MMA News
Teen phenom Smilla Sundell reveals post-ONE Fight Night 14 celebration plans: "McDonald’s as usual"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 3, 2023
Smilla Sundell may very well be one of the most dangerous strikers on the planet today. But beneath the fierce exterior, there’s still a touch of the kid in her. While many praised the 18-year-old for her win last Friday, September 29, all the ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion wanted was a meal from a famous American fast-food chain to celebrate the feat.
Dillon Danis reveals he considered suicide after having to undergo multiple knee surgeries
Harry Kettle - October 3, 2023
Dillon Danis has revealed some of the mental health struggles he went through after undergoing multiple knee surgeries. It’s safe to say that within combat sports, Dillon Danis is seen as a pretty controversial figure. From his unconventional MMA career to his friendship with Conor McGregor and beyond, he’s had quite the journey.
Renato Moicano takes aim at “delusional” Michael Chandler: “Conor is not going to fight him”
Harry Kettle - October 3, 2023
UFC lightweight Renato Moicano has hit out at Michael Chandler as he continues to wait for a fight against Conor McGregor. For almost a year now, fans have been waiting for an official announcement regarding a fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. After their season of coaching on The Ultimate Fighter, it really did seem like just a matter of time – but up to this point, nothing has been confirmed. At this point, many wonder whether or not it would be better for Chandler to move on to something else as the uncertainty continues to flood in regarding the Irishman.
Mike Perry and Darren Till trade verbal jabs over previous sparring session: “I'd knock you clean out with a jab”
Harry Kettle - October 3, 2023
Mike Perry and Darren Till have gone back and forth with one another over a previous sparring battle and a future boxing match. For years, Mike Perry and Darren Till have had an interesting relationship. They haven’t actually competed against one another in a professional bout, but they’ve had a sparring session together – and they’ve bounced back and forth between being enemies and friends.
Islam Makhachev shuts down Charles Oliveira's complaint about fighting in Abu Dhabi: "Makes no sense"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2023
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Charles Oliveira. The two are currently set to rematch at UFC 294 later this month, in Abu Dhabi. The fight takes place just a year after their first fight at UFC 280. Last October, Islam Makhachev scored a second-round submission win over Charles Oliveira to win the vacant lightweight gold.
Cedric Doumbe feels the UFC 'f*cked up' by letting him sign with PFL: "It is what it is"
Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2023
PFL welterweight contender Cedric Doumbe feels the UFC badly messed up by letting him go. The former Glory Kickboxing champion made his PFL debut against Jordan Zébo over the weekend. The two welterweights headlined a card going down in Cedric Doumbe’s home country of France. He walked out with a mattress for his opponent in his entrance, with the mattress having a sign reading “goodnight”.
Tony Ferguson has no plans of retiring, eyes Conor McGregor with a win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2023
Tony Ferguson already has a callout ready should he beat Paddy Pimblett at UFC 296. Ferguson is set to return to the Octagon on Dec. 16 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada against Pimblett. It’s an intriguing matchup as Ferguson looks to snap his six-fight losing skid.
Cain Velasquez gets court order to allow him to corner teammate Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 300
Cole Shelton - October 2, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will be in the corner of his teammate Usman Nurmagomedov this weekend at Bellator 300. Velasquez has been out on bail for nearly a year after spending months in jail following charges that included attempted murder. Part of the bail was Velasquez would have to wear GPS tracking. He must also comply with a protective order 300 yards away from the victims in the case and have travel restrictions.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan dubs Alex Volkanovski as the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA: “I think he won the (Islam) fight”
Susan Cox - October 2, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is dubbing featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski as the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA. Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovski (26-2 MMA) was handed a unanimous decision loss in his bout with Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA) in February of this year at UFC 284.
