MMA News
PFL announces summer pay-per-view event featuring promotional debuts of Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg
Josh Evanoff - March 20, 2024
Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg will reportedly be making their PFL debuts later this year. ‘The Predator’ is fresh off his return to the boxing ring against Anthony Joshua. The boxing match was Francis Ngannou’s second as a member of the PFL roster. The Donn Davis-led company gave the former UFC champion their blessing to compete in the ring, but after suffering a loss to ‘AJ’, he’s now set to return to MMA.
Rose Namajunas believes she can become a "two-division champion" this year ahead of Amanda Ribas fight
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024
Rose Namajunas is focused on fighting at flyweight as she believes she can become champion in the weight class. Namajunas is set to headline UFC Vegas 89 on Saturday against Amanda Ribas where she will look to rebound from the decision loss she suffered to Manon Fiorot back in September. That bout had marked ‘Thug’s’ first fight at 125lbs, this after she lost a lackluster decision to Carla Esparza to drop the promotion’s strawweight title.
Anatoly Malykhin shows no interest in facing “brother” Aung La N Sang
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of stepping into the Circle with Aung La N Sang. The Russian’s proclamation comes on the heels of his monumental victory at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month. There, he solidified his status as one of the sport’s most dominant figures.
Settlement reached in UFC antitrust lawsuit, promotion agrees to pay fighters $335 million
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
A settlement has been reached in the UFC antitrust lawsuit with the promotion agreeing to pay fighters $335 million. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company to the UFC filed a disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a statement listed below:
Tyson Fury insists Deontay Wilder is “by far” a bigger puncher than Francis Ngannou: “By a mile”
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
Tyson Fury is insisting that Deontay Wilder is ‘by far’ a bigger puncher when compared to Francis Ngannou. Fury and Ngannou headlined a boxing event billed as the ‘Battle of the Baddest’ at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last October. In what was Ngannou’s boxing debut, it would ultimately be Fury who would emerge the victor by split decision.
Islam Makhachev pins blame on Alex Volkanovski's team for knockout loss to Ilia Topuria
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
Islam Makhachev is pinning the blame on Alex Volkanovski’s team for the Aussie’s knockout loss to Ilia Topuria. It was last October at UFC 294 that saw Alexander Volkanovski (26-4 MMA) get knocked out by lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA).
Ian Machado Garry’s wife Layla responds to controversial comments from former UFC champion Sean Strickland
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
Ian Machado Garry’s wife Layla is responding to some controversial comments made by former UFC champion Sean Strickland. The undefeated Garry (14-0 MMA) most recently triumphed over Geoff Neal (15-6 MMA) by split decision this past February at UFC 298. Since signing on with the UFC, ‘The Future’ has won all seven fights in the Octagon.
UFC welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena plans to “shock the world” by finishing Shavkat Rakhmonov
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2024
UFC welterweight Jack Della Maddalena has reiterated his desire to fight and defeat Shavkat Rakhmonov later this year. Earlier this month, Jack Della Maddalena secured the biggest win of his career. He beat and finished Gilbert Burns, doing so with a broken arm, to establish himself as a top contender in the welterweight division. In the immediate aftermath, he made it known that he’d be interested in taking on the seemingly unstoppable Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Mariya Agapova issues apology to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard for her recent remarks
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2024
UFC fighter Mariya Agapova has apologized for her recent remarks that were directed at UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard. While she may be seen as a big prospect in the women’s flyweight division, we haven’t seen Mariya Agapova compete since 2022. In a since-deleted post, she couldn’t hold in her frustration any longer.
The path that led Izaak Michell to ONE Fight Night 21: "A search for meaning"
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2024
Izaak Michell is gearing up to make an impact in ONE Championship. Australia’s rising star in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu makes his promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video. This U.S. primetime event unfolds at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on April 5.
Joshua Pacio eager to settle ‘unfinished business’ with Jarred Brooks
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2024
For Joshua Pacio, the desire to finish his beef with Jarred Brooks burns deeply. Their paths crossed once more at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month, reigniting a rivalry that has captivated fans worldwide. However, what transpired left both fighters and spectators with the bitter taste of controversy.
Jeremy Kennedy expects to "break" Patricio Pitbull to win Bellator featherweight title: "It's not going to go five rounds"
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Jeremy Kennedy jumped at the chance to face Patricio Pitbull at Bellator Belfast on Friday. Kennedy was originally supposed to fight James Gallagher on Friday night, but after Pitbull’s fight at the PFL vs. Bellator event was canceled, he wanted to fight ASAP so the promotion elevated Kennedy to a title fight.
Alexandre Pantoja opens as a sizeable favorite over Steve Erceg ahead of UFC 301 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja has opened as a sizeable betting favorite ahead of his UFC 301 title fight against Steve Erceg. Pantoja is set to defend his flyweight title for the second time in Brazil on May 4 against the 10th-ranked Erceg. The fight came as a bit of a surprise given Erceg is only 3-0 in the UFC, but due to Pantoja having wins over several top ranked fighters, it made sense for the Aussie to get the title shot.
Raquel Pennington explains why it's "not fair" that Kayla Harrison could fight her after UFC 300
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington would rather not fight Kayla Harrison next. The former PFL tournament winner is set to make her promotional debut at UFC 300 next month. There, Kayla Harrison will meet former champion Holly Holm, in one of the key bouts on the milestone card. If there’s one woman who will be watching the bout closely, it will be the current women’s bantamweight titleholder, Raquel Pennington.
Jonathan Martinez vows to spoil Jose Aldo's Brazil return at UFC 301: "It doesn't faze me"
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Jonathan Martinez is ready to spoil Jose Aldo’s return. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the former UFC featherweight champion was ending his retirement. Jose Aldo famously retired after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022, feeling that his title hopes were over for good. However, just two years later, the Brazilian is set to return against Jonathan Martinez in May.
Bellator signs massive deal with HBO Max, full 2024 event schedule revealed
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
HBO Max will now be the exclusive home of Bellator MMA moving forward. It’s been a hectic few months for the brand that used to be led by Scott Coker. Late last year, Bellator was sold by Viacom to the PFL and Donn Davis. Quickly, the likes of Coker left the company, but the company itself wasn’t going anywhere. After the purchase last year, Davis revealed plans to run both companies as separate entities.
Colby Covington sounds off on “dangerous” Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match: “He’s doing every chemical known to man”
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Colby Covington is sounding off on the ‘dangerous’ Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. It will be the legendary ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson (50-6) vs. Jake Paul (9-1) on Saturday, July 20th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event will stream live on Netflix.
Marlon Vera hopes to return in New York against a former UFC champion
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Marlon Vera is hoping to make his return in New York against a former UFC champion. Vera (23-9 MMA) had his chance at bantamweight gold earlier this month when he met up with Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA) at UFC 299. However, it would be the reigning champion, ‘Suga‘, who would be awarded the unanimous decision victory that Saturday night in Miami, Florida.