MMA News
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.
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.
Merab Dvalishvili dismisses wrestling-heavy strategy ahead of UFC 306
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili might try to beat Sean O’Malley at his own game this weekend inside the Octagon. Dvalishvili and O’Malley headline UFC 306 this Saturday at the Las Vegas Sphere. His bantamweight title shot comes after a long win streak in the cage, including recent wins over former champions Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo.
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.
Seksan showcases exciting style at ONE 168: "I've done it for the longest time"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 10, 2024
Seksan Or Kwanmuang couldn’t be any happier that the American audience saw him in his vintage form. The Thai hard-hitter made a memorable U.S. debut at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6. There, he showcased his renowned Muay Thai skills in a 140-pound catchweight bout against Liam Harrison.
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.
Stephen Thompson wants UFC Hall of Fame induction after retirement
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2024
UFC veteran Stephen Thompson has made it known that he’d like to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame one day. For so many years now, Stephen Thompson has been providing fans with entertaining moments in combat sports. From karate to kickboxing to mixed martial arts, he’s achieved a great deal throughout the course of his career.
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.
ONE releases statement on controversial move to strip Mikey Musumeci after weight miss
Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong defended his promotion’s decision to strip Mikey Musumeci of his flyweight grappling title. Musumeci, who was scheduled to face Bebeto Oliveira at ONE 168, withdrew from the 135-pound match after a medical emergency. This after he was originally set to face Kade Ruotolo in a 170-pound match before Ruotolo withdrew due to injury.
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.