MMA News

Jake Paul, Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz
Jake Paul

Jake Paul alleges Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz is on after 'Gamebred' makes return announcement

Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2024

According to Jake Paul, a boxing match with Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is on the books for 2024. Earlier this week, ‘Gamebred’ took to social media to announce that his retirement was officially over. In April, Jorge Masvidal suffered a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. Weeks prior to the event, he stated that he would retire with a defeat. Ultimately, he stayed true to his word.

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, MMA, Alex Pereira
UFC

Chuck Liddell explains frustration with personal nature of modern UFC trash talk: "I guess that's the thing now"

Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2024

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell isn’t exactly a fan of what he’s been seeing lately. ‘The Iceman’ is considered one of MMA’s earliest stars, and one of the more high-profile names to ever fight in the UFC. Across his tenure, he had massive fights with names such as Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans, Wanderlei Silva, and more. Chuck Liddell’s aforementioned rivalry with ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ was massive for the early growth of the company.

Henry Cejudo and Michael Chandler
Henry Cejudo

Henry Cejudo praises Michael Chandler for being patient and waiting for Conor McGregor fight

Cole Shelton - January 2, 2024

Henry Cejudo has praised Michael Chandler for sticking to his guns and waiting for Conor McGregor. After McGregor broke his leg in the trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier, immediately many wondered who would be his return fight. From the get-go, Chandler had been vocal in saying he would be the Irishman’s return opponent, which led to the two coaching TUF 31 last year.

Francis Ngannou Anthony Joshua
Boxing News

Eddie Hearn names Francis Ngannou as 1 of 3 possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight

Susan Cox - January 2, 2024

Eddie Hearn has named Francis Ngannou as 1 of 3 possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. Anthony Joshua most recently defeated Otto Wallin at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ event this past December (see that here). The Brit’s record now sits at 27 wins and 3 losses. Of those 27 wins, 24 came by way of knockout.

UFC 297, Strickland vs. Du Plessis, UFC, Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis
Sean Strickland

Sean Strickland admits he was “boiling” following “off limits” comments by Dricus Du Plessis

Susan Cox - January 2, 2024

Sean Strickland is admitting that he was ‘boiling’ following the ‘off limits’ comments made by Dricus Du Plessis. It was at a pre-fight press conference where du Plessis shouted at Strickland saying “you think your dad beat the sh*t out of you? Your dad doesn’t have sh*t on me … every childhood memory you have is going to come back when I’m in there with you”.

Jorge Masvidal, Unretired, UFC
UFC

Jorge Masvidal announces he is ending his retirement

Susan Cox - January 2, 2024

Former UFC welterweight title challenger and BMF champion Jorge Masvidal has announced that he is ending his retirement. Taking to ‘X‘, Masvidal simply stated:

Jailton Almeida Tom Aspinall
Jailton Almeida

Tom Aspinall expresses interest in fighting the winner of Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida: “Sounds good”

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has expressed his interest in fighting the winner of Curtis Blaydes vs Jailton Almeida. At UFC 295, Tom Aspinall knocked out Sergei Pavlovich to become a world champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The next step for him, as an interim title holder, would usually be to take on the reigning champion to unify the belts. Unfortunately, it seems as if Jon Jones is still planning to battle Stipe Miocic when he makes his comeback.

TJ Dillashaw physique
UFC

Photo | TJ Dillashaw has put on some serious mass following UFC retirement: “Patience pays off”

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is looking bigger than ever following his retirement from MMA. In late 2022, TJ Dillashaw made the decision to retire from mixed martial arts. It came following a headline-filled career, from upset title wins to a long suspension to a series of nasty injuries. Through it all, though, Dillashaw is still widely considered to be one of the best bantamweight in the history of the sport.

Leon Edwards
UFC

Leon Edwards announces he will be defending his welterweight title at UFC 300

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024

UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has revealed that he will be defending his belt at UFC 300. Last month, Leon Edwards successfully defended his belt for the second time. He did so by defeating Colby Covington, confirming his status as the best 170-pounder on the planet. In the immediate aftermath, many called for him to take on either Belal Muhammad or Shavkat Rakhmonov in his next outing.

