MMA News
Francis Ngannou reveals he borrowed $200k from Kamaru Usman while he was UFC champion because he was "broke"
Cole Shelton - March 7, 2024
Francis Ngannou will make millions of dollars on Friday to box Anthony Joshua, but while he was in the UFC he says he was broke. Ngannou made his UFC debut in 2015 and became the heavyweight champion in 2021 when he knocked out Stipe Miocic. He defended his belt once as he scored a decision win over Ciryl Gane. However, while he was fighting, Ngannou says he was broke and it got so bad he had to borrow $200k from his friend and UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.
UFC 299 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
Cole Shelton - March 7, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 299, a five-round lightweight bout goes down as Dustin Poirier takes on Benoit Saint-Denis. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a +164 underdog while the Frenchman is a sizeable -215 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the lightweight fight. The pros are nearly unanimous in thinking Dustin Poirier can pull off the upset and return to the win column in a big way.
WATCH | Cedric Doumbe suffers third-round stoppage loss in odd fashion: "That is the referee's fault"
Cole Shelton - March 7, 2024
Cedric Doumbe suffered a third-round stoppage in odd fashion on Thursday at PFL Europe 1. Doumbe was headlining the card against Baysangur Chamsoudinov, in a fight the Frenchman was a betting favorite in. The fight was competitive early on and many had it one-to-one going into the third round.
Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou purses released, 'The Predator' to make double what he did in first boxing match
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2024
Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou are going to be paid well for their boxing match tomorrow night. This Friday in Saudi Arabia, ‘AJ’ and ‘The Predator’ will clash in the boxing ring. For Anthony Joshua, he’s red-hot heading into this heavyweight matchup. The British star is currently riding a three-fight winning streak, last stopping Otto Wallin in December. Meanwhile, Francis Ngannou is fresh off his debut in the ring against Tyson Fury last fall.
Maycee Barber renews feud with former UFC champion Julianna Pena: "I just don't think she's that great"
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2024
UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber wants Julianna Pena at 135 pounds. ‘The Future’ is currently slated to return this Saturday night, at UFC 299. There, Maycee Barber will look to put her stamp on a potential title shot, by defeating Katlyn Chookagain. The women’s flyweight contender has won five in a row entering the contest, last stopping Amanda Ribas in June.
Francis Ngannou offers reaction to Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson: "He can still kick some ass!"
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2024
Francis Ngannou was just as surprised as everyone else to see Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson going down in the boxing ring. ‘The Predator’ is currently slated to return to boxing this Friday night in Saudi Arabia. For Francis Ngannou, the fight will be the second in the ring, as he faces former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. Last October, the PFL star made his debut, against Tyson Fury.
Michael Page responds after Ian Machado Garry predicts he will get “crushed” by Kevin Holland at UFC 299
Harry Kettle - March 7, 2024
Michael Page has given his thoughts on Ian Machado Garry suggesting he will lose to Kevin Holland this weekend. On Saturday night, UFC 299 will emanate from Miami, Florida. In one of the featured bouts of the evening, Michael ‘Venom’ Page will make his long-awaited debut for the promotion when he collides with Kevin Holland. In the eyes of many, this is a fun test for MVP as he begins the latest chapter in his MMA story.
Anthony Joshua believes Francis Ngannou is “a good addition” to heavyweight boxing: “I thought this whole crossover thing wasn’t serious”
Harry Kettle - March 7, 2024
Anthony Joshua believes that Francis Ngannou serves as a positive addition to the heavyweight boxing landscape. Tomorrow night, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou will collide in a blockbuster clash in Saudi Arabia. It serves as Ngannou’s second professional bout since beginning his venture into professional boxing, following on from an extraordinary performance against Tyson Fury. While he has plans to return to MMA later in the year, his main focus right now is on the squared circle.
