MMA News
Colby Covington explains how DUI and quitting drinking saved his life and fighting career
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2023
Colby Covington says getting a DUI while he was at college in Iowa helped save his life and turn him into the fighter he is today. Covington began his college career at Iowa Central Community College and won the 2007 165lb national junior college wrestling title as a true freshman with a 34–0 record. After one year there, Covington transferred to Iowa but just before school started, he was arrested for eluding police and driving while intoxicated, as he blew three times over the legal limit.
UFC signs 6'7 Olympic taekwondo medalist Robelis Despaigne after finishing 3 fights in 19 seconds
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2023
The UFC has wasted little time signing Olympic taekwondo medalist Robelis Despaigne. Despaigne is off to a red hot start in his pro MMA career. He has gone 4-0 and has yet to reach the second round. His longest bout lasted four minutes and 54 seconds, which was his pro MMA debut. Since that fight, Despaigne’s average time inside the cage has been just under seven seconds.
Neil Magny claims Ian Garry’s “child abuser” comments almost cost him custody of his kids
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2023
Neil Magny claims Ian Garry’s remarks during their fight buildup nearly had shocking consequences for him. Magny isn’t known for having beef with many MMA fighters, but Garry was certainly an exception. “The Future” didn’t hesitate trading barbs with Magny. Uncharacteristically, Magny had some trash talk of his own, saying he wanted to put a father-like beatdown on Garry, who responded by claiming his opponent was bragging about hitting his own children.
Darren Till confident he would finish Mike Perry inside of one round in BKFC: “Can’t take what I can take and can give”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2023
Darren Till continues to stoke the flames of a potential showdown with fellow ex-UFC fighter Mike Perry. Perry has been doing quite well for himself post-UFC. “Platinum” has gone 4-0 in the world of bare-knuckle boxing and many believe he has found his niche. Some have gone as far as to say Perry is the face of the BKFC promotion. “Platinum” recently defeated former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez under bare knuckle boxing rules. Perry won the fight after Alvarez’s corner waved the bout off before round three.
Chatri Sityodtong to redirect ONE Championship's mission in 2024: “MMA back in full force”
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2023
Next year will be the renaissance of MMA in ONE Championship. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong personally confirmed the promotion’s renewed focus on MMA in an exclusive interview with South China Morning Post.
Dana White admits Arman Tsarukyan's win at UFC Austin "threw a wrench" into the lightweight title picture
Chris Taylor - December 3, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White believes Arman Tsarukyan’s knockout win at UFC Austin “threw a wrench” into the lightweight title picture. Tsarukyan (21-3 MMA) squared off with perennial 155lbs contender Beneil Dariush (22-6-1 MMA) in the headliner of last night’s Fight Night event in Texas.
Dillon Danis calls for fight with Mike Perry following BKFC 56: "For the belt f**k it"
Jeffrey Walter - December 3, 2023
Dillon Danis has called for a fight with the ‘King of Violence’ Mike Perry following last night’s BKFC 56 event in Salt Lake City. Perry (14-8 MMA, 4-0 BKFC) was able to keep his perfect bare knuckle boxing record intact yesterday evening by defeating former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez (30-8 MMA, 1-1 BKFC) by TKO.
Mike Perry issues respectful challenge to the "original" bare knuckle boxer: "The toughest out there"
Jeffrey Walter - December 3, 2023
Mike Perry is looking to fight the “original” bare knuckle boxer following his “King of Violence” title win at BKFC 56. Perry (14-8 MMA, 4-0 BKFC) collided with former UFC lightweight champion Eddie (30-8 MMA, 1-1 BKFC) in the headliner of last night’s BKFC event in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Eddie Alvarez speaks out on BKFC 56 loss to Mike Perry: "I really dared to be great"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2023
Eddie Alvarez fell short against Mike Perry at BKFC 56, but he still holds his head up high. Alvarez and Perry shared the ring inside the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City on December 2. In the battle of two former UFC bruisers competing for the symbolic “King of Violence” title, “Platinum” emerged victorious. While Alvarez had his moments, it was clear that he was slowing down near the end of round two due to the damage Perry dished out. Before round three could begin, Alvarez’s corner stopped the fight.
