MMA News
Islam Makhachev dismisses rematches with Charles Oliveira & Arman Tsarukyan: "If you want to be a champion in a good way, you have to add new names"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t a fan of rematches. Makhachev was scheduled to have a second bout with Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 back in October. Oliveira was forced to pull out due to a nasty gash he suffered while sparring. As a result, Makhachev took another rematch, but with UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski. It was a sensational showing for Makhachev, as he scored a first-round head kick for knockout win.
Song Yadong fires back at Petr Yan following UFC Vegas 83 win: "His last fight was boring, too"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2023
Song Yadong is having none of Petr Yan’s emojis. Yadong took center stage in the main event of UFC Vegas 83 on December 9. He shared the Octagon with Chris Gutierrez inside the UFC Apex. Yadong was able to take a unanimous decision victory after the fight went all five rounds.
UFC Vegas 83 Results: Song Yadong defeats Chris Gutiérrez
Chris Taylor - December 9, 2023
We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Vegas 83 results, including the main event between Song Yadong and Chris Gutiérrez. Yadong (21-7-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a fifth-round finish over Ricky Simon this past April. That victory was preceded by a TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen, a setback which snapped ‘The Kung Fu Kid’s’ three-fight winning streak.
Pros react after Khalil Roundtree Jr. TKO's Anthony Smith at UFC Vegas 83
Chris Taylor - December 9, 2023
Tonight’s UFC Vegas 83 event was co-headlined by a light heavyweight bout featuring Anthony Smith taking on Khalil Rountree Jr. Smith (37-19 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since earning a split decision win over Ryan Spann at August’s UFC Singapore event. That victory had snapped a two-fight losing skid for ‘Lionheart’, as the 35-year-old veteran had previously suffered setbacks to Johnny Walker and Magomed Ankalaev respectively.
UFC Vegas 83: 'Song vs. Gutiérrez' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - December 9, 2023
The Octagon returns to Nevada for tonight’s UFC Vegas 83 event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Song Yadong vs. Chris Gutiérrez. Yadong (20-7-1 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a fifth-round finish over Ricky Simon this past April. That victory was preceded by a TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen, a setback which snapped ‘The Kung Fu Kid’s’ three-fight winning streak.
Colby Covington becomes the latest fighter to take issue with Ian Garry: “The guy's a f**king joke”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2023
Colby Covington has become the latest fighter to take a shot at Ian Garry as the public scrutiny against the Irishman continues. It’s been a rough few weeks for Ian Garry. While the youngster has been solid so far in the Octagon, things have been tricky outside of the cage. Between stories about him in the gym to accusations against his wife, he’s had to deal with some real adversity. Despite that, he’s still deep in preparation mode for his upcoming showdown with Vicente Luque at UFC 296.
Irish politicians react after Conor McGregor hints at running for President of Ireland: “I wouldn’t nominate him to wash dishes”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2023
Irish politicians have reacted to the news that Conor McGregor is interested in running for the Irish presidency. If there’s one thing we know to be true about Conor McGregor, it’s that he does things his own way. He’s controversial, he’s eccentric, and he’s incredibly successful. In recent weeks, however, he’s been causing quite a stir by giving his political opinions on social media.
Mike Perry says a fight with Nate Diaz “makes sense” but doubts the former UFC title challenger will do BKFC: “These guys are afraid to do no gloves”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2023
BKFC star Mike Perry has given his thoughts on a potential showdown with Nate Diaz in the future. Last weekend, Mike Perry continued his phenomenal run in bare-knuckle boxing with a win over Eddie Alvarez. At this point, there’s no denying that he’s the biggest star in BKFC, and one of the biggest combat sports athletes outside of the UFC.
Jan Blachowicz calls for Jiri Prochazka headliner in Europe after he returns from shoulder surgery
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is hopeful to face Jiri Prochazka in the main event of a Fight Night card in Europe. Blachowicz is set for shoulder surgery, hopefully in the next week or two, he revealed to BJPENN.com on Friday. The plan is for the Pole to return in the summer, once he does the rehab and gets a training camp in.
