MMA News
Buakaw praises Stamp Fairtex for three-sport world title feat: ‘I got to give it up to her’
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2023
Buakaw Banchamek finds himself in awe of a Thai compatriot who has shattered barriers and rewritten history — Stamp Fairtex. Stamp’s unprecedented feat of becoming the first-ever three-sport ONE World Champion has left the renowned Muay Thai legend mesmerized.
Sean Strickland's Coach explains the key factor behind defeating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 297
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023
Sean Strickland’s head coach Eric Nicksick has given his thoughts on the champion’s upcoming clash with Dricus du Plessis. Next month at UFC 297, Sean Strickland will defend his UFC middleweight championship against Dricus du Plessis. With former champ Israel Adesanya taking some time off, du Plessis has stepped up and will be the first man to try and take the belt away from Strickland.
Jo Nattawut targets Tawanchai PK Saenchai rematch following spectacular victory at ONE Fight Night 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 13, 2023
“Smokin” Jo Nattawut looks sharper than ever, and he has 26 pounds of gold on his mind. After an electrifying performance against Luke Lessei at ONE Fight Night 17 on Prime Video last Friday, December 8, the Thai veteran still believes he has what it takes to compete against ONE Championship’s best featherweight Muay Thai fighters.
Chael Sonnen weighs in on Belal Muhammad’s late call-up for backup role at UFC 296: “For sure, it means something more”
Harry Kettle - December 13, 2023
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on Belal Muhammad’s late call-up to be the back-up fighter for the UFC 296 main event. This weekend, Leon Edwards will defend his UFC welterweight championship against Colby Covington. The two will collide in the main event of UFC 296 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Teddy Atlas praises Leon Edwards ahead of UFC 296: "He got 30 percent better when he won that title"
Zain Bando - December 12, 2023
Teddy Atlas is a fixture of the fight game, specifically boxing. But when it comes to the UFC, specifically UFC 296, which takes place Saturday night from Las Vegas, Nevada, he also knows a thing or two.
Ian Machado Garry plans to do "something pretty spectacular" against Vicente Luque at UFC 296: "100 percent”
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Ian Machado Garry is ready to make a statement at UFC 296 on Saturday. Garry is set to take on Vicente Luque in a very intriguing welterweight fight. The two are former teammates at Kill Cliff and have trained and sparred with one another in the past. However, despite their history, he had no hesitation to take the fight as the Irishman had changed his camp to Chute Box.
UFC parts ways with four more fighters
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
The UFC has trimmed its roster again as four fighters have been removed from the roster. On Tuesday evening, X account UFC Roster Tracker which tracks the UFC roster and who has been added and removed – revealed four fighters have been let go. According to the account, Austin Lingo, Johny Munoz Jr., Nick Aguirre, and Terrence Mitchell have all been removed from the roster.
Paddy Pimblett wants the old Tony Ferguson to show up at UFC 296, but doubts it happens: "He isn't the same fighter"
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Paddy Pimblett wants Tony Ferguson to turn back the clock at UFC 296. Pimblett is set for his first fight in a year as he takes on Ferguson who’s on a six-fight losing streak. During the losing skid, Ferguson has been finished in four of those defeats, and his last win came back in June of 2019.
Kamaru Usman shares prediction for Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington title fight at UFC 296
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
Kamaru Usman has shared his prediction for the welterweight title fight between Leon Edwards and Colby Covington at UFC 296. Usman has fought Edwards three times, winning once and suffering two defeats which saw him surrender his welterweight title. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has also fought Colby Covington on two occasions in the past, where he successfully defended the welterweight title in both fights. Given that he has spent plenty of time in the Octagon with both men, Usman is familiar with both of their styles.
Jailton Almeida vs. Curtis Blaydes and several other matchups added to UFC 299 in March
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2023
UFC 299 has gotten a big boost in the form of Jailton Almeida vs. Curtis Blaydes, as well as several other fight announcements. The card is currently slated for next March and will be held in Miami. In the main event, Sean O’Malley will return to the octagon to defend his bantamweight gold against Marlon Vera. The bout is a rematch of their prior encounter in 2020, which saw ‘Chito’ win by first-round stoppage.
Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev's rematch comments are an early sign of retirement: "Only a couple more years"
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev’s recent comments could be a sign of his impending retirement. The Russian has been out of the cage since a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski in October. There, Islam Makhachev picked up his second win over ‘The Great’ by knockout, with names such as Daniel Cormier watching by. Following the win, he was called out by many top lightweights.
Georges St-Pierre names his 'favorite' fighters he hopes to see in the UFC's 2024 superfight
Josh Evanoff - December 12, 2023
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre won’t be fighting in 2024, but he has an idea of who might be. Last month, Dana White revealed plans for a massive UFC superfight, going down next year. Many, quickly began to speculate who that matchup could involve. The executive stated only that the superfight itself doesn’t involve Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. Famously, the two lightweights coached the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter against each other earlier this year.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 148 with Ian Machado Garry, Vicente Luque, Dustin Jacoby, and Brian Kelleher
Cole Shelton - December 12, 2023
The 148th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC 296. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry (1:45). Next, ninth-ranked UFC welterweight Vicente Luque (16:11). 15th-ranked UFC light heavyweight Dustin Jacoby (30:51) then comes on. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Brian Kelleher (44:39).
Official lineup released for UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington, including two title fights
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2023
The official lineup has been released for UFC 296: Leon Edwards vs Colby Covington ahead of fight night on Saturday. For the final time this year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will be putting on a pay-per-view event this weekend – and what a way to go out. UFC 296 will emanate from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, in what can only be described as a blockbuster card. From two title fights to several really fun matchups, this has the potential to be the show of the year.
Colby Covington says he would love to “slap around” UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland: “He’s just a pathetic excuse of a human being”
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2023
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has gone after UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland and teased a fight between them. One thing we know to be true is that Sean Strickland is a controversial individual. Now, though, he’s also the middleweight champion of the world, knocking off Israel Adesanya earlier this year. Someone else who knows what it feels like to be divisive is Colby Covington, who returns to the cage this weekend.
Paddy Pimblett admits he wants to see Tony Ferguson get another win before retiring: “I just can’t let him do it at my expense”
Harry Kettle - December 12, 2023
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has admitted that he wants to see Tony Ferguson pick up another win before retiring from mixed martial arts. This Saturday night at UFC 296, Paddy Pimblett and Tony Ferguson will battle it out in a fascinating encounter. There are plenty of reasons to get excited about this fight, but if you’re an ‘El Cucuy’ fan, there are also plenty of reasons to be nervous.
What's next for Song Yadong and Chris Gutierrez after UFC Vegas 83?
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2023
In the main event of UFC Vegas 83, ranked bantamweight collided as Song Yadong took on Chris Gutierrez. Yadong entered the fight coming off a TKO win over Ricky Simon to return to the win column after a TKO loss to Cory Sandhagen. Gutierrez, meanwhile, returned to the win column last time out with a decision win over Alatengheili after losing to Pedro Munhoz.
Leon Edwards explains why Colby Covington won't be able to get under his skin
Cole Shelton - December 11, 2023
Leon Edwards doesn’t think Colby Covington’s trash talk will impact him at all. Edwards is set to defend his welterweight title for the second time in the main event of UFC 296 as he takes on Covington in a highly-anticipated matchup. It’s a close fight on paper, as Edwards is a slight betting favorite, but the Brit has full confidence he will get his hand raised.