MMA News

Arman Tsarukyan
Justin Gaethje

Arman Tsarukyan denies turning down UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 27, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan is speaking out following claims that he turned down a UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje. Gaethje was expecting to share the Octagon with Dan Hooker inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 8. That plan went awry when Hooker suffered a hand injury during training. While “The Hangman” says he’ll be ready to return around International Fight Week, UFC matchmakers opted to find a replacement.

Dana White, UFC 318, MMA
UFC

UFC parts ways with five fighters in latest roster purge

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 27, 2025

More UFC roster exits have been revealed at the end of February. The UFC is the ultimate proving ground in MMA and not everyone can stick around until the end of their careers. Some athletes willingly part ways with the promotion, while others are forced out. In a recent update, five fighters are no longer a part of the UFC roster.

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, MMA, Alex Pereira
UFC

Chuck Liddell reveals his favorite active UFC champion

Harry Kettle - February 27, 2025

UFC legend Chuck Liddell has revealed who his favorite current UFC world champion is to watch in the Octagon. When it comes to iconic figures from the world of mixed martial arts, Chuck Liddell is up there with the best of them. While he may not be the most accomplished in the ‘GOAT’ discussion, he had some of the most remarkable moments in the history of the sport throughout the course of his career.

Justin Gaethje
Rafael Fiziev

Justin Gaethje’s official replacement for UFC 313 fight revealed

Harry Kettle - February 27, 2025

UFC star Justin Gaethje officially has a replacement for his co-main event at UFC 313 in the wake of Dan Hooker pulling out of the contest. As we know, Justin Gaethje’s fight against Dan Hooker is off due to a hand injury sustained by Hooker. That left many lightweights vying for the chance to battle it out with Justin on what would be a pretty short notice contest at UFC 313.

Dricus du Plessis
Marvin Vettori

Former title challenger Marvin Vettori takes aim at Dricus du Plessis’ fight style

Harry Kettle - February 27, 2025

Former UFC title challenger Marvin Vettori has taken a shot at the fight style of reigning middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. As we know, Dricus du Plessis is the reigning UFC middleweight champion. In addition to that, he’s been on one of the most impressive middleweight runs in recent memory. In addition to wins over Darren Till and Sean Strickland (twice), he’s also been able to knock off former champions in the form of Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya – finishing them both.

John Lineker
John Lineker

John Lineker promises to stop Hiroki Akimoto at ONE 172 

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 26, 2025

Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker has completed many side quests in ONE Championship.    His latest venture takes him into the bantamweight kickboxing world, where he’ll meet former division champ Hiroki Akimoto. This happens at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.  

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao
ONE Championship

Sam-A planning to "make up for lost time" at ONE 172 

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 26, 2025

Former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao has done it all. And at 41 years old, he’s on a mission to do it all again.    The Thai legend meets former strawweight kickboxing king Jonathan Di Bella for the weight bracket’s interim kickboxing crown at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.  

Jamahal Hill, Khalil Rountree
Khalil Rountree

UFC announces stacked UFC Kansas City card including Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree main event

Cole Shelton - February 26, 2025

The UFC will be returning to Kansas City on April 26 and the promotion announced the first few fights including Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree. The Fight Night card will be headlined by the light heavyweight bout between Hill and Rountree. It’s a crucial fight for both men as they are looking to remain in the title conversation.

Henry Cejudo, Jason Herzog
UFC

WATCH | Henry Cejudo confronts referee Jason Herzog over controversial UFC Seattle main event

Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2025

Henry Cejudo recently caught up with Jason Herzog following their controversial meeting at UFC Seattle. ‘Triple C’ returned to the cage over the weekend against Song Yadong. Back for the first time since a decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili last February, Henry Cejudo hoped to get back on the right track against ‘The Kung Fu Kid’. Sadly, things didn’t go too well for the former two-division UFC champion.

