MMA News

BJ Penn Staff - January 20, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili delivered one of the best performances of his career at UFC 311, defending the bantamweight title with an impressive decision victory over Umar Nurmagomedov. However, he nearly didn’t make it to the Octagon at all. In the wake of UFC 311, Dvalishvili opened up on an injury he suffered before the fight. He sustained a bad cut on his shin in training, and he might not have been cleared to compete at all had he not found a way to fool a representative from the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 20, 2025

Kamaru Usman doesn’t believe that Islam Makhachev should hesitate to fight Belal Muhammad. Makhachev recently set a new record for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses in the promotion’s history. With how dominant he has been at 155 pounds, many believe it’s only a matter of time before he tries his hand at welterweight. Makhachev has even said that his dream is to become a two-division UFC champion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 20, 2025

Henry Cejudo is giving Merab Dvalishvili the ultimate praise following UFC 311. Dvalishvili opened a lot of eyes when his first UFC Bantamweight Championship defense was over. The Georgian champion put his gold at stake against the previously unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov. While the challenger had a strong start in the fight, it was Dvalishvili who proved to have the superior conditioning and his grappling was on point against tough opposition. Dvalishvili walked out of the Intuit Dome with his 135-pound gold secured.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 20, 2025

Nate Diaz roasted Conor McGregor, Jake Paul, and Logan Paul during Inauguration Day. Donald Trump is being sworn back in as President of the United States today. Several big names in the combat sports and entertainment world will be present. That includes UFC CEO Dana White.

Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025

UFC sensation Jiri Prochazka has hit back at those who continue to criticize his style following his win at UFC 311. Last weekend, Jiri Prochazka made a real statement against Jamahal Hill. He was able to get back in the win column in style, finishing Hill in the third round of their intense light heavyweight encounter at UFC 311.

Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025

UFC star Reinier de Ridder has called out a few big names following his sophomore triumph at UFC 311 last weekend. So far, so good for Reinier de Ridder in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. After picking up a win and a finish in his debut with the company, de Ridder turned right around and submitted Kevin Holland in the first round at UFC 311 last weekend. It was a statement win, to say the least, even if Holland put in a poor performance.

Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025

UFC star Conor McGregor is in Washington DC to support Donald Trump ahead of his presidential inauguration later today. As we know, it’s been a complicated few months for Conor McGregor. The biggest moment, of course, came when he lost his sexual assault civil case. Ever since then, the Irishman’s image has been heavily tarnished. Many sponsors have distanced themselves from him and in addition to that, a lot of fans have retracted their support of the former two-weight world champion.

Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025

Renato Moicano and Paddy Pimblett continue to go back and forth and tease a future grudge match in the UFC. Last weekend, Renato Moicano challenged Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. He had just one day to prepare for this challenge and, in the end, he came up short in a first round submission defeat.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025

Islam Makhachev has shared his reaction to Umar Nurmagomedov’s first career defeat. Makhachev and Nurmagomedov were both in title fights on the UFC 311 card this past Saturday night. Makhachev successfully defended his UFC Lightweight Championship against Renato Moicano in the main event. Just prior to his walkout, Makhachev witnessed Nurmagomedov drop a unanimous decision to bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili in the co-headliner.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025

Renato Moicano has briefly spoken out following his first-round submission loss against Islam Makhachev. Moicano was given a golden opportunity this past Saturday night. Makhachev, the reigning UFC lightweight champion, was scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan in the UFC 311 headliner. Plans changed when Tsarukyan pulled out of the title fight due to a back injury. Since Moicano was able to make championship weight, he was called upon to replace Tsarukyan.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025

A gym rival got more than he bargained for when he sparred with Paddy Pimblett. Paddy “The Baddy” has been known for his boisterous personality, but he has backed up his trash talk thus far. While Pimblett has been settling his issues with other fighters inside the Octagon, his beef with Denis Frimpong took things to a whole new level.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White has weighed in on the possibility of Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Aaron Pico entering the Octagon. Freire was recently granted his release from the PFL after publicly sharing his gripes with how the promotion handled fighters under the Bellator banner. “Pitbull” felt Bellator’s demise began when the PFL took over and he felt the promotion’s co-founder Donn Davis had no real plan in place.

Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025

UFC star Arman Tsarukyan agrees with Dana White that a title shot shouldn’t be next for him after his issues at UFC 311 Last night was supposed to see Arman Tsarukyan challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship. Alas, that didn’t happen. Instead, Renato Moicano fought Makhachev as a result of Arman injuring his back. Ever since then, many have wondered what’s next for him.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan is no longer due for a UFC title opportunity, says Dana White. Tsarukyan was expected to challenge Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 311 this past Saturday night. During the weigh-ins on Friday, White took to social media to announce that Tsarukyan was pulled from the card due to a back injury. “Akhalkalakets” was replaced by Renato Moicano, who was submitted in the first round.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 19, 2025

Former UFC middleweight Darren Till made his Misfits Boxing debut a memorable one, and Dana White has responded. Till shared the ring with former Bellator fighter Anthony Taylor inside Co-op Live in Manchester, England this past Saturday. Till was initially expected to collide with Tommy Fury. That plan went awry when “The Gorilla” threatened to go rogue and use MMA tactics on Fury, who ultimately decided to pull out of the fight.

Harry Kettle - January 19, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has teased the idea of moving all the way up to middleweight. Last night, Islam Makhachev became the most decorated lightweight in UFC history. He did so by successfully defending his belt for a fourth time, submitting Renato Moicano in what proved to be a dominant performance.

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

The Octagon returned to Inglewood for tonight’s UFC 311 pay-per-view event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The event was headlined by a lightweight title fight featuring Islam Makhachev taking on Renato Moicano. The bout proved to be a short night for reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. After being stung by a good combination in the early moments of the contest, Islam quickly secured a takedown and proceeded to lock in a fight-ending d’arce choke (see that here). With the win, Makhachev now holds the record for most title defenses at lightweight (4), surpassing BJ Penn and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Chris Taylor - January 18, 2025

Tonight’s UFC 311 pay-per-view event was headlined by a lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Renato Moicano. Makhachev (27-1 MMA) was be looking to earn his fourth consecutive title defense this evening in California. The Russian standout was coming off stoppage wins over Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski in his most previous Octagon appearances.