UFC Austin Winner Deiveson Figueiredo sends warning to Sean O'Malley: "I'd finish him"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2023
Deiveson Figueiredo has made a successful bantamweight debut and he already has a warning for UFC champion Sean O’Malley. Figueiredo took on Rob Font on the main card of UFC Austin this past Saturday (December 2). The former UFC flyweight titleholder earned a unanimous decision victory over Font, who entered the bout as the number eight-ranked bantamweight.
Kelvin Gastelum issues statement following one-sided loss to Sean Brady at UFC Austin
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2023
Kelvin Gastelum fell short at UFC Austin, and he’s issued a brief statement. Gastelum shared the Octagon with Sean Brady on the main card of the event. Gastelum had little to offer Brady, who cruised in top control before eventually earning a third-round submission via kimura. It was a nice rebound victory for Brady, who was coming off the first loss of his pro MMA career to Belal Muhammad back in October 2022.
Bobby Green reacts following brutal knockout loss to Jalin Turner at UFC Austin
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2023
Bobby Green didn’t waste any time addressing his brutal UFC Austin loss to Jalin Turner. Green went one-on-one with Turner, who accepted the bout on short notice. “King” Green was knocked out in the opening frame, and many have blasted referee Kerry Hatley for stopping the bout far too late. The good news is Green appears to be in good spirits following the loss.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts to the PFL purchasing Bellator: “One sh*tty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches buys another”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White continues to slam the PFL after the rival promotion purchased Bellator MMA. PFL founder Donn Davis told Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” that he feels the move was the quickest and most effective way to have a roster on par with the UFC’s talent pool. Clearly, White feels irritated at the thought of a rival promotion making an effort to raise its profile. White hasn’t been shy in expressing his belief that the PFL-Bellator merger makes no sense.
Alex Roberts anticipates war with Roman Kryklia at ONE Fight Night 17: "Meet him in the middle"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 3, 2023
Alex Roberts is gearing up for the defining moment of his career in ONE Championship this December 8. The Australian debutant is set to clash with Ukrainian powerhouse Roman Kryklia for the inaugural heavyweight Muay Thai crown in the main event of ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. It emanates live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida aiming for redemption following first MMA defeat
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 3, 2023
To say that Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has redemption on his mind is an understatement. The 17-time BJJ World Champion faced the first major challenge of his MMA career this past August.
Pros react after Mike Perry defeats Eddie Alvarez at BKFC 56
Chris Taylor - December 2, 2023
Mike Perry and Eddie Alvarez collided in the headliner of tonight’s BKFC 56 event in Salt Lake City, Utah. Perry (14-8 MMA, 4-0 BKFC) and Alvarez (30-8 MMA, 1-1 BKFC) were competing for the promotion’s ‘King of Violence’ belt this evening.
UFC Austin Bonus Report: 10 fighters take home $50k
Chris Taylor - December 2, 2023
The Octagon returned to Texas for tonight’s UFC Austin event, a 12-bout fight card headlined by Beneil Dariush vs. Arman Tsarukyan. The highly anticipated lightweight main event proved to be a coming out party for Arman Tsarukyan. The 27-year-old Armenian was able to land a big knee to punch combination on Dariush in the opening minute, which sent the veteran crashing to the Octagon canvas. From there, Tsarukyan promptly finished the bout with ground and pound.
UFC Austin Results: Arman Tsarukyan KO's Beneil Dariush (Video)
Chris Taylor - December 2, 2023
We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Austin results, including the main event between Beneil Dariush and Arman Tsarukyan. Dariush (22-6-1 MMA) will be looking to rebound, this after suffering a first-round knockout loss to Charles Oliveira in his most recent effort at June’s UFC 289 event. Prior to that setback, the 34-year-old had put together an eight-fight winning streak.