MMA News
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.
Brandon Moreno praises fellow flyweight Demetrious Johnson after retirement announcement: "Legend of the sport"
Josh Evanoff - September 9, 2024
Brandon Moreno has nothing but respect for UFC legend Demetrious Johnson. ‘Mighty Mouse’ made his return to the cage at ONE 168 over the weekend. Prior to the event, the promotion teased that Demetrious Johnson had a big announcement to make. While the 38-year-old had teased one final fight, that won’t be happening. Instead, Johnson announced his retirement in an emotional speech that had fans, and even the legend himself, in tears.
Alexa Grasso expecting a violent fight against Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 306: "We are going to kill each other"
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2024
Alexa Grasso is expecting her UFC 306 title defense against Valentina Shevchenko to be violent. Grasso and Shevchenko are set for their trilogy match on Saturday at the Sphere in a highly-anticipated bout at UFC 306. The two fought to a draw last September after Grasso scored an upset submission win in March of 2023 to win the title.
Dana White reveals his MMA Mount Rushmore ahead of UFC 306
Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024
Dana White’s MMA ‘Mount Rushmore’ features four of the greatest to ever fight in the promotion, including one he’s vehemently defended. White and the UFC are just days away from the most ambitious pay-per-view event in MMA history this Saturday in Las Vegas. The UFC’s debut at the Sphere venue will intertwine sports and entertainment at the one-of-a-kind venue.
Robert Whittaker says it's title shot or bust if he defeats Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 308
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 9, 2024
Robert Whittaker is adamant that a win over Khamzat Chimaev gets him another UFC middleweight title opportunity. Whittaker and Chimaev will be going one-on-one during the UFC 308 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi. There has been much talk over the stakes of this matchup, with many believing Khamzat will be granted a title shot if he wins, but what if “The Reaper” emerges victorious?
Demetrious Johnson inducted into ONE Hall of Fame
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 9, 2024
Demetrious Johnson officially brought the curtains down on his illustrious MMA run at ONE 168: Denver. “Mighty Mouse” emotionally bid farewell in front of a passionate crowd at Ball Arena last Friday, September 6.
Movsar Evloev fires back at Aljamain Sterling over PED claims: "He will answer about his words"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 9, 2024
Movsar Evloev has hit back at Aljamain Sterling amid banned substance accusations. Sterling has expressed his belief that Evloev isn’t fighting fair. More recently, Sterling was interviewed by “Home of Fight” and said he’s heard from others who claim the Russian grappler isn’t a clean athlete.
Dana White still isn't eager to host UFC events in stadiums
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White still isn’t convinced by holding events in stadiums, even in Las Vegas. As we know, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will head to the Sphere in Las Vegas for the first time this weekend. They will be putting on what promises to be a blockbuster show, with many being fascinated to find out exactly what it’s going to look like.
Brandon Moreno says recent MMA hiatus has him “very motivated” to fight at UFC Edmonton: “I find myself in a really good moment”
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
Brandon Moreno believes his recent MMA hiatus has left him feeling motivated ahead of his return at UFC Edmonton. For the longest time, Brandon Moreno was one of the top dogs at flyweight alongside Deiveson Figueiredo. Now, however, following two losses on the bounce, the Mexican sensation is in need of a big win to get back in the title picture. At UFC Edmonton later this year, he’ll try to get that win when he battles Amir Albazi.
Video | Khabib Nurmagomedov chokes Umar Nurmagomedov while coaching cousin Usman at Bellator San Diego
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov started choking Umar Nurmagomedov, seemingly out of anxiety, while watching Usman Nurmagomedov compete last week. Last week, Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Alexander Shabliy with a dominant unanimous decision triumph to successfully retain his Bellator lightweight championship. It was a really solid display and in his corner, he had Umar Nurmagomedov and the great Khabib Nurmagomedov there to guide him through the contest.
Sean O’Malley vows to KO “sloppy” Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306: “This fight is going to end brutal”
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
Sean O’Malley has vowed to knock Merab Dvalishvili out this weekend in their UFC 306 main event at the Sphere. This weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads to the Sphere in Las Vegas for the first time. As part of the event, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Merab Dvalishvili in what promises to be a blockbuster showdown.
Natalia Silva sets sight on gold following UFC Vegas 97 win over Jessica Andrade: "I will be ready"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 8, 2024
Natalia Silva is itching to get a chance to fight for gold following her UFC Vegas 97 win over Jessica Andrade. The win over Andrade this past Saturday in “Sin City” extended Silva’s winning streak to 12. She has not suffered a loss since December 2017, which was a unanimous decision defeat to Marina Rodriguez.
Robert Whittaker spars with boxing champion Jai Opetaia: "He’s one of the best in the world"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 8, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is in awe after sparring with IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia. Whittaker and Opetaia have pivotal matchups coming up in their respective combat sports. “The Reaper” will be taking on Khamzat Chimaev on October 26th. Just two weeks earlier, Opetaia will be putting his boxing gold at stake against Jack Massey on October 12.