MMA News
Chael Sonnen explains what would've happened if he fought Jorge Masvidal and a handful of other fighters
Harry Kettle - December 19, 2024
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen has explained what would’ve happened if he fought Jorge Masvidal and a handful of other fighters in his career. When it comes to discussing the kings of trash talk, Chael Sonnen is up there with the very best of him. While he was obviously a very talented fighter in his own right, he really came into his own when it came to what he was able to do on the microphone. That, in many ways, is what made him a legend.
Colby Covington hits back at Jon Jones following recent war of words
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024
UFC fighter Colby Covington has hit back at Jon Jones as their war of words over social media continues. As we know, Colby Covington and Jon Jones aren’t big fans of one another. As we also know, many others aren’t big fans of Colby Covington either. He’s targeted many fighters over the course of the last few years in his rants, but few have received quite as much criticism of Jon Jones.
Tyron Woodley discusses 'running' Colby Covington out of American Top Team
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024
Former UFC fighter Tyron Woodley has told the story of ‘running’ Colby Covington ‘out’ of American Top Team back in the day. As we know, Colby Covington is a pretty controversial individual. For as long as we can remember, he has made it his mission to wind up as many people as he possibly can in mixed martial arts. He’s managed to get some pretty big opportunities out of that, but unfortunately for him, there’s been no world title to claim at the end of it.
Adriano Moraes versus Yuya Wakamatsu II booked for ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 18, 2024
At ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, the coveted ONE Flyweight MMA World Championship will finally find a new home. Former divisional king Demetrious Johnson retired this past September at ONE 168. Now the gold will return to former king Adriano Moraes or leave with #2-ranked contender Yuya Wakamatsu. The two clash on Sunday, March 23, 2025, inside Tokyo, Japan’s iconic Saitama Super Arena.
Alex Pereira claims his next fight "won't" be against Magomed Ankalaev
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2024
Alex Pereira says he won’t be fighting Magomed Ankalaev next time out. After Pereira beat Khalil Rountree and Ankalaev defeated Aleksandar Rakic, many assumed that would be the next fight. Ankalaev is the clear-cut No. 1 at light heavyweight, but taking to his Instagram on December 18, Pereira claims his next title defense won’t be against the Dagestani native.
Aljamain Sterling vents frustration over Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov fight booking
Cole Shelton - December 18, 2024
Aljamain Sterling is frustrated with how Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov was made. Dvalishvili is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time in the co-main event of UFC 311 against Nurmagomedov. It’s the fight many fans wanted to see, but Sterling doesn’t like how the bout was made on short notice.
Dustin Poirier expects to make announcement of final UFC appearance soon: "We're close to making it happen"
Josh Evanoff - December 18, 2024
Dustin Poirier hopes to announce his final UFC fight shortly. ‘The Diamond’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon since his June clash with Islam Makhachev. In his third, and likely final shot at undisputed UFC lightweight gold, Dustin Poirier gave it his all. The longtime fan-favorite went back and forth with the champion for four rounds, before being submitted in the fifth and final frame.
Tyron Woodley opens up on decision to return to MMA under Global Fight League banner: "Part of the new wave"
Josh Evanoff - December 18, 2024
Former UFC champion Tyron Woodley couldn’t be happier to be with the Global Fight League. Earlier this month, the Global Fight League announced plans to start holding events in April. While the company was formed back in 2021, it’s taken a few years for executives such as Darren Owen to start getting their legs under them. Over the last few years, the upstart league has focused on signing a lot of ex-UFC talent.
Islam Makhachev's coach reveals what Ilia Topuria must do to get UFC super fight: 'Now people will look at him like he’s a lightweight'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2024
Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez believes Ilia Topuria must prove himself as a lightweight if he wants a title shot at 155 pounds. Topuria currently holds the UFC Featherweight Championship. “El Matador” recently teased moving up to the lightweight division, although he has since clarified that a decision hasn’t been made at this time. Topuria has made it clear that a future showdown with Makhachev is on his mind, although the feeling doesn’t appear to be mutual.
