MMA News
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.
BKFC champion Austin Trout welcomes fights with Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez: "It does intrigue me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2024
Former boxing world champion and current BKFC titleholder Austin Trout is intrigued by potential matchups with Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez. Trout certainly knows his stuff when it comes to the sweet science. He has shared the ring with the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Jermall and Jermell Charlo, and Erislandy Lara. Trout even defeated Cotto via unanimous decision back in late 2012. He has taken that experience to blossom in bare knuckle boxing, recently capturing the BKFC Welterweight Championship.
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.
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.
Devin Clark planning for a "dominant" win over Marcin Prachnio on last fight of his deal at UFC Vegas 86
Cole Shelton - February 8, 2024
Devin Clark knows he could be fighting for his job on Saturday night at UFC Vegas 86. Clark hasn’t fought since May of last year when he suffered a submission loss to Kennedy Nzechukwu. After that, he was hoping to fight one more time in 2023, but he decided to spend time with his family and get his mindset right for his next fight.
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.
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.
RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara meets with Dana White, teases announcement: "Stay tuned!"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2024
It seems that RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara and UFC executive Dana White have something cooking. In recent weeks, Dana White has been seen with a variety of fellow combat sports promoters. Names such as Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, BKFC’s David Feldman, and more, have been seen meeting with the UFC boss. Now, fans can add RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara to that list.
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.
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.
Patricio Freire thinks Michael Chandler turned into a "b*tch" after signing UFC deal, feels Conor McGregor could KO him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 8, 2024
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire believes Michael Chandler has gone soft since joining the UFC roster. It’s no secret that former three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has been biding his time for a lucrative matchup against Conor McGregor. The “Notorious” one has expressed frustration with the UFC over what he believes to be stalling on the promotion’s end. UFC CEO Dana White is hoping to have the fight booked for the fall of 2024.
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.
Cris Cyborg Will Help Holly Holm Prepare Ahead Of UFC 300 Fight With Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 8, 2024
Cris Cyborg will be giving an assist to Holly Holm, who is preparing for a UFC 300 showdown with former PFL champion Kayla Harrison. Cyborg and Holm shared the Octagon back in late 2017. At the time, Cyborg was the UFC women’s featherweight champion. On that night, Cyborg successfully retained the 145-pound gold via unanimous decision. Fast forward to 2024, and Cyborg is now helping “The Preacher’s Daughter” prepare for the big April 13 showdown with Harrison.
Ian Machado Garry unloads on “idiot” Rampage Jackson for suggesting he was “afraid” to come on his podcast
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2024
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has hit back at Rampage Jackson for suggesting he was afraid to come on his podcast. Over the course of the last few months, Ian Machado Garry has made a lot of enemies. While he’s still a massive prospect in the welterweight division, there are far more questions than answers when it comes to his future in the cage. Now, as he prepares to meet Geoff Neal at UFC 298 next weekend, he has another problem to deal with.