MMA News
Jake Paul reacts to the PFL-Bellator merger: "Let's prove it"
Zain Bando - November 20, 2023
Boxing personality Jake Paul has chimed in on the Bellator-PFL merger, which was announced Monday morning by PFL chairman Donn Davis. The two promotions will begin their partnership in 2024. Jake Paul, who boxes Andre August December 15, said he’s excited for the future of MMA and said the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Dustin Poirier again teases potential UFC 300 return: "Working on something"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier could be returning at a certain historic event in April. ‘The Diamond’ has been out of action since his rematch with Justin Gaethje in July. Five years after Dustin Poirier scored a knockout win over ‘The Highlight’, they competed for BMF gold. However, the hammer became the nail in the lightweight’s rematch earlier this year.
Frank Warren says there's a "good chance" Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou 2 goes down in 2024
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
Frank Warren believes Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will likely meet in the boxing ring again in 2024. ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Predator’ are fresh off their meeting in Saudi Arabia last month. For Francis Ngannou, the boxing match was the first of his career. Meanwhile, the bout was the only thing standing between Tyson Fury’s title clash with Oleksandr Usyk, set for December 23rd.
Donn Davis eyeing PFL vs. Bellator championship card for February: "Best card possible"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
PFL executive Donn Davis is hoping to see his best face Bellator’s early next year. Earlier today, the Bellator-PFL sale was made official. Throughout much of this year, the two companies were in talks, especially after Showtime made the decision to drop combat sports. While already rumored, the announcement this fall made Donn Davis and others get this deal finalized.
PFL founder Donn Davis believes Dana White is "worried" about their promotion
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis thinks UFC CEO Dana White is worried about his promotion. The PFL announced on Monday that they bought Bellator in a massive deal that will change the landscape of MMA. Although the UFC is still the top promotion in MMA, Davis believes the PFL has White nervous that they can challenge them for the top spot.
PFL reportedly offers Bellator president Scott Coker "an opportunity to stay on"
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis says they are offering Bellator president Scott Coker an opportunity to stay on if he wants. On Monday, it was announced that PFL has bought Bellator and the promotion has expectations for both brands. According to the press release, the plan is to do a champions vs. champions event in 2024. Also, Bellator will be rebranded to Bellator International Champions Series and will run concurrent to PFL in 2024 with eight one-off events in 2024.
Max Holloway says he’s on the “shortlist” to fight Conor McGregor
Susan Cox - November 20, 2023
Max Holloway is claiming he’s on the ‘shortlist’ to fight Conor McGregor. The two have a history, it was Holloway (25-7 MMA) vs McGregor (22-6 MMA) in a featherweight bout way back in August of 2013, where it was the Irishman defeating ‘Blessed’ by unanimous decision.
PFL officially acquires Bellator MMA: “Our fighter roster is equal to UFC”
Susan Cox - November 20, 2023
The PFL has officially acquired Bellator MMA, and in doing so has stated, ‘Our fighter roster is equal to UFC’. The news of the merger has been in the works for months, but now is a done deal and the Professional Fighters League has officially acquired Bellator MMA.
PFL reveals pay-per-view price for their ‘2023 World Championship’ event
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2023
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced their pay-per-view price for their 2023 World Championship event. The PFL World Championship card will take place at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on Friday night. On the card, we will see the crowning of six divisional champions who will all receive a fee of $1 million for their victory. In addition to that, we’ll also see the return of Kayla Harrison to the cage.
Comedian Bill Burr reacts to viral video of his wife flipping off Donald Trump at UFC 295: “That’s why this country’s great”
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2023
Comedian Bill Burr has reacted to the video of his wife flipping off former US president Donald Trump at UFC 295. At UFC 295 earlier this month, the stars were out in force to watch the annual Madison Square Garden spectacular. From Donald Trump to Bill Burr and beyond, many celebrity figures were in attendance to see the action go down in New York City.
Chase Hooper wants to fight fellow submission ace Claudio Puelles following his win at UFC Vegas 82
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2023
UFC prospect Chase Hooper is interested in taking on Claudio Puelles after his victory at UFC Vegas 82 last weekend. For the last few years, Chase Hooper has been seen as one of the more interesting young prospects in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has an intriguing style, an incredible personality, and he’s been pretty inconsistent in the cage. On Saturday night, however, he got the biggest win of his career thus far as he was able to turn back Jordan Leavitt via submission.
Ali Abdelaziz hints at Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway fight at UFC 298
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2023
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz has hinted at the idea of Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway squaring off for the BMF title at UFC 298. In 2024, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is going to come out swinging. They’ve already announced the main event bouts for UFC 297, UFC 298 and UFC 299, and of course, the blockbuster UFC 300 event will follow in April.
Daniel Cormier heaps praise on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez: "I still believe he was the best fighter"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier has some big time praise for his American Kickboxing Academy brethren Cain Velasquez. Velasquez is a former two-time UFC heavyweight champion. He beat the likes of Junior dos Santos (twice), Brock Lesnar, and Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Before Stipe Miocic emerged as the record holder for most successful UFC title defenses, many argued that Velasquez was the best UFC heavyweight of all time, maybe even in MMA period.
Matt Brown argues Alex Pereira's stoppage win over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295 was "definitely early"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2023
Matt Brown thinks Jiri Prochazka should’ve been given more time to recover in his UFC 295 title bout against Alex Pereira. Pereira and Prochazka collided inside Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 11. The bout was contested for the vacant UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. In the second round, Pereira dropped Prochazka with a counter hook. “Poatan” followed up with some elbows and referee Marc Goddard had seen enough.
Brendan Allen confident in how rematch with Sean Strickland would go: "I think I was still winning that fight"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2023
Brendan Allen believes he is a better fighter than reigning UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland despite losing to the controversial star three years ago. Back in November 2020, Allen and Strickland shared the Octagon in a 195-pound catchweight bout. Allen was riding a seven-fight winning streak going into the bout, but he had to get back on the horse after being stopped by Strickland via second-round TKO. Since that fight, Allen has gone 8-1, including a recent submission victory over Paul Craig.
Dustin Poirier welcomes fourth UFC fight with Conor McGregor: "Even if I slap his ass around again, he's still going to be chatting"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2023
Dustin Poirier wouldn’t mind having another go at Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor have had three fights against each other under the UFC banner. Their first encounter took place back in September 2014, and it was McGregor who scored the first-round TKO finish. The rematch wasn’t held until January 2021, and the tables were turned. Poirier scored a second-round TKO win.
Francis Ngannou’s coach pinpoints who would be the tougher matchup between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2023
Francis Ngannou’s MMA coach Eric Nicksick has given his take on whether Jon Jones or Tom Aspinall would be the tougher fight for “The Predator.” Ngannou is currently enjoying the fruits of his labor in the boxing world after nearly upsetting WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. While Ngannou is scheduled to make his PFL debut in 2024, most agree that a boxing match would be the next logical move for the former UFC heavyweight champion. Even when his schedule becomes clear, many feel the big MMA fights for Ngannou would’ve been under the UFC banner.
Patchy Mix reflects on tough upbringing after Bellator 301 title win: “I come from absolutely nothing, man”
Zain Bando - November 18, 2023
Friday night at Wintrust Arena was Patchy Mix’s crowing achievement. In what was likely the final Bellator event ever, Patchy Mix, the Bellator interim bantamweight champion, made good on his dream.