MMA News
Kelvin Gastelum claims the UFC higher-ups "are doubting" he can make 170lbs in his welterweight return against Sean Brady
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2023
Kelvin Gastelum claims the UFC higher-ups aren’t a fan of him returning to the welterweight division. Gastelum is set to return to the welterweight division on Dec. 2 as he takes on Sean Brady at a location TBD. It’s the first time he’s set for a welterweight bout since July 2016 when he beat Johny Hendricks. During his welterweight run, Kelvin Gastelum had a tough time making weight as he came in heavy two times, including weighing in at 180lbs against Tyron Woodley.
Francis Ngannou reveals stunning proclamation about proposed UFC contract: “And I’m like, ‘C’mon, man’”
Zain Bando - September 25, 2023
Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, revealed the stunning truth that led him to getting stripped of his title and ousted from the promotion earlier this year. In a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Ngannou, who is scheduled to face current WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in a boxing match Oct. 28, gave the long-time UFC color commentator a sense of what was happening behind closed doors.
Bryce Mitchell calls out Sean O'Malley to flat earth debate: "I have done a lot of research"
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2023
UFC fighters Sean O’Malley and Bryce Mitchell won’t fight in the cage, but maybe a debate will suffice. For his part, ‘Thug Nasty’ returned to the cage over the weekend at UFC Vegas 79 against Dan Ige. There, Bryce Mitchell returned to the win column against ’50k’, scoring a unanimous decision victory. Days following the win, the featherweight contender sent a message to Sean O’Malley.
Joe Rogan still a believer in Conor McGregor's comeback despite two-year layoff: "If anybody could do it, it's going to be Conor"
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2023
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes if anyone could come back from Conor McGregor’s situation, it’s him. ‘The Notorious’ is going on over two years out of the cage, last appearing in his 2021 trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. There, Conor McGregor snapped his leg in the final seconds of round one, with Joe Rogan and others watching on. As a result, he suffered his second-straight loss to ‘The Diamond’, and was forced to spend over a year recovering.
Paddy Pimblett opens as a sizeable betting favorite in return fight against Tony Ferguson
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2023
Paddy Pimblett has opened as a sizeable betting favorite for his UFC 296 fight against Tony Ferguson. UFC CEO Dana White announced on Friday night that Pimblett is set for his first fight in a year as he takes on the former interim lightweight champion in Ferguson. It’s a fight that caught many by surprise, but on paper, does make a lot of sense in terms of where both men are in their careers.
Jared Gordon reveals massive $22,000 ticket order for friends to attend UFC 295: "Biggest card yet"
Josh Evanoff - September 25, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Jared Gordon is the latest to notice the company’s rising ticket prices. ‘Flash’ has been out of action since a no-contest with Bobby Green earlier this summer. Now, months following his bout with ‘King’, he’s been scheduled to return. At UFC 295 in November, Jared Gordon will face Mark Madsen, who enters the contest off a submission loss to Grant Dawson in November.
Nate Diaz has New Orleans assault case dropped by DA
Cole Shelton - September 25, 2023
The Orleans Parish District Attorney announced they will not pursue criminal charges against Nate Diaz. Earlier this year, Diaz was involved in a street brawl on Bourbon Street following a Misfits boxing event. Video surfaced of Diaz getting into a scuffle with social media influencer and boxer Rodney Peterson. The former UFC star ended up choking Peterson unconsious and ended up turning himself in to the New Orleans Police Department and was booked on a felony second-degree battery charge in April.
Henry Cejudo believes that Leon Edwards is the “perfect” matchup for Colby Covington: “I think we are gonna have a new champion”
Susan Cox - September 25, 2023
Henry Cejudo believes that Leon Edwards is the ‘perfect’ matchup for Colby Covington. UFC 296 takes place on Saturday, December 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada has a stacked line-up.
