MMA News
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.
Luke Rockhold slams 'b*tch' Sean Strickland following UFC 312 title loss: "Fight like a f*cking man!"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2025
Luke Rockhold has slammed Sean Strickland following his loss at UFC 312 over the weekend. ‘Tarzan’ returned to the octagon in the main event of the pay-per-view offering from Australia on Saturday. Back for the first time since handing Paulo Costa a split-decision loss last summer, Sean Strickland again faced Dricus du Plessis. ‘Stillknocks’ famously won the gold from the American by a contentious decision last January.
Brandon Royval details the reason why he had withdrew from Manel Kape fight: "I’m still dealing with the repercussions"
Cole Shelton - February 10, 2025
Brandon Royval has opened up on why he had to withdraw from his March 1 fight against Manel Kape. Royval and Kape were set to headline the Fight Night card in a potential No. 1 contender fight at flyweight. However, Royval was forced out of the bout due to an undisclosed injury.
Michael Bisping torches Jake Paul for his reaction to Canelo Alvarez fight talks fizzling out
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 10, 2025
Michael Bisping has heard of enough of Jake Paul. Paul has been in the headlines again after talks of a mega showdown with boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez fell apart. “The Problem Child” claimed that both men had agreed to the bout and even revealed what he said was going to be the official poster for the fight. Alvarez ended up pivoting and signing a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season, which excludes the fight with Paul.
Dustin Poirier shuts down rumored retirement fight with Paddy Pimblett
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 10, 2025
Dustin Poirier has dismissed rumors that his retirement fight will be against Paddy Pimblett. During Super Bowl LIX week, Poirier revealed to The Schmo that he’s working with the UFC on the final bout of his pro MMA career. “The Diamond” said that the plan is for him to fight in Louisiana this summer. He didn’t reveal the potential opponent.
Champ-champ Prajanchai reveals who he wants next after ONE Fight Night 28
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 10, 2025
Two-sport ONE World Champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai asserted his authority at the top of the strawweight ladder this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 28. After leaving no doubt around who is king, he envisions a return to kickboxing. The Thai megastar retained his ONE Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in a masterclass on Friday, February 7. This happened in the show’s main event inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
ONE Championship releases Amir Aliakbari
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 10, 2025
ONE Championship cut heavyweight MMA fighter Amir Aliakbari from its roster over the weekend. The Iranian last competed under the ONE Championship banner in November 2024 at ONE 169 in Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Dricus du Plessis responds to Khamzat Chimaev's diss following UFC 312: 'Waste of potential'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2025
Dricus du Plessis has responded to Khamzat Chimaev’s recent social media post ripping his rematch with Sean Strickland. Du Plessis scored a unanimous decision victory over Strickland in the main event of UFC 312 this past Saturday. The challenger failed to up his activity due to the looks that du Plessis was giving him all night. It led to du Plessis having a dominant showing to retain his middleweight gold.
Belal Muhammad trashes Sean Strickland following UFC 312 loss: 'He doesn't go all out'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2025
Belal Muhammad believes Sean Strickland exposed himself in the main event of UFC 312. Strickland challenged Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship in a rematch this past Saturday. Strickland didn’t find much success at all this go-around. Du Plessis outstruck him throughout the fight. Strickland failed to find a way to increase his activity and ended up losing the bout via unanimous decision.
Zhang Weili vs. Valentina Shevchenko? Dana White won't rule out UFC super fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 9, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has left the door open for a potential super fight between Zhang Weili and Valentina Shevchenko. Weili reminded the MMA world just how elite she is this past Saturday. She put the UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship at stake against Tatiana Suarez. Despite her credentials, Weili was the betting underdog going into the UFC 312 co-main event. While Weili was taken down in round one, she took over beginning in the second stanza. Her takedown defense was superb, as well as her ability to reverse position on the ground. Weili’s standup skills also gave Suarez plenty to think about.
Top MMA coach grills Sean Strickland following UFC 312 loss: 'He wants to be something, but he's not that guy'
Chris Taylor - February 9, 2025
One renowned MMA coach believes Sean Strickland has been selling snake oil. Strickland attempted to become a two-time UFC middleweight champion when he shared the Octagon with Dricus du Plessis a second time at UFC 312. While their first encounter was a competitive five-rounder that ended in a split nod for DDP, the rematch was a different story. Strickland couldn’t put his foot on the gas and du Plessis made him pay. “Stillknocks” took this one via unanimous decision, as he was constantly a step ahead on the feet.
Magomed Ankalaev unloads on Alex Pereira in a series of tweets ahead of UFC 313
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2025
Magomed Ankalaev has gone off on Alex Pereira in a series of tweets ahead of their title showdown at UFC 313 next month. In just a matter of weeks, Magomed Ankalaev will get his shot at glory. He will challenge Alex Pereira for the UFC light heavyweight championship, with many believing this matchup has been a long time coming. Of course, he’s already had one crack at the belt before, falling short in a draw against Jan Blachowicz. That result, in many ways, set off a chain reaction that changed the face of the division at 205 pounds.
Sean Strickland gives hilarious reaction to broken nose after UFC 312
Harry Kettle - February 9, 2025
UFC contender Sean Strickland provided an amusing reaction to his broken nose and defeat to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 312. Last night, in the main event of UFC 312, Sean Strickland fell short in his attempt to recapture the UFC middleweight championship. He went to war with Dricus du Plessis once again, but this time around, it was more one-sided than their first collision. In addition to losing, Sean also suffered a nasty broken nose during the fourth round of the fight.