MMA News
Gilbert Burns explains why he wasn't surprised Belal Muhammad beat Leon Edwards: "Cannot deny him"
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2024
Gilbert Burns wasn’t surprised that Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the welterweight champion. Burns fought Muhammad back at UFC 288 in May of 2023 in a No. 1 contender bout. The Brazilian ended up losing by decision, and after the fight, Muhammad held out for over a year to get the title shot against Leon Edwards at UFC 304.
Joe Lauzon opens up on MMA future amidst long UFC hiatus: "I don't exactly know a valid way to get out of the contract"
Josh Evanoff - September 2, 2024
UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon isn’t entirely sure what his MMA future holds. ‘J-Lau’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since the UFC took a trip to Boston in October 2019. That night saw Joe Lauzon hand Jonathan Pearce a first-round knockout loss. In the process, the longtime lightweight snapped a three-fight losing streak and had the opportunity to end his career on a high note.
Jessica Andrade reveals private conversations with Joanna Jedrzejczyk for 'BMF' title rematch: "It would be special"
Josh Evanoff - September 2, 2024
Former UFC champions Jessica Andrade and Joanna Jedrzejczyk could be running it back. The Brazilian hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Marina Rodriguez in April at UFC 300. That night saw Jessica Andrade score a split-decision win, her second in a row. This Saturday at UFC Vegas 97, the former women’s strawweight champion will look to score her third straight victory against Natalia Silva.
Chael Sonnen says Tom Aspinall could suffer a Ronda Rousey-esque collapse against Jon Jones
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2024
Chael Sonnen thinks if Tom Aspinall gets put into a ‘long game’ scenario against Jon Jones, it’ll lead to his undoing, similar to that of UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey. Aspinall defended the UFC interim heavyweight title by knocking out Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304. A showdown against the Jones vs. Stipe Miocic winner is likely next for Aspinall unless he wants to remain active and defend the belt again.
Chael Sonnen favors Sean O'Malley over Conor McGregor for MMA's biggest star
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen believes Sean O’Malley, not Conor McGregor, is the sport’s biggest pay-per-view star ahead of the former’s return to the cage. O’Malley will face the surging Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC 306 main event on September 14th in Las Vegas. He returns after defending the title against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 earlier this year.
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.
Merab Dvalishvili heads to Mexico to improve boxing ahead of Noche UFC
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2024
UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili is in Mexico as he attempts to improve his boxing ahead of Noche UFC next weekend. Later this month, Merab Dvalishvili faces the biggest test of his mixed martial arts career. He will go head to head with Sean O’Malley, challenging for the UFC bantamweight championship in the process. The Georgian star has worked incredibly hard to get himself to this point, and he’s ready to seize this opportunity and become champion.
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
Aung La N Sang vows to "put on a banger fight" at ONE 168: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 1, 2024
Aung La N Sang aims to steal the spotlight when he returns to action. The Burmese Python” makes his much-awaited comeback at ONE 168: Denver. There, he squares off against Shamil Erdogan in a middleweight MMA bout. This happens live at Ball Arena on September 6.
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.
Liam Harrison anticipates epic battle against Seksan
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 31, 2024
Liam Harrison knows he’s in for a rough ride against Seksan Or Kwanmuang. Both men clash in a 140-pound catchweight Muay Thai tiff at ONE 168: Denver. This takes place at Ball Arena on September 6.
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.