MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 13, 2025

Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t plan on coaching for much longer. Nurmagomedov has prepared UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev for some pivotal bouts. This Saturday night will be no exception, as Makhachev will put his gold at stake against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event of UFC 311. “The Eagle” will be in Makhachev’s corner on fight night.

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - January 13, 2025

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has issued an injury warning ahead of his co-main event at UFC 311. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the king of the bantamweight division. He earned that title through years of hard work, capping it off with a victory over Sean O’Malley at the Sphere that earned him the gold.

Harry Kettle - January 13, 2025

UFC icons Robert Whittaker and Israel Adesanya trained together recently, for what seems to be the first time ever. As we know, Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker are two of the greatest middleweights of all time. Some may view that as an overstatement, but it really isn’t. Whittaker is a former champion and has been able to run through many of the other top middleweights of his generation. Adesanya, meanwhile, is one of the best champions of his era, and is a two-time title holder at 185 pounds.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 12, 2025

Usman Nurmagomedov doesn’t dislike Paul Hughes, but that won’t stop him from guaranteeing victory. Nurmagomedov is set to put his Bellator Bantamweight Championship at stake against Hughes on January 25th. The title fight will headline Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov is not only looking to keep his 155-pound gold, but he’s also hoping to remain undefeated in his pro MMA career.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 12, 2025

One former UFC double champion believes Jon Jones might make things look easy against Tom Aspinall. Many believe that the biggest fight the UFC can pull off in 2025 is Jones vs. Aspinall. The two would be fighting for the distinction of being the undisputed heavyweight champion. Jones holds the main title, while Aspinall is the interim champion. While there has been much talk about the potential matchup, whether or not “Bones” goes through with the fight or retires is the big question.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 12, 2025

Islam Makhachev appears determined to become a UFC “champ-champ,” no matter the cost. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight titleholder. He is one successful title defense away from breaking the UFC record at 155 pounds. He’ll look to achieve that feat when he collides with Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch at UFC 311 on January 18th.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 12, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili believes he has a strong business relationship with UFC CEO Dana White. Dvalishvili has been pushing himself as a company man as of late. White had previously expressed his gripes with the Georgian champion. The UFC boss wasn’t happy with Dvalishvili revealing he suffered a cut during sparring ahead of his UFC 306 title fight against Sean O’Malley.