MMA News
Islam Makhachev urges Alexander Volkanovski to "take some rest" and not fight in January after knockout loss
Cole Shelton - October 23, 2023
Islam Makhachev is hopeful that Alexander Volkanovski won’t return to action in January. Volkanovski stepped up on 11 days’ notice to rematch Makhachev in the main event of UFC 294. Before taking the fight, Volkanovski was rumored to face Ilia Topuria in January to defend his featherweight title but decided to jump on the chance to rematch Makhachev.
Francis Ngannou offers prediction for Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC 295: "He doesn't get the respect he deserves"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2023
Francis Ngannou believes that Stipe Miocic will likely defeat Jon Jones at UFC 295. ‘The Predator’ is currently preparing for his boxing debut against Tyson Fury later this month. It has to be a little bit awkward for Francis Ngannou, considering that the UFC is staging their heavyweight title fight just a few weeks later. In early November, Jon Jones will look to defend the gold against Stipe Miocic.
Dan Henderson teases potential combat sports comeback: "Bare knuckle? YouTube boxing?"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2023
It appears that former UFC title challenger Dan Henderson might be making a comeback. ‘Hendo’ is one of the sport’s most beloved fighters, having competed from 1997 to 2016. In that time, he became a PRIDE champion, and Strikeforce champion, and faced some of the biggest athletes the sport has ever seen. Furthermore, Dan Henderson fought for the UFC title on three different occasions.
Johnny Walker unhappy with no-contest result from UFC 294 fight against Magomed Ankalaev: "So we are okay to kick balls"
Josh Evanoff - October 23, 2023
UFC light-heavyweight contender Johnny Walker is still unhappy after his fight with Magomed Ankalaev. For those that are unaware, the two light-heavyweights faced off at UFC 294 on Saturday night. Leading into the bout, both men were hoping to secure a title shot. While Johnny Walker entered the event riding a three-fight winning streak, Magomed Ankalaev hadn’t been seen since a draw with Jan Blachowicz in December.
Jared Cannonier reveals injury that forced him out of fights with Khamzat Chimaev and Roman Dolidze
Susan Cox - October 23, 2023
Jared Cannonier is revealing the injury that forced him out of fights with Khamzat Chimaev and Roman Dolidze. ‘Submission Radio’ took to ‘X‘ with the news:
Jake Paul shoots down Nate Diaz’s request for a rematch in boxing, willing to do MMA
Susan Cox - October 23, 2023
Jake Paul is shooting down Nate Diaz’s request for a rematch in boxing but says he is willing to do an MMA fight. The American YouTuber, Jake Paul, and MMA Legend, Nate Diaz got in the ring at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on August 5th of this year. The outcome was a unanimous decision win (98-91, 98-91, and 97-92) for the 26 year old Paul.
Khamzat Chimaev sends warning to UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland: “You know how fast I can finish you”
Susan Cox - October 23, 2023
Khamzat Chimaev is sending a warning to UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Chimaev (13-0 MMA) is riding high after defeating Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) by majority decision in a middleweight bout last Saturday, October 21st at UFC 294 in the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With the victory ‘Borz’ remains undefeated in the Octagon.
Hu Yong, Akbar Abdullaev crash ONE Championship’s MMA rankings
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 23, 2023
There has been a fresh new update to ONE Championship’s Athlete Rankings. After a couple of breakout performances in the last two events, two different MMA weight classes underwent some glaring changes.
Tyson Fury tells Francis Ngannou the combination sequence he will use to knock him out during face-to-face interview
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2023
Tyson Fury has told Francis Ngannou what combination he plans to finish him with in their boxing showdown this weekend. This Saturday, Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou will collide in a major crossover boxing bout. The expectation is that ‘The Gypsy King’ will walk away with a convincing victory, but the power punching of Ngannou certainly makes this a more unpredictable affair. For many, the focus has already shifted to Fury taking on Oleksandr Usyk, but the novelty of this match-up is still pretty intriguing.
