MMA News
UFC heavyweight Walt Harris receives four-year suspension for banned substances
Susan Cox - March 21, 2024
UFC heavyweight veteran Walt Harris has received a four-year suspension for the use of banned substances. Walt ‘The Big Ticket’ Harris (13-10 MMA) last fought in June of 2021, going down to defeat against Marcin Tybura (25-8 MMA) by TKO. With the loss, the 40-year-old heavyweight had the unenviable record of losing 3 fights in a row inside of the Octagon – all by TKO.
UFC legend Tito Ortiz says he “lost everything” in the 2020 stock market crash: “We need to make sure we make America great again”
Susan Cox - March 21, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz is saying he ‘lost everything’ in the 2020 stock market crash. Known as ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’, Tito, now 49, spent much of his MMA career in the UFC. Ortiz (21-12 MMA) was a former light heavyweight champion and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 0f 2012.
Fans and Fighters share disappointment over lackluster UFC 300 poster design
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2024
A parade of fans and fighters have given their thoughts on the questionable UFC 300 poster design after its recent reveal. As we know, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is gearing up for their blockbuster UFC 300 event next month. It is set to showcase some of the very best stars that the company has to offer. After all, there are stacked fights from top to bottom. With that being said, some have also suggested that the card could’ve been even better.
Heavyweight phenom Robelis Despaigne books quick turnaround for UFC St. Louis
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2024
UFC heavyweight prospect Robelis Despaigne is set to make a quick turnaround and return to the Octagon in May. Over the course of the last few weeks, Robelis Despaigne has been one of the hottest topics in the heavyweight division. Upon being signed, fans couldn’t help but marvel at the 35-year-old Olympic bronze medalist. The taekwondo star with a 4-0 record, having knocked out his three previous opponents in a combined 19 seconds.
Muhammad Mokaev reacts after Steve Erceg books title shot against Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301: “I have more finishes in the UFC than he has fights”
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2024
Muhammad Mokaev has given his thoughts on Steve Erceg receiving a UFC flyweight title shot ahead of him. Ever since entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Muhammad Mokaev has made it clear that he plans on becoming world champion. Alas, while he dazzled on his debut, some have questioned his ability to consistently finish his opponents at 125 pounds.
Official: Tetsuka vs. Da Silva, Smith vs. Puric added to ONE Fight Night 21
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 21, 2024
Anticipation for ONE Fight Night 21 on Prime Video this April 5 continues to mount, and two intriguing matchups have been added to its lineup. This U.S. primetime event takes place at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. There, two World Titles contests on the marquee.
Conor McGregor says he's "really happy" to see Jose Aldo return to the UFC
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024
Conor McGregor is thrilled that his former opponent Jose Aldo is returning to the UFC. Aldo received his release from the promotion following his decision loss to Merab Dvalisvhili as he wanted to pursue boxing. He ended up having two boxing matches, going 1-0-1 and he will now return to the Octagon at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to face Jonathan Martinez.
Video | Sean Strickland responds to comments from Ian Machado Garry’s wife Layla
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024
Sean Strickland has fired back at Ian Machado Garry’s wife, Layla over her recent comments. Layla took to social media to address some lies that people have been spreading about her and Ian. In her post, she called out the former UFC middleweight champion in Strickland, who she accused as spreading most of them.
Ronda Rousey slams 'slimeball' Vince McMahon in recent memoir: "Blurred line between character and reality"
Josh Evanoff - March 20, 2024
Ronda Rousey has nothing kind to say about her former boss, former WWE CEO Vince McMahon. ‘Rowdy’ was famously one of the biggest stars in UFC history, fighting for the company between 2013 and 2016. However, after a knockout loss to Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey opted to step away from MMA. While she never formally retired from fighting, she’s acknowledged a return to the cage is as likely as a return to Judo.
Daniel Cormier weighs in on Sean Strickland’s recent admissions about mental struggles
Josh Evanoff - March 20, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has chimed in on Sean Strickland’s recent comments. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of action since his split-decision loss to Dricus du Plessis in January. That defeat ended Sean Strickland’s time as champion, after just a few short months. Since then, the former titleholder has called for a rematch but has yet to schedule a return to the cage.
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.
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:
Pro fighters make their picks for Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 89, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on Amanda Ribas at flyweight. Heading into the fight, Namajunas is a -235 favorite while the Brazilian is a +180 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the main event. The pros believe Namajunas will be too much for Ribas on the feet and get the victory to return to the win column.
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).
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.
Michael Bisping shares his prediction for upcoming Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing match: “I do not see much changing”
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his prediction for the upcoming boxing clash between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. Later this year, Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will square off in a boxing match. It comes almost five years after the two met inside the Octagon, which ended in Masvidal becoming the inaugural BMF champion via doctor stoppage.