MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2025

How long will Dricus du Plessis remain the UFC middleweight champion? It’s a question many fans and experts are asking after “Stillknocks” earned his second successful title defense at UFC 312. Du Plessis had a one-sided showing against Sean Strickland in their rematch at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. The reigning 185-pound king retained his gold via unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2025

Paul Hughes isn’t interested in a war of words with Conor McGregor, but he feels his fellow Irishman has lost his way. Ahead of Hughes’ big Bellator lightweight title fight against Usman Nurmagomedov, McGregor showed his support for “Big News.” Hughes even offered McGregor to serve as a cornerman for the fight, but it didn’t materialize. Hughes ended up putting forth an elite effort that just barely fell short of a world title. He lost the highly competitive championship bout via majority decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 13, 2025

Paddy Pimblett won’t shy away from a 155-pound scrap with Ilia Topuria. Pimblett and Topuria have had some beef dating back to 2021. The two had a run-in at a hotel lobby in London the during the week of a UFC Fight Night card the following year. Topuria’s issue with Pimblett stems from a social media post where “The Baddy” called Georgians “stupid” and added, “No wonder the Russians terrorize their lives.”

Harry Kettle - February 13, 2025

UFC star Dustin Poirier has given his thoughts on a potential superfight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Everyone is aware of the fact that Ilia Topuria is an ambitious person. In the wake of his victory over Max Holloway, he made it clear that he wants to try and win a second belt. If he’s going to do that, then there’s a pretty good chance he’ll have to go through Islam Makhachev in order to do it.

Harry Kettle - February 13, 2025

Sean Strickland has provided an update on his relationship with head coach Eric Nicksick following the latter’s recent criticism. As we know, Sean Strickland fell short in his attempt to defeat Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. He was handily beaten by the reigning champion, leaving many to wonder what’s next for him. Since then, his coach Eric Nicksick has made waves in the MMA community by criticizing Sean’s performance in the contest.

Harry Kettle - February 13, 2025

UFC legend Max Holloway has provided an update on his comeback fight as he prepares for his return to the Octagon. As we know, Max Holloway is easily one of the most popular fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He has achieved some incredible things up to this point, and many believe he still has a lot left in the tank. Either way, though, it feels like there’s nothing that can dampen the legacy he has created for himself in the sport.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 13, 2025

Jarred Brooks is ready to put his three-year rivalry with lineal king Joshua Pacio to bed. And he wants to do it as quickly as possible.    Interim king Brooks and lineal champ Pacio will unify the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title soon. They meet in the third act of their long-standing feud at ONE 171: Qatar on Thursday, February 20, inside Lusail Sports Arena.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 13, 2025

Welterweight MMA star Dagi Arslanaliev fears no man – not even revered knockout artist Roberto Soldic.    The Turkish standout meets the Croatian superstar at ONE 171: Qatar next Thursday, February 20, inside Doha, Qatar’s Lusail Sports Arena in what’s expected to be a welterweight MMA slugfest. 

Cole Shelton - February 12, 2025

Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen are set to coach TUF 33 and they want their assistant coaches to fight at season’s end. Usually, the coaches of The Ultimate Fighter fight at the season’s end. However, Sonnen and Cormier are both retired and have no plans to fight again. With that, there won’t be a fight at season’s end, but Cormier has Michael Chiesa on his coaching staff, while Sonnen has Covington so they want them to fight instead.

Josh Evanoff - February 12, 2025

UFC commentator Joe Rogan has named Fedor Emelianenko as the heavyweight GOAT. There is almost nothing sports fans like to do more than debate greatness, and MMA is no exception. A few months ago, the UFC promoted the return of Stipe Miocic in his bout against Jon Jones as the return of the “Greatest Heavyweight of All-Time”. However, commentator Joe Rogan doesn’t agree with that assessment.

Josh Evanoff - February 12, 2025

Former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson is open to a move to the boxing ring. The Australian hasn’t been seen in the octagon for nearly four years now. Following a lopsided loss to Amanda Nunes in a bid for UFC women’s featherweight gold in 2021, Megan Anderson announced a hiatus from MMA. While the former Invicta champion didn’t seem deadset on retirement, she wasn’t exactly interested in competing anymore either.

Cole Shelton - February 12, 2025

Michael Chandler has his eyes on his next opponent. Chandler is coming off a decision loss to Charles Oliveira and will likely need to fight below him in the rankings next time after his rumored bout against Arman Tsarukyan has fizzled. Taking to social media, Chandler called out Paddy Pimblett for a fight at International Fight Week.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2025

One former UFC double champion believes Dricus du Plessis would defeat Alex Pereira if the two share the Octagon. Following du Plessis’ dominant middleweight title defense over Sean Strickland in their rematch at UFC 312, “Stillknocks” challenged Pereira, the reigning light heavyweight champion. Du Plessis later clarified to reporters that he expects to fight Khamzat Chimaev next, but he wants the “Poatan” bout if he gets past “Borz.”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2025

Paddy Pimblett is the latest fighter to throw his name in the hat for a potential spot on the UFC 314 card. The event is scheduled to take place inside the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on April 12th. Many rumors have been swirling regarding potential matchups for the card. Rising UFC star Bo Nickal even claimed he had been hearing the planned main event is a featherweight title rematch between Ilia Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski. The UFC has not announced a headliner at this time.

Harry Kettle - February 12, 2025

UFC legend Israel Adesanya has explained why he’s now able to be friends with the likes of Alex Pereira and Robert Whittaker. As we know, Israel Adesanya is easily one of the best middleweights of all time. In many ways, he’s one of the most notable fighters to have ever competed in the UFC – and perhaps mixed martial arts as a whole. Nowadays, however, he’s going through a rough patch in the cage, and that much is an understatement.

Harry Kettle - February 12, 2025

A few interesting faces have made an appearance on Daniel Cormier’s coaching team for the new season of The Ultimate Fighter. For the new season of The Ultimate Fighter, the UFC has decided to do something different. Instead of putting two fighters as coaches, with the intention being that they’ll square off at the end of the season, they’ve gone for Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen. As we know, both of these men have long since retired from mixed martial arts.

Harry Kettle - February 12, 2025

UFC contender Wang Cong has promised she will earn a title shot following her victory at UFC 312 last weekend. After a highlight reel knockout win in her full debut against Victoria Leonardo, Wang Cong was seen as the next big thing at flyweight. Unfortunately, that got somewhat derailed when she was submitted by Gabriella Fernandes in a shocking defeat back in November.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 11, 2025

Felipe Lobo took a big step toward re-entering ONE Championship’s bantamweight Muay Thai division’s top-five rankings at ONE Fight Night 28.    “Demolition Man” earned a third-round knockout over Thai veteran Saemapetch Fairtex in their rematch last Friday, February 7, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s iconic Lumpinee Stadium.