Sean Strickland discusses potential title fight with Khamzat Chimaev: “Getting a decision with a welterweight off the couch is not f**king earning it”
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has questioned whether or not Khamzat Chimaev has earned a shot at the title. Last weekend at UFC 294, Khamzat Chimaev went head-to-head with Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of the evening. It was a competitive, hard-fought contest, with Chimaev eventually doing enough to earn the decision win. Usman pushed him all the way, but that didn’t prevent ‘Borz’ from getting the job done.
Watch Israel Adesanya’s live reaction to Islam Makhachev knocking out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - October 23, 2023
Israel Adesanya has released his reaction video to Alexander Volkanovski’s loss against Islam Makhachev. Last weekend in the main event of UFC 294, Islam Makhachev knocked out Alexander Volkanovski. He did so in brutal fashion, landing a stunning head kick before finishing off with some ground and pound. It was a result that shocked many in terms of how the finish came, but regarding the winner, Makhachev was always going to be seen as the heavy favorite with this being a short notice bout.
Dana White confirms UFC is interested in signing former Bellator title challenger Michael Page: "He's interested too"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that there is interest in bringing Michael Page onboard. Page was last seen in action inside the Bellator cage back in March. He defeated Goiti Yamauchi via TKO in just 26 seconds. It was the final fight of Page’s Bellator deal, and he’s now a free agent. Page has recently gotten chummy with White, and he even attended the UFC 294 event in Abu Dhabi. This has sparked speculation that “MVP” could be UFC bound.
Alex Volkanovski couldn't pull the trigger in UFC 294 rematch with Islam Makhachev: "It just felt a little weird"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2023
Alex Volkanovski admits he hesitated in his UFC 294 rematch against Islam Makhachev and he paid for it. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice to challenge Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship this past Saturday (October 21). “The Great” replaced an injured Charles Oliveira. Fight fans were eagerly anticipating the rematch, as the first encounter between Makhachev and Volkanovski was a thrilling five-round war. The rematch played out far differently.
Paulo Costa slams Khamzat Chimaev's UFC 294 performance against Kamaru Usman: "He looked terrible"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2023
Paulo Costa is not impressed with Khamzat Chimaev following his UFC 294 win over Kamaru Usman. Chimaev and Usman did battle in a short-notice fight inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on October 21. Despite a dominant opening round for Chimaev, Usman made things competitive with his boxing and ground defense. Ultimately, Chimaev won the fight via majority decision.
Islam Makhachev reacts after Dana White mulls potential plan to rebook Charles Oliveira fight: “I don’t think it’s a good idea”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2023
Islam Makhachev isn’t gung-ho over the idea of a rematch with Charles Oliveira, but he’s willing to go through with it. The dust has settled on the UFC 294 main event, and Makhachev is the talk of the MMA world. Fans were expecting a barn burner in the short-notice rematch between Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski. The UFC lightweight champion wasn’t interested in having another five-round war with “The Great.” Makhachev dropped Volkanovski with a head kick and finished him off with follow-up punches in the first round.
Conor McGregor calls foul on Islam Makhachev’s stoppage win over Alexander Volkanovski: “Back of the head shots are not good”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2023
Conor McGregor was paying attention to the UFC 294 headliner between Islam Makhachev and Alex Volkanovski. Volkanovski stepped up on short notice when Charles Oliveira couldn’t make it to the card after suffering a cut during sparring. While the first fight between Makhachev and Volkanovski was highly competitive, the rematch ended quickly. Makhachev scored a head kick that dropped Volkanovski in the first round and finished the fight with some follow-up punches.
Dana White chimes in on doctor stoppage in Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker fight at UFC 294: "The guy’s inexperienced"
Chris Taylor - October 21, 2023
Dana White has shared his thoughts on the controversial doctor stoppage in today’s Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker fight at UFC 294. Walker (21-7 MMA) and Ankalaev (18-1-1 MMA) collided in a highly anticipated light heavyweight contest on the main card of today’s pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.
Kamaru Usman reacts following majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294
Chris Taylor - October 21, 2023
Kamaru Usman has reacted following his majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in today’s UFC 294 co-main event. Usman (20-4 MMA) stepped on short notice to battle Chimaev (13-0 MMA) in a middleweight contest this afternoon in Abu Dhabi.