MMA News
Niclas Larsen out, Jo Nattawut gets new opponent at ONE Fight Night 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 17, 2023
“Smokin’” Jo Nattawut has a new assignment for his quick turnaround fight. It’s happening at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video this December 8. The 34-year-old veteran will now take on ONE debutant Luke Lessei in a three-round featherweight Muay Thai clash. This bout broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Paul Craig explains why he prefers to fight Khamzat Chimaev over Bo Nickal
Andrew Whitelaw - November 16, 2023
Paul Craig has an opportunity to crack the middleweight top-10 when he takes on Brendan Allen in the main event at UFC Fight Night: Allen vs. Craig in Las Vegas. ‘Bearjew’ looked excellent on his 185 lb debut when he knocked out Andre Muniz in July.
Sage Northcutt still wants a fight with Japanese MMA legend Shinya Aoki: ‘We should do it’
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 16, 2023
For Sage Northcutt, the dream matchup against legend Shinya Aoki remains a burning desire that refuses to be extinguished. The saga between the two has been a long and tantalizing one. Over the years, both men have engaged in a war of words through callouts and social media exchanges.
Dricus Du Plessis discusses his upcoming title fight with Sean Strickland at UFC 297: "No way it reaches championship rounds"
Andrew Whitelaw - November 16, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis is expecting fireworks when he challenges Sean Strickland for the middleweight title at UFC 297. The South African is riding an 8-fight winning streak and held world titles in EFC and KSW before his arrival in the Octagon.
Manager reveals Khamzat Chimaev wasn't even discussed for Sean Strickland to fight at UFC 297
Cole Shelton - November 16, 2023
Lance Spaude the manager of Sean Strickland at Iridium Sports says Khamzat Chimaev wasn’t discussed for the American’s first title defense. Strickland became the middleweight champion back in September with a decision win over Israel Adesanya. Since then, UFC CEO Dana White said that the winner of Khamzat Chiamev vs. Kamaru Usman in October would be next in line for Strickland’s title.
Conor McGregor still eyeing future fourth fight with Dustin Poirier: "It's a must"
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2023
Former UFC dual-weight champion Conor McGregor still has his eyes on Dustin Poirier. ‘The Notorious’ is currently awaiting his next bout. Having been out of the cage since his trilogy with Dustin Poirier in July 2021, Conor McGregor famously broke his leg in that bout. Due to the injury, and his exit from the USADA testing pool, he’s been on a lengthy hiatus.
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker 2 slated for UFC Fight Night on January 13th
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2023
UFC light heavyweights Magomed Ankalaev and Johnny Walker will get to settle business next year. The two men are fresh off their first bout earlier this year at UFC 294 in October. There, the two headed in hoping to potentially score a future title shot. For his part, Johnny Walker entered the matchup riding a three-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, Magomed Ankalaev hadn’t been seen since a draw against Jan Blachowicz last December.
WATCH | Anderson Silva watches Chael Sonnen get portrait tattoo after losing bet
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2023
Fans now know why Chael Sonnen has a tattoo of UFC legend Anderson Silva. ‘The American Gangster’ and ‘The Spider’ famously had one of the most heated rivalries in MMA history. First facing off at UFC 117 in 2010, Chael Sonnen dominated most of the bout. However, in round five, Anderson Silva locked up a stunning triangle choke to score a submission win and retain the gold.
Jamahal Hill sounds off on “disrespectful” fans questioning his confidence about Alex Pereira fight
Susan Cox - November 16, 2023
Jamahal Hill is sounding off on the ‘disrespectful’ fans questioning his confidence about Alex Pereira fight. Hill was on site at UFC 295 last weekend when Alex Pereira (9-2 MMA) defeated Jiří Procházka (29-4 MMA) via TKO to become the UFC light heavyweight champion. With the victory, ‘Poatan’ has become a two-division champion.
Dricus Du Plessis eager to "take out the boogeyman" Khamzat Chimaev if he beats Sean Strickland at UFC 297
Cole Shelton - November 16, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis believes Khamzat Chimaev will be his first title defense should he beat Sean Strickland at UFC 297. Du Plessis is set to headline the first pay-per-view of 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as he faces the middleweight champion in Strickland. It’s an intriguing fight and one that the oddsmakers have Strickland as a short favorite in. However, Du Plessis has plenty of confidence that he will get a stoppage win.
Pro fighters make their picks for Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig
Cole Shelton - November 16, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 82, a middleweight bout goes down as Brendan Allen takes on Paul Craig. Heading into the fight, Allen is a sizeable -440 favorite while the former light heavyweight is a +310 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the scrap. The pros are actually split on this one as they believe Craig can get ahold of a submission sometime in the fight.
Henry Cejudo confused by Tom Aspinall’s “emotional” behavior at UFC 295: “Save those tears for when you actually win the real belt”
Susan Cox - November 16, 2023
Henry Cejudo is saying he was confused by Tom Aspinall’s ’emotional’ behavior at UFC 295. It was just last Saturday, November 11th, at UFC 295, that saw Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA) defeat Sergei Pavlovich (18-2 MMA) by KO at 1:09 of Round 1 to claim the interim heavyweight title.
Brendan Allen rips Khamzat Chimaev's “bullsh*t” placement in the UFC middleweight rankings
Susan Cox - November 16, 2023
Brendan Allen is ripping Khamzat Chimaev’s “bullsh*t” placement in the UFC middleweight rankings. Chimaev (13-0 MMA) is currently ranked No. 8 in the UFC’s middleweight rankings.
Bellator 301: 'Amosov vs. Jackson' Weigh-In Results: 1 fighter misses weight
Zain Bando - November 16, 2023
Bellator 301 takes place Friday night from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Ill., as it is the promotion’s third trip back to “The Windy City” in one year and its second of 2023. The 16-fight Bellator 301 card features many huge names from top-to-bottom, including two world title fights and a Grand Prix lightweight semifinal bout.
Legendary Nong-O Hama returns to face surging newcomer Nico Carrillo at ONE Friday Fights 46
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 16, 2023
The excitement continues to build for the upcoming ONE Friday Fights 46 event on December 22, as the much-awaited return of Nong-O Hama will now grace the already stacked lineup. The former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion faces Nico Carrillo in a high-stakes showdown. This airs in Asian primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jarred Brooks eyeing crossover fights with Thai superstars Superlek, Rodtang
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 16, 2023
Champions are constantly seeking new challenges to push their limits and solidify their legacies, and Jarred Brooks is no exception. Despite a recent setback in his bid to become a two-sport titleholder, the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion remains open to the prospect of having more crossover bouts.
Jamahal Hill reveals he received a “message” from Israel Adesanya following Alex Pereira’s callout at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 16, 2023
Jamahal Hill has revealed that Israel Adesanya sent him a message regarding Alex Pereira on the night of UFC 295. At UFC 295 last weekend, Alex Pereira knocked out Jiri Prochazka to capture the UFC light heavyweight championship. In the immediate aftermath, Pereira called out Israel Adesanya for a trilogy fight in MMA.
Mayra Bueno Silva responds to recent criticism from Julianna Pena: “I will kill you”
Harry Kettle - November 16, 2023
UFC title contender Mayra Bueno Silva has responded to recent criticism from divisional rival Julianna Pena. At UFC 297, Mayra Bueno Silva and Raquel Pennington will battle it out over the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. They will do so after Amanda Nunes vacated the belt, which she recaptured in her dominant rematch win over Julianna Pena.