MMA News
Coach John Kavanagh admits he was worried about Conor McGregor’s mental health after lengthy UFC hiatus: “I'm not going to lie”
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2023
John Kavanagh has admitted that he was concerned about Conor McGregor’s mental health following his long spell away from MMA. When it comes to star value in mixed martial arts, nobody is bigger than Conor McGregor. Even after more than two years away from the Octagon, the Irishman is still seen as a megastar in the sport.
Dustin Poirier “definitely open” to the idea of a trilogy fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 300
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2023
Dustin Poirier has confirmed his interest in a potential trilogy fight against Justin Gaethje, perhaps at UFC 300 next year. Earlier this year at UFC 291, Dustin Poirier battled it out with Justin Gaethje over the BMF championship. After a competitive first round, ‘The Highlight’ was able to knock Poirier out cold with a nasty head kick.
Daniel Cormier explains why he wasn’t a fan of Alex Pereira’s callout of Israel Adesanya at UFC 295: “He’s a little wrong to be looking back at Izzy”
Harry Kettle - November 15, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he wasn’t the biggest fan of Alex Pereira calling out Israel Adesanya at UFC 295. Last Saturday night, Alex Pereira became the new UFC light heavyweight champion. He did so by knocking out Jiri Prochazka, becoming the latest fighter in UFC history to claim belts in two different weight classes.
Patchy Mix admits he was unsure Bellator 301 title fight would happen, vows to "break" Sergio Pettis
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Patchy Mix wasn’t sure if he was going to get the chance to fight Sergio Pettis. After Mix knocked out Raufeon Stots back in April to become the interim champ and the grand prix winner, it secured him a title shot. He was booked to face the bantamweight champ, Sergio Pettis at Bellator 301. But, with all the rumors that the promotion would be sold, Mix wasn’t sure if this fight was going to happen.
Dana White pushes back over Donald Trump support: “Go f*** yourself.”
Zain Bando - November 14, 2023
By now, it’s well-known that UFC CEO Dana White has no filter, even regarding business relationships. Dana White, company president since 2001, appeared on Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast to discuss various topics. Still, most of the episode focused on building a successful business, allowing White to go on another classic rant.
Dillon Danis announces retirement from fighting
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Dillon Danis appears to be walking away from the fight game. Danis returned to combat sports back in October when he fought and lost to Logan Paul in his boxing debut. It was his first fight since June of 2019 when he fought at Bellator 222.
Sage Northcutt weighs in on ONE vs. UFC debate: "ONE's kicking butt. They're taking names."
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 14, 2023
Sage Northcutt believes that ONE Championship’s unique approach to martial arts gives it an edge over the UFC. It cannot be denied that both promotions have largely divided the world of martial arts. While the UFC has long been considered the dominant force in the West, ONE Championship has risen to prominence as the leading organization in the East.
Cory Sandhagen doesn't think Umar Nurmagomedov deserves rebooking after pulling out of their fight in August
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Cory Sandhagen doesn’t think it makes sense for him to be rebooked against Umar Nurmagomedov. Sandhagen was supposed to headline UFC Nashville back in August against Nurmagomedov. But, just over two weeks before the fight, Nurmagomedov withdrew due to an injury and was replaced by Rob Font.
PHOTO | Chael Sonnen allegedly gets Anderson Silva tattoo on his arm
Josh Evanoff - November 14, 2023
It is safe to say that the hatchet between UFC legends Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen is buried. ‘The Spider’ and ‘The American Gangster’ famously had one of the most heated rivalries in MMA history. Despite the Brazilian’s dominance at the time, his first meeting with Chael Sonnen in August 2010 was quite lopsided. The wrestler famously dominated for most of the bout, but a fifth-round submission win saw Anderson Silva retain the gold.
Aljamain Sterling reveals he's been offered Calvin Kattar for UFC featherweight debut
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling could be moving up to featherweight for his next fight. Sterling is coming off a knockout loss to Sean O’Malley in August to lose the bantamweight title. Prior to the setback, he was already talking about moving up to featherweight, as the cut to 135lbs was getting harder and harder.
Sean O'Malley details "weird as hell" comment from Marlon Vera during faceoff ahead of UFC 299 rematch
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
Sean O’Malley says Marlon Vera made an odd comment during their faceoff last week. It was recently announced that O’Malley would defend his bantamweight title for the first time in March in the main event of UFC 299 against Marlon Vera. The two fought back in 2020 and Vera won by first-round TKO in a fight that ‘Suga’ hurt his ankle.
Paddy Pimblett explains why there is no upside to fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 296
Susan Cox - November 14, 2023
Paddy Pimblett is explaining why there is no upside to fighting Tony Ferguson at UFC 296. UFC 296 takes place on Saturday, December 16th, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Sean Strickland continues to take jabs at Valentina Shevchenko: “I don’t know who shoots worse. A female or a Russian”
Susan Cox - November 14, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is continuing to take jabs at Valentina Shevchenko. Strickland (28-5 MMA) is preparing for his upcoming middleweight title defence against Dricus Du Plessis (20-2 MMA) at UFC 297 which takes place this coming January at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 146 with Patchy Mix, Chase Hooper, Danny Sabatello, and Chad Anheliger
Cole Shelton - November 14, 2023
The 146th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 82 and Bellator 301. We’re first joined by the interim Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix (2:01). Next, UFC featherweight Chase Hooper (18:59) comes on. Sixth-ranked Bellator bantamweight Danny Sabatello (42:49) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Chad Anheliger (1:01:35).
Dustin Poirier confident that Charles Oliveira is capable of dethroning Islam Makhachev: “He can win that fight”
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2023
Dustin Poirier believes that Charles Oliveira has what it takes to dethrone Islam Makhachev in a future rematch. At UFC 294, Islam Makhachev was initially scheduled to defend his UFC lightweight championship against Charles Oliveira. Unfortunately, as a result of ‘Do Bronx’ suffering a nasty cut in training, he was forced to withdraw. Alexander Volkanovski replaced him on short notice and ultimately, came up short in a knockout defeat to the star from Dagestan.
Alex Pereira reacts to Israel Adesanya’s “not very respectful” response to his callout at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2023
Alex Pereira has given his thoughts on Israel Adesanya’s response to his callout at UFC 295 last weekend. On Saturday night, Alex Pereira won the UFC light heavyweight championship. He did so by knocking out Jiri Prochazka, becoming the latest two-weight world champion in UFC history. The win cemented Pereira’s status as one of the most successful fighters of his generation, with many believing it also confirmed his spot in the UFC Hall of Fame one day.
Julianna Pena takes aim at “horrible” Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva title fight at UFC 297
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2023
Julianna Pena has taken a shot at the upcoming Raquel Pennington vs Mayra Bueno Silva title fight at UFC 297. Over the course of the last few years, Julianna Pena hasn’t been in the business of making friends. She told the world she would defeat Amanda Nunes and capture the UFC women’s bantamweight championship, and that’s exactly what she did.
Liam Harrison heralds ONE Championship as UFC’s genuine competition
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 14, 2023
ONE Championship and the UFC have long been recognized as the titans in the world of martial arts, but Liam Harrison sees a shift in the balance of power. He believes that ONE’s strategic decision to expand its offerings beyond MMA, particularly into Muay Thai and kickboxing, has given the Asian promotion a significant edge over its Western counterpart.