MMA News
Renato Moicano says Paddy Pimblett’s weight gains between fights will be “very detrimental” to his career: “Look how fat he is!”
Susan Cox - January 8, 2024
Renato Moicano says Paddy Pimblett’s weight gains between fights will be ‘very detrimental’ to his UFC career. Pimblett (21-3 MMA) most recently fought and defeated Tony Ferguson (25-10 MMA) in a lightweight battle this past December at UFC 296. The 29-year-old has won all 5 of his fights since joining the UFC in 2021.
Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier open as betting underdogs in their recently announced UFC fights
Susan Cox - January 8, 2024
Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier have opened as betting underdogs for their recently announced UFC fights. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced fights featuring lightweight veterans Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.
Anatoly Malykhin determined to make history as first three-division MMA world champ
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 8, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin has already etched his name in the record books as the ONE Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight MMA World Champion. However, his quest for greatness doesn’t end there.
Alexander Gustafsson is back to training and not ruling out a UFC return: “I’m still in the business”
Harry Kettle - January 8, 2024
UFC veteran Alexander Gustafsson has refused to rule out a return to active competition in the future. Throughout the course of his career, Alexander Gustafsson was known as one of the best light heavyweights on the planet. His abilities took him to great heights and to the verge of a world championship in the UFC. While he may never have gotten over that final hurdle, he’s still a well-respected member of the MMA community.
Dana White announces two massive lightweight fights including Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis
Harry Kettle - January 8, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White has announced Dustin Poirier vs Benoit Saint-Denis and Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan for later this year. Over the course of the next few months, we’re set to see some electric fights take place across a handful of blockbuster events. That includes UFC 299 and UFC 300, both of which are shaping up to be mammoth occasions.
Mark Abelardo welcomes unbeaten prospect in U.S. primetime debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 8, 2024
Mark Abelardo faces an intriguing opponent in his ONE Championship U.S. primetime debut on January 12. He squares off against undefeated MMA prospect Ibragim Dauev in a bantamweight bout at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. The event takes place at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Lito Adiwang aiming for top-ranked contenders in 2024: “Give me anyone!”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 8, 2024
One name has been steadily rising through the strawweight ranks in ONE Championship, and that is none other than Lito Adiwang. After a remarkable 2023 campaign that saw him overcome an ACL injury, he is now setting his sights on an ambitious goal – breaking into the top five of the strawweight division.
Cory Sandhagen reveals key reason he's had success in UFC: "It will take you vastly further than what you think it will"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
Rising bantamweight star Cory Sandhagen has unveiled a key factor in his success under the UFC banner. Sandhagen is the number four-ranked UFC bantamweight. He’s riding a three-fight winning streak, and if he can keep his hot streak going, he could find himself in a title fight. While no one will mistake Sandhagen for a massive star the likes of Sean O’Malley, he’s one of the top bantamweight fighters in the world.
Belal Muhammad details experience training in Dagestan: "Every round feels like it’s a new fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
Top-ranked UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad has given some insight on what it’s like for him to train in Dagestan. Muhammad hopes to realize his goal of becoming a UFC champion and he is closer than ever to doing so. While not yet official, Belal is already going to be training in Dagestan in order to prepare for a UFC Welterweight Championship fight against Leon Edwards. He hopes that what he’s learned from the top tier grapplers and MMA fighters will be enough to dethrone “Rocky.”
UFC 297 title challenger Mayra Bueno Silva hasn't fought in front of a full crowd since 2018
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
When Mayra Bueno Silva steps inside the Octagon for UFC 297 on Jan. 20, it’ll be the first time she’ll fight inside a packed arena since late 2018. Silva was forced to fight in front of no fans during the pandemic era, but even once restrictions were lifted, the women’s bantamweight title challenger was simply booked on events inside the UFC Apex. She will finally gets to fight under the bright lights once again when she takes on Raquel Pennington for the vacant UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Josh Emmett reveals who he gives slight edge to for Alex Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria: "It’s hard for me to bet against ..."
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
Josh Emmett doesn’t consider himself to be a modern day Nostradamus, but he does know who he’s leaning towards picking for the UFC 298 main event. Headlining that planned February 17 pay-per-view will be reigning UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. He’ll be putting his gold at stake against undefeated challenger Ilia Topuria. It’s a tough fight to call between a dominant champion, who is coming off a devastating KO loss to lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev, and the rising Topuria. As it stands now, Volkanovski is the -155 betting favorite, while Topuria is a +130 underdog, per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Jon Anik scoffs at Conor McGregor's middleweight plans for UFC return: "It has no divisional relevance"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik would rather not see Conor McGregor return to action as a middleweight. McGregor sent the MMA world into a frenzy just before New Year’s, as he announced he will be fighting Michael Chandler on June 29 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. What had fight fans truly buzzing was when McGregor claimed that the fight will be contested at 185 pounds.
Song Yadong calls for Sean Strickland to start setting a "good example" following his recent remarks about China
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2024
Song Yadong has called for Sean Strickland to start setting a “good example” following his recent remarks about China. Strickland (28-5 MMA), the UFC’s newly minted middleweight champion, is known for making controversial comments and recently did so when he suggested China’s two biggest exports were Plastic and COVID 19.
Laura Sanko explains why she "actually liked" Sean Strickland fighting Dricus Du Plessis in the crowd at UFC 296: "I actually prefer guys have physical fights than do this s**t"
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2024
Laura Sanko has weighed in on all the drama surrounding this month’s Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis title fight at UFC 297. Strickland (28-5 MMA) will be looking to defend his newly acquired UFC middleweight championship for the first time when he squares off with Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) in the main event of UFC 297 on January 20 in Toronto, Canada.
UFC flag ban still applies to one country: "They said no"
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2024
The UFC flag ban still applies to at least one country according to bantamweight fighter Farid Basharat. Basharat (11-0 MMA) is set to compete against Taylor Lapilus on next weekend’s UFC Vegas 84 fight card. ‘Ferocious’ has gone 2-0 inside of the Octagon thus far, scoring wins over Da’Mon Blackshear (decision) and Kleydson Rodrigues (submission).
Tom Aspinall responds after Stipe Miocic preaches patience amidst calls for undisputed title fight
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has responded after being told to remain patient by Stipe Miocic. Aspinall (14-3 MMA) claimed the promotion’s interim heavyweight title at November’s UFC 295 event after scoring a first-round knockout victory over Sergei Pavlovich (see that here). Following his spectacular performance, the British champion made his case for a crack at reigning heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan responds to callout from comedian Katt Williams
Chris Taylor - January 6, 2024
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has offered a response after being called out by comedian Katt Williams. The longtime funnyman, Williams, was a recent guest on ‘Club Shay Shay’ with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe where he called out Rogan for never having him on his podcast.
Opening odds released for Francis Ngannou vs. Anthony Joshua
Cole Shelton - January 5, 2024
The opening odds have been released for the boxing fight between Francis Ngannou and Anthony Joshua. On Friday afternoon, MMA journalist, Ariel Helwani through Turki Alashikh, announced that Ngannou would return to the boxing ring against Anthony Joshua on March 9. The fight will be ten rounds and will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two will also have a press conference in London to start the promotion of the boxing match.