MMA News
Donn Davis announces official end of Bellator MMA brand: "All fight events and content will be PFL"
Josh Evanoff - January 14, 2025
According to PFL founder Donn Davis, the Bellator MMA brand is officially no more. Bellator has had a rocky road since being founded by Bjorn Rebney in 2008. After a few years of running a tournament format producing talents such as Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler, Viacom bought the company. In 2014, Rebney parted ways with the company, leading to the signing of former Strikeforce boss, Scott Coker.
Nate Diaz responds to Islam Makhachev over water bottle incident at UFC 311 presser: "Thought religious people didn't lie"
Josh Evanoff - January 14, 2025
Nate Diaz has responded to UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. The rivalry between the Diaz brothers and the Eagles MMA team is quite a lengthy one. A decade ago, Nate Diaz famously got into a scuffle with former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at a World Series of Fighting event. While things didn’t get too out of hand that night, the two have been at odds ever since.
Dominick Cruz alleges Henry Cejudo turned down rematch for UFC Seattle: "He won't take that fight"
Josh Evanoff - January 14, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz badly wanted his last fight to be against Henry Cejudo. ‘The Dominator’ recently signed a deal to return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC Seattle next month. Back for the first time since a knockout loss to Marlon Vera in late 2022, Dominick Cruz will meet Rob Font. For his part, the latter was last seen in the cage in October, scoring a unanimous decision win over Kyler Phillips.
PFL releases longtime Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull after lengthy rant: "We are all about opportunity"
Josh Evanoff - January 14, 2025
Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull is no longer with the PFL. When Donn Davis and the PFL bought Bellator in late 2023, there was a lot of optimism from all parties involved. The new owners promised a loaded schedule for 2024 and quickly revealed a new broadcasting deal with Max. Sadly for Bellator fighters such as Patricio Pitbull, many of those promises went unfulfilled.
Akbar Abdullaev planning snatch and grab of Featherweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 27
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 14, 2025
Fifth-ranked featherweight MMA contender Akbar Abdullaev is looking to pull off the heist of the year at ONE Fight Night 27. “Bakal” challenges ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai this Friday, January 10. The pair meet in the main event inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Javier Mendez insists Islam Makhachev isn't overlooking Arman Tsarukyan prior to UFC 311: "We got a hell of a challenge in front of us'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2025
American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez isn’t overlooking Arman Tsarukyan, but he thinks Islam Makhachev will further prove just how good he is at UFC 311. Makhachev will put his UFC Lightweight Championship at stake when he collides with Tsarukyan a second time. Makhachev scored a unanimous decision victory over Tsarukyan in their first meeting back in 2019. While that fight was a competitive three-round grappling exchange, what could the rematch have in store?
Aljamain Sterling thinks Umar Nurmagomedov is unproven, expects Merab Dvalishvili to shut doubters up at UFC 311
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 14, 2025
Aljamain Sterling believes Merab Dvalishvili will silence the doubters once his UFC 311 clash with Umar Nurmagomedov has come to a close. Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov are set to clash this Saturday night at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. The UFC Bantamweight Championship will be at stake, and Dvalishvili is in search of his first successful title defense. A win for Nurmagomedov would mark his first UFC title victory.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 186 with Diego Ferreira
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025
The 186th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 311. We’re joined by UFC lightweight contender Diego Ferreira (0:52) to preview his UFC 311 fight.
What's next for Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas after UFC Vegas 101?
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025
Islam Makhachev reveals he wanted to step in for Khabib Nurmagomedov to fight Tony Ferguson
Harry Kettle - January 14, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has revealed that he previously wanted to step in for Khabib Nurmagomedov and fight Tony Ferguson. Right now, Islam Makhachev is easily one of the most impressive fighters in mixed martial arts. In fact, some would argue he’s the pound for pound best. This weekend, he’ll put that on the line – alongside his belt – when he defends against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311.
