MMA News
Brian Ortega explains why he may move up to lightweight after UFC 306: “It’s like a line to fight for the (145) belt”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
Brian Ortega has explained why he is considering a move up to lightweight after Noche UFC this weekend. On Saturday night, Brian Ortega faces a huge test at the Sphere in Las Vegas. He will go head to head with Diego Lopes, a man who is very much on the rise at featherweight. The expectation is that the winner will put themselves right in the running for a shot at the belt down the road.
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.
Merab Dvalishvili says he can "slap" Sean O'Malley's coach and "not get deported" ahead of UFC 306
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili isn’t worried about jeopardizing his U.S. citizenship if he decides to attack Sean O’Malley’s head coach. Dvalishvili and O’Malley square off in the UFC 306 main event this Saturday in Las Vegas. It’s been a long road to the UFC title for Dvalishvili, who earned the shot following a 10-fight winning streak.
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.
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.