Alexander Volkanovski
UFC

Alexander Volkanovski reveals plans for only a few more fights before UFC retirement: "Sail off in the sunset"

Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2025

Former UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski has an eye on retirement. ‘The Great’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a title defense against Ilia Topuria last February. In the main event of UFC 298, Alexander Volkanovski suffered his second straight knockout loss, being stopped by ‘El Matador’ in round two. While the former champion expected a rematch with Topuria next, that won’t be happening.

Jean Silva, Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje

Jean Silva becomes the latest to offer to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313: "I'm like a hitman"

Josh Evanoff - February 26, 2025

Rising star Jean Silva wants to face Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. ‘Lord’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC Seattle over the weekend. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Drew Dober last summer up at lightweight, Jean Silva faced Melsik Baghdasaryan. There, the Brazilian scored yet another stoppage win, stopping ‘The Gun’ inside of a round. Fresh off that win, Silva is already interested in a return to the cage.

Action Bronson, Alex Pereira, UFC, MMA, UFC 314, Magomed Ankalaev
UFC

WATCH | UFC champ Alex Pereira spars with rapper Action Bronson

BJ Penn Staff - February 26, 2025

It’s no secret that Action Bronson is a big UFC fan, but you’ve to be an absolute massive fan to agree to spar with the promotion’s hulking light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Bronson is evidently that kind of fan.

Belal Muhammad, UFC 315
UFC

UFC 315's Belal Muhammad: 'I am the best striker in the welterweight division'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 26, 2025

Belal Muhammad believes he has the best standup of all 170 pounders ahead of his first title defense. Muhammad will collide with Jack Della Maddalena in a UFC Welterweight Championship fight on May 10. The title bout is scheduled to headline UFC 315 inside Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Maddalena stepped up with Shavkat Rakhmonov out of action due to an injury.

Robert Whittaker Sean Strickland
Sean Strickland

Robert Whittaker thinks Sean Strickland fight makes sense: 'We haven't been matched up'

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 26, 2025

Robert Whittaker thinks a showdown with Sean Strickland makes sense for his next fight. Whittaker and Strickland are both coming off losses. “The Reaper” was submitted by Khamzat Chimaev and needed to have work done on his bottom teeth following the bout. Strickland fell short in his bid to become a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion, dropping a unanimous decision to Dricus du Plessis back in January.

Renato Moicano
Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano throws his name in the hat to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 313

Harry Kettle - February 26, 2025

Renato Moicano is the latest lightweight to throw his name in the hat for a showdown with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. As we know, Renato Moicano is a pretty interesting figure within the UFC’s lightweight division. Following a good run of form, his most recent outing saw him battle it out with Islam Makhachev on incredibly short notice. The UFC lightweight championship was on the line, but unfortunately for Renato, he wasn’t able to overcome the unbelievable strength and overall ability of the champion.

Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler reacts to rumors of him taking on Justin Gaethje on short notice

Harry Kettle - February 26, 2025

Michael Chandler has given his thoughts on the idea of a late notice rematch with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 next weekend. As we know, Justin Gaethje is now without an opponent for UFC 313. He was initially scheduled to battle it out with Dan Hooker, but unfortunately, a hand injury suffered by ‘Hangman’ means that the promotion will have to look for a replacement. One idea that’s been floated by fans is Michael Chandler, who already fought and lost to Gaethje a few years back.

Islam Makhachev, Kamaru Usman, UFC, tony ferguson
Islam Makhachev

MMA fans react to Islam Makhachev's cryptic message regarding possible Ilia Topuria fight

Harry Kettle - February 26, 2025

MMA fans have given their thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s cryptic message regarding a possible Ilia Topuria fight. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion – and he’s also one of the most feared men in all of mixed martial arts. In addition to that, he’s also starting to enter the conversation for best lightweights of all time, with some believing that he’s already made his way to the top of the list.

Bibiano Fernandes
ONE Championship

MMA legend Bibiano Fernandes looks back on storied career 

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 25, 2025

Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Bibiano Fernandes called time on a legendary career after his fight at ONE 171: Qatar.   “The Flash” collided with old foe and fellow former champ Kevin Belingon for the fifth time last Thursday, February 20. Fernandes put on a thrilling show in his final appearance, ultimately earning the unanimous decision win inside Lusail Sports Arena.