MMA News
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.
Superbon Singha Mawynn looks to end 2023 with world title in tow: “This is my best opportunity for redemption”
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 26, 2023
As the curtains draw on 2023, Superbon Singha Mawynn is driven to end the year with a ONE World Title around his waist. He has the chance to do so when he challenges Tawanchai PK Saenchai for the ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship.
Nong-O Hama seeks to silence retirement talks at ONE Friday Fights 46: “I’m still strong and hungry for victory”
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.
Israel Adesanya reveals he will make his UFC return "soon"
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.
Demetrious Johnson praises 'Dark Horse' Alexandre Pantoja after UFC 296 win: "Full complete skill set"
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.
RIZIN's Nobuyuki Sakakibara confirms talks with Anderson Silva for retirement bout: "We're always open"
Josh Evanoff - December 22, 2023
RIZIN executive Nobuyuki Sakakibara is down to welcome Anderson Silva to the ring in the future. ‘The Spider’ has been out of action since he clashed with Jake Paul well over a year ago. Facing off in the main event of a Showtime pay-per-view, Anderson Silva suffered a unanimous decision loss. ‘The Spider’ made a great account of himself in the bout, but an eighth-round knockdown from Paul sealed the defeat.
Fight fans sound off on Colby Covington for latest excuse regarding his UFC 296 loss to Leon Edwards
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.
Dricus du Plessis refutes the idea that UFC 296 crowd brawl with Sean Strickland was staged
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.
Joe Rogan encourages elite fighter outside of the UFC to stop wasting their careers: “Nobody’s watching”
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has encouraged elite fighters outside of the promotion not to waste their careers. Over the course of the last few decades, the majority of the best fighters in MMA have made their way over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, that hasn’t always been the case.
Dana White announces several new fights including three for UFC 300
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White gave MMA fans an early Christmas present on Thursday evening. Taking to his social media account, White revealed several new fight announcements for cards in the first quarter as well as UFC 300. Some of the fights have already been known while others are brand new fights.
Belal Muhammad shares thoughts on "terrible" UFC 296 fight between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2023
Belal Muhammad wasn’t impressed with Leon Edwards or Colby Covington’s performance at UFC 296. Edwards was looking to defend his welterweight title for the second time as he took on Covington in a highly-anticipated fight. The lead-up to the fight was full of trash talk as both vowed to finish the other, in what was the final main event of 2023. However, the fight ended up being lackluster as there wasn’t much action and it was Leon Edwards who won a one-sided decision.
UFC parts ways with two more fighters
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2023
The UFC had its final event of 2023 on the weekend but the promotion parted ways with two more fighters ahead of 2024. On Thursday evening, X account UFC Roster Tracker which tracks the UFC roster and who has been added and removed – revealed that two more fighters have been removed from the roster. This comes after four fighters were let go just two weeks ago. According to the account, Parker Porter and Shannon Ross have been removed from the roster.
Colby Covington reveals plans to run for political office after retirement: "Governor of Florida"
Josh Evanoff - December 21, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington is almost ready to fully move into the world of politics. ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return at UFC 296 on Saturday night against Leon Edwards. The build to the fight was intense, as Colby Covington repeatedly mocked the death of the British fighter’s father. However, all of that trash talk was for naught. On fight night, ‘Rocky’ dominated, winning by unanimous decision.
Leon Edwards fires back at 'least intimidating person' Belal Muhammad: "I'll fight you next"
Josh Evanoff - December 21, 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is seemingly coming around to the idea of fighting Belal Muhammad. ‘Rocky’ is fresh off his return over the weekend in the main event of UFC 296. There, Leon Edwards faced Colby Covington, back for the first time in nearly two years. Despite a heated build-up courtesy of ‘Chaos’, it was all domination on fight night. With Belal Muhammad and others watching on, the British fighter scored a wide unanimous decision win.
Colby Covington says Leon Edwards' dad is "the same level of bad guy" as Adolf Hitler
Cole Shelton - December 21, 2023
Colby Covington believes Leon Edwards’ deceased father is on the same level of bad as Adolf Hitler. At the UFC 296 press conference, Covington took aim at Edwards’ dad who was murdered, saying he would bring the Brit to hell so he could say hi to him. Edwards immediately threw a water bottle at Covington and stood up as the two had to be separated by security guards.
Colby Covington claims he broke his foot in the opening minute of his fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 296
Susan Cox - December 21, 2023
Colby Covington is now claiming he broke his foot in the opening minute of his fight with Leon Edwards at UFC 296. UFC 296 saw Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA) defeat Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) by unanimous decision in the main event welterweight title fight. Edwards would remain the UFC welterweight champion.
Aljamain Sterling reveals the one thing that could benefit Henry Cejudo in fight with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298
Susan Cox - December 21, 2023
Aljamain Sterling has revealed the one thing that could benefit Henry Cejudo in a fight with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 298. UFC 298 will take place on Saturday, February 17th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Colby Covington was not impressed with Sean Strickland’s cageside brawl at UFC 296: “He’s a liability to the company”
Harry Kettle - December 21, 2023
Colby Covington wasn’t too impressed by Sean Strickland’s cageside brawl at UFC 296 last weekend. While Colby Covington may have featured in the main event of UFC 296, he may not have been the biggest story coming out of the show. In addition to Leon Edwards’ victory, there was a pretty good promo for UFC 297 next month.