MMA News
Coach Eric Nicksick reveals how Francis Ngannou can KO Anthony Joshua: "Francis will find you"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2024
Francis Ngannou’s MMA coach believes he knows where his fighter can catch Anthony Joshua slipping. After shocking the world, not with a win but with his performance against Tyson Fury last year, Ngannou is scheduled to fight Joshua on March 8 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reports have claimed that the winner will most likely compete for undisputed gold after Fury and Oleksandr Usyk settle their February 17 showdown for all the gold.
Anthony Joshua downplays undisputed title shot if he beats Francis Ngannou: "I'm not focusing on that"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2024
Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua insists he isn’t thinking about undisputed gold going into his planned fight with Francis Ngannou. When Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn and Queensberry Promotions’ Frank Warren came together to host a heavyweight themed event in Saudi Arabia in late 2023, the idea was to set the stage for a 2024 showdown between Joshua and Deontay Wilder. It wasn’t meant to be, as Wilder was defeated by Joseph Parker via unanimous decision. Joshua finished Otto Wallin with relative ease.
Bo Nickal dismisses Khamzat Chimaev as credible UFC middleweight challenger: "He has fought less 85'ers than me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2024
Bo Nickal thinks it’s inevitable that Khamzat Chimaev will receive a UFC title shot, but he doesn’t feel he deserves one. Chimaev had been promised a UFC Middleweight Championship opportunity with a win over Kamaru Usman at UFC 294. Chimaev defeated the former welterweight titleholder via majority decision, and he’s been pounding the table to get his shot. Some believe Israel Adesanya is the favorite to fight Dricus Du Plessis for the gold next despite his hiatus.
Miesha Tate sees Kayla Harrison having rough time in UFC bantamweight division: "It's not the best move"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2024
Miesha Tate couldn’t believe the news that Kayla Harrison would be cutting down to 135 pounds for her UFC debut. UFC CEO Dana White dropped a bombshell when he announced that former PFL champion Kayla Harrison will be featured on the UFC 300 card on April 13. She’ll be facing former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm at 135 pounds. When Harrison competed under the PFL banner, she was in the lightweight division.
Arnold Allen reflects on UFC 297 loss to Movsar Evloev: "Round two, I f***ed that one up"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2024
Arnold Allen is in reflection mode following his close UFC 297 defeat against Movsar Evloev. Allen and Evloev shared the Octagon on January 20 inside Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was three hard-fought rounds of action between these two. The featherweight clash went all three rounds and Evloev was awarded the unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28 across the board.
Sage Northcutt issues statement following withdrawal from ONE 165 fight against Shinya Aoki
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2024
Sage Northcutt has spoken out after being pulled from a ONE Championship card. Northcutt had been scheduled to meet Shinya Aoki at ONE 165 on January 28. That plan went awry at the last minute, as the former UFC star ended up bowing out of the matchup. He was replaced by John Lineker, who was submitted by Aoki in the first round.
ONE 165 Results: Shinya Aoki submits John Lineker in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - January 28, 2024
A lightweight fight between MMA veterans John Lineker and Shinya Aoki took place at tonight’s ONE 165 event at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Aoki was originally slated to face former UFC fighter Sage Northcutt (12-3 MMA) at tonight’s event; however, ‘Super Sage‘ pulled out at the last minute due to corner issues, which led to Lineker stepping in.
ONE 165 Results: Garry Tonon submits Martin Nguyen in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - January 28, 2024
A highly anticipated featherweight MMA fight between Martin Nguyen and Garry Tonon took place at tonight’s ONE 165 event at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The animosity between Nguyen and Tonon has been simmering for years, playing out vividly on social media platforms. However, tonight the time had come for the verbal jabs to transform into physical combat.
Kade Ruotolo aiming for decisive finish over old foe Tommy Langaker: “I want to submit him”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 27, 2024
Kade Ruotolo is on a mission to prove a point when he runs it back with Tommy Langaker this weekend. The rematch happens in the co-headliner of ONE 165. There, Ruotolo’s ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title will be on the line. This event airs live on pay-per-view from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, this Sunday, January 28.
Itsuki Hirata aims to deliver exciting performance at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 27, 2024
When Itsuki Hirata steps into the ring at ONE 165 on Sunday, January 28, it won’t just be a battle for victory. For “Android 18,” her mission is to put forth an impressive performance at her long-awaited homecoming.
Joe Rogan reacts to fans chanting "F**k Trudeau" at UFC 297 in Toronto: "Canada get your sh*t together"
Chris Taylor - January 27, 2024
Joe Rogan has called for Canada to “get their sh*t together” after fans were chanting “F**k Trudeau” at UFC 297 in Toronto. The Ultimate Fighting Championship made its highly anticipated return to Canada earlier this month for the UFC 297 pay-per-view event. Headlining the card was a middleweight title fight between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis.
Frankie Edgar on Michael Chandler fighting Conor McGregor at middleweight: "I’m saying Chandler all the way"
Chris Taylor - January 27, 2024
Frankie Edgar has weighed in on the rumored middleweight fight between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor. It was on New Year’s Eve that ‘Notorious’ took to ‘X‘ with a video announcement stating that he would be returning to action on June 29 at International Fight Week for a middleweight bout with Michael Chandler.
Dillon Danis takes issue with Sean Strickland's criticism of Jon Anik: "Coming from the guy who cried and threatened murder"
Chris Taylor - January 27, 2024
Dillon Danis found it comical that Sean Strickland would have the gull to criticize UFC commentator Jon Anik. Anik made headlines two days ago when he hinted at a career change, suggesting he was growing tired of the ever-toxic MMA space.
Conor McGregor teases his return at UFC 300, Nate Diaz and Michael Chandler react
Chris Taylor - January 27, 2024
Conor McGregor teased a return at UFC 300 on Friday night, spawning reactions from Michael Chandler and Nate Diaz. McGregor (22-6 MMA) spent most of yesterday promoting his new movie ‘Road House‘ with a series of messages and video trailers on ‘X‘. However, the Irishman concluded his evening by sharing the following cryptic tweet, hinting at a return at April’s historic UFC 300 event.
UFC commentator Jon Anik issues apology to the MMA fan base: "I was in a heightened emotional state"
Chris Taylor - January 27, 2024
UFC commentator Jon Anik has issued an apology to the MMA fan base for the recent comments he made on his podcast. It was just two days ago that Anik, a long-time play-by-play man for the UFC, made headlines when he told Kenny Florian that he was growing tired of the MMA space.
Sean Strickland reacts after Jon Anik hints at career change due to toxic MMA fans: "These people are why you have a paycheck"
Chris Taylor - January 26, 2024
Sean Strickland has reacted after UFC commentator Jon Anik hinted at a possible career change due to toxic MMA fans. It was just yesterday that Anik, a long-time play-by-play man for the UFC, made headlines when he told Kenny Florian that he was growing tired of the MMA space.
Tommy Langaker seeks redemption against Kade Ruotolo at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 26, 2024
The flame of redemption burns brightly for Tommy Langaker as he gears up for a rematch against Kade Ruotolo. Both men are slated to run it back for Ruotolo’s ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title in the co-main event of ONE 165. It takes place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, this Sunday, January 28.
Hiroba Minowa, Keito Yamakita aiming for statement wins at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 26, 2024
ONE 165 this Sunday, January 28, will see two of Japan’s rising strawweight MMA stars — Hiroba Minowa and Keito Yamakita — stepping into the Circle to prove their mettle on the global stage. Minowa, the current #3-ranked divisional contender, squares off against #4-ranked Gustavo Balart. The fight happens on a stacked card at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.