MMA News
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.
Sean Strickland advises “piece of sh*t” Jon Jones to “sack up” and fight Tom Aspinall
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Sean Strickland is advising ‘piece of sh*t’ Jon Jones to ‘sack up’ and fight Tom Aspinall. The former middleweight champion was asked about current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ (27-1 MMA) recent interaction with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA).
Sean O’Malley unloads on “fake-ass” Marlon Vera following greasing accusations: “F**k that guy”
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has unloaded on ‘fake-ass’ Marlon Vera following his greasing accusations. It was on Saturday, March 9th at UFC 299 that Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA) avenged his one and only loss to Marlon Vera (21-9 MMA) in his first bantamweight title defense. O’Malley kept the belt and finished ‘Chito’ by unanimous decision. The official judges’ scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44 after their five-round contest.
Alexandre Pantoja admits Steve Erceg was “so lucky” to get a title shot at UFC 301
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has given his thoughts on his next opponent Steve Erceg. At UFC 301, Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight championship once again. He’ll do so against Steve Erceg, a name that many casual fans won’t be too familiar with.
Sean Strickland opens up on his daily struggles with mental health: “I want to burn everything down in the world”
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC fighter Sean Strickland has opened up on some of the mental health issues he’s been struggling with recently. As many fans know, Sean Strickland is one of the most unpredictable fighters in mxied martial arts. From his style in the cage to what he says and does outside of it, he’s been known to fly off the handle.
Alex Pereira reportedly has a special clause in his UFC 300 fight contract: “Apparently that was part of his contract negotiation”
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira could have a historic few months ahead of him in mixed martial arts. Next month at UFC 300, Alex Pereira will defend his belt against Jamahal Hill. While it isn’t the main event many expected for such a mammoth card, it promises to be an all-action affair.
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova calls out matchmaker Mick Maynard: “I am not able to get a job”
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2024
UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova has revealed her frustration at not being able to get a fight booked. For many years now, Mariya Agapova has been seen as someone who has real potential to go far in the women’s flyweight division. However, as time has gone on, she’s experienced a parade of setbacks in her attempt to become a title contender.
Anatoly Malykhin more than ready to defend heavyweight crown
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 18, 2024
As the dust settles from his historic triumph at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month, Anatoly Malykhin finds himself in a unique position. At the forefront of his agenda is a ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title defense. It’s a task not taken lightly by the Russian powerhouse.
What's next for Marcin Tybura and Tai Tuivasa after UFC Vegas 88?
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 88, ranked heavyweights threw down at the Apex as Marcin Tybura took on Tai Tuivasa. Tybura entered the fight coming off a first-round TKO loss to Tom Aspinall last summer, while Tuivasa was on a three-fight losing skid and coming off a stoppage loss to Alexander Volkov.
Colby Covington reacts to Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 announcement: "Two complete washouts"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington doesn’t have anything good to say about Jorge Masvidal or Nate Diaz. Earlier this month, ‘Gamebred’ made his return to combat sports official. Jorge Masvidal famously retired following a loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 last April, his fifth defeat in a row. However, he will now be making a return to the boxing ring. On June 1st on pay-per-view, Masvidal will meet former rival, Nate Diaz.
Francis Ngannou opens up on devastating knockout loss to Anthony Joshua: "I wasn't there anymore"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Francis Ngannou doesn’t remember anything past the first round of his boxing match with Anthony Joshua. Earlier this month, ‘The Predator’ made his return to the boxing ring in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since a split-decision loss to Tyson Fury in October, Francis Ngannou faced Anthony Joshua. While some moral victories could be taken from the MMA fighter’s first crossover into the sport, his second bout had none.
Mike Tyson's trainer downplays health risk ahead of Jake Paul bout: "He knows how to fight"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2024
Rafael Cordeiro doesn’t want fans to worry ahead of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. The longtime head of Kings MMA has developed quite a friendship with ‘Iron Mike’ over the years. In 2020, when Mike Tyson was looking to make a comeback to the ring, he began training with Cordeiro. In the years since then, the two have remained close, and the MMA trainer has held pads for the legend.
Conor McGregor reveals there's been "no talk" with the UFC over his return
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2024
Conor McGregor is growing frustrated with the UFC as he says there have been no talks on his potential return. McGregor has been vocal about wanting to return in June against Michael Chandler and then again in September against Nate Diaz. Dana White has since shot down both of those ideas and said he isn’t even sure if McGregor will fight this year.