls Umar Nurmagomedov an "easy" fight for him: "I will dominate him"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili believes Umar Nurmagomedov is an easy fight for him and looks forward to handing him his first loss. Dvalishvili is set to take on Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306 on Saturday for the bantamweight title. Although the Georgian is the underdog, he has full confidence he will get his hand raised at The Sphere.
Canelo Alvarez teases 2025 clash with Conor McGregor, predicts the fight
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024
Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez welcomes a crossover fight against UFC superstar Conor McGregor in 2025 if the two sides can come to terms. Alvarez faces Edgar Berlanga in a Mexican Independence Day Weekend showcase in Las Vegas this Saturday. He returns to the ring to defend the WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles against the surging Berlanga.
Belal Muhammad explains why he continues to mock Leon Edwards: "I am just better than you"
Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is happy to kick Leon Edwards while he’s down. ‘Remember The Name’ and ‘Rocky’ clashed earlier this summer in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester. The bout was their first time in the cage with each other since their meeting in March 2021. That night in the UFC Apex saw Leon Edwards outstrike Belal Muhammad early, but an eye poke led to a no-contest.
John Kavanagh opens up on Conor McGregor's return to training ahead of UFC return: "He's looking very sharp"
Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2024
John Kavanagh is ready to see Conor McGregor return to the UFC cage. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t competed since a first-round stoppage loss against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. That night saw Conor McGregor snap his leg, and the injury has kept him on the shelf for years. However, the former UFC champion was booked to make his return in June against Michael Chandler.
Daniel Cormier says Las Vegas Sphere venue's aura could benefit Sean O'Malley against Merab Dvalishvili
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024
UFC analyst and Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier feels Sean O’Malley will hold a distinct advantage over Merab Dvalishvili in embracing the unique aura of UFC 306. O’Malley and Dvalishvili headline UFC 306 this Saturday at the Las Vegas Sphere. The event will mark the first major sporting competition held at the venue.
Chael Sonnen pitches a surprising contender for Belal Muhammad's first title defense
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024
Chael Sonnen believes a title eliminator fight between two top contenders could set Belal Muhammad up to face an up-and-coming welterweight star. Muhammad earned the UFC welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July. The title win capped off a remarkable run in the cage, including several wins over former title challengers.
Alexa Grasso responds to not headlining UFC 306 with Valentina Shevchenko trilogy
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 11, 2024
UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso has given her response to not getting the UFC 306 headlining spot. Grasso will be putting her gold at stake against Valentina Shevchenko in the co-main event of the UFC’s debut inside the Sphere. While the event is being billed as an homage to Mexican culture and fighting history, the main event features Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
Matt Brown dismisses notion that UFC protects Sean O’Malley: "They don’t need any specific star”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 11, 2024
Matt Brown doesn’t believe the UFC brass is going out of their way to protect Sean O’Malley. O’Malley is set to defend the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306. It’s a historic event, as it’ll be the first UFC show inside the Sphere. It’s an expensive endeavor and with O’Malley front and center, it’s led some to believe that the UFC is hoping the “Suga” show turns in a spectacular performance.