MMA News
Darren Till responds after fans express concern that he “doesn’t look well” in recent photo: “None of you have a clue”
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2023
Darren Till has responded to concerned fans following a recent image that was released of him after a training session. Ever since being released from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Darren Till has been pretty quiet by his standards. He’s appeared on social media here and there, but for the most part, he’s been getting his head down and focusing on training. In terms of what’s next, the popular opinion is that a route into boxing is going to be in his future – or potentially even bare-knuckle.
Antonina Shevchenko sounds off on Mike Bell for his 10-8 scorecard in the Noche UFC main event: “Many martial arts experts around the world have many questions for him”
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2023
Antonina Shevchenko has sounded off on Mike Bell for the 10-8 scorecard he gave during the main event between Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso at Noche UFC. Last weekend, Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko went to war over the UFC flyweight championship. It was a closely-fought bout and in the end, the result was a split draw. Becuase of this, Grasso retained her belt, leaving Shevchenko with no clear path back to the title.
Chatri Sityodtong names Qatar as host for ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 18, 2023
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently took to Facebook to announce some massive news. The world’s largest martial arts organization will make history when it holds its first-ever event in Qatar — ONE 165.
What's next for Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko after Noche UFC?
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2023
In the main event of Noche UFC on Saturday, the women’s flyweight title was up for grabs as Alexa Grasso was rematching Valentina Shevchenko. Grasso entered the fight coming off the fourth-round submission win over Shevchenko back in March to become the new champ. To earn the title shot, Grasso was on a four-fight win streak, which was the beginning of her move to 125lbs, as she had notable wins over Viviane Araujo and Maycee Barber. Shevchenko, meanwhile, suffered her first loss since 2017 as she had defended her title seven times.
Valentina Shevchenko takes aim at 'unfair' 10-8 scorecard leading to Alexa Grasso draw: "Live with that mistake forever"
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2023
UFC women’s flyweight contender Valentina Shevchenko has taken aim at the judges after her draw with Alexa Grasso. ‘Bullet’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC Noche on Saturday. There, she faced Alexa Grasso in a rematch of their UFC 235 classic from March. That night earlier this year, the Mexican fighter won by third-round submission, ending Valentina Shevchenko’s lengthy title reign.
WATCH | Alex Pereira nearly sends son to shadow realm in hilarious prank gone wrong
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2023
Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira nearly got an unexpected knockout over the weekend. ‘Poatan’ has been out of the octagon since his light-heavyweight debut against Jan Blachowicz in July. In the co-main event of UFC 291, the Brazilian scored a split-decision victory. In the process, Alex Pereira rebounded after a knockout loss to Israel Adesanya in April. The defeat was the first knockout loss of his MMA career.
Valentina Shevchenko calls for Alexa Grasso trilogy fight to be held in Kyrgyzstan: "It has to be equal"
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2023
Former women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has an idea for a hypothetical trilogy fight with Alexa Grasso. ‘Bullet’ returned to the cage on Saturday night for the first time since her loss to Alexa Grasso in March. Last weekend, the two women flyweight contenders went head-to-head in the main event of UFC Noche. In what will likely become a yearly tradition, the event was held on Mexican Independence Day.
Ovince Saint Preux accepts suspension for second USADA violation
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2023
Ovince Saint Preux has been suspended by USADA for his second violation. USADA announced that Saint Preux accepted a six-month sanction for his second violation after testing positive for a prohibited substance. Saint Preux tested positive for 3α-hydroxy-5α-androst-1-en-17-one (a long-term metabolite of 1-Androstenedione and/or 1-Testosterone) as the result of urine samples collected out-of-competition on June 17, 2023, and July 11, 2023.
Erin Blanchfield willing to fight Manon Fiorot next following controversial Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso rematch at Noche UFC: “I thought Valentina won”
Susan Cox - September 18, 2023
Erin Blanchfield says she’s willing to fight Manon Fiorot next following the controversial Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso rematch at Noche UFC. Noche UFC took place this past Saturday, September 16th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Headlining the event was flyweight title bout between Valentina Shevchenko (23-4 MMA) and Alexa Grasso (16-3 MMA). The end result was a split draw in their title fight rematch.
