MMA News
Michael Chandler shares his prediction for the Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington title fight at UFC 296: “I don't think Leon's gonna get the lucky head kick”
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2023
UFC fighter Michael Chandler has given his prediction for the upcoming showdown between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington. Tomorrow night at UFC 296, Leon Edwards and Colby Covington will battle it out in the main event of the evening. They’ll do so with the UFC welterweight championship being up for grabs, with Edwards defending the gold he won from Kamaru Usman last year.
MMA fighters take aim at Ian Machado Garry following his UFC 296 withdrawal
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2023
A string of mixed martial artists have given their thoughts on Ian Machado Garry pulling out of UFC 296. It goes without saying that it’s been a tough few weeks for Ian Machado Garry. The Irishman has faced a lot of criticism online, both personally and professionally. Some of it has been in relation to his wife, with others bringing up the fact that he’s been reportedly kicked out of a few different gyms now. Either way, it’s been rough, and things have seemingly gotten worse during fight week.
Video | Veteran UFC octagon girl Brittney Palmer announces retirement and lays down her shorts
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2023
Veteran UFC ring girl Brittney Palmer has announced her retirement during the 2023 World MMA Awards. As part of the final UFC PPV of the year, a parade of awards were given out last night during a special ceremony at the Sahara Theatre in Las Vegas. One of the awards was Ringcard Girl of the Year, which was won by the aforementioned Brittney Palmer.
Cody Garbrandt says he has no “hatred or animosity” towards former UFC rival TJ Dillashaw: “But there’s always going to be an asterisk”
Harry Kettle - December 15, 2023
Former UFC champion Cody Garbrandt says he has no hatred or animosity when it comes to his former rival TJ Dillashaw. This weekend, Cody Garbrandt will make his return to the Octagon at UFC 296 when he locks horns with Brian Kelleher. It will serve as a highly anticipated return to action for ‘No Love’. He will attempt to begin his quest back to the UFC bantamweight championship.
Martin Nguyen to square off against Garry Tonon at ONE 165 in Japan
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 14, 2023
Martin Nguyen and Garry Tonon will finally get an opportunity to settle their differences with each other. Both men are set to collide in a featherweight MMA bout at ONE 165. The event will emanate from the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, live on January 28.
WATCH | Colby Covington and Tony Ferguson go from enemies to friends in bizarre back-and-forth at UFC 296 press conference
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
Colby Covington and Tony Ferguson had a bizarre back-and-forth at the UFC 296 press conference. Covington is set to headline UFC 296 where he challenges Leon Edwards for the promotion’s coveted welterweight title. Meanwhile, Tony Ferguson is looking to snap his six-fight losing streak against Paddy Pimblett on the main card. Both are intriguing matchups, but even though they aren’t fighting one another, the two had a back-and-forth at today’s press conference.
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
In the co-main event of UFC 296, the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja takes on Brandon Royval in a rematch of their 2021 fight. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -205 favorite while the challenger is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 296. The pros lean towards Pantoja retaining his flyweight title and likely doing so by submission as he did in the first fight.
WATCH | Leon Edwards throws water bottle at Colby Covington after 'Chaos' brings up the Brit's dead dad
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
The UFC 296 press conference got heated as Leon Edwards threw a water bottle at Colby Covington. Edwards and Covington are set to headline UFC 296 on Saturday in a highly-anticipated matchup. In the lead-up to the fight, Covington has been full of trash talk, but Edwards said it wouldn’t impact him as he knows ‘Chaos’ is just putting on an act.
Leon Edwards plans to treat Colby Covington like the "clown" he is at UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
Leon Edwards says Colby Covington is a clown and plans to treat him like one at UFC 296. Edwards is set to defend his welterweight title for the second time in the main event of UFC 296 on Saturday night in Las Vegas against Covington. In the lead-up to the fight, Covington has been full of trash-talk and has been taking shots at Edwards, which isn’t a surprise to the Brit as he expected ‘Chaos’ to act like “a clown” on fight week, which he says he has.
Tony Ferguson explains why he's glad that he trained with David Goggins: "One of the hardest things I've done"
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson is happy that he took time to train with David Goggins. ‘El Cucuy’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night at UFC 296. There, Tony Ferguson is expected to meet the rising Paddy Pimblett. ‘The Baddy’ enters the matchup undefeated in the UFC, last defeating Jared Gordon by decision last December.
Colby Covington believes Kamaru Usman would have “destroyed” Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round fight
Susan Cox - December 14, 2023
Colby Covington believes Kamaru Usman would have ‘destroyed’ Khamzat Chimaev in a five-round fight. It was this past October, at UFC 294, where Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) was defeated by Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) by majority decision.
Dana White teases ridiculously stacked lineup for UFC 300: “This is the first prelim of the night? This is insane!”
Susan Cox - December 14, 2023
Dana White is teasing a ridiculously stacked lineup for UFC 300. UFC 300 will probably take place in April of 2024, however, there has been no official confirmation from the promotion as to the exact date, time, and place. Also, anticipation is building as to who will be competing at the historic event.
Michael Bisping offers official prediction for Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington: "I don't think it's going to be easy"
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping believes Leon Edwards will defeat Colby Covington. ‘Rocky’ has been out of the octagon since his trilogy with Kamaru Usman in March. There, Leon Edwards scored his second-straight win over ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ by majority decision. Cageside that night was the returning Colby Covington, who was quickly named the next title challenger by Dana White.
Leon Edwards believes Colby Covington will retire or go to lightweight after UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
Leon Edwards believes UFC 296 will be the final time Colby Covington fights at welterweight. Edwards is set to defend his welterweight title in the main event of UFC 296 against Covington in a highly-anticipated matchup. It’s a pivotal fight for both of their careers, especially for Covington as there is a lot of talk that this will be his final chance to become the undisputed welterweight champion, as he is 0-2 in undisputed title fights, and at age 35 time is running out for his career.
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson
Cole Shelton - December 14, 2023
On the main card of UFC 296, an intriguing lightweight bout goes down as Paddy Pimblett takes on Tony Ferguson. Heading into the fight, Pimblett is a sizeable -330 favorite while ‘El Cucuy’ is a +240 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the title fight at UFC 296. Many of the pros made it clear they are rooting for Ferguson to turn back the clock to get the win, but don’t think it will happen.
Jacob Smith looks forward to celebrating Christmas after ONE Fight Night 17 win
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 14, 2023
In a twist of fate that can only be described as a Christmas miracle, Jacob Smith found himself on the receiving end of an early holiday gift. At ONE Fight Night 17 last Friday, he delivered a stunning performance against #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Walter Goncalves.
Paddy Pimblett shares advice to the “crabs in the UFC” being paid 12/12: “Work a bit harder, show a bit of personality”
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2023
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has given his thoughts on the ongoing debate regarding fighter pay in the promotion. This weekend, Paddy Pimblett will make his return to the Octagon. He’s set to take on fan favorite Tony Ferguson, with many believing the Liverpudlian should get the job done. Either way, though, he needs to put in a positive performance, largely due to how public opinion has changed on him in the last twelve months.
Ian Machado Garry issues statement after being forced out of UFC 296 bout with Vicente Luque: "This annoys me more than anyone"
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2023
UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry has released a statement after being forced out of his UFC 296 fight against Vicente Luque. Just a matter of hours ago, UFC president Dana White confirmed the news that Ian Machado Garry is out of his scheduled bout with Vicente Luque this weekend. It was said that he initially had the flu, which turned into pneumonia. This comes at the end of a tumultuous few weeks for the youngster with fighters and fans trolling him constantly on social media.