Jiri Prochazka predicts getting a third crack at Alex Pereira
Harry Kettle - January 14, 2025
UFC star Jiri Prochazka believes he will eventually get a third opportunity to fight UFC champion Alex Pereira. Over the years, Jiri Prochazka has made a career out of proving people wrong. While he’s always been exceptionally talented, he has an unorthodox style that isn’t to everyone’s taste. Since arriving in the UFC, it’s been more of the same, with Jiri becoming UFC light heavyweight champion pretty quickly.
Eddie Alvarez teases Bellator following dissolution of the brand
Harry Kettle - January 14, 2025
MMA veteran Eddie Alvarez has teased Bellator after the branding of the promotion was reportedly cut by PFL. As we know, Eddie Alvarez has been there and done it all in mixed martial arts. He’s won belts in pretty much every promotion he’s performed in, and he’s put on incredible fights along the way. Alas, we likely wouldn’t have known a whole lot about him if it wasn’t for his initial run in Bellator.
Holm Holm leaves UFC, set to explore free agency
Harry Kettle - January 14, 2025
UFC veteran Holly Holm is set to leave the UFC and explore free agency, as per a report from Ariel Helwani. Over the course over the last decade or so, Holly Holm has been an ever-present in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s been through highs and she’s been through lows, with her most notable moment coming when she shocked the world and handed Ronda Rousey her first mixed martial arts defeat.
Tom Aspinall offers promising update on long-awaited clash against Jon Jones: "I've said yes to the fight"
Josh Evanoff - January 13, 2025
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has agreed to fight Jon Jones later this year. The British star last appeared in the octagon at UFC 304 in Manchester last summer. Back for his first title defense of interim gold, Tom Aspinall scored a blistering first-round knockout win over Curtis Blaydes. Following the fight, he called for a long-awaited title unification bout with Jon Jones. Aspinall famously won the interim title with ‘Bones’ out due to injury in late 2023.
Colby Covington still confident he will be a UFC champion: "We’re going to do the unthinkable"
Cole Shelton - January 13, 2025
Colby Covington still believes he will be the undisputed UFC champion despite being on a two-fight losing streak. Covington is coming off a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley back in December at UFC Tampa. It was a disappointing loss and many thought it ended his time as a legit title contender. However, ‘Chaos’ is confident he has all the tools to be the champ and believes the best of his career is yet to come.
Akbar Abdullaev vs. Tang Kai: Why the MMA world needs an immediate rematch
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 13, 2025
Fifth-ranked ONE featherweight MMA star Akbar Abdullaev is a king without a crown, a ruler with no throne. The undefeated phenom dominated reigning ONE Featherweight MMA World Champion Tang Kai at ONE Fight Night 27 this past Friday, January 10. Abdullaev took the Chinese star to hell and back before securing a fifth-round TKO inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
UFC 311: Former champion can't see Islam Makhachev losing to Arman Tsarukyan this Saturday
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 13, 2025
A former UFC titleholder believes Islam Makhachev is simply on a higher level over Arman Tsarukyan. Makhachev and Tsarukyan will take center stage in the UFC 311 headliner this Saturday night. This will be Makhachev’s bid to become the new record holder for the most successful UFC lightweight title defenses. A win would not only further cement Makhachev’s legacy, it may also bring him one step closer to achieving his goal of becoming a double champion.
Michael Chandler lashes out over Khabib Nurmagomedov plane controversy
Harry Kettle - January 13, 2025
UFC star Michael Chandler has lashed out over Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent issue with regards to being removed from a plane. Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the most respected fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. In addition to being a dominant UFC lightweight champion, he also managed to retire with an unbeaten record of 29-0. In a sport like this, that kind of feat is practically unheard of.
Abdul Razak Alhassan provides health update following nasty KO loss
Harry Kettle - January 13, 2025
Abdul Razak Alhassan has provided an update on his health following his nasty knockout loss to Cesar Almeida. As many fans know, Abdul Razak Alhassan is always ready to throw hands. He’s willing to get in there and make it a fire fight if he has to, and more often than not, that’s what happens. Sometimes it goes his way and sometimes it doesn’t, but he goes out there and puts it all on the line in the name of entertaining the masses.