MMA News
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.
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.
Joe Pyfer vents frustration after being discredited for breaking Francis Ngannou’s power punch record
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2024
UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer has given his thoughts on being discredited for breaking Francis Ngannou’s punching power record. This weekend, Joe Pyfer faces the biggest test of his career thus far. He will battle Jack Hermansson in a main event showdown, with the expectation being that a win could really vault him up the ranks in the 185-pound division.
Dricus Du Plessis says UFC 300 is just a number: “It’s not as massive as UFC Africa”
Harry Kettle - February 8, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis believes that UFC Africa is bigger than UFC 300. Last month, Dricus du Plessis finally reached the top of the middleweight mountain. He defeated Sean Strickland to become the new king in what proved to be a barnburner of a fight. Now, of course, the big question is this: what’s next?
Yuya Wakamatsu, Gustavo Balart move up in ONE Championship’s rankings
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 8, 2024
In the aftermath of ONE 165 on January 28, Yuya Wakamatsu and Gustavo Balart made a significant leap in ONE Championship’s athlete rankings. While the majority of divisions maintained their status quo, the flyweight and strawweight MMA brackets witnessed notable shake-ups.
Felipe Lobo aiming for statement-making win over Jonathan Haggerty: “I want to show him who I am”
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 8, 2024
Rivalries often add an extra layer of intensity to matchups. And the upcoming ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video headliner promises to deliver just that. Beyond the pursuit of glory, Felipe Lobo seeks to settle a personal beef with Jonathan Haggerty. The bout will be an emphatic clash for the latter’s ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title.
Corey Anderson re-ignites feud with former UFC champion Jamahal Hill: "He didn't beat anybody"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2024
Bellator light-heavyweight Corey Anderson has again taken aim at former UFC champion Jamahal Hill. ‘Overtime’ recently booked a return to the cage for March against Karl Moore. At Bellator 302 in Ireland, Corey Anderson will look to finally become world champion. Fresh off a split-decision win over Phil Davis last summer, the longtime light-heavyweight contender is confident that he can get the job done.
Dana White reveals Elon Musk will attend UFC Vegas 86 as the event is now closed to the public
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2024
UFC Vegas 86 will be closed to the public this weekend as Dana White revealed Elon Musk will attend Saturday’s card at the Apex in Las Vegas. The UFC is hosting an event on Saturday before the Super Bowl, which will also take place in Vegas on Sunday. With that, there are hundreds of celebrities in Vegas this weekend and White says Musk will be watching the event on Saturday night. The main event of the card sees Jack Hermansson taking on Joe Pyfer in a middleweight scrap.
Tyson Fury shuts down retirement talk, promises rematch with Francis Ngannou: "I'm going nowhere!"
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2024
Despite talk of retirement, Tyson Fury is still eyeing boxing matches with Oleksandr Usyk, Francis Ngannou, and Anthony Joshua. ‘The Gypsy King’ recently pulled out of his scheduled February 17th clash with ‘The Cat’. The Brit pulled out of the fight, due to a brutal cut he sustained last week in sparring. That boxing match was set to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, who accomplished the feat two decades ago.
REPORT | Dana White reportedly deleted texts relating to UFC antitrust lawsuit
Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2024
More information about the UFC’s antitrust lawsuit and Dana White continues to come to light. On April 13th, the UFC will hold its milestone 300th pay-per-view event. The fight card doesn’t have a main event as of now but is still a stellar card. As of now, billed matchups include Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway, Zhang Weili vs. Yan Xiaonan, and the promotional debut of Kayla Harrison. The former PFL tournament winner is expected to face former champion Holly Holm at the event.
Dana White vows to make the UFC's event at The Sphere "the greatest live sporting event anybody has ever seen"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2024
Dana White is excited for the UFC to have an event at The Sphere in Las Vegas in September. White revealed he wanted to host an event at The Sphere ever since it opened and has it booked to host the Mexican Independence Day card in September. It will be a highly-anticipated event and White says seeing U2 there made him want to do an event at The Sphere.
Dana White hopeful Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will take place in "the fall"
Cole Shelton - February 7, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has provided an update on when the rumored Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight may take place. Ever since McGregor and Chandler coached TUF against one another, many wondered when the two would fight. It’s one of the most anticipated fights in quite some time, and on New Year’s, McGregor announced he would return on June 29 against Chandler.