MMA News
Dana White gives TV deal update: “That’s when you’re going to see people making big moves"
Zain Bando - January 2, 2024
UFC CEO Dana White is already looking ahead to the future of streaming media, which includes the promotion’s current seven-year contract with ESPN in the U.S. Dana White, named CEO after the UFC and WWE merged under TKO Group Holdings Inc., provided a perspective on where things sit with television negotiations with ESPN and other media partners.
Ian Garry slams Sean Strickland for "off limits" trash talk comment: "How the tables have turned"
Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has a bone to pick with middleweight champion Sean Strickland. ‘Tarzan’ is fresh off his first fight with Dricus du Plessis last month at UFC 296. In the days leading to their brawl at the pay-per-view event, they traded heated words. At the seasonal press conference days before, ‘Stillknocks’ mocked the abuse that Sean Strickland suffered at the hands of his father.
Jake Paul alleges Jorge Masvidal vs. Nate Diaz is on after 'Gamebred' makes return announcement
Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2024
According to Jake Paul, a boxing match with Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz is on the books for 2024. Earlier this week, ‘Gamebred’ took to social media to announce that his retirement was officially over. In April, Jorge Masvidal suffered a unanimous decision loss to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287. Weeks prior to the event, he stated that he would retire with a defeat. Ultimately, he stayed true to his word.
Chuck Liddell explains frustration with personal nature of modern UFC trash talk: "I guess that's the thing now"
Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2024
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell isn’t exactly a fan of what he’s been seeing lately. ‘The Iceman’ is considered one of MMA’s earliest stars, and one of the more high-profile names to ever fight in the UFC. Across his tenure, he had massive fights with names such as Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans, Wanderlei Silva, and more. Chuck Liddell’s aforementioned rivalry with ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ was massive for the early growth of the company.
Eddie Hearn names Francis Ngannou as 1 of 3 possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight
Susan Cox - January 2, 2024
Eddie Hearn has named Francis Ngannou as 1 of 3 possible opponents for Anthony Joshua’s next fight. Anthony Joshua most recently defeated Otto Wallin at the ‘Day of Reckoning’ event this past December (see that here). The Brit’s record now sits at 27 wins and 3 losses. Of those 27 wins, 24 came by way of knockout.
Michael Chandler confirms he is fine with fighting Conor McGregor at middleweight: “Any weight is good with me”
Susan Cox - January 2, 2024
Michael Chandler has confirmed that he is fine with fighting Conor McGregor at middleweight. As promised, Conor McGregor announced his comeback fight on the last day of the year, Sunday, December 31st.
Sean Strickland admits he was “boiling” following “off limits” comments by Dricus Du Plessis
Susan Cox - January 2, 2024
Sean Strickland is admitting that he was ‘boiling’ following the ‘off limits’ comments made by Dricus Du Plessis. It was at a pre-fight press conference where du Plessis shouted at Strickland saying “you think your dad beat the sh*t out of you? Your dad doesn’t have sh*t on me … every childhood memory you have is going to come back when I’m in there with you”.
Jorge Masvidal announces he is ending his retirement
Susan Cox - January 2, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger and BMF champion Jorge Masvidal has announced that he is ending his retirement. Taking to ‘X‘, Masvidal simply stated:
Photo | TJ Dillashaw has put on some serious mass following UFC retirement: “Patience pays off”
Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw is looking bigger than ever following his retirement from MMA. In late 2022, TJ Dillashaw made the decision to retire from mixed martial arts. It came following a headline-filled career, from upset title wins to a long suspension to a series of nasty injuries. Through it all, though, Dillashaw is still widely considered to be one of the best bantamweight in the history of the sport.
Daniel Cormier says ‘Puppet master’ Conor McGregor is playing Michael Chandler like ‘Pinocchio’
Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s recent announcement. To kickstart 2024, Conor McGregor revealed that he plans on returning to the Octagon this summer to take on Michael Chandler. It’s a fight that has been over a year in the making, with the Irishman making it clear that he ideally wanted to return earlier than June.
Leon Edwards announces he will be defending his welterweight title at UFC 300
Harry Kettle - January 2, 2024
UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards has revealed that he will be defending his belt at UFC 300. Last month, Leon Edwards successfully defended his belt for the second time. He did so by defeating Colby Covington, confirming his status as the best 170-pounder on the planet. In the immediate aftermath, many called for him to take on either Belal Muhammad or Shavkat Rakhmonov in his next outing.
Tawanchai PK Saenchai open to challenging Chingiz Allazov for kickboxing crown
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2024
Tawanchai PK Saenchai is considering the prospect of facing Chingiz Allazov for the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship. The 24-year-old featherweight Muay Thai king has developed a fondness for Allazov, who has undeniably had a stellar 2023.
Chingiz Allazov sees Takeru Segawa prevailing over Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 165
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2024
Chingiz Allazov made his stance clear in the lead-up to the high-stakes showdown between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Takeru Segawa. Both men will collide in a flyweight kickboxing super-fight, which will headline ONE Championship’s return to Japan — ONE 165. The event takes place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on January 28.
Conor McGregor announces opponent and date for "the greatest comeback of all time"
Cole Shelton - December 31, 2023
Conor McGregor will be returning to the Octagon in 2024. McGregor recently revealed he would be revealing his return date and opponent on New Year’s Eve, and he did just that. Taking to X, McGregor sent out a video revealing he will return at International Fight Week in June against Michael Chandler.
Conor McGregor reveals announcement date for his next fight
Harry Kettle - December 30, 2023
UFC star Conor McGregor has revealed that he will make an announcement regarding his next fight on New Year’s Day. For the longest time now, fight fans have been waiting for some kind of announcement regarding the return of the Irishman. It’s been well over two years since we’ve seen him in the Octagon, with many believing 2023 would be the year that he made his comeback.
RIZIN champion Juan Archuleta calls for rematch with Bellator's Patchy Mix: "Only guy to beat him"
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023
RIZIN bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta is ready for a rematch with Bellator titleholder Patchy Mix. ‘The Spaniard’ is slated to make the first title defense of his bantamweight title reign this Saturday. In the co-main event of RIZIN 45, Juan Archuleta will face former titleholder Kai Asaukra. If he can get through the Japanese fighter this weekend, he hopes to meet Patchy Mix in the near future.
Gilbert Burns shares his side of Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis' melee: "It was a draw!"
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns had a front-row seat for Sean Strickland vs. Dricus du Plessis. Earlier this month at UFC 296, ‘Tarzan’ and ‘Stillknocks’ famously got into a brawl. It wasn’t terribly surprising, given their heated press conference earlier in the week. In the post-fight press conference, Dana White took the blame for the incident and explained that he shouldn’t have sat the middleweights so close.
Bo Nickal explains AI use for his UFC 300 training camp: "Give me the perfect gameplan for him"
Josh Evanoff - December 29, 2023
UFC middleweight contender Bo Nickal is turning to ChatGPT for his return next year. The 27-year-old has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Val Woodburn in July. The victory was Bo Nickal’s fifth in the cage, all coming by way of finish. While the former collegiate wrestler has been effortlessly dominant, he’s had some help. Well, kind of.