MMA News
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.
Cain Velasquez's sentencing date set in attempted murder trial
Curtis Calhoun - September 9, 2024
The attempted murder trial of former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez is nearing its conclusion in California. Velasquez, as reported by MMA Fighting, will appear in Santa Clara County District court on October 18th for sentencing. He pleaded no contest to several charges, including attempted murder, last month after cutting a deal with the prosecution.
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.
Sean O'Malley explains why he's not concerned about Merab Dvalishvili's cardio and pace ahead of UFC 306
Cole Shelton - September 9, 2024
Sean O’Malley knows Merab Dvalishvili is known for his cardio and pace, but he doesn’t think that will play any role in their UFC 306 fight. O’Malley is looking to defend his bantamweight title for the second time on Saturday as he takes on Dvalishvili in an intriguing matchup. It’s a fight many fans are torn on who will win, but O’Malley is confident he will win the fight by KO and will do so early in the fight. With O’Malley thinking he will KO Dvalishvili early, he doesn’t his cardio will play any role.
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.
Coach explains what Merab Dvalishvili must do to defeat Sean O'Malley at UFC 306
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 9, 2024
The coach of Merab Dvalishvili, Ray Longo, has detailed what his fighter must do in order to take the UFC Bantamweight Championship from Sean O’Malley. Merab will challenge O’Malley for the 135-pound gold in the main event of the historic UFC 306 event. The card will be taking place inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event has been heavily hyped by UFC CEO Dana White as being one of a kind. There’s no doubt that the two headliners want to walk out of the big show with gold.
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.
Dana White isn’t sure that The Sphere will work well for UFC 306 fights: “We won’t know until it’s over”
Harry Kettle - September 9, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has admitted that he doesn’t know how well the fights will work at the Sphere. It’s safe to say that the Ultimate Fighting Championship has put a lot of time and energy into their debut event at the Sphere. They’ve put so much into it, in fact, that there’s a chance it’ll be the only time they ever put on a show there.
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.
Usman Nurmagomedov wants to prove Khabib Nurmagomedov right: "I am the future"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 8, 2024
Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov believes he is the future of MMA. Nurmagomedov put his 155-pound hardware at stake against Alexandr Shabliy in the main event of Bellator Champions Series 4 this past Saturday. The Dagestan bruiser earned a unanimous decision win to maintain his hold on the gold and improve his pro MMA record to 18-0, 1 NC.