MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dan Hooker forced out of UFC Austin fight against Bobby Green
Cole Shelton - November 21, 2023
Dan Hooker will no longer be fighting Bobby Green at UFC Austin. According to New Zealand Herald’s Christopher Reive, Hooker has suffered an arm injury which has forced him to pull out of his UFC Austin co-main event fight against Bobby Green. The UFC is now reportedly looking for a new opponent to replace Hooker and fight Green on 10 days’ notice.