MMA News
UFC 311 adds numerous high profile fights, including Jiri Prochazka vs. Jamahal Hill
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2024
UFC 311 has added a parade of high profile fights – including a blockbuster light heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka and Jamahal Hill. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is coming out swinging to kickstart 2025. In what promises to be a blockbuster year for the promotion, they’ll be getting things underway in style with UFC 311, the first pay-per-view event, which will go down on January 18 in Inglewood, California.
Beneil Dariush set to end lengthy hiatus at UFC 311 against Renato Moicano
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2024
UFC lightweight contenders Beneil Dariush and Renato Moicano will collide in January. The 35-year-old hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Arman Tsarukyan last December. That bout saw Beneil Dariush get knocked out in his second straight fight, previously being finished by Charles Oliveira in June. Due to concerns about his brain health, the lightweight contender decided to take a yearlong hiatus.
Bellator champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix request release due to inactivity: "Let me go respectfully"
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2024
Bellator champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix have become the latest to request a release. It’s been just over a year since Donn Davis and the PFL bought Bellator. When the deal was first announced, there was a lot of excitement among fighters, because of what they were told. PFL executives including Davis promised fighters the opportunity to compete in either the tournament format, or hop over to Bellator and fight in one-off events.
WATCH | Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill nearly come to blows in confrontation at UFC PI
Josh Evanoff - December 5, 2024
The bad blood between UFC champion Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill nearly boiled over earlier today. ‘Poatan’ and ‘Sweet Dreams’ have gone back and forth online, and in interviews, for months now. The feud stems from their meeting in the main event of UFC 300 in April. In the build to the contest, the two were largely respectful. However, Alex Pereira admitted post-fight that Jamahal Hill had gotten on his nerves while promoting the fight.
UFC 310 | Pro fighters make their picks for Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry
Cole Shelton - December 5, 2024
In the co-main event of UFC 310, a No. 1 contender bout at welterweight goes down as Shavkat Rakhmonov takes on Ian Machado Garry. Heading into the fight, Rakhmonov is a massive -410 favorite while the Irishman is a +290 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the welterweight fight. In the end, the pros believe Rakhmonov will remain undefeated and hand Garry his first career loss at UFC 310 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Max Holloway warns fans not to underestimate Ian Machado Garry ahead of UFC 310: 'He can change on a dime'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2024
Max Holloway doesn’t believe the UFC 310 co-main event will be the wipeout some are predicting. Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry will do battle this Saturday night. The welterweight clash came to be after UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad was forced to pull out of a planned title defense against Rakhmonov. Now, fight fans will get to witness a clash between two undefeated welterweight contenders.
Dana White announces two major title fights for UFC 311: Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan and Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2024
UFC 311 will be getting two major title fights. Dana White, UFC CEO, recently took to social media to drop some major news on his promotion’s first pay-per-view event of 2025. In the main event of UFC 311, Islam Makhachev will put his lightweight championship at stake against Arman Tsarukyan.
Shavkat Rakhmonov scoffs at Ian Machado Garry's UFC 310 prediction: 'I think he is delusional'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2024
Shavkat Rakhmonov doesn’t see himself being stopped by Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310. Rakhmonov and Garry will collide inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada this Saturday night. It’s a pivotal bout in the welterweight division. While Rakhmonov didn’t get his planned title fight against Belal Muhammad for the UFC’s year-end pay-per-view, he’ll need to keep his attention on Garry or risk losing a shot at the 170-pound gold.
Max Griffin doubts Michael Chiesa will be able to "withstand" his power at UFC 310: "He doesn't like getting hit"
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2024
Max Griffin is pumped to be fighting Michael Chiesa at UFC 310. Griffin was fighting out his contract back in February when he edged out a split-decision win over Jeremiah Wells. After the fight, he went down to Tijuana to get stem cell treatment to help his nagging injuries.
