MMA News
Islam Makhachev shares preference on who he wants to fight next: 'I like this idea'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Islam Makhachev wants a fresh UFC title challenger for his next defense. Makhachev put his name in the history books after he set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He defeated Renato Mociano, who was a late replacement opponent after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev ended up submitting Moicano in the opening frame to push his title defenses to four.
Jeremy Stephens says 'old cocaine' Conor McGregor doubted him ahead of BKFC KnuckleMania V win over Eddie Alvarez
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Jeremy Stephens is happy to prove the doubters wrong, especially Conor McGregor. Stephens entered a hostile environment when he went one-on-one with Eddie Alvarez this past Saturday. Their fight headlined BKFC KnuckleMania V inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. “Lil Heathen” was able to silence the Philly crowd, scoring two knockdowns on Alvarez in round three before the fight was waved off.
Paul Hughes speaks out on close decision loss to Usman Nurmagomedov: 'I thought it was mine'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Paul Hughes has spoken out following his loss against Usman Nurmagomedov. Hughes and Nurmagomedov put on a classic in the main event of PFL Champions: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight Championship was on the line inside the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Hughes showcased effective takedown defense and was highly competitive against the 155-pound champion, but it wasn’t enough, as he dropped a majority decision.
Newly minted BKFC heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell responds to Mark Hunt's callout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Ben Rothwell wouldn’t mind throwing down with Mark Hunt again. Rothwell scored a massive victory this past Saturday night at BKFC KnuckleMania V. The former UFC star challenged Mick Terrill for the BKFC Heavyweight Championship. It only took Rothwell 36 seconds to deliver an emphatic one-punch knockout to claim gold. Winning a title for a major promotion has been a long time coming for “Big” Ben, who has been fighting professionally since 2001.
Usman Nurmagomedov dismisses immediate rematch with Paul Hughes following instant classic
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov isn’t gung-ho over the idea of fighting Paul Hughes again anytime soon. Nurmagomedov and Hughes shared the cage this past Saturday in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight Championship was at stake. Many wondered how Hughes would handle the champion’s grappling in this one. The Irishman put forth a brilliant effort, matching Nurmagomedov throughout the five rounds of highly competitive action.
Saemapetch Fairtex and Felipe Lobo to run it back at ONE Fight Night 28
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 24, 2025
Just one year after their memorable matchup, bantamweight Muay Thai sluggers Felipe Lobo and Saemapetch Fairtex will go at it once more. The standout strikers will meet in a bantamweight Muay Thai banger at ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza on Friday, February 8, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Conor McGregor confirms UFC shot down rumored boxing match against Logan Paul: "They weren't into it"
Josh Evanoff - January 24, 2025
Conor McGregor has confirmed the UFC shot down his planned boxing match against Logan Paul. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t been seen in action since his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in mid-2021. That night saw Conor McGregor snap his leg in the final seconds of the first round, in a brutal injury. While the Irishman promised a return to the cage by the end of 2022, that return never came. Even when McGregor booked a comeback fight against Michael Chandler last year, he withdrew due to injury.
Dillon Danis and Tony Ferguson lead the latest group of Global Fight League signings
Josh Evanoff - January 24, 2025
Former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has finalized a deal with the Global Fight League. Fans are now just hours away from seeing the inaugural Global Fight League draft. Founded by Darren Owen, the team-based MMA league hopes to start holding events in April. Ahead of the draft, the GFL has signed several high-profile former UFC stars such as Tyron Woodley, Paige VanZant, and Luke Rockhold.
Israel Adesanya expects to train with rival Alex Pereira one day: 'I'll always respect Poatan'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 24, 2025
Israel Adesanya believes it’s only a matter of time before he trains with his former rival Alex Pereira. Adesanya doesn’t anticipate ever fighting Pereira again. The two fought twice under kickboxing rules and two times under the UFC banner. Pereira is 3-1 in total against Adesanya, but “The Last Stylebender” got the last laugh when he knocked “Poatan” out cold in their final meeting.
Ranked UFC lightweight says Max Holloway can give Islam Makhachev problems: 'There are things that could be difficult'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 24, 2025
One top-10 UFC lightweight has explained why he feels Max Holloway could make things interesting against Islam Makhachev. Makhachev recently broke the record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. He was expected to meet Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311, but the challenger was removed due to a back injury. Renato Moicano stepped up and he was submitted in the opening frame.
Alexander Volkanovski reveals ideal timeframe for next UFC fight: 'Nothing's completely locked in'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 24, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski has an idea of when he’d like to return to the Octagon. After a rough end to 2023, things weren’t much better in 2024 for the former UFC featherweight champion inside the Octagon. Volkanovski suffered a head kick knockout loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and then went on to lose the featherweight gold to Ilia Topuria via another brutal KO.
Lito Adiwang "excited" to showcase striking against Keito Yamakita
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 23, 2025
Surging strawweight MMA star Lito Adiwang could kickstart his 2025 campaign by breaking into the division’s top five. The Filipino star meets #5-ranked contender Keito Yamakita at ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza on Friday, February 8, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Cory Sandhagen calls for a showdown with former UFC champion Sean O'Malley: "He's going to get beat up"
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2025
Cory Sandhagen wants a fight against former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a September title defense against Merab Dvalishvili. The bout was Sean O’Malley’s second defense of bantamweight gold, having scored a decision win over Marlon Vera last April. Ultimately, ‘The Machine’ wound up outwresting the champion en route to a unanimous decision win in the main event of Noche UFC, ending the striker’s title reign.
Vadim Nemkov opens up on PFL future ahead of final fight on contract: "I'm not sure what they're going to offer me"
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2025
Former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov is opening up on his PFL future. The Russian hasn’t been seen in the cage in almost a year now. Last February, Vadim Nemkov moved up from light-heavyweight, vacating his Bellator title in the process to face Bruno Cappelozza. In his first bout up at heavyweight, the former champion scored an impressive second-round submission victory.
Alex Pereira reacts to Jamahal Hill's knockout loss at UFC 311: "We respect each other"
Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2025
Alex Pereira didn’t enjoy seeing Jamahal Hill’s loss at UFC 311 over the weekend. ‘Sweet Dreams’ returned to the octagon on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since being knocked out by Alex Pereira at UFC 300 last April, Jamahal Hill met Jiri Prochazka. The latter had also suffered a stoppage loss to ‘Poatan’ in his most recent bout, having been knocked out last June on short notice.
Renato Moicano reveals 'nice check' he got for UFC 311 fight against Islam Makhachev
Cole Shelton - January 23, 2025
Renato Moicano got paid to step up on short notice at UFC 311. On a day’s notice, Moicano stepped up to face Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title. Moicano was originally supposed to fight Beneil Dariush on the card but ended up getting the short-notice fight.
Coach Ray Longo explains how UFC 'created a monster' in Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 23, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has been on a tear, and Ray Longo believes the UFC played a significant role. Dvalishvili is the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. He’s fresh off his first successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event of UFC 311. The 135-pound titleholder displayed his elite conditioning and grappling to outlast the challenger after five rounds of action.
Aljamain Sterling has one regret following Chris Weidman's retirement: 'It was just kind of rough'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 23, 2025
Aljamain Sterling has reacted to Chris Weidman’s retirement announcement, and he has one regret. Weidman appeared on the official UFC 311 weigh-in show last Friday and announced that he is walking away from pro MMA competition. The former UFC middleweight champion has retired with a pro MMA record of 16-8. While some feel the retirement may have been past due, Weidman will not be fighting past the age of 40, which is a sigh of relief for many fight fans.