MMA News
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.
Arman Tsarukyan vs. Islam Makhachev 2 will reportedly take place “early next year”
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan vs Islam Makhachev 2 is reportedly set to take place early next year for the UFC world title. Right now, Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in the UFC. While you may or may not agree with that assessment, there’s no way of denying what he’s been able to achieve as UFC lightweight champion.
What's next for Sean Brady and Gilbert Burns after UFC Vegas 97?
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2024
The UFC returned to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday for UFC Vegas 97 which saw a welterweight bout headlining the card. In the main event, Sean Brady took on Gilbert Burns in the American’s first UFC main event spot. Brady was coming off a submission win over Kelvin Gastelum. Burns, meanwhile, was on a two-fight losing streak and was coming off a knockout loss to Jack Della Maddalena.
ONE 168 Bonus Report: Six athletes receive extra $50K
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 9, 2024
Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Seksan Or Kwanmuang stole the spotlight with stunning performances at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6, and both received a bonus for doing so. Superlek, who already has the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title in his possession, only needed 49 seconds to beat Jonathan Haggerty for the bantamweight Muay Thai crown.
Daniel Cormier explains the "truest" part of Demetrious Johnson's MMA legacy
Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier shared an under-discussed aspect of Demetrious Johnson’s greatness after the legend retired from MMA. Johnson announced his retirement from MMA at ONE 168 last weekend in Denver. He hadn’t fought since a trilogy win against Adriano Moraes at ONE Fight Night 10 and wants to transition full-time to grappling competitions.
VIDEO | Sean O'Malley walks off Henry Cejudo's podcast after 30 seconds: "You're welcome!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley used part of his pre-UFC 306 media availability to troll Henry Cejudo on his podcast. O’Malley will defend the UFC bantamweight title against the surging Merab Dvalishvili this Saturday in Las Vegas. The UFC 306 card marks the first major sporting event held at the Las Vegas Sphere.
Israel Adesanya's coach weighs in on former champ's UFC title window
Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024
One of Israel Adesanya’s coaches has addressed the former champion’s current title window following his loss to Dricus du Plessis. Adesanya lost to the UFC middleweight titleholder du Plessis at UFC 305 last month in Perth. He returned to the Octagon following a year-long hiatus, stemming from a defeat to Sean Strickland that shocked the world.
WATCH | Ciryl Gane spars with NBA star Rudy Gobert ahead of UFC 308 return
Josh Evanoff - September 9, 2024
Heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane has trained with NBA star Rudy Gobert ahead of his UFC return. ‘Bon Gamin’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a fight in his home country of France a year ago. In Paris, Ciryl Gane scored a second-round knockout victory over Serghei Spivac, his first bout since losing to Jon Jones last March. Despite rumors of the heavyweight returning to France for his next bout, he will instead be traveling to Abu Dhabi.
Dana White reacts to Oscar De La Hoya attending Noche UFC over Canelo Alvarez's return: "I don't know where he's getting his ticket"
Josh Evanoff - September 9, 2024
UFC President Dana White doesn’t want to be part of Oscar De La Hoya’s feud with Canelo Alvarez. This Saturday night in Las Vegas, Sin City will be taken over by not only one but two massive combat sports events. At the Sphere, Noche UFC will go down. Headlined by Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili, the card will focus on Mexican fighting history. Across the town, boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez will be facing Puerto Rico’s Edgar Berlanga at the T-Mobile Arena.