MMA News
REPORT | Jose Aldo vs. Aiemann Zahabi targeted for UFC 315 in Montreal
Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2025
Jose Aldo will reportedly meet Aiemann Zahabi at UFC 315 in Montreal later this year. Earlier this month, Dana White announced plans to return to Canada in May. Returning to Montreal for the first time since UFC 186 in April 2015, a welterweight title clash between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena will headline the event. The co-main event will see the return of women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko against the rising Manon Fiorot.
Patricio Pitbull reveals he would've retired if the UFC declined to sign him: "It was them or retirement"
Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2025
Former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull would’ve retired if the UFC didn’t sign him. The Brazilian hasn’t been seen in the cage since a knockout win over UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy last March. That victory wound up being Patricio Pitbull’s final appearance in the Bellator cage, as he was released from the PFL last month. The move came after the featherweight publically feuded with company executive Donn Davis over inactivity.
Justin Gaethje reportedly vows to compete at UFC 313 despite Dan Hooker's injury: "I'll fight any of those guys"
Josh Evanoff - February 25, 2025
According to UFC commentator Daniel Cormier, Justin Gaethje fully intends to compete next month. ‘The Highlight’ hasn’t been seen since his ‘Fight of the Year’ contender with Max Holloway last April. At UFC 300, Justin Gaethje went back and forth with ‘Blessed’, with his ceremonial BMF title on the line. In round five, the Hawaiian scored a shocking knockout win with just seconds left in the bout. For Gaethje, the defeat was a brutal one.
Paddy Pimblett says Ilia Topuria going to lightweight will be "the downfall of his career"
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025
Paddy Pimblett doesn’t expect Ilia Topuria to have much success at lightweight. Pimblett and Topuria have taken shots at each other in the past, as both have shown interest in fighting one another. However, Topuria was at featherweight and wound up becoming the champ. But, after one title defense, he announced he would be vacating his belt and moving up to lightweight.
Daniel Cormier: Henry Cejudo's retirement mistake has come back to haunt him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier believes Henry Cejudo made a mistake with his initial retirement back in 2020. After ending the record-setting UFC Flyweight Championship reign of Demetrious Johnson, Cejudo went on to stop TJ Dillashaw in the first round to capture the bantamweight gold, becoming a “champ-champ” in the process. Cejudo followed that up with a second-round TKO finish over Dominick Cruz to successfully defend the 135-pound title.
Former UFC star blasts PFL over Aaron Pico contract debacle: 'Let the f****** kid go'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025
One ex-UFC fan favorite has an axe to grind with PFL over its treatment of Aaron Pico. It’s no secret that the UFC brass are interested in Pico. During a recent press conference, Dana White told reporters that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby has been gushing over the 28-year-old star. The only problem is that Pico is under PFL contract.
Darren Till reiterates desire to make UFC comeback
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
Former UFC fighter Darren Till has reiterated his desire to return to the promotion, and mixed martial arts as a whole. A few years back, Darren Till left the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He did so in the wake of a defeat to Dricus du Plessis who, as we know, has gone on to become UFC middleweight champion. While there were parts of the bout that were competitive, it was du Plessis who managed to get the job done with a third round submission.
Dana White discusses UFC signing Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
UFC president Dana White has spoken candidly about the promotion’s decision to sign Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull to a contract. As we now know, Patricio Pitbull has officially been signed to a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s set to make his official debut at UFC 314, with the plan being for him to battle it out with Yair Rodriguez at featherweight. Of course, many fans are already wondering about the possibility of him going on to compete for a world title.
Dan Hooker confirms he is out of UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - February 25, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has announced that he is out of his scheduled UFC 313 fight against Justin Gaethje. As we know, Dan Hooker was set to return to the Octagon for an absolutely insane lightweight collision with Justin Gaethje at UFC 313. Unfortunately, that’ll no longer be happening. Following on from reports in the MMA media, the man himself posted a video that confirmed he will be out of action as a result of a hand injury.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 191 with John Castaneda and Austen Lane
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025
The 191st episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 103. We’re first joined by UFC bantamweight John Castaneda (0:57). We close things out by chatting with UFC heavyweight Austen Lane (15:07).
