MMA News

Harry Kettle - January 16, 2025

A UFC legend has suggested that another fighter, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, could have a claim to being the lightweight GOAT. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov is recognized as one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time. He retired with an incredible 29-0 unbeaten record, he tore through some of the best in the world, and he rarely ever lost a round. He had a glittering career, and many consider him to be the best lightweight that has ever lived.

Harry Kettle - January 16, 2025

UFC fans have reacted to Dana White teasing a fight that “nobody will see coming” later this year. As we know, Dana White enjoys teasing big things being on the horizon in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Throughout the course of his entire run as president, he has constantly been putting on fights that fans want to see. Of course, in mixed martial arts, you always need to adapt and evolve.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2025

Lightweight Muay Thai star Sinsamut Klinmee is ready to get back to business, and he’s looking to kick the year off in style at ONE 170.   “Aquaman” meets divisional dark horse Nauzet Trujillo on Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.  

Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025

In the main event of UFC 311, the lightweight title is on the line as Islam Makhachev takes on Arman Tsarukyan. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a sizeable -400 favorite while the challenger is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. The pros believe Makhachev will beat Tsarukyan again to remain the UFC’s lightweight champ after UFC 311. However, all the pros believe it should be a very competitive fight as they feel like these are the two best lightweights.

Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025

In the co-main event of UFC 311, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as current champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on Umar Nurmagomedov. Heading into the fight, the champ is a +240 underdog while the challenger is a -330 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the bantamweight title fight at UFC 311. The pros believe Merab Dvalishvili will be able to pull off the upset and hand Nurmagomedov his first career loss at UFC 311.

Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025

Kevin Holland believes Reinier de Ridder quits when the going gets tough and he plans to prove that at UFC 311. Holland remains in the middleweight division to face de Ridder on the main card of UFC 311. It’s an intriguing bout, but Holland is confident he will get his hand raised and likely finish the former ONE Championship champ.

Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2025

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm is excited for the future. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with promotional newcomer Kayla Harrison in April. The bout was a big one for the 43-year-old, and she hoped to earn a title shot with a win. Instead, Holly Holm was taken down repeatedly in the UFC 300 prelim bout, ultimately suffering a second-round submission loss.

Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2025

Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill believes a rematch with Alex Pereira is on the horizon. ‘Sweet Dreams’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since his grudge match with ‘Poatan’ last April. In the main event of the historic UFC 300 event, Jamahal Hill was handed a brutal knockout loss by Alex Pereira. However, the former champion later appealed the loss, stating that referee Herb Dean played a massive role in the stoppage.

Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White says Conor McGregor won’t be boxing Logan Paul or KSI as rumored. McGregor was linked to a boxing match in India against Paul. But, he said he was focused on WWE and the attention then turned to KSI. However, White says neither of these fights will happen as McGregor’s next fight will be in the UFC.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 15, 2025

Ahead of UFC 311, Michael Bisping has a major concern for Arman Tsarukyan. It’ll be Tsarukyan who will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship this Saturday night. It’s a chance for “Ahalkalakets” to not only capture UFC gold for the first time, but get revenge on Makhachev for their 2019 bout.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 15, 2025

Dana White has responded to the Khabib Nurmagomedov flight incident exactly how you’d expect him to. Nurmagomedov found himself in an unwanted situation when he argued with a Frontier Airlines flight attendant over giving up his seat near the emergency exit. The UFC Hall of Famer ended up leaving the plane and he boarded another flight in order to make it to California for two title fights involving Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov this Saturday at UFC 311.

BJ Penn Staff - January 15, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan has something special prepared for Islam Makhachev at UFC 311. The card goes down this Saturday in Los Angeles, and Tsarukyan will challenge Makhachev for the coveted lightweight title in the main event. Makhachev is considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in MMA at present, so Tsarukyan faces an uphill battle, but he says he has developed a new technique he believes will help him win the fight.

Harry Kettle - January 15, 2025

MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has criticized Mackenzie Dern for not calling for a title shot after defeating Amanda Ribas. Last weekend, Mackenzie Dern avenged her 2019 loss to Amanda Ribas with a really nice submission win in their main event clash. Following the bout, she suggested that she wasn’t interested in calling for a title shot right now. Instead, she wants to focus on improving.

Harry Kettle - January 15, 2025

Corey Anderson has given his thoughts on PFL seemingly dissolving the Bellator brand following their purchase. As we now know, PFL have officially eliminated the Bellator brand following their purchase in late 2023. It was confirmed by Donn Davis, with all events being branded under the PFL banner moving forward. One man who was always going to be impacted by that is Corey Anderson, the Bellator light heavyweight champion.

Harry Kettle - January 15, 2025

UFC commentator Joe Rogan has explained what he loved about Diego Sanchez during his prime as a fighter. Over the years, Diego Sanchez has been involved in some absolutely crazy fights. As a mixed martial artist, he went out there and put it all on the line every single time. Of course, he had more than a few setbacks along the way, but in his prime he was near enough unstoppable.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2025

Second-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico “King of the North” Carrillo is on the brink of realizing his dream of holding gold in ONE Championship.   “King of the North” battles #5-ranked Nabil Anane for the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 170 on Friday, January 24, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena. 

Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025

Eric Nicksick, the head coach of Chris Curtis, wasn’t a fan of referee Mark Smith and his stoppage at UFC Vegas 101. Curtis suffered a third-round knockout loss to Roman Kopylov on the main card. The fight was stopped with one second left after Kopylov landed a head kick that dropped Curtis, but Kopylov walked away and didn’t land any punches. Many thought it was an early stoppage, especially with one second left.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 14, 2025

ONE Interim Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice Zamboanga made herself undeniable this past Friday, January 10.   “The Menace” dismantled Alyona Rassohnya in the second round of their interim World Title bout at ONE Fight Night 27, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. And now she’s looking at what’s to come.