MMA News
Tawanchai-Jo Nattawut rivalry to ignite ONE 169: Atlanta
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 20, 2024
For the third time, Tawanchai PK Saenchai and “Smokin” Jo Nattawut will lock horns in what promises to be an explosive showdown aimed at settling their unfinished business. The latest installment of their rivalry happens at ONE 169: Atlanta at the State Farm Arena on November 8. There, Tawanchai’s ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship will once again be on the line.
Renan Ferreira says he is just “waiting on the date” for Francis Ngannou showdown: “I’ve been ready for this”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
PFL champion Renan Ferreira has said that he’s waiting on a date for his seemingly inevitable showdown with Francis Ngannou. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Francis Ngannou compete in a mixed martial arts setting. In recent times, he’s been focused on boxing. He battled Tyson Fury in an incredibly close fight, before going on to take on Anthony Joshua. While he did lose via knockout, nobody can deny that he’s made the biggest paydays of his career since leaving the UFC.
Sergei Pavlovich says he feels forgotten about ahead of return at UFC Saudi Arabia: “The facts will be in front of us later”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
UFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich admits that he feels forgotten about heading into his return this weekend. On Saturday night, Sergei Pavlovich returns to the Octagon in Saudi Arabia. He will take on Alexander Volkov in a fight that could be absolutely huge for his title prospects. As we know, in his last outing, Pavlovich fell short in a knockout loss to Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight championship.
Israel Adesanya shares his prediction for Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov at UFC Saudi Arabia: “This is a banger”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
Israel Adesanya has shared his prediction for this weekend’s Robert Whittaker vs Ikram Aliskerov showdown. As we know, Robert Whittaker is an all-time great in the UFC’s middleweight division. In addition to being a former champion, he’s also had some genuinely incredible moments in the division. Of course, this weekend, he was expecting to face Khamzat Chimaev – but that isn’t going to happen.
Official: Jarred Brooks, Gustavo Balart to throwdown for interim strawweight title
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 20, 2024
With reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio sidelined due to an ACL injury, Jarred Brooks and Gustavo Balart will clash for the interim title. The #1-ranked contender in Brooks and #3-ranked Balart battle for the belt in the main event of ONE Fight Night 24 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event is set to take place at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 2.
UFC Saudi Arabia gets another new fight after Joilton Lutterbach tests positive for banned substance
Cole Shelton - June 19, 2024
UFC Saudi Arabia has another new bout after Joilton Lutterbach tested positive for a banned substance and is out of his fight against Shara Magomedov. The UFC’s first event in Saudi Arabia this weekend has seen plenty of key changes as last week the main event was changed from Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev to Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov. According to Tapology, seven fights have been changed or canceled.
Chael Sonnen quickly pivots on Conor McGregor rehab claims: "That would be good stuff!"
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
Chael Sonnen has opened up on his viral claim that UFC superstar Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 was due to substance abuse. McGregor withdrew from UFC 303 due to an undisclosed injury ahead of his planned June 29 return against Michael Chandler. The matchup is expected to be rescheduled for later this year at a to-be-determined date and venue.
Jorge Masvidal targets Logan Paul, Floyd Mayweather next with rematch win vs. Nate Diaz
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
Former UFC star Jorge Masvidal has a pair of ambitious callouts in mind should he defeat Nate Diaz in their July 6 boxing match. Masvidal and Diaz will clash in a rematch of their UFC 244 BMF battle, this time in the boxing ring as opposed to the cage. After defeating Diaz at UFC 244, Masvidal is looking to put their rivalry in the rear-view mirror in a triumphant fighting return.
Dana White believes The Rock could be Oscar-bound for portraying UFC legend Mark Kerr: "He will kill this!"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2024
UFC President Dana White has given Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson his stamp of approval for his upcoming movie. As some MMA fans are likely aware, the WWE wrestler is currently filming ‘The Smashing Machine’. Being directed by Benny Safdie of ‘Uncut Gems’ fame, ‘The Rock’ will portray UFC legend Mark Kerr. In the early 2000s, an HBO documentary followed the heavyweight’s rise, and then brutal decline in the sport.
Anthony Smith believes Alex Pereira fight is possible with UFC 303 victory: "It lines up!"
Josh Evanoff - June 19, 2024
Anthony Smith believes that he’s just a good win and callout away from facing UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. ‘Lionheart’ and ‘Poatan’ were recently added to UFC 303 on June 29th. Due to the collapse of Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, Alex Pereira will headline the card in a rematch against Jiri Prochazka. The event’s co-main event has been changed as well. Due to an injury to Jamahal Hill, Carlos Ulberg has been slotted down the card in a new bout against Anthony Smith.
Opening betting odds for Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry unveiled
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
The opening betting odds for the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry boxing match have been revealed just weeks before the event. Paul and Perry will clash in an eight-round matchup on July 20 in Tampa, Florida. Both fighters return after wins in their most recent outings.
REPORT | Olympic Gold Medalist Zaurbek Sidakov considering move to MMA
Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2024
Freestyle wrestling Olympic gold medalist Zaurbek Sidakov could be on the way to making his MMA debut. Sidakov won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He’s also won three gold medals at the freestyle wrestling world championships and is one of Russia’s most accomplished athletes.
Jake Paul believes Conor McGregor has lost his celebrity and star power: “I’m sure I could comp him a fourth or fifth row seat”
Susan Cox - June 19, 2024
Jake Paul believes that Conor McGregor has lost his celebrity and star power. Paul is currently preparing to fight Mike Perry on Saturday, July 20th at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Israel Adesanya believes Michael Chandler should “take another fight” following UFC 303 cancellation
Susan Cox - June 19, 2024
Israel Adesanya believes Michael Chandler should ‘take another fight’ following the UFC 303 cancellation. UFC 303 is taking place on Saturday, June 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Daniel Cormier questions if Khamzat Chimaev flew “too close to the sun” in early UFC days
Susan Cox - June 19, 2024
Daniel Cormier is questioning if Khamzat Chimaev flew ‘too close to the sun’ in his early UFC days. The undefeated Chimaev (13-0 MMA) hasn’t competed since his majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) last October at UFC 294.
UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Whittaker vs. Aliskerov’ Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - June 19, 2024
The UFC Saudi Arabia ‘Whittaker vs. Aliskerov’ Fight Card and Start Times have been announced. UFC Saudi Arabia will take place this coming Saturday, June 22nd at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Report | MMA veteran Shannon Ritch kills a man in self defense
Harry Kettle - June 19, 2024
MMA veteran Shannon Ritch has reportedly killed a man in self defense, as per a report from FOX 10 Phoenix. For those who don’t know, Shannon Ritch has been around for a long time in mixed martial arts. He holds a record of 58-90 with four no-contests, in a career that has spanned decades. His last outing took place in January 2020, when he lost to Glenn Sparv via leg lock.
Mike Davis forced out of Drew Dober matchup at UFC Denver, requires surgery: “This kills me man”
Harry Kettle - June 19, 2024
UFC prospect Mike Davis has been forced out of his scheduled matchup against Drew Dober due to injury. Over the course of the last few years, Mike Davis has been making a real name for himself in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his most recent outing, he submitted Natan Levy back in March. That made it four wins on the trot, and six in his last seven, and he seems to be getting better and better.