MMA News
Sean Strickland and Jake Paul have a heated back-and-forth after sparring challenge: "I wish we can go back to the days were shit people would just die"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2024
Sean Strickland and Jake Paul had a heated back-and-forth on social media. After Strickland sparred Sneako, which saw the streamers corner throw in the towel multiple times to no avail, as the former UFC champ kept fighting him. Jake Paul took to social media to blast Strickland for the way he acted.
Jake Paul offers million dollar challenge to Sean Strickland following “embarrassing” sparring session with Sneako
Josh Evanoff - February 9, 2024
Jake Paul has sent a challenge to former UFC champion Sean Strickland after sparring Sneako. Earlier today, ‘Tarzan’ was seen on a live stream alongside controversial Rumble streamer, Sneako. The influencer had been training boxing for a few months and decided to step into the octagon with Sean Strickland at the UFC Apex. Predictably, Sneako was battered in the sparring session.
VIDEO | Sean Strickland brutalizes controversial streamer Sneako in sparring session
Josh Evanoff - February 9, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland absolutely battered Rumble streamer Sneako earlier today. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of the cage since his meeting with UFC 297 against Dricus du Plessis last month. For Sean Strickland, the fight was the first title defense of his middleweight reign. Last September, he famously dominated Israel Adesanya in Australia to win the gold by unanimous decision.
Reinier de Ridder looks to rectify lapses in rematch with Anatoly Malykhin
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 9, 2024
Reinier de Ridder is on a mission to erase the memory of the most heartbreaking defeat of his professional career. “The Dutch Knight” will have the chance to do so when he defends his ONE Middleweight MMA World Title against the culprit of his harrowing juncture — Anatoly Malykhin.
David Zawada to face OKTAGON MMA foe: "I know Hojat"
Zain Bando - February 9, 2024
David Zawada (18-9 MMA, 1-0 OKTAGON MMA) returns to the OKTAGON MMA cage for the second time to secure his first victory since June 2022 when he faces No. 5 ranked middleweight Hojat Khajevand (7-3 MMA) on Saturday afternoon (stateside) in Germany. Zawada is a long-time combat sports veteran, having competed in PFL and the UFC.
Brendan Allen explains how he can get UFC middleweight title shot with win over Marvin Vettori: "It's really up to me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2024
Brendan Allen believes he has a chance to secure a UFC Middleweight Championship opportunity after his next fight. Allen is scheduled to collide with Marvin Vettori at a UFC Fight Night event on April 6. Allen is riding a six-fight winning streak and he is hoping to make a strong case for a shot at the 185-pound gold held by Dricus Du Plessis. Vettori will be fighting to return to the middleweight title conversation. Vettori has had losses to Israel Adesanya, Robert Whittaker, and Jared Cannonier. While those are three outstanding 185-pounders, Vettori wants to show that he can win those type of fights.
Ilia Topuria's confidence reminds Daniel Cormier of Conor McGregor ahead of UFC 298: "This dude has updated his bio with another win"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2024
UFC 298 headliner Ilia Topuria has confidence the levels of Conor McGregor, says UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier. Topuria will be challenging Alex Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship on February 17. The action will be held inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Ahead of the title fight, Topuria hasn’t been shy in talking trash about not just the 145-pound titleholder, but the entire featherweight division. It’s led many to believe that “El Matador” is either in for a meteoric rise, or an embarrassing fall.
Former champion Yosuke Saruta battles Mansur Malachiev at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 9, 2024
Former ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Yosuke Saruta will make a grand return to action at ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video this February 16. The Japanese dynamo faces #5-ranked contender Mansur Malachiev. The card emanates live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
On last fight of deal Max Griffin excited to prove himself against "dog" Jeremiah Wells at UFC Vegas 86
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
Max Griffin is facing a do-or-die scenario at UFC Vegas 86. Griffin is coming off a disappointing decision loss to Michael Morales last July, in a fight where he didn’t think he fought up to his standards. After that, he wanted to return ASAP but that didn’t happen. Instead, he was held to just one fight in 2023, which frustrated Griffin.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts after Jon Anik has “meltdown” over toxic MMA fans
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White gave his thoughts on Jon Anik and his recent comments about MMA fans. Following UFC 297 which saw Dricus Du Plessis beat Sean Strickland by split decision to become the new champ, Anik says he was tired of the toxicity of MMA fans after he thought Du Plessis won. He says the hate got so bad he thought about stepping away from his role as a UFC commentator.
