MMA News
Anatoly Malykhin shows no interest in facing “brother” Aung La N Sang
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2024
Anatoly Malykhin has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of stepping into the Circle with Aung La N Sang. The Russian’s proclamation comes on the heels of his monumental victory at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month. There, he solidified his status as one of the sport’s most dominant figures.
Settlement reached in UFC antitrust lawsuit, promotion agrees to pay fighters $335 million
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
A settlement has been reached in the UFC antitrust lawsuit with the promotion agreeing to pay fighters $335 million. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company to the UFC filed a disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in a statement listed below:
Pro fighters make their picks for Rose Namajunas vs. Amanda Ribas
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2024
In the main event of UFC Vegas 89, former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas takes on Amanda Ribas at flyweight. Heading into the fight, Namajunas is a -235 favorite while the Brazilian is a +180 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to make their picks for the main event. The pros believe Namajunas will be too much for Ribas on the feet and get the victory to return to the win column.
Tyson Fury insists Deontay Wilder is “by far” a bigger puncher than Francis Ngannou: “By a mile”
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
Tyson Fury is insisting that Deontay Wilder is ‘by far’ a bigger puncher when compared to Francis Ngannou. Fury and Ngannou headlined a boxing event billed as the ‘Battle of the Baddest’ at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last October. In what was Ngannou’s boxing debut, it would ultimately be Fury who would emerge the victor by split decision.
Ian Machado Garry’s wife Layla responds to controversial comments from former UFC champion Sean Strickland
Susan Cox - March 20, 2024
Ian Machado Garry’s wife Layla is responding to some controversial comments made by former UFC champion Sean Strickland. The undefeated Garry (14-0 MMA) most recently triumphed over Geoff Neal (15-6 MMA) by split decision this past February at UFC 298. Since signing on with the UFC, ‘The Future’ has won all seven fights in the Octagon.
UFC welterweight contender Jack Della Maddalena plans to “shock the world” by finishing Shavkat Rakhmonov
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2024
UFC welterweight Jack Della Maddalena has reiterated his desire to fight and defeat Shavkat Rakhmonov later this year. Earlier this month, Jack Della Maddalena secured the biggest win of his career. He beat and finished Gilbert Burns, doing so with a broken arm, to establish himself as a top contender in the welterweight division. In the immediate aftermath, he made it known that he’d be interested in taking on the seemingly unstoppable Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Michael Bisping shares his prediction for upcoming Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal boxing match: “I do not see much changing”
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2024
UFC commentator Michael Bisping has given his prediction for the upcoming boxing clash between Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal. Later this year, Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal will square off in a boxing match. It comes almost five years after the two met inside the Octagon, which ended in Masvidal becoming the inaugural BMF champion via doctor stoppage.
Mariya Agapova issues apology to UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard for her recent remarks
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2024
UFC fighter Mariya Agapova has apologized for her recent remarks that were directed at UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard. While she may be seen as a big prospect in the women’s flyweight division, we haven’t seen Mariya Agapova compete since 2022. In a since-deleted post, she couldn’t hold in her frustration any longer.
Joshua Pacio eager to settle ‘unfinished business’ with Jarred Brooks
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 20, 2024
For Joshua Pacio, the desire to finish his beef with Jarred Brooks burns deeply. Their paths crossed once more at ONE 166: Qatar earlier this month, reigniting a rivalry that has captivated fans worldwide. However, what transpired left both fighters and spectators with the bitter taste of controversy.
Jeremy Kennedy expects to "break" Patricio Pitbull to win Bellator featherweight title: "It's not going to go five rounds"
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Jeremy Kennedy jumped at the chance to face Patricio Pitbull at Bellator Belfast on Friday. Kennedy was originally supposed to fight James Gallagher on Friday night, but after Pitbull’s fight at the PFL vs. Bellator event was canceled, he wanted to fight ASAP so the promotion elevated Kennedy to a title fight.
Conor McGregor says it's "all systems go" for summer return against Michael Chandler
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Conor McGregor could be returning to the Octagon this summer. McGregor revealed on New Year’s Eve that he would return on June 29 for International Fight Week against Michael Chandler. Yet, nothing has been made official and recently, UFC CEO Dana White has said he isn’t even sure the Irishman will fight this year at all.
Alexandre Pantoja opens as a sizeable favorite over Steve Erceg ahead of UFC 301 title fight
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Alexandre Pantoja has opened as a sizeable betting favorite ahead of his UFC 301 title fight against Steve Erceg. Pantoja is set to defend his flyweight title for the second time in Brazil on May 4 against the 10th-ranked Erceg. The fight came as a bit of a surprise given Erceg is only 3-0 in the UFC, but due to Pantoja having wins over several top ranked fighters, it made sense for the Aussie to get the title shot.
Jonathan Martinez vows to spoil Jose Aldo's Brazil return at UFC 301: "It doesn't faze me"
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight contender Jonathan Martinez is ready to spoil Jose Aldo’s return. Earlier this week, it was revealed that the former UFC featherweight champion was ending his retirement. Jose Aldo famously retired after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili in August 2022, feeling that his title hopes were over for good. However, just two years later, the Brazilian is set to return against Jonathan Martinez in May.
Bellator signs massive deal with HBO Max, full 2024 event schedule revealed
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2024
HBO Max will now be the exclusive home of Bellator MMA moving forward. It’s been a hectic few months for the brand that used to be led by Scott Coker. Late last year, Bellator was sold by Viacom to the PFL and Donn Davis. Quickly, the likes of Coker left the company, but the company itself wasn’t going anywhere. After the purchase last year, Davis revealed plans to run both companies as separate entities.
Cory Sandhagen explains why he wants to fight Umar Nurmagomedov for five rounds
Cole Shelton - March 19, 2024
Cory Sandhagen wants to fight Umar Nurmagomedov over five rounds. Sandhagen and Nurmagomedov were scheduled to headline UFC Nashville last August, but an injury to the Dagestani native forced him out of the matchup. Since then, Sandhagen went on to defeat Rob Font. Meanwhile, Nurmagomedov picked up a win earlier this month, and after that victory, he once again called for a fight with the American.
Colby Covington sounds off on “dangerous” Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match: “He’s doing every chemical known to man”
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Former UFC title challenger Colby Covington is sounding off on the ‘dangerous’ Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match. It will be the legendary ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson (50-6) vs. Jake Paul (9-1) on Saturday, July 20th at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The event will stream live on Netflix.
Sean Strickland advises “piece of sh*t” Jon Jones to “sack up” and fight Tom Aspinall
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
Sean Strickland is advising ‘piece of sh*t’ Jon Jones to ‘sack up’ and fight Tom Aspinall. The former middleweight champion was asked about current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ (27-1 MMA) recent interaction with interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall (14-3 MMA).
Sean O’Malley unloads on “fake-ass” Marlon Vera following greasing accusations: “F**k that guy”
Susan Cox - March 19, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has unloaded on ‘fake-ass’ Marlon Vera following his greasing accusations. It was on Saturday, March 9th at UFC 299 that Sean O’Malley (18-1 MMA) avenged his one and only loss to Marlon Vera (21-9 MMA) in his first bantamweight title defense. O’Malley kept the belt and finished ‘Chito’ by unanimous decision. The official judges’ scorecards read 50-45, 50-45, and 50-44 after their five-round contest.