MMA News
Volkan Oezdemir confident his power will be too much for Bogdan Guskov at UFC Paris: "I want to get my hand raised while the guy is on the floor"
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2023
Volkan Oezdemir will finally make the walk to the Octagon. Oezdemir last fought back in October when he dropped a decision to Nikita Krylov. It was with the first punch he landed the fight that Volkan broke his hand which hindered his performance. Following the fight, he needed to get surgery as he had been dealing with a nagging hand injury for a while.
Aljamain Sterling reveals “the key” for Merab Dvalishvili to defeat new UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley
Susan Cox - August 29, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is revealing ‘the key’ for Merab Dvalishvili to defeat new UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. It’s been just over a week ago that Aljamain Sterling (23-4 MMA) was defeated by Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA) at UFC 292 which took place at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Gilbert Burns believes Paulo Costa could prove to be “a long night” for Khamzat Chimaev
Susan Cox - August 29, 2023
Gilbert Burns believes Paulo Costa could prove to be ‘a long night’ for Khamzat Chimaev. UFC 294 will feature a battle between Paulo Costa (14-2 MMA) and the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev (12-0 MMA) on Saturday, October 21st at the Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Daniel Cormier praises Anthony Smith for his victory over Ryan Spann at UFC Singapore: “This guy isn't as set on his TV career as I thought”
Susan Cox - August 29, 2023
Daniel Cormier is praising Anthony Smith for his victory over Ryan Spann at UFC Singapore. It was just this past Saturday, August 26th that saw Anthony Smith (37-18 MMA) vs Ryan Spann (21-9 MMA) in the light heavyweight co-main event at UFC Singapore. The result was a split decision victory for ‘Lionheart’.
"Wondergirl" Jaroonsak teams up with Olympian boxer ahead of ONE Fight Night 14
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 29, 2023
Among the matchups set to happen at ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video is the special rules striking contest between Nat “Wondergirl” Jaroonsak and Xiong Jing Nan. The stakes will be higher than ever at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on September 29. So, “Wondergirl” has made a strategic move by enlisting 2004 Olympic gold medalist Manus Boonjumnong.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 137 with Volkan Oezdemir, Thiago Moises, and Kurt Holobaugh
Cole Shelton - August 29, 2023
The 137th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Paris this Saturday. We’re first joined by ninth-ranked UFC light heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (1:48). Next UFC lightweight Thiago Moises (14:35) comes on. Closing out the program is TUF 31 winner Kurt Holobaugh (25:47).
Demetrious Johnson says it's easier to become a champion in MMA than in boxing: “Look at Brock Lesnar”
Harry Kettle - August 29, 2023
Demetrious Johnson believes it’s easier to become a champion in mixed martial arts when compared to boxing. We all know Demetrious Johnson to be one of the greatest fighters of all time. He was one of the best UFC champions there has ever been, and he proceeded to carry that reputation over to ONE Championship. ‘Mighty Mouse’ has done some incredible things in MMA and while his future may be uncertain, it’s hard not to be impressed by his body of work.
Paul Felder says watching The Korean Zombie’s performance at UFC Singapore has him wanting to go once more: “Damn you Zombie”
Harry Kettle - August 29, 2023
UFC commentator and former fighter Paul Felder has admitted that The Korean Zombie’s performance at UFC Singapore has made him want to return. Last Saturday night at UFC Singapore, Chan Sung Jung aka The Korean Zombie walked away from mixed martial arts. It came after his knockout loss to Max Holloway, with the veteran going down swinging – quite literally.
Four more fighters removed from the UFC’s active roster
Harry Kettle - August 29, 2023
Four more fighters have been removed from the UFC’s roster, including the legendary Korean Zombie. The Ultimate Fighting Championship serves as the highest level of competition in mixed martial arts. As such, most fighters from across the globe strive to make their way over at one point or another in their careers. Unfortunately, while some rise to the very top, others aren’t quite as lucky.
BJ Penn believes if he didn't run for Governor he still would've continued to fight: "The Governor run pulled me out"
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2023
BJ Penn knows firsthand how hard it is for fighters to walk away from the sport. Penn last fought back in May of 2019, where he suffered a decision loss to former Strikeforce title holder Clay Guida.
What's next for Max Holloway and Korean Zombie after UFC Singapore?
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2023
In the main event of UFC Singapore, a featherweight banger headlined the card as Max Holloway took on Korean Zombie. Holloway entered the fight coming off a decision win over Arnold Allen back in April to return to the win column after losing a one-sided decision to Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title in July 2022. Korean Zombie, meanwhile, was ending his layoff as he last fought back in April 2022 when he suffered a TKO loss to Volkanovski for the featherweight title.
Germaine de Randamie planning to end three-year hiatus this fall: "There is a fire burning"
Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2023
Former UFC women’s featherweight champion Germaine de Randamie is eyeing a return. ‘The Iron Lady’ has been out of action since a clash with Julianna Pena in October 2020. Facing the future women’s bantamweight champion, she scored a third-round submission win over ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’. While a massive win for Germaine de Randamie, she’s been inactive since then.
UFC veteran Sam Alvey signs with Karate Combat ahead of September heavyweight debut
Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2023
Former UFC middleweight contender Sam Alvey is heading to Karate Combat. ‘Smilin’ had a lengthy and high-profile stint in the UFC from 2014 to 2022. Early in his tenure, Sam Alvey proved his place as a middleweight contender, defeating names such as Rashad Evans, Nate Marquardt, Dan Kelly, and more. However, things took a turn for the worse in 2018.
Former opponent offers Dustin Poirier late 2023 rematch: "I'm up one!"
Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2023
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier has received a callout from Michael Johnson. ‘The Diamond’ is fresh off his return late last month at UFC 291 opposite Justin Gaethje. Over five years after Dustin Poirier handed ‘The Highlight’ a knockout loss, he suffered the same fate. In their pay-per-view headliner, Gaethje scored a highlight-reel second-round knockout win.
UFC Paris down to 10 bouts after two fight cancellations
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2023
UFC Paris is now down to a total of 10 fights. The Octagon is set for the second-ever event in France after MMA was legalized in the country in 2020, but due to the pandemic, the UFC wasn’t able to make their first stop in Paris until September of last year. In the debut event, Ciryl Gane beat Tai Tuivasa by knockout which got him the title fight against Jon Jones.
Dillon Danis explains why Mike Perry being the backup fighter and having faceoff with Logan Paul "bothers” him
Cole Shelton - August 28, 2023
Dillon Danis isn’t a fan of Logan Paul hyping up Mike Perry as the backup fighter for their boxing match. Danis and Paul are set to box on Oct. 14 in Manchester, England in a fight that has gotten personal. However, after the fight was announced, Paul admitted he was nervous that Danis would even show up and if he pulled out for a fake injury, he would have to pay $100,000.
Teen star Smilla Sundell motivated to inspire a new generation of female athletes
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 28, 2023
Smilla Sundell is relishing the opportunity to be among the cast of headliners at ONE Fight Night 14 on Prime Video. The ONE Championship event on September 29 airs live in U.S. primetime and features three all-women World Title bouts.
Kevin Holland doubts he'll get a chance to face Ian Machado Garry: "I don't think I fit the blueprint"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 28, 2023
Kevin Holland would like to share the Octagon with Ian Machado Garry, but he doesn’t think the bout will happen in the near future. Garry has been emerging in the UFC welterweight division. He’s fresh off a dominant unanimous decision victory over seasoned veteran Neil Magny at UFC 292. Garry has called for a showdown with Stephen Thompson, but “Wonderboy” is more interested in a clash with former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman.