MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 28, 2023

Martin Nguyen will watch closely when Stamp Fairtex and Ham Seo Hee collide for the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Championship. This bout headlines ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video and broadcasts live in U.S. primetime from the Singapore Indoor Stadium on Friday, September 29.

Harry Kettle - September 28, 2023

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has responded to recent criticism over his open relationship. In terms of star power, Sean O’Malley is one of the biggest names in mixed martial arts right now. He has worked his way up through the ranks of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and now, he’s the king of the bantamweight. As such, he’s under a microscope on a far more consistent basis, which has led to many questions regarding his personal life.

Harry Kettle - September 28, 2023

Francis Ngannou has given his thoughts on the upcoming showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 295. In the main event of UFC 295 at Madison Square Garden, Jon Jones will defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic. In the eyes of many, this could well serve as a retirement bout for both men, given where they are at in their respective careers. Either way, though, it’s one hell of a main event, and it’s a contest that many have been wanting to see for quite some time.

Harry Kettle - September 28, 2023

Jamahal Hill has given his thoughts on the upcoming title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Alex Pereira at UFC 295. For the longest time now, there has been a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the light heavyweight division in the UFC. Jiri Prochazka became champion after defeating Glover Teixeira, only for an injury to force him to give up the belt. Then, Magomed Ankalaev and Jan Blachowicz fought to a draw in a title bout, ensuring the belt remained vacant.

Cole Shelton - September 27, 2023

UFC CEO Dana White had no problem with Bryce Mitchell bringing a bible into the Octagon after UFC Vegas 79. Mitchell returned to the win column last weekend in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 79 as he beat Dan Ige by decision. Before the win, Mitchell brought the bible into the Octagon and yellow “freedom”. After the victory, he claimed Satan had taken over Earth, specifically pointing to the Hawaiian fires, and wanted to pray with Ige.

Cole Shelton - September 27, 2023

Stephen Espinoza, the president of Showtime boxing, has taken aim at UFC CEO Dana White. On Tuesday night following the Contender Series, White was asked about Showtime reportedly pulling the plug on boxing after 2024. The news caught many by surprise, but White who hasn’t seen eye-to-eye with Espinoza, was thrilled to hear the news.

Cole Shelton - September 27, 2023

Logan Paul is ready to beat Dillon Danis, whether it’s in the boxing ring or the courtroom. Paul and Danis are set to box on Oct. 14 in Manchester, England on the Misfits boxing card. Logan was worried that Danis wouldn’t show up so there was a pullout clause put in the contract, so if ‘El Jefe’ backed out he would have to pay Paul $100,000.

Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2023

UFC analyst Brendan Schaub is happy with the announcement of Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett. Earlier this week, Dana White announced that ‘El Cucuy’ and ‘The Baddy’ will fight in December. The two will face off at UFC 296 later this year, in what could be Tony Ferguson’s seventh loss in a row. Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett is coming off a controversial win over Jared Gordon in December.

Cole Shelton - September 27, 2023

Stephen Thompson surprised many when he revealed on social media that he had accepted a fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296. Thompson was offered Rakhmonov last year and told BJPENN.com in August 2022, that he turned it down because he wasn’t interested in the matchup. Part of the reason why ‘Wonderboy’ turned the fight down was because he wanted to face another striker, as he was coming off back-to-back losses to Belal Muhammad and Gilbert Burns.

Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2023

Francis Ngannou and Mike Tyson got some work at last night’s open workouts preparing for Tyson Fury. In October, ‘The Predator’ will face ‘The Gypsy King’ in the first boxing match of his career thus far. To help bridge the gap between himself and Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou has brought Mike Tyson into camp. While the boxing legend isn’t the full-time head coach, he has been heavily involved.

Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2023

Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira is helping Dillon Danis train for Logan Paul. Despite recent rumors, ‘El Jefe’ is still set to face ‘The Maverick’ next month in the U.K. For Logan Paul, the boxing match will be his first since a 2021 exhibition with Floyd Mayweather. Meanwhile, the fight will be Dillon Danis’ first since 2019, which is likely why he’s working with Alex Pereira.

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 27, 2023

The main event of ONE Friday Fights 34 on September 22 played host to one of the most electrifying Muay Thai bouts in history, and it caught the attention of Demetrious Johnson. Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 squared off in a 140-pound catchweight contest. There, they captivated audiences worldwide while leaving many fans divided over the outcome.

Susan Cox - September 27, 2023

Aljamain Sterling is weighing in on the rumored Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera rematch. The former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is having a hard time understanding why the UFC would skip over other contenders and give Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) a rematch with Chito Vera (23-8 MMA).

Susan Cox - September 27, 2023

UFC CEO Dana White is commenting on Mark Hunt after his recent lawsuit against the Ultimate Fighting Championship came to a close. It was earlier this week that the lawsuit between Mark Hunt and the UFC was dismissed. The case had gone on for four years.

Susan Cox - September 27, 2023

Chael Sonnen is sharing his thoughts on the recent Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson fight booking. UFC 296 is taking place on Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Susan Cox - September 27, 2023

UFC CEO Dana White is discussing the possibility of signing Bellator fighters Johnny Eblen and Patricio Pitbull. Eblen (14-0 MMA) is the current Bellator middleweight champion.

Harry Kettle - September 27, 2023

UFC president Dana White has reacted to Stephen Thompson’s claim that he will receive some backpay for his upcoming fight at UFC 296. In the last few days, it’s been confirmed that Stephen Thompson will return to take on Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 296. It comes after Thompson’s scheduled bout with Michel Pereira was cancelled, with ‘Wonderboy’ refusing to accept the bout after Pereira missed weight. This led to a dispute between the veteran and the promotion, with Thompson noting that he wasn’t paid for making weight and doing his job.

Harry Kettle - September 27, 2023

UFC fighter Belal Muhammad has claimed that he said yes to a fight against middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Over the course of the last few years, Belal Muhammad has really turned his career around in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The 35-year-old is riding a 10-fight unbeaten streak with his latest win coming over Gilbert Burns back in May. As you can imagine, the veteran has been pretty relentless in his calls for a shot at the UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.