MMA News
Chael Sonnen details the “huge mistake” Justin Gaethje is making in his pursuit for a lightweight title shot
Susan Cox - October 31, 2023
Chael Sonnen is detailing the ‘huge mistake’ Justin Gaethje is making in his pursuit for a lightweight title shot. Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) is the current UFC lightweight champion.
Dana White announces stacked UFC Austin fight card for December 2
Susan Cox - October 31, 2023
Dana White has announced a stacked UFC Austin fight card for December 2nd. UFC Austin will takes place on Saturday, December 2nd at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
Meng Bo fearless of "judo master" Ayaka Miura’s grappling: "This is MMA"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 31, 2023
Meng Bo is confident that she can handle Ayaka Miura’s vaunted ground game. Both women are slated to collide in a strawweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video. The event takes place on November 3 and airs live in U.S. primetime from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 144 with Vinc Pichel and Modestas Bukauskas
Cole Shelton - October 31, 2023
The 144th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Sao Paulo. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Vinc Pichel (1:17). Closing out the program is UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (14:11).
Undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner chimes in after Cris Cyborg calls out Katie Taylor
Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023
Boxing super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner has called out Cris Cyborg for a superfight. Following on from her win over Cat Zingano, Cris Cyborg is on top of the world. She seems to have conquered just about everyone she can in mixed martial arts, with her focus now shifting to professional boxing.
Demetrious Johnson advises Francis Ngannou to walk away from MMA following Tyson Fury fight: “There's nothing left for him to do in that sport”
Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023
MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has advised Francis Ngannou to focus on boxing after his fight against Tyson Fury. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou surprised a whole lot of people. He went toe to toe with Tyson Fury in what proved to be a really competitive encounter. He even dropped Fury, but in the end, it was ‘The Gypsy King’ who was given the controversial split decision win.
PFL Founder Donn Davis accuses Nate Diaz of “hiding behind a rock” to avoid Jake Paul fight
Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis has accused Nate Diaz of hiding behind a rock and avoiding an MMA fight with Jake Paul. Earlier this year, Nate Diaz went head to head with Jake Paul in a boxing match. In the end, after a strange encounter, it was Paul who was able to get his hand raised in victory.
Magomed Abdulkadirov aims to shock the world at ONE Fight Night 16: “Force My Opponent To Make Mistakes”
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 31, 2023
Magomed Abdulkadirov is on a mission to put the submission grappling world on notice, and his opportunity to do so comes on November 3. He faces Tye Ruotolo for the inaugural ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Title. The bout takes place at ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video and broadcasts live from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Robert Whittaker weighs in on proposed Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland matchup: “It's going to be a hard fight”
Susan Cox - October 30, 2023
Robert Whittaker is weighing in on the proposed Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland match-up. Khamzat Chimaev (13-0 MMA) is hot off a majority decision victory over Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) which took place on October 21st at UFC 294.
Eddie Hearn wants to see Joshua vs. Ngannou: "Absolutely massive"
Zain Bando - October 30, 2023
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said he liked what he saw from former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou Saturday night in a losing effort to Tyson Fury. Although Ngannou did not possess prior boxing experience before facing the WBC heavyweight champion, Hearn said Ngannou’s fights would generate more and more attention moving forward.
Jon Jones shares his thoughts on Francis Ngannou's performance against Tyson Fury
Cole Shelton - October 30, 2023
Jon Jones has shared his thoughts on Francis Ngannou’s split decision loss to Tyson Fury on Saturday. Jones and Ngannou have been linked to a fight for quite some time as ‘Bones’ talked about moving up to heavyweight for years. When he finally did make the move to heavyweight, Ngannou was a free agent and the UFC couldn’t come to terms with him and he ended up signing with a PFL.
Francis Ngannou opens as betting underdog in potential rematch against Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder favored to be next opponent
Cole Shelton - October 30, 2023
Francis Ngannou would be the betting underdog once again if he rematches Tyson Fury. Ngannou was a massive underdog against Fury, as the Brit was an above -1000 favorite. Many expected Fury to cruise to a win given it was Ngannou’s boxing debut. However, the fight was much closer as Ngannou even dropped Fury, and when the final bell rang, people were split on who won.
Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili reportedly in the works for January 2024
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
UFC bantamweight contenders Henry Cejudo and Merab Dvalishvili will reportedly meet next year. ‘Triple C’ has been out of action since his long-awaited return in May against Aljamain Sterling. The fight was Henry Cejudo’s first in over three years and he suffered a close decision defeat. Following the defeat, he called out ‘The Funk Master’s teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, for a title-eliminator bout. However, the former champion was later booked for a canceled fight with Marlon Vera.
Francis Ngannou reveals Deontay Wilder talks have begun for potential PFL fight: "He's really serious about the MMA"
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou might end up welcoming Deontay Wilder to the cage in 2024. ‘The Predator’ is fresh off his boxing debut over the weekend in Saudi Arabia against Tyson Fury. Despite entering the contest a massive underdog, Francis Ngannou nearly upset ‘The Gypsy King’. While he suffered a split-decision loss, he was praised by many, including Eddie Hearn, Mike Tyson, and more.
John Lineker wary about Fabricio Andrade’s chances against “Muay Thai specialist” Jonathan Haggerty
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 30, 2023
John Lineker firmly believes that Jonathan Haggerty will give Fabricio Andrade a run for his money in their upcoming clash. Haggerty and Andrade square off for the vacant ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title. This bout headlines ONE Fight Night 16 on Prime Video, airing live in U.S. primetime from the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on November 3.
REPORT | Bellator sale to PFL has been finalized, will take over the company in 2024
Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023
It seems that the PFL’s sale with Bellator might be going through after all. As most MMA fans are aware, the Scott Coker-led company has had its troubles in 2023. For most of this year, Bellator has been linked to a potential sale to the PFL. The news was first reported by Todd Atkins earlier this summer. For the most part, the million-dollar deal has been played out in public, as Viacom confirmed their plans to drop combat sports from Showtime.
Conor McGregor says he can “relate” to Alexander Volkanovski’s comments about needing to stay active: “I must return to my way of living”
Susan Cox - October 30, 2023
Conor McGregor is saying he can ‘relate’ to Alexander Volkanovski’s comments about needing to stay active. It was a week ago, at UFC 294, that Alexander Volkanovski (26-3 MMA) took a fight (on late notice) with Islam Makhachev (25-1 MMA) and was defeated by KO at 3:06 of Round 1. While not the outcome the 35 year old had hoped for, he spoke about how important it is for him to stay active in the cage.
Dricus Du Plessis reacts to talk of Khamzat Chimaev receiving the next title shot against Sean Strickland: “I have this weird feeling”
Susan Cox - October 30, 2023
Dricus Du Plessis is reacting to talk of Khamzat Chimaev receiving the next title shot against Sean Strickland. The undefeated Chimaev (13-0 MMA) is hot off a majority decision win over Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA) at UFC 294.