MMA News
Road to ONE: America winner Sean Climaco promises “technical violence” in debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 23, 2024
Sean Climaco plans to put American Muay Thai on the map with a signature performance in his ONE Championship debut. The Filipino-American faces Mexican striker Josue Cruz at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video on May 3. The flyweight Muay Thai contest airs live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Undefeated Ben Tynan makes quick turnaround, faces Mauro Cerilli at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 23, 2024
Ben Tynan is wasting no time getting back to work as he looks to continue his rapid rise to the top of ONE Championship’s heavyweight MMA division. “Vanilla Thunder” faces former World Title challenger Mauro Cerilli at ONE 167: Stamp vs. Zamboanga on Prime Video. The event goes down in U.S. primetime on June 7 at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.
Chris Weidman compares Alex Pereira’s wrestling “deficiency” to Ben Askren’s striking
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Chris Weidman thinks there is a major hole in Alex Pereira’s game, and he’s comparing it to Ben Askren’s striking. Pereira is coming off the first defense of his light heavyweight title as he scored a first-round knockout win over Jamahal Hill in the main event of UFC 300. Pereira hasn’t even been in the UFC for three full years and already has won titles in two different weight classes.
Dan Hooker "would love to" fight Beneil Dariush at UFC 303 at International Fight Week
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Dan Hooker is hoping to face Beneil Dariush next. Hooker has been rehabbing the broken arm he sustained during his win over Jalin Turner from last July. He reinjured the arm in his training camp for Bobby Green which was supposed to take place last December.
Leon Edwards' coach says he's "99.9 percent" certain Belal Muhammad is next
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
Dave Lovell, the head coach of Leon Edwards expects his fighter to defend his welterweight title in Manchester against Belal Muhammad. Edwards has not fought since UFC 296 in December when he beat Colby Covington by decision to defend his title. The Brit had been trying to get a fight, and he was reportedly offered fights at UFC 300 against Islam Makhachev, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and Khamzat Chimaev but none came to fruition.
Justin Gaethje has no regrets over trading with Max Holloway in final seconds of UFC 300 bout: "There was no other option"
Josh Evanoff - April 23, 2024
Justin Gaethje wasn’t going to say no to trading with Max Holloway in the final seconds of their UFC 300 fight. ‘The Highlight’ returned to the octagon on the main card of the historic card earlier this month. There, Justin Gaethje looked to make the first defense of his ceremonial ‘BMF’ title against Max Holloway. The fight was a rare lightweight appearance for the Hawaiian, and he didn’t disappoint. Despite entering the fight as an underdog, Holloway put on a show.
Islam Makhachev believes that the UFC "has to give" him a shot at Leon Edwards soon: "I already beat all these guys"
Josh Evanoff - April 23, 2024
Islam Makhachev believes that he has to face UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards sooner rather than later. The Russian recently signed a deal to return to the cage at UFC 302 in June against Dustin Poirier. For Islam Makhachev, the contest will be his third lightweight title defense. He heads into his fight with ‘The Diamond’ having captured two straight title defenses against former featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.
Stephen Thompson responds to Michael 'Venom' Page's 'boring fight' claims about a potential UFC booking
Curtis Calhoun - April 23, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson has responded to Michael ‘Venom’ Page’s recent remarks about a possible UFC booking. Thompson is one of the top karate-focused fighters to ever crossover into MMA. He’s awaiting his next UFC booking as he looks to get back on track after a loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296.
Arman Tsarukyan hits back at Michael Chandler over harsh criticism of declined short-notice UFC title fight: "You're waiting for a paycheck"
Curtis Calhoun - April 23, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan didn’t take long to respond to Michael Chandler’s stance that declining a short-notice title fight at UFC 302 was a mistake. Tsarukyan earned the biggest win of his UFC career by defeating former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira at UFC 300. He won the fight by split decision and earned No. 1 lightweight contender status.
Sean O’Malley weighs in on Aljamain Sterling’s “boring decision” win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300: “I saved the bantamweight division”
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on Aljamain Sterling’s dominant decision win over Calvin Kattar. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling defeated Calvin Kattar in convincing fashion. He battered him from pillar to post, largely through his dominant ground game. Now, many are left to wonder what’s next for him following his successful featherweight debut.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 162 with Austen Lane and Anthony Taylor
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2024
The 162nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 91. We’re first joined by UFC heavyweight Austen Lane (0:48). Next, former Bellator fighter and current influencer boxer Anthony Taylor (12:06) comes on.
Coach John Kavanagh says Conor McGregor is looking “super slick” ahead of comeback fight at UFC 303
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024
Head coach John Kavanagh has said that Conor McGregor is looking slick ahead of his comeback fight at UFC 303. At UFC 303 this summer, Conor McGregor will finally return to the Octagon. He will do so for the first time in three years, dating back to when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier.
Daniel Cormier explains why Aljamain Sterling should be in the next BMF title fight
Harry Kettle - April 23, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on why he thinks Aljamain Sterling should be in the next BMF title fight. At UFC 300, Aljamain Sterling got off to a winning start at featherweight. The man known as ‘Funk Master’ dominated Calvin Kattar, registering a one-sided victory over a veteran in the division. Now, many believe that Sterling could be just one or two wins away from a shot at the title.
Reece McLaren “excited to showcase” evolved MMA game at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 23, 2024
Fourth-ranked flyweight MMA contender Reece McLaren has been a staple of ONE Championship for almost a decade, but the 32-year-old believes that his best has yet to come. “Lightning” faces #5-ranked Hu Yong at ONE Fight Night 22: Sundell vs. Diachkova on Prime Video on May 3 in a contest that will propel the winner one step closer to a shot at flyweight MMA king Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
Daniel Cormier: 'Right place, right time' for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler to be UFC's first 165lb title fight
Curtis Calhoun - April 22, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier thinks Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler could make history in more than one way. McGregor will make his long-awaited UFC return at UFC 303 against Chandler on June 29th. He and Chandler will finally meet in the Octagon after they clashed as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 last year.
Smilla Sundell aims to end Natalia Diachkova’s unbeaten run: “I like stopping people’s streaks”
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 22, 2024
Smilla Sundell is eager to get back to work in the ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video main event. “The Hurricane” puts her ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against Russian powerhouse Natalia Diachkova at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 3 live in U.S. primetime.
Ryan Garcia responds to Sean O'Malley after 'Sugar' expresses interest in boxing match: "PREPARE TO BLEED RAINBOW"
Josh Evanoff - April 22, 2024
It seems that boxing star Ryan Garcia and UFC champion Sean O’Malley are on a collision course. ‘KingRy’ returned to the boxing ring over the weekend against Devin Haney. Heading into the contest, Ryan Garcia was a massive underdog, as he seemingly struggled with substance abuse and questions about his mental state. Instead, he dominated the WBC super lightweight champion handing him a majority decision defeat. For Garcia, the win was a satisfying one.
Chris Weidman interested in facing Sean Strickland after recent win: "I'd like to test myself"
Josh Evanoff - April 22, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is down to face Sean Strickland next. ‘The All-American’ returned to the octagon late last month in Atlantic City against Bruno Silva. Chris Weidman entered the bout, admittedly on the verge of retirement. With a loss, the former UFC champion would’ve retired in the cage. Instead, Weidman picked up a controversial unanimous decision victory over the Brazilian.