MMA News
Daniel Cormier explains why he's surprised by Ilia Topuria's lightweight switch
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Ilia Topuria’s decision to make a move up to the lightweight division. As we know, Ilia Topuria is seemingly done with the featherweight division. He has made the decision to move up to 155 pounds on a full-time basis, and as a result of that, he will be vacating the strap. He’s suggested that it’s because he can no longer make the weight, but after comments from Diego Lopes, some believe it may be due to the promotion not wanting him to hold onto the championship while pursuing a new goal.
Aljamain Sterling gives his thoughts on Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes
Harry Kettle - February 22, 2025
UFC star Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on the upcoming bout between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. In the main event of UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski will collide with Diego Lopes. The pair will meet for the UFC featherweight championship, which is set to be vacated by Ilia Topuria as he begins a pursuit for a second world title up at 155 pounds.
Modestas Bukauskas eager to fight "dangerous" Raffael Cerqueira at UFC Seattle
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2025
Modestas Bukauskas is set to make his return to the Octagon at UFC Seattle on Saturday. Bukasukas is coming off a submission win over Marcin Prachnio and will now face Raffael Cerqueira. The light heavyweight contender hasn’t fought since July which was frustrating, but he’s eager to get to fight in front of fans in America.
Israel Adesanya doesn't think he's "washed" but admits he won't be UFC champion again
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2025
Israel Adesanya knows he likely won’t UFC gold again, but he knows he isn’t washed. Adesanya suffered a knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. It was his third straight loss and many wondered what would be next for him, and if he would continue fighting.
Michael Chandler predicts first-round knockout win over Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 314: "It's a bad matchup"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2025
Michael Chandler believes his UFC 314 meeting with Paddy Pimblett won’t be close. ‘Iron’ was last seen in the cage at UFC 309 in November, for a rematch with Charles Oliveira. The fight ended a two-year layoff for Michael Chandler, having spent the time waiting for a long-awaited bout with Conor McGregor. Sadly for the hard-hitting lightweight, ‘Do Bronx’ handed him a unanimous decision loss in his return last fall.
Patricio Pitbull takes aim at Aljamain Sterling for rejecting offer to fight him: "He ran!"
Josh Evanoff - February 21, 2025
Former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull is taking aim at Aljamain Sterling ahead of his UFC debut. The 37-year-old hasn’t been seen in the cage for nearly a year. Last March, Patricio Pitbull made what would be his final Bellator appearance, scoring a third-round knockout win over UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy. Afterward, the Brazilian was famously kept on the sidelines. Due to the inactivity, Pitbull requested and was later granted his release from the PFL.
Henry Cejudo considering return to flyweight division after UFC Seattle: "There could be a resurrection"
Cole Shelton - February 21, 2025
Henry Cejudo is open to returning to his former stomping grounds. Cejudo is set to headline UFC Seattle on Saturday against Song Yadong. It’s a crucial fight for the bantamweight division, but it may be Cejudo’s last in the division.
Islam Makhachev's team not keen on fighting Ilia Topuria next after 'El Matador' vacates UFC gold
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 21, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s coach has praise for Ilia Topuria, but he’s still not keen on “El Matador” getting a UFC lightweight title shot. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Ilia Topuria has vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship. Fighting for the vacant gold will be Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314. While Topuria vs. Makhachev has not been made official at this time, Ariel Helwani reports that this is being planned potentially as early as International Fight Week. Helwani later noted that Topuria wouldn’t have vacated the featherweight title for a number one contender fight.
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.
Henry Cejudo has surprising criticism for Dominick Cruz following his retirement
Harry Kettle - February 21, 2025
UFC veteran Henry Cejudo has criticized Dominick Cruz in the wake of the latter’s retirement from mixed martial arts. As we know, Dominick Cruz has made the decision to retire from mixed martial arts. While he’s still got the ability necessary to compete in the eyes of many, he’s accumulated far too many injuries over the years to keep going. So, he’s opted to ride off into the sunset after an incredible career.
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.
Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cory Sandhagen targeted for UFC Des Moines event in May
Josh Evanoff - February 20, 2025
Bantamweight contenders Deiveson Figueiredo and Cory Sandhagen will reportedly meet in May. ‘Deus da Guerra’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Macau in November. He entered the event riding a two-fight winning streak and met former bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Despite Deiveson Figueiredo’s newfound success at 135 pounds, he was outpointed by ‘No Mercy’ en route to a unanimous decision 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.