MMA News
Sean O’Malley says he’s not interested in fighting on the same UFC card as Sean Strickland: “He kind of seems like a f*cking freak and psychopath”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2021
UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley has said that he wouldn’t feel good about fighting on the same UFC card as Sean Strickland. Over the course of the last twelve months we’ve seen Sean Strickland emerge as a real contender of note in the middleweight division. With five straight wins and victories over Brendan Allen, Krzysztof Jotko and Uriah Hall to his name, it’s expected that Strickland will get a major opponent in 2022 after his scheduled bout with Luke Rockhold fell through.
Dana White says Sean O’Malley isn’t ready to be fast tracked like Khamzat Chimaev: “He’s not ready. You guys want me to throw him to the wolves”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2021
UFC president Dana White has admitted that he doesn’t believe Sean O’Malley is ready to be fast-tracked in the same way as Khamzat Chimaev. This Saturday night at UFC 269, Sean O’Malley will attempt to add another highlight to his reel when he squares off against Raulian Paiva. While many are excited to see him get back inside the Octagon, others wonder whether or not it’s time for him to take a step up in competition. After all, he’s now seven fights into his UFC career with his most notable opponent being Marlon “Chito” Vera – the man who finished him inside one round.
Dana White explains why he doesn’t “see much point” in booking a trilogy fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2021
UFC president Dana White has revealed that he doesn’t see much point in booking a trilogy fight between Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko. This Saturday night, Amanda Nunes will once again defend her UFC bantamweight title when she goes head to head with Julianna Pena. The majority of fans are backing her to secure the win, but some are already looking ahead to a potential third fight between the champion and Valentina Shevchenko.
Henry Cejudo roasts Dominick Cruz over his criticism of Daniel Cormier: “Even Keith Peterson can't save you from your boring ass commentary”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2021
Henry Cejudo has come to the defence of Daniel Cormier after Dominick Cruz criticized the latter’s commentary work. While the focus for Dominick Cruz should be on his fight against Pedro Munhoz at UFC 269 this weekend, he seems to have been sidetracked after comments he made regarding the commentary of Daniel Cormier. Cruz said that he “mutes” Cormier whenever he’s in the booth, prompting DC to confront Cruz about his remarks.
Mike Perry leaves commentary booth to fight Julian Lane in the crowd at BKFC event (Video)
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Mike Perry didn’t take kindly to Julian Lane throwing something at him while he was in the commentary booth at BKFC Tampa on Thursday. Perry, a recent BKFC signing, was talking about the fights when a fellow fighter in Lane threw something at him. Perry proceeded to take off his headset and go into the crowd to start a brawl with Lane. The video was captured by fans and Lane ended up putting it on his Instagram along with a callout of Perry.
Jordan Nash suffers horrific eye injury at BKFC Tampa (Photo)
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Jordan Nash had his BKFC fight stopped due to a gruesome eye injury. Nash, who is 2-0 in bare-knuckle, was fighting Noah Cutter on the BKFC Tampa card on Thursday night. It was his second fight in BKFC as his first bare-knuckle fight took place on the Toe the Line promotion. Following that showing he was quickly elevated to BKFC. However, his fight against Cutter did not go his way as he suffered an eye injury that stopped the fight and is hard to look at it.
Sean O'Malley and Cody Garbrandt get heated at press conference, faceoff afterwards (Video)
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Sean O’Malley and Cody Garbrandt took shots at one another at the UFC 269 press conference. O’Malley is set to open the card against Raulian Paiva while the fight right after is Garbrandt’s flyweight debut against Kai Kara-France. Although they aren’t fighting each other, they have a history with one another and to no surprise, they took shots at one another.
Sean O'Malley believes he is the only person who can defeat Petr Yan: 'I'm just a different animal'
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Sean O’Malley has made it clear he wants to fight Petr Yan even if there isn’t a belt on the line. After Aljamain Sterling wasn’t medically cleared to fight Yan at UFC 267, O’Malley called out the Russian to step up on short notice. The fight ultimately went to Cory Sandhagen but for O’Malley, it’s still a scrap he wants. He knows it would be a fun fight for the fans and the way their styles collide makes it that more intriguing for him.
