MMA News
Michael Bisping explains how Colby Covington could earn a fourth title shot in short order: "If you want to become the man, you gotta beat the man"
Chris Taylor - February 2, 2024
Michael Bisping believes Colby Covington could be one win away from a fourth UFC title shot if he plays his cards right. Covington (17-4 MMA) is of course coming off a lopsided unanimous decision loss to reigning welterweight kingpin Leon Edwards back at UFC 296. That setback marked the third time that ‘Chaos’ has come up short in his quest to become the promotion’s undisputed welterweight champion.
Dominick Reyes understands Jon Jones' decision not to fight Tom Aspinall: "It’s too dangerous and not enough payoff"
Chris Taylor - February 2, 2024
Dominick Reyes says he understands Jon Jones’ decision not to fight current UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Reyes (12-4 MMA) gave Jones (27-1 MMA) everything he could handle in their light heavyweight title fight at UFC 247 in 2020 but wound up on the wrong end of the judges’ scorecards that evening in Houston, Texas.
Robert Whittaker confident he would dethrone Dricus Du Plessis in a rematch: "9 times out of 10 I beat him"
Chris Taylor - February 2, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is confident he would dethrone Dricus Du Plessis if given a rematch. Whittaker (24-7 MMA) and Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) collided last July in Las Vegas, where the South African defeated the New Zealand-born Australian by way of second-round TKO.
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.
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.
Joe Rogan renews contract with Spotify to stream podcast, deal reportedly worth $250 million
Josh Evanoff - February 2, 2024
It’s a good time to be UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The longtime color commentator is one of the most famous MMA personalities and has been for years. Thanks to the success of his ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, his popularity has only grown. Starting in 2009, the comedian and UFC analyst began interviewing everyone from politicians to fighters. Over the following decade, the show exploded in popularity.
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.
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.
Daniel Cormier names his favorite fight on the current UFC 300 lineup
Susan Cox - February 2, 2024
Daniel Cormier is naming his favorite fight on the current UFC 300 lineup. The former UFC dual champion is sharing his own favorite fight coming into the historic UFC 300 which takes place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“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.
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.
Anthony Smith questions Paulo Costa’s status as heavy-hitting knockout artist: “He hasn’t knocked out anybody in a while”
Harry Kettle - February 2, 2024
Anthony Smith has questioned Paulo Costa’s status as a knockout artist given his record in recent years. At UFC 298, Paulo Costa will finally make his return to the Octagon. He’ll do so when he collides with Robert Whittaker, with many believing a big win could get him right back into title contention. Of course, with just one win in the last three and a half years, there’s a lot of work to be done.
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.
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.