MMA News
Paddy Pimblett welcomes 'midget' Ilia Topuria to lightweight division: 'I'm here waiting'
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.”
Dustin Poirier gives his thoughts on possible Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria fight
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.
Colby Covington could be set for career change in different sport
Harry Kettle - February 13, 2025
UFC star Colby Covington could be set for a shift into a different sport following his eventual retirement from mixed martial arts. As we know, Colby Covington is a pretty eccentric guy. In addition to being a world class fighter throughout his career, he’s also been quite controversial. He tends to say and do things that a lot of people don’t like, and that much is an understatement.
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.
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.
Youssef Zalal eager to "solve the puzzle" of Calvin Kattar at UFC Vegas 102: "Shake up the division"
Cole Shelton - February 12, 2025
Youssef Zalal is excited to prove he’s a true title contender at UFC Vegas 102. Zalal was brought back into the UFC last year and went 3-0 to show he’s a true contender. He will now get a tough test as he will face Calvin Kattar in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday night at the Apex.
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.
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.
Kamaru Usman's brutally honest take on Tatiana Suarez's UFC 312 loss to Zhang Weili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 12, 2025
Kamaru Usman was disappointed by Tatiana Suarez’s performance against Zhang Weili. Suarez challenged Weili for the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship this past Saturday night. The title fight served as the UFC 312 co-main event inside the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. In the opening frame, Suarez was able to score a takedown, but Weili did a good job avoiding damage and scrambling back to her feet.
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.”
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.