MMA News
Chatri Sityodtong offers to promote Mark Zuckerberg-Elon Musk MMA Fight, proposes bout card
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
It all began with a single tweet aimed at Mark Zuckerberg. Elon Musk threw down the gauntlet when he playfully called out the Meta boss for an MMA bout.
Mario Bautista remains on UFC 292, set to face Da'Mon Blackshear
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Mario Bautista has gotten a replacement opponent. Bautista was supposed to face Cody Garbrandt at UFC 292 in Boston but the former bantamweight champion had to pull out due to an injury. Now, multiple sources have informed BJPENN.com that Bautista will face Da’Mon Blackshear on Saturday at UFC 292.
Dana White says he moved PPV model to streaming due to cable dispute: “We were so tired of the cable side and the satellite side being basically pigs’
Zain Bando - August 14, 2023
For the first time in 2023, Dana White opened up on the business aspects of the UFC and what has made the company successful since moving from FOX Sports to ESPN/ESPN+ in 2019. The UFC puts on 40+ annual events as one of the few promotions that exclusively stream without needing televised pay-per-view.
Demetrious Johnson commits to join 2023 IBJJF Masters
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 14, 2023
Demetrious Johnson, the reigning ONE Flyweight World Champion and MMA legend, is set to embark on a new challenge. “Mighty Mouse” will be switching fields temporarily to showcase his talents in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the 2023 IBJJF Masters World Championships. The competition will take place between August 31 and September 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aljamain Sterling shares prediction for UFC 292 title fight against Sean O'Malley: "There's levels, man"
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Aljamain Sterling is confident he will defend his bantamweight title with relative ease at UFC 292. Sterling is set to headline UFC 292 on Saturday night in Boston against Sean O’Malley. It’s a highly-anticipated matchup and one both men have been vocal in their confidence ahead of.
Ian Machado Garry believes he's "carrying" UFC 292 on his back: "If it wasn't for me, this card would go down the drain"
Cole Shelton - August 14, 2023
Ian Machado Garry believes he is carrying the promotion for UFC 292. The UFC heads to Boston on Saturday for UFC 292 which is headlined by two title fights, including Aljamain Sterling defending his bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley. Also on the main card is a welterweight bout featuring Ian Garry taking on Neil Magny, who took the fight on short notice.
Aljamain Sterling goes off on Sean O'Malley ahead of UFC 292: "That naked mole rat is getting smashed"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has put Sean O’Malley on blast before their UFC 292 encounter. Sterling will be putting the bantamweight gold on the line against O’Malley in the UFC 292 headliner. The two will collide this Saturday inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It’ll be O’Malley’s first UFC title fight.
Israel Adesanya threatens to break Sean Strickland's jaw at UFC 293: "I’m going to knock him out"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya believes the more Sean Strickland talks, the worse the outcome will be for him at UFC 293. Adesanya is scheduled to put his 185-pound gold at stake against Strickland. The two will collide on September 9 inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The title fight will headline UFC 293. Strickland stepped up after Dricus du Plessis wasn’t going to be healed in time to fight Adesanya at the event.
Rose Namajunas explains motivation behind her move up to flyweight: “I want something that scares me”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 14, 2023
Rose Namajunas has given her reason behind moving up to the women’s flyweight division. Namajunas is a two-time UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion. Her exit from the 115-pound division wasn’t exactly ideal. Namajunas suffered a split decision loss against Carla Esparza in a bout that was widely panned for its lack of activity. “Thug” Rose lost the strawweight championship, and she’s hoping a move up to flyweight can shed the negativity from her last outing.
Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold set to make combat sports return next month in Jerusalem
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Luke Rockhold will make his return to the combat sports sphere next month as he heads to Jerusalem for the next Israel Fight Night. Last summer, Luke Rockhold walked away from mixed martial arts following his crazy loss to Paulo Costa in the UFC. Then, earlier this year, he made his debut with BKFC, falling to a defeat courtesy of Mike Perry – the man who many consider to be the face of bare-knuckle boxing.
