MMA News

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2025

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he’s concerned over Alex Pereira’s preparation ahead of UFC 313. As we know, Alex Periera is one of the scariest fighters in all of mixed martial arts – and combat sports in general. He’s the current UFC light heavyweight champion and since joining the UFC, he’s done some incredible things.

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2025

Controversial UFC star Conor McGregor is set to file an official appeal over the verdict in his sexual assault civil case. Last year, Conor McGregor was taken to civil court by Nikita Hand, a woman who accused him of sexual assault. She won her claim for damages, with a jury finding that he did, in fact, assault her in a Dublin hotel back in December 2018. He was then ordered to pay her more than €248,000 in damages. In addition, he was ordered to pay the costs of her taking the civil action against him.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2025

The 190th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Seattle. We’re first joined by 12th-ranked UFC middleweight Anthony Hernandez (0:49). We close things out by talking to UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (8:26).

Cole Shelton - February 17, 2025

The UFC returned to the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday for UFC Vegas 102. In the main event, Jared Cannonier took on rising contender Gregory Rodrigues. Cannonier entered the scrap on a two-fight losing streak and was coming off a loss to Caio Borralho. Rodrigues, meanwhile, was on a three-fight winning streak and was coming off a decision win over Christian Leroy Duncan.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 17, 2025

ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks wants to put his rivalry with lineal king Joshua Pacio to bed at ONE 171: Qatar. Furthermore, he wants to do it as quickly as possible.   The feud meets its breaking point this Thursday, February 20, inside Doha’s Lusail Sports Arena. There, the duo collide for the third time with the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Title hanging in the balance.  

Cole Shelton - February 17, 2025

Urijah Faber and Renan Barao will be fighting for the third time. Faber and Barao were both signed by the GFL to continue their career and they have been booked to fight. MMAMania’s Alex Behunin broke the news that Faber and Barao will have their trilogy bout later this year. The exact date and location for the fight is expected to be announced next week, Behunin reported.

Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will return to the cage in May. ‘Cupcake’ hasn’t been seen in the cage in well over a year now. Miesha Tate last appeared in action at UFC Austin in December 2023 against Julia Avila. The bout was the fourth for the former champion since ending her retirement in 2021, and she dominated. Tate wound up handing ‘Ragin Panda’ a third-round submission loss.

Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025

Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith is now set for his retirement fight. ‘Lionheart’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Dominick Reyes at UFC 310 in December. Sadly for Anthony Smith, he entered the bout with a heavy heart. Just weeks before the fight, his longtime coach, Scott Morton, suddenly passed away. While Smith debated pulling out of the bout, he continued with it.

Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz received support from an unlikely foe after announcing his retirement. ‘The Dominator’ was set to make one final walk to the cage this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Seattle. Over two years after being knocked out by Marlon Vera, Dominick Cruz signed a deal to face Rob Font. Ahead of the bout, the former champion confirmed it would be his last. With a lifetime of injuries and approaching his 40th birthday, the decision made sense.

Cole Shelton - February 17, 2025

Justin Gaethje says Islam Makhachev is his dream fight as he believes he matches up well with the lightweight champion. Gaethje is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313 against Dan Hooker on March 8 in Las Vegas. It’s an intriguing matchup and with a win, Gaethje could get a title shot. If he does get a title shot, the current lightweight champ is Makhachev who Gaethje says is his dream fight.

Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025

UFC star Michael Chandler has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor teasing a fight in BKFC once again. Conor McGregor is one of the most unpredictable fighters in the world. We aren’t referring to his actual fighting ability, either. For whatever reason, he continues to be embroiled in controversy, both in and out of the combat sports world. Because of that, many don’t actually believe he’s going to fight again, especially for the UFC. Alas, the man himself seems to think that he’s got another run in him at some point in the future.

Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025

UFC veteran Marc Diakiese has given his thoughts on Jon Jones potentially fighting Tom Aspinall in his next outing. As we know, Jon Jones is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. He successfully defended his belt towards the end of last year, defeating Stipe Miocic in a fight that many believe shouldn’t have happened. The reason for that is simple: they instead wanted to see him go up against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.

Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025

UFC legend Henry Cejudo has given his thoughts on who Merab Dvalishvili’s next opponent as champion should be. Merab Dvalishvili is one of the most successful fighters in the UFC today. In addition to his incredible win streak, he’s also now successfully defended the UFC bantamweight championship. With wins over Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov, he’s firmly established himself as the best fighter at 135 pounds right now.

Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025

UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has given an interesting assessment of how Dagestani fighters perform in competitive fights. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet right now. He’s been able to tear through the featherweight division, which has included knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. However, it’s clear to see that he’s hungry for more – and that means a potential venture up to lightweight to take on Islam Makhachev.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 17, 2025

Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon wants to show that he can still hang with the big dogs in the yard.    He looks to prove that point when he clashes with former longtime king Bibiano Fernandes for the fifth and final time at ONE 171: Qatar, on Thursday, February 20, inside Lusail Sports Arena.  

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 17, 2025

If you thought ONE Championship’s return to Japan was stacked enough, the promotion just bolstered the card with a fifth World Title affair featuring Phetjeeja.    At ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, renowned ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Phetjeeja will make the first defense of her gold against Japanese sensation Kana Morimoto. 

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025

Belal Muhammad believes he knows the key to victory against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Muhammad was expecting to put his UFC Welterweight Championship at stake against Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310 at the end of 2024. The champion ended up pulling out of the fight due to a foot infection. Rakhmonov ended up defeating Ian Machado Garry in a competitive fight via unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025

Conor McGregor is teasing MMA legend Fedor Emeliananeko possibly entering the world of BKFC. McGregor has been hyping up the bare knuckle promotion ever since becoming a minority stake owner. The “Notorious” one has made some bold claims, even vowing to compete under the BKFC banner some day. While many believe it’s far-fetched to think that the Irishman will ever knuckle up, perhaps “The Last Emperor” is more likely to throw down in BKFC.