MMA News
Dan Hooker expects to be stretchered out following UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
Dan Hooker believes that win or lose, he’ll be feeling the aftermath of his clash with Justin Gaethje. Hooker and Gaethje will be sharing the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313. The bout will be taking place on March 8th. Hooker is looking for his fourth win in a row. A victory over Gaethje would also be the biggest win of “The Hangman’s” pro MMA career.
Islam Makhachev isn't afraid of Ilia Topuria, says UFC Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer says that Islam Makhachev has no fear of fighting Ilia Topuria. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, while Topuria holds the featherweight gold. Topuria has expressed interest in a champion vs. champion showdown, but Makhachev has let it be known that he prefers to go after “champ-champ” status. “El Matador” believes Makhachev is avoiding a fight against him.
UFC champion Belal Muhammad warned against moving up to middleweight: 'You don't have the tools'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025
One rising UFC welterweight thinks it would be a mistake for Belal Muhammad to give middleweight a try. Muhammad has mulled over a potential move up to 185 pounds. “Remember The Name” has said he’d switch weight classes for a shot at becoming a double champion if the stars align. He has also said he’d rather move up in weight and allow reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to go after the welterweight gold.
Henry Cejudo disputes the idea that Sean O’Malley is some kind of pay-per-view king: “His fights don’t do sh*t, man”
Harry Kettle - February 18, 2025
Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo has disputed the idea that fellow former champ Sean O’Malley is a pay-per-view draw. We all know that Sean O’Malley is a big star in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has done some incredible things during his time with the promotion, and that much is an understatement. From viral knockouts to winning and defending the bantamweight championship, he is the definition of a household name.
Daniel Cormier explains why he's concerned about Alex Pereira's UFC 313 preparation
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.
Conor McGregor set to file official appeal over civil sexual assault verdict
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.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 190 with Anthony Hernandez and Modestas Bukauskas
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).
What's next for Jared Cannonier and Gregory Rodrigues after UFC Vegas 102?
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.
Jarred Brooks aiming for early finish of Joshua Pacio at ONE 171: Qatar
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.
GFL books Urijah Faber vs Renan Barao trilogy bout
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.
Miesha Tate announces UFC return against Yana Santos is set for May
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.
REPORT | Anthony Smith set to face unranked light-heavyweight in retirement bout at UFC Kansas City
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.
Dominick Cruz reveals T.J. Dillashaw reached out to offer support following career-ending injury: "I was shocked"
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.
Justin Gaethje calls Islam Makhachev his dream fight: "Better matchup for me than Khabib"
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.
Michael Chandler reacts to Conor McGregor teasing a fight in BKFC
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.
UFC veteran Marc Diakiese advises Jon Jones to avoid Tom Aspinall fight
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.
Henry Cejudo gives his thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili's next opponent
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.
Ilia Topuria provides interesting assessment of Dagestani fighters
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.