MMA News
Ray Longo hopeful the UFC sets up Chris Weidman with "one last fight that’s fair" so he can go out on a win
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2023
Ray Longo the head coach of Chris Weidman wants to see the former UFC middleweight champion end his career with a win. Weidman returned to the Octagon at UFC 292, this after recovering from the broken leg he suffered in his fight against Uriah Hall. It was a nasty injury that resulted in multiple surgeries and plenty of rehab. In his return, Weidman was booked to take on Brad Tavares. Unfortunately for the ‘All American’, he wound up losing the bout by decision.
Eric Nicksick praises Mike Tyson's involvement in Francis Ngannou training: "You feel the intensity"
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2023
Francis Ngannou’s coach Eric Nicksick is happy to have Mike Tyson around for his boxing debut. ‘The Predator’ is currently slated to face Tyson Fury in his boxing debut in October. ‘The Gypsy King’ is currently the WBC heavyweight champion, and previously defeated names such as Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko. Opening up as a massive underdog, Francis Ngannou brought in Mike Tyson to help coach him.
Sean Strickland reveals hilarious plan for middleweight title with UFC 293 win over Israel Adesanya: "If anyone wants it"
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2023
Sean Strickland is planning to get some extra cash with an upset win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 293. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Abus Magomedov earlier this summer. That was Sean Strickland’s second victory in a row, previously defeating Nassourdine Imavov by decision earlier this year. That winning streak was seemingly enough for him to earn a crack at Israel Adesanya.
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley claims Marlon Vera is not actually a draw but admits he’s the biggest fight: “Just because of that controversial fight”
Josh Evanoff - September 5, 2023
UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley wants to clarify things ahead of a rematch with Marlon Vera. ‘Sugar’ is fresh off his championship win last month at UFC 292 over Aljamain Sterling. Scoring a first-round knockout win over ‘Funk Master’, Sean O’Malley quickly became one of the biggest stars in the sport. Following the victory, he made it clear that he needed to get revenge against Marlon Vera.
Sean Strickland reveals he punched a citizen for running his "f*****g mouth" in Australia ahead of UFC 293: "Uppercut to his stomach"
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2023
Sean Strickland revealed he has already committed assault during his brief stint in Australia. Strickland is set to headline UFC 293 on Saturday for the middleweight title against Israel Adesanya. He’s a massive underdog but has all the confidence that he can pull off the upset against the “spineless” champion.
Daniel Cormier believes Merab Dvalishvili’s refusal to fight Aljamain Sterling could be about more than just friendship
Susan Cox - September 5, 2023
Daniel Cormier believes Merab Dvalishvili’s refusal to fight Aljamain Sterling could be about more than just friendship. In the opinion of the 44 year old commentator, ‘The Machine’ may have other reasons to avoid a fight with fellow teammate Aljamain Sterling.
Sean Strickland slams “f**king prostitute” Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC 293: “Izzy is the f**king definition of spineless”
Susan Cox - September 5, 2023
Sean Strickland has gone off on Israel Adesanya ahead of their middleweight title fight at UFC 293. It will be Sean Strickland (27-5 MMA) vs. Israel Adesanya (24-2 MMA) this coming weekend, Saturday, September 9th at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The middleweight title bout is the pay-per-view headliner on ESPNews/ESPN+.
John Makdessi plans to be "more aggressive and throw more volume" at UFC 293 to get KO win over Jamie Mullarkey
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2023
John Makdessi will be ending his year-long layoff at UFC 293. Makdessi hasn’t fought since the UFC’s first stop in Paris in September of last year when he dropped a decision to Nasrat Haqparast. It was disappointing result for Makdessi and since then, he dealt with a hand injury that kept him out of the Octagon for over a year.
