MMA News
Jon Anik walks back on comments about leaving the UFC after fan controversy: "This is my life's work"
Josh Evanoff - February 1, 2024
Don’t expect to see UFC commentator Jon Anik going anywhere, anytime soon. The UFC 297 main event featuring Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis was as controversial as it gets. While the fight itself was very close, many fans were angry at ‘Stillknocks’ getting the judges’ nod. Many on social media slammed those who agreed with the decision, including Jon Anik.
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.
Israel Adesanya teases potential return at UFC 300: "The gods must be crazy"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2024
Former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is teasing a return at UFC 300. Adesanya is coming off a decision loss to Sean Strickland in September to lose his middleweight title and after the fight, he said he would be taking some much-needed time off. ‘The Last Stylebender’ originally joked he would be off until 2027, but clarified he’s focusing on quality fights and not quantity in the back-end of his career.
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.
Chael Sonnen shuts down comparisons between Kayla Harrison and Ronda Rousey: “She has never made a dollar for the promoter”
Harry Kettle - February 1, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has questioned those who compare Kayla Harrison with Ronda Rousey. For the longest time now, Kayla Harrison has been seen by many as the second coming of Ronda Rousey. That isn’t universally true for every MMA fan out there, but it’s certainly been a popular thought.
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.
Rafael Fiziev claims Justin Gaethje "ran away" from him in their fight, 'The Highlight' fires back
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2024
Rafael Fiziev says Justin Gaethje ran away from him in their UFC 286 fight last March. Fiziev was facing Gaethje in the co-main event of the pay-per-view card in London, England in a massive fight for the lightweight division. It was a back-and-forth scrap that was very entertaining, but in the end, it was Gaethje who got his hand raised by majority decision.
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.
Kevin Lee announces he’s ending his MMA retirement: "I’m dropping weight and getting into shape now"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2024
Kevin Lee will be ending his retirement from MMA. Lee announced his retirement back in July, in a move that surprised many. The 3o-year-old took to Instagram where he revealed that injuries played a massive role in why he decided to step away from MMA.
Joe Rogan explains why he 'hates' UFC 300's Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2024
Joe Rogan isn’t a huge fan of UFC 300’s ‘BMF’ title fight between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje. Earlier this month, Dana White announced plans for ‘Blessed’ to face ‘The Highlight’ at the milestone event in April. While the fight card isn’t yet filled out, the lightweight contest will serve as one of the main bouts on UFC 300. For Max Holloway, the fight will be his first since a knockout win over The Korean Zombie last August.
VIDEO: Rampage Jackson announces June boxing match with Shannon Briggs
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2024
It appears that former UFC champion Rampage Jackson will finally be boxing Shannon Briggs. The former UFC champion hasn’t been seen in action since a knockout loss to Fedor Emelianenko in late 2019. That bout was the last of Rampage Jackson’s deal with Bellator, and the company declined to re-sign him following the defeat. For a long time, it appeared that he was done fighting.