MMA News
Itsuki Hirata aims to deliver exciting performance at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 25, 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.
Kade Ruotolo aiming for decisive finish over old foe Tommy Langaker: “I want to submit him”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 25, 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.
UFC 300 is now up to ten fights with the addition of Diego Lopes vs. Sodiq Yusuff
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
UFC 300 has added its 10th fight of the card as a featherweight banger between Diego Lopes and Sodiq Yusuff is set. UFC CEO Dana White announced on his Instagram story on Wednesday that Lopes will return to the Octagon at UFC 300 on April 13 against 12th-ranked featherweight Yusuff. UFC 300 is set to take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Six new fights added to UFC Vegas 88 in March
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
Six new fights have been added to UFC Vegas 88 on March 16 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The UFC sent out a press release announcing the new fights, with the card being headlined by a heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura.
Kayla Harrison opens as gigantic favorite over Holly Holm at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
Kayla Harrison is a massive betting favorite to beat Holly Holm in her UFC debut at UFC 300. On Tuesday evening, UFC CEO Dana White made a shocking announcement that the promotion signed former PFL women’s lightweight champion Harrison and that she will make her debut at UFC 300 opposite Holly Holm. Along with that, the fight will take place at 135lbs, which will be the first time Harrison fights at bantamweight in her career.
Conor McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal's 'Road House' gets release date, poster revealed
Josh Evanoff - January 24, 2024
The film debut of former UFC dual-weight champion Conor McGregor is set for March 21st. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the cage since his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in July 2021. That bout infamously saw Conor McGregor break his leg in the final seconds of round one. As a result of the injury, the former UFC champion left the USADA testing pool to heal. Along the way, he also got his first movie role.
Frank Shamrock slams the UFC for "erasing history" of his accomplishments: "Can't wait for the antitrust lawsuit"
Josh Evanoff - January 24, 2024
Former light-heavyweight champion Frank Shamrock still has some issues with Dana White and the UFC. The brother of Ken Shamrock and leader of the Lion’s Den gym was one of the earliest stars of the company. In 1997, Frank Shamrock submitted Kevin Jackson to win the inaugural UFC light-heavyweight title. Over the next few years, he established himself as one of the greatest fighters on the planet.
Kayla Harrison releases first statement after booking UFC 300 fight against Holly Holm: "My time is now"
Josh Evanoff - January 24, 2024
Kayla Harrison couldn’t be more excited to finally join the UFC and fight Holly Holm. Last night, UFC executive Dana White took to social media to announce the Judoka’s signing. For Kayla Harrison, her signing was long in the making. Since signing with the PFL in 2018, she’s teased a move to the promotion. In April, she will finally get the chance to fight in the octagon, against former bantamweight champion Holly Holm at the historic UFC 300.
Chatri Sityodtong shuts down reports of ONE Championship's financial struggles: "Every year we hit a new record high in every metric"
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
ONE Championship founder Chatri Sityodtong has shut down reports that his promotion is struggling financially. Recently, an article came out that ONE is searching for more funding, and Qatar was “embarrassed” by its association with ONE because of ONE’s “weak financials.”
Robert Whittaker doesn’t believe the UFC 297 main event outcome was controversial: “He wanted it more”
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
Former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker does not believe the UFC 297 main event outcome was controversial. It was at UFC 297 this past weekend that Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) went up against Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) for the middleweight champion belt. The result was a split decision victory for ‘Stillknocks’.
Jon Anik admits he went a bit overboard in hyping Mike Malott ahead of UFC 297: “Sometimes we get ahead of ourselves”
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
Jon Anik is admitting he went a bit overboard in hyping Mike Malott ahead of UFC 297. UFC 297 took place in front of a sellout crowd this past Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Cris Cyborg reacts to Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm booking, asks Dana White for a spot on UFC 300
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
Cris Cyborg is reacting to Kayla Harrison vs. Holly Holm booking and asking Dana White for a spot on UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Brendan Schaub dubs Bo Nickal “the Tim Tebow” of the UFC
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub has compared rising prospect Bo Nickal to Tim Tebow as he continues his journey with the promotion. So far in his mixed martial arts career, Bo Nickal has been pretty much perfect. He holds a 5-0 record, with all five of his victories coming via first-round finish. At UFC 300, he faces his biggest test yet when he goes head to head with Cody Brundage. The expectation is that he’ll pick up the win, but the pressure is still on the 28-year-old to ensure he does so in spectacular fashion.
Max Holloway believes “a lot of doors are going to get opened” after UFC 300 fight with Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
UFC star Max Holloway believes that big things are ahead for him as he prepares for a UFC 300 showdown with Justin Gaethje. At UFC 300, Max Holloway will challenge Justin Gaethje for the BMF championship. The two blockbuster attractions are both known for their exciting fight styles, and we’re expecting to see them showcase that for the world to see in Las Vegas.
Carlos Ulberg gets new opponent for UFC Atlantic City after Dominick Reyes is forced to withdraw
Harry Kettle - January 24, 2024
UFC light heavyweight Carlos Ulberg will now take on Alonzo Menifield at UFC Atlantic City, as per the promotion. For the longest time now, Carlos Ulberg has been making a push to enter the top 15 of the light heavyweight division. He’s currently riding a five-fight win streak, with four of those wins coming via finish. His hard work set him up for a big clash with Dominick Reyes, which was set to take place on March 30 at UFC Atlantic City.
Kayla Harrison signs with UFC, set to debut at UFC 300 against former champion Holly Holm
Cole Shelton - January 23, 2024
Kayla Harrison is a UFC fighter and will be making her debut at UFC 300. UFC CEO Dana White announced on Tuesday night that the promotion has signed Harrison and she will debut at UFC 300 on April 13 against former bantamweight champ Holly Holm. The fight will also take place at bantamweight, which will be the first time Harrison competes at 135lbs in her MMA career.
Ariel Helwani responds to Dana White's "total bulls**t" claims about UFC Saudi Arabia postponement
Zain Bando - January 23, 2024
Longtime MMA journalist Ariel Helwani continues to defend himself against UFC CEO Dana White. Most recently, Helwani reported that the UFC’s plans to host an event in Saudi Arabia on March 2 were pushed back to June due to the country’s dissatisfaction with the event. At the UFC 297 post-fight press conference, White was asked about the report without the mention of Helwani’s name.
Chatri Sityodtong provides update on Demetrious Johnson's fighting future: "He says he doesn't have the burning desire"
Cole Shelton - January 23, 2024
ONE Championship founder Chatri Sityodtong has provided an update on flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson. Johnson is coming off a decision win over Adriano Moraes to defend his flyweight title last May and after the fight, he hinted that may be it for him. ‘Mighty Mouse’ has accomplished a ton in his career as he’s won titles in both UFC and ONE Championship, and at age 37 there isn’t much left for him to do in his career.