MMA News
Corey Anderson reacts to Bellator brand being terminated
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.
Joe Rogan explains why he loved watching Diego Sanchez fight
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.
Nico Carrillo promises to make ONE World Championship "vision" a reality at ONE 170
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.
Diego Ferreira expecting a "scrap" against Grant Dawson at UFC 311: "Look for the finish"
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025
Diego Ferreira is looking to remind the lightweight division that he’s still a legit contender. Ferreira is coming off a comeback win over Mateusz Rebecki in May. After the victory, the hope for Ferreira was to fight again before the year was up, but that didn’t happen after the UFC couldn’t find him a fight.
Denice Zamboanga eager to unify ONE World Titles with Stamp Fairtex
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.
Islam Makhachev vows to shut up Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 311: "Arman talk too much"
Cole Shelton - January 14, 2025
Islam Makhachev plans to make sure Arman Tsarukayn never talks about him again after UFC 311. Makhachev is set to rematch Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday night. It’s a highly-anticipated fight as it serves as a rematch of their 2019 bout which Makhachev won by decision. Tsarukyan had taken that fight on short notice in his UFC debut, but was still able to put forth a Fight of the Night performance.
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.
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.
WATCH | UFC champ Alex Pereira slugs it out with heavyweight boxer
BJ Penn Staff - January 14, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira got all he could handle in a recent sparring session with heavyweight boxer Igor Adiel Macedo. You can watch the pair go toe-to-toe below. As you can see, they were not holding back much at all.
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?
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
The UFC opened up 2025 with a strawweight main event as Mackenzie Dern took on Amanda Ribas on Saturday at UFC Vegas 101. The fight served as a rematch of their 2019 fight. Dern entered the fight coming off a decision win over Loopy Godinez which snapped her two-fight losing streak. Ribas, meanwhile, was coming off a decision loss to Rose Namajunas at flyweight as she dropped back down to 115lbs.
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.
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.
Arman Tsarukyan already targeting money fights ahead of UFC 311 clash with Islam Makhachev: "Just business"
Josh Evanoff - January 13, 2025
Ahead of his UFC title fight against Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan is thinking all about the money. The 28-year-old was last seen in the cage against Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in April. Riding a three-fight winning streak heading into the event, Arman Tsarukyan scored an impressive decision win over the former champion. In the process, he helped set the stage for a long-awaited rematch with Islam Makhachev.