Chris Avila calls out former UFC champion Anthony Pettis for a boxing match
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Chris Avila has challenged Anthony Pettis to a boxing match following his recent win over Jeremy Stephens. Earlier this month, Chris Avila went toe to toe with Jeremy Stephens on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz. In what proved to be a pretty one-sided contest, Avila managed to get his hand raised.
Stephen Thompson has no regrets about not fighting at UFC 291, sends a message to future opponents: “You better be on weight or it’s not going to happen”
Harry Kettle - August 14, 2023
Stephen Thompson has issued a warning to any of his potential opponents about missing weight in the future. Last month at UFC 291, Stephen Thompson was scheduled to square off with Michel Pereira. Unfortunately, the bout didn’t end up happening as a result of Pereira missing weight by three and a half pounds. Thompson had the option to go forward with the contest, but he opted not to do so. Because of that, he didn’t receive his show money, creating quite the controversy within the MMA community.
Fedor Emelianenko details disastrous fight camp for retirement fight at Bellator 290: "Everything bad that could happen, happened"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 13, 2023
For Fedor Emelianenko, it’s out of sight, out of mind when it comes to the final bout of his pro MMA career. Emelianenko had a decorated MMA career that saw him win championship gold under the PRIDE FC banner. While many argue “The Last Emperor’s” best days were behind him coming out of the sensational 2009 KO win over Brett Rogers, Emelianenko kept pushing forward. He had nice surges after his Strikeforce run ended in a string of losses. Ultimately, his career ended in a first-round TKO loss to Ryan Bader at Bellator 290 earlier this year.
Cub Swanson reacts to controversial UFC Vegas 78 win over Hakeem Dawodu
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 13, 2023
Cub Swanson has given his take on emerging victorious at UFC Vegas 78 when the general consensus is that he should’ve received a loss. Swanson shared the Octagon with Hakeem Dawodu inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. “Killer” Cub and Dawodu fought until the final horn of their August 12 showdown. All three judges scored the fight for Swanson. which left many fans and media members puzzled. MMADecisions.com notes that out of 13 media members who scored the fight, only two of them believed Swanson did enough to win.
Tom Aspinall will help Tyson Fury prepare for boxing match against Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 13, 2023
UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall claims he will be working with Tyson Fury ahead of a boxing match with Francis Ngannou. Fury and Ngannou are set to collide in a pro boxing match on October 28. The bout will be held in Saudi Arabia. “The Predator” is already working with Mike Tyson ahead of the fight. As for Aspinall, he’ll actually be giving “The Gypsy King” a helping hand.
Vicente Luque intrigued by potential UFC fight against Dustin Poirier: "We could make that work"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 13, 2023
Vicente Luque is eyeing a big fight against Dustin Poirier if the opportunity presents itself. Luque recently snapped a two-fight skid by defeating a former UFC Lightweight Champion. He went one-on-one with Rafael dos Anjos inside the UFC Apex to cap off UFC Vegas 78. This bout went the distance and “The Silent Assassin” emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
Cody Garbrandt forced out of UFC 292 due to injury
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 13, 2023
Cody Garbrandt will not be fighting on August 19. Garbrandt was scheduled to go one-on-one with Mario Bautista on the UFC 292 card inside the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It was announced during the UFC Vegas 78 broadcast that “No Love” suffered an injury during training and will not be competing at UFC 292. The search for Bautista’s new opponent is underway.
Conor McGregor says he will be training Dillon Danis for his fight with Logan Paul: “Dillon will win, for sure”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 13, 2023
Conor McGregor has revealed that he’ll be training Dillon Danis for his upcoming boxing match with Logan Paul. Recently, it was announced that Danis and Paul will share the boxing ring on the KSI vs. Tommy Fury card. The bout will take place on October 14 in Manchester, England. McGregor has long trained with Danis and he believes the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist will be ready on fight night.