MMA News
Fight fans express outrage over “horrific” ticket prices for UFC 299 in Miami: “This is criminal”
Harry Kettle - January 10, 2024
Fight fans have made their feelings known after seeing the ticket prices for the upcoming UFC 299 event in Miami. On March 9 in Miami, Florida we will see one of the most stacked MMA cards in a long time go down. UFC 299 is full of world class talent from top to bottom, with the headline bout being Sean O’Malley defending his UFC bantamweight championship against rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. In addition to that, the co-main event will see Dustin Poirier lock horns with Benoit Saint-Denis in a blockbuster lightweight collision.
ONE Fight Night 18: Where to watch ONE Championship’s U.S. primetime return on January 12
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 10, 2024
This Friday, January 12, ONE Championships makes its grand return to North American primetime with ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. The promotion’s first premium live event of the year features an incredible lineup of action-packed bouts. It airs from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dana White says Irish boxer engrained his love for fighting: "I started through working for Peter Welch for free”
Zain Bando - January 9, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is a man of humble beginnings. MMA’s main head-honcho, White grew up in South Boston and worked multiple jobs to make ends meet and support his family.
Israel Adesanya admits he's on “the back end" of his career, focused on "quality" fights not quantity in 2024
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
Israel Adesanya knows he’s on the back nine of his fighting career. Adesanya is currently 34 years old and has been a pro-MMA fighter since 2012, but has competed in kickboxing for much longer. With over a decade as a pro fighter, Adesanya has put his body through a ton, and after his lopsided decision loss to Sean Strickland to lose his middleweight title, he said he would be taking a breaak from fighting.
WATCH | Colby Covington gets trolled and booed by fans at Miami Heat game
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
Colby Covington was getting heckled by fans at a recent Miami Heat NBA game. Covington has hailed himself as The King of Miami, ever since beating Jorge Masvidal by lopsided decision at UFC 272 in March of 2022. However, since scoring that impressive win, ‘Chaos’ has fallen out of favor with some fans due to his actions both in and out of the cage. Prior to his title fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 296, Colby Covington upset many people when he brought up Rocky’s deceased father. Colby’s underwhelming performance against Edwards certainly did not help his cause, and now he’s apparently getting trolled in his own city.
Michael Page highly doubts Kevin Holland will make the same mistake he did against Stephen Thompson at UFC 299
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Michael Page doubts that Kevin Holland will have a kickboxing match with him later this year. ‘Venom’ recently ended his high-profile free agency. In March, Michael Page competed in his last fight in the Bellator cage, scoring a stoppage win over Goiti Yamaguchi. Following that bout, he became a free agent. After months of speculation, he signed with the UFC last month and was booked against Kevin Holland.
Dricus du Plessis reveals insane fine for jumping the fence to meet Donald Trump at UFC 290: "Too cool of a moment for me to let by"
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Dricus du Plessis was handed quite a fine for meeting Donald Trump last year. ‘Stillknocks’ is currently slated to face Sean Strickland later this month in the main event of UFC 297. The bout will be the first title shot of Dricus du Plessis’ career, as he faces the newly crowned champion. ‘Tarzan’ famously won middleweight gold back in September, with an upset decision win over Israel Adesanya.
Jim Miller expects to "overwhelm" Gabriel Benitez at UFC Vegas 84, has an "inclination" of who he will fight at UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
Jim Miller always wanted to fight one more time before UFC 300. For years, Miller has been vocal that he wants to compete at UFC 300, given he has competed at both UFC 100 and 200. However, many were surprised when Miller was booked to fight at UFC Vegas 84 on Jan. 13, exactly three months before the historic event.
Daniel Cormier questions Francis Ngannou's underdog status against Anthony Joshua: "A guy Andy Ruiz knocked out"
Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Francis Ngannou will shock Anthony Joshua in their March boxing match. Earlier this month, ‘The Predator’ made his return to the boxing ring official. Just a few months removed from a split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou will face another high-profile boxer. This time around, he will face the red-hot Anthony Joshua, who is riding a three-fight winning streak.
Manager details why Islam Makhachev doesn't have a fight booked, gives timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev appears to be on the sidelines for quite some time. Makhachev defended his lightweight title for the second time with a first-round knockout over Alexander Volkanovski back in October. After the fight, many expected Makhachev to return in the first quarter of 2024 before Ramadan and he was pushing to return on March 9.
Jon Jones sounds off on Tom Aspinall following recent Twitter exchange: “That intern championship means absolutely nothing if you seriously haven’t noticed yet”
Susan Cox - January 9, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has sounded off on Tom Aspinall following their recent exchange on ‘Twitter’. Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA) is not giving up on his claims that he should be given undisputed champion status and if the UFC won’t do that, it is he who should get the opportunity to fight Jon Jones for the heavyweight belt.
Khamzat Chimaev says he will “one hundred percent” be fighting the winner of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis: “They should be afraid”
Susan Cox - January 9, 2024
Khamzat Chimaev says he will ‘one hundred percent’ be fighting the winner of Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis. Strickland (28-5 MMA) is set to make his first title defense against Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) at UFC 297 which takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Jon Jones responds to latest troll job from UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall
Susan Cox - January 9, 2024
Jon Jones has responded to the latest troll job from UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall. Jones (27-1 MMA) is the current UFC heavyweight champion.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 149 with Jim Miller, Mario Bautista, and Marcus McGhee
Cole Shelton - January 9, 2024
The 149th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 84, which is the first event of 2024. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Jim Miller (1:33). Next, UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista (17:24) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Marcus McGhee (25:21).
Ariel Helwani confirms Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz 2 is in the works for 2024
Harry Kettle - January 9, 2024
Ariel Helwani has confirmed that Jorge Masvidal vs Nate Diaz 2 is in the works for a possible boxing match later this year. Many years ago, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz fought one another over the inaugural BMF championship. It was seen as something of a gimmick, but their main event showdown at UFC 244 in New York City pulled in a lot of fans. Due to the bout ending via doctor stoppage, many have always wanted to see a rematch. However, now that they’ve both left the UFC, it didn’t seem likely.
Demetrious Johnson reacts to rumors that Joe Rogan facilitated his trade from UFC to ONE Championship
Harry Kettle - January 9, 2024
Demetrious Johnson has given his thoughts on the rumors suggesting Joe Rogan helped facilitate his trade to ONE Championship. Many years ago, Demetrious Johnson was traded to ONE Championship with Ben Askren joining the UFC in return. It was a fairly unprecedented move in the world of mixed martial arts, as “trades” don’t tend to happen often in the sport. Alas, it happened the way it happened, and it seemed to work out well for everyone involved.
Liam Nolan set to make much-awaited return at ONE Fight Night 18
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 9, 2024
ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video this Friday, January 12, will play host to the highly anticipated return of British Muay Thai star Liam Nolan. “Lethal” was supposed to make his comeback against former ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee in a rematch last November. However, he fell ill in the days leading up to the matchup, forcing him to withdraw.
Ian Machado Garry advises Sean Strickland to “seek therapy” following his “inexcusable” comments and actions
Harry Kettle - January 9, 2024
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has given his thoughts on Sean Strickland’s recent personal admission as their feud continues. In recent months, it’s safe to say Ian Machado Garry has been catching a lot of heat. From gym controversies to rumors about his wife to pulling out of a fight, there are more questions than answers for the Irishman.