MMA News
Kyler Phillips expects to be "too fast" for Pedro Munhoz at UFC 299
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Kyler Phillips believes his speed and striking will be too much for Pedro Munhoz to handle at UFC 299. Phillips is coming off a decision win over Raoni Barcelos back in August and after the victory, he figured a ranked opponent would be next. Phillips is on a two-fight winning streak and is 5-1 in the UFC, so he’s eager to face someone like Munhoz who has fought some of the who’s who of the bantamweight division.
Sean Strickland admits he’s “a little” mentally unstable: “I'll wake up some days wanting to strangle a puppy”
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland admits he is a little mentally unstable. Strickland has never been afraid to say what is on his mind and he often gets close or does cross the line with what he says. He has said a lot of that is due to how he was raised, explaining the situation on Theo Von’s podcast speaking about his childhood.
Kevin Holland thinks Michael Page is just focused on getting "paid" ahead of UFC debut
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Kevin Holland thinks Michael Page only cares about getting paid ahead of his UFC debut. Page signed with the UFC last year and it was announced he would be making his debut at UFC 299 against Kevin Holland. It was a bit of a surprise that ‘MVP’ had signed with the UFC as he is about to turn 37 next month. Yet, Holland thinks Page finally signed with the UFC because he knows his career is coming to an end and he wanted to get paid as much as possible.
Islam Makhachev names Anatoly Malykhin as “most dangerous guy on the planet”
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 5, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin has earned the respect and admiration of Islam Makhachev following the Russian hard-hitter’s historic milestone. The unprecedented feat unfolded in his epic rematch against Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166: Qatar last Friday, March 1.
Conor McGregor blames UFC's "lack of action" as reason for return delay: "I need a decision"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
Former two-weight UFC world champion Conor McGregor badly wants to fight in June. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t competed since a July 2021 trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier. As the story goes, Conor McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of the first round. As a result, he lost the bout and was forced onto the sidelines for nearly three years. However, according to McGregor, he’s ready to return.
Francis Ngannou reveals the fight he wants after Anthony Joshua: "I still have those three names"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
PFL star Francis Ngannou still wants to meet Deontay Wilder in the boxing ring. ‘The Predator’ is currently slated to return to the boxing ring this Friday night, against Anthony Joshua. The bout will be Francis Ngannou’s second in the sport, previously crossing over to face Tyson Fury in October. In his debut, the former UFC champion dropped, and cut ‘The Gypsy King’ in their ten-round bout.
Dricus Du Plessis details why he rejected Israel Adesanya fight offer for UFC 300
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is detailing why he rejected the offer to fight Israel Adesanya at April’s historic UFC 300 event. UFC 300 takes place of Saturday, April 13th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Khabib Nurmagomedov opens up on life after stepping back from MMA: "I like fighting more than talking"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2024
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired from fighting, but not coaching. ‘The Eagle’ is one of the more interesting figures in MMA history. Holding a 29-0 undefeated record, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the rare athlete to retire in his prime. Due to the death of his father, the Russian retired after a second-round submission win over Justin Gaethje in 2020.
Sean O'Malley reveals he will be rocking special shorts at UFC 299
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has revealed that he will be rocking special shorts at UFC 299. UFC 299 takes place this weekend, on Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Conor McGregor reveals new two-fight plan which includes Nate Diaz trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
Conor McGregor is hopeful to fight two times this year, as he took to social media to reveal his new plan. McGregor has not fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he has been rehabbing and is getting closer to a return. He said back in December he would return in June against Michael Chandler in a highly anticipated matchup.
UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ Fight Card and Start Times
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
The countdown is on for UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ which takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The Early Prelims will kickoff this Saturday at 6pm ET / 3pm PT in the United States on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. The Prelims will air at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on ESPN, ESPN News and ESPN+. The Main Card will air exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S. at 10pm ET / 7pm PT.
Francis Ngannou’s coach guarantees ‘The Predator’ will knockout Anthony Joshua: “Lightning will strike twice”
Susan Cox - March 5, 2024
Francis Ngannou’s coach is guaranteeing ‘The Predator’ will knockout Anthony Joshua in their upcoming boxing bout. It will be Anthony Joshua (27-3, 24 KOs) battling Francis Ngannou (0-1) in a 10-round heavyweight main event bout from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this coming Friday, March 8th.
Alexander Volkanovski voices support for fellow former champ Petr Yan ahead of UFC 299: “This will put him right back up there”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
Alexander Volkanovski has voiced his support for Petr Yan ahead of his return to action at UFC 299. This Saturday night, Petr Yan makes his long-awaited return to action. The Russian sensation hasn’t been seen since last March, when he was handily beaten by Merab Dvalishvili in a decision loss. This time around, he’ll be battling Song Yadong, in an attempt to break a run of four losses in his last five fights with an impressive return to form.
Sean O’Malley believes Umar Nurmagomedov is probably “the toughest fight” at bantamweight: “I believe Umar is a potential superstar”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
Sean O’Malley believes that Umar Nurmagomedov serves as one of the toughest fights available to him at bantamweight. This weekend, Sean O’Malley will attempt to cement his position as one of the biggest stars in MMA. He’ll do so by defending his championship against long-time rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
Chatri Sityodtong claims ONE heavyweight champion Anatoly Malykhin would “smash” Francis Ngannou in MMA: “The greatest Heavyweight on the planet”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
ONE Championship boss Chatri Sityodtong believes Anatoly Malykhin would defeated Francis Ngannou in an MMA fight. Last weekend, Anatoly Malykhin made history. He finished Reinier de Ridder at ONE 166, earning himself a third world title in the promotion. In the eyes of many, Malykhin is easily one of the best heavyweights on the planet.
Gilbert Burns walks back on comments about Belal Muhammad not deserving a UFC title shot: “I don’t like the guy very much”
Harry Kettle - March 5, 2024
Gilbert Burns has gone back on his remarks about Belal Muhammad not deserving a UFC title shot. For the longest time now, Gilbert Burns has been a big fan favorite in the UFC. He may not always be the most successful, but he’s certainly one of the most entertaining fighters in the welterweight division. This weekend at UFC 299, he’ll attempt to make a real statement when he locks horns with Jack Della Maddalena.
Three fights added to ONE Fight Night 20 on March 8
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 5, 2024
The excitement continues to build for ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video as three more bouts have been added to the card. With International Women’s Day as the backdrop on March 8, the event promises to be a celebration of the world’s finest female martial artists at the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jailton Almeida believes three rounds is better for Curtis Blaydes, eyes an interim title shot against Tom Aspinall in Brazil with a win
Cole Shelton - March 4, 2024
Jailton Almeida is glad he got rebooked against Curtis Blaydes but is disappointed the fight is only three rounds. Almeida and Blaydes were supposed to headline UFC Sao Paulo last November, but an injury to the American knocked him out of the fight. Almeida went on to dominate Derrick Lewis and then got rebooked against Blaydes at UFC 299 in Miami, which he was happy about. However, the Brazilian wishes it was five rounds as he feels like a twenty-five-minute contest favored him.