Sean Brady vs. Kelvin Gastelum slated for UFC fight night event in December
Susan Cox - September 25, 2023
A welterweight bout between Sean Brady and Kelvin Gastelum is in the works for a UFC fight night event in December. It has been confirmed that the welterweight bout between Sean Brady (15-1 MMA) and Kelvin Gastelum (18-8 MMA) will take place on Saturday, December 2nd at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Michael Bisping explains why Tony Ferguson fight is a “lose-lose” situation for Paddy Pimblett: “It's a really, really tough spot for Paddy”
Susan Cox - September 25, 2023
Michael Bisping is explaining why the newly announced Tony Ferguson fight is a ‘lose-lose’ situation for Paddy Pimblett. Paddy Pimblett (20-3 MMA) will be making his return to the Octagon on Saturday, December 16th when he gets matched up with Tony Ferguson (25-9 MMA) in a lightweight bout at UFC 296.
Joe Rogan in awe over Superlek-Rodtang mega fight: “Muay Thai has the biggest untapped potential in the world”
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 25, 2023
Joe Rogan found himself absolutely captivated by the exciting Muay Thai showdown between ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kitamoo9 and divisional Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Both men locked horns in a 140-pound catchweight contest that headlined ONE Friday Fights 34 on September 22 at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Former UFC champion blasts Mateusz Gamrot for celebrating after the Rafael Fiziev injury: “Lame asf”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2023
Former UFC champion Jamahal Hill has hit out at Mateusz Gamrot for celebrating his win over Rafael Fiziev. Last weekend, Mateusz Gamrot was able to defeat Rafael Fiziev in the second round of their lightweight collision. Unfortunately, it wasn’t exactly a clean win, as Fiziev’s knee gave out and ensured that he was unable to continue. In the immediate aftermath, Gamrot was clearly very pleased to come away with the win, although he made it clear in his post-fight interview that it wasn’t the way he wanted it to happen.
Sean O’Malley has an opponent in mind if Marlon Vera rematch fails to come to fruition: "I don't know why everyone thinks I'm scared"
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has another opponent in mind in case he doesn’t end up fighting Marlon Vera next. Last month, Sean O’Malley captured the UFC bantamweight championship by finishing Aljamain Sterling in a truly incredible moment. Many have since wondered what his next move will be, with ‘Suga’ himself throwing out more than a few ideas in weeks gone by. Alas, while there may be plenty of contenders in the mix, it certainly feels like the man who Sean is mentioning the most is Marlon Vera.
Luke Thomas defends Colorado for implementing ONE’s MMA regulations: ‘Ruleset is flat out better’
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 25, 2023
Veteran MMA journalist Luke Thomas came to the defense of the Colorado Combative Sports Commission for letting ONE Championship use its distinct rule set. In May of this year, ONE held its firs event in the United States and used its global martial arts rule set, which allows strikes such as knees to a grounded opponent.
Khamzat Chimaev shares his thoughts on newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland: “He works hard, deserves it”
Harry Kettle - September 25, 2023
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has praised Sean Strickland following his recent middleweight title triumph at UFC 293. Earlier this month, Sean Strickland shocked the world. He defeated Israel Adesanya to become the new UFC middleweight champion, and he did so pretty convincingly. Now, with the future uncertain, many see the 185-pound division as one of the most unpredictable in all of mixed martial arts.
Israel Adesanya pleads guilty to drunk driving charge in New Zealand
Cole Shelton - September 24, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya pled guilty to a drunk driving charge on Monday in New Zealand. According to the New Zealand Herald, Adesanya was charged with driving a car with 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood, which is over the legal limit of 50 milligrams. The alleged incident happened on August 19, which was just weeks before his title defense against Sean Strickland.
Robert Whittaker "pissed off" following UFC 290 loss to Dricus du Plessis: "I'm using that as fuel"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 24, 2023
Robert Whittaker is hoping to use his TKO loss to Dricus du Plessis as motivation to get back on track. Whittaker and Dricus du Plessis did battle back in July on the UFC 290 card. “The Reaper” was looking to earn a third UFC middleweight title fight against Israel Adesanya, who was the titleholder at the time. Instead, Whittaker was starched in the second round, losing via TKO. It was Whittaker’s first defeat in the middleweight division to a fighter not named Israel Adesanya.
Johnny Eblen squashes beef with UFC champion Leon Edwards, still wants to fight him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 24, 2023
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen had a heated moment with UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, but the beef has quickly subsided. In the main event of Bellator 299, Eblen put his gold on the line against “Rocky’s” brother Fabian Edwards. Eblen scored a third-round KO win, and things got heated afterwards. At one point, Eblen and Leon Edwards exchanged some words.