MMA News
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.
Rampage Jackson alleges Ian Garry turned down podcast appearance because he was afraid of being laughed at
Josh Evanoff - February 6, 2024
Former UFC champion Rampage Jackson has had many fighters on his podcast, but Ian Garry won’t be one of them. Starting last year, the former champion decided to start his ‘Jaxxon‘ podcast. Along the way, Rampage Jackson has interviewed many fighters, including names such as Gilbert Burns, Cain Velasquez, and more. One name that the former UFC champion wanted to speak to, is one Ian Garry.
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.
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.
Jack Hermansson believes he has to "make a statement" against Joe Pyfer at UFC Vegas 86 to prove he's still a title contender
Cole Shelton - February 6, 2024
Jack Hermansson isn’t surprised people are overlooking him and doubting him going into his UFC Vegas 86 main event fight against Joe Pyfer. Hermansson hasn’t fought since December of 2022 when he suffered a TKO loss to Roman Dolidze. He was later booked to fight Brendan Allen in June, but an injury forced him to withdraw as he was out of action for all of 2023, which was frustrating for ‘The Joker’.
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’.
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).
Michael Bisping calls for changes in refereeing following Roman Dolidze vs. Nassourdine Imavov fight: “For the fans' sake”
Harry Kettle - February 6, 2024
MMA analyst Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the state of refereeing following the Roman Dolidze vs Nassourdine Imavov fight. Last weekend, Nassourdine Imavov had his hand raised as he defeated Roman Dolidze in their middleweight main event. While many saw it as a clean and decisive win for Imavov, others couldn’t help but comment on how strange the contest was.
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.
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.
Colby Covington says he's "the best welterweight on Earth" despite UFC 296 loss to Leon Edwards
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2024
Colby Covington says he remains the best welterweight in the world, despite losing to Leon Edwards for the UFC’s welterweight title back at UFC 296. Covington suffered a lackluster decision loss to Edwards in a fight he broke his foot in the first round. Although ‘Chaos’ lost the fight, he remains confident he will work his way back to an undisputed title shot as Covington still considers himself the best welterweight on the planet.
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.
Ilia Topuria dismisses future fight with 'beginner' Paddy Pimblett: "His last fight was embarrassing"
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2024
UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria isn’t interested in facing Paddy Pimblett in a cage. ‘El Matador’ is currently slated for the biggest fight of his life later this month at UFC 298. Fresh off a dominant win over Josh Emmett last summer, Ilia Topuria will attempt to win featherweight gold. On pay-per-view, he will face the dominant Alexander Volkanovski, back for the first time since a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev last October.
VIDEO | Former rivals Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili have wholesome reunion
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2024
Former UFC rivals Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili had a nice meeting earlier this week. The rivalry between ‘Magnum’ and the Polish fighter is likely to go down as one of the best in women’s MMA history. Back in March 2020 at UFC 248, Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Zhang Weili met for the first time. With women’s strawweight gold on the line, the two went back and forth for 25 minutes.