MMA News
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.
Daniel Cormier questions Israel Adesanya's motivation ahead of UFC return
Harry Kettle - January 30, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has questioned the motivation of Israel Adesanya ahead of his return to the cage. This weekend, Israel Adesanya will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon. He is set to face Nassourdine Imavov in what will serve as a really interesting test of where he’s at in his mixed martial arts career. After losing to Dricus du Plessis, he knows that it’s now or never if he wants to get back to a world championship opportunity.
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.
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.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik admits he wasn't looking to fight former training parner Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Saudi Arabia: "We are professionals"
Cole Shelton - January 29, 2025
Jairzinho Rozenstruik turned himself back into a contender at heavyweight in 2024. Rozenstruik went 2-0 with a stoppage win over Shamil Gaziev and a decision win over Tai Tuivasa last year. His hope was to fight one more time in 2024, but he is fine with returning at UFC Saudi Arabia on February 1.
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.
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.
REPORT | Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg targeted for UFC Mexico City main event
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
According to a recent report, Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg will meet in the main event of UFC Mexico City in March. As of now, the March 29th event features a lot of high-profile Mexican talent. While Diego Lopes vs. Yair Rodriguez was initially expected to headline UFC Mexico City, that won’t be the case. As first reported by RealKevinK on X and later confirmed by Alex Behunin of MMA Mania, Brandon Moreno, and Steve Erceg will instead meet in the headliner.
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.
Sean Strickland's coach explains why UFC 312 rematch with Dricus du Plessis is more personal than first fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2025
Head coach Eric Nicksick says there’s a key change in Sean Strickland’s mindset going into his championship rematch with Dricus du Plessis. Strickland and du Plessis are set to collide once again in the main event of UFC 312 on February 8th. Strickland was the UFC middleweight champion going into his first encounter with du Plessis back in early 2024. He ended up losing the title via split decision in a highly contested five-round battle.
Shara Magomedov believes Michael Page will shoot for takedowns at UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - January 29, 2025
UFC star Shara Magomedov doesn’t believe he’ll be the one to shoot for takedowns against Michael Page this weekend. On Saturday night, Shara Magomedov will battle Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC Saudi Arabia. It serves as easily one of the most intriguing fights on the card, with many believing it’s Shara’s toughest test to date inside the Octagon.
Stipe Miocic launches campaign to help his old university
Harry Kettle - January 29, 2025
UFC legend Stipe Miocic has launched a campaign that he hopes will help out his old alma mater. Over the years, Stipe Miocic has cemented himself as a true great in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Despite his loss to Jon Jones, many still consider him to be the greatest heavyweight of all time. Now, of course, he’s retired, with many believing he would simply ride off into the sunset, never to be seen again.
Brian Ortega flies across the country and chokes out Fortnite troll
Harry Kettle - January 28, 2025
UFC star Brian Ortega recently flew across the country to choke out an online friend of his for trolling. As we know, Brian Ortega is one of the most effective submission artists of this or any other generation. He has been able to produce magic inside the Octagon and while he’s never won a world title, he’s come as close as you can possibly get over the years.
David Feldman could approach UFC about Conor McGregor BKFC fight ‘in the next week or two’
BJ Penn Staff - January 28, 2025
BKFC boss David Feldman isn’t holding out hope that the UFC will loan Conor McGregor to his bare-knuckle fight promotion, but he figures there’s no harm in asking. The former two-division UFC champ McGregor, who still has two fights left on his contract with the MMA promotion, recently became a part-owner of BKFC, and has been a recurring presence at its recent events.
Jake and Logan Paul tease March boxing match against each other: "The moment you've waited a decade for"
Josh Evanoff - January 28, 2025
It appears that Jake Paul and Logan Paul could be facing off in the boxing ring in March. ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘The Maverick’ are still two of the biggest names in professional boxing today. While Jake Paul is the far more experienced of the two, Logan Paul still holds a 1-1 record and has held the ring with Floyd Mayweather. He last appeared in the ring in late 2023, scoring a disqualification win over Dillon Danis.