Movsar Evloev targets next UFC fight for early 2025 before Ramadan, predicts Ilia Topuria's next bout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2024
Movsar Evloev wants to get back in action before Ramadan. Evloev recently had a competitive three-round featherweight battle with former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. The bout took place on the preliminary portion of UFC 310, and Evloev emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
Beneil Dariush's MMA future at stake against Renato Moicano at UFC 311: 'If I don’t have the ability to be champion, I would more than likely walk away from the sport'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2024
Beneil Dariush’s pro MMA career could very well hang in the balance at UFC 311. Dariush is scheduled to share the Octagon with Renato Moicano inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on January 18th. At the age of 35, Dariush is hoping to avoid his third loss in a row. He spent all of 2024 away from competition, and a win over Moicano would certainly serve as a major confidence boost for the soon-to-be 30-fight veteran.
Stephen A Smith makes surprising Conor McGregor vs Logan Paul prediction
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024
Stephen A Smith has given his prediction for the heavily rumored boxing match between Conor McGregor and Logan Paul. As many of you would’ve heard, Conor McGregor has suggested that he will battle Logan Paul in an upcoming boxing match. Then, following that adventure, he plans on stepping foot back in the Octagon.
Colby Covington falls three places in UFC welterweight rankings after latest loss
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024
UFC star Colby Covington has fallen in the welterweight rankings following his defeat to Joaquin Buckley last weekend. As we all know, Colby Covington is a pretty controversial figure. He has done and said a lot of things to wind people up over the years and for the most part, it’s worked. Well, at the very least, it’s worked in the sense that a lot of people in the mixed martial arts community can’t stand him. Still, he manages to get big fights on a fairly regular basis.
Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn't want Islam Makhachev to fight Belal Muhammad
Harry Kettle - December 18, 2024
Khabib Nurmagomedov has explained why he isn’t a fan of the idea of Islam Makhachev facing off against Belal Muhammad. As we know, Belal Muhammad is the UFC welterweight champion. He earned that title by defeating Leon Edwards, and he did so in fairly convincing fashion. Up next, the expectation is that he will defend the belt against number one contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Victorious Cole Abate excited for future with ONE Championship
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 17, 2024
Highly touted submission grappling star Cole Abate delivered the goods in his ONE Championship debut last Friday, December 6, and he’s already looking forward to a huge 2025. The American prodigy submitted former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion and combat sports icon Shinya Aoki in their lightweight submission grappling bout at ONE Fight Night 26.
Reece McLaren wants ONE Flyweight MMA World Title: "I'm coming for what's mine"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 17, 2024
Fourth-ranked ONE Championship flyweight MMA star Reece McLaren believes he’s cinched his opportunity with both hands at ONE Fight Night 26 as he looks ahead to a huge 2025. The charismatic Australian outworked interim strawweight MMA king Jarred Brooks this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Now he believes he did enough to place his name in the hat for a shot at the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title.
What's next for Joaquin Buckley and Colby Covington after UFC Tampa?
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2024
The UFC ended the 2024 year with a solid Fight Night card in Tampa, Florida, which saw Joaquin Buckley take on Colby Covington in the main event. Buckley entered the fight coming off a KO win over Stephen Thompson as he was 3-0 since dropping down to welterweight. Covington, meanwhile, was fighting for the first time in a year after he lost to Leon Edwards for the welterweight title.
Conor McGregor surprisingly opens as underdog in potential boxing match against Logan Paul
Cole Shelton - December 17, 2024
Conor McGregor announced he would be boxing Logan Paul in India in 2025. McGregor hasn’t fought since July of 2021 when he broke his leg in the trilogy match against Dustin Poirier. He was booked to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303 but he was forced out of the bout and now he took to X to claim his next fight will be a boxing match.