MMA News
Michael Bisping, Chael Sonnen, and more to testify on UFC's behalf at antitrust trial in April
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
UFC employees such as Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen will likely be testifying in April. In 2014, several former fighters including the likes of Nate Quarry and Cung Le began suing the UFC. The claim made by the former athletes is that the promotion has illegally abused its power by operating effectively as a monopoly in MMA. They secured dominance by buying out competitors such as PRIDE and Strikeforce, enabling them to pay as little as 13% of revenue.
Oscar De La Hoya offers to fight Dana White on co-main of Sean O'Malley vs. Ryan Garcia: "Hell of a promotion"
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
Oscar De La Hoya is cool with UFC President Dana White, but he wouldn’t mind boxing him. Over the last few days, there have been discussions of Ryan Garcia vs. Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ has shown interest in stepping into the boxing ring for a while now. Earlier this year, the UFC champion revealed that he already broached the subject of facing ‘KingRy’ in the future with Dana White and top executives.
Jon Jones vows to defeat Francis Ngannou before MMA career is over, 'The Predator' responds: "You're f*cking fat!"
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is confident that he will one day meet PFL star Francis Ngannou. ‘Bones’ appeared at PFL vs. Bellator over the weekend in Saudi Arabia. However, Jon Jones was there seemingly in a ceremonial role, as he was still healing from a torn pec. The heavyweight champion suffered the injury preparing for a fight with Stipe Miocic last fall and is expected to be out of action for most of this year.
WATCH | UFC champion Alex Pereira grapples with Polyana Viana in his kitchen
Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2024
Ahead of his return at UFC 300 in April, Alex Pereira is getting in some work with Polyana Viana. ‘Poatan’ recently signed a deal to face Jamahal Hill at the milestone event in just two months. Alex Pereira famously won the title that ‘Sweet Dreams’ never lost in November, with a knockout win over Jiri Prochazka. For his part, Hill has been out of action since a unanimous decision win over Glover Teixeira last January.
Gilbert Burns claims Belal Muhammad doesn't deserve a title shot, 'Remember The Name' claps back: "This bum has done nothing"
Cole Shelton - February 26, 2024
Gilbert Burns doesn’t think Belal Muhammad deserves a welterweight title shot. Burns and Muhammad fought last May in the co-main event of UFC 288, with Muhammad winning a clear-cut five-round decision. Since then, neither Muhammad nor Burns has fought as ‘The Remember The Name’ is looking to fight for the belt next time out. However, Burns doesn’t think Muhammad should get the next title shot.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria receives hero’s welcome at Real Madrid vs Sevilla match
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria received an incredible welcome at the weekend prior to Real Madrid’s clash with Sevilla. Earlier this month, Ilia Topuira knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to become the new king of the featherweights. It completed his remarkable rise to the top of the 145-pound division, with Topuria himself predicting this would happen for quite some time.
Joshua Pacio seeks redemption performance in rematch against Jarred Brooks
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 26, 2024
Joshua Pacio knows precisely what he needs to do to reclaim the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship. His road back to glory runs through a familiar opponent in Jarred Brooks. The rematch takes place at ONE 166: Qatar, emanating live from the majestic Lusail Sports Arena on Friday, March 1.
Henry Cejudo calls out Brandon Moreno for UFC 306 grudge match at The Sphere
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2024
UFC star Henry Cejudo wants to square off with Brandon Moreno in a grudge match at UFC 306 later this year. While Cejudo has impressed during his return to the Octagon, he has yet to get a win on the board. He has suffered close losses to Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili, putting a dent in his bantamweight title hopes. Despite this, ‘Triple C’ has made it crystal clear that he has no plans to retire again just yet.
Sean Strickland responds to “upset” Navy Seal following remarks about protecting freedom: “The sand people aren't taking away my freedoms”
Harry Kettle - February 26, 2024
UFC star Sean Strickland has responded to a Navy Seal who wasn’t happy with some of his recent remarks. If there’s one thing we know to be true about Sean Strickland, it’s that he doesn’t mind upsetting people. The former UFC middleweight champion speaks his mind, and doesn’t particularly care who he offends.
