MMA News
Jorge Masvidal plans MMA comeback later this year or in 2025: "I f*cking love it, man"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 5, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Jorge Masvidal has made his future plans clear. Masvidal initially walked away from pro MMA competition following a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns back in April 2023. “Gamebred” returned to action back in July, sharing the boxing ring with his old rival Nate Diaz. He ended up losing the match via majority decision.
Kyle Nelson expects Steve Garcia to "gas" out at UFC Vegas 97 en route to second-round TKO
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2024
Kyle Nelson was supposed to get the biggest fight of his career as he was booked to face Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 97. However, just about a month out from the fight, it was revealed Kattar was injured and the fight was off. It was disappointing news for Nelson who had a chance to crack the top-10.
Seksan expects all-out war against Liam Harrison at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 5, 2024
Seksan Or Kwanmuang has acknowledged that his upcoming encounter with Liam Harrison could be a brutal affair. Both men are penciled to lock horns in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai tiff at ONE 168: Denver at Ball Arena this Friday, September 6.
Chael Sonnen explains why Alexander Volkanovski should move to lightweight
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Alexander Volkanovski should make the move to lightweight. Times have been tough for Alexander Volkanovski as of late. In addition to two defeats at the hands of Islam Makhachev, he also lost his UFC featherweight championship courtesy of a knockout defeat versus Ilia Topuria.
Jon Anik defends Belal Muhammad against ducking allegations
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
UFC commentator Jon Anik has defended Belal Muhammad against allegations of the champion ducking contenders. Belal Muhammad is the UFC welterweight champion. He was able to earn that crown by defeating Leon Edwards in a pretty one-sided collision back at UFC 304 in Manchester. Now, he’s able to wait and see who is offered to him by the promotion. The leading contender is Shavkat Rakhmonov, who has been able to tear through pretty much everyone in the division that he’s faced.
MMA coach Javier Mendez compares Jon Jones to Lance Armstrong
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
MMA coach Javier Mendez has compared Jon Jones’ greatest of all time status to disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. In recent months, there’s been a lot of talk surrounding the future of Jon Jones. In fact, there’s also been a lot of talk about his past and present. The former light heavyweight king is currently the heavyweight champion, and many consider him to be the GOAT. However, others feel as if the UFC – and Dana White – are trying too hard to paint that picture.
Valentina Shevchenko reacts to former Muay Thai rival Wang Cong's warning following UFC debut win
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
Former UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko reacted humorously to Wang Cong’s callout following a successful promotional debut last month. Shevchenko will face UFC flyweight titleholder Alexa Grasso in the UFC 306 co-main event. Their trilogy is the first in UFC women’s flyweight history and features two of the greatest female fighters on the planet.
Former UFC fighter Casey Kenney released on bond after pleading not guilty to kidnapping and assault charges
Cole Shelton - September 4, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney has pleaded not guilty after being slapped with kidnapping and assault charges. Kenney was arrested on August 16 for kidnapping and assault with intent or reckless or injury charges in Arizona. He was released following an arraignment hearing in Maricopa County Court in Arizona after paying his $10,000 bond as ordered by the court. Kenney’s next court date involves a pre-trial conference scheduled on Oct. 15, with a trial date tentatively set for Jan. 23, 2025.
Cancer survivor Maria Favela set to make MMA return at Invicta FC 57: "They told me I had a 50% chance of living"
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2024
Women’s bantamweight prospect Maria Favela will make her return at Invicta FC 57 later this month. ‘Leona’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a third-round knockout victory over Louise Hiller in August 2022. While the bantamweight prospect hoped to book a return to the cage soon thereafter, that bout never came. A few months following her stoppage win, Maria Favela was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Illegal streaming platform rips UFC's Dana White after recent threats: "Pay the fighters more!"
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
A top pirate streaming service has issued a series of responses to UFC CEO Dana White’s remarks about potentially taking legal action against streaming platforms. White and the UFC are days away from one of the biggest events in promotional history at UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere. The card marks the first major sporting event held at the venue; an event focused on promoting the history of Mexican combat sports.
Sean Brady blasts MMA fans for criticizing his loss to Belal Muhammad: "I guess I got fraud checked by the UFC champion"
Cole Shelton - September 4, 2024
Sean Brady has blasted MMA fans over their takes on his loss to Belal Muhammad in 2022. Brady took on Muhammad at UFC 280 in October of 2022 and it was ‘Remember The Name’ that won by way of second-round TKO. Since the defeat, some fans have criticized Brady for losing and getting stopped by Muhammad.
Dustin Poirier shoots down rumored fight against Colby Covington: "He'll never make money with me"
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier will seemingly never fight Colby Covington. ‘The Diamond’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since his bid for UFC gold in June. In the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier faced Islam Makhachev and gave the champion all he could handle. However, in round five, the Russian scored a takedown and quickly earned a submission win. In the process, denying Poirier of the lightweight title that he’s long sought.
Michael Bisping details why he's against Alex Pereira's potential return to middleweight
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping is vehemently against Alex Pereira potentially returning to middleweight for a shot at titleholder Dricus du Plessis. Pereira will face rising light heavyweight contender Khalil Rountree Jr. in the UFC 307 main event next month in Salt Lake City. He returns to the Octagon after successful title defenses against Jamahal Hill and Jiří Procházka this year.
Belal Muhammad challenges Demetrious Johnson to a 'Pick off' ahead of UFC 306
Curtis Calhoun - September 4, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is doubling down on his harsh critiques of Demetrious Johnson’s MMA analysis and opinions. Muhammad captured the UFC welterweight title at UFC 304 over Leon Edwards by unanimous decision. Since his title victory, he’s remained vocal on social media and hasn’t let his detractors get off easy.
Matt Brown dismisses idea that Jon Jones' legacy would be tarnished if he doesn't fight Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 4, 2024
Matt Brown is dismissive of the idea that the legacy of Jon Jones would take a hit if he never fights Tom Aspinall. Much has been made over the UFC’s insistence on going through with plans to book Jones against Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. The two were supposed to collide back in November 2023, but “Bones” suffered an injury and was forced to pull out of the fight.
Belal Muhammad questions if Gilbert Burns has desire to make UFC title run: "Is he still motivated in there?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 4, 2024
Belal Muhammad wonders just how motivated Gilbert Burns is coming off back-to-back losses. Burns is hoping to return to title contention before it’s time for him to hang up his gloves. After securing wins over Neil Magny and Jorge Masvidal, “Durinho” set himself up for a title eliminator against Belal Muhammad, but he fell short via unanimous decision. When Burns tried to rebound from the defeat, he was knocked out by Jack Della Maddalena.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts to Alex Pereira’s callout of Dricus du Plessis: “That’s why people love him”
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira opting to call out Dricus du Plessis. In the eyes of many, Alex Pereira is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet right now. In addition to winning world titles in two weight classes, he appears ready and willing to take on just about anyone. Even at middleweight, he’s entertaining the idea of going back down to battle Dricus du Plessis.
UFC 308: ‘Topuria vs. Holloway’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - September 4, 2024
The countdown is on as we sit just a few months out from the blockbuster UFC 308 event, headlined by Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway. Event: UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Date: Saturday, 26th October 2024 Location: Etihad Arena (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (2pm EST main card)