MMA News
Francis Ngannou admits he contemplated retirement after recent tragic death of his son
Curtis Calhoun - August 7, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou briefly contemplated retiring after experiencing an unimaginable tragedy. Ngannou will make his return to the cage after a nearly three-year absence on October 19th against 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira. The former UFC standout’s PFL debut will be his first MMA fight since a win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270.
Former middleweight champion Chris Weidman booked for return at UFC 309 in New York
Susan Cox - August 7, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is booked to return to the cage at UFC 309 in New York. UFC 309 will take place on Saturday, November 14th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Francis Ngannou vs Renan Ferreira official for October PFL pay-per-view event
Susan Cox - August 7, 2024
Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira is now official for October’s PFL pay-per-view event. The former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou (17-3 MMA) will make his Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut on Saturday, October 19th in Saudi Arabia, when he gets in the cage with Renan Ferreira (13-3 MMA) for the heavyweight title.
Sean O’Malley says there’s no guarantee he will fight Umar Nurmagomedov next if he defeats Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306: “I’ve got a lot of options”
Susan Cox - August 7, 2024
Sean O’Malley is saying that there’s no guarantee he will fight Umar Nurmagomedov next if he defeats Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. The still undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA) just fought and defeated Cory Sandhagen (17-5 MMA) in the main event this past weekend at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Superlek gunning for Jonathan Haggerty's gold: "I want his belt"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2024
Superlek Kiatmoo9 may be facing a monumental task in his next outing, but that does not diminish his confidence in the slightest. The reigning ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion challenges Jonathan Haggerty for the Englishman’s bantamweight Muay Thai gold. This matchup headlines ONE 168: Denver, taking place at the Ball Arena on September 6.
MMA fans react after Jon Jones shares hotline for Tom Aspinall fight requests: “DC watching his phone blow up”
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2024
Mixed martial arts fans have reacted to Jon Jones sharing a hotline for Tom Aspinall fight requests. As we know, Jon Jones is likely to battle Stipe Miocic in his next fight. However, many want to see him take on Tom Aspinall instead. The Englishman is the interim UFC heavyweight champion and it seems like the move that makes sense. Alas, Jones and the UFC are ultimately going in the direction of Miocic, which will likely take place at Madison Square Garden later this year.
Jake Paul shares high praise for Dana White, says his only gripe is UFC fighter pay
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2024
Jake Paul has surprisingly given UFC president Dana White some praise following his speech at the Republican National Convention. As we know, Jake Paul and Dana White aren’t exactly best friends. In fact, Paul has taken quite a few shots at White over the years. A lot of the reasons for that stem from ‘The Problem Child’ not believing that fighter pay is where it should be. Of course, many fighters and pundits agree with him, even if they don’t like the man himself.
Matt Brown advises Tony Ferguson to retire following latest loss at UFC Abu Dhabi: “If you lost your first eight or you lost your last eight”
Harry Kettle - August 7, 2024
UFC legend Matt Brown believes Tony Ferguson should retire from mixed martial arts after his loss at UFC Abu Dhabi. Last weekend, Tony Ferguson fell to his eighth loss in a row. He was submitted by Michael Chiesa in fairly comprehensive fashion. As you can imagine, fans have since been wondering whether or not now is the time for him to retire.
Mayssa Bastos affirms that “it feels great” to finally capture ONE World Title
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 7, 2024
Mayssa Bastos is still on cloud nine after capturing the ONE Atomweight Submission Grappling World Title. She achieved the feat at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video last Friday, August 2. There, she overthrew Danielle Kelly from her throne atop the division.
Amy Pirnie further proves that Scotland is the next hotbed for fighting talent
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 6, 2024
Amy Pirnie announced her arrival under the ONE Championship banner in the most emphatic way possible. The Scottish newcomer made quick work of rising star Yu Yau Pui in an atomweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video last Friday, August 2.
Daniel Cormier says he’s firmly against 12-to-6 elbows, compares it to “street fighting”
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier isn’t a fan of 12-to-6 elbows and feels they should remain banned despite the recent lifting of the rule. The 12-to-6 elbow is a straight vertical attack to a grounded opponent, which was banned for years up until this summer. The Association of Boxing Commissions and Combative Sports recently voted unanimously to lift the ban from MMA’s unified ruleset, beginning on November 1st.
Umar Nurmagomedov rips Merab Dvalishvili after discrediting his path to expected next UFC title shot
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov scoffed at Merab Dvalishvili’s recent claims that his MMA rise is mostly due to his family legacy. Nurmagomedov earned the biggest win of his career last weekend against Cory Sandhagen in the UFC Abu Dhabi main event. He defeated Sandhagen by unanimous decision, utilizing a well-rounded game to frustrate and stifle his opponent.
Ben Askren accuses Dana White of hypocrisy regarding Jon Jones’ delayed heavyweight return
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren is the latest top name to attempt to push Dana White to let go of the expected Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic fight. Jones, the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, is expected to return in November against former titleholder Stipe Miocic. He hasn’t fought since winning the then-vacant title at UFC 285, after suffering an injury that forced his withdrawal from a booking against Miocic at UFC 295.
Nabil Anane in "no rush" to fight for World Title after ONE Fight Night 24 win
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 6, 2024
Nabil Anane proved at ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video last Friday, August 2, that he deserves to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the elite on the main roster. The towering 6-foot-4 Thai phenom shined under the bright lights, dominating #3-ranked contender and former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Felipe Lobo.
Conor McGregor slams 'cornflake' Canelo Alvarez for avoiding David Benavidez: "CANELO DOESN'T SELL"
Josh Evanoff - August 6, 2024
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor is again taking aim at boxing star Canelo Alvarez. ‘The Notorious’ is still looking to make his return to the octagon. As many fans are aware, Conor McGregor was set to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in late June. However, the Irishman was forced out of the contest two weeks out due to a broken toe. As a result, ‘Iron’ was also pulled from the pay-per-view card.
WATCH | CM Punk praises new UFC champion Belal Muhammad during WWE Raw: "Good things happen to good people"
Josh Evanoff - August 6, 2024
WWE wrestler CM Punk has given newly crowned UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad his flowers. ‘Remember The Name’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 304 last month in Manchester. There, Belal Muhammad finally got his shot at welterweight gold against Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ had previously faced the contender back in 2021, largely outstriking him until a second-round eye poke forced a no-contest.
Amit Elor becomes the youngest USA wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal
Curtis Calhoun - August 6, 2024
20-year-old Olympic wrestler Amit Elor made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France this week. Elor, from California, won the 68kg freestyle wrestling Olympic Gold Medal match against Meerim Zhumanazarova (Kyrgyzstan) on Tuesday. She became the youngest American to earn an Olympic wrestling gold medal, a title previously held by Kyle Snyder.
Michael Chandler seemingly moves on from long-awaited fight against Conor McGregor: "The fight is off"
Josh Evanoff - August 6, 2024
It appears that UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is moving on from Conor McGregor. ‘Iron’ and ‘The Notorious’ were set to finally meet in the main event of UFC 303 this summer. The bout was going to take place a year after the two lightweights coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter. Due to Conor McGregor’s leg injury, as well as ‘Road House’ obligations, he didn’t book a fight with Michael Chandler for a year.