MMA News

Harry Kettle - November 3, 2023

Billy Joe Saunders has given his thoughts on the controversy surrounding the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou result. Last weekend, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou battled it out in a huge boxing superfight in Saudi Arabia. While Fury was able to get the decision win, many felt as if Ngannou had done enough to get his hand raised. Either way, ‘The Predator’ put in a great showing, whereas ‘The Gypsy King’ fell way short of the mark.

Harry Kettle - November 3, 2023

As per recently unsealed Zuffa documents, CM Punk received a big payday for his Octagon debut back in 2016. As has been the case for a while now, one of the big topics in the MMA world at the moment surrounds fighter pay. With the anti-trust lawsuit seemingly going to trial, things are starting to pick up in a big way.

Cole Shelton - November 2, 2023

Jailton Almeida already has a name in mind should he beat Derrick Lewis in the main event of UFC Sao Paulo. Almeida is set for his sixth UFC appearance and his second straight main event on Saturday as he fights at home in Brazil against ‘The Black Beast’. It’s a big fight for Almeida’s career as he knows Lewis is an extremely popular fighter, so beating him will do wonders for his career.

Cole Shelton - November 2, 2023

In the main event of UFC Sao Paulo, heavyweight contenders collide as Jailton Almeida takes on Derrick Lewis. Heading into the fight, Almeida is a massive -530 favorite while ‘The Black Beast’ is a +360 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. Despite the odds, the pros actually believe Lewis will get the job done and will get the first-round knockout win at UFC Sao Paulo.

Cole Shelton - November 2, 2023

Derrick Lewis says he never wanted to fight in Brazil and was tricked into accepting his bout against Jailton Almeida. Lewis stepped up on about a month’s notice to face Almeida in the main event of a Fight Night card in Sao Paulo, Brazil. ‘The Black Beast’ is going into enemy territory to face Almeida, but that wasn’t his original plan. According to Lewis, when he was offered this fight, he wasn’t told the location until after he accepted.

Josh Evanoff - November 2, 2023

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera have re-ignited their war of words. ‘Sugar’ has been out of the octagon since a knockout win over Aljamain Sterling in August. That victory saw Sean O’Malley become bantamweight champion, and he had an immediate name he had next, Marlon Vera. For his part, ‘Chito’ is coming off a unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 292.

Josh Evanoff - November 2, 2023

Former UFC lightweight contender Paul Felder is back in USADA, but that doesn’t mean a return is confirmed. ‘The Irish Dragon’ has been out of action since a short-notice clash with Rafael dos Anjos in November 2020. That night, Paul Felder suffered a split-decision defeat, his second in a row. That February, the lightweight contender suffered a controversial loss on the scorecards to Dan Hooker.

Josh Evanoff - November 2, 2023

Henry Cejudo has weighed in on UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ recent injury. ‘Bones’ was famously slated to headline UFC 295 later this month against Stipe Miocic. However, just weeks before fight night, tragedy struck. While wrestling, Jon Jones reportedly tore his pec, immediately putting him out of action for at least eight months.

Cole Shelton - November 2, 2023

Ronda Rousey is one of the biggest stars in UFC history and all eight of her payouts were released. A judge denied the UFC to appeal class certification in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit but several former fighters alleges that the promotion suppressed fighter pay through anti-competitive tactics such as shutting out competition and controlling the market from 2010 until 2017.

Susan Cox - November 2, 2023

The latest UFC financial earnings report shows major revenue spawning from the recent merger with the WWE. TKO Group Holdings officially filed paperwork with the SEC ahead of the third-quarter TKO earnings call on Nov. 7.  The new breakdown features financials for both the UFC and World Wrestling Entertainment.

Cole Shelton - November 2, 2023

Conor McGregor has had some of his UFC disclosed pay released due to the antitrust lawsuit. A judge recently denied the UFC to appeal class certification in its ongoing antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit made by several former fighters alleges that the promotion suppressed fighter pay through anti-competitive tactics such as shutting out competition and controlling the market from 2010 until 2017.

Susan Cox - November 2, 2023

Shakur Stevenson is taking aim at UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley for his recent comments. At 26, Stevenson, is a former world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBO featherweight title from 2019 to 2020, the WBO super featherweight title from 2021 to 2022, and the WBC and The Ring super featherweight titles in 2022.

Susan Cox - November 2, 2023

Conor McGregor is claiming that 99% of the UFC roster would never compete again if given a week’s wage of his net worth. One of the rich and famous, McGregor has never shied away from flaunting his wealthy and extravagant lifestyle.

Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023

Henry Cejudo has given his thoughts on UFC’s decision to book Tom Aspinall vs Sergei Pavlovich for the interim heavyweight title. At UFC 295, Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich will battle it out over the UFC interim heavyweight championship. The fight has been booked on short notice as a result of Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic being called off due to injury.

Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023

Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick wants the UFC and PFL to work together in order to make Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou happen. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou took Tyson Fury to the limit in his pro boxing debut. He went the distance against ‘The Gypsy King’ and even dropped him, but he wasn’t quite able to get the nod on the scorecards.

Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023

PFL founder Donn Davis isn’t convinced that Francis Ngannou’s next fight will be in mixed martial arts. As many of you now know, Francis Ngannou made his professional boxing debut last weekend. He went head to head with Tyson Fury in a blockbuster superfight, and he came insanely close to pulling off a remarkable upset. He dropped the lineal heavyweight champion and was competitive throughout, with many believing he’d done enough to get the nod.

Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023

Former UFC fighter Brendan Schaub believes Francis Ngannou would be able to defeat Jon Jones in mixed martial arts. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou shook up the combat sports world. He went head to head with Tyson Fury in what proved to be an incredibly competitive boxing match. Many expected Fury to walk through Ngannou, but in the end, ‘The Predator’ was the one that impressed.

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 2, 2023

Halil Amir and Ahmed Mujtaba are set to go toe-to-toe this Friday, November 3, in a lightweight MMA bout that has all the makings of a barnburner. This matchup takes place at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video, emanating live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.