MMA News
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.
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.
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.
Max Holloway still focused on getting his "'45 title back" despite moving up to lightweight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 24, 2024
Max Holloway still has plans to become the featherweight champion again. Holloway is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 300 against Justin Gaethje at lightweight for the BMF title. It’s a highly-anticipated fight and many fans thought it meant the beginning of Holloway making a permanent move to lightweight.
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.
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.
Watch Sean Strickland’s backstage reaction following title loss to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 (Video)
Susan Cox - January 24, 2024
A video of Sean Strickland’s backstage reaction following his title loss to Dricus Du Plessis has been posted to YouTube. It was just this past Saturday, January 20th, at UFC 297 that saw Sean Strickland (28-6 MMA) in his first title defense against Dricus Du Plessis (21-2 MMA) for the middleweight belt. The result was to be a split decision victory for the South African.