MMA News
Mohamed Younes Rabah steps in to face Saemapetch Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 8, 2023
Saemapetch Fairtex will clash with a new opponent at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video this Friday, December 8. He was originally slated for a bantamweight Muay Thai rematch against Felipe Lobo. However, he found himself in need of a new dance partner when his Brazilian rival withdrew from the bout due to injury.
Roman Kryklia plans to seize the moment at ONE Fight Night 17: "It's an amazing opportunity"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 8, 2023
ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia understands the rarity of the chance he has in his upcoming bout. The Ukrainian powerhouse battles Alex Roberts for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. The event emanates live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, December 8.
Text messages emerge showing Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta celebrating “cut throat” negotiations with Eddie Alvarez and Gilbert Melendez
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2023
A string of released text messages have shown Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta celebrating the “cut throat” nature of their business dealings. The ongoing antitrust lawsuit is something to keep a real eye on heading into 2024. While business is booming for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, this class action could hit them hard – and we don’t say that lightly. The potential damages could enter the billions if they lose in court, with the main claim being that they purposefully bought out competitors while driving down fighter pay.
Sean O'Malley says one trait drives him: "Meditation"
Zain Bando - December 7, 2023
Current UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has remained relaxed since knocking out Aljamain Sterling in August. O’Malley, 29, is already thinking about his long-term goals and what he hopes to achieve before the end of his career, which may include a trial run in boxing.
Anthony Smith explains why taking the belt from Alex Pereira "would mean more" to him
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2023
Anthony Smith believes he could get a title shot with a win at UFC Vegas 83. Smith stepped up on short notice to face Khalil Rountree in the co-main event on Saturday. It’s a key fight for the division, and although Jamahal Hill is likely to be next in line, Smith thinks he can make it clear he’s next in line with a great performance on Saturday.
Daniel Cormier admits that he nearly pulled a Mike Tyson during infamous Jon Jones scuffle: "I'm going to bite!"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2023
Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier nearly went full Mike Tyson against Jon Jones during their infamous scuffle. ‘DC’ and ‘Bones’ famously had one of the most heated feuds in MMA history. In the cage, the two met on two different occasions. On both occasions, Jon Jones emerged with a win over Daniel Cormier. However, his UFC 214 victory in July 2017 was overturned to a no-contest due to a failed drug test.
Michael Chandler gives his take on 'Bittersweet' Bellator-PFL sale: "They were important to me"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is a bit sad to see their recent sale to the PFL. ‘Iron’ is now one of the UFC’s biggest stars and most entertaining fighters. Although, Michael Chandler hasn’t been seen in the cage since a submission loss to Dustin Poirier well over a year ago. Now, the former Bellator champion has been stuck on the sidelines, waiting for a long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor.
ONE Fight Night 17: Where and how to stream in North America
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 7, 2023
This Friday, December 8, ONE Championship returns to North American primetime television with a unique year-end offering — ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. Broadcasting live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, the event brings an all-Muay Thai card to the forefront.
Vicente Luque believes Ian Garry's disrespect could lead to Kill Cliff ban: "Everybody has my back"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Vicente Luque has discussed his upcoming fight with Ian Garry. ‘The Silent Assassin’ and ‘The Future’ are currently slated to clash at UFC 296 later this month. For Vicente Luque, the bout will be his first since a unanimous decision win over Rafael dos Anjos in August. Meanwhile, Ian Garry has been out of action since a victory over Neil Magny in August.
Jan Blachowicz reveals he's set for shoulder surgery, out of UFC 297 rematch against Aleksandar Rakic
Cole Shelton - December 7, 2023
UFC 297 has taken a hit as Jan Blachowicz is out of his rematch with Aleksandar Rakic. Blachowicz and Rakic were set to rematch on Jan. 20 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in a pivotal fight for the division. The winner was immediately in the title conversation, and the fight was one many fans were looking forward to, given the first fight ended due to an injury.
Alexander Volkanovski feels Ilia Topuria may have been "rushed" into UFC 298 title fight: "I just haven’t seen that elite stuff yet"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski doesn’t exactly agree with others who say that Ilia Topuria is already on an elite level. Topuria will be in for the biggest fight of his pro MMA career when he takes on Volkanovski for the UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 298 on February 17, 2024. Up to this point, Topuria has garnered a pro MMA record of 14-0. He’s coming off a unanimous decision victory over Josh Emmett, which earned him a “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Francis Ngannou thinks it would be "too hard" for Deontay Wilder to fight him under MMA rules: "We were thinking of mixed rules"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2023
Francis Ngannou believes Deontay Wilder would have a difficult time fighting him under MMA rules. Ngannou has made a huge dent in the boxing world. He scored a knockdown on Tyson Fury in their pro boxing match back in October. Fury narrowly escaped with a split decision victory, and now Ngannou is a hot ticket in boxing’s heavyweight division.
BKFC’s David Feldman reveals more than a million PPV pirates illegally streamed ‘Mike Perry vs Eddie Alvarez’
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2023
BKFC president David Feldman has revealed that over a million unique IP addresses streamed BKFC 56: Mike Perry vs Eddie Alvarez. Bare-knuckle boxing has taken off in the last few years and BKFC have been at the forefront of that. They have worked incredibly hard to put on some blockbuster events and last weekend, we saw another one. BKFC 56 went down in Salt Lake City with the main event pitting Mike Perry against Eddie Alvarez. In what proved to be an incredible bout, it was BKFC regular Mike Perry who got his hand raised in victory.
Sean Strickland details “awkward” run-in with “f**king cuck” Ian Garry at the UFC PI
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has detailed the run-in he had with fellow fighter Ian Garry at the UFC PI. Over the course of the last few weeks, Ian Garry has been taking a lot of heat. Between stories of why he left Leon Edwards’ gym and fans hating on his wife, it’s been a tricky road for the Irishman. Now, he has to focus his attention on Vicente Luque, who he’ll battle next weekend at UFC 296.
Bryce Mitchell steps in on short notice to fight Josh Emmett at UFC 296
Harry Kettle - December 7, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Bryce Mitchell is set to step in on short notice to face Josh Emmett at UFC 296. At UFC 296, Josh Emmett was set to go head to head with Giga Chikadze in a major featherweight showdown. Unfortunately, as a result of a torn groin, Chikadze will no longer be able to compete in Las Vegas.
Smilla Sundell applauds ONE Championship's striking arm: "Fights are better"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 7, 2023
Smilla Sundell is at the top of the world, and she couldn’t be any happier to continue molding her promising career in ONE Championship. The 19-year-old Swede’s ascent has been nothing short of spectacular. She currently boasts an immaculate 4-0 record under the promotion’s banner.
Drakkar Klose calls for "the easiest fight in the UFC" Mark Madsen at UFC 299 after slam KO win
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2023
Drakkar Klose was relieved to finally make the walk to the Octagon again. Klose was returning to action for the first time since tearing his ACL and when he squared off with Joe Solecki at UFC Austin. Heading into the fight, he said he wasn’t worried about the ring rust as he had full confidence in his training camp.
Brandon Moreno billed to be backup fighter for UFC 296 flyweight title fight
Cole Shelton - December 6, 2023
Brandon Moreno will be the backup fighter for the UFC 296 flyweight title fight between Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval. In the co-main event of UFC 296, Pantoja is looking to defend his flyweight title for the first time when he rematches Royval on Dec. 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although that fight is official, MMA journalist Marcel Dorff revealed Moreno will be the backup fighter for the title fight.