MMA News
Setback to success: Sean Climaco promises “a different fight” at ONE Fight Night 28
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 4, 2025
American Muay Thai star Sean Climaco has produced a value-for-money fighting style when the bell rings. That, along with his terrifying punching style, earned him entry in ONE Championship. The flyweight striker knocked out Josue Cruz in his debut to get off to a flying start. However, he then lost a second-round knockout to Johan Estupinan last September at ONE 168.
Once-homeless Ellis Badr Barboza to challenge Thai legend with nearly 400 fights for World Title
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 4, 2025
This weekend, strawweight Muay Thai striker Ellis Badr Barboza has the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream at ONE Fight Night 28. The British hitter challenges two-sport ONE World Champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai for the strawweight Muay Thai crown this Friday, February 7, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Leon Edwards labels Belal Muhammad as the 'worst' fighter of all-time while calling for rematch
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2025
Leon Edwards is certain that he is a better fighter than Belal Muhammad. Edwards lost his welterweight title to Muhammad in the main event of UFC 304 in July in England. It was a surprising result as Edwards was a sizeable favorite, but Muhammad fought a smart fight to get the win.
Sean Strickland expecting another "five-round war" against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2025
Sean Strickland is expecting another war against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. Strickland is set to rematch Du Plessis for the middleweight title in the main event of UFC 312 on Saturday in Australia. They first fought in January of 2024 when Strickland was the champ, but it was Du Plessis who won a split decision in a very close fight that could have gone either way.
Chael Sonnen confirms Colby Covington's next opponent will likely be Gilbert Burns: "He will fight again"
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2025
Chael Sonnen has revealed Colby Covington will likely face Gilbert Burns in his UFC return. The ever-controversial ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC Tampa in December. Colby Covington famously went on hiatus following his loss to Leon Edwards in late 2023, but he stepped up on short notice to face Joaquin Buckley. ‘New Mansa’ entered his first UFC headliner red-hot, last scoring a knockout win over Stephen Thompson in October.
Logan Paul shares his side of recent run-in with Conor McGregor: "He was cracked out!"
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2025
Logan Paul has shared his side of his recent run-in with former UFC champion Conor McGregor. It’s not exactly a secret that ‘The Maverick’ and ‘The Notorious’ were in discussions to fight later this year. Just a few weeks after Conor McGregor was found liable for sexually assaulting a woman in 2018, he revealed plans for an exhibition boxing match with Logan Paul. Reports later confirmed talks between the two, for an April bout in India that would net each man upwards of $250 million.
Jiri Prochazka reveals who he wants next following recent UFC 311 knockout win: "One of these three...."
Josh Evanoff - February 4, 2025
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka knows who he wants next. The ever-entertaining striker is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 311 last month. Back for the first time since being knocked out against Alex Pereira last summer, Jiri Prochazka met former champion Jamahal Hill. ‘Sweet Dreams’ had also been finished by ‘Poatan’ in his latest appearance, but was determined to earn a rematch with the Brazilian.
KSI vs. Dillon Danis announced for Misfits Boxing card this spring in Manchester
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2025
A boxing match between KSI and Dillon Danis has been made official. The ‘X’ account of Misfits Boxing announced the matchup and released a promo video, as well as the official poster for the event. Also included in the announcement was a date, location, and venue. The fight is scheduled for March 29th and it’ll be held inside the AO Arena in Manchester, England.
Sean Strickland shockingly praises Israel Adesanya following UFC Saudi Arabia loss to Nassourdine Imavov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 4, 2025
Sean Strickland has shown respect to Israel Adesanya following “The Last Stylebender’s” third straight loss. The kind words may come as a surprise to fans given that Strickland and Adesanya had a war of words leading up to their September 2023 clash. Strickland won that bout and the UFC Middleweight Championship, which started Adesanya’s slide. The former two-time UFC middleweight champion was then submitted by Dricus du Plessis, and more recently suffered a TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 188 with Jimmy Crute and Kody Steele
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2025
The 188th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 312. We’re first joined by UFC light heavyweight Jimmy Crute (1:09). We close out the program talking with UFC lightweight Kody Steele (9:26).