Linton Vassell vs. Ryan Bader title fight scratched from Bellator 300
Susan Cox - October 2, 2023
The Linton Vassell vs. Ryan Bader heavyweight title fight has been scratched from Bellator 300. Bellator 300 is taking place this coming Saturday, October 7th at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
UFC CEO Dana White takes aim at Stephen Espinoza over ONE Championship production blunder
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2023
UFC CEO and president Dana White has taken aim at Stephen Espinoza as their war of words continues. Between Dana White and Stephen Espinoza, there’s a lot of bad blood. The two men have both built a legacy for themselves in combat sports, but that doesn’t mean they have an overwhelming amount of respect for one another. They’ve both been through big highs and big lows with the UFC and Showtime but in recent years, their feud has been steadily growing with many unsavory words being shared between them.
Video | Greg Hardy snaps his losing skid, forces Gregory Corbin’s corner to throw in the towel
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2023
Greg Hardy came out on top in his boxing return last weekend with a nice victory over Gregory Corbin. During his time with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Greg Hardy wasn’t exactly the biggest fan favorite. His controversial past ensured that many looked down on him, with the former NFL star receiving heavy criticism until he was eventually released last year.
Stamp Fairtex recalls history-making moment at ONE Fight Night 14: “I was very overwhelmed”
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 2, 2023
Stamp Fairtex clinched the vacant ONE Atomweight MMA World Championship after a remarkable win over second-ranked contender Ham Seo Hee. This monumental feat took place in the main event of ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video this past Friday, September 29.
UFC champion Sean O’Malley shares timeline for his first attempted title defense: “They want me to main event my own show”
Harry Kettle - October 2, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has provided an update regarding his first potential title defense. Back in August, Sean O’Malley shocked the world. He defeated Aljamain Sterling and captured the bantamweight championship of the world, and he did so emphatically via knockout. Ever since then, fans have been wondering what’s going to be next for him – as you’d imagine. While the likes of Merab Dvalishvili and Sterling himself have been requesting a title shot, O’Malley’s attention has been largely focused on former rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera.
Photo | Dillon Danis shares his physique 2 weeks out of boxing match with Logan Paul
Jeffrey Walter - October 1, 2023
Dillon Danis is flaunting his new physique two weeks out from his scheduled boxing match with Logan Paul. Danis (2-0 MMA) and Paul (0-1 Boxing) are set to collide in the co-headliner of the ‘MF & DAZN: X Series 10 – The Prime Card’ on October 14th in Manchester, England.
UFC champion Sean Strickland delivers powerful message while explaining why he drives a sh*tty Hyundai
Chris Taylor - October 1, 2023
UFC champion Sean Strickland delivered a powerful message while explaining why he drives a “sh*tty” Hyundai. Strickland (28-5 MMA) captured the middleweight world title last month with a stunning upset over Israel Adesanya (24-3 MMA) at UFC 293. The victory marked Sean’s third in a row, as he had previously earned wins over Nassourdine Imavov and Abusupiyan Magomedov.
Robert Whittaker responds to Israel Adesanya being shunned by Sydney fans during Sean Strickland fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 1, 2023
Robert Whittaker thinks he has an idea of why fans who attended UFC 293 in Sydney got behind Sean Strickland during his dominant performance over Israel Adesanya. Strickland turned in a stellar showing against “Izzy” last month. He was a massive underdog going into the bout, but he cracked Adesanya with a punch that dropped him in the first round. After the second stanza, Strickland took over the rest of the fight. He managed to dodge out of the way of Adesanya’s kicks, and used his Philly shell defense to pop his opponent and get out of the way of danger. Ultimately, Strickland captured the UFC Middleweight Championship via unanimous decision.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal takes punch to the gut from UFC champion Zhang Weili (Video)
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 1, 2023
UFC women’s strawweight champion Zhang Weili gave Shaquille O’Neal a punch he likely won’t soon forget. Shaq, an NBA legend and a well-known personality, is no stranger to the UFC. He’s attended a slew of live events from the promotion throughout the years. He even struck a deal to be featured in the UFC Undisputed 2010 video game as an unlockable character.