MMA News
Henry Cejudo rips Song Yadong following UFC Seattle main event announcement
Harry Kettle - January 8, 2025
UFC legend Henry Cejudo has ripped into Song Yadong following the announcement of their UFC Seattle main event. As we know, Henry Cejudo has done it all in combat sports. In addition to acquiring an Olympic gold medal, he’s also a two-weight UFC world champion. He is easily one of the most fascinating mixed martial arts fighters of his generation, and many would argue that’s down to his unique persona alone.
UFC fighter reveals cashing in 'good will' to turn down Alex Pereira
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
A UFC fighter has revealed cashing in his good will to turn down a possible bout with two-weight champion Alex Pereira. When it comes to intimidating fighters, they don’t get much more intimidating than Alex Pereira. Right now, he’s known as a two-weight world champion in the UFC. However, even when he first arrived, people knew what he was capable of thanks to his kickboxing prowess.
PFL reportedly axes $1 million prize for tournaments
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has reportedly cut their $1 million prize pot for their tournaments. Over the course of the last few years, PFL has worked hard to separate itself from the rest of the pack. One of the ways they’ve done this is by implementing a tournament/league style format in which the winners receive a $1 million prize.
WATCH | UFC champ Alex Pereira and middleweight contender Caio Borralho trade shots in sparring
BJ Penn Staff - January 7, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira is staying sharp between fights by sparring with one of the best middleweights in MMA at the moment: his fellow Brazilian, Caio Borralho. Pereira shared some footage from his tense sparring rounds with Borralho on social media. As you can see, both men definitely landed some hard shots — a testament to how good they both are.
Colby Covington loves the idea of facing 'weight bully' Michael Chandler next: "I just see him quitting"
Josh Evanoff - January 7, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington loves the idea of a fight against Michael Chandler. ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in the main event of UFC Tampa. Stepping up on short notice, Colby Covington faced rising contender Joaquin Buckley. While the former interim champion hoped to earn a title shot with a win, he was largely battered by ‘New Mansa’.
Cain Velasquez explains decision to join Global Fight League in coaching role: "Something that has never been done"
Josh Evanoff - January 7, 2025
Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has opened up on his decision to join the GFL. The 42-year-old former champion famously retired following a knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in early 2019. While Cain Velasquez hoped to have a successful stint in the WWE, injuries and poor booking led to his release in early 2020. Less than two years later, the former UFC champion had his life upended by a first-degree attempted murder charge.
Kevin Lee reveals UFC shot down offer to compete on Dana White's Contender Series: "He wasn't really interested"
Josh Evanoff - January 7, 2025
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee has opened up on his MMA comeback. ‘The Motown Phenom’ famously retired from fighting following a first-round submission loss to Rinat Fakhretdinov in July 2023. Just one fight into his second stint with the UFC, Kevin Lee decided to hang up the gloves for good. However, like many, many retirements in MMA, this one didn’t stick. Just months after retiring, Lee announced plans for a comeback.
Islam Makhachev addresses near-brawl with Nate Diaz at UFC 311 press conference: "What changed now?"
Josh Evanoff - January 7, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has opened up on his near-brawl with Nate Diaz. The two stars were in Las Vegas for last month’s UFC 311 presser. In the pay-per-view headliner next month in Los Angeles, Islam Makhachev will meet rising contender Arman Tsarukyan. The Russian famously handed the young lightweight a unanimous decision loss in Saint Petersburg back in 2019. However, tensions weren’t high between Makhachev and his next title challenger at the press conference.
Mike Perry fires yet another shot at Darren Till, wants to knock his 'fake teeth' out
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2025
Mike Perry remains hopeful that he can get his hands on Darren Till one day. Perry and Till have traded barbs throughout the years, but the two former UFC stars have yet to collide. “Platinum” has been busy putting in work under the BKFC banner and he’s looking to make a splash for Dirty Boxing Championship. As for Till, he’s set to meet Anthony Taylor on the Misfits Boxing 20 card, which is scheduled to take place on January 18th.
