MMA News
Former Jon Jones rival still thinks 'Bones' tops UFC pound-for-pound list over Islam Makhachev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025
An ex-foe of Jon Jones thinks the reigning UFC heavyweight champion should have the top pound-for-pound distinction over Islam Makhachev. The pound-for-pound argument continues within the MMA community. Those who believe Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, deserves the number one spot argue that he has been more active as of late than “Bones.” Those who argue in favor of Jones are factoring in his longevity as an elite MMA titleholder.
Top UFC bantamweight contender thinks he can dethrone Merab Dvalishvili: 'Styles make fights'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has one top UFC bantamweight contender knocking on his door. Dvalishvili is the reigning 135-pound champion, who is fresh off a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov collided in the co-main event of UFC 311. The Georgian champion was able to retain his gold thanks to some elite conditioning and grappling.
Sean Strickland sends expletive-laden challenge to Dricus du Plessis, UFC champion responds
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025
Sean Strickland has proposed a pact to Dricus du Plessis ahead of their UFC 312 title rematch. Strickland will challenge du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on February 8th. The two had a highly competitive title bout back in early 2024. Going into that bout, Strickland was the 185-pound titleholder. He dropped the belt to du Plessis via split decision.
Khabib Nurmagomedov sends positive message to Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC 311 defeat
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has sent a message of positivity to Umar Nurmagomedov following his loss at UFC 311. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov will go down as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. In addition to that, he’s on his way to becoming one of the best coaches in the history of the game too.
Geoff Neal reveals future plans in UFC welterweight division
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
UFC star Geoff Neal has revealed what he would like for himself in the welterweight division moving forward. Throughout the course of his career in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Geoff Neal has always been willing to take on just about anybody. He’s been involved in some absolute wars along the way, too, experiencing the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
Rob Font expects the best version of Dominick Cruz at UFC Seattle
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
UFC fighter Rob Font has said he expects to see the best version of Dominick Cruz when they collide at UFC Seattle. On February 22, Dominick Cruz will make the walk to the Octagon for the last time in his career. Following on from an iconic run, he is set to collide with Rob Font in what will serve as his last ever mixed martial arts contest.
Liam Harrison breaks down Nico Carrillo versus Nabil Anane at ONE 170
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 21, 2025
British striking legend Liam “Hitman” Harrison has never been one to mince words, and he’s got plenty to say about ONE 170. One bout in particular that Harrison is paying attention to is the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title clash between #2-ranked contender Nico Carrillo and #5-ranked Nabil Anane. That goes down this Friday, 24 January, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.
Max Holloway calls to defend BMF title in rematch against Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2025
Max Holloway is open to rematching Charles Oliveira next time out. Oliveira recently called out Holloway to fight for the BMF belt if Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight until October. The Brazilian believes it would make sense for a No. 1 contender fight and is a fight he wants back.
WATCH | Jake Paul and Mike Tyson party at Donald Trump's inaugural ball
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
Just a few months after their massive boxing match, Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are back to being friends. ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Iron Mike’ faced off in a heavyweight main event live on Netflix in November. The bout was the biggest of Jake Paul’s career, taking place a few months after his knockout win over BKFC star Mike Perry. Meanwhile, the professional bout was Mike Tyson’s first since a 2005 stoppage loss to Kevin McBride.
Aljamain Sterling eyeing matchup with Arnold Allen for UFC return: "Interested in seeing what my striking game looks like"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling wants to test his striking against Arnold Allen. ‘The Funk Master’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC 310 last month in Las Vegas. There, the former bantamweight champion competed in his second bout up at 145 pounds against Movsar Evloev. Despite a lot of early success from Aljamain Sterling, the undefeated Russian rallied to score a unanimous decision win.
Anthony Smith reveals his UFC retirement fight is slated for April: "Win, lose, or draw, that's going to be it"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith will make his final walk to the cage later this year. ‘Lionheart’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 310 last month in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since a short-notice loss to Roman Dolidze in June, Anthony Smith faced fellow contender Dominick Reyes. Sadly for the former title challenger, he entered the fight with a heavy heart. Just weeks before the bout, Smith’s coach, Scott Morton, suddenly passed away.
Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan should be next for Islam Makhachev following UFC 311: "It has to be him!"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Arman Tsarukyan should still be next for Islam Makhachev. The lightweight champion is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday. Back for the first time since submitting Dustin Poirier last June, Islam Makhachev was set to meet Arman Tsarukyan. The bout was going to be a rematch of their prior meeting in April 2019, which saw the Russian win by unanimous decision.
UFC legend shares theory on Arman Tsarukyan's back injury that forced him out of Islam Makhachev rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 21, 2025
One legendary UFC name believes he knows exactly why Arman Tsarukyan was forced out of the UFC 311 main event. Tsarukyan was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship this past Saturday. This would’ve been a rematch from their 2019 encounter, which saw Makhachev have his hand raised via unanimous decision. As it turned out, Tsarukyan couldn’t even make it to the weigh-ins due to a back injury, and he was replaced by Renato Moicano.
Former UFC slugger thinks Paddy Pimblett doesn't believe his own criticism of Renato Moicano following UFC 311
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 21, 2025
One former UFC fan favorite feels Paddy Pimblett doesn’t truly believe his recent comments about Renato Moicano post-UFC 311. Moicano recently challenged Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The fight was put together very late, as Makhachev’s initial challenger, Arman Tsarukyan, was removed from the card due to a back injury. Moicano, who was scheduled to take on Beneil Dariush, served as the replacement for the UFC 311 main event.
Javier Mendez reveals one thing he doesn't like about Islam Makhachev's sparring sessions
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 21, 2025
Islam Makhachev has been a golden goose for Javier Mendez, but the renowned head coach has one pet peeve with the UFC lightweight champion. Mendez has helped Makhachev throughout their time together at American Kickboxing Academy. Of course, Makhachev splits his time in California and Dagestan in preparation for his fights. The method has worked wonders for Makhachev, who recently set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses.
Magomed Ankalaev issues warning to Alex Pereira
Harry Kettle - January 21, 2025
UFC contender Magomed Ankalaev has issued a warning to UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. As we know, Magomed Ankalaev has been waiting a long time to battle Alex Pereira. It felt, in many ways, like a collision that was inevitable. In his first title fight, Ankalaev was unable to get the job done in a draw with Jan Blachowicz. Now, however, he believes he is ready to dethrone ‘Poatan’ and claim the gold at UFC 313.
Merab Dvalishvili shares footage of graphic leg injury
Harry Kettle - January 21, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has shared graphic footage of his pre-UFC 311 leg injury. Last weekend, Merab Dvalishvili successfully retained the UFC bantamweight championship. He did so in an immensely entertaining fight against Umar Nurmagomedov, in a contest that many expected Nurmagomedov to win. In the end, though, Dvalishvili did more than enough to get himself over the finish line.
Jake Shields provides positive update on his longtime friend Nick Diaz
Harry Kettle - January 21, 2025
Former MMA fighter Jake Shields has provided a positive update regarding the health of his longtime friend Nick Diaz. As we know, Nick Diaz is a mixed martial arts legend. He may not be known as one of the greatest of all time, but he’s still an exceptional talent who had some incredible moments in his career. Recently, he was scheduled to return against Vicente Luque – only for the fight to be pulled.