MMA News
Jon Jones teases new career for life after mixed martial arts
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024
UFC legend Jon Jones has teased what he could end up doing when he eventually retires from mixed martial arts. As we know, Jon Jones is widely considered to be the greatest of all time in mixed martial arts. At this point, there are very few fans and pundits who dispute that. At the same time, he’s also the UFC heavyweight champion, and seems to have his eyes set on continuing his historic run next year.
Dan Hooker vs Justin Gaethje reportedly considered in huge possible lightweight fight
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024
Dan Hooker vs Justin Gaethje is reportedly being considered for a huge possible lightweight collision in the UFC next year. When you’re talking about the most entertaining fighters in the game, Dan Hooker and Justin Gaethje have to be in the conversation. Throughout the course of their entire careers, they have put on some of the most incredible scraps imaginable. From violent knockouts to all-out wars, these two know how to do it all.
Robelis Despaigne destroys opponent in four seconds at Karate Combat 51
Harry Kettle - December 20, 2024
Robelis Despaigne dismantled Dominik Jedrzejczyk in short order at Karate Combat 51 with his usual electric style. When it comes to fun, striking heavyweights in mixed martial arts, few are better than Robelis Despaigne. Ever since he burst on the scene courtesy of his quick finishing ability and incredible size, people haven’t been able to stop talking about him. Unfortunately, things started to go south when he entered the UFC.
Shamil Gasanov vs. Martin Nguyen booked for ONE 171
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 19, 2024
A heated featherweight MMA showdown has been confirmed for ONE 171: Qatar. Third-ranked contender Shamil Gasanov gets the clash he’s demanded versus the first-ever two-weight ONE World Champion Martin Nguyen. The pair will collide on Thursday, February 20, 2025, inside Doha’s Lusail Sports Arena.
Rodtang and Takeru set for historic kickboxing super-fight at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 19, 2024
ONE Championship hasn’t closed out 2024 yet and the promotion is already in the process of making 2025 the biggest year yet. This past Monday, ONE announced that at ONE 172 on Sunday, March 23, 2025, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will collide with former three-division K-1 World Champion Takeru Segawa.
Gilbert Burns responds to Colby Covington's callout
Cole Shelton - December 19, 2024
Gilbert Burns has responded to Colby Covington’s callout. After Burns leaked Chael Sonnen’s phone number, who is now Covington’s coach, ‘Chaos’ called out the Brazilian for his next fight. Covington said he wanted to get payback for Sonnen and felt like that fight also made sense.
Colby Covington offers to fight Gilbert Burns for leaking Chael Sonnen's phone number: "He's despicable!"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington wants to fight Gilbert Burns on Chael Sonnen’s behalf. ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Tampa last Saturday night. Back for the first time since a loss to Leon Edwards last year, Colby Covington stepped up on short notice to face Joaquin Buckley. ‘New Mansa’ entered the bout riding a wave of momentum, last scoring a knockout win over Stephen Thompson in October.
Kai Asakura vows to become UFC champion after suffering loss to Alexandre Pantoja: "Make my dream come true"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2024
Despite his loss to Alexandre Pantoja, Kai Asakura remains confident that he’ll become UFC flyweight champion. The former RIZIN bantamweight champion is fresh off his UFC debut earlier this month in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Juan Archuleta in December, Kai Asakura faced Alexandre Pantoja. The Japanese star got a rare title shot in his promotional debut, given the champion’s dominance over the flyweight division.
Jamahal Hill doesn't shy away from negative UFC fans: 'All publicity is good publicity'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 19, 2024
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill doesn’t mind any negative narratives surrounding him as long as people are paying attention. Hill has become a polarizing figure to fight fans. Some have criticized Hill for his comments on being knocked out by Alex Pereira. Others believe that the ex-UFC champion is misunderstood. Regardless of how you may feel about him, Hill knows that his name has been in the headlines more than ever before.
Kai Kara-France slams Manel Kape amid recent trash talk: 'He's all just talk, a lot of bark, no bite'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 19, 2024
Kai Kara-France is dismissive of Manel Kape’s bad boy persona. It’s no secret that Kape isn’t afraid to speak his mind. The former RIZIN champion has been known for his brash personality, and he certainly hasn’t slowed down since arriving to the UFC. As of late, Kape and Kara-France have exchanged words. Kape has even taken aim at Kara-France’s teammate Israel Adesanya.
Top UFC title contender picks Umar Nurmagomedov to dethrone Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311: 'People don’t really realize just how fast that guy is'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 19, 2024
One top-ranked UFC bantamweight doesn’t believe Merab Dvalishvili will get past Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili will put the 135-pound gold at stake when he meets Nurmagomedov at the UFC 311 pay-per-view on January 18th. The bout will be held inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. It’ll be the UFC 311 co-main event. Nurmagomedov is hoping to secure UFC gold before his teammate Islam Makhachev defends his lightweight title against Arman Tsarukyan in the main event.
Daniel Cormier isn't convinced by Conor McGregor boxing Logan Paul
Harry Kettle - December 19, 2024
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier isn’t sure he’s a fan of Conor McGregor potentially boxing Logan Paul in his next fight. The story of Conor McGregor is a complicated one. He’s the biggest star in the history of mixed martial arts, but he also has a very controversial past – and that’s us putting it lightly. Nowadays, following being found liable in his sexual assault civil case, there are far more questions than answers regarding his future.
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.
Shamil Gasanov hungry for growth despite win at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 18, 2024
Fourth-ranked featherweight MMA star Shamil Gasanov showed a whole new level to his talents at ONE Fight Night 26. But he believes the best version of himself has yet to come. “The Cobra” dispatched Halil Amir last Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, earning a unanimous decision over his tough Turkish adversary.
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.