MMA News

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025

Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect Ilia Topuria to have much success at lightweight. Pimblett and Topuria have taken shots at each other in the past, as both have shown interest in fighting one another. However, Topuria was at featherweight and wound up becoming the champ. But, after one title defense, he announced he would be vacating his belt and moving up to lightweight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025

One UFC commentator remains puzzled by the actions of Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC Seattle. Veretennikov was featured on the preliminary portion of the card against UFC debutant Austin Vanderford. Things didn’t go Veretennikov’s way, as he was stopped in the second round via TKO. It didn’t take long for Veretennikov to protest the stoppage, but he didn’t solely take his frustration out on the referee. He shoved Vanderford from behind as he was celebrating, prompting the former Bellator fighter to shove him back before flipping two birds.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025

UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes Henry Cejudo made a mistake with his initial retirement back in 2020. After ending the record-setting UFC Flyweight Championship reign of Demetrious Johnson, Cejudo went on to stop TJ Dillashaw in the first round to capture the bantamweight gold, becoming a “champ-champ” in the process. Cejudo followed that up with a second-round TKO finish over Dominick Cruz to successfully defend the 135-pound title.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025

One ex-UFC fan favorite has an axe to grind with PFL over its treatment of Aaron Pico. It’s no secret that the UFC brass are interested in Pico. During a recent press conference, Dana White told reporters that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby has been gushing over the 28-year-old star. The only problem is that Pico is under PFL contract.

Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025

UFC president Dana White has spoken candidly about the promotion’s decision to sign Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull to a contract. As we now know, Patricio Pitbull has officially been signed to a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s set to make his official debut at UFC 314, with the plan being for him to battle it out with Yair Rodriguez at featherweight. Of course, many fans are already wondering about the possibility of him going on to compete for a world title.

Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025

Two top UFC lightweights have offered to step in and fight Justin Gaethje in place of Dan Hooker at UFC 313 next month. In case you missed the news overnight, Dan Hooker will no longer be competing against Justin Gaethje at UFC 313 in March. He seems to have suffered a hand injury that will put him on the shelf for an undisclosed period of time, leaving Gaethje without an opponent.

Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025

UFC star Dan Hooker has announced that he is out of his scheduled UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje. As we know, Dan Hooker was set to return to the Octagon for an absolutely insane lightweight collision with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. Unfortunately, that’ll no longer be happening. Following on from reports in the MMA media, the man himself posted a video that confirmed he will be out of action as a result of a hand injury.

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025

The 191st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 103. We’re first joined by UFC bantamweight John Castaneda (0:57). We close things out by chatting with UFC heavyweight Austen Lane (15:07).

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 25, 2025

ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty turned over a new leaf at ONE 171: Qatar.   “The General” out-struck #1-ranked contender Wei Rui at Lusail Sports Arena, earning the unanimous decision on Thursday, February 20, to put his dark days behind him.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 25, 2025

Welterweight MMA juggernaut Roberto Soldic rocked the world last week at ONE 171, going as far as capturing the attention of UFC Middleweight World Champion Dricus du Plessis.    “Robocop” made a stunning return to the win column at Qatar’s Lusail Sports Arena. There, he faced fellow perennial finisher Dagi Arslanaliev, scoring a monumental first-round stoppage in the process last Thursday, February 20. 

Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler wouldn’t bet on Conor McGregor fighting again. ‘Iron’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a rematch with Charles Oliveira in November. Ending a two-year layoff, Michael Chandler was handed a second loss by ‘Do Bronx’, this time by unanimous decision. The defeat was a brutal one for the former Bellator star, who famously sat on the sidelines for years trying to secure a fight with Conor McGregor.

Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025

UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier is continuing to work for his retirement fight. ‘The Diamond’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a title fight with Islam Makhachev last summer. In the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier faced the Russian in his third crack at undisputed lightweight gold. Despite entering the cage a massive betting underdog, the 36-year-old brought the fight to the champion.

Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White has interest in signing former Bellator star Aaron Pico. The 28-year-old striker was a member of Bellator for over a decade. Once considered one of the greatest prospects in the sport, Aaron Pico has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters on the planet. The hard-hitting featherweight has won nine of his last ten bouts, last scoring a knockout win over Henry Corrales last February.

Cole Shelton - February 24, 2025

Jamahal Hill wishes the ref let him go out on his shield against Jiri Prochazka. Hill fought Prochazka in a pivotal light heavyweight bout at UFC 311 and it was Prochazka who won by third-round TKO. Hill got dropped twice and the ref stopped it after Prochazka landed some ground and pound.

Cole Shelton - February 24, 2025

Michael Chandler is looking to put Paddy Pimblett to the test at UFC 314. Chandler is set to take on Pimblett in a highly-anticipated five-round fight in the co-main event of UFC 314. It’s an intriguing matchup as Chandler faces an up-and-comer while Pimblett has a chance to prove himself as a legit title contender if he can get past the former Bellator champ.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 24, 2025

Austin Vanderford may think that Nikolay Veretennikov should get a pink slip, but there’s no beef. Vanderford made his UFC debut this past Saturday inside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. He went one-on-one with Veretennikov in a short-notice fight. Vanderford scored the second-round TKO finish. Veretennikov immediately protested the stoppage and shoved Vanderford from behind. The man formerly known as “The Gentleman” shoved Veretennikov back and flipped a double bird.

BJ Penn Staff - February 24, 2025

Joe Rogan has been a staple of UFC broadcasts for decades. During his time with the MMA promotion, he’s been part of some of the most legendary post-fight interviews in the sport’s history. Speaking with fellow comedian Felipe Esparza on a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, the UFC commentator opened up on his favorite post-fight interview experience.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 24, 2025

Diego Lopes and Aljamain Sterling have gone back and forth on social media following a big UFC 314 announcement. Dana White recently revealed that Alexander Volkanovski and Lopes will collide for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship on April 12 in Miami. Ilia Topuria has decided to vacate the 145-pound gold to move up to the lightweight division. While Volkanovski vs. Lopes sounds like a fun fight on paper, not everyone is on board with it.