MMA News
Sean O'Malley shares prediction for Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his prediction for a pivotal fight in his weight class between Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili. Cejudo and Dvalishvili are set to fight next weekend at UFC 298 in a potential number-one contender fight at bantamweight. The winner could very well be in line to fight the winner of O’Malley vs. Vera 2, which goes down the following month at UFC 299.
Robert Whittaker won't comment on rumored injury before Dricus Du Plessis fight but admits his training camp "wasn't optimal"
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Robert Whittaker won’t comment on the rumors he was dealing with a significant injury going into his UFC 290 fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Ben Askren and Daniel Cormier recently spoke on ‘DC’s’ YouTube channel and both mentioned they heard Whittaker had a serious ankle injury going into that fight. However, Whittaker says he won’t comment on if that was true, but does admit the training camp for his fight against Du Plessis wasn’t one he was happy with.
Kevin Lee admits fighting Rinat Fakhretdinov was "stupid" as he dealt with serious knee injury
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Kevin Lee regrets fighting Rinat Fakhretdinov last year. After Lee scored a decision win over Diego Sanchez in Eagle FC, he was re-signed to the UFC. In his debut fight, he was booked to face Fakhretdinov. Entering the scrap, Lee was a sizeable underdog and it was Fakhretdinov who won the fight as he recorded a submission victory in just 55 seconds.
Gina Carano sues Disney over 'The Mandalorian' firing, lawsuit reportedly funded by Elon Musk
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
Former MMA fighter Gina Carano is looking to get back her role in ‘The Mandalorian’. In terms of fighter-turned-stars, there are few more high-profile than Gina Carano. From 2006 to 2009, the former Strikeforce title challenger accumulated a 7-1 record and wins over the likes of Tonya Evinger and Julie Kedzie. However, following a knockout loss to Cris Cyborg, she retired from the sport of MMA.
Ryan Garcia fires shot at Sean O'Malley over potential crossover fight: "Couldn't hold my gym bag"
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
It appears that Ryan Garcia doesn’t seem to take UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley very seriously. ‘Sugar’ is currently slated to return to the octagon in March, at UFC 299. There, he will face Marlon Vera in his first title defense. Sean O’Malley famously captured the gold with a second-round knockout win over Aljamain Sterling last August. Now, he will look to avenge his one career loss to ‘Chito’ next month.
WATCH | UFC announcer Bruce Buffer introduces the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Super Bowl media day
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
UFC announcer Bruce Buffer had a little bit of a different announcing job earlier this week. The longtime MMA announcer has worked for the company for decades now. However, Bruce Buffer is known beyond combat sports circles these days. His iconic UFC introductions have seemingly now made their way to the world of American Football and the NFL.
Sean O'Malley plans to attend UFC 298 to set up champ-champ fight at The Sphere in September
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Sean O’Malley has his eyes set on becoming a champ-champ. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time in the main event of UFC 299 against Marlon Vera. Heading into the fight, ‘Suga’ has been oozing with confidence and believes he will KO Vera to defend his belt with ease.
Raquel Pennington shoots down the idea of Kayla Harrison skipping the line for a UFC title shot: “I just don’t find that fair”
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Raquel Pennington is shooting down the idea of Kayla Harrison skipping the line for a UFC title shot. Pennington (16-9 MMA) is the current UFC’s woman’s bantamweight champion and has her own thoughts concerning the arrival of Kayla Harrison (16-1 MMA) to the UFC stage.
Colby Covington responds after being labeled “slow and old” by UFC CEO Dana White
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Colby Covington is responding after being labeled ‘slow and old’ by UFC CEO Dana White. UFC 296 took place last December and saw Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) vs. Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) in the main event welterweight title bout. The result was a unanimous decision victory for ‘Rocky’.
Dustin Poirier explains why it is a “perfect” scenario to be the underdog against Benoit Saint-Denis: “This is where I perform the best”
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Dustin Poirier is explaining why it is a ‘perfect’ scenario to be the underdog against Benoit Saint-Denis. UFC 299 will take place on Saturday, March 9th at the Kaseya Center, in Miami, Florida.
Colby Covington shares x-ray evidence of the injury that hindered his performance at UFC 296
Susan Cox - February 6, 2024
Colby Covington is sharing x-ray evidence of the injury that hindered his performance at UFC 296. UFC 296 took place last December and saw Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) go down to defeat against Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) in a welterweight bout. With the unanimous decision victory, Edwards would retain the UFC welterweight title.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 152 with Jack Hermansson, Max Griffin, and Devin Clark
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
The 152nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 86 this Saturday. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson (1:13) ahead of his main event fight. Next, UFC welterweight Max Griffin (12:07) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC light heavyweight Devin Clark (23:07).
Rampage Jackson announces plans to have boxing matches with two former UFC rivals: “Age ain’t nothing but a number”
Harry Kettle - February 6, 2024
Former UFC star Rampage Jackson has laid out his boxing plans following his upcoming showdown with Shannon Briggs. For years now, we haven’t seen Rampage Jackson compete in regular, active competition. However, starting on June 1, that looks set to change. The veteran is set to square off against Shannon Briggs in a grudge match that’s been building for a long time.
Dustin Poirier shares surprising prediction for BMF title fight between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - February 6, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has given his thoughts on the upcoming showdown between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway. At UFC 300, the BMF title will be on the line when Justin Gaethje defends against Max Holloway. These two men are considered to be among the most exciting fighters in MMA today, which should make for an almighty collision.
Nong-O Hama squares off against Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 6, 2024
As the countdown begins for ONE Championship’s historic event in Qatar, fans are in for a treat as a legendary name joins the stellar lineup. Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama is set to make his return to action against Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE 166: Qatar. The spectacle broadcasts live on pay-per-view from Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
What's next for Nassourdine Imavov and Roman Dolidze after UFC Vegas 85?
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 85, top 15 middleweights collided as Nassourdine Imavov took on Roman Dolidze. Imavov entered the fight coming off a frustrating 2023, as his last fight was a No Contest against Chris Curtis due to a clash of heads. To begin 2023, he dropped a decision to Sean Strickland as he went 0-1 with one NC in 2023. Dolidze, meanwhile, was coming off a decision loss to Marvin Vettori back in March in his only fight of 2023.
Ilia Topuria tells Max Holloway, Yair Rodriguez, and Brian Ortega to retire because he will "never give them" a title shot
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2024
Ilia Topuria has some advice for some of the top-ranked featherweights. Topuria is set to headline UFC 298 on February 17 as he takes on Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title. It’s a highly-anticipated matchup and in the lead-up to the fight, the Georgian is a slight underdog as he’s -105 to defeat the Aussie. Yet, Topuria has full confidence he will beat Volkanovski with ease.
Francis Ngannou sends Anthony Joshua chilling threat ahead of boxing match: "Taking his soul"
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2024
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou is out to take Anthony Joshua’s soul in their boxing match next month. ‘The Predator’ recently signed a deal to return opposite ‘AJ’ in Saudi Arabia on March 8th in Saudi Arabia. For those who remember, Anthony Joshua was initially expected to face Deontay Wilder on that date. However, due to ‘The Bronze Bomber’ being upset by Joseph Parker in December, he was replaced by Francis Ngannou.