MMA News
Smilla Sundell to battle Natalia Diachkova at ONE Fight Night 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 4, 2024
The main event of ONE Fight Night 22 on Prime Video promises an encounter like no other. In fact, two of Muay Thai’s biggest stars gear up to slug it out with 26 pounds at stake. Smilla Sundell puts her ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Title on the line against Natalia Diachkova. This five-round duel airs in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on May 3.
Ian Machado Garry vows to retire Colby Covington in potential UFC showdown: “He never puts on MMA gloves ever again”
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has reiterated his desire to take on Colby Covington as their feud continues to evolve. For the longest time now, Ian Machado Garry has been a rising star in the UFC’s welterweight division. In equal measure, though, he’s also gained quite a few critics along the way. From trash talk to accusations about his wife, the Irishman has had to deal with a lot outside of the cage.
Video | Sean O’Malley lays a beatdown on influencer Adin Ross after being gifted a new car
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
Sean O’Malley had a fun sparring session with influencer Adin Ross after the latter gifted him a new car following his recent win. Over the course of the last few years, Sean O’Malley’s popularity has gone through the roof. The eccentric star has been able to capture the UFC bantamweight championship and at UFC 299, he successfully defended it. He did so by dismantling long-time rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera in an emphatic performance.
MMA legend Cris Cyborg set to return to the boxing ring at Green Bay Fight Night on April 27
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
Mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg will make her boxing return against Widnelly Figueroa at Green Bay Fight Night. On April 27, as per a press release, Cris Cyborg will return to the squared circle. She’ll be putting her unbeaten 3-0 pro record on the line against Widnelly Figueroa (0-2), in a move that has come as a surprise to many.
Chael Sonnen encourages Joaquin Buckley amidst Ariel Helwani feud: "Don't answer questions. Handle them!"
Curtis Calhoun - April 3, 2024
Former UFC star Chael Sonnen weighed in on Joaquin Buckley’s recent tense back-and-forth with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Buckley defeated Vicente Luque by TKO at UFC Atlantic City last Saturday. It was arguably the biggest win of his career and skyrocketed his stock in the UFC welterweight division.
Damon Jackson expects Alexander Hernandez fight to be a "banger" for however long it lasts: "First round is going to be a fury"
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024
Damon Jackson is expecting his UFC Vegas 90 co-main event fight against Alexander Hernandez to be wild and chaotic for however long it lasts. Jackson is coming off a decision loss to Billy Quarantillo back in August, which was his second straight defeat. After the loss, Jackson focused on getting healthy and says he is now back to one hundred percent.
Daniel Cormier explains why Colby Covington has to fight Ian Machado Garry to keep his 'Villain' role
Curtis Calhoun - April 3, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier thinks Colby Covington is fighting for relevancy amidst his ongoing feud with Ian Machado Garry. Covington lost to UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards by unanimous decision at UFC 296 in December. The loss was his third in a UFC title fight, after two losses to Kamaru Usman.
Chris Weidman reacts to coach's remarks about a potential Bruno Silva rematch after UFC Atlantic City
Curtis Calhoun - April 3, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has responded to coach Ray Longo’s recent remarks about a potential run-back with Bruno Silva. Weidman originally defeated Silva by TKO at UFC Atlantic City last Saturday. But, upon replay review, the New Jersey State Athletic Commission overturned it to a technical decision win after Weidman appeared to poke Silva’s eye in the finishing sequence.
Robert Whittaker breaks down potential Dricus Du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya title fight
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024
Robert Whittaker thinks Israel Adesanya has a good chance to piece up Dricus Du Plessis for five rounds. Du Plessis recently hinted on his social media that he will be fighting Adesanya in Perth at UFC 305 in August. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that has been in the works for well over a year.
Maycee Barber explodes on Erin Blanchfield after UFC Atlantic City: "Her striking is terrible, she's not an exciting fighter!"
