MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
Renato Moicano admits that he 'hates' fighting at the UFC Apex: "Who gives a f*ck?"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2024
UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano isn’t thrilled about the location of his next fight. The Brazilian has been out of action since a win over Brad Riddell in November at UFC 281. That victory was Renato Moicano’s third in his last four appearances in the cage. That one defeat came at the hands of former champion Rafael dos Anjos last March.
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.
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.
Bruce Buffer very excited "to perform for the Canadians" at UFC 297: "The fans are rabid and they love the UFC"
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2024
Bruce Buffer was excited to see the UFC returning to Canada in 2024, and Toronto for that matter. Buffer has been to plenty of countries, where he has introduced several fighters inside of the Octagon. Buffer knows no matter where the UFC goes the crowd is always loud and electric, but the voice of the UFC says Canada, and especially Toronto, is always one of the rowdiest and loudest crowds of the year.
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.
Conor McGregor scoffs at Michael Chandler’s claim about being the stronger man: “Lifting belts > Lifting weights”
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
UFC star Conor McGregor has laughed off Michael Chandler’s claim that he is the stronger man between them. At some point this year, we’re expected to see Conor McGregor finally square off with Michael Chandler. The expectation is that it’ll happen during International Fight Week this summer, but there’s been no official confirmation of that one way or the other.
Arman Tsarukyan's coach believes Charles Oliveira is “more dangerous” than current UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev: “He's dangerous everywhere”
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
Arman Tsarukyan’s coach believes that Charles Oliveira is actually more dangerous than UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. At UFC 300, Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan will collide in a number one contender fight. The winner is expected to take on Islam Makhachev later this year, with their contest being used as a way to determine who the true top guy is to battle Makhachev.
Brandon Moreno opens as betting favorite in newly announced UFC Mexico City main event
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
Brandon Moreno has opened as the betting favorite in his updated UFC Mexico City main event against Brandon Royval. Over the course of the last few years, Brandon Moreno has established himself as something of a superstar in mixed martial arts. That’s especially true in his homeland of Mexico, which is where his next bout will be held.
Sean O’Malley responds to fans questioning his “star power” because of UFC 299 card: “It’s so funny”
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has responded to fans questioning his star power due to the strength of the UFC 299 card. At UFC 299, Sean O’Malley will defend his title against Marlon Vera in a massive grudge match. In addition to that contest, the Miami event is absolutely stacked with talent from head to toe. When you take a look at it as a whole, there’s a real argument to be made that this is one of the most impressive shows the promotion has ever produced.
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.