MMA News

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.

Harry Kettle - December 28, 2023

Quinton Jackson has admitted that he once cried in the UFC locker room – for a fight he didn’t even take part in. Over the course of his career Quinton Jackson, better known as ‘Rampage’, has been a fan favorite in mixed martial arts. Between his electric style and larger than life personality, he’s even been able to crossover into Hollywood.

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).

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023

UFC star Justin Gaethje has said that he is “waiting on the call” regarding a title shot against UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. For as long as we can remember, Justin Gaethje has been seen as one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He’s quick, he’s got an entertaining style, and he has more UFC bonuses than we can count.

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.

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - December 27, 2023

Aljamain Sterling has admitted that he was surprised by the PPV numbers generated from his fight against Sean O’Malley. Earlier this year, Aljamain Sterling was able to defeat Henry Cejudo and successfully retain his UFC bantamweight championship. Then, just a matter of months later, he went up against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292. While it was a quick turnaround, many still felt as if Sterling was the favorite to get the win.

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.

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.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 26, 2023

Nong-O Hama is determined to prove that he still possesses the fire and skill to compete at the highest level. He returns to action at ONE Friday Fights 46 on December 22. There, he faces Nico Carrillo in a crucial bantamweight Muay Thai bout at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Harry Kettle - December 23, 2023

UFC star Israel Adesanya has revealed that he will soon make his return to the Octagon after previously claiming he’ll be out for years. At UFC 293 in September, Israel Adesanya fell to a lop-sided defeat against Sean Strickland. In the process, he lost his UFC middleweight championship. ‘Stylebender’ made it clear in the aftermath that he wanted to take some time off, and at one point, he even suggested that his hiatus could last until 2027.

Josh Evanoff - December 22, 2023

Boxing world champion Claressa Shields has revealed that Cris Cyborg would be her PFL dream fight. The ‘GWOAT’ has been out of the boxing ring since a unanimous decision win over Maricela Cornejo in June. That victory was yet another dominant title defense for Claressa Shields, and it seems that will be her last boxing appearance for a while. Not long following the win, she re-signed with the PFL.

Josh Evanoff - December 22, 2023

Demetrious Johnson believes Alexandre Pantoja could be the man to bring stability to the UFC’s flyweight division. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon over the weekend at UFC 296. Facing off against Brandon Royval in the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja dominated. Just two years after submitting ‘Raw Dawg’ in their first encounter, the Brazilian scored a unanimous decision victory. In the process, securing the first title defense of his flyweight reign.

Harry Kettle - December 22, 2023

Fight fans aren’t pleased with Colby Covington’s latest excuse following his defeat to Leon Edwards at UFC 296. Last weekend in the main event of UFC 296, Colby Covington fell to a unanimous decision loss at the hands of Leon Edwards. It wasn’t particularly close, either, with many believing that Covington put in one of the worst performances of his career.

Harry Kettle - December 22, 2023

Dricus du Plessis has refuted the idea that his UFC 296 brawl with Sean Strickland was somehow staged. At UFC 297, Dricus du Plessis will challenge Sean Strickland for the UFC middleweight championship. In preparation for their showdown, the two men traded words during a seasonal press conference prior to UFC 296.