Former NBA player James Johnson claims he would only need “a year of training” to beat UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones
Susan Cox - September 18, 2023
Former NBA player, James Johnson, claims he would only need ‘a year of training’ to beat UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jon ‘Bones’ Jones (27-1 MMA) is currently preparing to defend his title against Stipe Miocic (20-4 MMA) this coming November at UFC 295 which takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what improvements they expect from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2023
Islam Makhachev’s head coach Javier Mendez has revealed what improvements they expect to see from Charles Oliveira at UFC 294. Last year, Islam Makhachev became the UFC lightweight champion by submitting Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. Now, one year later, the two will run it back as ‘Do Bronx’ attempts to reclaim the gold he lost.
Mike Perry taunts Darren Till in hopes of securing bare knuckle boxing match: “Wouldn’t it be something if I rawdogged those cheeks”
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2023
Mike Perry has taunted Darren Till with his hope being that he can secure a bare-knuckle boxing match against him in the future. Right now, it’s pretty clear to see that Mike Perry is the king of bare-knuckle boxing. His transition over from mixed martial arts has been incredible, with many noting that he’s quickly become the face of BKFC. He’s willing to take on all challengers, and he’s made a real name for himself as a result of it.
Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz weigh-in on controversial 10-8 scorecard from the Valentina Shevchenko vs. Alexa Grasso rematch: “There’s no consistency”
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2023
Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz have given their thoughts on the 10-8 scorecard in the Valentina Shevchenko vs Alexa Grasso rematch. Last weekend, Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko went to war in their Noche UFC main event. The two battled it out over the UFC flyweight championship and in the end, a split draw was the result, meaning Grasso successfully retained her title.
Jonathan Di Bella receives encouraging words from boxing legend Paulie Malignaggi: “Keep up the great work, champ”
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2023
Jonathan Di Bella got an unexpected message of support from none other than Paulie Malignaggi. This heartwarming gesture couldn’t have come at a better time for Di Bella. After all, he’s gearing up for a crucial title defense against Danial Williams at ONE Fight Night 15 on Prime Video on October 6.
Daniel Cormier wants to see trilogy fight between Alexa Grasso & Valentina Shevchenko
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier would like to see Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko go toe-to-toe a third time. Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 was an instant classic. The rematch headlined Noche UFC inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Grasso submitted Shevchenko to take the UFC flyweight title in their first encounter back in March. The rematch had many twists and turns that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout the fight.
Kevin Holland issues statement following Noche UFC loss to Jack Della Maddalena
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2023
Kevin Holland has released a brief statement on his Noche UFC defeat to Jack Della Maddalena. The two welterweights collided in the event’s co-headliner. Fans knew ahead of time that these two would be evenly matched and that hunch was correct. This one was scheduled for three rounds and it went the distance. One judge scored the fight for Holland, but that score was overruled by the other two judges who saw the fight going Maddalena’s way. Maddalena extended his winning streak to 16, while Holland’s two-fight streak was snapped.
Raul Rosas Jr. thinks he can be massive star for the UFC following TKO over Terrence Mitchell: "I'm different"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2023
Raul Rosas Jr. believes he has the potential to be a big star under the UFC banner. Going into Noche UFC, many wondered how Rosas would perform after suffering the first loss of his pro MMA career against Christian Rodriguez back in April. “El Niño Problema” answered by turning in a stellar showing against Terrence Mitchell in Las Vegas. It only took Rosas 54 seconds to put Mitchell away via TKO.
Edgar Chairez plans to appeal no decision ruling in Noche UFC bout with Daniel Lacerda
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2023
Edgar Chairez isn’t happy about his Noche UFC submission win being overturned upon replay, and he’s appealing the No Contest. Chairez took on Daniel Lacerda in a preliminary bout on the card. The two collided inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the opening frame, Chairez locked up a standing guillotine choke, and referee Chris Tognoni thought Lacerda went out and stopped the fight. Lacerda immediately protested the stoppage. Replays were in use during Noche UFC, and upon further review, the bout result was changed to a No Contest.