MMA News
Former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov hints at UFC run after promotional exit
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 13, 2024
Yaroslav Amosov, a former Bellator welterweight champion, has announced his departure from Bellator MMA and is teasing a UFC run. Amosov had been with Bellator since the summer of 2018. He went on a tear under the promotion, going 8-1. Along the way, the Ukrainian bruiser became Bellator’s 170-pound champion with one successful title defense and a unification win. He suffered the first loss of his pro MMA career after being stopped by Jason Jackson in late 2023.
Justin Gaethje reveals scenario where retirement would be likely: "I’m not doing it two more times"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 13, 2024
Justin Gaethje knows one scenario that would likely lead to him putting a bow on his pro MMA career. Gaethje has been in his share of wars inside the Octagon. More often than not, “The Highlight” emerges victorious, but he has certainly taken his lumps both in victory and defeat. No loss was more devastating to Gaethje than the one he suffered at UFC 300.
UFC 306: 'O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili' weigh-in results: Both title fights official
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 13, 2024
The two title fights scheduled for the UFC 306 card this weekend have now been made official following the early weigh-ins. Before fight night, all 20 fighters stepped on the scale as Noche UFC comes at us this Saturday. There was even a weigh-in for Manon Fiorot. She is the backup option for the flyweight title fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.
Israel Adesanya shares which country he believes will be “dominating” the UFC in years to come: “You’ll see like a wave”
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024
Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on what country he believes will be dominating the UFC in the years ahead. Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, Israel Adesanya has had his finger on the pulse. While he may not be champion right now, he’s still such a towering figure in the sport. From his past success to questions surrounding his future, his fanbase are always eager to know what he thinks.
Video | Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili trade words during intense staredown for UFC 306
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024
UFC title rivals Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili traded words ahead of their showdown at Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili. It’s a fight that has been a long time coming, with Merab beating a parade of other top contenders in order to secure his shot at the gold. O’Malley, meanwhile, has beaten everyone he’s faced in mixed martial arts, and hopes to keep that streak going.
Former featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie forced to withdraw from UFC Paris
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024
Former UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie has been forced to withdraw from UFC Paris. Later this month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Paris, France. The French capital will play host to a string of really fun fights, including Renato Moicano vs Benoit Saint-Denis. In addition, Nora Cornolle was set to go up against Germanie de Randamie, a former UFC champion.
Sean O’Malley sounds off on “little f**king weasel” Henry Cejudo ahead of UFC 306: “I’m a nightmare for him”
Harry Kettle - September 13, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has gone off on Henry Cejudo ahead of the former’s return to the cage tomorrow night. This weekend, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili. The expectation is that it’ll be a night to remember at the Sphere in Las Vegas, with these two fighters – who have drastically different styles – trading blows.
Matt Serra reflects on the downfall of The Ultimate Fighter pupil Jon ‘War Machine’ Koppenhaver: “He could’ve been helped!”
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Matt Serra believes Jon ‘War Machine’ Koppenhaver was a product of the company he decided to keep during his life and career. Serra coached Koppenhaver and other up-and-coming fighters on The Ultimate Fighter Season 6. Matt Hughes and Serra coached opposite each other ahead of their scheduled fight at UFC 79 in 2007.
Joe Rogan makes the case for a Kamaru Usman title shot vs. Belal Muhammad: “He earned it!”
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
Joe Rogan believes former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman should get a title shot despite a three-fight losing skid inside the Octagon. Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight belt earlier this year at UFC 304. Muhammad, after earning the title, is plotting his return to make his first title defense as a UFC champion.
Max Holloway predicts Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili: "If there's one hole he has..."
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
BMF titleholder Max Holloway shared his prediction for the UFC 306 main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley, the UFC’s bantamweight champion, will defend the title for the second time against Dvalishvili at UFC 306. The bantamweight headliner caps off a stacked card at the UFC’s annual Mexican Independence Day Weekend event.
Brian Ortega wanted Diego Lopes fight to be rebooked to "finish" their story: "I don’t want to leave anyone with any doubt"
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
Brian Ortega wanted to fight Diego Lopes so fans could get the answer on who would emerge victorious. Ortega has seen plenty of fights get scrapped that never ended up getting rebooked. One of the biggest what-if fights of all time is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson. So, after Ortega was pulled from his UFC 303 bout against Lopes, he knew his next fight had to be against the Brazilian.
UFC 306 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko 3 title fight
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 306, the women’s flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexa Grasso looks to defend her belt in the trilogy match against Valentina Shevchenko. Heading into the fight, Grasso is a slight -140 favorite while the challenger is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the women’s flyweight title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Grasso getting the win, as most of them think Shevchenko’s age has caught up to her and that she’s lost a step.
Ilia Topuria says Max Holloway, featherweights need a "motorcycle helmet" to survive his power
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes his upcoming opponents, including Max Holloway, need extra protection to deal with his power. Topuria will make his first featherweight title defense at UFC 308 against Holloway. He returns to the Octagon after finishing Alexander Volkanovski for the belt at UFC 298 in February.
Merab Dvalishvili claims "boring" Sean O'Malley will "run" from him at UFC 306
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili expects Sean O’Malley to run away from him at UFC 306. Dvalishvili is set to headline UFC 306 against O’Malley for the bantamweight title. It’s a highly-anticipated bout, and one many fans are looking forward to. However, Dvalishvili thinks the fight could be a boring one, as he thinks O’Malley may look to run away from him to avoid the takedowns.
Renzo Gracie promotes ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong to BJJ black belt
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 12, 2024
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was celebrated for more than just his promotion’s success at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6. The event also became a memorable occasion for the head honcho. He received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Renzo Gracie.
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.
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.