MMA News
Bo Nickal laughs off idea that Islam Makhachev would be D1 NCAA wrestling champion
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
UFC prospect Bo Nickal has laughed off the idea that Islam Makhachev would be a D1 NCAA wrestling champion. As we know, Islam Makhachev is one of the scariest guys in all of mixed martial arts. In addition to his wrestling prowess, he’s also added some solid striking and great submission work to his game in recent years. In addition to that, he’s the reigning UFC lightweight champion – and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley clash after Merab suffers cut weeks before UFC 306
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley have clashed on social media after the former revealed a nasty cut he suffered. In just a few short weeks, the Ultimate Fighting Championship heads to the Sphere in Las Vegas. It will serve as the first major sporting event to take place in the venue, as Noche UFC returns once again. We’re set to see a parade of fascinating fights from top to bottom, but of course, the main headline attraction will be Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili.
Mikey Musumeci blasts steroid users in BJJ: “You’re cheating”
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 20, 2024
As Mikey Musumeci gears up for his high-stakes showdown at ONE 168: Denver on September 6, his focus is not solely on the formidable challenge ahead. The reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion moves up three divisions higher in a bid to take away the lightweight crown from Kade Ruotolo. This 10-minute duel takes place at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Dana White blasts Merab Dvalishvili for revealing pre-UFC 306 cut: "Our guys are so dumb!"
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White isn’t happy with bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili for leaking a pre-UFC 306 cut he suffered this week. Dvalishvili is scheduled to face UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley in the UFC 306 main event on September 14th in Las Vegas. The bantamweight main event caps off a stacked card in the first major sporting event held at the Las Vegas Sphere venue.
Dricus du Plessis betting odds vs. four different UFC title challengers revealed
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
Four different possibilities for Dricus du Plessis’s next UFC title defense present different odds for the South African champion. Du Plessis defeated former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in his first title defense last weekend in Perth. After a back-and-forth first three rounds of the fight, du Plessis swarmed Adesanya and eventually submitted him by rear-naked choke.
Tom Aspinall laughs off Jon Jones' latest comment about him: "Make sure you pass me the belt on the way out"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has responded to Jon Jones. The British fighter is fresh off his return to the cage last month at UFC 304. Back for the first time since winning interim gold in November against Sergei Pavlovich, Tom Aspinall faced Curtis Blaydes. It took only one round for the heavyweight to dispatch of ‘Razor’, scoring a first-round knockout win in Manchester.
UFC fighter Casey Kenney reportedly arrested on kidnapping and assault charges
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2024
UFC bantamweight Casey Kenney has reportedly been arrested on kidnapping and assault charges in his home state of Arizona. Kenney has not fought since 2021 due to injuries, but he is now facing legal issues. MMA reporter J. Torres first put out that the bantamweight was arrested in Arizona on August 16. He is facing two charges.
Mateusz Gamrot breaks silence after UFC 305 loss to Dan Hooker: "It's easy to slip"
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot has addressed fans for the first time since his loss to Dan Hooker at UFC 305 last weekend in Perth. Gamrot lost to Hooker by split decision on the UFC 305 main card on Saturday. The loss snapped a three-fight winning streak for Gamrot, and despite finding success with his wrestling, he took the more significant damage in the fight from Hooker.
Jon Jones teases move to submission grappling after attending ADCC 2024: "What an amazing event"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is interested in making a move to the mats. ‘Bones’ has been out of the cage since a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane last March. While Jon Jones was expected to face Stipe Miocic that November, he was forced out due to an injury. In his absence, Tom Aspinall has won and defended the UFC interim heavyweight title. However, Jones is still expected to face Miocic next.
Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya was never a good fighter: "You had a close fight against Kelvin Gastelum"
Josh Evanoff - August 20, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya was never that good. ‘The Last Stylebender’ returned to the octagon on Saturday night in Australia. Back for the first time since a decision defeat to Sean Strickland last year, Israel Adesanya faced Dricus du Plessis. The South African won the gold from ‘Tarzan’ in January by split-decision, and was excited to face the former champion in his first title defense.
Jon Jones sends subtle jab to Tom Aspinall: "I’m focusing on goat things"
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has taken a subtle jab at Tom Aspinall. Aspinall defended his interim heavyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 304 as he knocked out Curtis Blaydes in only 60-seconds. Since then, Aspinall has taken aim at Jones and recently declared himself the best heavyweight in the world.
Jan Blachowicz doesn't understand why he didn't get title shot against Alex Pereira: "No one asked me"
Cole Shelton - August 20, 2024
Jan Blachowicz doesn’t understand why the UFC didn’t ask him to fight Alex Pereira at UFC 307. Pereira is set to defend his light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City against Khalil Rountree. The fight booking caught many by surprise as Rountree is coming off a suspension for a failed drug test. Those who were caught by surprise include Jan Blachowicz who believes he should have gotten the title shot.
Kamaru Usman welcomes Dricus du Plessis into the "Four African horsemen" after UFC 305 victory
Curtis Calhoun - August 20, 2024
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, a prominent member of the self-described ‘Three African Kings’, is willing to make room for Dricus du Plessis. Du Plessis tapped out Israel Adesanya in the UFC 305 main event last Saturday in Perth, Australia. In his first middleweight title defense, du Plessis withstood a striking barrage from Adesanya to retain the belt in a gutsy fashion.
Israel Adesanya says he’s not friends with Dricus du Plessis but doesn’t think he’s a bad person: “We’re cool, and I respect him”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
UFC legend Israel Adesanya has said that while he isn’t friends with Dricus du Plessis, he certainly respects him. Last weekend, Israel Adesanya failed in his attempt to capture the UFC middleweight championship for the third time. He lost to Dricus du Plessis, suffering a fourth round submission defeat at UFC 305. After the bout, though, it seemed as if the two men buried the hatchet following what seemed to be a bitter feud heading into the contest.
Dricus du Plessis coach wants Alex Pereira fight to happen in December: “We’ll just go up (in weight)”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Dricus du Plessis’ coach wants to see his student go head to head with Alex Pereira later this year. As we know, Dricus du Plessis successfully defended his UFC middleweight championship last weekend. He did so by submitting Israel Adesanya at UFC 305, seemingly bringing an end to their rivalry. Now, he’ll move on to the next challenge – which may well be UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira.
Mackenzie Dern booked for December rematch against Amanda Ribas at UFC Tampa Bay
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2024
Mackenzie Dern is reportedly set to face off against Amanda Ribas in a rematch at UFC Tampa Bay later this year. For the longest time, Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas have been two of the most notable names in women’s mixed martial arts. From their fight styles to their personalities, they have become real fan favorites in recent years. Back in October 2019, they even squared off against one another. On that night in Tampa, Ribas won and brought an end to Dern’s unbeaten run in the sport.
Kade Ruotolo looks to sustain momentum at ONE 168 following million-dollar win
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 20, 2024
Before Kade Ruotolo defends his World Title at ONE 168: Denver on September 6, he embarked on a side quest that earned him a hefty payday. Along with twin brother Tye, Kade participated in the under-80-kilogram tournament of the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational. This went down on August 16 and 17 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What's next for the Dricus Du Plessis and Israel Adesanya after UFC 305?
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2024
The UFC was in Perth, Western Australia for a UFC 305 card that saw the middleweight title up for grabs. In the main event of UFC 305, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis was looking to defend his belt for the first time against former champ Israel Adesanya. It was a highly-anticipated bout as the two have had a rivalry for years.