Daniel Cormier praises Colby Covington's incredible work ethic: "No one has done more with less"
Josh Evanoff - December 8, 2023
Play-by-play Commentator Daniel Cormier believes Colby Covington might be the hardest-working fighter in the UFC today. ‘Chaos’ has been out of action since a unanimous decision win over Jorge Masvidal last March at UFC 272. While that victory was massive, he was later kept out of action due to being assaulted by ‘Gamebred’ later that month. However, Colby Covington is now set to return later this month in a welterweight title fight against Leon Edwards.
OKTAGON's Vladimir Lengal compares boxing vs. MMA: "It really is a different sport"
Zain Bando - December 8, 2023
Vladimir Lengal has had an interesting combat sports career thus far. Before transitioning to MMA entirely in February, the undefeated Lengal (12-0, 6-0 MMA) took up boxing and became a Czech world champion, further showcasing his skills as a prospect to look out for moving forward.
Shavkat Rakhmonov wants title shot with UFC 296 win, but admits: "Belal Muhammad also deserves"
Josh Evanoff - December 8, 2023
Shavkat Rakhmonov believes that either he or Belal Muhammad is likely next for a UFC welterweight title shot. ‘Nomad’ has been out of the cage since a submission win over Geoff Neal in March at UFC 285. That victory put the welterweight to a perfect 16-0 in his MMA career. Now, Shavkat Rakhmonov will return to the cage later this month to face Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. The Karate-based fighter is coming off a knockout win over Kevin Holland last December.
Jan Blachowicz details shoulder injury, lays out timeframe for return
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2023
Jan Blachowicz says his shoulder injury was something that has hindered him for years now. On Thursday it was revealed that Blachowicz was forced out of his UFC 297 rematch against Aleksandar Rakic due to him needing shoulder surgery. Speaking exclusively to BJPENN.com on Friday afternoon, Blachowicz revealed the injury is something he has been dealing with for years but finally gave out, which forced him to need the surgery.
Deontay Wilder reveals what he needs in order to accept mixed rules bout with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has listed what to be done in order for a mixed rules bout with Francis Ngannou to come to fruition. Ngannou has forced his way into the boxing conversation thanks to his performance against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Despite losing the 10-round heavyweight tilt via split decision, Ngannou was praised for scoring a knockdown on Fury and nearly pulling off a massive upset.
UFC 296: Colby Covington accuses Leon Edwards of being a cheater: "This guy makes ‘Marty’ look like a freakin’ saint"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2023
Colby Covington thinks he has reason to believe his UFC 296 opponent Leon Edwards is a cheater. Covington will be challenging Edwards for the UFC Welterweight Championship on December 16. The title fight will headline UFC 296 inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’ll be Covington’s first bout since March 2022 when he defeated Jorge Masvidal via unanimous decision.
UFC 296 fighter Ian Machado Garry defends his trash talk: "I’m absolutely going to sit there and hound you about that"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2023
Ian Machado Garry doesn’t believe his trash talk ever crossed a line. Garry has received criticism from some fans for the way he handled his pre-fight builds for Neil Magny and Geoff Neal. Magny has never been known to engage in pre-fight banter with his opponents, but a fire was certainly lit under him before the Garry bout. Ultimately, “The Future” defeated Magny via unanimous decision and even flipped the bird at him.
Thongpoon aims to impress in U.S. primetime debut: “This fight is going to be a barn burner”
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 8, 2023
Thongpoon PK Saenchai finds himself on the cusp of elevating his status even further on the global stage. The Thai hard-hitter returns to action against Ellis Badr Barboza in a 120-pound catchweight Muay Thai fight at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. The event airs live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, this Friday, December 8.
Anthony Pettis reacts to Mike Perry’s callout from BKFC 56
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2023
Anthony Pettis has given his thoughts on a potential showdown with Mike Perry after the latter called him out. Last weekend, Mike Perry improved his unbeaten record in BKFC with a stoppage win over Eddie Alvarez. It was another violent affair and in the end, Alvarez’s corner intervened and deemed him unable to continue. As for Perry, this is another big victory that he has to his name as his superstardom continues to grow.