MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 6, 2023

Jonathan Haggerty is taking a deliberate approach to his transition to MMA following his historic victory at ONE Fight Night 16 last Friday, November 3. “The General” recently captured the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title with a stunning knockout victory over divisional MMA king Fabricio Andrade.

Harry Kettle - November 6, 2023

Islam Makhachev will reportedly not be defending his UFC lightweight championship until at least March 2024. Following his win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 294, many questions were asked regarding what was next for Islam Makhachev. Then, just a matter of days ago, it was reported that he’d be defending his belt again in January against Charles Oliveira.

Harry Kettle - November 6, 2023

UFC heavyweight Jailton Almeida has responded to criticism over his performance against Derrick Lewis at UFC Sao Paulo. Last weekend, Jailton Almeida dominated Derrick Lewis in their heavyweight main event and secured a blockbuster decision victory. In doing so, he firmly established himself as one of the top contenders in the world in that division.

Harry Kettle - November 6, 2023

Armen Petrosyan’s management has claimed that he may have been poisoned ahead of UFC Sao Paulo last weekend. On Saturday night, Armen Petrosyan was scheduled to go head to head with Rodolfo Vieira. Unfortunately, the bout fell through at the last minute, with Petrosyan reportedly suffering an illness backstage at the arena.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023

International boxing Hall of Famer Mike Tyson is quite pleased with Francis Ngannou. Ngannou was a massive underdog going into his boxing match with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury late last month. “The Predator” made fools of many by knocking “The Gypsy King” down and almost defeating him at his own game.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023

Matt Brown is of the belief that Jon Jones is the only name Francis Ngannou should be fighting under MMA rules. Ngannou’s stock has never been higher. Boxing and MMA experts gave Ngannou very little chance in his boxing match with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. “The Predator” not only knocked “The Gypsy King” down, but he almost defeated him in what most thought would be a one-sided fight. Fury won the bout via split decision, but Ngannou sure doesn’t feel like a loser.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023

Nicolas Dalby has explained embracing the fans in Brazil following his UFC Sao Paulo win. Dalby shared the Octagon with Gabriel Bonfim. Going into the bout, Bonfim had an unbeaten pro MMA record of 15-0. Dalby ended up handing Bonfim the first loss of his career with a second-round TKO finish. During his post-fight interview, Dalby told the disappointed Brazilian fans in attendance how impressed he was by their show of support for their home country athletes. Fans responded positively to Dalby’s praise for their support.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023

The manager for Islam Makhachev, Ali Abdelaziz, has blasted a report claiming a UFC lightweight title rematch with Charles Oliveira is targeted for January 2024. Ariel Helwani recently reported that the plan is for Makhachev vs. Oliveira 2 to headline UFC 297. Here’s what Helwani reported on his X account:

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023

Derek Brunson is one of the few who have an appreciation for the Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis fight at UFC Sao Paulo. Almeida’s game plan was clear, and that was to minimize risk by taking Lewis down and not giving him too many chances to sweep. The game plan led to Almeida not being very active with punches despite achieving full mount multiple times. Referee Marc Goddard had to warn Almeida for his lack of action numerous times. With that said, mission accomplished for Almeida, who scored a clear unanimous decision win over Lewis.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 5, 2023

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski may not be fighting in January, but he is factored into plans for a February title bout. Volkanovski had asked for a quick turnaround after suffering a head kick knockout loss in his rematch with UFC lightweight titleholder Islam Makhachev. After the defeat, an emotional Volkanovski said he needs to fight again soon because without something scheduled he loses direction.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones had some choice words for “backstabbing” MMA journalist Ariel Helwani. Jones (27-1 MMA) was recently forced to withdraw from his scheduled UFC 295 main event title fight with Stipe Miocic after suffering a torn pectoral tendon in training.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

The Octagon returned to Brazil for tonight’s UFC Sao Paulo event, an eleven-bout fight card headlined by Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis. The highly anticipated heavyweight main event resulted in a dominant performance for the hometown favorite. Jailton Almeida was able to take Derrick Lewis down early and often, passing to the full mount position with ease. However, despite having control and dominant positions throughout the contest, the Brazilian was unable to score a finish. Almeida attempted multiple submission attempts, but Lewis showed impressive defense and resolve to go the entire twenty-five minutes.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 231 results, including the main event between Jailton Almeida and Derrick Lewis. Almeida (19-2 MMA) will enter the contest sporting a fourteen-fight winning streak, with his five most recent victories coming under the UFC banner. In his most recent effort this past May, the Brazilian submission specialist picked up a first-round stoppage victory over perennial contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 231 results, including the co-main event between Gabriel Bonfim and Nicolas Dalby. Bonfim (15-1 MMA) will be looking to keep his perfect record intact when he fights in front of a hometown crowd in Brazil. ‘Marretinha’ has gone 2-0 since joining the UFC ranks, scoring first-round finishes over Mounir Lazzez and Trevin Giles.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 231 results, including the heavyweight bout between Don’Tale Mayes and Rodrigo Nascimento. Mayes (10-6 MMA) was last seen in action at June’s UFC Vegas 74 event, where he scored a second round TKO victory over former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Prior to that, ‘Kong’ was coming off a unanimous decision loss to August Sakai at UFC Vegas 70.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Fight Night 231 results, including the middleweight bout between Caio Borralho and Abus Magomedov. Borralho (15-1 MMA) enters the fight sporting a thirteen-fight winning streak, with four of those victories coming inside of the Octagon. ‘The Natural’ most recently competed at April’s at UFC Vegas 72 event, where he scored a second-round submission victory over Michal Oleksiejczuk.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

The UFC payouts for Brock Lesnar’s final two Octagon appearances have been revealed. Lesnar (5-3, 1 no contest MMA) last competed inside of the Octagon in July of 2016 at UFC 200, where he squared off with legendary knockout artist Mark Hunt.

Chris Taylor - November 4, 2023

The Octagon returns to Sao Paulo for tonight’s UFC Fight Night 231 event, a thirteen-bout fight card headlined by Jailton Almeida vs. Derrick Lewis. Almeida (19-2 MMA) will enter the contest sporting a fourteen-fight winning streak, with his five most recent victories coming under the UFC banner. In his most recent effort this past May, the Brazilian submission specialist picked up a first-round stoppage victory over perennial contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik.