MMA News
What's next for Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker after UFC Vegas 84?
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 84, top 10 light heavyweights collided as Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker had their rematch. Ankalaev and Walker had first fought back in October at UFC 294, and the fight ended in a No Contest due to the Dagestani native landing an illegal knee in the first round. Before that, Ankalaev was coming off a draw to Jan Blachowicz for the vacant light heavyweight title. Walker, meanwhile, was on a three-fight winning streak before the NC against Ankalaev.
Jiri Prochazka explains why he didn't pull out of UFC 295 title fight despite battling staph infection
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2024
Jiri Prochazka battled a staph infection before his UFC 295 title fight against Alex Pereira but never thought of pulling out. Prochazka was set for his first fight since vacating the light heavyweight title due to a shoulder injury. After being away from the Octagon for nearly a year-and-a-half, Prochazka says he was adamant he would fight even though he couldn’t train and prepare properly due to the infection, which was started on his leg and went all the way to his ear.
Khamzat Chimaev reveals heavyweight contender is his dream fight: "Nobody like him"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Khamzat Chimav hopes to meet Jon Jones in the octagon before all is said and done. ‘Borz’ has been out of the octagon since UFC 294 in October. That night saw Khamzat Chimev face former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, in the biggest test of his MMA career. There, the Chechen defeated ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ by unanimous decision, notching a potential title shot in the process.
Dricus du Plessis doubles down on 'Mr. Moral Compass' Sean Strickland: "He had that victim mentality"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Dricus du Plessis doesn’t care about Sean Strickland’s recent comments. The rivalry between ‘Stillknocks’ and ‘Tarzan’ has quickly, quickly become a heated one. Following Sean Strickland’s win over Israel Adesanya in September, he became UFC champion. This Saturday night in Canada, he will look to make his first title defense against the rising Dricus du Plessis.
Alex Pereira seemingly confirms Jamahal Hill fight is next: "Focus on what matters"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2024
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has confirmed plans to fight Jamahal Hill next. Over the weekend, Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker met in the main event of UFC Vegas 84. The bout was a rematch of their prior no-contest in October, and it wasn’t even close. The Russian scored a first-round knockout win and quickly set his sights on Alex Pereira.
Sean Strickland threatens to “stab” Dricus Du Plessis at the UFC 297 presser if he crosses the line: “I’m gonna go to jail”
Susan Cox - January 15, 2024
Sean Strickland is threatening to ‘stab’ Dricus Du Plessis at the UFC 297 presser if he crosses the line. Strickland (28-5 MMA) will be making his first middleweight title defense against Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) this coming Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Report | UFC Saudi Arabia postponed to June in order to produce a "more entertaining fight card"
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2024
The UFC will not be going to Saudi Arabia in March as expected. On Monday, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed on ‘The MMA Hour’ that the event scheduled for March 2 has been postponed until June. Helwani claims the higher-ups in Saudi Arabia pushed for the event to be postponed so the card could be deeper and have more well-known names.
Dominick Cruz recounts the marketing advice he received from Conor McGregor: “Those are moments in time I look back at”
Susan Cox - January 15, 2024
Dominick Cruz is recounting the marketing advice he received from Conor McGregor. Cruz (24-4 MMA) last fought and was defeated by Marlon Vera (23-8 MMA) in a bantamweight bout in August of 2022.
Johnny Walker issues statement following knockout loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Vegas 84
Susan Cox - January 15, 2024
Johnny Walker has issued a statement following knockout loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Vegas 84. It was Walker (21-8 MMA) vs Ankalaev (19-1 MMA) in the light heavyweight main event this past Saturday, January 13th at the UFC Apex facility, in Enterprise, Nevada.
Shamil Gasanov banked on willpower to win at ONE Fight Night 19: "I couldn't feel my body"
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2024
Shamil Gasanov demonstrated the true essence of a warrior’s spirit in the main event of ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video last Friday, January 12. Despite grappling with a debilitating bout of food poisoning, Gasanov delighted fans at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, by putting forth a dominant performance.
Joe Rogan believes Colby Covington’s brash trash talk “backfired” at UFC 296
Susan Cox - January 15, 2024
Joe Rogan believes Colby Covington’s brash trash talk ‘backfired’ at UFC 296. UFC 296 saw Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) in a welterweight title fight against Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) this past December. The result was a unanimous decision victory for ‘Rocky’.
Magomed Ankalaev extends unique offer to current UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira: “No wrestling”
Harry Kettle - January 15, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev has issued a pretty clear challenge to Alex Pereira ahead of a potential showdown between the two UFC stars. Right now, Magomed Ankalaev is feeling back to his best. Last weekend, he finally brought his rivalry with Johnny Walker to an end when he knocked his foe out in vicious fashion. Moving forward, he has one clear focus – dethroning Alex Pereira to finally become the UFC light heavyweight champion. It’s a goal he has had for years, and it finally seems like he’s on the verge of getting another crack at the belt.
Tony Ferguson undergoes surgery to remove bone fragments from his left arm (Video)
Harry Kettle - January 15, 2024
UFC veteran Tony Ferguson has undergone surgery to remove bone fragments from his left arm. For years now, Tony Ferguson has been seen as a big fan favorite in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. His run through the lightweight division was legendary and will be remembered for a long time to come. Unfortunately, his career has been on quite a downward spiral since 2020. In that time, he’s lost seven straight fights, four of which came via finish.
Tenshin Nasukawa praises Takeru Segawa: ‘He’s the icon of kickboxing now’
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2024
Once bitter rivals in the ring, Tenshin Nasukawa has extended an unexpected gesture of goodwill toward Takeru Segawa. It all started in June 2022 when the Tokyo Dome played host to a monumental kickboxing clash between the two. The sold-out crowd of 56,399 witnessed an epic battle that ended with Nasukawa claiming victory by a close unanimous decision.
Paul Felder admits it would be hard to pass on UFC 300 fight: "I’m leaning toward wanting to do it"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2024
Paul Felder doesn’t know if he’ll ever have another pro MMA fight, but he isn’t shy to admit the thought of another bout is enticing. Felder’s last pro MMA fight took place back in November 2020. He dropped a split decision to former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos. During the UFC Vegas 27 broadcast, Felder, who was on commentary duties that night, announced his retirement.
Magomed Ankalaev has warning for UFC champion Alex Pereira: "He's not going to feel comfortable"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev has sent a clear message to UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Ankalaev was in action this past Saturday. He went one-on-one with Johnny Walker in the main event of UFC Vegas 84. This was a rematch, as Ankalaev and Walker fought to a no contest at UFC 294. Ankalaev landed an illegal knee strike, and the Octagon doctor called the fight off after evaluating Walker.
Coach Javier Mendez dismisses Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC return rumors: "Stop all this nonsense"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2024
Javier Mendez has poured cold water on the Khabib Nurmagomedov rumors. American Kickboxing Academy coach Javier Mendez knows Khabib very well. He even had a heart-to-heart with “The Eagle” during his last UFC fight against Justin Gaethje, reminding his fighter to “remember father’s plan.” That was a nod to Khabib’s late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, and “The Eagle” ended up winning that fight and then announced his retirement.
Dana White's shocking text messages on Jon Jones revealed: "Is he still being a scumbag?"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2024
Unsealed documents have revealed a stunning text exchange between UFC CEO Dana White and then-UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta. In May 2014, the UFC was looking to book a light heavyweight title rematch between then-champion Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. The two had their first encounter back in September 2013, and it eventually earned a spot in the Fight Wing section of the UFC Hall of Fame. Jones won the fight via unanimous decision.