MMA News
Oscar De La Hoya reacts to Dana White's fighter pay stance: "All I can say or do is laugh"
Zain Bando - January 17, 2024
The famed boxing promoter and former Golden Boy mainstay, Oscar De La Hoya, still hates UFC CEO Dana White’s disdain for fair fighter compensation. De La Hoya, whom MMA Mania recently interviewed, gave his thoughts on how the UFC and White do business, why boxing is thriving in its current environment and the myths White has about the other side of combat sports.
Sean Strickland absolutely goes off on Canadian reporter ahead of UFC 297: “Go f**k yourself”
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland wasn’t happy with a question a Canadian reporter asked him ahead of his UFC 297 title defense against Dricus Du Plessis. Ahead of his title fight, Strickland was at media day when a reporter asked the middleweight champ about his past comments about the LGBTQ+ community. The reporter said Toronto is known to have a strong LGBTQ+ community, and Strickland wasn’t thrilled about it and proceeded to blast him, ‘Tarzan’ also asked the reporter if he voted for current Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Sean Strickland explains why Dricus Du Plessis is a "harder fight" compared to Israel Adesanya
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
Sean Strickland doesn’t think Dricus Du Plessis is better than Israel Adesanya but does think he will be a harder fight. Strickland pulled off arguably the biggest upset of 2023 as he beat Adesanya in a lopsided fashion to become the new middleweight champion. It was a stunning performance, and heading into his first title defense at UFC 297 against Du Plessis, Strickland thinks this fight could be more challenging, despite him thinking Adesanyais a better fighter.
Sean Strickland slams Ian Machado Garry after the Irishman says he wants to fight: “He hides who he is”
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
Sean Strickland has blasted Ian Machado Garry after the Irishman said he wanted to fight him. In the lead-up to UFC 296, Strickland trash-talked Garry and his wife, which the Irishman wasn’t happy about. After Garry was forced out of his fight, the middleweight champ continued to trash-talk him, which resulted in the Irishman calling out Strickland.
Dricus Du Plessis says he’s open to fighting Israel Adesanya at UFC 300: “Give the fans what they want”
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
If Dricus du Plessis wins the middleweight title on Saturday, he’s down to face Israel Adesanya at UFC 300 in April. ‘Stillknocks’ is currently set to face Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 297 this Saturday night. In the first title shot of his career, the South African will face the newly crowned champion, Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ famously captured the title last September, with a unanimous decision win over Israel Adesanya.
PFL's Donn Davis takes shot after UFC postpones 'poor' Saudi Arabia event: "I don't think it's any coincidence"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
PFL executive Donn Davis believes that it’s not a coincidence that the UFC recently moved their March Saudi Arabia event. The rising organization is primed for a big, big 2024. With names such as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul poised to finally make their promotional debut this year, the PFL is excited about their future. A big part of that future is the influx of cash from Saudi Arabia.
Julianna Pena believes 'nobody' is excited for UFC 297 title fight between Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
Julianna Pena believes that Raquel Pennington and Mayra Bueno Silva are fighting for the chance to face her at UFC 297. ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has been out of action since her rematch with Amanda Nunes in July 2022. That night saw Julianna Pena absolutely battered, and lose her UFC bantamweight gold. The following year, ‘The Lioness’ retired following a win over Irene Aldana. In the process, leaving the women’s bantamweight division without a champion.
Dricus Du Plessis responds to Sean Strickland’s threat that he will stab him if he brings up childhood trauma
Cole Shelton - January 17, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis has responded to Sean Strickland’s threat. Du Plessis and Strickland are set to headline UFC 297 on Saturday in Toronto for the middleweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup, and ahead of the fight, Strickland said he would stab Du Plessis if he brought any of his childhood trauma that he talked about on Theo Von’s podcast.
Israel Adesanya takes aim at Sean Strickland for getting “triggered” over trash talk from Dricus Du Plessis
Susan Cox - January 17, 2024
Israel Adesanya has taken aim at Sean Strickland for getting ‘triggered’ over the trash talk from Dricus Du Plessis. UFC 297 is taking place on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis are extremely cordial in backstage meeting at UFC 297 (Video)
Susan Cox - January 17, 2024
Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis were extremely cordial in their backstage meeting ahead of UFC 297. UFC 297 takes place this coming Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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.
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.
Justin Gaethje and Bobby Green open as favorites in blockbuster UFC 300 fights
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2024
Justin Gaethje and Bobby Green have opened as the two favorites in their recently announced UFC 300 fights. Last night, UFC president Dana White made two huge announcements within the context of UFC 300. We already know it’s going to be one of the biggest events in promotional history, but on Tuesday, the card got even stronger. With three months to go, more contests are likely to be announced, but we’re off to a great start based on this evidence.
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.
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.
Dana White announces two more fights for UFC 300, including Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has announced two more fights for UFC 300 including the BMF belt being up for grabs. White took to his Instagram on Tuesday to announce that Justin Gaethje will be defending his BMF belt for the first time against former featherweight king Max Holloway, with the scrap taking place at lightweight. Along with that fight, Jim Miller will get his wish of fighting at UFC 300 as he’ll face Bobby Green.