MMA News

Cole Shelton - January 29, 2026

Former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos has been handed another injury setback. dos Anjos last competed back in at UFC 308 in October of 2024 against Geoff Neal, and in the first round, he tore his ACL. Since then, the Brazilian has been rehabbing, but he had another injury setback, which will keep him out for the foreseeable future.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2026

Could Movsar Evloev be in an even tougher spot than Arman Tsarukyan finds himself in? Evloev has long been widely viewed as the rightful No. 1 contender for the UFC Featherweight Championship. That isn’t the case in the minds of UFC CEO Dana White and the promotion’s matchmakers. Evloev will have to wait his turn, as Diego Lopes is getting another fight with current 145-pound champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325 on Saturday.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2026

Francis Ngannou is nowhere to be found in the new PFL rankings, and the promotion has responded amid speculation. PFL recently rolled out its new ranking system, which is handled by the Combat Registry. When Ngannou’s name was absent, some wondered if “The Predator” was on the outs with the company. It appears that may not exactly be the case.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 29, 2026

Charles Oliveira claims he’s willing to get into a brawl with Max Holloway if he has to. Oliveira and Holloway are set to collide in the main event of UFC 326 on March 7. The bout will be contested for Holloway’s BMF Championship. This won’t be the first time the two collide, as they had a bout that ended prematurely back in 2015. “Blessed” won the fight quickly due to an injury suffered by Oliveira.

Harry Kettle - January 29, 2026

Islam Makhachev’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has explained why a possible Ian Machado Garry fight isn’t their number one pick. For the longest time now, Ian Machado Garry has been viewed as a rising star in the UFC’s welterweight division. Alas, he hasn’t quite been able to climb up to the championship level yet, even though he is clearly talented enough to go against some of the very best at 170 pounds.

Harry Kettle - January 29, 2026

Benoit Saint Denis has declared that he expects the best version of Dan Hooker when they collide at UFC 325. Throughout the course of his UFC career, Benoit Saint Denis has been seen as an interesting contender in the lightweight division. Alas, following on from a few notable setbacks, some wondered whether or not he had the toughness necessary to really kick on and become a title challenger.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2026

Fifteen appearances taught Kongchai Chanaidonmueang patience doesn’t earn contracts. The Thai southpaw is done playing it safe Friday night in Bangkok. The 23-year-old headlines ONE Friday Fights 140 on Friday, January 30, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand, where he faces Myanmar powerhouse Thway Lin Htet in a high-stakes strawweight Muay Thai clash. As the most active competitor in the history of the weekly series, Kongchai enters carrying experience few others can match.

Curtis Calhoun - January 28, 2026

One of Sean O’Malley’s longtime adversaries is prepared to stop watching UFC fights if he’s awarded the next bantamweight title shot. Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley snapped the first losing skid of his career last Saturday at UFC 324. In an instant classic, O’Malley outpointed streaking contender Song Yadong by unanimous decision to earn his first victory since UFC 299.

Curtis Calhoun - January 28, 2026

UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan might be on the sidelines for months after undergoing major surgery in recent days. Petr Yan pulled off one of the biggest UFC upsets of 2025 when he dethroned Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. In a rematch years in the making, Yan defeated Dvalishvili by unanimous decision to reclaim the UFC bantamweight championship and snap Dvalishvili’s long win streak.

Curtis Calhoun - January 28, 2026

Justin Gaethje’s longtime manager Ali Abdelaziz shared his side to UFC CEO Dana White’s recent claims his client turned down a pay increase. Justin Gaethje reclaimed the interim UFC lightweight championship belt last weekend at UFC 324, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision in an instant classic. Gaethje will likely fight Ilia Topuria later this year in what would be his third shot at the lineal lightweight title.

Cole Shelton - January 28, 2026

Michael Chiesa has taken a shot at the former interim UFC welterweight champion, Colby Covington. Chiesa has called out Covington for years, and after the two were assistant coaches on TUF, Chiesa felt like a fight would happen. The UFC was on board with it as well, but Covington turned it down, according to Chiesa.

BJPENN.COM Staff - January 28, 2026

Contract dreams fuel another Friday night in Bangkok. ONE Championship returns to Lumpinee Stadium with explosive matchups spanning multiple combat disciplines. ONE Friday Fights 140 goes down on Friday, January 30, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The 14-bout card features Muay Thai, kickboxing, MMA, and submission grappling action with $100,000 contracts and main roster spots available for standout performers.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2026

If Khamzat Chimaev ever shares the Octagon with Alex Pereira, TJ Dillashaw thinks it would be one-way traffic. Chimaev is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, who has yet to put his gold at stake. That hasn’t stopped him from already calling for a showdown with Pereira, who holds the light heavyweight gold. It’s a bout that many fans have been intrigued by, although some feel it could very well turn into a grappling clinic for “Borz.”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 28, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan was not impressed by what he saw from Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324. Pimblett had a chance to capture his first UFC title this past Saturday, albeit an interim championship. “The Baddy” mixed it up with Justin Gaethje in the headliner for UFC’s debut on Paramount+. Pimblett showed heart, but he was outmatched by the heavy-handed Gaethje, who scored several knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision win.

BJ Penn Staff - January 28, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan is determined to fight Ilia Topuria in the UFC—so much so that he’s willing to buy his rival’s house. Spain’s Topuria is the reigning undisputed UFC lightweight champion. He won the division’s vacant belt with a quick KO of Charles Oliveira last year. However, he has not fought since, having been sidelined by some personal issues—notably a high-profile divorce.

BJ Penn Staff - January 28, 2026

Conor McGregor has started his training camp for the upcoming UFC White House event, and claims he’ll return to action in top form. McGregor is a former two-division UFC champ, having famously claimed the promotion’s featherweight and lightweight belts. He’s also the biggest star in MMA history, having headlined most of the 10 biggest pay-per-views in UFC history.

Harry Kettle - January 28, 2026

UFC star Sean O’Malley has said that he may have contemplated retiring from MMA if he had lost at UFC 324. On Saturday night, Sean O’Malley snapped his two-fight losing streak and got back in the win column in the co-main event of UFC 324. He went up against a tough and durable opponent in the form of Song Yadong, and in the end, he managed to overcome some adversity and get his hand raised in victory.

Harry Kettle - January 28, 2026

Alexander Volkanovski has said he is open to a possible clash with Arman Tsarukyan if he makes the move down to featherweight. This weekend, Alexander Volkanovski will defend his UFC featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 325. He will defend the strap against Diego Lopes, the same man who he beat to win the strap last year. The 37-year-old is considered by many to be the favorite, but you never know what someone like Lopes could have up his sleeve.