MMA News
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.
PFL's Donn Davis thinks Bellator champion Patchy Mix has "better fighting" than Sean O'Malley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 26, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis believes Patchy Mix has an edge over UFC bantamweight titleholder Sean O’Malley. Davis has been doing the media rounds since announcing the acquisition of Bellator. He was available to speak with reporters during post-fight press conference for the 2023 PFL Championships. When talking about how a cross-promotion bout between Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix and O’Malley would go, Davis sounded confident in who is the better fighter.
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.
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.
Alex Pereira explains why he's uninterested in Khamzat Chimaev fight: "It doesn't make sense!"
Josh Evanoff - November 24, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira doesn’t see much of a point in fighting Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage opposite Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 earlier this month. There, Alex Pereria scored a second-round knockout win over ‘Denisa’. In the process, the Brazilian became light-heavyweight champion, and quickly eyed a potential trilogy with Israel Adesanya.
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.
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.
Alex Pereira pokes fun at Khamzat Chimaev following recent callout
Susan Cox - November 24, 2023
Alex Pereira is poking fun at Khamzat Chimaev following his recent callout. It was Alex Pereira (9-2 MMA) who defeated Jiri Prochazka (29-4 MMA) via TKO on November 11th at UFC 295 to become the UFC light heavyweight champion.
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.
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.
Sean O’Malley advises Jorge Masvidal against picking a street fight with Chael Sonnen
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Sean O’Malley is advising Jorge Masvidal against picking a street fight with Chael Sonnen. The former UFC star Jorge Masvidal recently weighed in on a tiff between Ariel Helwani and Chael Sonnen during his appearance on ‘The MMA Hour’.
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.
Former MMA world champ John Lineker to face dangerous Liam Harrison under Muay Thai rules
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 23, 2023
As the clock ticks down to the beginning of 2024, combat sports fans have been chomping at the bit for one fight — John Lineker’s long-teased debut in Muay Thai. The former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion is set to duke it out against Muay Thai savant Liam Harrison at ONE Fight Night 18 on Prime Video. The event will air live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on January 12.
Chatri Sityodtong reveals that ONE Championship is poised for record-breaking numbers in 2024
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 23, 2023
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong expressed unwavering confidence in the company’s financial future. In a recent interview with CNBC, Sityodtong said that he fully believes ONE will achieve profitability by the second half of 2024.