MMA News
Colby Covington takes aim at Leon Edwards for easy path to UFC title shot: "Didn't earn it the hard way like I did"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington feels that Leon Edwards has had it easy. ‘Chaos’ and ‘Rocky’ are slated to compete next month at UFC 296. For Leon Edwards, the bout will be another title defense, the first since a decision win over Kamaru Usman in March. Colby Covington was cage side that night, watching ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ suffered his second-straight loss to the Brit.
Dustin Poirier wishes he got UFC 294 short notice title fight against Islam Makhachev: "It was perfect timing"
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Dustin Poirier says he had accepted to fight Islam Makhachev on short notice at UFC 294. Makhachev was looking to defend his lightweight title for the second time as he was set to rematch Charles Oliveira. However, on less than two weeks’ notice, it was revealed that Oliveira suffered a cut above his eye which kept him from fighting.
Robert Whittaker responds to callout from UFC Vegas 82 winner Brendan Allen
Susan Cox - November 22, 2023
Robert Whittaker is responding to the callout he received from UFC Vegas 82 winner Brendan Allen. It was just this past Saturday at UFC Vegas that Brendan Allen (23-5 MMA) submitted Paul Craig (17-7 MMA) at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Sean O’Malley says it would be “such a disappointment” if Conor McGregor doesn’t headline UFC 300
Susan Cox - November 22, 2023
Sean O’Malley is saying it would be ‘such a disappointment’ if Conor McGregor doesn’t headline at UFC 300. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is fast approaching a historic milestone – its 300th pay-per-view card.
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland names “the best striker” he’s ever sparred
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has named a current PFL star as the best striker he’s ever sparred. As many fans and pundits know, Sean Strickland is a big fan of sparring. In addition to being an incredibly active fighter, he also isn’t afraid to get in there and throw hands in training as much as he possibly can. Now, against all the odds, that has led him down the path of holding championship gold in the UFC.
Jan Blachowicz explains why he’s picking Alex Pereira to beat Jamahal Hill
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2023
Former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz has revealed why he would pick Alex Pereira to defeat Jamahal Hill in a title showdown. Earlier this month, Alex Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka to claim the UFC light heavyweight championship. In doing so, he likely set himself up for a future meeting with former champ Jamahal Hill. The latter vacated the belt due to injury but upon return, he is fully expecting to square off with ‘Poatan’ for the strap.
UFC veteran Matt Brown weighs in on the newly announces PFL-Bellator merger: “They’re a distant No. 2, that’s what it is”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2023
UFC veteran Matt Brown has given his thoughts on PFL purchasing Bellator and how they now compare with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Professional Fighters League had acquired Bellator MMA. The two will now operate under the same roof, with PFL vs Bellator events also expected to take place at some point next year.
Colby Covington believes he was partially responsible for Leon Edwards knocking out Kamaru Usman: “I’m the one that loosened up that chin”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2023
Colby Covington believes he was somewhat responsible for Leon Edwards’ iconic knockout victory over Kamaru Usman. Next month at UFC 296, Colby Covington will challenge Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight championship. This will serve as his third crack at undisputed gold following two unsuccessful battles with the aforementioned Kamaru Usman.
Chatri Sityodtong shakes up MMA world: "ONE is getting ready to take over"
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 21, 2023
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong has confirmed the promotion’s plans to kick off the first quarter of 2024 with three premium events. He made the announcement in a Facebook post on Sunday, November 19.
PFL’s Donn Davis wants Ngannou vs. Wilder to be a "mixed-rules" fight
Zain Bando - November 21, 2023
Monday marked a historic day for MMA, as Donn Davis’ PFL and Scott Coker’s Bellator unified to become second-fiddle to the UFC. It also teased speculation about what could be next on the boxing side of things, specifically for former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Donn Davis, who appeared on the latest edition of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani, said there is a possibility of Ngannou fighting Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion.
Rafael dos Anjos and Terrance McKinney among fighters calling to replace Dan Hooker against Bobby Green at UFC Austin
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2023
Rafael dos Anjos is among the fighters willing to step up on short notice to fight Bobby Green at UFC Austin. On Tuesday, it was revealed that Dan Hooker has suffered an arm injury to the same arm he broke back in July and was forced out of his UFC Austin co-main event fight against Green. Following the news, Green took to social media and asked UFC fighters who would be a gangster like him and step up on short notice.
King Mo lashes out at Scott Coker following news of Bellator - PFL merger
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2023
Former Bellator veteran King Mo has taken aim at Scott Coker. On Monday, it was revealed that the PFL has bought Bellator in a massive deal that will change the landscape of MMA. The general consensus was that it will be good for the sport, as it could be a legit promotion that could rival the UFC.
Michael Bisping reflects on attempt to step in and fight Daniel Cormier at UFC 200: "DC kind of laughed it off"
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping was serious about fighting Daniel Cormier at UFC 200. Given that we’re just a few months away from UFC 300, it feels right to look back at UFC 200. The historic event had a lot of good, but also a lot of bad. Famously, the main event between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones was derailed during fight week due to ‘Bones’ failing a USADA drug test. Instantly, names such as Michael Bisping and Gegard Mousasi offered to step in.
Max Holloway hoping for 'violent' UFC 300 return in April: "They want violence, they know who to call"
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2023
Former featherweight champion Max Holloway is down to fill in at UFC 300 in April. ‘Blessed’ has been out of the cage since a knockout win over The Korean Zombie in August. That stoppage victory was Max Holloway’s second victory in a row, previously defeating Arnold Allen in April. Both wins were important for the Hawaiian, helping him get back on track after a loss to Alexander Volkanovski last summer.
Anderson Silva comes out in favor of MMA fighters doping to prevent injuries: "They put themselves in an extreme situation"
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva believes that doping has benefits for the sport. ‘The Spider’ is considered one of the greatest MMA fighters to ever compete. A former UFC champion who dominated the middleweight division for nearly a decade, Anderson Silva’s resume is incredible. Victories over names such as Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Dan Henderson, and others have earned the Brazilian a place in history.
Jiri Prochazka offers to welcome Khamzat Chimaev to light-heavyweight following Alex Pereira callout
Josh Evanoff - November 21, 2023
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka would love to face Khamzat Chimaev if Alex Pereira doesn’t. ‘Borz’ took to social media earlier this week to call out Alex Pereira. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return at UFC 295 opposite Jiri Prochazka. In the Madison Square Garden headliner earlier this month, the Brazilian scored a second-round knockout win, much to the chagrin of Khamzat Chimaev.
Brendan Allen leapfrogs Khamzat Chimaev in latest UFC middleweight rankings update
Susan Cox - November 21, 2023
Brendan Allen has leapfrogged Khamzat Chimaev in the latest UFC middleweight rankings. The UFC recently updated it’s ‘official’ rankings following UFC Vegas 82 last weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Michael Bisping reacts after ESPN gives top spot to Tom Aspinall over Jon Jones in latest UFC heavyweight rankings
Susan Cox - November 21, 2023
Michael Bisping is reacting after ESPN gave top spot to Tom Aspinall over Jon Jones in latest UFC heavyweight rankings. It was Apinall (14-3 MMA) who met and defeated Sergei Pavlovich (18-2 MMA) via way of KO on November 11th at UFC 295 to become the UFC interim heavyweight champion.