MMA News
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.
WATCH | Vicente Luque and Kevin Holland exchange videos verbally agreeing to UFC 296 bout
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2023
UFC welterweight contenders Vicente Luque and Kevin Holland might get to fight each other after all. The Brazilian was slated to return to the ring this Saturday night at UFC 296 against Ian Garry. However, that battle between teammates was derailed due to ‘The Future’ coming down with an illness. As a result, he pulled out of his fight with Vicente Luque late last night. However, it didn’t take long for Kevin Holland to answer the call.
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.
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.
Colby Covington reveals the real reason why he wants to fight 'amateur jabroni' Sean Strickland: "Can you all not relate?"
Josh Evanoff - December 14, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington wants to fight Sean Strickland over his comments about women. ‘Chaos’ is currently slated to return to the octagon this Saturday night in the main event of UFC 296 against Leon Edwards. For Colby Covington, the bout will be his first since a decision win over Jorge Masvidal last March. Following that victory, he was assaulted by ‘Gamebred’ in a Miami steakhouse.
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.
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.
ONE Championship lands massive broadcast deal with Sky Sports
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 14, 2023
In a groundbreaking move, ONE Championship has officially joined forces with Sky Sports. This exclusive partnership ensures that ONE Championship’s premium live events and ancillary programming will now find a new home on Sky Sports’ broadcast and digital platforms across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
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.
Tony Ferguson still holds ill will towards Khabib Nurmagomedov: “I scared the f**k out of that Dagestani guy”
Harry Kettle - December 14, 2023
UFC star Tony Ferguson still isn’t a fan of rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, even all these years later. This weekend, Tony Ferguson returns to the Octagon to battle Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296. It’s one of the featured bouts of the evening, with many excited to see how the two match up with one another on the big stage.
Dustin Jacoby expecting a "battle" against Alonzo Menifield at UFC 296, believes stars are aligning for rematch against Alex Pereira
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Dustin Jacoby will be getting a chance to end 2023 on a high note. Jacoby snapped his two-fight losing streak back in August with a first-round TKO over Kennedy Nzechukwu. After the win, Jacoby was hoping to fight one more time this year, and when he got the call to face Alonzo Menifield at UFC 296 he jumped at the chance.
Dana White on Conor McGregor's planned return to UFC: "It's all up to him"
Zain Bando - December 13, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White sat down with TNT Sports to preview UFC 296, taking place Saturday night, headlined by Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington, and various other MMA topics, including former UFC double champion Conor McGregor. McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) has been out of action since July 2021, suffering a fight-ending ankle break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Vicente Luque removed from UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
UFC 296 has taken a hit as a welterweight bout between Ian Machado Garry and Vicente Luque is off the card. Machado Garry missed media day on Wednesday, but his wife told a reporter the Irishman would be at the press conference on Thursday. However, rumors started to swirl that Garry had fallen ill and his fight against Luque was in danger of being off.
Tony Ferguson unloads on "little b*tch" Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Tony Ferguson isn’t a fan of Paddy Pimblett. Ferguson is set to return to the octagon on Saturday night at UFC 296 as he takes on Pimblett in an intriguing lightweight fight. ‘El Cucuy’ enters the fight on a six-fight losing streak and is a sizeable underdog against Pimblett who’s undefeated in the UFC.
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.