Michael Chandler urges Alexander Volkanovski to slow down following back-to-back KO losses: "Your brain can shut off"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024
Michael Chandler thinks Alexander Volkanovski needs to slow down. Volkanovski has suffered back-to-back knockout losses after looking like an absolute world beater. The once-dominant UFC featherweight titleholder suffered a head kick knockout loss to current lightweight champion Islam Makhachev back in October 2023, and was recently put to sleep by Ilia Topuria at UFC 298. Volkanovski lost the 145-pound gold to “El Matador,” and now he is being advised to take some time off.
Brandon Royval wants to play spoiler at UFC 301 following split nod over Brandon Moreno: "I'm going to keep spoiling parties"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024
Brandon Royval played spoiler at UFC Mexico City, and it’s a role that he can get used to. Royval had a rematch with former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City last night. The 125-pound scrap went all five rounds and Royval was awarded the split decision victory. Now that Royval got some revenge in enemy territory, he doesn’t feel he’s done ruining homecomings.
Dana White reacts to Brian Ortega’s impressive comeback win over Yair Rodriguez at UFC Mexico City
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has reacted to Brian Ortega bouncing back after near-disaster against Yair Rodriguez. During fighter introductions for his UFC Mexico City fight against “El Pantera,” Ortega appeared to roll his ankle while warming up. He then had had a shaky opening round, which saw his nose get busted up by Yair. Ortega was able to settled down and secured an arm triangle choke to force the submission in the third round.
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones weighs in on upcoming boxing match between Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has given his take on the upcoming boxing showdown between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou. Joshua and Ngannou will be sharing the boxing ring on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The winner would be in prime position to challenge either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk for heavyweight gold.
Ryan Garcia calls out Sean O’Malley for a UFC fight: “Alright rainbow head”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024
Ryan Garcia and UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley have had a verbal exchange over a recent callout from “KingRy.” Garcia is set to collide with WBC junior welterweight titleholder Devin Haney on April 20. That hasn’t stopped him from looking at other potentially lucrative fights down the road. His most recent callout was a surprising one, setting his sights on the “Sugar” show.
Video | Insane crowd brawl breaks out at UFC Mexico City
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2024
A massive crowd brawl broke out during UFC Mexico City, and Dana White has given his reaction. UFC Mexico City featuring two pivotal matchups at the top of the marquee. Fans witnessed Brandon Royval get a measure of revenge on Brandon Moreno, defeating him via split decision in the main even. In the co-headliner, Brian Ortega submitted Yair Rodriguez after having a dicey opening round.
Lions Nation break down Anatoly Malykhin vs. Reinier de Ridder II
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 25, 2024
The excitement is building up within the Lions Nation MMA team as Joshua Pacio begins his quest to reclaim the ONE Strawweight MMA World Championship. This happens at ONE 166: Qatar on Friday, March 1, where Pacio runs it back with American rival Jarred Brooks.
Mehdi Zatout looks to defy odds in boxing debut at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 25, 2024
Mehdi Zatout is set to embark on a new chapter in his combat sports career. The French-Algerian Muay Thai veteran comes out of retirement to make his professional boxing debut at ONE 166: Qatar on Friday, March 1. This historic event emanates live from the magnificent Lusail Sports Arena.
UFC Mexico City Bonus Report: Brian Ortega one of four fighters to take home $50k
Chris Taylor - February 24, 2024
The Octagon went south of the border for tonight’s UFC Mexico City event, a 13-bout fight card headlined by Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval. The highly anticipated men’s flyweight main event proved to be a thrilling twenty-five-minute affair. Brandon Moreno got off to a strong start in the opening two rounds, but Brandon Royval stormed back in the final fifteen minutes of the fight. ‘Raw Dawg’ utilized forward pressure and a plethora of strikes to ultimately get the better of ‘The Assassin Baby’, earning a well-deserved split decision victory.