MMA News
Eddie Abasolo fired up for ONE Fight Night 19 bout against Luke Lessei
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 13, 2024
Eddie Abasolo knows he has a point to prove in his next outing. The proud California native locks horns with Iowa’s Luke Lessei in a featherweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. It airs live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, February 16.
Sean Strickland agrees to spar influencer Bryce Hall after demolishing Sneako: "I'll tell you when you're done"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2024
It seems that Sean Strickland and Bryce Hall will be facing off sooner rather than later. ‘Tarzan’ is fresh off his battering of popular Rumble streamer Sneako last week. The influencer has been training in boxing for a few months now and decided to test himself against Sean Strickland at the UFC Apex. Predictably, the former middleweight champion bloodied him up.
Tom Aspinall officially moving on from Jon Jones, Stipe Miocic fights: "It's not happening"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2024
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is moving on from Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The British fighter is fresh off a first-round knockout win over Sergei Pavlovich in November at UFC 295. Tom Aspinall famously stepped in on two weeks’ notice to face the Russian, after Jon Jones suffered an injury. As a result, his scheduled title defense with Stipe Miocic was scrapped.
Chael Sonnen takes aim at 'Scumbag' Jon Jones over UFC 300 remarks: "This is a bad employee"
Josh Evanoff - February 13, 2024
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen doesn’t seem to appreciate Jon Jones’ latest remarks. ‘Bones’ is currently on the sidelines healing from a pec injury. Jon Jones suffered the injury just two weeks out from facing Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 and was pulled from the card as a result. In turn, the promotion booked Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title.
Alexander Volkanovski calls Henry Cejudo a "piece of s**t" for removing his coach on UFC Countdown
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is not a fan of Henry Cejudo removing his coach Eric Albarracin from his corner on UFC Countdown. Cejudo has been with Albarracin before his UFC career but before ‘Triple C’s’ return fight against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298, the former flyweight and bantamweight champion removed his longtime coach from his corner.
Henry Cejudo's split from coach Eric Albarracin looked "pre-planned," says UFC veteran Matt Brown: "What their assumed plan was seemed to have worked"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2024
UFC fan favorite Matt Brown is skeptical of the video showing Henry Cejudo drop Eric Albarracin as his coach. Cejudo stunned MMA fans when a video surfaced of him telling “Captain Eric” that he won’t be including him for his UFC 298 bantamweight clash with Merab Dvalishvili. Despite having great success under the mentorship of Albarracin, including champ-champ status, “Triple C” feels he’s in a do or die situation with his pro MMA career. He has gone as far as to say he might retire if he can’t defeat Merab.
Sean Strickland explains what caused his run-in with Machine Gun Kelly at Power Slap 6: “He looked at me like I was less than human”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2024
Sean Strickland has offered an explanation for his awkward run-in with music star Machine Gun Kelly. Strickland has been known for speaking his mind and going against traditional social norms. The former UFC middleweight champion even told Megan Olivi prior to his fight with Dricus Du Plessis last month that fans like him because he reminds them of their “White trash uncle.” Strickland certainly isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers, and that’s what he did with MGK during a recent Power Slap event.
Ian Machado Garry plans to get under the skin of his haters by burying Geoff Neal at UFC 298: “If you don’t eat at my table, I don’t care for your opinion”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2024
Ian Garry has some strong words for the MMA community before he steps inside the Octagon with Geoff Neal at UFC 298. Garry’s fight with Neal is a big chance for him to make a statement and move closer to fight the top of the heap at 170 pounds. “The Future” enters this fight as the number 10-ranked UFC welterweight, while Neal holds the number eight spot. It’s a fight with some bad blood too, as Garry once wore a t-shirt with an image of Neal’s mugshot. Somehow, Garry’s feud with online trolls seems to have overshadowed the animosity with “Handz of Steel.”
