MMA News
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.
Brian Kelleher confident he can bring out the "old" Cody Garbrandt in a "firefight" at UFC 296: "He's an emotional guy"
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Brian Kelleher is relieved to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Kelleher hasn’t fought since June of 2022 when he suffered a submission loss to Mario Bautista. He was supposed to face Journey Newson in April of this year, but was removed from the scrap on fight week as he had a neck issue that needed to be fixed.
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.
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.
Colby Covington plans to have Donald Trump wrap the welterweight title around his waist at UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 13, 2023
Colby Covington will be asking for Donald Trump to wrap the welterweight title around his waist at UFC 296. Covington is set to fight for the undisputed welterweight title for a third time on Saturday night, as he headlines UFC 296 against Leon Edwards. ‘Chaos’ enters the fight as a small underdog, but Covington has been vocal that he thinks he will make Edwards quit and will put him to sleep to get the win.
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:
Dana White rejects Colby Covington’s request for Donald Trump walkout at UFC 296
Susan Cox - December 13, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has rejected Colby Covington’s request for Donald Trump walkout at UFC 296. This coming Saturday, December 16th, will see Colby Covington (17-3 MMA) facing Leon Edwards (21-3 MMA) in the welterweight main event title fight which takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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.
Sean Strickland's Coach explains the key factor behind defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023
Sean Strickland’s head coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on the champion’s upcoming clash with Dricus du Plessis. Next month at UFC 297, Sean Strickland will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Dricus du Plessis. With former champ Israel Adesanya taking some time off, du Plessis has stepped up and will be the first man to try and take the belt away from Strickland.
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.