MMA News
WATCH | Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera faceoff for first time since being booked to headline UFC 299
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley had his first faceoff with Marlon Vera since their rematch became official. Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced that O’Malley would defend his bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 299 against Vera. It serves as a rematch of their 2020 fight that Vera won by first-round TKO in a bout that O’Malley hurt his ankle.
UFC 295 | Pro fighters make their picks for Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira title fight
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
In the main event of UFC 295, the vacant light heavyweight title is up for grabs as Jiri Prochazka takes on Alex Pereira. Heading into the fight, Prochazka is a +100 underdog while the Brazilian is a -128 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the title fight. The pros slightly lean towards Prochazka becoming the light heavyweight champion again at UFC 295, but all expect this to be a very exciting scrap.
Deontay Wilder confirms plans to crossover to MMA amid talks with Francis Ngannou: "I'll be a dangerous man"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is serious about potentially facing Francis Ngannou in the cage. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is currently awaiting his next opponent, defeating Robert Helenius last year. Following the win, Deontay Wilder was ordered to face Andy Ruiz Jr. by the WBC. However, talks with ‘Destroyer’ as well as Anthony Joshua fell apart, leaving the former champion without an opponent.
Anthony Smith still backing Jon Jones in possible Francis Ngannou clash: "Would've left there without a mark on his face"
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight Anthony Smith is still backing Jon Jones if he ever faces Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ returned to action late last month in Saudi Arabia in the boxing ring against Tyson Fury. There, Francis Ngannou turned in a spirited effort, knocking down ‘The Gypsy King’ in round three. However, it wasn’t enough to earn a win, as the boxer instead scored a split-decision victory.
Alex Pereira rooting for "very talented" Dillon Danis to get into the UFC: "He’s a great guy"
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2023
Alex Pereira is rooting for Dillon Danis to get a UFC deal and fight in the Las Vegas-based promotion. Danis was recently released from his contract with Bellator after boxing Logan Paul. Since then, he has been vocal on social media that he wants to fight in the UFC. Although Danis hasn’t fought in MMA since 2019, Alex Pereira believes ‘El Jefe’ would have success in the promotion as he’s a very talented fighter.
Daniel Cormier believes lengthy layoff “is going to hurt” Jiri Prochazka in title fight with Alex Pereira at UFC 295
Susan Cox - November 8, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes a lengthy layoff ‘is going to hurt’ Jiri Prochazka in title fight with Alex Pereira at UFC 295. UFC 295 will take place this coming Saturday, November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Michael Bisping shares prediction for Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich title fight at UFC 295: “He’s going to make this look easy”
Susan Cox - November 8, 2023
Michael Bisping is sharing his prediction for Tom Aspinall vs. Sergei Pavlovich title fight at UFC 295. UFC 295 takes place this Saturday night, November 11th at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Chael Sonnen suggests Alex Pereira will become Fighter of the Year with victory over Jiri Prochazka at UFC 295
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Alex Pereira could become Fighter of the Year with a victory at UFC 295. This Saturday night, Alex Pereira returns to action in a blockbuster encounter with Jiri Prochazka. The two will fight for the UFC light heavyweight championship, with Pereira attempting to become the latest two-division UFC champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts after Islam Makhachev dethrones Jon Jones for top spot in UFC pound for pound rankings
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev finally being given the #1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. Last month, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to successfully retain his UFC lightweight championship. In doing so, many felt as if he established himself as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the UFC. Alas, at the time, Jon Jones was kept at the top of the mountain.
Ayaka Miura breathes sigh of relief after ONE Fight Night 16: "I had to win this fight""
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 8, 2023
At ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video last Friday, November 3, Ayaka Miura found her way back to the winner’s circle. The former ONE MMA World Title contender authored a rousing victory in a strawweight bout against Meng Bo. There, she submitted the Chinese knockout artist with her signature scarf-hold Americana in the first round.
Dustin Poirier weighs in on the UFC’s split with USADA
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2023
UFC fighter Dustin Poirier has given his thoughts on the promotion’s recent split with USADA. Last month, it was announced that USADA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship will be ending their working relationship. Their association with one another will conclude in January 2024, following a pretty public fallout between the two companies.
Matt Frevola hopes Benoit Saint-Denis tries to grapple him at UFC 295, believes it's a "perfect fight" for him
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Matt Frevola always knew his next fight would be at Madison Square Garden. Frevola started the year off with an upset first-round TKO win over Drew Dober in May. After the victory, Frevola knew he would be fighting at home at Madison Square Garden but wasn’t sure if he’d be able to sneak in another fight before then.
Mayra Bueno Silva claims news of her being cut is "bullshit," says UFC 297 title fight still on
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Mayra Bueno Silva says she will still be fighting for UFC gold on January 20 at UFC 297. It was announced that Bueno Silva will face Raquel Pennington for the vacant women’s bantamweight title in the co-main event of UFC 297 on Jan. 20 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. However, on Tuesday, X account UFC Roster Watch sent out a tweet that revealed Bueno Silva was removed from the roster.
Tom Aspinall admits knee injury made him want to "quit" MMA: "I didn’t want to carry on"
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Tom Aspinall admits he wanted to quit MMA after he tore his ACL during his UFC London main event against Curtis Blaydes. Aspinall was set for his second UFC headliner spot back in July of 2022 when he took on Blaydes. It was a pivotal fight as had the Brit won he likely would have gotten a title shot. However, just 15 seconds into the fight, Aspinall blew his knee out and needed to be stretched out of the Octagon.
Sean O'Malley reveals UFC signed off on potential Ryan Garcia boxing match: "If it makes us money, we'll do it"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley could face Ryan Garcia in the boxing ring, if it makes money. ‘Sugar’ recently booked his 2024 return, and a rematch with Marlon Vera. Sean O’Malley is currently expected to face ‘Chito’ once again at UFC 299 in March, for the first time since 2020. That year, the Ecuadorian scored a first-round stoppage win over the future champion after he suffered an injury.
Alex Pereira doesn't buy Israel Adesanya's hiatus talk: "He needs a bit more motivation"
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira believes Israel Adesanya is just lacking some motivation. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has been out of action since a title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 293. Despite heading into the matchup a massive favorite, Israel Adesanya was dominated that night earlier this year. ‘Tarzan’ dropped the champion in round one, eventually winning by unanimous decision on the scorecards.
REPORT | Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou did better PPV numbers than first believed
Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2023
According to Ariel Helwani, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou’s boxing match was far more successful than first thought. ‘The Gypsy King’ and ‘The Predator’ faced off in a high-profile boxing match last month in Saudi Arabia. The two headlined an ESPN pay-per-view offering, with Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou in the main event. Despite the boxer heading into the matchup a massive favorite, it didn’t look that way on fight night.
Dustin Poirier says he needs an opponent that "really, really motivates me" for him to return
Cole Shelton - November 7, 2023
Dustin Poirier isn’t sure when or who he will fight in his return. Poirier is coming off a KO loss to Justin Gaethje in July for the vacant BMF title. It was a rematch of their 2018 fight which Poirier had won by fourth-round TKO in one of the best scraps of the year.