MMA News
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.
Michael Bisping explains why Conor McGregor is playing risky business by fighting at middleweight in UFC return: “It's going to make him tired”
Harry Kettle - January 4, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has questioned whether or not it’s a good idea for Conor McGregor to move up to middleweight. To kickstart the new year, Conor McGregor announced that he will return to the Octagon for International Fight Week this summer. His aim is to lock horns with Michael Chandler, and he wants to do so at 185 pounds. McGregor has never fought at middleweight before, leading some to believe that he’s simply putting on a show and that he doesn’t actually want to fight at a weight that high.
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.
Josh Emmett details his first-ever KO, says the opponent was "out longer" than Bryce Mitchell
Cole Shelton - January 3, 2024
Josh Emmett says his first-ever KO when he was an amateur is still his most ferocious. Emmett has been known for his KO power in the UFC featherweight division as he has earned four of his ten wins by KO, and when he does knock an opponent out, he usually shuts their lights off. He’s also recorded an incredible 12 knockdowns in 14 UFC fights, including recording four against Felipe Arantes in 2017.
Jim Miller reveals ideal opponents for planned UFC 300 fight: "It'd be fun"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2024
Lightweight contender Jim Miller has several opponents in mind for UFC 300 in April. ‘A-10’ has been out of the cage since a devastating first-round knockout win over Jesse Butler in June. That was another major victory for the seemingly ageless Jim Miller. With the stoppage win, he improved to 4-1 in his last five appearances, previously scoring wins over names such as Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
Jake Paul reportedly enters talks with boxer who fights 45 pounds lighter than him: "Anytime anyplace"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2024
Jake Paul is reportedly in talks to face Neeraj Goyat in his next boxing match in March. ‘The Problem Child’ is fresh off his return to the ring late last month against Andre August. Heading into the matchup, Jake Paul stated that the bout was the first, of his serious boxing journey. The bout wasn’t broadcast on pay-per-view, didn’t have any major hype, and the YouTuber was just focused on fighting.
Ben Askren would "absolutely" face Jorge Masvidal in UFC 300 rematch: "I'll fight him!"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2024
Former UFC welterweight contender Ben Askren is willing to run it back against Jorge Masvidal. ‘Gamebred’ made headlines earlier this week, officially announcing that he was out of retirement. Now, the announcement from Jorge Masvidal wasn’t exactly shocking. In recent months, the former UFC title challenger has teased that he will be returning in 2024.
Bryce Mitchell voices frustration with how medical staff handled him in the Octagon after KO loss to Josh Emmett
Cole Shelton - January 3, 2024
Bryce Mitchell isn’t happy with how he was handled after he was knocked out by Josh Emmett at UFC 296. Mitchell stepped up on less than 10 days’ notice to face Emmett in a pivotal fight for the featherweight division. Although Mitchell was stepping up on short notice, he was the betting favorite to defeat the heavy-handed KO artist.
Ben Askren claims Robert Whittaker had a serious ankle injury going into Dricus Du Plessis fight
Cole Shelton - January 3, 2024
Ben Askren has an idea why Robert Whittaker struggled against Dricus Du Plessis in July. Whittaker and Du Plessis were fighting at UFC 290 in July in a potential number-one contender fight at middleweight. The Aussie entered the fight as the betting favorite, but it was Du Plessis who pulled off the upset as he scored a second-round TKO for the biggest win of his career.
Anthony Smith says he was in a “dark place” following his knockout loss to Khalil Rountree Jr.
Susan Cox - January 3, 2024
Anthony Smith is sharing that he was in a ‘dark place’ following knockout loss to Khalil Rountree Jr. It was just last month at UFC Vegas 83 that Khalil Rountree (14-5 MMA) defeated Anthony Smith (37-19 MMA) via knockout at 0:45 of Round 3 (see that here). The 35-year-old now sits at 1 win and 3 losses in his last 4 fights in the Octagon.
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland opens up on horrific childhood abuse
Susan Cox - January 3, 2024
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is opening up about the horrific abuse he suffered as a child. Strickland’ sat down with Theo Von on ‘This Past Weekend’ and the video of the podcast has been released. An emotional ‘Tarzan’ opened up about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father.
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev shares photos of recent health scare: “I was very sick”
Susan Cox - January 3, 2024
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has shared photos of his most recent health scare. Chimaev (13-0 MMA) recently fought and defeated Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) by majority decision in October of last year at UFC 284.
Reinier de Ridder to defend middleweight title in rematch with Anatoly Malykhin
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 3, 2024
Fight fans around the world will be treated to an epic rematch when Anatoly Malykhin runs it back with Reinier de Ridder. The rematch will headline ONE 166: Qatar, airing live from the Lusail Sports Arena on March 1. This time around, De Ridder’s ONE Middleweight MMA World Title will be on the line.
Ian Machado Garry shares his hit list of UFC opponents for 2024
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2024
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has shared a list of potential opponents he wants to fight this year. While his success inside the Octagon is there for all to see, Ian Machado Garry has become something of a villain outside of the cage. In recent months, a string of stories have come out about the Irishman that have left many scratching their heads. Some are in relation to his wife, and others relate to him being kicked out of gyms.
Derek Brunson reveals he earned his “biggest payday ever” in PFL debut: “It’s a lot more than the UFC”
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2024
PFL star Derek Brunson has revealed that he earned a pretty nice payday in his debut for the promotion. For so many years, Derek Brunson was a consistent fixture in the UFC’s middleweight division. He never fought for the title, but he did compete against some of the biggest and best names at 185 pounds.
Dustin Poirier refutes rumors of possible Nate Diaz fight at UFC 300: “It ain’t happening”
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2024
UFC star Dustin Poirier has dismissed the idea that he will be battling Nate Diaz at UFC 300. It’s safe to say that Dustin Poirier is one of the most notable names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From his incredible longevity to his trilogy with Conor McGregor, he’s had a lot of highlight-reel moments over the years.
Seksan Or Kwanmuang accepts challenge from Liam Harrison: ‘I’ll meet you at 140 pounds’
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 3, 2024
The Muay Thai world is buzzing with excitement as Seksan Or Kwanmuang has officially responded to Liam Harrison‘s bold challenge. The English striker took to X, formerly known as Twitter, declaring his desire to face Seksan in what could potentially be the final bout of his storied Muay Thai career.