MMA News
Michael Bisping explains why Anthony Joshua deserves “a lot of respect” for accepting boxing match with Francis Ngannou: “Doesn’t really gain anything with a win”
Susan Cox - January 12, 2024
Michael Bisping is explaining why Anthony Joshua deserves ‘a lot of respect’ for accepting a boxing match with Francis Ngannou. Anthony Joshua (27 wins – 3 losses) will meet Francis Ngannou (0 wins – 1 loss) in a 10-round heavyweight boxing match on Friday, March 8th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
ONE Championship announces two dates for U.S. events in 2024
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 12, 2024
ONE Championship makes a grand return to the United States with two live events scheduled for 2024. Following the success of its debut show in Broomfield, Colorado, in May 2023, the promotion is gearing up to build on that momentum and captivate American audiences once again.
UFC bantamweight Cody Stamann reveals that he once pulled a gun on USADA: “Just standing there completely balls-out naked”
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2024
UFC fighter Cody Stamann has told the insane story of when he pulled a gun on a USADA official. It’s a new year, and that means the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s relationship with USADA has officially come to an end. It turned out to be quite a controversial addition to the UFC’s schedule, and that’s an understatement.
UFC 299: ‘O’Malley vs. Vera 2’ Fight Card
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2024
The fight card has been all but confirmed for UFC 299 – one of the most stacked events in the history of mixed martial arts. Over the course of the next few months, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is gearing up for one hell of a run. UFC 297 through UFC 300 all look set to be blockbuster shows, but right now, the one on paper that’s really standing out is UFC 299.
Former women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie books Octagon return for UFC Vegas 89
Harry Kettle - January 12, 2024
Former UFC champion Germaine de Randamie will return to the Octagon later this year at UFC Vegas 89. As many fans will remember, Germaine de Randamie became the inaugural UFC women’s featherweight champion in 2017. She was later stripped of that title and since then, she’s only fought four times. In her most recent appearance, the 39-year-old secured a technical submission win over Julianna Pena in October 2020.
Oh Ho Taek embraces challenge in ONE Fight Night 18 bout against Shamil Gasanov
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 12, 2024
Oh Ho Taek is gearing up for the toughest test of his career to date. The South Korean dynamo faces #4-ranked featherweight MMA contender Shamil Gasanov in the main event of ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. This event emanates live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpine Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, January 12.
Brandon Moreno gets new opponent after Amir Albazi is forced out of UFC Mexico City headliner
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
Brandon Moreno will still be headlining UFC Mexico City but will be against a different opponent. Moreno was originally set to headline UFC Mexico City on Feb. 24 against Amir Albazi, but on Thursday it was revealed Albazi was forced out of the fight with an injury. However, third-ranked flyweight Brandon Royval has agreed to step up to rematch Moreno in the main event of the card. The news was announced by the UFC.
WATCH | Mike Perry calls UFC exec to pitch his return fight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
Mike Perry is ready to be a part of UFC 300 if needed. Perry is currently in BKFC and has become the face of the promotion, but he does have some interest in making a big fight happen at UFC 300. Perry currently does not have his next fight booked, so while on his Overdogs Podcast he called UFC executive Hunter Campbell to pitch him on his return fight for UFC 300.
Daniel Cormier reveals conversation with Brock Lesnar after booking UFC 200 return: "Merry Christmas"
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
Daniel Cormier believes UFC 300 could use a Christmas miracle, in the form of Brock Lesnar. Fans are just a few months away from seeing the historic milestone UFC 300 event. As of now, there are various fighters attached, including a title fight between Weili Zhang and Yan Xiaonan. However, there is no current main event, or big attraction slated for the card. Some believe that could come in the form of Brock Lesnar.
REPORT | Ryan Bader, Patricio Pitbull among first fighters added to February's PFL vs. Bellator event
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
The reported Bellator vs. PFL card slated for February 24th is now adding fights. In November, the Viacom-owned company was bought out by the PFL. With that, it marked a departure for figures such as Scott Coker, and others. However, Donn Davis and others plan to keep running Bellator as a separate entity and keep holding events for the foreseeable future.
Kyoji Horiguchi reportedly eyes UFC return weeks after winning RIZIN flyweight title
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
RIZIN flyweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi reportedly plans to return to the UFC. ‘The Typhoon’ is fresh off his return at RIZIN 45 in December. There, Kyoji Horiguchi fought Makamoto Takahashi, in a rematch of their July bout. Their first bout for the vacant Bellator flyweight title ended after just seconds, due to an eye poke. Due to the Scott Coker company being bought out by the PFL, they instead ran it back for RIZIN gold this time around.
Cody Garbrandt set to fight Deiveson Figueiredo in battle of former champions at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
A battle of former champions will go down at UFC 300 as Cody Garbrandt will take on Deiveson Figueiredo. According to Brazilian outlet AGFight, Garbrandt and Figueiredo are set to fight at UFC 300 on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nate Diaz calls for the chance to headline UFC 300
Susan Cox - January 11, 2024
Nate Diaz is calling for a chance to headline UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 will take place on Saturday, April 13th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Magomed Ankalaev believes Johnny Walker wanted out of their first fight after illegal knee
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
Magomed Ankalaev doesn’t think Johnny Walker wanted to fight him in October. Ankalaev and Walker first met at October’s UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi in what was a critical fight for the light heavyweight division. Unfortunately, the fight ended in controversy as in the first round Ankalaev landed an illegal knee which prompted the doctor to step in and stop the fight. After the doctor claimed Walker couldn’t continue, the Brazilian was angry as he wanted the fight to resume, but Ankalaev thinks that was all just for show.
Pro fighters make their picks for Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker 2
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
In the first event of 2024, top-10 light heavyweights collide as Magomed Ankalaev rematches Johnny Walker in the main event of UFC Vegas 84. Heading into the fight, Ankalaev is a sizeable -590 favorite while the Brazilian is a +390 underdog on FanDuel. The two fought back at UFC 294 in October in Abu Dhabi, but the fight ended in a No Contest in the first round as Ankalaev landed an illegal knee to Walker and the doctor stopped the scrap. Ahead of their rematch, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the fight at UFC Vegas 84. The pros believe Ankalaev’s grappling will be the difference and will lead to the win over Walker.
Mayra Bueno Silva responds after Sean Strickland suggests he was booked for UFC 297 to "help a couple of ladies" do their job: “He is not a big star”
Susan Cox - January 11, 2024
Mayra Bueno Silva is responding after Sean Strickland suggests he was booked for UFC 297 to help a couple of ladies do their job. UFC 297 will see current middleweight champion Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA) take on Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) in his first title defense at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Mario Bautista confident he can "put out" Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 84 to send a "statement" to the bantamweight division
Cole Shelton - January 11, 2024
Mario Bautista is excited to finally get his chance to fight a ranked opponent. Bautista is coming off a decision win over Da’Mon Blackshear in August, in a fight where he was originally supposed to take on Cody Garbrandt, but the former bantamweight champion was forced out of the bout due to an injury. After the win over Blackshear, Bautista wanted a ranked opponent next, and he got his wish as he will take on Ricky Simon at UFC Vegas 84.
Fabricio Andrade predicts Kwon Won Il vs. Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg at ONE Fight Night 18
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 11, 2024
As the excitement builds for ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video, Fabricio Andrade will be keeping a close eye on a pivotal bantamweight MMA bout slated for this Friday, January 12. On the card, #3-ranked Kwon Won Il squares off against the hard-hitting Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg. This three-round encounter could determine the next contender for Andrade’s ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title.