MMA News
Grappling World Champion Kade Ruotolo to defend belt against Tommy Langaker at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 9, 2024
The stage is set for a riveting rematch as Kade Ruotolo defends his ONE Lightweight Submission Grappling World Title against Tommy Langaker. This grappling duel headlines ONE 165: Superlek vs. Takeru and airs live from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on January 28.
Louis Smolka entering tech world as fighting future in doubt after UFC release: "I went back to school"
Cole Shelton - January 8, 2024
Louis Smolka has done a complete 180 with his career. After Smolka suffered a KO loss to Davey Grant at UFC Vegas 54 in May of 2022, which was his second straight loss, he was released from the UFC. With Smolka having been cut from the promotion for the second time, the Hawaiian wasn’t sure what his future held, so he decided to go back to school with an eye toward a tech job.
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones provides injury update after undergoing second surgery
Jeffrey Walter - January 8, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has provided an injury update after undergoing a second surgery, this time on his elbow. Jones (27-1 MMA) captured the promotion’s vacant heavyweight world title in March of 2023, scoring a first-round submission victory over Ciryl Gane in the main event of the UFC 285.
REPORT | Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz boxing match targeted for February 28th
Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2024
According to Josh Thomson, Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz will meet again under boxing rules later this year. ‘Gamebred’ recently made headlines, announcing his intentions to exit retirement. Now, the announcement didn’t exactly shock too many. Since Jorge Masvidal’s retirement last April, he’s routinely teased a return. For his first bout back, he’s been heavily linked to a rematch with Nate Diaz.
Bo Nickal opens up on 2024 plans, reveals plans to fight four times
Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2024
UFC middleweight prospect Bo Nickal is hoping to have a busy, busy year in MMA. The former NCAA champion has been out of action since a knockout win over Val Woodburn in July at UFC 290. That stoppage victory was Bo Nickal’s fifth, all of which came in the first round. The middleweight is largely viewed as MMA’s greatest prospect at the moment, and for good reason.
Michael Chandler shares interesting theory as to why Conor McGregor called for their fight to be at 185lbs
Cole Shelton - January 8, 2024
Michael Chandler has a theory as to why Conor McGregor called for their fight to be at middleweight. Chandler and McGregor have been linked to fighting one another for over a year now, but on New Year’s Eve, the Irishman announced on his social media he would be returning on June 29 against Chandler. However, the biggest surprise was McGregor saying the fight would take place at 185lbs, which is of course the middleweight division.
Francis Ngannou commits to PFL fight despite Anthony Joshua boxing match: "We're in business together"
Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2024
Despite his boxing match against Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou is still planning on fighting in the PFL. Last week, ‘The Predator’ signed his return to the boxing ring against ‘AJ’. Just a few months removed from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou will look to earn his first win. For his part, Anthony Joshua enters the matchup riding a three-fight winning streak. He last defeated Otto Wallin by knockout last month, before his plans for a Deontay Wilder clash this Spring were foiled.
Francis Ngannou plans to “find out” if Anthony Joshua actually has a chin: “I've heard that he doesn't”
Susan Cox - January 8, 2024
Francis Ngannou is planning to ‘find out’ if Anthony Joshua actually has a chin. It will be Francis Ngannou going up against Anthony Joshua on Saturday, March 9th in Saudi Arabia.
Francis Ngannou on a potential rematch with Tyson Fury: “It’s going to happen”
Susan Cox - January 8, 2024
Francis Ngannou is speaking out on a potential rematch with Tyson Fury. It was on Saturday, October 28th of last year, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that Francis Ngannou made his first professional boxing debut against Tyson Fury.
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.
Video | Sean Strickland shot “right in the face” during ‘Roman candle war’
Harry Kettle - January 8, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is back to his chaotic best just weeks before he returns at UFC 297. It’s been quite an interesting few months for Sean Strickland. He won the middleweight championship, became a star, got embroiled in a rivalry with Dricus du Plessis, and even had a physical altercation with him at UFC 296.
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.
Sean O'Malley admits he doesn't think Conor McGregor will reach his peak again: "You just aren’t going to be the same guy"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2024
Sean O’Malley believes Conor McGregor has some fight left in him, but he doesn’t think peak “Notorious” will make a comeback. McGregor recently announced that he will be making his return for a UFC fight on June 29. He claimed he’ll be fighting Michael Chandler inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The big bombshell was that McGregor claimed the fight will be contested at 185 pounds. Some have questioned the Irishman’s motivation over having this fight take place at middleweight.
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.”