WWE Champion Seth Rollins explains why no current UFC fighter can successfully transition to pro wrestling: “They don’t have the stamina for it”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2024
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins thinks there’s one key aspect MMA fighters are lacking when it comes to transitioning to pro wrestling. In the past we’ve seen fighters such as Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn find success in pro wrestling. In the modern era, it was Ronda Rousey who became a multiple-time women’s champion under the WWE banner. Even in the best case scenario, such as Rousey’s, however, Rollins believes it was a struggle even for the “Rowdy” one.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 153 with Robert Whittaker and Geoff Neal
Cole Shelton - February 13, 2024
The 153rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 298 this Saturday. We’re first joined by former UFC middleweight champion and third-ranked middleweight Robert Whittaker (0:58). Next, eighth-ranked UFC welterweight Geoff Neal (14:22) comes on.
ONE Fight Night 20 to celebrate International Women's Day with all-female headliners
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 13, 2024
ONE Fight Night 20 on Prime Video will captivate audiences on International Women’s Day 2024. It features a spectacular lineup headlined by two ONE World Title bouts. This live spectacle airs in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on March 8.
Liam Nolan in pursuit of KO victory at ONE Fight Night 19: "Straight Away"
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 13, 2024
Liam Nolan is gearing up for his next challenge with a burning desire to settle an unsolved task. The Englishman squares off against Nauzet Trujillo in a lightweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. The event emanates live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 16.
Yair Rodriguez slams "delusional" Ilia Topuria, claims his career will be "over" after UFC 298
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2024
Yair Rodriguez is not a fan of Ilia Topuria, and he expects the Spaniard-Georgian to lose on Saturday at UFC 298. Topuria is set to headline UFC 298 on Saturday as he takes on Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and in the lead-up to the scrap, Topuria has been full of confidence that he will beat Volkanovski with ease to become the champ.
Khamzat Chimaev downplays rumors of UFC 300 return: "Not fighting in Ramadan"
Josh Evanoff - February 12, 2024
Don’t expect to see Khamzat Chimaev fighting at UFC 300 in April. ‘Borz’ has been out of the cage since a clash with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman last October. Originally, Khamzat Chimaev was expected to face Paulo Costa in a title eliminator, but the Brazilian withdrew. As a result, the Chechen instead faced ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’, winning by majority decision.
Sean Strickland reveals UFC vetoed Jake Paul boxing match: "You let Conor McGregor fight Mayweather"
Josh Evanoff - February 12, 2024
If UFC middleweight Sean Strickland fights Jake Paul, it won’t be in a ring or a cage. Late last week, ‘Tarzan’ was seen sparring with popular Rumble streamer, Sneako. The influencer has been training in boxing for a while and faced Sean Strickland at the UFC Apex. Predictably, the former middleweight champion battered him, bloodying up Sneako and continuing to throw punches after the towel was thrown in.
VIDEO | Merab Dvalishvili brings coach Eric Albarracin into camp after being fired by Henry Cejudo
Josh Evanoff - February 12, 2024
It seems that Eric Albarracin is in Merab Dvalishvili’s corner ahead of his UFC 298 bout against Henry Cejudo. Earlier this week, ‘Triple C’ formally parted ways with his longtime coach. For the entirety of Henry Cejudo’s UFC career, he has been at the hip of Eric Albarracin. The former wrestler coached the bantamweight to multiple title wins, but their time together will be no more.
Ariel Helwani reveals Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev is reportedly the UFC's "top choice" to headline UFC 300
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2024
MMA reporter Ariel Helwani claims Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev is the UFC’s top choice for the main event of UFC 300. UFC CEO Dana White has vowed to make UFC 300 a historic card, but with the event being just two months away, the main event for the fight card is still not set. With there not being much time left, the UFC will need to announce the main event soon and according to Helwani, a potential holdup is the UFC trying to get Chimaev into the States to fight.
Alex Volkanovski offers grim prediction for UFC 298 title fight against Ilia Topuria: "He’s going to be embarrassed"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2024
UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski believes Ilia Topuria will have egg on his face once UFC 298 has concluded. Volkanovski is set to put his 145-pound gold at stake against Topuria inside the Honda Center in Anaheim, California this Saturday night. The featherweight championship clash will headline UFC 298. If “The Great” can emerge victorious, he’ll have secured his sixth successful UFC featherweight title defense, which would put him one shy of tying Jose Aldo’s 145-pound record.