MMA News
Takeru determined to dethrone Superlek in Japan: "I will give it my all"
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 26, 2024
Takeru Segawa is not just looking for a victory in his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut this Sunday, January 28. He challenges Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title in the main event of ONE 165. This card broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Former UFC champion Brock Lesnar named in WWE sex trafficking lawsuit
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has been named in a WWE sex trafficking lawsuit. Yesterday, a bombshell was dropped on the world of professional wrestling. In a report from the Wall Street Journal, it was revealed that former WWE employee Janel Grant had filed a lawsuit that alleged Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis engaged in sex trafficking activities against her. In addition, the report suggested that McMahon sexually abused and exploited Grant on numerous occasions.
Michael Bisping agrees with Stipe Miocic’s decision to turn down Tom Aspinall fight at UFC 300: “The man’s 42 years old in August”
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has explained why he agrees with Stipe Miocic’s decision not to fight Tom Aspinall. As many fans know, Stipe Miocic was scheduled to challenge Jon Jones for the UFC heavyweight championship last November. Unfortunately, due to an injury sustained by Jon, the bout was called off.
Robert Whittaker explains why he’s picking “awkward” Dricus du Plessis to defeat Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2024
UFC star Robert Whittaker has explained why he’s picking Dricus du Plessis to defeat Israel Adesanya in their rumored showdown. Last weekend, Dricus du Plessis made a pretty emphatic statement when defeated Sean Strickland to become the new UFC middleweight champion. The win completed his meteoric rise to the top of the 185-pound division.
Gillian Robertson says UFC 297 fight was "picture-perfect", hopes a ranked opponent is next
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
Gillian Robertson knew she would have a ton of success on the ground against Polyana Viana at UFC 297. Robertson entered the fight as the betting favorite and on paper it was a grappler vs. grappler matchup. However, when Robertson fights she knows not many people want to go to the ground with her, so she was glad to get matched up with Viana at UFC 297 as she knew that wouldn’t be a problem.
OKTAGON's Matěj Peňáz says "direct offer to UFC" is goal
Zain Bando - January 25, 2024
OKTAGON’s Matěj Peňáz returns to the cage for the first time since December on a two-fight winning streak opposite Matthew Bonner (16-9-1 MMA) on Saturday at OKTAGON 52 in Newcastle, England. The event airs live on DAZN and the promotion’s official website (via internet pay-per-view), beginning at noon ET/9 a.m. PT in the U.S. Peňáz (8-1 MMA) spoke to BJPenn.com ahead of his middleweight fight about his training camp, Bonner as an opponent, and future MMA career aspirations.
Justin Gaethje details the problems Max Holloway will pose at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
Justin Gaethje knows beating Max Holloway at UFC 300 will be easier said than done. Gaethje is set to defend his BMF title against Holloway in an intriguing matchup where the winner could get the next lightweight title shot. Heading into the fight, Gaethje is the betting favorite, but ‘The Highlight’ says he isn’t paying any attention to that as he knows Holloway is always a tough out.
Brendan Schaub offers promising update after daughter's emergency surgery: "Forever grateful"
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub has released a promising update about the health of his daughter. ‘Big Brown’ has been retired from fighting for nearly a decade now. Following a knockout loss to Travis Browne, Brendan Schaub decided to hang the gloves up for good. At the urging of his friend Joe Rogan, the heavyweight contender instead got into podcasting and later stand-up comedy.
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson weigh in on Kayla Harrison’s decision to sign with UFC: “I think she went where the easier fights are”
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
John McCarthy and Josh Thomson believe Kayla Harrison signed with the UFC to go after easier fights. Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced the promotion has signed Harrison and she will debut at UFC 300 against Holly Holm. It was a shocking announcement and former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson was disappointed with the signing.
Mark Hunt sends a warning to UFC CEO Dana White and former opponent Brock Lesnar: “Karma is going to sting your ass so hard this year”
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt is still unhappy with Dana White and Brock Lesnar. ‘The Super Samoan’ recently announced his intention to return to fighting under the BKFC banner. While Mark Hunt hasn’t competed in MMA since a December 2018 loss to Justin Willis, he has been busy in boxing. In November 2022, he handed the previously undefeated Sonny Bill Williams his first career loss by knockout.
Watch | Conor McGregor headbutt’s Jake Gyllenhaal in official 'Road House' movie trailer (Video)
Josh Evanoff - January 25, 2024
Former UFC dual-weight champion Conor McGregor got physical with Jake Gyllenhaal during the filming of ‘Road House’. ‘The Notorious’ has been out of the octagon since a first-round stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. That defeat to ‘The Diamond’ saw Conor McGregor snap his leg in the final seconds of the frame. As a result, the Irishman decided to take a long hiatus to heal. He even left the USADA testing pool and began to focus on other projects.
WATCH | Dricus Du Plessis gets incredible reception as he returns to South Africa with UFC title
Cole Shelton - January 25, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis got a hero’s welcome in South Africa after becoming the UFC middleweight champion at UFC 297. Du Plessis scored a split-decision win over Sean Strickland on Saturday night to become the promotion’s new 185lbs champion. After the win, he stayed in Toronto for a couple of days to celebrate. When he returned home, ‘DDP’ got an incredible reception as it looked like hundreds, if not thousands of people were there to welcome Du Plessis back to South Africa.
Jon Anik says toxic fight fans could lead to career change: “I don’t know how much time I have left in this MMA space”
Susan Cox - January 25, 2024
UFC commentator Jon Anik is growing tired of toxic fight fans and says a career change could be on the horizon. It was just this past Saturday, at UFC 297, that saw Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) defeat Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) to become the new UFC middleweight champion.
Report | Mike Tyson will return to the ring for a bout with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko
Susan Cox - January 25, 2024
Mike Tyson will reportedly be returning to the ring for a bout with MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko. Tyson, a former professional boxer competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed ‘Iron Mike’ and ‘Kid Dynamite’ ‘ early in his career, he is perhaps best known as ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’.
Daniel Cormier responds after Jon Jones takes issue with his “bad employee” remarks: “I also said a ton of nice things about you”
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has responded to Jon Jones as their rivalry appears to have been reignited. In recent weeks, we’ve seen a lot of texts and emails being leaked to the public as part of the UFC’s ongoing anti-trust case. In one of the exchanges from back in 2014, Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta had some less-than-pleasant things to say about Jon Jones. At the time, ‘Bones’ was in the midst of a contract dispute with the promotion.
PFL announces the end of their women’s featherweight division, will be replaced by flyweight
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2024
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced that their women’s featherweight division will be replaced by flyweight. Ever since it was confirmed that the PFL had purchased Bellator, there’s been a lot of hype surrounding the promotion. From the crossover events to the roster and beyond, this is the best chance PFL has at becoming a legitimate contender to the UFC. Of course, some will disagree with that, but nobody can deny that they’re making significant moves.
Dana White teases “crazy” event headliner for UFC 300: “You guys can’t handle the main event”
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has teased a major headliner for the upcoming UFC 300 pay-per-view. On April 13, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will put on one of their biggest ever shows. UFC 300 will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and we already have ten blockbuster fights that have been announced.
Tommy Langaker seeks redemption against Kade Ruotolo at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 25, 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.