John Fury claims “a complete idiot in the gym” is responsible for Tommy’s injury
Susan Cox - December 9, 2021
John Fury claims “a complete idiot in the gym” is responsible for Tommy having to pullout of his fight with Jake Paul. Tommy Fury (7-0) and Jake Paul (4-0) were set to collide in a highly anticipated boxing match on December 18th. However, the Englishman suffered a broken rib in training and was forced to withdraw from the contest.
UFC 269 | Pro fighters make their picks for Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Pena title fight
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
In the co-main event of UFC 269, Amanda Nunes is dropping back down to bantamweight to defend her strap against Julianna Pena. Entering the fight, Nunes is a massive -900 favorite while the challenger is a +600 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The big surprise is not all the pros are picking Nunes as one is going with the upset in thinking Pena can pull it off.
Randy Costa excited for Tony Kelley matchup at UFC 269: 'I expect us to meet in the middle and throw'
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2021
Randy Costa knows his UFC 269 fight against Tony Kelley is a fan-friendly one. After Costa suffered a TKO loss to Adrian Yanez in July, he wanted to fight one more time this year. Although he wasn’t sure what would be next when he got the fighter offer to face Kelley at UFC 269 it was an immediate yes for Costa.
Bob Arum on the ‘amateur pedigree’ of Jake Paul: “I'm inclined to believe that an experienced fighter in his weight class will demolish him”
Susan Cox - December 9, 2021
Boxing promoter Bob Arum has shared his thoughts on Jake Paul and how the YouTuber would fare against a experienced fighter. Paul (4-0) is set to rematch former UFC champion Tyron Woodley (0-1) in his next fight on December 18 in Tampa Bay, this after his original opponent Tommy Fury was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury (more on that here).
Tyson Fury slams Jake Paul for recent trash talk: “Him and his brother are two sh*thouse pussies and they could never live in my world”
Susan Cox - December 9, 2021
Boxing heavyweight champion Tyson Fury is sick and tired of listening to Jake Paul run his mouth. Paul (4-0) was slated to fight Tyson’s half brother Tommy on December 18th. Unfortunately for fight fans, the bout was recently called off after Fury was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Kevin Holland confirms interest in fighting Nick Diaz next: “I been waiting to slap the ‘slap man’ since I was on Contender Series”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2021
Kevin Holland has confirmed that he’s interested in the idea of taking on MMA veteran Nick Diaz in his next fight. Things haven’t exactly gone to plan for Kevin Holland since the start of 2021. He went from 5-0 last year to 0-2 with one no contest since March, completing a pretty dramatic fall from grace. His plan now seems to be a shift down to welterweight but if that doesn’t happen, he’s also open to staying at middleweight for a bout with a very specific opponent – Nick Diaz.
Charles Oliveira reacts after Khabib Nurmagomedov predicts he will drop his title to Dustin Poirier at UFC 269
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2021
UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has reacted to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s prediction that Dustin Poirier will beat him at UFC 269. This Saturday night, Charles Oliveira will defend his UFC lightweight title against Dustin Poirier in one of the most highly-anticipated bouts of the year. Between their respective journeys to the top and how talented they are, this has the potential to be one of the best lightweight contests we’ve seen in quite some time.
Rashad Evans explains why he is returning to MMA: “I’m not crazy, I know what this is and what this is about”
Harry Kettle - December 9, 2021
UFC legend Rashad Evans has explained why he has made the decision to return to competitive mixed martial arts. Earlier this week, it was announced that Rashad Evans would be coming out of retirement to compete for Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Eagle FC promotion in their US debut. While he doesn’t yet have an opponent, we do know that he’ll be competing on the January 28 card.
Video | Daniel Cormier confronts Dominick Cruz for suggesting he mutes his commentary work
Christopher Taylor - December 8, 2021
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier was not happy about the recent comments made by his colleague Dominick Cruz. Cruz (23-3 MMA), who is set to return to the Octagon at UFC 269 against Pedro Munhoz (19-6 MMA), took a shot at his broadcast partner in Cormier during today’s media day session.
Amanda Nunes blasts 'delusional' Julianna Pena for thinking she can pull off the upset at UFC 269
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2021
Amanda Nunes isn’t a fan of Julianna Pena’s recent trash-talk in the lead-up to their UFC 269 title fight. Nunes is set to defend her belt in the co-main event and in the lead-up, Pena has said she will exploit Nunes’ ground game. If Pena is going to win, many believe it will be due to her jiu-jitsu. Yet, the champ-champ disagrees and blasted Pena and pointed to her recent fights as evidence that she won’t win.