MMA News
Jeremy Stephens eyeing fight with BKFC boss Conor McGregor ahead of Eddie Alvarez bout: "Beat up my f*cking boss"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Jeremy Stephens is still hoping to score a showdown with his BKFC boss, Conor McGregor. ‘Lil Heathen’ is one of the many, many former UFC stars who’s headed for the bare-knuckle boxing ring. Jeremy Stephens signed with David Feldman’s BKFC in late 2023, scoring a stoppage win over Jimmie Rivera in his promotional debut. The following September, he scored a unanimous decision victory over Bobby Taylor in Salt Lake City.
Robert Whittaker offers update on jaw injury suffered against Khamzat Chimaev: "You can't fight through that"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is healing well from his fight with Khamzat Chimaev. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘Borz’ met in the co-main event of UFC 308 in late October. Back for the first time since scoring a knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov in June, Robert Whittaker hoped to secure a title shot. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev last appeared in the cage last October, scoring a decision victory over Kamaru Usman.
Payton Talbott issues statement after stunning first career loss at UFC 311
Cole Shelton - January 22, 2025
Payton Talbott issued his first statement after his stunning loss to Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311. Talbott entered the fight as the biggest betting favorite on the card and many expected him to cruise to a win. However, Talbott was dominated in all three rounds to lose by decision which was his first career loss.
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.
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.
Tom Aspinall finds Dana White's pound-for-pound shift "funny"
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has given his thoughts on Dana White declaring Islam Makhachev his new pound-for-pound #1 ahead of Jon Jones. As we know, there’s one thing Tom Aspinall wants in this world above all else: an undisputed title shot. He wants to face Jon Jones, and he wants to do it sooner rather than later. The Englishman has jumped through every hoop necessary and now, he wants what he believes he deserves.
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.
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.
Javier Mendez explains why he wishes Umar Nurmagomedov told him he broke his hand at UFC 311
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2025
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Umar Nurmagomedov, wishes his fighter told him he broke his hand. Nurmagomedov revealed after UFC 311 that he broke his hand early in the fight. Early on, Nurmagomedov was having success against Merab Dvalishvili, but he lost the final three rounds to lose the decision and fall short of winning the belt.
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.
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.
Anthony Smith reveals he asked the UFC to compete in Power Slap
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2025
Anthony Smith says he asked Hunter Campbell and the UFC if he could compete in Power Slap. Smith has been a professional fighter since 2008 and has had 59 professional fights. He has said he will retire after his next fight, but he also had some interest in going to Power Slap, but the UFC told him no.
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.
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.