MMA News

Arman Tsarukyan
Josh Barnett

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.

Paddy Pimblett, Dustin Poirier, UFC
Paddy Pimblett

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.

Islam Makhachev
Javier Mendez

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
Magomed Ankalaev

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
UFC

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.

Nick Diaz
Nick Diaz

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.

Merab Dvalishvili

What's next for the stars of UFC 311?

Cole Shelton - January 20, 2025

The UFC was in Inglewood, California for a solid UFC 311 card on Saturday, as the event saw two titles on the line. In the main event, Islam Makhachev took on Renato Moicano on 24 hours’ notice as he looked to defend his lightweight title. The co-main event saw Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title against Umar Nurmagomedov.

Freddie Haggerty
ONE Championship

Freddie Haggerty vows to stop Jordan Estupinan at ONE 170 

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 20, 2025

British striker Freddie Haggerty wants to start 2025 the same way he finished 2024 – with another knockout win.   The 20-year-old meets Colombian newcomer Jordan Estupinan at ONE 170 on Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s sold-out Impact Arena in flyweight Muay Thai action.

Chael Sonnen, Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen speak after being named coaches of The Ultimate Fighter 33: "We'll have to grapple!"

Josh Evanoff - January 20, 2025

UFC Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen can’t wait to coach The Ultimate Fighter. It’s no secret that the UFC’s long-running reality show has seen better days. Since the creation of the Dana White Contender Series in 2017, The Ultimate Fighter has taken a bit of a backseat. While the show has continued to run with the likes of Conor McGregor as coaches, ratings have badly declined.

Arman Tsarukyan
Dana White

Arman Tsarukyan intends to re-earn UFC title shot following Dana White's comments: "I will beat Oliveira again"

Josh Evanoff - January 20, 2025

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is ready to do whatever it takes to earn a title shot. The Armenian fighter was set to return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 311 over the weekend. Back for the first time since scoring a decision win over Charles Oliveira last April, Arman Tsarukyan was set to meet Islam Makhachev. Six years after the Russian scored a close decision win, the two were set to run it back for lightweight gold.

Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley, UFC 316, MMA
Sean O'Malley

Sean O'Malley's coach believes a healthy 'Suga' is Merab Dvalishvili's 'kryptonite': "We take him out"

Cole Shelton - January 20, 2025

Tim Welch the coach of Sean O’Malley believes his fighter is the kryptonite for Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley lost his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili in September at the Sphere. Dvalishvili was able to impose his will with his cardio and wrestling to win the fight. However, O’Malley was injured in the fight which Welch believes played a big role.

Merab Dvalishvili, UFC, UFC 311, MMA, California State Athletic Commission
UFC

Merab Dvalishvili explains how he tricked California Athletic Commission to fight at UFC 311

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).

Henry Cejudo Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili

Henry Cejudo calls Merab Dvalishvili the bantamweight GOAT following UFC 311 performance: 'You have to, man'

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.

Nate Diaz, Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua, boxing
Jake Paul

Nate Diaz torches Conor McGregor, Jake Paul, and Logan Paul: 'You f***ing dorks'

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.

Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev

Charles Oliveira reacts to Islam Makhachev's main event win at UFC 311

Harry Kettle - January 20, 2025

UFC star Charles Oliveira has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s victory in the main event of UFC 311. As we know, Charles Oliveira is one of the biggest stars in the Ultimate Fighting Championship right now. He’s a veteran, he’s a former world champion, and he’s eager to prove that he still has what it takes to win a belt at 155 pounds. Following his win over Michael Chandler, he’s also seen by many as one of the leading contenders for a future title shot against Islam Makhachev.

Jiri Prochazka
UFC

UFC star Jiri Prochazka reacts to criticism of his unique style: "F*** them"

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.

Conor McGregor, Nigel Farage
Donald Trump

Conor McGregor heads to Washington DC to support Donald Trump's inauguration

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.

Renato Moicano, Paddy Pimblett, UFC
Renato Moicano

Renato Moicano and Paddy Pimblett go back and forth as fans push for grudge match

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.