MMA News
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.
MMA legend Urijah Faber returns to headline A1 Combat 21
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
MMA legend Urijah Faber is returning to headline A1 Combat 21. Faber (35-11 MMA) retired from MMA in 2016 after defeating Brad Pickett (25-14 MMA) by unanimous decision. Making a comeback in 2019, ‘The California Kid’ fought and defeated Ricky Simon (20-5 MMA) by TKO. That same year, Faber got in the cage with Petr Yan (16-5 MMA) at UFC 245 but lost by a third round TKO.
Joe Rogan set to return to the commentary booth for UFC 299 in Miami
Susan Cox - March 6, 2024
Joe Rogan is set to return to the commentary booth for UFC 299 in Miami. UFC 299 takes place this coming Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
Ilia Topuria's coach advises Alexander Volkanovski to take a tuneup fight before rematching ‘El Matador’
Harry Kettle - March 6, 2024
Ilia Topuria’s coach Jorge Climent has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski getting a rematch for the title. Just a few weeks ago, Ilia Topuria knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become the new UFC featherweight champion. In doing so, he brought an end to the Australian’s incredible reign as the king at 145 pounds.
Merab Dvalishvili booked as the official backup fighter for Saturday’s UFC 299 event
Harry Kettle - March 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili is officially stepping up as the backup fighter for Saturday’s UFC 299 event. Just a matter of weeks ago, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Henry Cejudo. In doing so, he set himself up nicely for a future shot at the UFC bantamweight championship. As we know, two men will be competing for that belt this weekend. Sean O’Malley will be defending the strap against Marlon Vera in the main event of the utterly incredible UFC 299 showcase.
Cory Sandhagen responds after being called out by Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Vegas 87
Harry Kettle - March 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen has revealed that he’s open to a showdown with Umar Nurmagomedov. Last summer, Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov were set to meet in the Octagon. However, due to injury, Umar was forced to withdraw, with Rob Font taking his place. Sanhdagen was able to extend his win streak to three, whereas Nurmagomedov returned this past weekend. He was able to defeat Bekzat Almakhan, stretching his unbeaten record to 17-0 in the process.
American Muay Thai legend Janet Todd aims for storybook farewell: “I want to end my career at the top”
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 6, 2024
Janet Todd embarks on the final chapter of her illustrious career. The curtain is set to fall, but not before she steps into the ring for a historic showdown against Phetjeeja in a ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Title unification.
Cristina Morales aims to inspire in world title pursuit: "If you do it, it will come true"
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 6, 2024
A historic clash will unfold at ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video this Friday, March 8, when Cristina Morales faces Allycia Hellen Rodrigues at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The encounter promises to be an epic battle for Rodrigues’ ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title. However, Morales believes it carries a more profound message that extends beyond the realm of sports.
AJ McKee says he was "always keen on" re-signing with Bellator, open to returning to featherweight for Patricio Pitbull trilogy
Cole Shelton - March 5, 2024
AJ McKee always knew he was going to re-sign with Bellator. McKee is the former Bellator featherweight champion and was recently a free agent but opted to re-sign with the promotion. McKee says he is a loyal person and wanted to continue to be the face of Bellator going forward.