Josh Barnett offers his services to AEW following CM Punk firing: “If Tony needs someone to keep discipline and sort out conflict”
Susan Cox - September 5, 2023
Former UFC champion Josh Barnett is offering his services to AEW (All Elite Wrestling) following the CM Punk firing. It was an official statement from AEW this past weekend which stated:
Ok Rae Yoon flabbergasted by Ham Seo Hee’s "extreme" training routine: "Doesn’t she ever get tired?"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 5, 2023
On September 29, Ok Rae Yoon will watch closely when his friend and teammate, Ham Seo Hee, meets Stamp Fairtex. Ham, ranked #2 in the atomweight MMA division, battles top-ranked Stamp Fairtex for the ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title. The bout headlines ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video and airs live in U.S. primetime from the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 138 with John Makdessi and Chepe Mariscal
Cole Shelton - September 5, 2023
The 138th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 293 this Saturday. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight John Makdessi (1:49). Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Chepe Mariscal (16:27).
Israel Adesanya weighs in on the upcoming middleweight fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa: “I might be favoring Khamzat a little bit more”
Harry Kettle - September 5, 2023
UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has given his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will defend his UFC title against Sean Strickland. While that is his primary focus right now, he knows better than anyone that other contenders are waiting for their moment to shine. In addition to Dricus du Plessis, we also have Khamzat Chimaev and Paulo Costa, who will square off next month at UFC 294.
Jared Cannonier set to weigh-in as backup fighter for UFC 293 main event between Israel Adesanya and Sean Strickland
Harry Kettle - September 5, 2023
UFC star Jared Cannonier is set to weigh-in as the backup fighter for the UFC 293 main event, as per MMA Fighting. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. It’ll serve as the first time he’s defended the belt in his second reign following his knockout win over Alex Pereira earlier this year. Strickland, meanwhile, is getting his first crack at the title, largely as a result of Dricus du Plessis not being ready in time for this contest.
Video | Conor McGregor receives BJJ black belt from Coach Kavanagh at SBG
Harry Kettle - September 5, 2023
UFC star Conor McGregor has formally received his BJJ black belt from head coach John Kavanagh at SBG Ireland. For the longest time now, Conor McGregor has been part of the SBG Ireland family. He made his name under the umbrella of the gym, and it’s where he’s been training since he first started his mixed martial arts journey. It’s been one hell of a road to get to this point, but at this stage, nobody can deny that he’s the biggest star in the history of the sport.
Danielle Kelly eager to exact revenge on Jessa Khan: "She’s beatable"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 4, 2023
Danielle Kelly wants to earn some redemption at ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video. Her fight, which airs live via Amazon’s Prime Video streaming service on September 29, allows her to settle the score with rival Jessa Khan. After all, this is a rematch of their February 2021 encounter, which the latter won by unanimous decision.
Rampage Jackson confirms December grudge match with former Ultimate Fighter rival
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2023
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson has confirmed his comeback fight. The fan-favorite has been out of the cage for nearly four years, last fighting in Bellator. In December 2019, Rampage Jackson traveled to Japan to face Fedor Emelianenko. In the main event of Bellator 237, ‘The Last Emperor’ easily scored a first-round knockout victory.
UFC veteran Jason 'Mayhem' Miller arrested for choking out fan in West Hollywood club
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2023
Former UFC middleweight contender Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller is back in legal trouble. The 42-year-old is still one of the most colorful figures in MMA history. First debuting at UFC 52 opposite Georges St-Pierre, Jason Miller quickly became a fan favorite. Over the following years, he would compete in Dream, Strikeforce, and the WEC.
Max Holloway hoping for longshot 2024 quadrilogy with Alexander Volkanovski: "Got to be undeniable"
Josh Evanoff - September 4, 2023
Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway still wants to fight Alexander Volkanovski. ‘Blessed’ returned to the win column last month at UFC Singapore against The Korean Zombie. Facing the South Korean fighter in his final fight, Max Holloway scored a highlight-reel third-round knockout. The win was his second in a row, previously defeating Arnold Allen in the main event of UFC Kansas City in April.