MMA News
Sean Strickland provides update on relationship with Eric Nicksick
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.
Max Holloway provides update on his comeback fight
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.
Jarred Brooks aiming for "first round" finish of Joshua Pacio at ONE 171: Qatar
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.
Dagi Arslanaliev sees nothing "particularly dangerous" about KO artist Roberto Soldic
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.
Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen pitch Colby Covington vs Michael Chiesa to fight after TUF 33
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.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan offers his pick for the greatest heavyweight of all time: "He was a monster!"
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.
Former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson shows interest in move to boxing amid MMA hiatus: "You never know"
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.
Michael Chandler calls out Paddy Pimblett for International Fight Week: "opportunity of a lifetime for a young lad"
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.
Former UFC champion thinks Dricus du Plessis would beat Alex Pereira in super fight: 'I'll definitely put my money on DDP'
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.”
Paddy Pimblett wants in on UFC 314 card in Miami: 'That's the plan if I can get it'
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.
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
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.
Felipe Lobo wants rematch with Nabil Anane "at the right time"
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.
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.
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.
Sean Strickland's coach gets brutally honest following lopsided UFC 312 title fight: "I wanna coach world champions"
Josh Evanoff - February 11, 2025
Sean Strickland’s coach Eric Nicksick has sounded off on his loss at UFC 312 over the weekend. ‘Tarzan’ returned to the octagon in the main event of the UFC’s pay-per-view offering from Australia on Saturday. There, Sean Strickland again met middleweight champion, Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ famously won the gold from the boxing-heavy American last year, by a controversial split decision.