MMA News
Colby Covington responds to 'complete scrub' Michael Chandler after prelim comment: "I'm an all-time great!"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is unhappy with Michael Chandler. ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC 296 earlier this month. For Colby Covington, the bout was his first in well over a year, and it didn’t go well. Facing Leon Edwards in the main event of the pay-per-view offering from Las Vegas, he was dominated. The sight of Covington losing was a delight to some, including Michael Chandler.
Paige VanZant rules out retirement, but admits BKFC return is far from set: "I don’t know if it’s down the road"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
It appears that Paige VanZant isn’t fully done with competing in BKFC. ‘12 Gauge’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports since a rematch with Rachel Ostovich in July 2021. That bout took place just two and a half years after Paige VanZant defeated the Hawaiian in the UFC cage. However, their bare-knuckle boxing match looked radically different.
Alex Pereira believes heavyweight move has to happen "the right way," shuts down rumors of Tom Aspinall fight
Cole Shelton - December 28, 2023
Alex Pereira isn’t ruling out a move up to heavyweight but says he will need to make the jump in weight the right way. Pereira moved up to light heavyweight after losing his middleweight title in April after suffering a KO loss to Israel Adesanya. He ended up beating Jan Blachowicz in his light heavyweight debut and then scored a knockout win over Jiri Prochazka in November to become the promotion’s new light heavyweight champion.
Colby Covington doubles down on comments about Ian Machado Garry’s marriage: “I'd be honoured to settle that”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Colby Covington is doubling down on the comments he’s made regarding Ian Machado Garry’s marriage. Covington (17-4 MMA) is licking his wounds after his unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) at UFC 296 on December 16th. The main event welterweight title fight saw ‘Rocky’ retain the belt.
Dana White reveals he’s in talks with Conor McGregor following the Irishman’s recent UFC rant: “We’re gonna figure something out”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Dana White is revealing that he’s in talks with Conor McGregor following the Irishman’s recent UFC rant. Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA), opposing TUF 31 coaches, were to battle it out in the Octagon following the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter. Well, TUF 31 concluded in August of this year and to date there has been no announcement by Dana White and the promotion as to when the McGregor vs. Chandler bout will take place.
Michael Chandler believes Conor McGregor is postponing his UFC return in hopes of getting an “easier fight”
Susan Cox - December 28, 2023
Michael Chandler believes Conor McGregor is postponing his UFC return in hopes of getting an ‘easier fight’. The UFC and CEO Dana White lead everyone to believe that following ‘The Ultimate Fighter 31 (TUF)’ we would see opposing coaches Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA) and Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA) battle it out in the Octagon.
Josh Thomson explains why he’s “not sold” on Khamzat Chimaev being a legit superstar: “He came out on fireworks and just kind of fizzled out”
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2023
MMA analyst Josh Thomson has explained why he isn’t entirely convinced by the superstar potential of Khamzat Chimaev. For over three years now, Khamzat Chimaev has been one of the most talked about stars in mixed martial arts. His dominance inside the Octagon has been clear for all to see, and that goes for middleweight as well as welterweight.
Up next! UFC Fight Night: ‘Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker 2’ Fight Card & Start Times
Harry Kettle - December 28, 2023
The first UFC event of the new year will be headlined by a blockbuster light heavyweight showdown between Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker. Following UFC 296 earlier this month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship went on something of a break over the holidays – as they tend to do. Now, as we approach the new year, it’s time to get pumped up about the prospect of some massive fights that lie ahead in 2024.
Islam Makhachev sends warning to Justin Gaethje following recent callout
Susan Cox - December 27, 2023
Islam Makhachev has sent a warning to BMF title holder Justin Gaethje following his recent callout. The current UFC lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) is not mincing words after the most recent callout from Justin Gaethje (25-4 MMA).
Photo | Sean Strickland looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of UFC 297
Susan Cox - December 27, 2023
Sean Strickland looks to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his first attempted title defense at next month’s UFC 297 event. It will be Sean Strickland (28-5 MMA) versus Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) in a middleweight title fight next month, on Saturday, January 20th at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sean O’Malley questions if Conor McGregor’s return delay could be due to the UFC “losing money” when he fights
Susan Cox - December 27, 2023
Sean O’Malley is questioning if Conor McGregor’s return delay could be due to the UFC ‘losing money’ when he fights. McGregor (22-6 MMA) last entered the Octagon in July of 2021 at UFC 264, where he lost to Dustin Poirier (29-8 MMA) via TKO.
Cody Garbrandt eyes future “money fight” with UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley: “I would just love to go and smack him around”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
UFC sensation Cody Garbrandt believes a showdown with rival Sean O’Malley is in his future. Across his last two bouts, Cody Garbrandt has been able to get back on the winning track. He’s defeated Trevin Jones and Brian Kelleher, with the latter coming via emphatic knockout at UFC 296. Now, the 32-year-old wants to reignite his push for another UFC bantamweight championship run.
Holly Holm's manager alleges that Miesha Tate turned down rematch despite UFC 300 callout
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2023
Don’t expect to see Holly Holm vs. Miesha Tate 2 going down at UFC 300 in April. The historic card is expected to include a lot of high-profile matchups, and fighters. Already, bouts such as Aljamain Sterling vs. Calvin Kattar, and Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic have been added to the card. Furthermore, names such as Conor McGregor have also been linked to the event.
Corey Anderson slams Joe Rogan's 'wasting career' comments: "Fame doesn't pay bills, money does"
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2023
Bellator light-heavyweight Corey Anderson has some issues with UFC commentator Joe Rogan’s recent comments. ‘Overtime’ has been out of action since a fight with Phil Davis in June at Bellator 297. There, Corey Anderson scored a split-decision win, another high-profile win for him. Since leaving the UFC in 2020, the light-heavyweight has earned a 4-1 (1 NC) record. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that he’s benefitted from the move.
Cody Garbrandt rejects potential Dominick Cruz rematch: "What else am I supposed to do with the guy?"
Josh Evanoff - December 27, 2023
Former UFC champion Cody Garbrandt isn’t very interested in facing Dominick Cruz again. ‘No Love’ is fresh off his return earlier this month at UFC 296. Facing off against Brian Kelleher, the former champion scored a first-round knockout victory. The win was Cody Garbrandt’s second in a row, helping him get back on track after a failed flyweight move in late 2021.
Conor McGregor vents frustration over mistreatment from the UFC: “My patience is wearing thin”
Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023
UFC sensation Conor McGregor has given his thoughts on how he has been treated by the promotion recently. Over the course of the last few months, fight fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of Conor McGregor. Many thought it would happen in December, but it didn’t. Then, he was expected to make his comeback at UFC 300 – but again, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to happen.
Former ONE heavyweight world champion Arjan Bhullar to battle Amir Aliakbari at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 27, 2023
ONE Championship’s maiden on-ground event in Qatar will witness a clash of titans as Arjan Bhullar faces off against fellow contender Amir Aliakbari. The heavyweight MMA encounter is penciled to take place at ONE 166: Qatar, emanating live from the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha on March 1.
Grappling savants Osamah Almarwai, Cleber Sousa to face off at ONE 166: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 27, 2023
Two elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts will go head-to-head at ONE 166: Qatar on March 1. Osamah Almarwai and Cleber Sousa are slated to square off against each other in a flyweight submission grappling bout at ONE Championship’s first event in Qatar. The event will take place at the Lusail Sports Arena in the Qatari capital of Doha.