MMA News
Sean O'Malley believes he could surpass Conor McGregor in star power soon: "I'm the guy"
Josh Evanoff - September 11, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes he’s arguably a bigger star than Conor McGregor. ‘Sugar’ is set to return to the cage in the main event of Noche UFC on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Set to headline the promotion’s first card from The Sphere, Sean O’Malley will look to make his second title defense. Back for the first time since a decision victory over Marlon Vera at UFC 299, the bantamweight champion will face Merab Dvalishvili.
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.
UFC 306 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title fight
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
In the main event of UFC 306, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as Sean O’Malley looks to defend his belt for the second time against Merab Dvalishvili. Heading into the fight, O’Malley is a slight -140 favorite while the Georgian is a +110 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the bantamweight title fight. The majority of pros believe O’Malley will remain the bantamweight champ as they expect him to KO Dvalishvili.
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.
Kayla Harrison gives Ronda Rousey her due: "She paved the way when there was no way"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 11, 2024
Kayla Harrison doesn’t care about the negative perception around Ronda Rousey. Rousey’s place in MMA history can’t be disputed. She was a pioneer for women in the sport, becoming a crossover star for the UFC. She set the record for the most successful UFC women’s bantamweight title defenses before suffering a brutal knockout loss to Holly Holm back in 2015.
Israel Adesanya drops out of pound-for-pound list as Aljamain Sterling returns
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is out of the pound-for-pound list with Aljamain Sterling taking his place. Over the course of the last six years plus, Israel Adesanya has been making a name for himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has served as one of the most entertaining fighters of his generation, and it’s been phenomenal to watch him win the UFC middleweight title not once, but twice.
Rafael Fiziev confirms he's ready for UFC return after ACL injury
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
UFC star Rafael Fiziev has confirmed he’s ready to return to the promotion after his ACL injury last year. For the longest time now, Rafael Fiziev has been seen as a real top contender at lightweight. However, after suffering a torn ACL against Mateusz Gamrot last year, he’s been forced to sit and recover.
Demetrious Johnson reveals interesting reason behind MMA retirement
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
Demetrious Johnson has provided a fascinating reason for his recent retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts. Over the course of his career, Demetrious Johnson cemented himself as a legend in the sport of MMA. From the UFC to ONE Championship and beyond, he has been a success wherever he’s gone. Now, he’s looking ahead to the future after retiring.
Daniel Cormier issues warning to Brian Ortega heading into Noche UFC
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has issued a warning to Brian Ortega heading into Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on a super special event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. In addition, they will also be giving us some incredibly fun fights throughout the card.
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.
Jon Jones reacts to Dana White's MMA 'Mount Rushmore' list
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones lauded CEO Dana White for his inclusion on the UFC headman’s MMA ‘Mount Rushmore’ list. Jones is expected to face former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic in November. He hasn’t competed since winning the then-vacant heavyweight belt over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
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.