MMA News
Merab Dvalishvili explains how previous KO loss made him a smarter fighter: “I’m not going to chase the finish”
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2024
UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili has explained how a previous defeat in the Octagon actually made him smarter as a fighter. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is one of the top bantamweight in the world right now. He’s been able to turn back a parade of top fighters, and now, he looks set to challenge for the UFC belt. When he does, he’ll more than likely be battling current champion Sean O’Malley.
Chatri Sityodtong targets Tawanchai-Nattawut III for Atlanta
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 13, 2024
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is hinting at the possibility of a trilogy bout between Tawanchai PK Saenchai and “Smokin” Jo Nattawut. Following their electrifying rematch at ONE 167 on Prime Video last Friday, June 7, he sees the potential for the fierce rivals to clash once more at one of the promotion’s two U.S. events later this year.
Shawne Merriman explains how he got into MMA, hopes to make Lights Out XF the premier feeder promotion
Cole Shelton - June 12, 2024
Former NFL star Shawne Merriman didn’t expect to be running his own MMA promotion, but he is doing just that. Merriman, who was drafted with the 12th overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft and spent eight years playing in the National Football League was also around the sport of MMA. During his offseasons, Merriman would train MMA with Randy Couture and other fighters, which sparked his love for combat sports.
VIDEO | Sean Strickland simulates water boarding in latest bizarre social media post
Curtis Calhoun - June 12, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland continues to push his own limits in and out of the Octagon. Strickland is fresh off his split decision win over former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa at UFC 302. He defeated Costa to get back in the win column, and potentially earn himself another middleweight title shot for his next fight.
Anderson Silva confirms Chael Sonnen boxing match won't be the final fight of his career: "It's my last fight in Brazil"
Josh Evanoff - June 12, 2024
UFC legend Anderson Silva won’t be retiring after facing Chael Sonnen this weekend. On Saturday night in Brazil, ‘The Spider’ will make yet another walk to the boxing ring. Anderson Silva hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Jake Paul in October 2022, his first defeat since leaving the UFC in 2020. Nearly two years removed from that defeat, he will return to the ring to face Chael Sonnen.
Michael Chandler posts another cryptic message amidst new uncertainty surrounding UFC 303, Conor McGregor
Curtis Calhoun - June 12, 2024
UFC star Michael Chandler broke his social media silence on Wednesday amidst the promotion’s reported scramble to save UFC 303. As of this writing, Chandler is still scheduled to face former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor in the UFC 303 main event. But, as MMA journalist Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday, the UFC 303 main event is “in limbo” due to undisclosed reasons, and the promotion is attempting to book a new headliner.
Dricus Du Plessis claims he’s agreed to everything for proposed Israel Adesanya fight: “I don’t know what’s the hold up”
Susan Cox - June 12, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis is claiming he’s agreed to everything for the proposed Israel Adesanya fight. The UFC middleweight champion, Du Plessis (21-2 MMA), is expected to defend his title at UFC 305.
‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson injures his ‘People’s Elbow’ during filming of new ‘Smashing Machine’ movie
Susan Cox - June 12, 2024
‘The Rock’ Dwayne Johnson has injured his ‘People’s Elbow’ during the filming of the new ‘The Smashing Machine’ movie. ‘The Smashing Machine’ is an upcoming American biographical sports drama film based on the career of UFC veteran Mark Kerr. The film stars Dwayne Johnson as former wrestler and mixed martial artist Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt, Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, and Zoe Kosovic. The slated release date for the film is December 2024.
Jared Cannonier reacts after referee Jason Herzog comments on controversial stoppage at UFC Louisville: “My career was pretty much in his hands and he decided it ain't worth fighting for”
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
UFC fighter Jared Cannonier has given his thoughts on Jason Herzog’s remarks regarding the finish in the main event of UFC Louisville. Last weekend, Jared Cannonier was beaten by Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Louisville. However, the bout wasn’t without controversy. Imavov had Cannonier hurt in the fourth round but despite that, many felt as if Jason Herzog stopped the fight too early.
