MMA News
Chris Weidman feels like a title contender ahead of UFC Atlantic City return: "I could be the best in the world again"
Josh Evanoff - March 25, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman feels great heading into his return. The former champion has had an absolutely brutal last few years. In April 2021, Chris Weidman was slated to face Uriah Hall in a rematch of their bout on the regional scene that took place over a decade ago. Sadly for the longtime wrestler, the second outing went about as terrible as it possibly could.
Jake Paul downplays Mike Tyson's punching power ahead of boxing match: "I have an iron chin"
Josh Evanoff - March 25, 2024
Jake Paul really wants to taste Mike Tyson’s punching power in their boxing match this summer. Earlier this month, ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Iron Mike’ announced plans to compete in a boxing match on July 20th. The fight will be streamed on Netflix and will be held in front of 85,000 fans at AT&T Stadium in Texas. The venue normally known for housing the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, will instead hold Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson this summer.
Dana White threatened to resign in protest when Joe Rogan's job was at stake over 2022 controversy: "I'm very loyal"
Josh Evanoff - March 25, 2024
When UFC commentator Joe Rogan was at risk of losing his job in 2022, Dana White stepped up. Around two years ago now, the longtime color commentator was in very hot water. A compilation of Joe Rogan saying slurs was making the rounds on social media, and Spotify quickly caved to public pressure. Several of the podcaster’s episodes were removed from the service for controversial content, and comments.
Igor Severino has purse withheld from NAC after biting his opponent at UFC Vegas 89
Cole Shelton - March 25, 2024
Igor Severino has also had his purse withheld along with being cut from the UFC. According to MMAFighting, Severino’s purse was withheld by the Nevada Athletic Commission after he was disqualified for biting Andre Lima in the second round. The exact amount of Severino’s purse is unknown because the NAC does not publicly disclose salaries. He was also released from the UFC following the bout.
Sean O’Malley confirms he is fighting Merab Dvalishvili next: “Your wish is granted”
Susan Cox - March 25, 2024
Sean O’Malley is confirming he is fighting Merab Dvalishvili next. Reigning UFC bantamweight champion, O’Malley (18-1 MMA) is hot off a unanimous decision victory over Marlon Vera (23-9 MMA) earlier this month at UFC 299. Prior to that victory, Sean O’Malley had captured the 135lbs crown by stopping Aljamain Sterling (23-4 MMA) by TKO last August at UFC 292.
Nick Diaz hints at combat sport return: “Somebody is going to pay very soon”
Susan Cox - March 25, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Nick Diaz is hinting at a combat sports return. Diaz (26-10 MMA) has not fought since September of 2021 when he went up against Robbie Lawler (30-16 MMA) at UFC 266. The result was a TKO loss for Diaz.
Dustin Poirier reacts after Benoit Saint-Denis blames staph infection for his UFC 299 performance: “You don’t say that when you lose”
Susan Cox - March 25, 2024
Dustin Poirier is reacting after Benoit Saint-Denis blames staph infection for his UFC 299 performance. UFC 299 took place on Saturday, March 9th and the co-main event featured Dustin Poirier (30-8 MMA) going up against Benoit Saint-Denis (13-2 MMA) in a lightweight bout. The result was a KO victory for ‘The Diamond’.
Jiri Prochazka explains how one “small mistake” led to his KO loss to Alex Pereira: “Until that moment, I handled that fight”
Harry Kettle - March 25, 2024
Jiri Prochazka has given his thoughts on how he performed in his championship defeat to Alex Pereira at UFC 295. Last November, Alex Pereira finished Jiri Prochazka to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion. It came following an electric back-and-forth affair between the two, but in the end, it was ‘Poatan’ who had his hand raised in victory.
Former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz announces second shoulder surgery: “It is what it is”
Harry Kettle - March 25, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has announced that he will have a second surgery on his shoulder. At the age of 41, Jan Blachowicz is still seen as a contender in the UFC’s light heavyweight division. He’s lost just two of his last nine outings, with his most recent appearance being a tight split decision defeat to Alex Pereira. Following that bout, he was set for a rematch against Aleksandar Rakic, but he was forced to pull out as he required shoulder surgery.
