MMA News
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.
Israel Adesanya eager to "throw hands" with "dangerous" Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2025
Israel Adesanya is expecting a striking match against Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Adesanya is set to headline the Fight Night event in his first non-title fight in 2019 when he fought Anderson Silva. The former middleweight champion is coming off a submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis after losing his belt to Sean Strickland by decision.
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.
Clay Guida vows to fight on after ending near two-decade run with the UFC: "The best is yet to come!"
Josh Evanoff - January 28, 2025
Longtime UFC lightweight contender Clay Guida has no plans to retire. ‘The Carpenter’ was one of the UFC’s longest-tenured fighters. First debuting in 2006 with a submission win over Justin James, Clay Guida remained a member of the lightweight division for nearly two decades. In that time, the 43-year-old scored wins over names such as Nate Diaz, Rafael dos Anjos, and Anthony Pettis.
Israel Adesanya is out to make a statement in UFC Saudi Arabia return against Nassourdine Imavov: "I am the best"
Josh Evanoff - January 28, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wants to make a statement against Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is set to return to the octagon this Saturday night in Saudi Arabia. Back for the first time since suffering a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis last August, Israel Adesanya will meet Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Sniper’ enters the five-round main event riding a three-fight winning streak, last beating Brendan Allen in September.
GFL founder Darren Owen teases Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis: "Make the fights that people want to see"
Josh Evanoff - January 28, 2025
GFL founder Darren Owen is interested in booking Tony Ferguson vs. Dillon Danis. The new team-based MMA league is set to start holding events in April. Earlier this month, the Global Fight League held its inaugural draft where names such as Paige VanZant, Kevin Lee, Chris Weidman, and more were selected. Two fighters selected in the draft include ex-interim UFC champion Tony Ferguson and the ever-controversial Dillon Danis.
Johan Ghazali expects toughest battle yet versus Johan Estupinan at ONE 170
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
Teenage Muay Thai phenom Johan Ghazali has sensed that a showdown with fellow brawler Johan Estupinan was inevitable. The pair have been climbing the ranks for some time now, and there’s no better place to see who’ll prevail than at ONE 170. The fiery flyweights collide on Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena. The contest isn’t expected to go all three rounds.
New interim champ Nabil Anane credits old foe for showing him “what a world-class athlete is”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
Newly crowned ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane made the most of his opportunity at ONE 170, and now the 6-foot-4 superstar is savoring the most profound moment of his career. Having said that, he has little time to rest. He became interim champ with a stunning first-round stoppage of #2-ranked contender Nico Carrillo this past Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s sold-out Impact Arena.
Luke Rockhold claims Khamzat Chimaev turned him down in the UFC: "He didn't want to play"
Cole Shelton - January 28, 2025
Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold claims he was offered to fight Khamzat Chimaev but the undefeated fighter turned him down. Before Rockhold was booked to fight Paulo Costa in 2022, the former champ says he was offered Chimaev. However, he claimed ‘Borz’ turned him down and he isn’t sure why, but the UFC then pivoted to the Costa fight.
BKFC President David Feldman reveals contract statuses of Jeremy Stephens and Ben Rothwell following KnuckleMania V
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
BKFC President David Feldman has provided an update on the contract situations of Jeremy Stephens and Ben Rothwell. Stephens and Rothwell both had massive victories at this past Saturday’s BKFC: KnuckleMania V event in Philadelphia. “Lil Heathen” shared the ring with Eddie Alvarez in the main event, while Rothwell challenged Mick Terrill for the BKFC Heavyweight Championship. Stephens scored a third-round TKO finish over Alvarez, while Rothwell knocked out Terrill in just 36 seconds to win his first major world championship.
Dricus du Plessis explains why Islam Makhachev super fight would be 'easy payday' for him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
Dricus du Plessis doesn’t see Islam Makhachev giving him much of a problem if they ever share the Octagon. Both du Plessis and Makhachev currently hold UFC gold. The middleweight title belongs to du Plessis, and he will look to have a second successful defense when he meets Sean Strickland in a rematch on February 8th. As for Makhachev, he recently made history by setting a new record for the most successful UFC Lightweight Championship defenses when he submitted Renato Moicano.
Chatri Sityodtong promises fans that ONE 170 will be “biggest show in Thailand’s history”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
In recent years, Thailand has hosted some of the biggest shows in ONE Championship’s history. But according to ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, none come bigger and better than this week’s ONE 170. Bangkok, Thailand’s sold-out Impact Arena will play host to the prolific event on Friday, January 24. There, a jam-packed card across Muay Thai, MMA, kickboxing, and submission grappling bouts goes down live in Asia primetime.
Marcelo Garcia opens up on life-threatening battle with stomach cancer
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
On and off the mats, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu icon Marcelo Garcia hasn’t had it easy in recent years. The legendary grappler has overcome an arduous battle with stomach cancer, and now he’s ready to embark on a new chapter of his life. Garcia debuts in ONE Championship at ONE 170 this Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena versus fellow legend Masakazu Imanari.
Superlek breaks down Nico Carrillo-Nabil Anane Interim World Title clash
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
Reigning two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 may be sidelined for this week’s monumental ONE 170 event, but he’ll still be paying attention. “The Kicking Machine” will watch closely as #2-ranked contender Nico Carrillo and #5-ranked star Nabil Anane vie for the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Championship this Friday, January 24, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.
ONE Championship's Jonathan Haggerty teases idea of showdown with UFC's Sean O'Malley
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty knows how to rile up combat sports fans. In his latest attempt, “The General” took to his Instagram story with an altered image of him battling former UFC Bantamweight World Champion “Sugar” Sean O’Malley.
UFC Saudi Arabia: ‘Adesanya vs. Imavov’ Fight Card and Start Times
Harry Kettle - January 28, 2025
UFC Saudi Arabia is right around the corner as fans await the return of the legend that is Israel Adesanya. Event: UFC Saudi Arabia: Adesanya vs Imavov Date: Saturday, 1st February 2025 Location: anb Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (12pm EST main card)
Dan Hooker gives his thoughts on Justin Gaethje fight being five rounds
Harry Kettle - January 28, 2025
Dan Hooker has given his thoughts on the UFC making his fight against Justin Gaethje five rounds long instead of three. At UFC 313, Dan Hooker will go head to head with Justin Gaethje. To put it lightly, this is one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. These two lightweights know how to put it all on the line, and you can bet that’s exactly what they’re going to do again later this year.