MMA News
Opening odds released for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, 'Iron' reacts
Cole Shelton - January 2, 2024
The opening betting odds have been released for the Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight in June. On New Year’s Eve, McGregor took to X to announce his return fight will be against Chandler on June 29, which is International Fight Week. However, the UFC has still yet to officially announce the matchup, but all signs point to it happening.
Dana White gives TV deal update: “That’s when you’re going to see people making big moves"
Zain Bando - January 2, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is already looking ahead to the future of streaming media, which includes the promotion’s current seven-year contract with ESPN in the U.S. Dana White, named CEO after the UFC and WWE merged under TKO Group Holdings Inc., provided a perspective on where things sit with television negotiations with ESPN and other media partners.
Ian Garry slams Sean Strickland for "off limits" trash talk comment: "How the tables have turned"
Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has a bone to pick with middleweight champion Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ is fresh off his first fight with Dricus du Plessis last month at UFC 296. In the days leading to their brawl at the pay-per-view event, they traded heated words. At the seasonal press conference days before, ‘Stillknocks’ mocked the abuse that Sean Strickland suffered at the hands of his father.
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.
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.
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.
Michael Chandler confirms he is fine with fighting Conor McGregor at middleweight: “Any weight is good with me”
Susan Cox - January 2, 2024
Michael Chandler has confirmed that he is fine with fighting Conor McGregor at middleweight. As promised, Conor McGregor announced his comeback fight on the last day of the year, Sunday, December 31st.
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”.
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.
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.
Daniel Cormier says ‘Puppet master’ Conor McGregor is playing Michael Chandler like ‘Pinocchio’
Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s recent announcement. To kickstart 2024, Conor McGregor revealed that he plans on returning to the Octagon this summer to take on Michael Chandler. It’s a fight that has been over a year in the making, with the Irishman making it clear that he ideally wanted to return earlier than June.
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.
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 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 announces opponent and date for "the greatest comeback of all time"
Cole Shelton - December 31, 2023
Conor McGregor will be returning to the Octagon in 2024. McGregor recently revealed he would be revealing his return date and opponent on New Year’s Eve, and he did just that. Taking to X, McGregor sent out a video revealing he will return at International Fight Week in June against Michael Chandler.
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.
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 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.