MMA News
Stamp Fairtex faces Denice Zamboanga in first title defense at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 17, 2024
Stamp Fairtex will make the first defense of her ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title against Denice Zamboanga. The bout will be one of the co-feature attractions at ONE 166: Qatar. This will air live from the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
UFC 297 | Pro fighters make their picks for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis title fight
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
In the main event of UFC 297 in Toronto on Saturday, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Sean Strickland looks to defend his belt for the first time against Dricus Du Plessis. Heading into the fight, Strickland is a small -138 favorite while the South African is a +108 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 297. The pros believe Strickland will get it done, as they think the American can edge out a decision win, as his pressure will be too much for Du Plessis to deal with.
Sean O'Malley was surprised that Cody Garbrandt called for Deiveson Figueiredo fight
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has expressed his surprise at Cody Garbrandt calling for a fight with Deiveson Figueiredo. For the longest time now, Cody Garbrandt has been facing an uphill battle. While he’s a former champion at 135 pounds, he’s had to deal with a lot of setbacks in the form of big defeats in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, after a return to knockout form last year, ‘No Love’ made it crystal clear that he believes he has another title run in him in the near future.
Mackenzie Dern set to replace Tatiana Suarez and fight Amanda Lemos at UFC 298
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
As per The Orange County Register, Mackenzie Dern will replace the injured Tatiana Suarez in a showdown with Amanda Lemos at UFC 298. Many fans were excited to see the return of Tatiana Suarez next month with the belief being that it’s just a matter of time before she becomes a number one contender. Alas, that isn’t going to happen, with an injury ensuring that her contest with Amanda Lemos will not go ahead – for now.
UFC stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann set to take part in TV show
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
UFC fighters Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann are set to star in their own TV show, the BBC has announced. Over the course of the last few years, Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann have become two of the most recognizable faces in English mixed martial arts. The two Liverpudlians have been riding a huge wave of momentum, to the point where they’ve become ever-present members of the UFC roster.
Tye Ruotolo to defend world title against Izaak Michell at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 17, 2024
Tye Ruotolo will put his ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title on the line for the first time in what promises to be a gripping showdown against Izaak Michell. This matchup is scheduled to be one of the main attractions at ONE 166: Qatar. The event emanates live from Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
Liam Nolan wants Regian Eersel next: “I think I have a good style to beat him”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 17, 2024
Liam Nolan exudes confidence that he is more than capable of putting an end to Regian “‘The Immortal” Eersel‘s dominant reign. Since joining ONE Championship in 2018, “The Immortal” has been virtually unstoppable.
Daniel Cormier still not sold on Jim Miller being a Hall of Famer after UFC Vegas 84
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Daniel Cormier still doesn’t think Jim Miller is a UFC Hall of Famer. Miller scored a third-round submission over Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84 on Saturday to improve to 26-16 and one NC in the UFC. The American has the records for most fights and most wins in the UFC, but despite holding those records, he has never held a title, which Cormier believes is why he shouldn’t be in the Hall of Fame.
Sean Strickland details what went through his mind during altercation with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 296
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Sean Strickland had an interesting thought during his altercation with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 296. Strickland and Du Plessis were seated a couple of rows behind each other at last month’s pay-per-view event in Las Vegas, and as the camera panned towards them, the two started trash-talking one another. Strickland eventually jumped the row of seats separating him from Du Plessis and proceeded to unload strikes on the South African. It caught many by surprise and during the brawl, the UFC middleweight champion admitted he thought of biting the South African.
Sean Strickland offers unique theory why Israel Adesanya 'crumbled' against him at UFC 293
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland believes Israel Adesanya’s mental state led to his upset win. ‘Tarzan’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night. In the main event of UFC 293, Sean Strickland will look to defeat the rising Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ earned the title opportunity last July, scoring a knockout win over Robert Whittaker. The South African then faced off with Israel Adesanya, in a fight that might not happen.
Chael Sonnen unleashes on Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2: "Worst idea I've heard in a meaningful period of time"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2024
UFC commentator Chael Sonnen isn’t a fan of Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz’s plans for a boxing match. Earlier this month, ‘Gamebred’ formally announced his plans to come out of retirement. Quickly, many assumed that he would be potentially be fighting at UFC 300, or even a boxing match with Jake Paul. Instead, Jorge Masvidal seemingly split the difference and booked a trip to the ring against longtime MMA fighter Nate Diaz.
Sean Strickland opens up on challenges since winning UFC title: "It's hard to go to Walmart these days"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has had his life changed quite a lot in the last year. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of the octagon since his middleweight title shot in September. Facing Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC 293, Sean Strickland shocked the world. He dominated ‘The Last Stylebender’, en route to a lopsided unanimous decision win. In the process, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.
Sean Strickland takes aim at "fraudulent" Colby Covington
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Sean Strickland has taken a shot at Colby Covington. Strickland and Covington haven’t seen eye-to-eye for quite some time, but after ‘Chaos’ brought up Leon Edwards’ deceased father at UFC 296, their rivalry only escalated. Covington ripped Strickland for his comments about women and also said ‘Tarzan’ moved up to middleweight because he couldn’t hang with the “real division” of welterweight.
Official poster released for next month’s UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria event
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
The official poster has been released for next month’s UFC 298: Volkanovski vs. Topuria event. UFC 298 will take place on Saturday, February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Joe Rogan will not be a part of the UFC 297 commentary team
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
It has been announced that Joe Rogan will not be a part of the UFC 297 commentary team. UFC 297 takes place this coming Saturday, January 20th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jonathan Haggerty to defend Muay Thai crown against Felipe Lobo at ONE Fight Night 19
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 16, 2024
ONE Championship’s next live event in U.S. primetime this 2024 will prominently feature Jonathan Haggerty’s highly anticipated first World Title defense. “The General” will put his bantamweight Muay Thai crown at stake against Felipe Lobo in the main event of ONE Fight Night 19 on Prime Video. This broadcasts from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on February 16.
Several bouts announced for PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
Several bouts have been announced for the PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos. The much-anticipated PFL vs. Bellator event is set for Saturday, February 24th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 150 with Bruce Buffer, Gillian Robertson, and Jimmy Flick
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
The 150th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 297 in Toronto this Saturday. We’re first joined by the voice of the Octagon Bruce Buffer (1:14). Next, UFC strawweight Gillian Robertson (13:49) stops by. Closing out the program is UFC flyweight Jimmy Flick (23:36).