MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jamahal Hill breaks silence following UFC 311 defeat
Harry Kettle - January 21, 2025
UFC fighter Jamahal Hill has broken his social media silence following his loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 311. Last weekend, Jamahal Hill fell short against Jiri Prochazka. In what proved to be a really competitive fight, Hill was dropped multiple times before eventually being finished in the third by Prochazka. Despite that, many gave Jamahal credit for the manner in which he conducted himself in the Octagon.
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.