MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 8, 2025

Fourth-ranked ONE atomweight contender Alyona Rassohyna believes she’s on the cusp of achieving her dream of holding gold in ONE Championship.   The Ukrainian standout battles #2-ranked contender Denice Zamboanga for the ONE Interim Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev, this Friday, 10 January, in Bangkok, Thailand, at Lumpinee Stadium. 

Harry Kettle - January 8, 2025

UFC fighter Chris Curtis has revealed the repairs that have been made in his complicated friendship with Sean Strickland. As we know, Sean Strickland is a pretty complex individual. He has done and said plenty of things to frustrate mixed martial arts fans over the years, and he’ll likely continue to do so. For as long as he’s around, he’ll make the masses feel uncomfortable in any way he can.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - January 7, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White has revealed the full UFC Seattle card which features a key bantamweight bout. The promotion will be returning to Seattle on February 22 for a Fight Night card. Although the card is still several weeks away, White took to social media to share the full fight card, which is a solid card.

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’.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - January 7, 2025

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has shared his prediction for a heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. Jones vs Aspinall would be one of the biggest fights to make this year and many hope it will happen. UFC CEO Dana White has said he thinks the fight will happen, and if it does, many would be torn on who would win.

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.

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.

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.  

Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025

UFC star Michael Chandler’s spot in the UFC lightweight rankings has been questioned by Grant Dawson. As we know, Michael Chandler is a real “do or die” kind of fighter. He goes out there and puts on a show regardless of who he’s up against, and he proved that once again in his rematch with Charles Oliveira.

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.

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.

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.  

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 6, 2025

Two-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin is out for revenge in 2025.   The Russian knockout artist suffered the first loss of his professional MMA career this past November at ONE 169. He lost his heavyweight crown by unanimous decision to “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane.