MMA News
Jake Paul accepts Sean O’Malley’s offer to “save” UFC 303: “PFL vs UFC June 29th”
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2024
Jake Paul has accepted Sean O’Malley’s offer to “save” UFC 303 by taking on the UFC bantamweight champion. As we know, the current status of the UFC 303 main event is uncertain. Conor McGregor is scheduled to take on Michael Chandler, but recent reports suggest that it may not happen. While we don’t know exactly why that is, the popular opinion is that ‘Notorious’ has picked up some kind of injury.
Merab Dvalishvili explains how previous KO loss made him a smarter fighter: “I’m not going to chase the finish”
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2024
UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili has explained how a previous defeat in the Octagon actually made him smarter as a fighter. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is one of the top bantamweight in the world right now. He’s been able to turn back a parade of top fighters, and now, he looks set to challenge for the UFC belt. When he does, he’ll more than likely be battling current champion Sean O’Malley.
Chatri Sityodtong targets Tawanchai-Nattawut III for Atlanta
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 13, 2024
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is hinting at the possibility of a trilogy bout between Tawanchai PK Saenchai and “Smokin” Jo Nattawut. Following their electrifying rematch at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, he sees the potential for the fierce rivals to clash once more at one of the promotion’s two U.S. events later this year.
Shawne Merriman explains how he got into MMA, hopes to make Lights Out XF the premier feeder promotion
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2024
Former NFL star Shawne Merriman didn’t expect to be running his own MMA promotion, but he is doing just that. Merriman, who was drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft and spent eight years playing in the National Football League was also around the sport of MMA. During his offseasons, Merriman would train MMA with Randy Couture and other fighters, which sparked his love for combat sports.
Sean O'Malley offers to "save" UFC 303 amid uncertainty with Conor McGregor: "I'll fight Jake Paul"
Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2024
Amid uncertainty with Conor McGregor, Sean O’Malley is ready to “save” UFC 303. As many fans are likely aware, it seems that the UFC’s pay-per-view at the end of the month is in major danger. That card in Las Vegas is currently slated to be headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler. The bout is set to be the first for ‘The Notorious’ since a July 2021 stoppage defeat to Dustin Poirier.
Anderson Silva confirms Chael Sonnen boxing match won't be the final fight of his career: "It's my last fight in Brazil"
Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2024
UFC legend Anderson Silva won’t be retiring after facing Chael Sonnen this weekend. On Saturday night in Brazil, ‘The Spider’ will make yet another walk to the boxing ring. Anderson Silva hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Jake Paul in October 2022, his first defeat since leaving the UFC in 2020. Nearly two years removed from that defeat, he will return to the ring to face Chael Sonnen.
Michael Chandler posts another cryptic message amidst new uncertainty surrounding UFC 303, Conor McGregor
Curtis Calhoun - June 12, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler broke his social media silence on Wednesday amidst the promotion’s reported scramble to save UFC 303. As of this writing, Chandler is still scheduled to face former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor in the UFC 303 main event. But, as MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday, the UFC 303 main event is “in limbo” due to undisclosed reasons, and the promotion is attempting to book a new headliner.
Dricus Du Plessis claims he’s agreed to everything for proposed Israel Adesanya fight: “I don’t know what’s the hold up”
Susan Cox - June 12, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is claiming he’s agreed to everything for the proposed Israel Adesanya fight. The UFC middleweight champion, Du Plessis (21-2 MMA), is expected to defend his title at UFC 305.
Mikey Musumeci reflects on emotional win over Gabriel Sousa: "It was just more about me finally shutting him up"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 12, 2024
Mikey Musumeci’s victory over Gabriel Sousa in their rematch at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, stood out as a defining chapter in his storied career. Moving up to bantamweight, the reigning ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Champion needed just over three minutes to submit Sousa in front of a sold-out crowd at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jared Cannonier reacts after referee Jason Herzog comments on controversial stoppage at UFC Louisville: “My career was pretty much in his hands and he decided it ain't worth fighting for”
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
UFC fighter Jared Cannonier has given his thoughts on Jason Herzog’s remarks regarding the finish in the main event of UFC Louisville. Last weekend, Jared Cannonier was beaten by Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Louisville. However, the bout wasn’t without controversy. Imavov had Cannonier hurt in the fourth round but despite that, many felt as if Jason Herzog stopped the fight too early.
Marlon Vera plans to “go to the basement and pull all the demons” in UFC Abu Dhabi fight with Deiveson Figueiredo
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
UFC star Marlon Vera is planning to dig deep in order to come out on top against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi. On August 3, the bantamweight division will be lit up once again by an electric collision. At UFC Abu Dhabi, Marlon Vera and Deiveson Figueiredo will collide in a blockbuster clash. For ‘Chito’, he’s hoping to get back on track after a one-sided demolition at the hands of Sean O’Malley earlier this year.
Alex Pereira gives honest assessment of rumored Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis fight: “After we fought, he changed a little bit”
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has given his thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s impending return to the Octagon. As we know, Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have had quite the rivalry in combat sports. They fought twice in kickboxing with Pereira going 2-0, and in mixed martial arts, they’re currently locked at 1-1.
Denice Zamboanga calls for interim title shot after ONE 167 win
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 11, 2024
For Denice Zamboanga, waiting idly on the sidelines is not an option. Her recent assignment at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, marked the end of a 14-month layoff. And she did so with an emphatic statement. There, she dominated Noelle Grandjean over three rounds to claim a unanimous decision win.
Liz Carmouche eyes another "quick finish" over Kana Watanabe at PFL 4
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Liz Carmouche is looking to go 2-0 against Kana Watanabe. Carmouche and Watanabe fought back in 2021 at Bellator 261 and it was the American winning by TKO in just 35 seconds. Since then, Carmouche went on to become the Bellator women’s flyweight champion, but the two will rematch in the regular season of the PFL tournament at PFL 4 on this Thursday.
Dominick Cruz reveals the "excuse" Jose Aldo used to not fight him in his UFC return
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Dominick Cruz says him not being ranked is the reason Jose Aldo wouldn’t fight him in his return to the UFC. Aldo returned to the Octagon at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against Jonathan Martinez and in doing so he fought out his current UFC deal. It’s unclear if he will re-sign, but if he does, one fight that fans want to see is him vs. Cruz.
Darrick Minner opens up on alleged fixed fight from UFC betting scandal: "Krause was guiding me to victory"
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Darrick Minner has opened up on the alleged fixed fight claims. Minner has been the center of the UFC betting scandal since his fight against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. In the lead-up to the fight, some unusual money came in on Nuerdanbieke and he quickly finished Minner, as it appeared Minner was injured.
REPORT | Jake Paul vs. Mike Perry set for July 20 boxing match
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
Jake Paul will face another former UFC standout, Mike Perry, for his professional boxing return on July 20. Happy Punch was the first to report the news of the Paul vs. Perry fight. A formal announcement is expected to be made on Wednesday by Paul and Most Valuable Promotions.
Daniel Cormier clears the air on viral Jon Jones conversation from UFC's 'Fight Inc' documentary
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier didn’t direct an obscene gesture towards Jon Jones, as some originally suspected, during a now-viral clip from the Fight Inc: Inside the UFC documentary. Jones is expected to return to the Octagon later this year to defend the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. He hasn’t fought since capturing the then-vacant heavyweight belt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.