MMA News
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.
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.
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.
Raquel Pennington believes Kayla Harrison will be "exposed" in UFC debut: "She has huge hype following her"
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2024
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington believes that Kayla Harrison will be exposed in April. Earlier this month, Dana White announced that the Judoka had finally signed with the UFC. For the former two-time PFL tournament winner, the move was one long in the making. In April, Kayla Harrison will compete in the milestone UFC 300 event, against former champion Holly Holm.
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.
Paul Felder details conversations with UFC brass about a potential comeback against Jim Miller at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2024
Paul Felder knew shortly after UFC Vegas 84 that he wasn’t going to be fighting Jim Miller at UFC 300. After Miller scored a submission win, he called out Felder for UFC 300, and ‘The Irish Dragon’ was interested in ending his retirement for the fight. However, after the event, he spoke to Sean Shelby and others in the UFC brass who quickly shot down that fight.
Daniel Cormier explains why Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3 would be the “perfect” headliner for UFC 300
Susan Cox - January 31, 2024
Daniel Cormier is explaining why Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz 3 would be the ‘perfect’ headliner for UFC 300. Diaz (21-13 MMA) and McGregor (22-6 MMA) fought way back in 2016. It was in March of that year, at UFC 196, where Diaz defeated the Irishman by submission. The following August of that same year, saw McGregor defeat Diaz by majority decision at UFC 202.
Bruce Buffer shuts down Jim Miller's request for unique introduction at UFC 300: "I don't like cursing in my job"
Cole Shelton - January 31, 2024
Bruce Buffer won’t be announcing Jim Miller with a unique introduction at UFC 300. Miller has competed at both UFC 100 and 200 and got his wish of fighting at UFC 300 as he will take on Bobby Green. Ahead of the fight, Miller asked Buffer if he could announce him a ‘Jim F*****g Miller’.
Sean Brady forced out of UFC Atlantic City main event with Vicente Luque
Susan Cox - January 31, 2024
Sean Brady has been forced out of UFC Atlantic City main event with Vicente Luque. It was recently announced by UFC CEO Dana White that Sean Brady and Vincente Luque were going to headline the welterweight event on Saturday, March 30th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Robert Whittaker confident Paulo Costa will show up to fight at UFC 298
Susan Cox - January 31, 2024
Raquel Pennington blasts ESPN’s Ryan Clark for calling for the end of women’s bantamweight: “You're not living in our shoes”
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2024
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington has hit back at Ryan Clark for suggesting the promotion should consider getting rid of the division. At UFC 297, Raquel Pennington finally reached the top of the mountain. She defeated Mayra Bueno Silva to capture the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. While it was a triumphant moment for her, some fans felt as if the bout underdelivered.
Justin Gaethje wants to be the first man to knockout Max Holloway at UFC 300
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2024
Justin Gaethje has declared that he wants to be the first man to knock Max Holloway out when they meet at UFC 300. At UFC 300, there’s a decent chance we could see one of the most violent fights in UFC history. That’s because Justin Gaethje will defend his BMF championship against Max Holloway, in a bout between two of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts.
Tyron Woodley sounds off on “disrespectful” Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy: “I don’t like him”
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2024
Former UFC fighter Tyron Woodley has lashed out at Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy. It’s been a while since we last saw Tyron Woodley compete. In recent years, his most notable appearances came in the form of back-to-back boxing defeats at the hands of Jake Paul.
Marat Grigorian "feels great" to beat rival Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong again at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 31, 2024
Marat Grigorian left no stone unturned at ONE 165 this past weekend. He claimed what he deems the most satisfying victory in his long-standing rivalry with Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. Both men faced each other for the sixth time at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, and Grigorian did not disappoint.
Shinya Aoki silences retirement talks following ONE 165 win
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 30, 2024
Shinya Aoki has made it clear that he’s not ready to call it quits just yet. This comes on the heels of Aoki’s first-round submission victory over former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker in their openweight bout at ONE 165 this past weekend.
Corey Anderson vs. Karl Moore vacant title bout to headline Bellator's 2024 return event
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2024
Corey Anderson and Karl Moore will fight for the vacant Bellator light-heavyweight title in March. Bellator itself has had a strange last few months, to put it mildly. In November, the Scott Coker-led company was bought out by the PFL, but not to merge the two promotions. Instead, Donn Davis planned to run both companies as separate entities. But, allow for crossover between the two brands.