MMA News
Leon Edwards entering 'nightmare situation' with short notice fight against Sean Brady, says UFC legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 21, 2025
One UFC legend believes Leon Edwards could be walking into a bad situation with the Sean Brady fight. Edwards was expected to go one-on-one with Jack Della Maddalena on March 22 in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card in London. When the UFC needed a title challenger for welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, Maddalena was moved to the UFC 315 main event. Taking Maddalena’s place in the UFC London fight with Edwards is Brady.
Belal Muhammad reacts to Jack Della Maddalena title fight at UFC 315
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 21, 2025
Belal Muhammad has given his reaction to being booked against Jack Della Maddalena. UFC CEO Dana White dropped a slew of fight announcements this week. One of the more surprising matchups he revealed was a UFC Welterweight Championship fight between titleholder Muhammad and Maddalena. The title bout made more sense when Shavkat Rakhmonov hopped on social media to say that he’s dealing with an injury.
Joshua Pacio and four others bag $50K bonuses at ONE 171
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 21, 2025
ONE 171: Qatar returned to the Middle East packing a punch as Joshua Pacio and four other fighters walked away with big wins and even bigger paydays. ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Pacio, Roberto Soldic, Shamil Erdogan, Ayaka Miura, and lightweight submission grappling king Kade Ruotolo all took home US$50,000 bonuses. This happened on Thursday, February 20, inside Doha’s Lusail Sports Arena.
Diego Lopes reacts to UFC title fight against Alexander Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2025
UFC star Diego Lopes has reacted to getting a world title shot against former champion Alexander Volkanovski. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes will collide at UFC 314. The pair will meet in the main event for the UFC featherweight championship, which was recently vacated by Ilia Topuria as he pursues a move to the lightweight division. As you can imagine, fans are pretty excited about this matchup.
Roberto Soldic levitates Turkish opponent with terrifying knockout at ONE 171: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 21, 2025
Welterweight knockout artist Roberto Soldic had a momentous return to form at ONE 171: Qatar. “Robocop” made quick work of fellow revered slugger Dagi Arslanaliev on Thursday, February 20. In their welterweight MMA showdown, he scored a knockout of the year contender in just 1:55 of the first frame inside Lusail Sports Arena.
Alexander Gustafsson admits he's not at the UFC level anymore
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2025
MMA veteran Alexander Gustafsson has admitted that he’s not at the UFC level anymore after signing for GFL. In the world of mixed martial arts, Alexander Gustafsson is an iconic figure. In the history books, he’ll likely go down as one of the best fighters ever to not win a UFC world title. He came close on several occasions, but couldn’t quite get over the finish line.
Dana White explains Ilia Topuria vacating UFC featherweight title
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2025
UFC president Dana White has explained why Ilia Topuria decided to vacate the featherweight championship. As announced by Dana White, Ilia Topuria is leaving the featherweight division. In the wake of his incredible wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway, he’s decided to make the jump up to lightweight. He’s already going to go down as one of the best ever at 145 pounds, and now, he has his sights firmly on acquiring a second world title at a brand new weight class.
Michael Chandler teases Paddy Pimblett in amusing new video
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2025
UFC star Michael Chandler has mocked Paddy Pimblett in a recent video after their first was confirmed. As we know, Michael Chandler will make his return to the Octagon at UFC 314 when he goes head to head with Paddy Pimblett. The pair will meet in a blockbuster co-main event at the show, and if ‘Iron Mike’ can get back in the win column, he’ll inject some real life back into his mixed martial arts career.
Islam Makhachev's manager sounds off on possible Ilia Topuria bout: "We already gave chances to featherweight champ"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s manager doesn’t seem to be a fan of a potential bout with former UFC champion Ilia Topuria. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage last month in Los Angeles. There, Islam Makhachev met a short-notice replacement, Renato Moicano. While he was initially set to face Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311, an injury forced him out. As a result, Makhachev handed the short-notice ‘Money Moicano’ a first-round submission loss.
Patricio Pitbull sends message to featherweight division after joining the UFC: "Your future king has arrived!"
