MMA News
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.
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.
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.
What's next for Tawanchai following flawless ONE 170 performance?
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
Reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai looked better than ever at ONE 170. But he’s still hungry for more gold. The 25-year-old dismantled reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon this past Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena. He scored a TKO over his old foe in round two.
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.
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.
Former UFC champion claims Khamzat Chimaev once turned down fight offer: 'He didn't really want to play'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2025
One former UFC titleholder claims that Khamzat Chimaev once turned down a fight with him. Chimaev has been on a tear under the UFC banner. He has a perfect pro MMA record of 14-0 and is coming off the biggest win of his career, submitting ex-UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in the first round. Many believe Chimaev is the clear choice to challenge the winner of the upcoming title rematch between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
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.
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.
Nabil Anane promises war with Nico Carrillo at ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2025
Fifth-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nabil Anane has the opportunity of a lifetime at ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II. The Thai-Algerian giant steps in to vie for the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against #2-ranked contender Nico Carrillo on Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.