MMA News
Thongpoon PK Saenchai gears up for U.S. primetime debut at ONE Fight Night 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 27, 2023
Thongpoon PK Saenchai has the opportunity of a lifetime to showcase his extraordinary talent in front of a live U.S. primetime audience at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video this December 8. There, he will face promotional newcomer Ellis Badr Barboza in a 120-pound catchweight Muay Thai contest. This matchup takes place at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Kwon Won Il to lock horns with Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg at ONE Fight Night 18
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 27, 2023
ONE Championship will kick off 2024 with a bang on Amazon’s Prime Video, featuring a potential barnburner between Kwon Won Il and Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg. Both bantamweight MMA hard-hitters collide at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. The event takes place at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, airing live in U.S. primetime on January 12.
Ex-PFL champion Kayla Harrison won't chase Cris Cyborg, still wants to "beat the s*** out of her"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
Kayla Harrison doesn’t know what Cris Cyborg will do in the wake of the PFL-Bellator merger, but she wants to end the wonder of how a fight between them would go. Not long after announcing the acquisition of Bellator, PFL founder Donn Davis revealed to Ariel Helwani that all of Bellator’s fighter contracts have been picked up as well. Despite this, Cyborg hasn’t fully committed to fighting under the PFL umbrella. She also hasn’t taken too kindly to Davis already laying out plans for her, such as a bout with PFL 2023 women’s featherweight champion Larissa Pacheco.
Dan Hardy: "Anthony Joshua's probably one of the better matchups for Francis Ngannou"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
Former UFC fighter and current head of fighter operations for PFL Europe Dan Hardy believes Francis Ngannou has the edge over Anthony Joshua in a potential boxing match. Ngannou has made waves in boxing world after nearly defeating WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a 10-round match. Ngannou lost the bout via split decision. In the aftermath of the fight, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has shared interest in booking a boxing match with Ngannou.
Cris Cyborg responds after PFL’s Donn Davis claims she will be fighting two times in 2024: “I’m unwilling to enter into any toxic work environments”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg has some reservations about PFL making plans without getting in touch with her first. PFL dropped some major news in the MMA world recently with the acquisition of Bellator. Donn Davis, PFL founder, said that Bellator contracts will carry over, which was a big reason Davis had the deal finalized. A few Bellator champions such as Patchy Mix were in attendance for the PFL Championships on November 24. While the champions in attendance looked happy to be a part of the PFL umbrella, Cyborg isn’t sold at the moment.
Derek Brunson eyes fights with Jake Paul or Johnny Eblen after winning his PFL debut
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
Having wrapped up his first fight under the PFL banner with a victory, Derek Brunson sees two big bouts in his future. Brunson had a successful PFL debut on November 24, defeating former two-time PFL welterweight champion Ray Cooper via unanimous decision. During his post-fight press conference, Brunson called for a clash with social media star turned boxer and PFL fighter Jake Paul.
Chris Curtis explains why he deleted his Twitter account: “The reality is that MMA fans come in two very distinct camps”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
Chris Curtis has an explanation for his exit on the Twitter/X platform. Curtis found himself in the middle of MMA fan cringe on the social media site involving Ian Garry and Sean Strickland. Garry threatened to sue Strickland over comments he made about his wife. Despite being Strickland’s training partner and friend, Curtis came to the defense of Garry, prompting the keyboard warriors to rise from the sewers.
Ian Garry threatens to sue UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland for harassing his wife
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
Ian Garry has threatened a lawsuit on UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. By now, MMA fans are well aware that Strickland has no filter, and his recent comments on Garry’s wife are no exception. Recently, fans have taken aim at Garry’s wife for writing a book titled, “How to be a WAG.” It has led some to believe Garry’s wife only married him due to his status as an athlete.
Glover Teixeira admits that he's itching to fight again but will stay retired: "It's time right?"
Josh Evanoff - November 24, 2023
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Glover Teixeira is too mellow these days to return to fighting. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a bout for vacant light-heavyweight gold in January. There, Glover Teixeira faced Jamahal Hill, in his home country of Brazil. Pre-fight, the 44-year-old admitted that he was on the verge of retirement, and a loss to ‘Sweet Dreams’ might do him in.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he called Alex Pereira a “slimy one” following UFC 295 title win
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Jan Blachowicz is explaining why he called Alex Pereira a ‘slimy one’ following his UFC 295 title win. It was Alex Pereira (9-2 MMA) vs Jiří Procházka (29-4 MMA) in a light heavyweight title fight at UFC 295 on November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The outcome was a TKO victory for Pereira at 4:08 of round 2 to claim light heavyweight gold.
Joaquin Buckley plans to step in for Stephen Thompson after ‘Wonderboy’ bails on Shavkat Rakhmonov fight: “He ain’t going to show up to that”
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Joaquin Buckley is saying he plans to step in for Stephen Thompson after ‘Wonderboy’ bails on his fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov. UFC 296 takes place on Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Israel Adesanya teases fans with UFC 298 title fight against Alex Pereira
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Israel Adesanya teased fight fans on Thursday with a UFC 298 title bout against Alex Pereira. UFC 298 will take place on February 17th of 2024 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 to defend flyweight kickboxing strap against Elias Mahmoudi in ONE Fight Night 18 headliner
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 24, 2023
ONE Championship has set the stage for an epic clash between Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Elias Mahmoudi to headline its first U.S. primetime show of 2024. The bout for Superlek’s ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Title takes place at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. It airs live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 12.
Sean O'Malley explains how Snoop Dogg's commentary during DWCS played a “massive” role in his UFC stardom
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Sean O’Malley is explaining how Snoop Dogg’s commentary during DWCS played a ‘massive’ role in his UFC stardom. It was back in July of 2017, on the second season of Dana White’s Contender Series, where Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) knocked out Alfred Khashakyan (11-5 MMA) at 4:14 of round 1. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Ilia Topuria details the key “advantage” he will have over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ilia Topuria is detailing the key ‘advantage’ he will have over Alex Volkanovski at UFC 298. UFC 298 will take place on Saturday, February 17th at a TBD venue in Los Angeles, California.
Ben Rothwell expresses interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner: “Something like that would be fun”
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ben Rothwell is expressing an interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner. Rothwell (39-14 MMA) parted ways with with UFC in 2022 after 13 years with the promotion. The 42 year old subsequently signed with the BKFC where he holds a record of 2-0.
Ilia Topuria already eyeing Max Holloway after Alexander Volkanovski: "It's going to happen"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2023
UFC featherweight contender Ilia Topuria wants Alexander Volkanovski, then he wants Max Holloway in Spain. ‘El Matador’ and ‘The Great’ are currently slated to face off at UFC 298 in February. That bout will be Alexander Volkanovski’s first since a knockout loss to Islam Makhachev in October. Due to that knockout defeat, there were questions if the featherweight champion would be able to fight Ilia Topuria in early 2024.
Derek Brunson reveals conversation with Dana White following UFC release: "No ill will"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2023
PFL middleweight contender Derek Brunson has discussed his exit from the UFC. The longtime middleweight contender left the company following a knockout loss to Dricus du Plessis earlier this year. While Derek Brunson booked a UFC 295 return against Roman Dolidze, he was later released. In September, he was suddenly cut and signed with the PFL just days later.