MMA News
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.
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.
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.
Dana White announces two more fights inlcuding Joe Pyfer getting first UFC main event
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has announced two key more fights on social media. White took to his X account on Thanksgiving to announce some fights announcements including Joe Pyfer getting his first UFC main event.
Jacob Smith chasing $50K bonus at ONE Fight Night 15: ‘I’m coming for that 50 bags’
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 23, 2023
Jacob Smith harbors a desire to win his upcoming bout in the most rewarding way possible. The British striker takes on #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Walter Goncalves at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. This emanates live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 8.
Chase Hooper explains why he was "surprised" to finish Jordan Leavitt in the first round at UFC Vegas 82
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Chase Hooper has his first win streak in the UFC. Hooper moved up to lightweight back in May and scored a decision win over Nick Fiore. He was then booked to face Jordan Leavitt at UFC Vegas 82 in a scrap he was a sizeable betting favorite.
Jan Blachowicz plans to silence Aleksandar Rakic with a "clear KO" at UFC 297: "He’s going to have nothing to say"
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz is excited to silence Aleksandar Rakic once and for all. Blachowicz and Rakic fought in the main event of UFC Vegas 54 in May of 2022 and it was the Pole who won the fight by TKO as Rakic blew out his knee after leg kicks from Blachowicz. Since then, Rakic has been adamant he will get a rematch with Blachowicz and beat him when they do.
Ailin Perez reveals she made more on OnlyFans this weekend than her entire purse after shouting it out following UFC Vegas 82 win
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2023
Ailin Perez says she made more money on OnlyFans this weekend than she did competing in the UFC. At UFC Vegas 82, Perez gave a shoutout to her OnlyFans which gained some traction on social media. However, after Perez scored a decision win over Lucie Pudilova, inside the Octagon she gave another shoutout to her OnlyFans and revealed it would be free for everyone following her win.
Tom Aspinall interested in boxing match if UFC doesn't let him be active: "Don't want to be waiting around for Jon Jones"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is down to box if he can’t fight in the cage. The British fighter is fresh off his return opposite Sergei Pavlovich last month at UFC 295. Famously, Tom Aspinall only stepped in on short notice, following the cancelation of Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic. In the interim title fight earlier this month, the Brit scored a first-round knockout win.
Kayla Harrison hopeful for Cris Cyborg fight after PFL-Bellator sale: "It feels closer than ever"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
Former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison doesn’t want to jinx it, but she might fight Cris Cyborg. The Olympic judoka is set to return to the PFL Smart Cage this Friday night against Aspen Ladd. Originally slated to face Julia Budd, the fight will be Kayla Harrison’s first in over a year. Famously, she suffered the first loss of her career last time out, suffering a decision defeat to Larissa Pacheco last Fall.
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.
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.
Robert Whittaker believes it would be “healthier” for Jon Jones to just relinquish his UFC heavyweight title
Susan Cox - November 22, 2023
Robert Whittaker believes it would be ‘healthier’ for Jon Jones to just relinquish his UFC heavyweight title. Originally UFC 295 was to have featured Jon Jones (27-1 MMA) vs. Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA) in the main event heavyweight title fight, but ‘Bones’ had to withdraw due to injury.
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.
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.