Marlon Vera plans to “go to the basement and pull all the demons” in UFC Abu Dhabi fight with Deiveson Figueiredo
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
UFC star Marlon Vera is planning to dig deep in order to come out on top against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Abu Dhabi. On August 3, the bantamweight division will be lit up once again by an electric collision. At UFC Abu Dhabi, Marlon Vera and Deiveson Figueiredo will collide in a blockbuster clash. For ‘Chito’, he’s hoping to get back on track after a one-sided demolition at the hands of Sean O’Malley earlier this year.
Alex Pereira gives honest assessment of rumored Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis fight: “After we fought, he changed a little bit”
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has given his thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s impending return to the Octagon. As we know, Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya have had quite the rivalry in combat sports. They fought twice in kickboxing with Pereira going 2-0, and in mixed martial arts, they’re currently locked at 1-1.
Sean Strickland admits UFC pay is “utter garbage” in back and forth with Mike Perry: “I advocate for better pay for me and the entire roster”
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2024
Sean Strickland has once again given his thoughts on UFC fighter pay during a recent exchange with Mike Perry. For the longest time now, Sean Strickland has been the king of controversy in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s spoken his mind at every available opportunity, and more often than not, he gets himself in hot water for doing so. Alas, even with all of the remarks he’s made, he continues to serve as one of the major forces in the middleweight division.
Liz Carmouche eyes another "quick finish" over Kana Watanabe at PFL 4
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Liz Carmouche is looking to go 2-0 against Kana Watanabe. Carmouche and Watanabe fought back in 2021 at Bellator 261 and it was the American winning by TKO in just 35 seconds. Since then, Carmouche went on to become the Bellator women’s flyweight champion, but the two will rematch in the regular season of the PFL tournament at PFL 4 on this Thursday.
Dominick Cruz reveals the "excuse" Jose Aldo used to not fight him in his UFC return
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Dominick Cruz says him not being ranked is the reason Jose Aldo wouldn’t fight him in his return to the UFC. Aldo returned to the Octagon at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against Jonathan Martinez and in doing so he fought out his current UFC deal. It’s unclear if he will re-sign, but if he does, one fight that fans want to see is him vs. Cruz.
Darrick Minner opens up on alleged fixed fight from UFC betting scandal: "Krause was guiding me to victory"
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2024
Darrick Minner has opened up on the alleged fixed fight claims. Minner has been the center of the UFC betting scandal since his fight against Shayilan Nuerdanbieke. In the lead-up to the fight, some unusual money came in on Nuerdanbieke and he quickly finished Minner, as it appeared Minner was injured.
Beneil Dariush on why he "feels bad" for Dan Hooker after latest UFC 305 fight callout
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush has responded to Dan Hooker’s mass callout for a fight at UFC 305 in Perth. Dariush hasn’t fought since a knockout loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Austin back in December. He lost back-to-back fights in 2023, including a TKO loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 289 that halted his lightweight title shot bid.
Daniel Cormier clears the air on viral Jon Jones conversation from UFC's 'Fight Inc' documentary
Curtis Calhoun - June 11, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier didn’t direct an obscene gesture towards Jon Jones, as some originally suspected, during a now-viral clip from the Fight Inc: Inside the UFC documentary. Jones is expected to return to the Octagon later this year to defend the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. He hasn’t fought since capturing the then-vacant heavyweight belt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 285.
Invicta FC signs broadcast deal with CBS Sports, full 2024 schedule revealed
Josh Evanoff - June 11, 2024
Invicta FC now has a broadcasting partner just weeks out from the company’s return. The company owned and founded by Shannon Knapp over a decade ago has had a few strange years. Since parting ways with UFC Fight Pass in early 2021, they’ve bounced around a bit. Later that year, they began broadcasting on the Fight Network and AXS TV, but both deals seemingly didn’t work for the company.