Movsar Evloev makes it clear he will chase Ilia Topuria fight
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
UFC star Movsar Evloev has made it clear that he wants to hunt down Ilia Topuria – regardless of the weight class. Over the course of the last few years, Movsar Evloev has emerged as one of the primary contenders in the featherweight division. Following his win over Aljamain Sterling recently, the expectation is that he’ll receive a title shot sooner rather than later.
Merab Dvalishvili tipped to become bantamweight GOAT by coach
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has been tipped to become the greatest bantamweight all of time sooner rather than later. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the current king of the bantamweight division. We also know that 135 pounds is one of the most competitive weight classes in all of mixed martial arts, and that’s been the case for a long time now in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As a result of that, we haven’t really seen too many people dominate the division in comparison to others.
Jake Peacock versus Shinji Suzuki set for ONE 171: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 7, 2025
Limb-different striking sensation Jake Peacock takes on Shinji Suzuki inside Qatar’s Lusail Sports Arena on Thursday, February 20, in a bantamweight Muay Thai showdown at ONE 171: Qatar. Peacock entered the fray at ONE Friday Fights 58 last April. The Road to ONE: Canada winner wowed onlookers with a three-round showcase against Kohei Shinjo, receiving many plaudits across social media.
Chael Sonnen wants to see Bo Nickal vs Khamzat Chimaev in the future
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen has made it known that he believes Bo Nickal vs Khamzat Chimaev should happen in the future. As we know, Bo Nickal is a very talented fighter. In addition, he’s also exceptionally confident in his abilities. He believes that he will go on to become a world champion in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and it’s not hard to see why. Still, he has a long way to go before achieving that goal, even if most believe he’ll be fast-tracked up through the rankings.
Former UFC champion believes Jon Jones is worried about potential title unification fight with Tom Aspinall: 'It will not be so easy'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2025
One ex-UFC titleholder believes that Jon Jones may have a bit of fear going into a potential mega fight with Tom Aspinall. Many fans and experts agree that the biggest fight that can be made in the UFC is a heavyweight title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall. “Bones” is the reigning champion with one successful title defense. Aspinall holds the interim gold and he also has a successful defense. Something has got to give at heavyweight, and UFC CEO Dana White has guaranteed that he will make Jones vs. Aspinall a reality this year.
Bo Nickal reveals key factor in potential future UFC fight with Khamzat Chimaev: 'The longer the fight goes, the worse it's going to get'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 7, 2025
Bo Nickal believes that his wrestling is a cut above Khamzat Chimaev’s. Nickal’s name has been in the spotlight despite only having seven pro MMA fights. Some fans believe a showdown with Chimaev is inevitable, although others are skeptical following Nickal’s recent showing against Paul Craig at UFC 309 back in November. There is still time for Nickal to grow in the sport of MMA, but Chimaev is already on the cusp of championship gold.
Stamp Fairtex reflects on 2024: “It was a year of learning”
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 7, 2025
Reigning ONE Atomweight MMA World Champion Stamp Fairtex was ready for a landmark year in 2024. That was up until injury struck and broke the Thai queen’s heart. Stamp will watch as #2-ranked contender Denice Zamboanga and #4-ranked contender Alyona Rassohyna vie to become the interim champ at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev this Friday, January 10, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Denice Zamboanga wants to test Alyona Rassohnya at ONE Fight Night 27
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 6, 2025
Second-ranked women’s atomweight MMA contender Denice Zamboanga’s confidence is higher than ever heading into ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev. And she wants to use it to her fullest extent. The Filipina meets Alyona Rassohnya for the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title this Friday, January 10, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
UFC CEO Dana White joins the Board of Directors at Meta: "The future of AI!"
Josh Evanoff - January 6, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has joined Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. It’s no secret that the 55-year-old promoter has been attempting to expand his business portfolio lately. After over two decades as the face of the UFC, Dana White founded the slap-fighting league ‘PowerSlap’ in early 2023. While that promotion has largely received negative reviews, he has no plans of shutting down the league.