Petr Yan claims UFC 299 headliners Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera were “gifted” their title opportunities: “He got gifted the decision in that fight against me”
Harry Kettle - March 7, 2024
UFC bantamweight Petr Yan has claimed that Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera were gifted their title opportunities. This weekend, we’re set to see a couple of really important bantamweight collisions at UFC 299. In the main event of the evening, Sean O’Malley will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Marlon Vera. Prior to that, though, we’ll see the return of Petr Yan as he takes on Song Yadong.
Jackie Buntan plans to use Martine Michieletto as steppingstone to ONE World Title
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 7, 2024
Jackie Buntan gears up to face her toughest opponent yet this Friday, March 8. The Filipina-American sensation battles Martine Michieletto in a 130-pound catchweight Muay Thai contest at ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video. This all-female card emanates live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Anthony Taylor explains why Gabe Silva fight fell through, wants boxing match against Tyron Woodley
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
Anthony Taylor was supposed to box Gabe Silva, the son of Anderson Silva, later this month but that won’t be the case anymore. Taylor, the former Bellator fighter, has become one of the top draws in influencer boxing as he’s currently the Misfits boxing light heavyweight champion. Taylor is 3-1 in Misfits and was booked to defend his title against Silva on March 23 which was exciting for the MMA veteran.
Dustin Poirier believes he's a "win away from a title shot" if he beats Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
Dustin Poirier knows he’s still in the title picture despite losing his last fight. Poirier is coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje in July for the BMF title and will now face Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in a highly-anticipated matchup. It is a step-down in competition for Poirier as he is fighting down in the rankings, but ‘The Diamond’ thinks a win over Saint-Denis at UFC 299 can set him up to get in a title eliminator fight next.
Michael Page lays out path to potential UFC title shot: "I'm here to get the bling"
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2024
UFC welterweight Michael Page believes he only needs two wins to get a title shot. The man known to many fans simply as ‘MVP’ is set to make his UFC debut this Saturday night. Michael Page hasn’t competed in nearly a year, last defeating Goiti Yamaguchi in the Bellator cage last March. That was his last fight on his deal with the Scott Coker-led promotion, and he became a free agent afterward.
Sean O'Malley blames Ryan Garcia's drug use for concerning remarks: "Cocaine's a hell of a drug"
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes that Ryan Garcia’s ongoing issues are drug-related. ‘Sugar’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Aljamain Sterling last August, Sean O’Malley will look to defeat Marlon Vera. The bout comes four years after their first outing, where ‘Chito’ won by first-round stoppage due to injury.
WATCH | Francis Ngannou snaps on Tyson Fury at press conference: "You are nothing in front of me"
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2024
Things got wild between Francis Ngannou and boxing champion Tyson Fury earlier today. ‘The Predator’ is currently set to collide with Anthony Joshua this Friday night in Saudi Arabia. For Francis Ngannou, the bout will be the second boxing match of his career. The PFL heavyweight famously made his debut last October, in a ten-round bout against Tyson Fury.
WATCH | Katlyn Chookagian gets emotional at UFC 299 media day revealing she had two miscarriages during time off
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2024
Katlyn Chookagian has had a rough time off, which is why she’s excited to be returning to the Octagon at UFC 299. Chookagian hasn’t fought since UFC 280 in October of 2022 when she suffered a decision loss to Manon Fiorot. After the fight, Chookagian took time off as she was a free agent, and wanted to start a family. However, during her time off, Katlyn Chookagian revealed at UFC 299 media day she had two miscarriages, and she is returning to help get her mind off of that.
Tom Aspinall goes to bat for “misunderstood” Paddy Pimblett amidst online hate
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
Tom Aspinall is going to bat for ‘misunderstood’ Paddy Pimblett amidst online hate. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett (21-3 MMA) last fought and defeated Tony Ferguson (25-10 MMA) by unanimous decision this past December at UFC 296.
Matt Brown believes the UFC is squeezing all the juice they can out of Sean O’Malley: “Before Merab comes in and empties that cup out”
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
Matt Brown believes that the UFC is squeezing all the juice they can out of current bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. UFC veteran welterweight Matt Brown (24-19 MMA) believes that Merab Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA) will replace Sean O’Malley on the bantamweight throne in the near future.