MMA News
Dana White doesn't view GFL as competition to UFC despite them "throwing a lot of money around"
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2025
Dana White isn’t viewing the GFL as competition to the UFC. The GFL recently had its draft for its first-ever season which features several former UFC champions and legends of the sport. Yet, despite the promotion signing several well-known names in MMA, White doesn’t think they are a legitimate competitor to the UFC.
Dana White casts doubt on Islam Makhachev's talk of moving to middleweight: "That's a whole other level"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2025
UFC President Dana White doesn’t seem to be a fan of Islam Makhachev’s tease of a move to middleweight. The UFC lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 311 earlier this month. Back for the first time since a submission win over Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev faced Renato Moicano. ‘Money Moicano’ stepped up on short notice, being thrown into the main event after Arman Tsarukyan withdrew during fight week due to a neck injury.
Alex Pereira shows interest in crossover boxing match with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk: "McGregor did it"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2025
UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira wants to face Oleksandr Usyk in the boxing ring. ‘Poatan’ has been out of action since a title defense against Khalil Rountree in October. In the main event of UFC 307, Alex Pereira scored a brutal fourth-round knockout win to retain the gold. A few months removed from that stoppage victory, the Brazilian is slated to return to the cage opposite Magomed Ankalaev in March.
Sean Strickland already eyeing Khamzat Chimaev for first title defense after UFC 312: "Chechnyan f*cking whore"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2025
If Sean Strickland wins UFC middleweight gold again next month, he wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev. ‘Tarzan’ has been out of the cage since a split-decision win over Paulo Costa last June. That victory over the Brazilian was enough for Sean Strickland to earn another crack at middleweight gold. Next month, the former champion will again lock horns with Dricus du Plessis, who handed him a decision loss last January.
Dricus du Plessis reacts to Alex Pereira cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312: 'They don't even speak the same language'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t sound too worried about Alex Pereira being in Sean Strickland’s corner. Pereira and Strickland were once opponents inside the Octagon, but have become training partners. Head coach Eric Nicksick recently told The Schmo that “Poatan” will be in Strickland’s corner for the middleweight title rematch against du Plessis at UFC 312 on February 8th. Strickland has heaped praise on Pereira as a sparring partner, and some are wondering if the UFC light heavyweight champion’s presence will give him a boost on fight night.
Sean Strickland blasts Islam Makhachev over middleweight talk: 'Go back to f***ing Dagestan'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2025
Sean Strickland has sent a short, yet clear message to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. Much has been made over what the future could hold for Makhachev. He’s already set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses at 155 pounds. The lightweight ruler has insisted that he will get eventually win the welterweight championship. He’s even said that a move up to middleweight might be a possibility one day.
Tim Welch gives positive health update on Sean O’Malley: 'It makes me feel a lot better'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 30, 2025
Head coach Tim Welch has given an update on the health status of Sean O’Malley and it’s a positive one. O’Malley hasn’t been seen in action since losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili back in September 2024. O’Malley underwent hip surgery after the fight and has been on the road to recovery. Now that he’s had a few months to heal up, many have been wondering how the “Suga” show is feeling.
Marcelo Garcia reflects on momentous return to action at ONE 170
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 30, 2025
After 14 years, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu superstar Marcelo Garcia made a sensational return to grappling action at ONE 170 on January 24 in Bangkok, Thailand. Garcia needed less than five minutes to submit fellow grappling icon Masukazu Imanari with a north-south choke in their openweight clash at Impact Arena. The victory marked his first competitive outing since 2011.
Alex Pereira set to corner Sean Strickland in UFC 312 main event
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
In an interesting move, Alex Pereira looks set to corner Sean Strickland in his upcoming UFC 312 main event. At UFC 312, Sean Strickland will attempt to reclaim the UFC middleweight championship. He lost the belt to Dricus du Plessis, and his big hope is that he’ll be able to earn it back in what is set to be a blockbuster rematch. In order to get the job done, however, he’ll likely have to put in the best performance of his career – or, at least, come close to his win over Israel Adesanya.