Payton Talbott expresses interest in fighting Dominick Cruz following UFC Vegas 89
Harry Kettle - March 25, 2024
UFC bantamweight Payton Talbott has expressed an interest in taking on Dominick Cruz in his next fight. Last weekend, Payton Talbott really announced himself to the rest of the bantamweight division. He went head to head with Cameron Saaiman and, in more ways than one, he outclassed him. It was a really strong performance from the unbeaten sensation and now, he’s ready to try and make a splash in the top 15.
Valmir Da Silva in search of statement win at ONE Fight Night 21
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 24, 2024
Valmir Da Silva hopes to finally get his rhythm when he returns to action at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video this April 5. The Brazilian hard-hitter locks horns with Hiroyuki Tetsuka in a welterweight MMA bout. This bout takes place live in U.S. from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Francisco Lo promises to finish Kade Ruotolo at ONE Fight Night 21
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 24, 2024
Francisco Lo is on a mission to leave an indelible impression in his ONE Championship debut. He makes his maiden appearance at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. There, he takes on ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo in a 180-pound catchweight contest.
Laura Sanko responds to Jamie Varner's UFC commentary criticism with class: "You and I actually fought on the same card in 2011"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2024
UFC color commentator Laura Sanko has responded to harsh criticism from Jamie Varner. Varner received quite a bit of unwanted attention when he chimed in on his X account during the UFC Vegas 89 broadcast, which saw Sanko at the desk with Brendan Fitzgerald and Paul Felder. The former UFC fighter slammed Sanko, calling her a “try hard” who didn’t know what she was talking about. He also dismissed Sanko’s credentials as an MMA fighter, and suggested that former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm take her place at the desk.
Daniel Cormier exits NCAA wrestling commentary amid criticism: "Continue to do things the same way and say wrestling hasn't changed since the 40s"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2024
Daniel Cormier has had enough of the NCAA wrestling community. Cormier has been fulfilling commentary duties on ESPN for the NCAA wrestling tournament. While some have enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm Cormier has brought to the broadcasts, there are some within the amateur wrestling scene who don’t feel “DC” has gone in-depth enough with his time in the booth.
Former UFC title challenger Diego Sanchez reflects on "very traumatic experience" with Joshua Fabia: "I paid him money to get out of my life"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2024
Diego Sanchez doesn’t have fond memories of his time with Joshua Fabia. Sanchez and Fabia were an infamous pairing within the MMA world. Fans still haven’t forgotten the wild training video of Sanchez hanging upside down while Fabia slapped his head and face. He even had Sanchez block kicks from him while he was hanging. The relationship was widely viewed as a bizarre time period in Sanchez’s pro MMA career.
Fans share concern for UFC star Conor McGregor following "Road House" interview with Jake Gyllenhaal
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2024
A recent Conor McGregor interview promoting the “Road House” film has been looked at under a microscope by fight fans. McGregor has been making the media rounds for the movie, which was released on Prime Video on March 21. The “Notorious” is co-stars with Jake Gyllenhaal for the remake of the 1989 film. While McGregor is no stranger to the bright lights, he has admitted that Hollywood is a different beast in terms of what’s expected from actors on the set.
UFC veteran Jamie Varner takes aim at Laura Sanko for “ruining the fights” with her commentary: “She is just annoying”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2024
Laura Sanko has been showered with praise ever since taking on the role of UFC color commentator, but Jamie Varner is clearly not impressed. Sanko was on the call for UFC Vegas 89 this past Saturday night, which was headlined by a women’s flyweight battle between Rose Namajunas and Amanda Ribas. She was joined at the desk by play-by-play fixture on Fight Night cards Brendan Fitzgerald, and Paul Felder.
UFC Vegas 89 Bonus Report: Five fighters take home an extra $50k
Chris Taylor - March 23, 2024
The Octagon remained in Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 89 event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Amanda Ribas vs. Rose Namajunas. The highly anticipated women’s flyweight main event proved to be a hard-fought twenty-five-minute affair. Rose Namajunas got off to a strong start in rounds one and two, but Amanda Ribas stormed back to clearly outpoint ‘Thug’ in the third frame. Rounds four and five were closely contested, but Namajunas was able to do just enough to earn a decision victory on all three of the judges’ scorecards. The win marked Rose’s first professional victory at flyweight.