MMA News
PFL CEO confirms interest in booking Cedric Doumbe against former UFC champion: "They both want to fight"
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
PFL CEO Peter Murray is serious about putting Cedric Doumbe vs. Anthony Pettis together. ‘The Beast’ has the potential to be the Donn Davis-led promotion’s first massive star. A former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion, he was heavily pursued by the UFC. However, he was released from the company in early 2023, for various reasons after a brief stint. Later in the year, Cedric Doumbe signed with the PFL. In late September, made his debut for the company.
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.
Dricus Du Plessis reveals conversation with Dana White about pressing charges against Sean Strickland for UFC 296 assault: “No, no, no, no, no. Please no.”
Susan Cox - January 11, 2024
Dricus Du Plessis has revealed the conversation he had with Dana White about pressing charges against Sean Strickland for his assault at UFC 296. The altercation occurred a month ago when Strickland and Du Plessis were seated in the same section and eventually came to blows 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.
Israel Adesanya shares timeline for UFC return after suffering an undisclosed injury
Susan Cox - January 11, 2024
Israel Adesanya is sharing a timeline for his UFC return after suffering an undisclosed injury. The former middleweight champion, Adesanya (24-3 MMA) last fought and was defeated by Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA) last September at UFC 293.
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.
Michael Bisping warns Jon Jones of the “forever narrative” that will exist if he doesn’t fight Tom Aspinall
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his thoughts on the ongoing situation involving Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. We all know that Tom Aspinall wants to fight Jon Jones for the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. Given his position as interim champion, that bout would make a lot of sense.
Arman Tsarukyan plans to KO Charles Oliveira and earn June title fight with Islam Makhachev: “Gaethje has to wait until October”
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2024
UFC fighter Arman Tsarukyan plans to earn a title shot against Islam Makhachev this summer by knocking out Charles Oliveira. At UFC 300, Arman Tsarukyan will face the biggest test of his career. He is set to lock horns with Charles Oliveira in what has been dubbed a number one contender bout. The winner is expected to take on Islam Makhachev later this year.
Chris Weidman admits upcoming fight with Bruno Silva at UFC Atlantic City could be his last: “It might be”
Harry Kettle - January 11, 2024
UFC veteran Chris Weidman has admitted that his upcoming fight against Bruno Silva could well be his last. At the age of 39, Chris Weidman has done it all in mixed martial arts, with his headline-making moment being his dramatic title win over Anderson Silva all those years ago. Now, in the present day, the landscape looks a bit different.
Shamil Gasanov expresses admiration for opponent Oh Ho Taek ahead of ONE Fight Night 18
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 11, 2024
Shamil Gasanov is fully aware that his upcoming bout against Oh Ho Taek will be no walk in the park. Both men are set to go head-to-head in the marquee featherweight MMA matchup at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. The event broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from the fabled Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, January 12.
Dana White announces strawweight title fight for UFC 300
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has announced the first title fight for UFC 300. White teased some fight announcements for UFC 300 on Tuesday but ended up pushing it back until Wednesday. Taking to his Instagram, White announced that Zhang Weili will defend her strawweight title against Yan Xiaonan at UFC 300, which goes down on April 13 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The UFC CEO also revealed that he will announce two more fights for UFC 300 on Thursday.
Paulo Costa calls for longshot middleweight bout with 'Exceptional' Conor McGregor: "He's huge"
Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2024
UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa believes that he will fight Conor McGregor one day, possibly as early as this year. ‘The Notorious’ is currently on the comeback trail. Having not competed in over two years, Conor McGregor recently announced plans to return on June 29th at International Fight Week. For his first fight back, the Irishman wants to face Michael Chandler at 185 pounds. ‘Iron’ quickly confirmed his intention to fight McGregor this summer.
Israel Adesanya avoids conviction for drunk driving charge, but receives fine among other penalties
Cole Shelton - January 10, 2024
Israel Adesanya avoided conviction for his drunk driving charge in New Zealand. Adesanya was charged on August 19 for drunk driving as he was operating a car with 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, which is over the legal limit of 50 milligrams. The maximum penalty for the drunk driving charge is a term of imprisonment of three months or a fine of $4500. The incident happened just weeks before his title defense against Sean Strickland which he lost by decision.