MMA News
Takeru Segawa gets new opponent for return at ONE Friday Fights 81
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 10, 2024
Takeru Segawa has a new opponent for his much-awaited return to action at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27. Originally scheduled to face Black Panther, the Japanese superstar will now be pitted against Thant Zin in a flyweight kickboxing bout at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Tristan Hamm expects to KO Ashley Rak-Su at Misfits 18, eyes rematch with Le'Veon Bell
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2024
Tristan Hamm is looking to silence the doubters at Misfits 18. Hamm is coming off a decision loss to former NFL running back Le’Veon Bell back in May. After the loss, the Canadian influencer decided to drop down to his natural weight class of 175lbs and will take on Ashley Rak-Su on Saturday in Newcastle, England.
REPORT | Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig in the works for UFC 309
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024
A middleweight clash between the unbeaten Bo Nickal and Paul Craig is reportedly in the works for UFC 309 on November 16th. Australian MMA insider Benny P. was the first to report the news of the targeted Nickal vs. Craig matchup.
Tom Aspinall admits revamped Jon Jones attacks are meant to "Test his ego"
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024
There’s a calculated method to the madness behind interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s recent online banter with Jon Jones. Aspinall is fresh off a dominant interim title defense against Curtis Blaydes in their UFC 304 rematch. Just seconds into the fight, Aspinall floored Blaydes and won the fight by knockout.
Song Yadong scolds Henry Cejudo for Sean O'Malley callout: "You've been ducking me since July!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Song Yadong scoffed at Henry Cejudo’s recent comments over a future clash with Sean O’Malley. O’Malley will face Cejudo’s most recent opponent, Merab Dvalishvili, in the UFC 306 main event this Saturday in Las Vegas. Top contenders like Cejudo, Yadong, and Umar Nurmagomedov are waiting in the wings for potential title shots.
Sean O'Malley believes Noche UFC will crush Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga: "It'll all be about the Sugar show"
Josh Evanoff - September 10, 2024
Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes Noche UFC will easily outsell Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga. ‘Sugar’ is set to make his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 306 this Saturday. However, this pay-per-view won’t be a normal one. The card will center around Mexican Independence Day and feature several high-profile names. In the main event, Sean O’Malley will look to make his second title defense against the rising Merab Dvalishvili.
Dana White confirms the UFC won't make an interim lightweight title despite Islam Makhachev's injury: "We have plans"
Josh Evanoff - September 10, 2024
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that there will be no interim titles in Islam Makhachev’s absence. The current UFC lightweight champion hasn’t been seen in the cage since June. In the main event of UFC 302, Islam Makhachev faced longtime contender, Dustin Poirier. Despite entering the bout a massive favorite, ‘The Diamond’ made the dominant champion work. However, Makhachev still emerged with a fifth-round submission victory.
Kayla Harrison opens up on feud with former teammate Amanda Nunes: "Don't f*ck with my homies"
Josh Evanoff - September 10, 2024
Kayla Harrison has opened up on her feud with former two-weight UFC champion Amanda Nunes. The judoka hasn’t competed since making her promotional debut in April at UFC 300. That night saw Kayla Harrison face former women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm. Despite ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ trying to earn a title shot, she was battered en route to a second-round stoppage loss.
Diego Lopes responds to Ilia Topuria's title shot callout: "If he's saying my name..."
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Diego Lopes knows what’s potentially on the line this weekend ahead of the biggest fight of his career. Lopes will face former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega at UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere. This is the toughest on-paper test of Lopes’s career and could potentially earn him a title shot with a win.
Dana White reveals new timeline for Conor McGregor's UFC return
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has given an update on Conor McGregor and his potential return to the Octagon. McGregor was booked to headline UFC 303 on June 29 against Michael Chandler but a toe injury kept him from competing. Since then, the Irishman has not been rebooked, despite his request to fight by the end of the year.
Sean O'Malley's coach noncommittal on Umar Nurmagomedov getting next bantamweight title shot
Cole Shelton - September 10, 2024
Tim Welch, the head coach of Sean O’Malley is noncommittal on Umar Nurmagmedov getting the next bantamweight title shot. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the second time in the main event of UFC 306 on Saturday against Merab Dvalishvili. It’s an intriguing fight and if ‘Suga’ wins, many expect Nurmagomedov to be next. Welch also had nothing but praise for the undefeated fighter.
Alexander Volkanovski makes stunning prediction for Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2024
Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has given his prediction for the bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley and Merab are set to collide in the main event of UFC 306 on September 14th. The title fight takes place inside the Sphere in Las Vegas. There is some bad blood going into this one, and fans have been debating on who will get their way on fight night.
Demetrious Johnson says Adriano Moraes vs. Danny Kingad should be for vacant belt
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 10, 2024
Following Demetrious Johnson’s retirement, the path to the ONE Championship flyweight MMA throne is now wide open. The American superstar officially called it a career at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6.
Kayla Harrison wants to batter Julianna Pena: "I would love to put an elbow through Julianna’s giant forehead"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2024
Kayla Harrison would have no issue fighting Raquel Pennington or Julianna Pena for UFC gold, but she has some special elbows in store for “The Venezuelan Vixen.” Harrison is biding her time before the bantamweight title fight between champion Pennington and Pena. That matchup is scheduled to take place at UFC 307 on October 5th.
Sean O'Malley's coach explains how Max Holloway can beat Ilia Topuria at UFC 308
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2024
The coach of UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley thinks Max Holloway has a solid chance of dethroning Ilia Topuria. Holloway is set to challenge Topuria for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 308 on October 26th. Topuria is a betting favorite going into the title fight. Still, fans haven’t forgotten about the spectacular last-minute KO that “Blessed” scored over Justin Gaethje at UFC 300.
Chatri Sityodtong teases Rodtang vs. Superlek II on U.S. soil
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 10, 2024
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has his eyes set on the perfect location for one of the most highly anticipated rematches in Muay Thai history — the United States. The head honcho believes the American fans would absolutely love to see Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 go at it for the ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Stephen Thompson wants UFC Hall of Fame induction after retirement
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
Henry Cejudo shares Sean O’Malley’s “weakness” as noted by three different training partners: “Am I a snitch?”
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
Henry Cejudo has shared what he considers to be Sean O’Malley’s big ‘weakness’ from apparent training partners. As we know, Henry Cejudo enjoys a good troll every now and then. He’s one of the best in the business at it, even if some believe his style is ‘cringeworthy’. Someone who he’s had more than a few interactions with in this regard is none other than Sean O’Malley.
Vanessa Demopoulos plans to appeal UFC Vegas 97 loss to Jaqueline Amorim
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
Vanessa Demopoulos has revealed her plan to appeal her recent defeat against Jaqueline Amorim at UFC Vegas 97. In the last couple of years, Vanessa Demopoulos has served as an inspiring tale in the UFC. She worked her way up to the big time and since then, she’s fought against some notable names. Regardless of whether she won or not, she was often able to entertain the crowd in a way that only she can.