MMA News
Israel Adesanya explains why he's befriended some of his former rivals
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.
Michael Chiesa and WWE superstar feature on Daniel Cormier's coaching team for The Ultimate Fighter
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.
Stipe Miocic makes his pick for the current best heavyweight in MMA
Harry Kettle - February 12, 2025
UFC legend Stipe Miocic has given his thoughts on who he believes in the best heavyweight in mixed martial arts right now. Throughout the course of his mixed martial arts career, Stipe Miocic was able to achieve some incredible things. Most notably, he became the most decorated heavyweight fighter in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. From turning back contenders to standing tall as a two-time champion, Stipe did it all and then some in what was a remarkable run.
Wang Cong promises eventual title shot following UFC 312 triumph
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.
Chatri Sityodtong believes Nong-O should've gotten the nod against Kongthoranee
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 11, 2025
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama dropped down to flyweight to face the division’s #4-ranked contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai at ONE Fight Night 28. Kongthoranee prevailed with a razor-close split-decision victory last Friday, February 7, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. But ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong saw the fight go the other way. And he’d like the duo to run it back.
Jared Cannonier believes he will KO Gregory Rodrigues once he "slows down" at UFC Vegas 102
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2025
Jared Cannonier expects to get back into the win column in a big way at UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday. Cannonier is set to headline the Fight Night card at the UFC Apex against Gregory Rodrigues. Cannonier is on a two-fight losing streak and because of that, he’s a +176 underdog while Rodrigues is a -230 favorite on FanDuel. Despite being on a two-fight losing streak and being the underdog, Cannonier has full confidence he will get his hand raised and will do so by KO.
Dominick Cruz opens up on 'excruciating' career-ending injury: "This was enough pain to teach me something"
Josh Evanoff - February 11, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz has opened up on his decision to retire. ‘The Dominator’ is widely considered one of the greatest bantamweights in MMA history, and for good reason. Sporting a 24-4 record, Dominick Cruz dominated the UFC 135-pound division for years. Despite dealing with a variety of injuries, he managed to hand fellow legends such as Urijah Faber, T.J. Dillashaw, and Demetrious Johnson losses.
KSI claims Nate Diaz and several other ex-UFC stars rejected March boxing match against him: "We were scrambling"
Josh Evanoff - February 11, 2025
YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI has claimed that Nate Diaz and several ex-UFC stars rejected a fight against him. ‘The Nightmare’ recently booked his return to the boxing ring earlier this month. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision loss to Tommy Fury in late 2023, KSI will meet Dillon Danis. ‘El Jefe’ wasn’t the first choice, as the YouTuber was originally set to meet ex-football star Wayne Bridge at Misfits 21 instead.
Tatiana Suarez issues statement after title fight loss to Weili Zhang at UFC 312: "I’m right where I want to be"
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2025
Tatiana Suarez issued a statement after her UFC 312 loss to Weili Zhang. Suarez entered the fight as the favorite but was dominated in all five rounds to suffer her first career loss. Days after the loss to Zhang, Suarez took to Instagram to release a statement on the defeat.
Paddy Pimblett doubts Ilia Topuria fights Islam Makhachev during International Fight Week: 'He's not Conor McGregor'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 11, 2025
Paddy Pimblett isn’t convinced that Ilia Topuria will fight Islam Makhachev this summer. Topuria has teased trying his hand at 155 pounds in a bid to become a double champion. “El Matador” is currently the reigning UFC featherweight champion and he’s been linked to a rematch with Alexander Volkanovski. The UFC has not made that bout official at this time.
Belal Muhammad explains how he'd defeat Dricus du Plessis in UFC super fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 11, 2025
Belal Muhammad believes he’d defeat UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis and he’s even laid out a path to victory. Muhammad is the reigning UFC welterweight champion. He captured the gold back in July 2024 when he defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision. He was scheduled to put his gold at stake against Shavkat Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310, but an infection derailed that plan.
Dana White rips into Australian media following UFC 312
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2025
UFC president Dana White has ripped into the Australian media following last weekend’s UFC 312 event in Sydney. We all know that Dana White likes to speak to his mind. In fact, he prides himself on free speech. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has a very loose stance when it comes to reprimanding fighters for what they say, which is why the likes of Sean Strickland are so open with their thoughts.
Merab Dvalishvili opens up on training with fellow UFC champion Weili Zhang: “She’s very strong like a man brother”
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has given his thoughts on training with fellow champion Weili Zhang. Last weekend, Weili Zhang made a real statement. She was able to dominate and defeat Tatiana Suarez, successfully retaining her UFC strawweight championship in the process. Now, we’re at a point whereby Weili is widely considered to be one of the best fighters not just in women’s MMA, but in mixed martial arts as a whole.
Israel Adesanya and Marc Goddard discuss two previous stoppages
Harry Kettle - February 11, 2025
UFC star Israel Adesanya recently ran into referee Marc Goddard and discussed two of the stoppages from his fights by the Birmingham native. As we know, Israel Adesanya was stopped with strikes by Nassourdine Imavov last weekend at UFC Saudi Arabia. He’s been stopped on the feet before in the UFC, by Alex Pereira, in what served as their first meeting in mixed martial arts – and third overall.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 189 with Youssef Zalal, Andre Petroski and Vince Morales
Cole Shelton - February 11, 2025
The 189th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 102. We’re first joined by UFC featherweight Youssef Zalal (1:07). Next, UFC middleweight Andre Petroski (12:33) joins the show. Closing out the program is UFC bantamweight Vince Morales (21:10).
What's next for the stars of UFC 312?
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2025
The UFC was in Sydney, Australia on Saturday for a UFC 312 card that saw two titles on the line. In the main event, Dricus Du Plessis was rematching Sean Strickland for the middleweight title. The co-main event saw Weili Zhang defending her strawweight title against Tatiana Suarez.
Joe Rogan pushes for Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev next: "Make the big fight"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2025
UFC commentator Joe Rogan is hopeful that Ilia Topuria will move up to lightweight to face Islam Makhachev next time out. Topuria has been hinting at a potential fight with Makhachev for the lightweight title. It would be a massive fight, but some fans want to see him defend the featherweight title a couple more times.
Alex Pereira extends offer to train with former rival Israel Adesanya: "Let's make this partnership happen"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2025
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira wants to train with Israel Adesanya. The rivalry between the two kickboxer-turned-MMA fighters is one for the ages. The Brazilian famously won their two fights in the kickboxing ring, scoring a controversial decision win in the first, before flatting Israel Adesanya in the second. While Alex Pereira knocked out ‘The Last Stylebender’ to win UFC gold in 2022, the former champion avenged that defeat the following April.