MMA News

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

Tommy Fury has become the latest influencer fighter to call for a boxing match with Conor McGregor. It’s no secret that ‘The Notorious’ is on the hunt for a return to the boxing ring. While Conor McGregor hasn’t competed in the octagon since a stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, he’s vowed to return. However, before fighting in the cage, the Irishman seemingly wants to face an influencer.

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.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 9, 2025

Bantamweight brawler Kulabdam has spent a lifetime honing his craft in the sport of Muay Thai. Across 96 professional bouts, the Thai star has cemented himself as a dangerous knockout artist.   Recently, “Left Meteorite” has witnessed former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker enter the world of Muay Thai. He’s seen him score consecutive knockouts, too.  

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 9, 2025

Joe Rogan has been informed by Dana White that the rumored $30 million asking price from Jon Jones is fake news. Rogan had taken to his podcast to reveal a rumor he heard that “Bones” was seeking the massive payout to fight Tom Aspinall sometime this year. The UFC color commentator was also under the belief that the promotion might just cash that check to Jones as well.

Harry Kettle - January 9, 2025

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has released mixed martial arts legend Urijah Faber, who many didn’t realize was still on the roster. When it comes to legendary fighters who turned to coaching in mixed martial arts, Urijah Faber is right up there with the best of them. He has achieved some wonderful things in his career, and that goes for both in and outside of the cage. Regardless of whether you liked him or hated him during his prime, there’s no denying what he’s been able to accomplish.

Harry Kettle - January 9, 2025

UFC star Michael Page has said that he would be absolutely fine with Shara Magomedov shooting a takedown on him at UFC Saudi Arabia. As we know, Michael Page is one of the most interesting fighters in mixed martial arts. He has an incredibly unique style and since arriving in the UFC, fans have been invested in seeing what he can do. Now, at UFC Saudi Arabia, he has the chance to spring an upset when he battles Shara Magomedov.

Cole Shelton - January 8, 2025

Mackenzie Dern is looking to avenge her 2019 loss to Amanda Ribas on Saturday. Dern is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Vegas 101 in a rematch against Ribas. It’s an intriguing matchup and serves as a rematch of their 2019 fight which Ribas won by decision.

Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2025

According to a recent report, Saudi Arabia’s PIF, and the UFC could announce a boxing league as soon as this month. It’s no secret that longtime UFC CEO Dana White has wanted to break into the boxing business. Having co-promoted Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in August 2017, the promoter quickly announced plans for Zuffa Boxing. Almost eight years later, it appears that White’s vision could be coming to fruition.

Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2025

It appears that Conor McGregor could meet KSI, and not Logan Paul, in the boxing ring next. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports since a stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier in July 2021. As fans likely recall, Conor McGregor broke his leg in the final seconds of the first round of that trilogy bout. While the Irishman promised a return to fighting by the end of 2022, that never came. Instead, McGregor has sat on the sidelines.

Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2025

Robbie Lawler vs. Mike Perry might go down in the BKFC ring later this year. ‘Platinum’ remains arguably the biggest star in the bare-knuckle fighting league. He was last seen in BKFC in April, scoring an impressive first-round knockout win over Thiago Alves. That victory earned him an opportunity to face Jake Paul in the boxing ring in July, where Mike Perry was handed a sixth-round stoppage loss.

Cole Shelton - January 8, 2025

Amanda Ribas believes she will earn a strawweight title shot with a win over Mackenzie Dern at UFC Vegas 101. Ribas is set to headline the first card of 2025 in a rematch against Dern. It’s a pivotal fight for the strawweight division as the winner will be closing in on a title shot. But, given the fact Ribas has never faced champion Weili Zhang, she thinks she could get a title shot with a win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 8, 2025

Sean O’Malley has taken a break from social media, and his head coach has explained why. O’Malley is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip. It’s an injury that “Suga” was dealing with prior to his UFC Bantamweight Championship loss to Merab Dvalishvili. While some might’ve thought that the time away from training would make O’Malley want to rev up his business on social media, that isn’t the case.