MMA News

Tony Ferguson, UFC, UFC 296, Statement
Tony Ferguson

Khabib Nurmagomedov's former coach believes Tony Ferguson can resurrect his career fighting outside of the UFC

Susan Cox - December 20, 2023

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s former coach believes Tony Ferguson can resurrect his career fighting outside the UFC. UFC 296 saw Tony Ferguson (26-10 MMA) vs. Paddy Pimblett (21-3 MMA) in a lightweight bout. The result was a unanimous decision victory for the 28-year-old Brit.

UFC 297, Strickland vs. Du Plessis, UFC, Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis
Sean Strickland

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.

Leon Edwards, Colby Covington, UFC, UFC 296, Results
UFC

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, Dana White, UFC, MMA
Eddie Hearn

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.

Daniel Cormier and Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett
Paddy Pimblett

Daniel Cormier expresses disappointment in Paddy Pimblett's win over Tony Ferguson: "It just looked the same"

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier wasn’t that impressed by Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson. ‘The Baddy’ and ‘El Cucuy’ met on the UFC 296 main card over the weekend. Heading into the bout itself, the two men were riding vastly different fortunes. For his part, Tony Ferguson entered the night on a six-fight losing streak, while Paddy Pimblett entered the bout undefeated in his promotional tenure.

Ben Askren and Colby Covington
Colby Covington

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, UFC 296, UFC, Bryce Mitchell, Results
UFC

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
ONE Championship

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.

UFC 296 weigh-ins with Leon Edwards, Colby Covington and Dana White
Dana White

Leon Edwards' coach reveals conversation with Dana White following UFC 296: "Where do you draw the line?"

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023

Leon Edwards’ coach Dave Lovell spoke with Dana White following UFC 296. Over the weekend, ‘Rocky’ returned to the cage against Colby Covington. Given that the bout involved ‘Chaos’, there was naturally a lot of trash talk involved. To his credit, Leon Edwards largely seemed unphased. Save for a wild press conference, where Covington mocked the murder of his father.

Leon Edwards and Gilbert Burns
Gilbert Burns

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 'Venom' Page
Michael Page

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 Dricus Du Plessis
Sean O'Malley

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.

Matt Riddle
UFC

Matt Riddle says there is a strong possibility he returns to fighting in 2024: “You’ve got to get beat up to leave”

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023

Former UFC and WWE star Matt Riddle has revealed that there’s a good chance he will to fighting next year. Earlier this year, Matt Riddle left WWE after spending five years with professional wrestling’s top promotion. Prior to that, though, he was a mixed martial artist. His talent took him all the way to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he last competed ten years ago in early 2013. He put together a record of 7-3 (2) with the two no contests, which came from victories that were overturned due to Matt testing positive for cannabis use.

Liam Harrison
ONE Championship

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 Prajanchai PK Saenchai
ONE Championship

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
UFC

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.

Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Tyron Woodley calls for PFL trilogy bout with Jake Paul: "Fighting anybody in MMA outside of me is disrespect"

Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023

Tyron Woodley finds it a bit disrespectful he’s not in the conversation for Jake Paul’s PFL debut. ‘The Problem Child’ is fresh off his return to the ring over the weekend. On Friday night, Jake Paul moved to 8-1, with a knockout win over Andre August. Following the victory, there was naturally talk of his PFL debut. Ever since the beginning of his boxing career, he’s teased a move to the cage.

Artem Lobov and Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor

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.