MMA News
Shara 'Bullet' Magomedov's return set for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2024
Undefeated UFC middleweight Shara ‘Bullet’ Magomedov is set for his Octagon return for the promotion’s return to Abu Dhabi in October. Magomedov (14-0) will face Armen Petrosyan at UFC 308 on October 26th. The UFC announced the fight booking news in a press release on Monday.
Jonathan Haggerty aims to win over American fans at ONE 168
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 2, 2024
Successfully defending the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title isn’t Jonathan Haggerty’s only agenda in his next assignment. The two-sport ONE World Champion stakes one of his crowns against flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9 in the headliner of ONE 168: Denver. This event takes place at Ball Arena on September 6.
Shavkat Rakhmonov isn't worried about Conor McGregor possibly jumping queue at welterweight
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2024
Shavkat Rakhmonov isn’t concerned about the possibility of Conor McGregor getting a title shot at welterweight. In the last couple of years, Shavkat Rakhmonov has established himself as a top contender at 170 pounds. He is easily one of the most intriguing prospects on the UFC roster, and he continues to prove that every single time he’s in the cage. Right now, though, there’s a bit of uncertainty surrounding his career.
Kamaru Usman and Canelo Alvarez clear the air after previous rivalry
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2024
Kamaru Usman and Canelo Alvarez have buried the hatchet, years on from rumors of a potential fight between them. As we know, Kamaru Usman was once seen as the best pound for pound fighter in mixed martial arts. He was dominating the welterweight division until one day, he wasn’t. Alas, during his time as champion, he was starting to build up a real name for himself – and that led to him calling out Canelo Alvarez.
Michael Chandler teases news of possible fight announcement
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler continues to tease the idea that a fight announcement for him could be imminent. Things have been pretty frustrating for Michael Chandler in recent months. In fact, you could argue that’s been the case for over a year now. The American sensation has enjoyed some great moments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but he’s been left without a fight for quite some time.
Dana White calls Donald Trump ‘the most resilient human being’ he’s ever met
Zain Bando - September 1, 2024
Dana White’s relationship with the former U.S. President is more than just politics. At heart, the UFC CEO and Trump go back over twenty years.
VIDEO | Naiza FC's Alibek Kuzhbaev flattens opponent with a 20-second spinning wheel kick KO
Curtis Calhoun - September 1, 2024
MMA fighter Alibek Kuzhbaev’s lightweight debut at Naiza FC 66 featured one of the craziest knockouts you’ll see in 2024. Kuzhbaev and Ali Gharedaghi competed in a lightweight bout at the Naiza FC 66 co-main event. He was making his lightweight debut after fighting at featherweight for all of his previous nine professional bouts.
Dustin Poirier teases 'big news' surrounding potential UFC return
Curtis Calhoun - September 1, 2024
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier appears to be nearing an Octagon return for his potential retirement fight. Poirier lost to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302 earlier this summer. In his third lineal UFC lightweight title shot, he lost by fifth-round submission, effectively ending his pursuit of the belt.
Stamp comforts Denice Zamboanga amid injury: "Wishing you a speedy recovery"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 1, 2024
Camaraderie often runs as deep as competition. And this is evident in the comforting words offered by Stamp Fairtex to Denice Zamboanga. Zamboanga made the difficult decision to pull out of her ONE Interim Atomweight World Title tilt against Alyona Rassohyna at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video.
Henry Cejudo shares bold prediction for Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvilli at UFC 306: "He’s going to beat him"
Chris Taylor - August 31, 2024
Henry Cejudo has shared a bold prediction for next month’s bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvilli at UFC 306. O’Malley (18-1 MMA) and Dvalishvilli (17-4 MMA) are set to collide at The Sphere in Las Vegas on September 14. It is a highly anticipated contest and one that both ‘Suga’ and ‘The Machine’ believe they will earn a stoppage in.
Dan Hooker not willing to "sell my title shot again" after re-entering top five of UFC lightweight rankings
Chris Taylor - August 31, 2024
Dan Hooker is planning on taking a more measured approach now that he has re-entered the top five of the UFC lightweight rankings. Hooker (24-12 MMA) took over the No. 5 spot in 155lbs rankings after earning a split decision victory over Mateusz Gamrot earlier this month at UFC 305. That win marked ‘The Hangman’s’ third in a row, as he had previously defeated Claudio Puelles and Jalin Turner respectively.
Ilia Topuria warns Alexander Volkanovski against accepting backup role at UFC 308: "He wants to get knocked out every year"
Chris Taylor - August 31, 2024
Ilia Topuria has cautioned Alexander Volkanovski against accepting a backup role for upcoming title fight at UFC 308. Topuria (15-0 MMA) is set to defend his featherweight title for the first time against former division champion Max Holloway (26-7 MMA) this coming October in Abu Dhabi.
Denice Zamboanga stays positive amid injury: "This is just another challenge"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 31, 2024
Despite the difficult predicament she finds herself in, Denice Zamboanga chooses to stay focused on her ultimate goal. The current #2-ranked contender recently had to make the tough decision to withdraw from her ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title bout against #4-ranked Alyona Rassohyna.
Belal Muhammad claps back at Shavkat Rakhmonov over recent comments, pitches a No. 1 contender fight
Curtis Calhoun - August 30, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad didn’t take long to respond to Shavkat Rakhmonov’s remarks about an alleged title fight offer for UFC 307. Muhammad captured the UFC welterweight title by defeating Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 304 last month. He’s unbeaten in his previous 11 fights and capped his winning streak with an impressive world championship performance.
Jake Paul believes Jon Jones should demand $25 million to fight Tom Aspinall: "Jon Jones doesn't dodge anyone"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2024
Jake Paul has some advice for UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones on navigating negotiations with Tom Aspinall. ‘Bones’ hasn’t competed since a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane last March at UFC 285. That victory was Jon Jones’s first up at heavyweight and saw him claim the title that Francis Ngannou left vacant. Post-fight, the champion was booked opposite Stipe Miocic for November at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals Belal Muhammad rejected short-notice UFC 307 fight: "He wasn't ready"
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2024
According to Shavkat Rakhmonov, UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad rejected a fight against him. ‘Remember The Name’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 304 in Manchester last month. In the main event, Belal Muhammad faced Leon Edwards in a rematch of their March 2021 encounter. Despite entering the cage a big underdog, the title challenger wound up outstriking and outgrappling ‘Rocky’ en route to a decision victory.
Michael Chandler details mental dilemma surrounding Conor McGregor fight: "Inner voice doesn't think I deserve this"
Curtis Calhoun - August 30, 2024
The impact on Michael Chandler’s long wait for Conor McGregor has impacted the UFC star more than most realize. McGregor and Chandler were scheduled to headline UFC 303 in Las Vegas to cap off International Fight Week. But, McGregor withdrew weeks before the event due to injury, and Chandler wasn’t rebooked against a replacement opponent.
Ayaka Miura to square off against Jihin Radzuan at ONE Fight Night 25
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 30, 2024
Ayaka Miura and Jihin Radzuan will finally get the chance to go at it. Both fighters are booked to collide in an atomweight MMA tiff at ONE Fight Night 25 on Prime Video. This takes place at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 4.