What's next for Nassourdine Imavov and Israel Adesanya after UFC Saudi Arabia?
Cole Shelton - February 4, 2025
The UFC was in Saudi Arabia on Saturday for a solid UFC Saudi Arabia fight night card. In the main event, Israel Adesanya took on Nassourdine Imavov in a pivotal middleweight bout. Adesanya entered the fight coming off a submission loss to Drcius Du Plessis for the middleweight title. Imavov, meanwhile, was coming off a decision win over Brendan Allen.
Chael Sonnen is convinced that Islam Makhachev is eager to leave lightweight division
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has explained why he believes Islam Makhachev is eager to leave the lightweight division. Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound best fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s also the UFC lightweight champion. Oh, and he’s also heavily teased the idea of moving up in search of a second world title. So, in summary, he’s pretty busy these days.
Sergei Pavlovich wants to be back in title race after UFC Saudi Arabia victory
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2025
UFC heavyweight Sergei Pavlovich wants to be back in title consideration after his win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC Saudi Arabia. After bursting into the title picture, Sergei Pavlovich was brought back down to earth by Tom Aspinall. After being finished by the Englishman, he had to go back to the drawing board. Unfortunately, in his next outing, he was beaten again – this time in a fairly one-sided affair by Alexander Volkov.
Dana White's view on Shara Magomedov's defeat at UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2025
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on Shara Magomedov’s surprising defeat to Michael Page at UFC Saudi Arabia. Last weekend, Shara Magomedov fell short in his co-main event collision with Michael ‘Venom’ Page. He was neutralized by MVP throughout the course of their fight and in the end, he wound up losing on the scorecards. Of course, due to the unconventional style of Page, a lot of fans and pundits weren’t surprised to see him struggle to break his opponent down.
Michael Page reacts to Shara Bullet's injury claim following UFC Saudi Arabia loss: "Keep it to yourself"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2025
UFC welterweight Michael Page has given Shara Bullet some advice following their fight on Saturday. The two flashy strikers met in the co-main event of UFC Saudi Arabia over the weekend. For ‘MVP’ the middleweight bout was his first up at the weight class, having last suffered a loss to Ian Machado Garry last June. Meanwhile, Shara Bullet entered the cage fresh off a knockout win over Armen Petrosyan in October.
REPORT | Canelo Alvarez vs. Jake Paul boxing match agreed to for Cinco De Mayo
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2025
According to a recent report, Canelo Alvarez and Jake Paul will meet in the boxing ring later this year. ‘The Problem Child’ hasn’t been seen since his boxing match against Mike Tyson in November. Back for the first time since knocking out BKFC Mike Perry in July, Jake Paul met ‘Iron Mike’. The bout was Tyson’s first professional fight since 2005 when he retired following a stoppage loss to journeyman Kevin McBride.
Michael Bisping claims Israel Adesanya is "done" as a contender after UFC Saudi Arabia loss
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2025
Michael Bisping believes Israel Adesanya is no longer a true contender at middleweight. Adesanya suffered a second-round knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia. It was his third straight loss and he’s now 1-4 in his last fight. Although Adesanya won the first round, Bisping believes the loss proves ‘The Last Stylebender’ is not a contender anymore.
Chael Sonnen reveals Colby Covington will be his assistant coach on TUF 33
Cole Shelton - February 3, 2025
Chael Sonnen will be coaching TUF 33 opposite Daniel Cormier and he revealed his coaching staff. TUF 33 is set to debut on May 27 and will have two legends as coaches, instead of current fighters who are usually booked to fight after the show airs. Ahead of the show airing, Sonnen revealed in an interview that Colby Covington will be one of his assistant coaches.