MMA News

Harry Kettle - January 11, 2025

UFC star Conor McGregor put in some tough challenges during a local football match this weekend. Right now, the world of mixed martial arts is following every single move that Conor McGregor makes. So, while a bit of exercise playing football (soccer for those in North America) isn’t that big of a deal, it’s worth noting when it comes to the Irishman.

Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2025

According to Ariel Helwani, next week’s UFC 311 event in Los Angeles could be moved. As many are likely aware, devastating wildfires are currently ravaging California. As of now, 10,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed, and several have died. Due to the fires, several sporting events, including an NFL playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings, have been moved.

Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2025

40-year-old Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg still wants a fight inside the cage. It’s no secret that the tech giant has become incredibly close to MMA over the last few years. In 2022, the billionaire began training in MMA and jiu-jitsu. Quickly, videos of Mark Zuckerberg on the mats spread like wildfire. A year later, he entered a BJJ tournament winning a silver and gold medal competing as a white belt in gi and no-gi.

Josh Evanoff - January 10, 2025

Former UFC title challenger Kevin Lee hopes to meet Tony Ferguson in the Global Fight League. ‘The Motown Phenom’ is one of the Global Fight League’s more high-profile signings. Kevin Lee famously retired following a loss in the UFC in 2023, but he quickly u-turned on the idea. After picking up a submission win over Thiago Oliveira at Lights Out Championship 17 in September, he signed a deal with the GFL.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 10, 2025

Islam Makhachev is confident that he could’ve finished Dustin Poirier on the feet if Khabib Nurmagomedov allowed him too. Makhachev and Poirier shared the Octagon back in June 2024. Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship was at stake. In the champion’s corner was none other than Nurmagomedov, who was none too pleased with his fighter’s decision to keep the fight standing.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 10, 2025

The UFC Vegas 101 weigh-ins are coming at you live on Friday afternoon, and we’ve got you covered. The UFC makes its 2025 debut this Saturday in Las Vegas. Headlining the first card of the year will be a rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas. The two went toe-to-toe back in 2019, and Ribas ended up handing Dern her first pro MMA loss. Can Dern get revenge to earn her second win in a row?

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 10, 2025

Dan Hooker may engage in some banter with fellow UFC lightweights, but he doesn’t take things personal. Hooker has had his fair share of trash talk with the likes of Renato Moicano, Michael Chandler, and Dustin Poirier in the past. “The Hangman” isn’t known for running his mouth, but he will have some words for other 155-pounders on occasion. While the war of words can be fun for the top-10 UFC lightweight, he isn’t so sure that he can say he has actual beef with anyone.

Harry Kettle - January 10, 2025

UFC star Ilia Topuira could end up being in the corner of Merab Dvalishvili for his title fight at UFC 311 next weekend. Right now, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts. He is the UFC featherweight champion, he’s built up a huge name for himself, and last year he knocked out both Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. If that isn’t impressive, we truly don’t know what is.

Harry Kettle - January 10, 2025

UFC legend Kamaru Usman has hit back at rival UFC welterweights after constantly being called out in recent months. As we know, Kamaru Usman is one of the best fighters of his generation. He’s also one of the greatest welterweights of all time, having an incredible run both before and during his time as champion. However, he hasn’t fought in a while, leaving many to wonder what’s next for him.

Harry Kettle - January 10, 2025

Hollywood legend Mel Gibson has explained why he feels sorry for UFC fighters despite being a big fan of mixed martial arts. Over the course of the last ten years, mixed martial arts has really hit the mainstream. Yes, it was a big deal before that, but it feels like it’s starting to be recognized as an established part of the sporting calendar. It has fans from every corner of the planet, and it also has a lot of supporters within the world of Hollywood.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 9, 2025

Canadian submission specialist Dante Leon hasn’t forgotten his first encounter with ONE World Title challenger Tommy Langaker. The pair met seven years ago. And Leon believes the rematch has been a long time coming.  The grappling superstars will battle in 180-pound catchweight submission grappling extravaganza at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev, this Friday, January 10.   

Cole Shelton - January 9, 2025

Dominick Cruz will soon be making the walk to the Octagon for the final time. Cruz is set to return in the co-main event of UFC Seattle against Rob Font on February 22. It will be the first time the former bantamweight champ fights since August of 2022 and he says it will be the last time he competed.

Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo believes he’ll stop Song Yadong next month. ‘Triple C’ recently had his return to the cage announced for the main event of UFC Seattle in February. For Henry Cejudo, the bout will end a yearlong hiatus from the octagon. The former two-weight champion was last seen in the cage last February, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili.

Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2025

Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov isn’t worried about Conor McGregor or Paul Hughes. The 26-year-old hasn’t been seen in the Bellator cage since a title defense against Alexandr Shabliy in September. While some expected the challenger to pose some issues for Usman Nurmagomedov, the champion largely dominated. The unanimous decision victory helped set the stage for a heated clash with Paul Hughes later this month.

Josh Evanoff - January 9, 2025

UFC welterweight contender Gilbert Burns is opening up on his previous meeting with Colby Covington. ‘Durinho’ and ‘Chaos’ have been feuding for a few weeks now. For his part, Colby Covington is fresh off a return to the cage in the main event of UFC Tampa last month. Stepping up on short notice alongside new coach Chael Sonnen, the former interim welterweight champion was handed a third-round stoppage loss against Joaquin Buckley.

Cole Shelton - January 9, 2025

UFC commentator Joe Rogan has walked back on his claim that Jon Jones wants $30 million to fight Tom Aspinall. Rogan sent shockwaves through the MMA community after he said Jones wants $30 million to take the fight. However, on his podcast, the UFC commentator claimed that the rumor wasn’t true.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 9, 2025

An ex-UFC title challenger feels that Alex Pereira would have a good chance at defeating Jon Jones. The future of Jones, who is the reigning UFC heavyweight champion, is uncertain. While UFC CEO Dana White has been trying to book Jones to face interim heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall, “Bones” has said he needs a big payday to make that fight a reality. The future UFC Hall of Famer has also expressed more interest in facing Pereira.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 9, 2025

Kamaru Usman has sent a clear message to the UFC welterweight division. Usman hasn’t been in action since October 2023 when he took a short notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev. “The Nigerian Nightmare” has said he isn’t 100 percent and is waiting to get healthy before he takes another fight. That hasn’t stopped the likes of Ian Machado Garry from claiming that the former UFC welterweight champion is afraid to step back inside the Octagon.