MMA News
Global Fight League announces April 2025 launch, roster comprised of 8 ex-UFC champions including Tyron Woodley
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
Earlier today, the newly founded Global Fight League announced a spree of signings including Tyron Woodley. Heading into 2025, the MMA space is largely lacking big-name promoters. While the UFC and Dana White are going strong, the likes of PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship have all seen better days. Organizations such as KSW and RIZIN have kept their footholds in the market, but haven’t drawn a lot of North American attention as of late.
Colby Covington unleashes on 'woman beater' Jon Jones: "He is a f*cking coward!"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC welterweight Colby Covington has again taken aim at heavyweight champion Jon Jones. ‘Chaos’ is set to return to the cage for the first time in a year this Saturday night in Tampa. Back for the first time since losing to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 in December, Colby Covington will meet Joaquin Buckley. For his part, ‘New Mansa’ is fresh off a third-round knockout win over Stephen Thompson in October.
Alexandre Pantoja believes Kai Kara-France is most likely title challenger following UFC 310 win: "Makes the most sense"
Josh Evanoff - December 11, 2024
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja believes a fight with Kai Kara-France is likely next. ‘The Cannibal’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since defeating Steve Erceg in May, Alexandre Pantoja faced former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura. The 32-year-old was granted a near-unprecedented title shot in his promotional debut, given the Brazilian’s dominance over the division.
Yuya Wakamatsu wants shot at vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2024
It’s been over two years since #2-ranked flyweight MMA contender Yuya Wakamatsu last challenged for the gold. And now that he’s accumulated a strong three-fight winning streak, the Japanese jouster wants his punt at the vacant belt. “Little Piranha” dominated newcomer Gilbert Nakatani this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium at ONE Fight Night 26, strengthening his chance to vie for the weight bracket’s coveted prize.
UFC veteran announces shocking retirement one month after submission loss: 'Injuries have caught up with me'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
One UFC fighter has stunned the MMA community with the announcement of his retirement. Since his days under the Cage Warriors banner, fans enjoyed the fighting style of Jack Shore, and for good reason. Shore has only gone the distance four times in his career and he’s scored nine submissions and four knockouts. With 13 finishes in 17 wins and only three losses on his resume, one wouldn’t think that a 29-year-old would walk away from the sport.
Daniel Cormier shares interesting theory on Ilia Topuria's callout of Charles Oliveira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2024
Daniel Cormier has shared why he thinks Ilia Topuria called out Charles Oliveira. Topuria is the reigning UFC featherweight champion, but he has flirted with the idea of moving up to lightweight. In fact, he has already shown interest in expediting the process. More recently, “El Matador” suggest a clash with Oliveira where the winner gets a shot at the 155-pound gold.
Jonathan Di Bella satisfied with return to win column at ONE Fight Night 26
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2024
Former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella proved he belongs in the mix for the weight bracket’s crown at ONE Fight Night 26. The Canadian-Italian executed a decisive three-round display against surging contender Rui Botelho this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Conor McGregor calls out 'wannabe' featherweight champ Ilia Topuria
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Conor McGregor is back beefing with champions instead of worrying about his personal issues. Based on McGregor’s status with the UFC and Dana White’s non-committal stance regarding McGregor’s legal troubles, a return to MMA is anything but priority.
Dustin Poirier intrigued with Ilia Topuria's potential move to lightweight
Zain Bando - December 10, 2024
Dustin Poirier has responded to Ilia Topuria’s potential plans to move up to lightweight. Poirier, the former UFC interim lightweight champion, is itching for one more fight before his eventual retirement.
Colby Covington vows to give fans a "treat" against Joaquin Buckley at UFC Tampa
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2024
Colby Covington plans to prove the doubters wrong at UFC Tampa. Covington is set to return to the Octagon for the first time in a year when he headlines UFC Tampa against Joaquin Buckley. The former interim welterweight champion is coming off a lackluster loss to Leon Edwards in a fight for the promotion’s welterweight title.
Conor McGregor remains interested in Michael Chandler fight despite ongoing legal issues: "I'll see you at the top"
Josh Evanoff - December 10, 2024
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has again teased a return to the cage against Michael Chandler. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t been seen in action since a 2021 stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier. That night saw Conor McGregor snap his leg in the final seconds of their UFC 264 headliner, but he swore a return to the cage by the end of 2022. Nearly four years on from his loss to ‘The Diamond’, the Irishman still hasn’t fought.
Michael Chiesa eyeing Demian Maia's submission record following UFC 310 win: "I want that so bad"
Josh Evanoff - December 10, 2024
Longtime welterweight contender Michael Chiesa wants to make UFC history. ‘Maverick’ is fresh off his return to the octagon on the prelims of UFC 310 over the weekend. Back for the first time since submitting Tony Ferguson in August, Michael Chiesa faced Max Griffin. ‘Max Pain’ entered the bout fresh off a split-decision victory over Jeremiah Wells in February, and hoped to move his winning streak to two.
UFC announces two fights for UFC London including potential title eliminator at light heavyweight
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2024
Two fights for UFC London on March 22 have been announced. The promotion took to social media to reveal two fights for the Fight Night card, and it includes a potential title eliminator fight at light heavyweight. The bout sees former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz take on rising contender Carlos Ulberg.
Christian Lee open to "immediate" rematch with Alibeg Rasulov
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 10, 2024
The long-awaited return of two-division ONE MMA World Champion Christian Lee was far from cathartic. Lee’s defense of his lightweight MMA gold against Alibeg Rasulov ended in a no contest following a poke to the eye of the challenger in the second round in ONE Fight Night 26’s main event this past Friday, December 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Clay Guida issues statement following UFC 310 loss to Chase Hooper: 'We will be back'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2024
Clay Guida has issued a statement on his UFC 310 loss to Chase Hooper, and he isn’t going anywhere. Guida took on Hooper during the early UFC 310 prelims. “The Carpenter” was submitted in the first round via armbar. This is the first time in Guida’s pro MMA career where he’s dropped three fights in a row. During the UFC 310 post-fight press conference, Dana White admitted he’d like to see Guida retire.
Former UFC star backs Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 310 fan altercation: 'Keep to your f*cking self, bro'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2024
One former UFC star is on Merab Dvalishvili’s side when it comes to fan altercations. Dvalishvili was in attendance for UFC 310 in support of Aljamain Sterling. After Sterling dropped a unanimous decision to Movsar Evloev, Dvalishvili got physical with a fan in the crowd. The bantamweight champion has since claimed the fan in question was a plant set up by Umar Nurmagomedov and his team.
Aljamain Sterling admits he is contemplating retirement after recent loss at UFC 310: “I can’t train the way I used to”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
UFC star Aljamain Sterling has admitted that he is contemplating retirement from mixed martial arts following his recent setback at the hands of Movsar Evloev. At UFC 310, Aljamain Sterling faced a pretty tough test – and that’s us putting it lightly. He went up against an absolute machine in the form of Movsar Evloev, and in the eyes of many, he did just about enough to get the job done and get his hand raised. Unfortunately, the judges didn’t quite agree with that.
Kamaru Usman slams Ian Machado Garry for ducking accusations: “Who the f*** is that guy for me to be a late replacement for?”
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2024
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman isn’t happy with recent comments made by top welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry. For the longest time now, Kamaru Usman has served as one of the biggest names in the welterweight division. Once upon a time, he was one of the most notable stars in the entire sport of mixed martial arts.