MMA News
Dricus Du Plessis believes he’s gotten in the head of Sean Strickland following UFC 296: “I can't believe how easy it was to mentally trigger him”
Susan Cox - December 20, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis believes he’s already in the head of middleweight champion Sean Strickland following UFC 296. UFC 296 took place last Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event saw action both inside and outside of the Octagon.
Kenny Florian refutes the idea that Colby Covington ‘didn’t show up’ at UFC 296: “So many people don't really know what they're watching”
Susan Cox - December 20, 2023
Kenny Florian is refuting the idea that Colby Covington ‘didn’t show up’ at UFC 296. The main event welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) and Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) occurred last Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The result was a unanimous decision victory for the 32-year-old Edwards.
Eddie Hearn recalls meeting UFC CEO Dana White for the first time: “A little bit in awe”
Zain Bando - December 20, 2023
Eddie Hearn isn’t one to shy away from chopping it up with some of sports’ most brilliant minds. Hearn, the mainstay behind Matchroom Boxing for the last several years, sat down with TNT Sports to discuss times when the British promoter rubbed elbows with prominent figures in sport and entertainment.
Belal Muhammad reacts after Leon Edwards' coach says they prefer fighting Gilbert Burns next
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2023
Belal Muhammad says Dana White told him he is getting the next welterweight title shot. Leon Edwards recently defended his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 296 with a one-sided decision win over Colby Covington. After the win, Edwards said he didn’t think Belal Muhammad deserved the next title shot.
Ben Askren didn't understand Colby Covington's "strategy" at UFC 296, reveals ideal next opponent for 'Chaos'
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2023
Ben Askren was confused with Colby Covington’s performance at UFC 296. Covington was fighting for the undisputed welterweight title for the third time, as he took on Leon Edwards in the main event. It likely was going to be his final title shot, and Covington did not fight how he normally does. Colby Covington didn’t chain wrestle or push a pace as he usually does. Instead, he fought off his back foot and didn’t throw many punches for the first round rounds, which confused Ben Askren.
Josh Emmett calls out former UFC champion following win over Bryce Mitchell: "An honor"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett believes a fight with Max Holloway is in order. ‘The Fighting Falmer’ returned to the cage over the weekend at UFC 296. While he was first slated to face Giga Chikadze, the former title challenger instead faced Bryce Mitchell. In their featherweight clash over the weekend, Josh Emmett scored a vicious knockout win over ‘Thug Nasty’.
Danny Kingad faces Yuya Wakamatsu in rematch at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2023
Danny Kingad and Yuya Wakamatsu will renew their rivalry at ONE 165 in ONE Championship’s return to Japan on January 28. The flyweight MMA rematch will take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Gegard Mousasi demands opponent for PFL debut after Derek Brunson declined: "I am ready"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is ready to fight Derek Brunson in the PFL. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a fight against Fabian Edwards in May. At Bellator 296, he suffered a unanimous decision loss, his second in a row. As it turns out, that will be Gegard Mousasi’s final bout in the promotion, as they’ve since been bought out by the PFL. The deal went down in November, just weeks before their championship card.
Leon Edwards' coach explains why he prefers Gilbert Burns getting the next title shot instead of Belal Muhammad
Cole Shelton - December 20, 2023
Dave Lovell the head coach of Leon Edwards is hoping Gilbert Burns will get the next welterweight title shot. In the main event of UFC 296, Edwwards defended his welterweight title for the second time with a lopsided decision win over Colby Covington. After the fight, many expected that Belal Muhammad would get the next title shot, but at the post-fight press conference, Edwards shut that down, saying he didn’t think Muhammad deserved it.
Michael Page envisions future UFC title fight with Leon Edwards in the UK: “That is gonna be unbelievable”
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023
UFC newcomer Michael Page has admitted that he can see a path to a future showdown against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Over the weekend, it was announced that Michael Page had decided to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In doing so, he opted against a contract with PFL, with the UFC also confirming that Page will take on Kevin Holland at UFC 299.
Sean Strickland moves past Sean O’Malley in pound-for-pound rankings following UFC 296 brawl with Dricus du Plessis
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has somehow gone up in the UFC’s male pound-for-pound rankings after his brawl with Dricus du Plessis. Last weekend at UFC 296, all hell broke loose. Following their lively press conference exchange, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis squared off, and then attended UFC 296 on Saturday night. Then, after the promotion decided to seat them near each other, they wound up brawling in the crowd.
Chael Sonnen casts doubt on Colby Covington ever fighting again: “I think that there’s some real frustrations”
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has cast a shadow of doubt on Colby Covington competing in the UFC again. There are plenty of question marks surrounding the future of Colby Covington right now. It’s understandable, too, after the terrible performance he dropped in his UFC 296 main event against Leon Edwards.
Anissa Meksen gets nod of approval from Liam Harrison: "She’ll know how to flow and put the combinations together"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2023
Liam Harrison is placing his bets on Anissa Meksen at ONE Friday Fights 46 on December 22. The Algerian-French sensation faces Phetjeeja for the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title, with the bout emanating live in Asian primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Joseph Lasiri seeks repeat win over Prajanchai in rematch at ONE Friday Fights 46
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2023
For Joseph Lasiri, confidence is not in short supply ahead of his World Championship rematch with Prajanchai PK Saenchai. Both men will run it back in a ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title unification bout. This happens at ONE Friday Fights 46, which broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 22.
Paddy Pimblett lays out return plans following win over Tony Ferguson: "I wanted to fight on UFC 300"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett is hoping to return to the cage next summer following his recent win. ‘The Baddy’ ended a yearlong hiatus over the weekend, returning on the UFC 296 main card. There, the rising lightweight met former interim champion, Tony Ferguson. Heading into the bout, the two men were riding radically different fortunes heading into the contest, with ‘El Cucuy’ having lost seven straight.
Sean Strickland discusses emotionally charged interview with Theo Von: "Years and years of abuse changes you"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland was surprisingly emotional during a recent interview with Theo Von. ‘Tarzan’ is currently slated to return to the octagon in January, in the main event of UFC 297. There, Sean Strickland will look to score his first title defense against Dricus du Plessis. Over the weekend, the two middleweights attended the star-studded UFC 296, with everyone from Donald Trump to Theo Von also in attendance.
VIDEO: Artem Lobov leaks text messages from Conor McGregor amid legal battle
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023
Artem Lobov has released private messages from former UFC champion Conor McGregor. ‘The Notorious’ is currently healing, awaiting his return to the octagon. As of now, Conor McGregor is currently hoping to return at UFC 300 in April, against Michael Chandler. The two famously coached the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter against one another, but have been unable to nail down a bout date.
Ray Longo unloads on "f*****g moron" Colby Covington after UFC 296: "This guys a piece of shit"
Cole Shelton - December 19, 2023
MMA coach Ray Longo is not a fan of Colby Covington. Covington is a brash-talker who isn’t afraid to say anything, which Longo says is frustrating for the MMA community. But, after Covington’s comments about Leon Edwards’ dad ahead of UFC 296, Longo was left feeling irate and unloaded on ‘Chaos’ during his appearance on The Anik & Florian Podcast as he spoke his mind about the former interim champ.