Turki Alalshikh reveals options for Francis Ngannou's next fight: "One in MMA and one in Boxing"
Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024
Saudi Arabian promoter Turki Alalshikh has opened up on what’s next for PFL champion Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ is fresh off his return to the cage earlier this year in Saudi Arabia. In October, Francis Ngannou competed in his first MMA fight in nearly three years against Renan Ferreira. Due to injuries, as well as a stint in the boxing ring, the former UFC champion hadn’t competed since a January 2022 win over Ciryl Gane.
Ian Machado Garry admits Shavkat Rakhmonov submitted him in training ahead of UFC 310 meeting: "Do it on Saturday"
Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry is giving his side of sparring with Shavkat Rakhmonov. ‘The Future’ is slated to return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 310 on Saturday. Back for the first time since defeating Michael ‘Venom’ Page in June, Ian Machado Garry will meet the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. The bout came together on short notice for both men, as ‘Nomad’ was originally set to challenge welterweight champion Belal Muhammad on Saturday.
UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell explains why he doesn’t believe in seat belts
BJ Penn Staff - December 4, 2024
Bryce Mitchell would surely love to get his hands on a UFC belt, but the outspoken featherweight is apparently not a big fan of seat belts. Speaking to the media ahead of his UFC 310 main card fight with fellow grappler Kron Gracie, Mitchell shared the surprising revelation that he doesn’t “believe in” seat belts.
Islam Makhachev downplays future fight against fellow UFC champion Ilia Topuria: "What will that do for me?"
Josh Evanoff - December 4, 2024
UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev isn’t very interested in facing Ilia Topuria. ‘El Matador’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC 308 in October. Back for the first time since knocking out Alexander Volkanovski in February, Ilia Topuria met Max Holloway. Ahead of the contest, both featherweights were discussing a move to 155 pounds. For his part, ‘Blessed’ was coming off a knockout win over Justin Gaethje in April.
UFC commentator argues Jon Jones has "already pushed himself beyond" Floyd Mayweather
BJ Penn Staff - December 4, 2024
Jon Jones has already achieve more as a professional fighter than boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., according to UFC commentator Jon Anik. Anik, who provides play-by-play on the majority of UFC broadcasts, discussed Jones’ legacy in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. He compared the MMA star to Mayweather and Joe Calzaghe, both of whom retired with undefeated records.
UFC 310 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexandre Pantoja vs Kai Asakura title fight
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2024
In the main event of UFC 310 on Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada the flyweight title is up for grabs as Alexandre Pantoja takes on UFC newcomer Kai Asakura. Heading into the fight, Pantoja is a -280 favorite while the challenger is a +210 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to pro fighters to get their prediction for the flyweight title fight. In the end, most believe Pantoja will get his hand raised as they believe that UFC experience is a true factor as Asakura making his debut in a title fight could hinder him with nerves.
Vicente Luque offers UFC 310 prediction for Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2024
Vicente Luque has given his pick for the UFC 310 clash between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry. This will be a crucial bout in the welterweight division, as Rakhmonov’s title shot is at stake. He was initially scheduled to challenge Belal Muhammad for the welterweight gold before “Remember The Name” was benched due to an infection.
Coach explains why Jon Jones fight would be 'tough' for Tom Aspinall: 'It’s not a matchup that scares us at all'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2024
Jon Jones’ striking coach believes Tom Aspinall would face problems against his fighter. Many fight fans are wondering if the UFC will inevitable book a title unification bout between Jones and Aspinall. “Bones” picked Stipe Miocic apart in their UFC 309 heavyweight title fight. Aspinall, who holds interim gold, was in attendance for the fight. There was no staredown inside the Octagon or even an acknowledgment from Jones.
Jon Jones thanks fans as speculation over his future continues
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2024
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has thanked fans in the midst of great speculation over his future. At this point, it’s getting hard to argue against Jon Jones being the greatest of all time. The man known as ‘Bones’ has achieved some incredible things in mixed martial arts, and that much is an understatement. He has beaten every man he’s stepped in the cage with and more often than not, it hasn’t been particularly close.