MMA News

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier wasn’t that impressed by Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson. ‘The Baddy’ and ‘El Cucuy’ met on the UFC 296 main card over the weekend. Heading into the bout itself, the two men were riding vastly different fortunes. For his part, Tony Ferguson entered the night on a six-fight losing streak, while Paddy Pimblett entered the bout undefeated in his promotional tenure.

Cole Shelton - December 20, 2023

Ben Askren was confused with Colby Covington’s performance at UFC 296. Covington was fighting for the undisputed welterweight title for the third time, as he took on Leon Edwards in the main event. It likely was going to be his final title shot, and Covington did not fight how he normally does. Colby Covington didn’t chain wrestle or push a pace as he usually does. Instead, he fought off his back foot and didn’t throw many punches for the first round rounds, which confused Ben Askren.

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023

UFC featherweight contender Josh Emmett believes a fight with Max Holloway is in order. ‘The Fighting Falmer’ returned to the cage over the weekend at UFC 296. While he was first slated to face Giga Chikadze, the former title challenger instead faced Bryce Mitchell. In their featherweight clash over the weekend, Josh Emmett scored a vicious knockout win over ‘Thug Nasty’.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2023

Danny Kingad and Yuya Wakamatsu will renew their rivalry at ONE 165 in ONE Championship’s return to Japan on January 28. The flyweight MMA rematch will take place at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023

Leon Edwards’ coach Dave Lovell spoke with Dana White following UFC 296. Over the weekend, ‘Rocky’ returned to the cage against Colby Covington. Given that the bout involved ‘Chaos’, there was naturally a lot of trash talk involved. To his credit, Leon Edwards largely seemed unphased. Save for a wild press conference, where Covington mocked the murder of his father.

Cole Shelton - December 20, 2023

Dave Lovell the head coach of Leon Edwards is hoping Gilbert Burns will get the next welterweight title shot. In the main event of UFC 296, Edwwards defended his welterweight title for the second time with a lopsided decision win over Colby Covington. After the fight, many expected that Belal Muhammad would get the next title shot, but at the post-fight press conference, Edwards shut that down, saying he didn’t think Muhammad deserved it.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023

UFC newcomer Michael Page has admitted that he can see a path to a future showdown against UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards. Over the weekend, it was announced that Michael Page had decided to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In doing so, he opted against a contract with PFL, with the UFC also confirming that Page will take on Kevin Holland at UFC 299.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has somehow gone up in the UFC’s male pound-for-pound rankings after his brawl with Dricus du Plessis. Last weekend at UFC 296, all hell broke loose. Following their lively press conference exchange, Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis squared off, and then attended UFC 296 on Saturday night. Then, after the promotion decided to seat them near each other, they wound up brawling in the crowd.

Harry Kettle - December 20, 2023

Former UFC and WWE star Matt Riddle has revealed that there’s a good chance he will to fighting next year. Earlier this year, Matt Riddle left WWE after spending five years with professional wrestling’s top promotion. Prior to that, though, he was a mixed martial artist. His talent took him all the way to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he last competed ten years ago in early 2013. He put together a record of 7-3 (2) with the two no contests, which came from victories that were overturned due to Matt testing positive for cannabis use.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2023

Liam Harrison is placing his bets on Anissa Meksen at ONE Friday Fights 46 on December 22. The Algerian-French sensation faces Phetjeeja for the ONE Interim Atomweight Kickboxing World Title, with the bout emanating live in Asian primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 20, 2023

For Joseph Lasiri, confidence is not in short supply ahead of his World Championship rematch with Prajanchai PK Saenchai. Both men will run it back in a ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title unification bout. This happens at ONE Friday Fights 46, which broadcasts live on pay-per-view from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on December 22.

Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023

UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett is hoping to return to the cage next summer following his recent win. ‘The Baddy’ ended a yearlong hiatus over the weekend, returning on the UFC 296 main card. There, the rising lightweight met former interim champion, Tony Ferguson. Heading into the bout, the two men were riding radically different fortunes heading into the contest, with ‘El Cucuy’ having lost seven straight.

Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023

Tyron Woodley finds it a bit disrespectful he’s not in the conversation for Jake Paul’s PFL debut. ‘The Problem Child’ is fresh off his return to the ring over the weekend. On Friday night, Jake Paul moved to 8-1, with a knockout win over Andre August. Following the victory, there was naturally talk of his PFL debut. Ever since the beginning of his boxing career, he’s teased a move to the cage.

Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023

Artem Lobov has released private messages from former UFC champion Conor McGregor. ‘The Notorious’ is currently healing, awaiting his return to the octagon. As of now, Conor McGregor is currently hoping to return at UFC 300 in April, against Michael Chandler. The two famously coached the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter against one another, but have been unable to nail down a bout date.

Cole Shelton - December 19, 2023

MMA coach Ray Longo is not a fan of Colby Covington. Covington is a brash-talker who isn’t afraid to say anything, which Longo says is frustrating for the MMA community. But, after Covington’s comments about Leon Edwards’ dad ahead of UFC 296, Longo was left feeling irate and unloaded on ‘Chaos’ during his appearance on The Anik & Florian Podcast as he spoke his mind about the former interim champ.

Susan Cox - December 19, 2023

Colby Covington is admitting that Leon Edwards left him ‘kind of confused’ at UFC 296. Last Saturday, December 16th saw Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) vs. Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) in the welterweight main event title fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The outcome was unanimous decision victory for ‘Rocky’.

Susan Cox - December 19, 2023

Joe Rogan is being critical of the ‘ego-based decisions’ made by Leon Edwards at UFC 296. It was just this past Saturday that saw Leon Edwards (22-3 MMA) defeat Colby Covington (17-4 MMA) to retain his title in the main event welterweight fight at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Susan Cox - December 19, 2023

Robert Whittaker is reacting to the crowd brawl between Sean Strickland and Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 296. It’s true that Strickland and Du Plessis got into it at UFC 296, ahead of their scheduled bout this coming January (see that here).