MMA News
Jon Anik hits back at critics of UFC 304 commentary during Belal Muhammad's win
Curtis Calhoun - August 12, 2024
UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik vehemently denies any favoritism during Belal Muhammad’s title win in Manchester last month. Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight championship at UFC 304. His ongoing 11-fight unbeaten streak was capped off by a largely-dominant win over the incumbent Edwards in a rematch of their 2021 clash.
Colby Covington slams LeBron James after winning gold at 2024 Paris Olympics: "It's disgusting!'
Josh Evanoff - August 12, 2024
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington has continued his one-sided feud with LeBron James. ‘Chaos’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards in December. That bout ended a long hiatus for Colby Covington, and he was largely dominated. Post-fight, the welterweight revealed a foot injury that hindered his performance. Now healthy, Covington has chosen to remain on the sidelines, rather than fighting the likes of Ian Garry.
Urijah Faber done with MMA, but interested in potential BKFC fight or boxing match: "I love competing"
Josh Evanoff - August 12, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Urijah Faber is done with MMA, but he’s not done with competing. The 45-year-old is going on almost five years out of the octagon. Urijah Faber famously retired following a decision victory over Brad Pickett in 2016, but he returned to the cage three years later. In his brief comeback, the bantamweight handed Ricky Simon a knockout loss, before being stopped by Petr Yan that December.
VIDEO | Belal Muhammad gets a huge entourage in Chicago after UFC 304 title win
Curtis Calhoun - August 12, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is thoroughly enjoying the perks of becoming a world titleholder after his triumphant victory. Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards by unanimous decision to become the UFC welterweight champion at UFC 304. He silenced the Manchester crowd by utilizing his timely striking and elite wrestling to stifle Edwards’s advances.
Islam Makhachev blames "Dirty politics" for Russia's ban from the 2024 Olympic Games
Curtis Calhoun - August 12, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev feels the International Olympic Committee’s ban of Russia from the 2024 Olympic Games was brutally unjust. Russian athletes were banned from the 2024 Summer Olympics after the country invaded Ukraine in early 2022. Only a handful of athletes from Russia competed at this year’s games, but were forced to compete as “individual neutral athletes”.
Israel Adesanya slams 'privileged' Dricus Du Plessis ahead of UFC 305: “He’ll never understand”
Susan Cox - August 12, 2024
Israel Adesanya is slamming ‘privileged’ middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis ahead of their title fight at UFC 305. UFC 305 takes place this coming weekend, Saturday, August 17th at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
Coach wants to see Sean Strickland fight the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya: “We can fight by November or December”
Susan Cox - August 12, 2024
The coach of Sean Strickland wants to see his pupil fight the winner of Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya. UFC 305 will feature the much-anticipated middleweight main event title fight between current UFC champion Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) and former two-time champion Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA).
Paddy Pimblett issues warning to current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “You know Islam, we’re coming”
Susan Cox - August 12, 2024
Paddy Pimblett has issued a warning to current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Pimblett (22-3 MMA) is hot off a submission victory over Bobby Green (32-16 MMA) this past month at UFC 304 in Manchester, England.
Eric Nicksick is "optimistic" that there's a chance Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones could happen
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2024
Francis Ngannou’s head coach Eric Nicksick believes there’s still a chance that he could go on to battle Jon Jones. Once upon a time, there was great desire from fans to see Francis Ngannou vs Jon Jones. Unfortunately, it never quite came to fruition. Now, Jones is the UFC heavyweight champion. Ngannou, meanwhile, is getting ready to begin a new venture with PFL.
Sean O'Malley admits surprise at UFC deciding to cut Muhammad Mokaev
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on the promotion’s decision not to re-sign Muhammad Mokaev. As many fans know, Muhammad Mokaev is no longer with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He may be an undefeated flyweight prospect, but the promotion has decided he’s not worth keeping on the books. One of the main reasons for that, it seems, is his attitude.
Dustin Poirier pushes for UFC to bring an event to Louisiana
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier is eager to bring an event to his hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana before he retires. It goes without saying that Dustin Poirier is a mixed martial arts legend. He may not be the most successful fighter of all time, but he may well be the most beloved. He has been battling it out with the best of the best for years now, and the masses have taken notice.
Lil' bro reminds fans that Jonathan Haggerty's "got that dog in him"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 12, 2024
Freddie Haggerty exudes confidence that older brother Jonathan Haggerty will emerge triumphant in his next assignment. Jonathan stakes his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship against flyweight kickboxing king Superlek Kiatmoo9 in the main event of ONE 168: Denver. This takes place at the Ball Arena on September 6.
Jon Anik heaps praise on surging featherweight Chepe Mariscal following UFC Vegas 95
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik heaped praise on rising featherweight Chepe Mariscal following UFC Vegas 95. Mariscal shared the Octagon with Damon Jackson this past Saturday night. The two did battle inside the UFC Apex. Chepe failed to make weight for the fight, but he ended up scoring a unanimous decision victory to improve his winning streak to seven.
Coach Eric Nicksick says PFL star Francis Ngannou is "in a good place right now" following tragic loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
Eric Nicksick, the coach of Francis Ngannou, believes the former UFC Heavyweight Champion is in a good place after healing from the tragic death of his son. Ngannou publicly admitted to struggling with the loss of his son and even said retirement was a possibility. The good news is that “The Predator” seems to have been able to find himself in a good mental space.
Ben Askren thinks Jon Jones has dirt on UFC CEO Dana White: "He's playing along, and letting him and Stipe fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
Ben Askren feels there may be something behind the scenes when it comes to Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. Many MMA fans have expressed dismay over UFC CEO Dana White sticking to his guns on booking Jones vs. Miocic for the heavyweight title. This is because Tom Aspinall is the current interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, and fans believe he’s the more exciting fight for “Bones.”
Merab Dvalishvili details beef with Sean O'Malley's coach Tim Welch: "He was very disrespectful to me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
Merab Dvalishvili is none too pleased with Sean O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, ahead of UFC 306. Dvalishvili is set to challenge O’Malley for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. While the two have engaged in a war of words, it appears Merab is even more upset with Welch.
Serghei Spivac explains why he didn't call out next opponent following UFC Vegas 95 win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
Serghei Spivac has revealed why he decided against calling someone out at UFC Vegas 95. Spivac turned in a quick and impressive showing against Marcin Tybura in their rematch this past Saturday night. While Tybura took their first meeting via unanimous decision back in 2020, Spivac turned the tables with a submission victory in under two minutes this go-around.
Jailton Almeida calls out Serghei Spivac following UFC Vegas 95: "I want to fight, bro"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2024
Serghei Spivac didn’t want to mention any names after submitting Marcin Tybura at UFC Vegas 95, but he ended up being called out by Jailton Almeida. Spivac and Tybura shared the Octagon inside the UFC Apex this past Saturday night. This was a heavyweight rematch, as Tybura won their first encounter back in 2020 via unanimous decision. Things played out far differently this time, with Spivac locking in an armbar for the submission win in under two minutes.