What's next for Song Yadong and Henry Cejudo after UFC Seattle?
Cole Shelton - February 25, 2025
The UFC was in Seattle, Washington on Saturday for UFC Seattle. The main event saw Song Yadong take on Henry Cejudo in a pivotal bantamweight bout. Yadong entered the fight coming off a decision loss to Petr Yan last year. Cejudo, meanwhile, was on a two-fight losing streak losing to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling for the belt in his return to the sport.
Jonathan Haggerty shows vast improvements at ONE 171: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 25, 2025
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty turned over a new leaf at ONE 171: Qatar. “The General” out-struck #1-ranked contender Wei Rui at Lusail Sports Arena, earning the unanimous decision on Thursday, February 20, to put his dark days behind him.
Michael Chandler finally casts doubt on Conor McGregor ever fighting again: "I wouldn't put money on it"
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler wouldn’t bet on Conor McGregor fighting again. ‘Iron’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a rematch with Charles Oliveira in November. Ending a two-year layoff, Michael Chandler was handed a second loss by ‘Do Bronx’, this time by unanimous decision. The defeat was a brutal one for the former Bellator star, who famously sat on the sidelines for years trying to secure a fight with Conor McGregor.
Dustin Poirier reveals retirement fight is targeted for this summer in New Orleans: "It would be incredible"
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier is continuing to work for his retirement fight. ‘The Diamond’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a title fight with Islam Makhachev last summer. In the main event of UFC 302, Dustin Poirier faced the Russian in his third crack at undisputed lightweight gold. Despite entering the cage a massive betting underdog, the 36-year-old brought the fight to the champion.
Michael Chandler reacts to Patricio Pitbull's decision to join the UFC: "If he plays his cards right..."
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025
Lightweight contender Michael Chandler is happy to see Patricio Pitbull in the UFC. ‘Iron’ recently signed a deal to return to the cage at UFC 314 in Miami. Fresh off a loss to Charles Oliveira in November, Michael Chandler will face off with the rising Paddy Pimblett in April. For his part, ‘The Baddy’ hasn’t competed since a first-round submission victory over ‘King’ Bobby Green last summer.
Dana White confirms interest in signing new free agent Aaron Pico: "We love him!"
Josh Evanoff - February 24, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has interest in signing former Bellator star Aaron Pico. The 28-year-old striker was a member of Bellator for over a decade. Once considered one of the greatest prospects in the sport, Aaron Pico has quickly become one of the most exciting fighters on the planet. The hard-hitting featherweight has won nine of his last ten bouts, last scoring a knockout win over Henry Corrales last February.
Michael Chandler vows to test Paddy Pimblett's chin at UFC 314: "Separate him from consciousnesses"
Cole Shelton - February 24, 2025
Michael Chandler is looking to put Paddy Pimblett to the test at UFC 314. Chandler is set to take on Pimblett in a highly-anticipated five-round fight in the co-main event of UFC 314. It’s an intriguing matchup as Chandler faces an up-and-comer while Pimblett has a chance to prove himself as a legit title contender if he can get past the former Bellator champ.
Austin Vanderford isn't holding grudge with Nikolay Veretennikov despite UFC Seattle antics
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 24, 2025
Austin Vanderford may think that Nikolay Veretennikov should get a pink slip, but there’s no beef. Vanderford made his UFC debut this past Saturday inside Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. He went one-on-one with Veretennikov in a short-notice fight. Vanderford scored the second-round TKO finish. Veretennikov immediately protested the stoppage and shoved Vanderford from behind. The man formerly known as “The Gentleman” shoved Veretennikov back and flipped a double bird.