Conor McGregor seemingly doubles down on Paul Hughes insults
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
UFC fighter Conor McGregor seems to be doubling down on the insults he has thrown in the direction of Paul Hughes. Over the course of the last few months, Conor McGregor has been as unpredictable as ever. He continues to keep people guessing and we’re not so sure that’s a good thing. His actions have been erratic, to say the least, in the wake of him losing his civil sexual assault case. In the eyes of the public, the general public opinion towards him has certainly shifted in an unfavourable way.
Francis Ngannou sends warm wishes to Israel Adesanya ahead of UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
Former UFC star Francis Ngannou has wished Israel Adesanya the best ahead of his return to the cage on Saturday. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will make his return to the cage. He’ll do so by taking on Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. For ‘Stylebender’, this serves as a real opportunity for him to prove that he can still mix it up with the best middleweights in the world. On the flip side, Nassourdine Imavov has an opportunity to make a name for himself against a former two-time world champion.
Pro fighters make their picks for Israel Adesanya vs Nassourdine Imavov
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2025
In the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia, a pivotal middleweight bout goes down as Israel Adesanya takes on Nassourdine Imavov. Heading into the fight, Adesanya is a -164 favorite while the Frenchman is a +128 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. Ultimately, the pros believe Adesanya will get a win over Imavov, as most of the fighters interviewed believe Izzy’s striking will be the difference. They also believe the former champ’s cardio over five rounds will help him edge out a win.
Chatri Sityodtong believes Superlek vs. Nabil Anane II will play out differently
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 29, 2025
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong was one of many who were blown away by Nabil Anane’s performance at ONE 170 in Bangkok, Thailand. The combat sports mogul watched on as the Thai-Algerian obliterated #2-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo inside one frame last Friday, January 24. In doing so, Anane was crowned the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.
Eduard Folayang vs. Shinya Aoki IV booked for ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 29, 2025
ONE Championship returns to Japan in just two months’ time, and they’re bringing the latest installment of a long-running feud between two MMA standouts. On Sunday, March 23, former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champions Eduard Folayang and Shinya Aoki will go to battle for the fourth time when they meet inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang.
Khabib Nurmagomedov backs Paul Hughes in Irish beef with Conor McGregor: "You are a real Irishman"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has sided with PFL prospect Paul Hughes in his war against Conor McGregor. ‘Big News’ returned to the octagon in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1 last Saturday. In the main event of the Dubai-based card, Paul Hughes met Usman Nurmagomedov. The event heavily played into the Dagestan vs. Ireland rivalry, given the champion’s relation to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Former Bellator featherweight James Gallagher becomes the latest to secure his PFL release: "This is not the end"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
Former Bellator featherweight contender James Gallagher has been released from the PFL. It’s not exactly a secret that the Donn Davis-led promotion has had a mixed few months. In late 2023, the PFL bought out Bellator, vowing to have a bigger schedule for 2024. Initially, there was a lot of excitement from fans and fighters alike. With a new streaming deal on MAX, the signing of free agents such as Francis Ngannou, and a $100 million investment from Saudi Arabia, the company had momentum.
Paul Hughes saddened by Conor McGregor's recent insults against him following PFL title fight: "Kind of a sad thing"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
PFL lightweight star Paul Hughes doesn’t care about Conor McGregor’s recent tirade. ‘Big News’ returned to the cage on Saturday night in Dubai. Back for the first time since defeating former Bellator champion A.J. McKee in October, Paul Hughes finally met Usman Nurmagomedov. The undefeated Russian is a cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and the PFL played heavily into the Dagestan/Ireland rivalry heading into the event.
Michael Page says he's "happy" to wrestle Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia: "This is an MMA game"
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2025
Michael Page is happy to werstle Shara Magomedov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Page is set to move up to middleweight to face Magomedov and many expect it to be a fun striking fight. Both fighters are known for their striking, but both have said the other will wrestle. However, speaking at UFC Saudi Arabia media day, Michael Page made it clear that he is fine to wrestle Magomedov if that is a path to victory.