Curtis Calhoun - April 3, 2024
UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber feels she was proven correct in her assessment of Erin Blanchfield’s skillset after watching UFC Atlantic City. Blanchfield suffered her first UFC loss to Manon Fiorot at UFC Atlantic City last Saturday. She lost the fight by unanimous decision, struggling to get the fight to the ground throughout the matchup and seeming hesitant on her feet.
Dominick Reyes confirms plans for UFC return after scary blood clot situation: "Clean bill of health"
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight contender Dominick Reyes is ready to return to fighting. ‘The Devastator’ has been out of the octagon since a first-round knockout loss to Ryan Spann in November 2022. The defeat was an absolutely brutal one for Dominick Reyes, especially considering his recent track record. Entering that UFC 281 bout, he had lost three straight to Jiri Prochazka, Jan Blachowicz, and Jon Jones.
Lions Nation MMA rallies behind Jeremy Pacatiw ahead of ONE Fight Night 21
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 3, 2024
Jeremy Pacatiw may be coming off a 16-month layoff, but his teammates at Lions Nation MMA are brimming with confidence in his ability to seize the moment. “The Juggernaut” reports for duty at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video this Friday, April 5. There, he takes on Wang Shuo in a bantamweight MMA clash. The fight airs live in U.S. primetime at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Max Holloway not ruling out fight against Islam Makhachev with UFC 300 win: "That would be a fun one"
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2024
If Max Holloway can get through Justin Gaethje, he’s not opposed to a fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Later this month at UFC 300, ‘Blessed’ is slated to meet ‘The Highlight’ with ‘BMF’ gold on the line. The two stars will battle for five rounds over the ceremonial title. For Max Holloway, the fight will be a rare lightweight appearance up from featherweight. Many assumed that the Hawaiian would likely return to 145 pounds after this month.
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson confirmed as an exhibition, 'Iron Mike' promises to bring a "real fight" in July
Josh Evanoff - April 3, 2024
Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson won’t be a professional boxing match after all. Last month, fans were shocked to see ‘The Problem Child’ announce a fight with ‘Iron Mike’. There was a major lack of details about the fight itself. However, fans did learn that the bout would be broadcast on Netflix, and go down in front of 80,000 fans at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Furthermore, there were quick reports that the fight was being targeted as a professional fight.
Chris Weidman reveals he would've retired had Bruno Silva beat him at UFC Atlantic City: "I was gonna put my gloves down"
Cole Shelton - April 3, 2024
Chris Weidman says he would have retired from MMA had he lost to Bruno Silva at UFC Atlantic City. Weidman was coming off a decision loss to Brad Tavares last August in his first fight back since broke his leg. After his last fight, Dana White said he wanted to see the former middleweight champion retire. However, Weidman got one more fight against Silva, and on fight week, he shot down retirement rumors as he said he felt good.
Joaquin Buckley believes Ariel Helwani and other media members attempt to hurt the careers of fighters: “I shouldn't have even took the interview”
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2024
UFC fighter Joaquin Buckley has given his explosive thoughts on Ariel Helwani and MMA media in general. This past weekend, Joaquin Buckley secured arguably the biggest win of his career as he dusted off Vicente Luque. Now, many are wondering what the future holds for the exciting 29-year-old.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on Chris Weidman’s controversial victory over Bruno Silva: “It felt like a soccer player when they get fouled”
Harry Kettle - April 3, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Chris Weidman’s controversial win over Bruno Silva. Last weekend, Chris Weidman defeated Bruno Silva via technical decision. It was initially ruled a stoppage win, only for the result to be changed as a result of Silva suffering from repeated eye pokes.
Ben Tynan promises to be "one of the biggest names" in ONE Championship
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 3, 2024
Ben Tynan knows that winning his next assignment will determine his career trajectory moving forward. “Vanilla Thunder” returns to action in a heavyweight MMA clash against Duke Didier at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event airs live from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, April 5.