MMA News
Tang Kai to run it back with Thanh Le in world title unification bout at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 5, 2024
ONE Championship’s first on-ground event in Qatar will play host to the much-awaited rematch between Tang Kai and Thanh Le. This ONE Featherweight MMA World Title unification bout will be one of the marquee attractions at ONE 166: Qatar. The event takes place at the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1.
Michael Bisping reminds Sean Strickland why “all bets are off” in trash talk with Ian Machado Garry
Harry Kettle - January 5, 2024
MMA analyst Michael Bisping has weighed in on Sean Strickland’s recent war of words with Ian Machado Garry. Over the course of the last few weeks, Sean Strickland and Ian Machado Garry have somewhat become rivals. It started with Strickland offering his thoughts on the speculation surrounding Machado Garry’s wife, with the Irishman obviously not being too pleased about that. The two had a run-in at the UFC PI, with Strickland making it clear that he’d be willing to fight him – even though he wasn’t overly interested in doing so.
Chael Sonnen shuts down talks of Jorge Masvidal fighting Leon Edwards at UFC 300, names the only opponent ‘Gamebred’ will take
Harry Kettle - January 5, 2024
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on who Jorge Masvidal could face at UFC 300. Earlier this week, Jorge Masvidal took to social media and appeared to announce that he was coming out of retirement. While there’s been no confirmation as to what exactly that means, many are speculating that he could be doing so in order to compete at UFC 300. It would make sense, given that he’s a blockbuster name in mixed martial arts, and the promotion clearly wants to make UFC 300 as stacked as possible.
Mayra Bueno Silva shares honest take on upcoming UFC 297 title bout with Raquel Pennington: “Nobody wants to watch this fight”
Harry Kettle - January 5, 2024
Mayra Bueno Silva has given her honest take on her upcoming UFC 297 title showdown with Raquel Pennington. In the co-main event of UFC 297, Mayra Bueno Silva will battle Raquel Pennington for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. It will mark the dawn of a new era following the retirement of Amanda Nunes last year.
Former champion Chris Weidman reportedly booked to return at UFC Atlantic City
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2024
Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is reportedly set to return to the Octagon in March at UFC Atlantic City. According to MMA reporter, Laerte Viana, Weidman is booked to return on March 30 at UFC Atlantic City against Bruno Silva. The report indicates the fight has been agreed to but has not officially been signed. The event will take place at the Boardwalk Hall.
Demetrious Johnson explains why 'King of Violence' Mike Perry was the best fighter of 2023
Josh Evanoff - January 4, 2024
ONE Championship titleholder Demetrious Johnson believes that BKFC’s Mike Perry was the greatest fighter of 2023. Given that the year recently came to a close, there’s naturally been a lot of reflecting. Naturally, names such as Sean Strickland, Islam Makhachev, and more, were in the ‘Fighter of the Year’ discussion. The World MMA Awards handed out the award to one Leon Edwards last month. ‘Rocky’ notched two wins this year, over Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.
Sean O'Malley details plan to finish this year as biggest star in sports: "I will be as big as Conor"
Josh Evanoff - January 4, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley believes that he will end this year as the biggest name in sports. ‘Sugar’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since his first career title shot in August, at UFC 292. Facing longtime bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, he scored a second-round knockout victory. After years of hype, it seems that Sean O’Malley has finally arrived.
Current UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall wants his next fight to be for the undisputed title: “Come on”
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2024
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall appears to be frustrated with how the division is playing out. Jon Jones won the vacant undisputed heavyweight title in March with a first-round submission win over Ciryl Gane. He was then booked to defend his belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 in November in Madison Square Garden. Unfortunately, Jones suffered an injury, and the UFC salvaged the card by making Tom Aspinall vs Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title.