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull has sent a message after joining the UFC. The Brazilian was one of the key faces of the Bellator brand for well over a decade. From 2010 to 2024, Patricio Pitbull racked up title defense after title defense, and title after title. During his tenure with Scott Coker, he scored victories over names such as A.J. McKee, Michael Chandler, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Wilson Reis.
Song Yadong vows to end Henry Cejudo's career at UFC Seattle: "Time is over, it’s time to retire"
Cole Shelton - February 20, 2025
Song Yadong is looking to end Henry Cejudo’s career on Saturday at UFC Seattle. Yadong is set to headline UFC Seattle on Saturday in a pivotal bantamweight bout. Heading into the bout, Yadong is the favorite. He’s confident he will get his hand raised, and once Cejudo loses, which would be his third straight, he will retire from the sport.
WATCH | Robert Soldic scores early KO of the Year contender in ONE Championship
BJ Penn Staff - February 20, 2025
Roberto Soldic delivered an early frontrunner for 2025’s Knockout of the Year honours at Thursday’s ONE Champions 171 in Doha Qatar. Soldic, from Croatia, is a former two-division KSW champion. He has long been considered one of the top MMA fighters outside the UFC. He signed with ONE in 2022, and was widely expected to make a run at the promotion’s welterweight title, but quickly ran into trouble. First, he suffered a brutal groin shot in his debut fight with future PFL contender Murad Ramazanov. That one ended in a no contest. Then, in his second fight, he suffered a devastating knockout loss to Swedish finisher Zebaztian Kadestam — in a fight he seemed to be winning up until the finishing blow.
Michael Chandler reacts to Dana White announcing Paddy Pimblett fight for UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 20, 2025
Michael Chandler is fired up to share the Octagon with Paddy Pimblett. This past Wednesday night, UFC CEO Dana White announced a slew of marquee fights scheduled for the coming months. One of the bouts made official is a lightweight tilt between Chandler and Pimblett. That fight will take place on the UFC 314 card on April 12th. Headlining the card will be a UFC Featherweight Championship bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.
Brendan Allen questions Dricus du Plessis' UFC resume
Harry Kettle - February 20, 2025
Top UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen has questioned the legitimacy of the resume put forward by Dricus du Plessis. As UFC middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis has already achieved some incredible things. He’s enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the division, which has included victories over the likes of Sean Strickland, Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya.
Song Yadong explains where he could have success against Merab Dvalishvili
Harry Kettle - February 20, 2025
UFC star Song Yadong has given his thoughts on where he could find success against bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. As we know, Song Yadong is a top contender in the bantamweight division. While he’s suffered his fair share of setbacks over the years, he’s clearly an incredibly talented fighter who is more than capable of mixing it up with the very best that is available at 135 pounds.
Henry Cejudo teases possible return to UFC's flyweight division
Harry Kettle - February 20, 2025
Henry Cejudo has teased the idea of a return to where it all began for him – the UFC’s flyweight division. As we know, Henry Cejudo has achieved a great deal in mixed martial arts. He’s also done a lot in combat sports as a whole, dating back to his gold medal days at the Olympics. Now, however, the veteran fighter is attempting to vault his way back into another title opportunity, which will be easier said than done.
Jonathan Haggerty insists Superlek would be in for "long night"
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 19, 2025
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty believes there’s still more to come of his rivalry with two-division king Superlek Kiatmoo9 in the future. “The General” returns to action this Thursday, February 20, in the co-main event of ONE 171: Qatar inside Doha’s Lusail Sports Arena. There, he defends his kickboxing gold against #1-ranked contender Wei Rui.
Three fights at ONE 171: Qatar that fans shouldn't miss
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 19, 2025
ONE 171: Qatar is almost here, packed with a superstar-filled card from the opening curtain to the headline attraction. All the action comes to a head this Thursday, February 20, inside Doha, Qatar’s Lusail Sports Arena. There, over a dozen bouts across four combat sports disciplines take centerstage in ONE Championship’s return to the Middle East.