MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dan Hooker speaks following withdrawal from Bobby Green fight: "It's all on me"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker has explained why he’s no longer fighting Bobby Green. ‘The Hangman’ and ‘King’ were slated to clash next month at UFC Austin. For Dan Hooker, he was hoping to score his third win in a row, previously scoring victories over Jalin Turner and Claudio Puelles. Meanwhile, Bobby Green is coming off a knockout win over Grant Dawson in October, his second in a row.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Roman Kryklia battles Alex Roberts for inaugural heavyweight Muay Thai crown at ONE Fight Night 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 21, 2023
History will go down on December 8 when Roman Kryklia takes on Alex Roberts for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship. This monumental matchup is the new marquee bout for ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video. It airs live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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.