MMA News
WATCH | Alexander Volkanovski tries to submit NBA champion Jamal Murray in under a minute
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2023
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski recently got some work with Jamal Murray. ‘The Great’ has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Yair Rodriguez in July at UFC 290. Since then, the featherweight champion has called out a variety of names, including Islam Makhachev. However, as of now, Alexander Volkanovski has yet to book his return to the cage.
Johnny Eblen denies spitting after Bellator 299 main event, apologizes to Leon Edwards: "We both hate Colby"
Josh Evanoff - September 28, 2023
Bellator champion Johnny Eblen has apologized to Leon Edwards and responded to the recent backlash. ‘The Human Cheat Code’ returned to the cage opposite Fabian Edwards in the main event of Bellator 299. Last Saturday night in Ireland, the two middleweights went head-to-head. The challenger’s brother, Leon Edwards, was also in the corner on fight night, as he watched Johnny Eblen pick up a knockout win.
Former MMA champion claims Nate Diaz turned down hush money from the UFC to keep his failed drug test quiet
Susan Cox - September 28, 2023
A former MMA champion Josh Thomson is claiming Nate Diaz turned down hush money from the UFC to keep his failed drug test quiet. Thomson (22-9 MMA) is making the claim that Diaz was offered money from the UFC to keep his failed drug test from jeopardizing his fight with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244.
Dana White fires back at "weasel" Stephen Espinoza: "For this clown to talk about levels is hilarious"
Cole Shelton - September 28, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White has fired back at Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza. After reports came out that Showtime Boxing would be ending after 2024, White admitted he was quite glad to see it go off the air. The UFC boss and Showtime’s Espinoza haven’t seen eye-to-eye in recent years, so White was thrilled to hear the news.
Logan Paul reveals that Nate Diaz turned down an offer to face him in the WWE: “Where’s the hesitation?”
Susan Cox - September 28, 2023
Logan Paul is revealing that Nate Diaz turned down an offer to face him in the WWE. Nate Diaz (21-13 MMA) last fought and defeated Tony Ferguson (25-9 MMA) by submission at UFC 279 in September of 2022.
Middleweight champion Johnny Eblen weighs in on the rumored Bellator - PFL merger: “I think it's bad, personally”
Susan Cox - September 28, 2023
Middleweight champion Johnny Eblen is weighing in on the rumored Bellator – PFL merger. Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (14-0 MMA) is not sold on the idea of a Bellator-PFL merger.
How to watch ONE Fight Night 14 in North America
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 28, 2023
ONE Championship returns to U.S. primetime this Friday, September 29, with the highly anticipated ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video. Airing live from the Singapore Indoor Stadium, the card features a star-studded roster of bouts for this month’s premium live event.
Stamp Fairtex gets nod of approval from Martin Nguyen ahead of world title fight against Ham Seo Hee
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.
Francis Ngannou weighs in on the upcoming heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic at UFC 295
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.
Former champion Jamahal Hill shares his thoughts on the Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira title fight at UFC 295
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.
Francis Ngannou claims UFC champion Jon Jones was “part of the system” that he stood up against: “He at some point was trying to stand in my way”
Harry Kettle - September 28, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou believes Jon Jones is part of the system he was trying to fight against in the promotion. Next month, Francis Ngannou will step into the boxing ring to take on Tyson Fury. The payday, alongside the opportunity to even battle Fury, is being seen as a huge win for ‘The Predator’ – and a justification for his decision to leave the Ultimate Fighting Championship. For so long, Ngannou was attempting to raise awareness for fighter pay while simultaneously securing the kind of money that he believed he had earned.
Dana White reacts to Bryce Mitchell bringing a bible into the cage at UFC Vegas 79: “There’s no muzzles here”
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.
Logan Paul vows to "slaughter" Dillon Danis in the boxing ring or the courtroom
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.
Brendan Schaub reacts to Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett booking: "Finally, Tony gets a winnable fight"
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.
Logan Paul confirms VADA drug testing for Dillon Danis boxing match: "My physique is because of my hard work"
Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2023
There will be drug testing for Logan Paul’s boxing match with Dillon Danis. ‘The Maverick’ and ‘El Jefe’ are currently set to face off next month in the U.K. There, Logan Paul and Dillon Danis will be the co-main event of KSI vs. Tommy Fury, in the YouTuber’s first fight in over two years. Meanwhile, the boxing match will be the first in the career of the Bellator star.
Stephen Thompson explains why he took Shavkat Rakhmonov fight after previously not being interested in it
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.
Alex Pereira discusses training with Dillon Danis for Logan Paul fight: "Pick up a lot of stuff"
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.
Demetrious Johnson shocked by Superlek's controversial win over Rodtang: "I am speechless"
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.