MMA News
Anthony Smith questions Paulo Costa’s status as heavy-hitting knockout artist: “He hasn’t knocked out anybody in a while”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2024
Anthony Smith has questioned Paulo Costa’s status as a knockout artist given his record in recent years. At UFC 298, Paulo Costa will finally make his return to the Octagon. He’ll do so when he collides with Robert Whittaker, with many believing a big win could get him right back into title contention. Of course, with just one win in the last three and a half years, there’s a lot of work to be done.
Muay Thai Legend Mehdi Zatout steps out of retirement for explosive boxing match at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 2, 2024
Mehdi Zatout has decided to make a comeback for ONE Championship’s historic debut in Qatar on March 1. The Algerian kickboxer takes on Arab pugilist Zuhayr Al-Qahtani in a 147-pound boxing bout at ONE 166: Qatar. The event broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the Lusail Sports Arena.
Zuhayr Al-Qahtani anticipates tough fight vs. Mehdi Zatout at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 1, 2024
The anticipation is building as Zuhayr Al-Qahtani prepares to make his promotional debut at ONE 166: Qatar on March 1. His maiden appearance takes place at the majestic Lusail Sports Arena, where he squares off with Mehdi Zatout in a 147-pound boxing bout.
Dominick Reyes reveals he's "lucky to be alive" after dealing with blood clots
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2024
Dominick Reyes says he’s lucky to be alive. Reyes was scheduled to face Carlos Ulberg at UFC 297 in Toronto on Jan. 20, but the fight was scratched after Ulberg suffered an injury. The two were then rebooked to fight on March 30 at UFC Atlantic City, but Reyes was forced to withdraw, due to an undisclosed reason.
Daniel Cormier explains why he would "love" to see Tom Aspinall defend interim heavyweight title
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier wants to see Tom Aspinall defend his interim heavyweight gold. The British heavyweight has famously been out of the cage since an interim heavyweight title bout last November. Following Jon Jones’s withdrawal against Stipe Miocic, the promotion scrambled to book Tom Aspinall against Sergei Pavlovich. They put an interim title on the line, as ‘Bones’ was expected to be out of action for quite a while.
Sean O'Malley offers Cory Sandhagen advice on UFC fame: "Face tat might help"
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has some advice for Cory Sandhagen. Earlier this week, ‘The Sandman’ appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. In the interview, Cory Sandhagen maligned some of the treatment that his peers receive. The bantamweight contender stated that the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov have “famous guy leverage”. In the interview, he also took somewhat of a shot at Sean O’Malley.
Mike Tyson denies reports of boxing matches with Fedor Emelianenko, Mark Hunt: "This is false"
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2024
Don’t expect to see Mike Tyson back in a boxing ring against Fedor Emelianenko or Mark Hunt. ‘Iron Mike’ hasn’t competed in a professional boxing match since a 2005 loss to Kevin McBride. 15 years after that defeat, Mike Tyson returned to the ring for an exhibition. On Triller Fight Club pay-per-view in November 2020, he fought to a draw with fellow legend, Roy Jones Jr.
Dustin Poirier says UFC 299 fight against Benoit Saint-Denis is back on after a "misunderstanding"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2024
Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis will be fighting at UFC 299 after all. Back in January, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Poirier will face Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 299, which will also be a five-round fight. It’s a highly-anticipated scrap and a massive fight for the lightweight division, but on Thursday morning, ‘The Diamond’ took to social media to claim the fight was off.
Dana White slams "scumbag" reporters who claimed Poirier vs. Saint-Denis was never agreed to
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is firing back at reporters who claimed Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 was never agreed to. On Thursday, Poirier took to social media to reveal his fight with Saint-Denis was off. He then texted ESPN’s Brett Okamoto saying the fight was never agreed to.
Tyron Woodley vents frustration after being paid the same money as Donald Cerrone by UFC: “That motherf*cker ain’t never touched gold”
Susan Cox - February 1, 2024
Tyron Woodley is venting his frustration after being paid the same money as Donald Cerrone by the UFC. Woodley, speaking on the ‘MIGHTYcast’ podcast with Demetrious Johnson shared that he wanted ‘out’ of the UFC:
UFC commentator Joe Rogan reacts to the “wild” Vince McMahon - WWE lawsuit
Susan Cox - February 1, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is reacting to the ‘wild’ Vince McMahon – WWE lawsuit. It was just last week that WWE founder Vince McMahon resigned from the company and the board.
Dustin Poirier announces his fight with Benoit Saint-Denis is off
Susan Cox - February 1, 2024
Dustin Poirier has announced that his fight with Benoit Saint-Denis is off. It was on Sunday, January 7th that UFC CEO Dana White announced they had added a major lightweight matchup between Poirier and Saint-Denis to their March pay-per-view lineup.
Lito Adiwang to duke it out against Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 1, 2024
Lito Adiwang is set to figure in a bout that promises to be a hard-hitting affair. The Filipino sensation squares off against Australia’s Danial Williams in a strawweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. The event emanates live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 16.
Luke Lessei returns to action against Eddie Abasolo at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 1, 2024
ONE Championship’s next live event in U.S. primetime will feature an all-American Muay Thai clash. At ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video this February 16, Luke Lessei locks horns with Eddie Abasolo in a featherweight bout. The card airs from the iconic Lumipinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Georges St-Pierre explains why Alexander Volkanovski could still be “the best fighter” despite back-to-back losses to Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2024
Georges St-Pierre has given his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski’s two defeats to Islam Makhachev. At UFC 298 later this month, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship against Ilia Topuria. It will serve as a move back to 145 pounds after his second attempt at capturing the lightweight gold.
Kayla Harrison is “confident” she will make weight at UFC 300 despite not believing in the process: “I don’t believe in cutting weight”
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2024
Kayla Harrison is feeling confident in her ability to make weight at UFC 300 despite concerns for her health. At UFC 300, Kayla Harrison will make her official Ultimate Fighting Championship debut. She’ll do so by taking on veteran Holly Holm in a blockbuster bantamweight collision. While this is a great first bout for her, many wonder whether or not she’ll struggle to make 135 pounds.
Drew Dober embracing being the "new" Donald Cerrone: "I'll fight whoever, whenever"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2024
Drew Dober believes he’s the new Donald Cerrone. Dober is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 85 on Saturday against Renato Moicano. It’s a big fight for the lightweight division, as Dober gets to fight ahead of him in the rankings.
Cory Sandhagen hopes to use "famous guy leverage" to his advantage in 2024: "Start hanging out with rappers"
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen plans to get more fame this year, and then use it. ‘The Sandman’ has been out of the cage since a unanimous decision victory over Rob Font in August. While it was Cory Sandhagen’s third victory in a row, it came at a cost. In the five-round main event, he suffered a torn triceps, putting him on the shelf indefinitely. As a result, the bantamweight division has been passing him by.