MMA News
Israel Adesanya says teammate Navajo Stirling is "better than me!" after viral DWCS knockout
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
Former UFC champion Israel Adesanya dished high praise to Navajo Stirling after his City Kickboxing teammate’s viral win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Adesanya most recently lost to UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last month. Despite the loss, Adesanya remains focused on changing the course of his career and eventually earning another title shot.
Ilia Topuria says Max Holloway, featherweights need a "motorcycle helmet" to survive his power
Curtis Calhoun - September 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria believes his upcoming opponents, including Max Holloway, need extra protection to deal with his power. Topuria will make his first featherweight title defense at UFC 308 against Holloway. He returns to the Octagon after finishing Alexander Volkanovski for the belt at UFC 298 in February.
Merab Dvalishvili claims "boring" Sean O'Malley will "run" from him at UFC 306
Cole Shelton - September 12, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili expects Sean O’Malley to run away from him at UFC 306. Dvalishvili is set to headline UFC 306 against O’Malley for the bantamweight title. It’s a highly-anticipated bout, and one many fans are looking forward to. However, Dvalishvili thinks the fight could be a boring one, as he thinks O’Malley may look to run away from him to avoid the takedowns.
Renzo Gracie promotes ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong to BJJ black belt
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 12, 2024
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was celebrated for more than just his promotion’s success at ONE 168: Denver last Friday, September 6. The event also became a memorable occasion for the head honcho. He received his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt from Renzo Gracie.
Dana White Reveals Easter Egg Competition With Huge Payout For UFC 306
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 12, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is giving away big money to one fan who can nail the Easter egg challenge at UFC 306. The event is taking place this Saturday night and will be held inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The headliner is set to be a bantamweight title fight between champion Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. The co-main event will see UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso defend her gold against Valentina Shevchenko in a trilogy bout.
Diego Lopes intends to make two trips to the Octagon at UFC 306
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
UFC featherweight Diego Lopes is planning on making two trips to the Octagon this weekend at Noche UFC. On Saturday night, Diego Lopes faces the toughest test of his career. He will go up against Brian Ortega in a fight that could set him up for great things at 145 pounds. Of course, it’s going to be a tough bout, but he seems to be feeling pretty confident about his chances.
Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t want the judges to have a say in UFC 306 trilogy with Alexa Grasso: “The concern is to finish the fight”
Harry Kettle - September 12, 2024
Valentina Shevchenko doesn’t want the judges to have a say in her huge trilogy showdown with Alexa Grasso this weekend. On Saturday night, Valentina Shevchenko will challenge Alexa Grasso for the UFC women’s flyweight championship. It’s the belt that Shevchenko made famous, but right now, it’s in the possession of Alexa Grasso. She submitted Shevchenko to capture the belt, before the two fought to a draw in last year’s rematch.
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.
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.
Brian Ortega admits he's "thankful" the UFC pulled him from June matchup against Diego Lopes: "They were looking out for me"
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2024
Brian Ortega is happy the Ultimate Fighting Championship pulled him from his scheduled UFC 303 bout against Diego Lopes in June. Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight on short notice after Conor McGregor withdrew from the event. The UFC needed to boost the card and Ortega and Lopes agreed to fight. However, on weigh-in day, the fight was moved from featherweight to lightweight.
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.
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.
Canelo Alvarez teases 2025 clash with Conor McGregor, predicts the fight
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2024
Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez welcomes a crossover fight against UFC superstar Conor McGregor in 2025 if the two sides can come to terms. Alvarez faces Edgar Berlanga in a Mexican Independence Day Weekend showcase in Las Vegas this Saturday. He returns to the ring to defend the WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight titles against the surging Berlanga.
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.
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.