Henry Cejudo believes Belal Muhammad is at risk of losing the UFC 300 welterweight title fight to Jorge Masvidal
Susan Cox - January 4, 2024
Henry Cejudo believes Belal Muhammad is at risk of losing the UFC 300 welterweight title fight to Jorge Masvidal. It was recently reported that Belal Muhammad (23-3 MMA) will battle reigning welterweight champion Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) in a rematch on the upcoming UFC 300 card. However, there has been no confirmation by the UFC as of this writing.
Jorge Masvidal's teammate gives update on 'Gamebred's' potential return to fighting
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2024
Renato Moicano, a teammate of Jorge Masvidal at American Top Team has provided an update on ‘Gamebred’s’ potential return to fighting. Following Masvidal’s one-sided decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 ,which was his fourth straight defeat, he announced his retirement from MMA. Yet not even a year later, Masvidal took to X to announce he’s unretired.
Dana White sings high praise for Power Slap: "We're building another new combat sport"
Zain Bando - January 4, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is already thinking long-term about the success of Power Slap, which began at the beginning of 2023. White spoke to Sports Illustrated (Wrestling on Fan Nation) about the instant growth of the league and its viral nature on social media. Despite its controversies across the combat sports landscape, White said it starts a new revolution.
Gilbert Burns comes to the defense of former training partner Paddy Pimblett: “He’s a legit fighter”
Susan Cox - January 4, 2024
Gilbert Burns is coming to the defense of former training partner Paddy Pimblett. Paddy Pimblett (21-3 MMA) is hot off a unanimous decision victory over Tony Ferguson (25-10 MMA) this past December at UFC 296.
Ariel Helwani claims Dana White and company “have a rabbit in their hat” for UFC 300
Susan Cox - January 4, 2024
Ariel Helwani is claiming that Dana White and company ‘have a rabbit in their hat’ for UFC 300. The historic UFC 300 will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Nico Carrillo wants to face bantamweight king Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 166: ‘Let’s do it’
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 4, 2024
Nico Carrillo has boldly declared his intention to challenge Jonathan Haggerty for the coveted ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title. His quest for glory gained momentum after a spectacular knockout victory over former champion Nong-O Hama at ONE Friday Fights 46 this past December 22.
Henry Cejudo shares some advice for UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2024
UFC star Henry Cejudo has given UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland some advice. While he may be the king of the middleweight division, Sean Strickland hasn’t had everything go his way as of late. In fact, he’s had to face some real difficulties outside of the cage. The reason for that is because of some remarks made by Dricus du Plessis that appeared to get under his skin, prompting a brawl between the two men at UFC 296.
Francis Ngannou reflects on his departure from the UFC: “This business can be nasty”
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2024
PFL star Francis Ngannou has reflected on his exit from the Ultimate Fighting Championship last year. In 2023, Francis Ngannou took a giant leap of faith and decided to leave the UFC. He took a risk and decided to bet on himself, and we’d say that bet has paid off in a big way. In addition to signing a blockbuster deal with PFL, where he is expected to compete this year, Ngannou also took part in a crossover boxing superfight against Tyson Fury.
John McCarthy thinks Colby Covington won’t ever “reach that pinnacle” following loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296: “Did you see who he called out?”
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2024
MMA analyst John McCarthy isn’t convinced that Colby Covington will ever reach the championship level after his loss at UFC 296. Last month at UFC 296, Colby Covington fell short in his attempt to claim the UFC welterweight championship. He lost via unanimous decision to Leon Edwards in a bout that was largely dominated by the reigning champion from Birmingham, England. In the aftermath of the contest, fans and pundits alike were quick to criticize ‘Chaos’ for the way he fought.
Joshua Pacio pumped for ONE Championship’s refocus on MMA in 2024: “I want to be at the forefront”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 4, 2024
Joshua Pacio is keen on positioning himself as a key player in ONE Championship’s renewed MMA push in 2024. The new year holds great promise for the Filipino phenom. He rematches Jarred Brooks for the American’s ONE Strawweight MMA World Title at ONE 166: Qatar on March 1.