MMA News
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.
Jordan Leavitt reveals that wife's pregnancy could force him to pull out of UFC Vegas 82: "I'm sorry, I'm not going"
Josh Evanoff - November 16, 2023
UFC lightweight Jordan Leavitt might not be fighting Chase Hooper after all. ‘The Monkey King’ has been out of action since a knockout win over Victor Martinez in February. That stoppage victory was a big one for Jordan Leavitt, as it helped him rebound from a submission loss to Paddy Pimblett. Now, the lightweight contender is set to face ‘The Dream’ this Saturday at UFC Vegas 82.
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.
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.
Sean Strickland discusses his upcoming UFC 297 opponent Dricus Du Plessis: “I’m a million times better than him”
Susan Cox - November 16, 2023
Sean Strickland is discussing his upcoming UFC 297 opponent Dricus Du Plessis. UFC 297 will take place on Saturday, January 20th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario.
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.
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.
Joseph Lasiri to face Prajanchai in world title unification bout at ONE Friday Fights 46
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 16, 2023
The much-awaited ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title unification between divisional king Joseph Lasiri and interim titleholder Prajanchai PK Saenchai will finally happen on December 22. The bout goes down at ONE Friday Fights 46, broadcasting live in Asian primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
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.
Daniel Cormier explains why he’s concerned about David Goggins training Tony Ferguson: “I hope he doesn’t beat Tony down”
Harry Kettle - November 16, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he has some concerns about Tony Ferguson’s training sessions with David Goggins. Next month at UFC 296, Tony Ferguson will attempt to get his career back on track when he locks horns with Paddy Pimblett. While some feel as if this bout has been set up for Pimblett to shine, others believe it gives Ferguson a chance to finally get back in the win column. Either way, there are going to be some major headlines coming out of this contest.
Sergio Pettis sends message to aspiring athletes: “I just want to be an example for everyone"
Zain Bando - November 15, 2023
Sergio Pettis and Patchy Mix will meet in the co-main event of Bellator 301 on Friday night in Chicago to unify the promotion’s bantamweight titles. Pettis, who turned 30 in August, said Wednesday that his return to the cage is more than just about completing the journey. “I just want to be an example for everyone who is a late bloomer,” Sergio Pettis said. “I feel like I am a late bloomer, and it took me time to develop my game, skill, and confidence. Growing up, I was not a confident individual and had a lot of anxiety. With that, I was also under my brother’s shadow, but in those dark times, I was able to learn who I am.”
Jarred Brooks eyeing showdown with MMA GOAT Demetrious Johnson: “DJ is the main fight, period”
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 15, 2023
Jarred Brooks harbors a specific ambition in ONE Championship to face none other than the legendary Demetrious Johnson. “The Monkey God” has already carved a path of success as the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.
Danny Sabatello plans to "dominate, motherf****r" Raufeon Stots at Bellator 301: "We know he has a brittle chin"
Cole Shelton - November 15, 2023
Danny Sabatello called for a rematch with Raufeon Stots ever since they fought in October of 2022. Sabatello and Stots fought in the semi-finals of the bantamweight Grand Prix, and Stots ended up winning a split decision. Since then, Sabataello was adamant he won the fight and called for a rematch.
Colby Covington's coaches reveal the big change they made ahead of Leon Edwards fight
Cole Shelton - November 15, 2023
Colby Covington has made a big change ahead of his UFC 296 title fight against Leon Edwards, according to his coaches, Cesar Carneiro and Daniel Valverde. Covington is set to fight for the first time since March of 2022 when he beat Jorge Masvidal by decision. Since then, he has been in the gym waiting to get into a fight, which his coaches say has made ‘Chaos’ more hungry.
Raufeon Stots calls out “little boy” Danny Sabatello: "Who have you beaten that's worth any note?"
Zain Bando - November 15, 2023
Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello picked up right where they left off ahead of their Bellator 301 bantamweight rematch in Chicago. Amid their trash talk amongst each other, emotions ran high. The fued began ahead of Bellator 289 in December last year, where Raufeon Stots was able to secure a decision victory before ultimately losing to Patchy Mix in his next fight.