MMA News
Colby Covington says he's already a "first-ballot Hall of Famer" but will be "one of the greatest welterweights of all-time" after UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Colby Covington plans to solidify his legacy on Saturday at UFC 296. Covington is the former interim welterweight champion and is set to face Leon Edwards for the undisputed title in the main event of UFC 296 from Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday. It’s a massive fight as it’s likely Covington’s final chance at fighting for the undisputed title.
Leon Edwards confused by Colby Covington's 'weird' love for Donald Trump: "He needs to go get a girlfriend"
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2023
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards is a bit confused by Colby Covington’s fascination with Donald Trump. ‘Rocky’ has been out of the cage since a majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman in March. That victory was Leon Edward’s second straight win over ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. However, it didn’t take long for the British fighter to get his next title challenger. On fight night, Dana White announced it would be the returning Colby Covington.
Dwayne Johnson to play Mark Kerr in A24's 'The Smashing Machine' movie
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2023
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has signed to play former UFC fighter Mark Kerr in a film next year. ‘The Smashing Machine’ was one of MMA’s early dominant stars. First debuting in 1997, Mark Kerr quickly found success inside the cage. The following year, he signed with the UFC, to compete in a one-night heavyweight tournament. Unsurprisingly, the former collegiate wrestler dominated.
Colby Covington continues one-sided feud with Lebron James: "You're a spineless coward"
Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has again taken aim at NBA star Lebron James. ‘Chaos’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night at UFC 296. In the main event, Colby Covington will face welterweight champion Leon Edwards. ‘Rocky’ has been out of action since a decision win over Kamaru Usman in March, his second straight victory over ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’. Following the bout, Dana White confirmed that the British fighter would face Covington next.
Dana White responds to Jim Miller’s request to fight at UFC 300: “Consider that done”
Susan Cox - December 13, 2023
Dana White has responded to Jim Miller’s request to fight at UFC 300. Jim Miller (36-17 MMA) is eager to be included in the UFC’s historic 300th pay-per-view event in April of 2024.
UFC 296 | Pro fighters make their picks for Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington title fight
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
In the main event of UFC 296, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Leon Edwards looks to defend his belt for the second time against Colby Covington. Heading into the fight, Edwards is a -156 favorite while ‘Chaos’ is a +122 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 Covington pulling off the upset and becoming the new welterweight champion.
Dana White says he is “absolutely” cool with Tom Aspinall defending his UFC interim heavyweight title
Susan Cox - December 13, 2023
Dana White is saying he’s ‘absolutely’ cool with Tom Aspinall defending his UFC interim heavyweight title. It was UFC 295 that saw Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA) defeat Sergei Pavlovich (18-2 MMA) by KO at 1:09 of Round 1 to claim the interim heavyweight title as his own.
Benoit Saint Denis accuses the Nurmagomedov family of being “loaded like mules”
Susan Cox - December 13, 2023
Benoit Saint Denis is accusing the Nurmagomedov family of being ‘loaded like mules’. Saint Denis, speaking with ‘Le Figaro‘ had this to say about the Nurmagomedov clan:
Despite historic win at ONE Fight Night 17, Roman Kryklia still sees room to grow
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2023
Roman Kryklia recently added another feather to his cap by claiming the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title. The Ukrainian powerhouse achieved the feat in the main event of ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video last Friday, December 8, knocking out Alex Roberts in the second round.
Johan Ghazali dismisses Rodtang parallels after ONE Fight Night 17 win: 'I want to be my own person'
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2023
Johan Ghazali is daring to dream big. At ONE Fight Night 17 last Friday, “Jojo” didn’t disappoint. There, he made quick work of Edgar Tabares, knocking out the former World Title challenger in 36 seconds with a body shot.
Ian Machado Garry taunts his haters with brash promo ahead of UFC 296 (Video)
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023
UFC contender Ian Machado Garry has taunted his haters with a newly released promo ahead of UFC 296. Over the course of the last few weeks, Ian Machado Garry has faced a lot of adversity. Between stories about his wife and stories about him being kicked out of gyms, the Irishman has been public enemy number one in mixed martial arts. Alas, despite all of the noise, the youngster is still focused on the task at hand this weekend.
Buakaw praises Stamp Fairtex for three-sport world title feat: ‘I got to give it up to her’
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2023
Buakaw Banchamek finds himself in awe of a Thai compatriot who has shattered barriers and rewritten history — Stamp Fairtex. Stamp’s unprecedented feat of becoming the first-ever three-sport ONE World Champion has left the renowned Muay Thai legend mesmerized.
Jo Nattawut targets Tawanchai PK Saenchai rematch following spectacular victory at ONE Fight Night 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2023
“Smokin” Jo Nattawut looks sharper than ever, and he has 26 pounds of gold on his mind. After an electrifying performance against Luke Lessei at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video last Friday, December 8, the Thai veteran still believes he has what it takes to compete against ONE Championship’s best featherweight Muay Thai fighters.
Chael Sonnen weighs in on Belal Muhammad’s late call-up for backup role at UFC 296: “For sure, it means something more”
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s late call-up to be the back-up fighter for the UFC 296 main event. This weekend, Leon Edwards will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Colby Covington. The two will collide in the main event of UFC 296 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Joe Rogan details why proposed UFC fight with Wesley Snipes never came to fruition: “He knew I was going to kill him”
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained why a proposed MMA fight with Wesley Snipes never came to fruition. While he may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that Joe Rogan is an important part of the UFC family. For decades now, he’s been on the call for some of the promotion’s biggest and best moments. In addition to that, he’s also built quite an empire for himself outside of the fight game through his podcast.
Teddy Atlas praises Leon Edwards ahead of UFC 296: "He got 30 percent better when he won that title"
Zain Bando - December 12, 2023
Teddy Atlas is a fixture of the fight game, specifically boxing. But when it comes to the UFC, specifically UFC 296, which takes place Saturday night from Las Vegas, Nevada, he also knows a thing or two.
UFC parts ways with four more fighters
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
The UFC has trimmed its roster again as four fighters have been removed from the roster. On Tuesday evening, X account UFC Roster Tracker which tracks the UFC roster and who has been added and removed – revealed four fighters have been let go. According to the account, Austin Lingo, Johny Munoz Jr., Nick Aguirre, and Terrence Mitchell have all been removed from the roster.
Paddy Pimblett wants the old Tony Ferguson to show up at UFC 296, but doubts it happens: "He isn't the same fighter"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Paddy Pimblett wants Tony Ferguson to turn back the clock at UFC 296. Pimblett is set for his first fight in a year as he takes on Ferguson who’s on a six-fight losing streak. During the losing skid, Ferguson has been finished in four of those defeats, and his last win came back in June of 2019.