Dana White claimed Scott Coker was a "very, very bad promoter" in leaked text messages in antitrust lawsuit deposition
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White had some harsh words for Scott Coker during a deposition for the antitrust lawsuit. Several text messages have been uncovered during the lawsuit, and on Thursday, BloodyElbow was able to unearth more text messages and deposition statements. The latest text exchange was Lorenzo Fertitta sending a message to Dana White about Scott Coker and Bellator making a fight between Tito Ortiz and Rampage Jackson.
Joe Pyfer explains why he's so confident he will KO "desperate" Jack Hermansson at UFC Vegas 86
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
Joe Pyfer has full confidence he will KO Jack Hermansson in the main event of UFC Vegas 86 on Saturday at the UFC Apex. Pyfer is set for his first UFC main event and he gets the chance to fight Hermansson who is ranked 10th at middleweight. Although Pyfer is unranked, he is a sizeable betting favorite as he’s a -258 favorite as the oddsmakers expect the American to remain undefeated in the UFC.
Anthony Smith targets summer return against 'exciting' opponent: "That would be fun"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith is ready to start searching for a fight. ‘Lionheart’ has been out of the cage since a short-notice bout with Khalil Rountree Jr. in December. For Anthony Smith, the fight took place just months after a split-decision win over Ryan Spann. While he hoped to move back into title contention with a win over Rountree Jr., it was instead a brutal fight for the longtime contender.
Cris Cyborg announces boxing return after PFL talks fall through: "I want to be active"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2024
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is heading back to the boxing ring. It’s been a strange few months for the Brazilian. In October, Cris Cyborg scored yet another title defense in a heated fight against Cat Zingano at Bellator 300. The first-round victory took place just weeks before the Scott Coker-led company was sold to the PFL.
Colby Covington reveals plans for summer return, promises to "shock" fans in comeback
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2024
UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington will be back in the octagon this summer. ‘Chaos’ has been out of the cage since a heated bout with welterweight champion Leon Edwards last December. For Colby Covington, the fight was his first in over a year, last defeating Jorge Masvidal in March 2022. In the build to the contest, the former interim UFC titleholder mocked the deceased father of ‘Rocky’, and promised to send him to hell.
Sage Northcutt takes aim at ONE Championship over fight withdrawal: "That is completely inaccurate"
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
Sage Northcutt has fired back at ONE Championship over his fight cancellation. Northcutt was supposed to fight Shinya Aoki at ONE 165 at the end of January. However, on the day of the fight, it was revealed ‘Super’ pulled out of the fight due to his cornermen not getting visas in time. Since then, Chatri Sityodtong said other people would corner Northcutt but the American didn’t want to fight.
Chael Sonnen unsure if Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa happens at UFC 298: "It doesn’t feel like those guys are getting ready to fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 8, 2024
Chael Sonnen has a bad feeling about the planned UFC 298 matchup between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa. Whittaker vs Costa is scheduled to take place inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California on February 17. The middleweight collision is set to be featured on the main card of UFC 298. Some have been skeptical of the bout ever taking place given “Borrachinha’s” history with unfortunate fight removals.
Gilbert Burns isn't sold on Colby Covington's post-UFC 296 injury claims: "He was going everywhere here"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 8, 2024
Gilbert Burns has called Colby Covington’s foot injury into question. Covington was widely panned for his performance against Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 296 in late 2023. “Chaos” didn’t have the forward pressure that he’s been known for throughout his pro MMA career. Many, including UFC CEO Dana White, wondered if being largely inactive prior to the welterweight title fight cost Covington an undisputed UFC championship.