MMA News
Jonathan Haggerty looks to squash personal beef with Felipe Lobo at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 2, 2024
Jonathan Haggerty’s next outing entails a narrative that goes beyond the pursuit of glory. The Englishman attempts to defend his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against #3-ranked contender Felipe Lobo in the main event of ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. The spectacle airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 16.
Dana White, Sylvester Stallone and other celebrities pay tribute to the "great" Carl Weathers
Chris Taylor - February 2, 2024
Tributes are pouring in for the beloved actor Carl Weathers following his death at age seventy-six. Weathers, who is best known for his role as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise, “died peacefully in his sleep” on Thursday morning according to his family.
Manny Pacquiao officially "out of retirement", targets Conor McGregor fight: "Two of the biggest names together"
Josh Evanoff - February 2, 2024
Boxing legend Manny Pacquaio is out of retirement, and he wants to face Conor McGregor. ‘PacMan’ retired from professional boxing following a 2021 unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas. However, almost as soon as Manny Pacquiao retired from boxing, he began to tease a comeback. Many figured that the boxer retired from fighting, mainly to focus on his run for President of the Philippines.
Dricus du Plessis is determined to get UFC South Africa: "If I have to wait it out a couple of months, I'm willing to do that"
Josh Evanoff - February 2, 2024
Middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis badly wants to get the UFC to his home country. ‘Stillknocks’ is fresh off his return to the cage last month at UFC 297 in Canada. There, Dricus du Plessis fought in his first title fight, against middleweight champion Sean Strickland. For ‘Tarzan’, the title defense was his first since capturing the championship with an upset win over Israel Adesanya last September.
Urijah Faber gives his side of the story as to why Sage Northcutt didn't fight at ONE 165: "There’s a lot of miscommunication"
Cole Shelton - February 2, 2024
Urijah Faber has opened up on why Sage Northcutt didn’t fight at ONE 165 last weekend. Northcutt was booked to face MMA legend Shinya Aoki on the card in a highly-anticipated matchup. However, the night before the fight, two of Northcutt’s cornermen couldn’t get visas and weren’t allowed to be in his corner, so he opted not to fight without his core team being with him.
Geoff Neal eyes second round finish over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 298: “It’ll be satisfying for sure”
Susan Cox - February 2, 2024
Geoff Neal is eyeing a second-round finish over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 298. UFC 298 takes place on Saturday, February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Bellator champion Johnny Eblen claims the UFC announced ‘Poirier vs. Saint-Denis’ without “even a verbal agreement” in place
Susan Cox - February 2, 2024
Bellator champion Johnny Eblen is claiming the UFC announced the ‘Poirier vs. Saint-Denis’ without ‘even a verbal agreement’ in place. It was UFC CEO Dana White who, on January 10th, made the announcement of Poirier (29-8 MMA) vs. Saint-Denis (13-1 MMA) in the co-main lightweight event at UFC 299 which takes place on March 9th at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
UFC Vegas 85: ‘Dolidze vs. Imavov’ Weigh-in Results - 1 Fighter Misses Weight
Susan Cox - February 2, 2024
UFC Vegas 85 takes place tomorrow, Saturday, February 3rd at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC weigh-ins took place today at the UFC Apex.
“Wondergirl” faces Dayane Cardoso in mixed rules contest at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 2, 2024
Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak makes her return to the ring in a hybrid-style matchup on February 16. This time, she faces Dayane Cardoso in a women’s strawweight mixed rules contest at ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. The event airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jon Anik explains why he’s “so thankful” that the UFC allows freedom of speech: “There isn't a double standard”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2024
UFC commentator Jon Anik has explained why he’s a fan of the promotion’s view on freedom of speech. For the longest time now, Jon Anik has been the voice of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s spent years carving out a reputation for himself as one of the best in the game, and fans hold him in high regard.
Geoff Neal says Colby Covington should be removed from the UFC rankings if he turns down Shavkat Rakhmonov: “He's like bottlenecking the top of the division”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2024
Geoff Neal has given his thoughts on Colby Covington’s future if he chooses not to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov. In the final PPV event of 2023, Colby Covington came up short. He failed in his attempt to capture the UFC welterweight championship from Leon Edwards, dropping a convincing decision loss.
Leon Edwards says Conor McGregor has given more than he’s taken in MMA: “He’s great for the sport”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s legacy in mixed martial arts. Over the course of the last decade or so, Conor McGregor has firmly established himself as the biggest star in the history of MMA. He has won championships, and he has sold millions of pay-per-views; he has become quite the entrepreneur outside of the cage.
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.
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.
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.