MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dustin Poirier says UFC 299 fight against Benoit Saint-Denis is back on after a "misunderstanding"
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2024
Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis will be fighting at UFC 299 after all. Back in January, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Poirier will face Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 299, which will also be a five-round fight. It’s a highly-anticipated scrap and a massive fight for the lightweight division, but on Thursday morning, ‘The Diamond’ took to social media to claim the fight was off.
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: