MMA News

Cain Velasquez
Cain Velasquez

Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez signs with Global Fight League as team manager

Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2025

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has signed with the Global Fight League. The new team-based combat league was unveiled late last year. Founded by Darren Owen, the Global Fight League will have several teams based around the globe. Talent attached to the organization includes names such as Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, Wanderlei Silva, and Anthony Pettis.

Aaron Pico
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Donn Davis slams Aaron Pico's free agent status as "disinformation", reveals ongoing talks for new PFL deal: "We love him"

Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2025

PFL founder Donn Davis has fired back at claims that Aaron Pico is now a free agent. The 28-year-old is riding a wave of momentum right now. Aaron Pico famously signed with Scott Coker’s Bellator a decade ago, with high hopes and a lot of potential. Sadly, the young featherweight hit a few bumps in the road, suffering three losses in his first seven appearances inside the cage. However, it didn’t take Pico long to get used to fighting.

Norma Dumont, Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison

Norma Dumont interested in facing Kayla Harrison for interim title if Julianna Pena is injured: "We can do this"

Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2025

If Julianna Pena can’t fight, Norma Dumont wants to face Kayla Harrison for interim UFC gold. The UFC’s women’s bantamweight division is in a bit of a weird spot. Amanda Nunes famously vacated the gold in the summer of 2023, retiring following a decision win over Irene Aldana. A few months later, Raquel Pennington claimed the gold with a unanimous decision victory over Mayra Bueno Silva, in a dismal bout.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Paul Hughes
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Paul Hughes fires back at Khabib Nurmagomedov over comments about Irish MMA: "Conor made you famous"

Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2025

PFL lightweight contender Paul Hughes has fired back at Khabib Nurmagomedov. ‘The Eagle’ made headlines earlier this week with his controversial comments about Irish MMA. While Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired as a fighter these days, he’s still an active coach for his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov. The Bellator lightweight champion is slated to meet the rising Irish star Paul Hughes later this month in Dubai.

Eddie Alvarez Jeremy Stephens
Eddie Alvarez

Jeremy Stephens gives Eddie Alvarez stern warning ahead of BKFC: KnuckleMania 5

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 3, 2025

Jeremy Stephens has a stern warning for Eddie Alvarez ahead of their clash at BKFC: KnuckleMania 5. Both Stephens and Alvarez have been known for their exciting fighting styles throughout their careers. The two have not only had success inside the Octagon, as they’ve also made a splash under bare-knuckle boxing rules. Alvarez had a memorable five-round war with Chad Mendes, which he won via split decision back in April 2023. He’d end up being outgunned by Mike Perry later that year, falling short via TKO.

Conor McGregor David Feldman
Conor McGregor

BKFC owner David Feldman reacts to Conor McGregor's scathing rant on DAZN following mishap

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 3, 2025

BKFC owner David Feldman has shared his reaction to Conor McGregor going off on the DAZN streaming service. McGregor purchased minority stake in BKFC and he hasn’t been shy in speaking his mind on certain things involving the promotion. He was quite vocal about BKFC’s top star Mike Perry and claims he even fired “Platinum.” More recently, the “Notorious” one took aim at DAZN after fighters weren’t given interviews after victories during an event.

Donald Cerrone
Michael Bisping

UFC commentators provide suggestion for Donald Cerrone's return opponent

Harry Kettle - January 3, 2025

Michael Bisping and Paul Felder have provided suggestions for Donald Cerrone’s UFC return opponent. As many of you know, Donald Cerrone is planning a remarkable mixed martial arts comeback. Ever since retiring, he’s focused his attention on several different ventures – but now, he’s hungry to get back in the cage.

Michael Bisping
UFC

Michael Bisping reveals how he managed to pass UFC's pre-fight medical exams

Harry Kettle - January 3, 2025

UFC legend Michael Bisping has revealed how he was able to pass some of the promotion’s pre-fight medical exams. We all know that Michael Bisping is an absolute warrior – and that much is an understatement. ‘The Count’ achieved some incredible things in mixed martial arts, with the majority of his best highlights coming in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan
Islam Makhachev

UFC 311: ‘Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan 2’ Fight Card and Start Times

Harry Kettle - January 3, 2025

UFC 311 is right around the corner as we get ready for two blockbuster championship fights in California. Event: UFC 311: Makhachev vs Tsarukyan 2 Date: Saturday, 18th January 2025 Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, California) Broadcast: ESPN+ PPV, ESPN2, ESPN+ (10pm EST main card)

Nico Carrillo
ONE Championship

Superlek out! Nico Carrillo to face Nabil Anane for interim world title  

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 2, 2025

January’s huge ONE 170 event has taken an early hit, but the promotion has adapted quickly to alter a high-stakes affair.   Second-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo was set to collide with reigning king Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the belt. But the Thai superstar was forced to withdraw due to injury.  

Umar Nurmagomedov
UFC

Umar Nurmagomedov vows to "choke" out Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311: "I can finish you"

Cole Shelton - January 2, 2025

Umar Nurmagomedov believes he will finish Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311. Nuramgomedov is set to challenge Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title in a highly-anticipated matchup. It’s a fight many fans are looking forward to, and Nurmagomedov enters the bout with plenty of confidence, as he believes he won’t just win, but will finish Dvalshvili.

Kelvin Gastelum
Kelvin Gastelum

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer targeted for UFC Mexico City in March

Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2025

UFC Mexico City has reportedly added a middleweight tilt between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer. It’s been a rough few years for the 33-year-old former title challenger. He last competed at UFC Saudi Arabia in June, against Daniel Rodriguez. While the bout was initially set for welterweight, the fight was changed to a middleweight contest during fight week, after Kelvin Gastelum let the company know he couldn’t make 170 pounds.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, UFC, MMA
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov brutally slams current state of Irish MMA: "They don't have fighters brother"

Josh Evanoff - January 2, 2025

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov seems eager to revive his rivalry with Irish MMA. ‘The Eagle’ is retired as a fighter these days but serves as a coach for several high-profile fighters. One of those fighters is his cousin, Usman Nurmagomedov. The 26-year-old Bellator champion hasn’t been seen since a decision win over Alexandr Shabliy in September, but he’s set to return to the cage later this month.

Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

Eddie Alvarez explains why Michael Chandler's UFC tenure has been "frustrating" for him

Cole Shelton - January 2, 2025

Eddie Alvarez is frustrated with how Michael Chandler’s UFC tenure has gone. Alvarez and Chander fought twice in Bellator with both fighters winning a fight. Alvarez went on to become a UFC champ, while Chandler was the Bellator champ, but since joining the UFC, ‘Iron’ has had his struggles.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC, MMA
Khabib Nurmagomedov

Khabib Nurmagomedov's longtime manager names one UFC star who can match 'The Eagle's' unbeaten MMA record

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 2, 2025

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s longtime manager believes there is only one fighter who can match “The Eagle’s” undefeated MMA run. Nurmagomedov ended his pro MMA career with a perfect record of 29-0. He also walked away from pro MMA competition as the reigning UFC lightweight champion. Retiring as an undefeated champion is no small task in the world of MMA, but is there a chance someone can match what Khabib was able to accomplish?

Jon Jones press conference
Jon Jones

Former Jon Jones opponent predicts 'Bones' will retire after fighting Tom Aspinall in 2025

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 2, 2025

Chael Sonnen believes that 2025 will mark the final year in the historic career of Jon Jones. Jones is widely regarded as the most dominant fighter throughout MMA history. His lone defeat has been heavily debated, as it was a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill back in 2009. “Bones” has reigned as both the light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, and many are wondering when the 37-year-old legend will call it a career.

Ian Machado Garry
UFC

Ian Machado Garry offers to serve as backup fighter for Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2025

UFC star Ian Machado Garry has offered to serve as the backup fighter for Belal Muhammad vs Shavkat Rakhmonov. Ian Machado Garry is one of the most exciting welterweight fighters in the world. We all know that to be true, even if some people are still in a bit of denial. He has an incredible amount of potential and in his last outing against Shavkat Rakhmonov, he pushed his former training partner to the limit before ultimately coming up short on the scorecards.

Dana White's Twisted Steel
UFC

UFC president Dana White's bull Twisted Steel has passed away

Harry Kettle - January 2, 2025

UFC president Dana White’s prized bull, Twisted Steel, has sadly passed away. As we know, Dana White has many hobbies and interests outside the realm of mixed martial arts. He likes to keep himself busy, and that includes investing in a variety of other things. Some are sports-related and some aren’t, but perhaps the most fascinating was his purchase of a prized bull called Twisted Steel.