Tawanchai PK Saenchai
ONE Championship

Tawanchai PK Saenchai open to challenging Chingiz Allazov for kickboxing crown

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2024

Tawanchai PK Saenchai is considering the prospect of facing Chingiz Allazov for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship. The 24-year-old featherweight Muay Thai king has developed a fondness for Allazov, who has undeniably had a stellar 2023.

Phetjeeja
ONE Championship

Phetjeeja targets unification bout against Janet Todd after ONE interim world title win

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2024

It’s safe to assume that “The Queen” Phetjeeja is not resting on her laurels after her latest victory in Bangkok, Thailand. Fresh off her win over Anissa Meksen at ONE Friday Fights 46 on December 22 to clinch the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title, the Thai sensation has set her sights on a unification bout against lineal champion Janet Todd.

Chingiz Allazov
ONE Championship

Chingiz Allazov sees Takeru Segawa prevailing over Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 165

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2024

Chingiz Allazov made his stance clear in the lead-up to the high-stakes showdown between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa. Both men will collide in a flyweight kickboxing super-fight, which will headline ONE Championship’s return to Japan — ONE 165. The event takes place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on January 28.

Conor McGregor
UFC

Conor McGregor reveals announcement date for his next fight

Harry Kettle - December 30, 2023

UFC star Conor McGregor has revealed that he will make an announcement regarding his next fight on New Year’s Day. For the longest time now, fight fans have been waiting for some kind of announcement regarding the return of the Irishman. It’s been well over two years since we’ve seen him in the Octagon, with many believing 2023 would be the year that he made his comeback.

Juan Archuleta, Patchy Mix
Juan Archuleta

RIZIN champion Juan Archuleta calls for rematch with Bellator's Patchy Mix: "Only guy to beat him"

Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023

RIZIN bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta is ready for a rematch with Bellator titleholder Patchy Mix. ‘The Spaniard’ is slated to make the first title defense of his bantamweight title reign this Saturday. In the co-main event of RIZIN 45, Juan Archuleta will face former titleholder Kai Asaukra. If he can get through the Japanese fighter this weekend, he hopes to meet Patchy Mix in the near future.

Islam Makhachev, Paul Felder
Paul Felder

Paul Felder implores Islam Makhachev to stay at lightweight amid double-champ talk: "Stay in your freaking division"

Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023

UFC analyst Paul Felder sees no reason why Islam Makhachev needs to challenge Leon Edwards, yet. ‘Rocky’ is fresh off his return earlier this month at UFC 296 against Colby Covington. There, Edwards turned in a dominant performance, scoring a unanimous decision win over ‘Chaos’. While his second title defense was an impressive one to many, Islam Makhachev didn’t exactly feel threatened.

Gilbert Burns, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis
Gilbert Burns

Gilbert Burns shares his side of Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis' melee: "It was a draw!"

Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns had a front-row seat for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis. Earlier this month at UFC 296, ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Stillknocks’ famously got into a brawl. It wasn’t terribly surprising, given their heated press conference earlier in the week. In the post-fight press conference, Dana White took the blame for the incident and explained that he shouldn’t have sat the middleweights so close.

Paul Felder and Paddy Pimblett
Paul Felder

Paul Felder explains why he doubts Paddy Pimblett can beat any ranked lightweight after his UFC 296 performance

Cole Shelton - December 29, 2023

Paul Felder doesn’t think Paddy Pimblett would have success against any of the ranked lightweights in the UFC. Pimblett improved to 5-0 in the UFC with a one-sided decision win over Tony Ferguson at UFC 296. With that said, the Brit wasn’t able to finish the aging veteran and actually started to gas in the third round.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler TUF 31 Face-Off with Dana White.
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler provides update on possible Conor McGregor fight

Harry Kettle - December 29, 2023

UFC star Michael Chandler has provided an update on his possible showdown with Conor McGregor. For the longest time now, fight fans have been waiting to hear an announcement regarding a fight between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor. The two men coached opposite one another on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter, with the expectation being that they’d meet inside the Octagon after their collision.