MMA News
Justin Gaethje reportedly vows to compete at UFC 313 despite Dan Hooker's injury: "I'll fight any of those guys"
Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2025
According to UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, Justin Gaethje fully intends to compete next month. ‘The Highlight’ hasn’t been seen since his ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Max Holloway last April. At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje went back and forth with ‘Blessed’, with his ceremonial BMF title on the line. In round five, the Hawaiian scored a shocking knockout win with just seconds left in the bout. For Gaethje, the defeat was a brutal one.
Paddy Pimblett says Ilia Topuria going to lightweight will be "the downfall of his career"
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.
UFC color commentator 'pissed off' at Nikolay Veretennikov over UFC Seattle post-fight fiasco
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.
Daniel Cormier: Henry Cejudo's retirement mistake has come back to haunt him
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.
Darren Till reiterates desire to make UFC comeback
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
Former UFC fighter Darren Till has reiterated his desire to return to the promotion, and mixed martial arts as a whole. A few years back, Darren Till left the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He did so in the wake of a defeat to Dricus du Plessis who, as we know, has gone on to become UFC middleweight champion. While there were parts of the bout that were competitive, it was du Plessis who managed to get the job done with a third round submission.
Dana White discusses UFC signing Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull
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.
Two top UFC lightweights offer to step in for Dan Hooker against Justin Gaethje
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.
Dan Hooker confirms he is out of UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje
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.
What's next for Song Yadong and Henry Cejudo after UFC Seattle?
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025
The UFC was in Seattle, Washington on Saturday for UFC Seattle. The main event saw Song Yadong take on Henry Cejudo in a pivotal bantamweight bout. Yadong entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Petr Yan last year. Cejudo, meanwhile, was on a two-fight losing streak losing to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling for the belt in his return to the sport.
Jonathan Haggerty shows vast improvements at ONE 171: Qatar
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.
Dricus du Plessis praises Roberto Soldic after KO win at ONE 171
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.
Michael Chandler finally casts doubt on Conor McGregor ever fighting again: "I wouldn't put money on it"
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.
Michael Chandler reacts to Patricio Pitbull's decision to join the UFC: "If he plays his cards right..."
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025
Lightweight contender Michael Chandler is happy to see Patricio Pitbull in the UFC. ‘Iron’ recently signed a deal to return to the cage at UFC 314 in Miami. Fresh off a loss to Charles Oliveira in November, Michael Chandler will face off with the rising Paddy Pimblett in April. For his part, ‘The Baddy’ hasn’t competed since a first-round submission victory over ‘King’ Bobby Green last summer.
Dana White confirms interest in signing new free agent Aaron Pico: "We love him!"
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.
Jamahal Hill wishes the ref let him go out on his "shield" against Jiri Prochazka
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.
Michael Chandler vows to test Paddy Pimblett's chin at UFC 314: "Separate him from consciousnesses"
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.
Dustin Poirier wants to see Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria: 'Doing it the right way'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 24, 2025
Dustin Poirier believes Ilia Topuria should receive a crack at the UFC lightweight title right away. Topuria has made the decision to move on from the 145-pound weight class and in doing so, he’s vacated the featherweight gold. Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will be vying for the vacant title in the main event of UFC 314 on April 12. As for Topuria, UFC CEO Dana White has said it isn’t a guarantee that “El Matador” will get the next shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship.
Joe Rogan reveals his 'favorite moment' interviewing UFC fighters after victories
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.