MMA News
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.
Sean O’Malley says he “doesn’t care to think” about UFC 300
Zain Bando - January 26, 2024
Sean O’Malley is a little over a month away from his first bantamweight title defense against Marlon Vera at UFC 299, which headlines the event from Miami, Fla., March 9 on ESPN+ pay-per-view. O’Malley, who won the title against Aljamain Sterling in August at UFC 292 in Boston, MA, at TD Garden, became one of just two DWCS alumni to win a championship since the show was established in 2017.
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.
Dricus Du Plessis claims Sean Strickland admitted he lost before UFC 297 scorecards were read
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis says Sean Strickland admitted defeat after their middleweight title fight at UFC 297 went the distance. Strickland was looking to defend his title for the first time against Du Plessis and their highly anticipated bout resulted in a back-and-forth scrap. When the final bell rang many were torn on who won, as it likely came down to the second round.
Jamahal Hill wants “biggest money fight” upon UFC return
Zain Bando - January 26, 2024
Jamahal Hill brought UFC light heavyweight gold back to the Midwest MMA scene in January 2023, only to have his title reign halted by an Achilles injury just six months later. Jamahal Hill has been out of competition since, and will likely get a chance to reclaim the gold he never lost upon his return to the Octagon.
46-year-old Yoel Romero downplays age ahead of PFL vs. Bellator card: "My performances have been good!"
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2024
46-year-old Yoel Romero believes that his age is somewhat of an advantage ahead of his return at PFL vs. Bellator next month. ‘Soldier of God’ has been out of the cage since a clash with Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 297 in June. That bout was a major one for Yoel Romero, as it was his first title bout since a 2020 decision loss to Israel Adesanya. To earn the bout, he scored dominant knockout wins over Melvin Manhoef, and Alex Polizzi.
Jared Cannonier says he could be ready to fight at UFC 300, eyes Dricus Du Plessis or Khamzat Chimaev next
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2024
Middleweight contender Jared Cannonier is the latest to show interest in fighting at UFC 300 in April. ‘The Killa Gorilla’ has been out of action since a unanimous decision win over Marvin Vettori in June. That victory was the second in a row for Jared Cannonier, previously defeating Sean Strickland in December 2022. After Paulo Costa withdrew, the seemingly ageless middleweight also got a call to face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 last October.
Justin Gaethje explains why he turned down Benoit Saint-Denis fight, responds to comments from Joe Rogan
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2024
The decision for Justin Gaethje to not fight rising UFC lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis was a simple one. ‘The Highlight’ recently booked his return to the cage for April, at the milestone UFC 300 event. There, Justin Gaethje will face former featherweight champion Max Holloway in a defense of his ceremonial ‘BMF’ title. The lightweight famously captured the gold with a second-round knockout win over Dustin Poirier last July.
Tony Ferguson reveals he fought Paddy Pimblett with a torn MCL, undergoes knee surgery
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2024
Tony Ferguson entered his UFC 296 fight against Paddy Pimblett with a serious knee injury. Ferguson took to social media to reveal he underwent knee surgery to replace his torn MCL. According to ‘El Cucuy’ he suffered the injury in November just before Thanksgiving but decided to continue with the fight.
Sean O'Malley says UFC 299 performance against Marlon Vera will be something "unseen before"
Cole Shelton - January 26, 2024
Sean O’Malley is promising to do something special against Marlon Vera at UFC 299. O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against Vera in the main event of UFC 299 on March 9 in Miami, Florida. The two fought back in August of 2020 in the co-main event of UFC 252, where it was Vera who won by first-round TKO as O’Malley had hurt his ankle in the fight.
Ilia Topuria responds after Yair Rodriguez takes aim at his UFC resume: “They don’t use me as a rag in the fights”
Susan Cox - January 26, 2024
Ilia Topuria is responding after former interim featherweight champion Yair Rodriguez took aim at his UFC resume. It was Rodriguez who recently took aim at Topuria, claiming that he ‘talked’ his way into a title shot.
Israel Adesanya’s coach names three fighters as “the most obvious options” for his UFC return
Susan Cox - January 26, 2024
Israel Adesanya’s coach has named three fighters as ‘the most obvious options’ for his return to the UFC. Mike Angove of ‘City Kickboxing’ shared with ‘Sky Sports New Zealand’ that Adesanya is back but the decision of when and who he will fight in the Octagon lies in the hands of the UFC:
Former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade books a spot on UFC 300
Susan Cox - January 26, 2024
The former strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade has booked a spot at the historic UFC 300 event. UFC 300 will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
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.
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.