MMA News

Jake Peacock expects "firefight" with Japanese rising star at ONE 171: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 17, 2025
Bantamweight Muay Thai sensation Jake Peacock is ready to make an impact when he returns to action at ONE 171: Qatar. The Canadian-British striker meets Shinji Suzuki in bantamweight Muay Thai action this Thursday, February 20, inside Doha, Qatar’s Lusail Sports Arena.

Jarred Brooks aiming for early finish of Joshua Pacio at ONE 171: Qatar
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 17, 2025
ONE Interim Strawweight MMA World Champion Jarred Brooks wants to put his rivalry with lineal king Joshua Pacio to bed at ONE 171: Qatar. Furthermore, he wants to do it as quickly as possible. The feud meets its breaking point this Thursday, February 20, inside Doha’s Lusail Sports Arena. There, the duo collide for the third time with the undisputed ONE Strawweight MMA World Title hanging in the balance.

GFL books Urijah Faber vs Renan Barao trilogy bout
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2025
Urijah Faber and Renan Barao will be fighting for the third time. Faber and Barao were both signed by the GFL to continue their career and they have been booked to fight. MMAMania’s Alex Behunin broke the news that Faber and Barao will have their trilogy bout later this year. The exact date and location for the fight is expected to be announced next week, Behunin reported.

Miesha Tate announces UFC return against Yana Santos is set for May
Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will return to the cage in May. ‘Cupcake’ hasn’t been seen in the cage in well over a year now. Miesha Tate last appeared in action at UFC Austin in December 2023 against Julia Avila. The bout was the fourth for the former champion since ending her retirement in 2021, and she dominated. Tate wound up handing ‘Ragin Panda’ a third-round submission loss.

GFL coach Lyoto Machida open to possible MMA comeback: "I'm not taking away the possibility of fighting"
Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025
GFL team manager Lyoto Machida isn’t closing the door on a potential comeback. ‘The Dragon’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Fabian Edwards at Bellator 281 in May 2022. The bout was an important one for the former UFC champion, as he entered the bout riding a three-fight losing streak. Sadly, Lyoto Machida was dominated by the younger brother of Leon Edwards, being handed a knockout loss.

Dominick Cruz reveals T.J. Dillashaw reached out to offer support following career-ending injury: "I was shocked"
Josh Evanoff - February 17, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz received support from an unlikely foe after announcing his retirement. ‘The Dominator’ was set to make one final walk to the cage this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Seattle. Over two years after being knocked out by Marlon Vera, Dominick Cruz signed a deal to face Rob Font. Ahead of the bout, the former champion confirmed it would be his last. With a lifetime of injuries and approaching his 40th birthday, the decision made sense.

Justin Gaethje calls Islam Makhachev his dream fight: "Better matchup for me than Khabib"
Cole Shelton - February 17, 2025
Justin Gaethje says Islam Makhachev is his dream fight as he believes he matches up well with the lightweight champion. Gaethje is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313 against Dan Hooker on March 8 in Las Vegas. It’s an intriguing matchup and with a win, Gaethje could get a title shot. If he does get a title shot, the current lightweight champ is Makhachev who Gaethje says is his dream fight.

Michael Chandler reacts to Conor McGregor teasing a fight in BKFC
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025
UFC star Michael Chandler has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor teasing a fight in BKFC once again. Conor McGregor is one of the most unpredictable fighters in the world. We aren’t referring to his actual fighting ability, either. For whatever reason, he continues to be embroiled in controversy, both in and out of the combat sports world. Because of that, many don’t actually believe he’s going to fight again, especially for the UFC. Alas, the man himself seems to think that he’s got another run in him at some point in the future.

Daniel Cormier is concerned about Francis Ngannou's potential boxing return
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has voiced his concern over Francis Ngannou’s potential return to professional boxing. As we know, Francis Ngannou is still one of the scariest men in all of combat sports. He has done some incredible things in mixed martial arts, and his return to the cage with PFL went about as well as it could’ve. However, in the last few days, the man himself has confirmed that he’d like to step back into the boxing ring.

Henry Cejudo gives his thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili's next opponent
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025
UFC legend Henry Cejudo has given his thoughts on who Merab Dvalishvili’s next opponent as champion should be. Merab Dvalishvili is one of the most successful fighters in the UFC today. In addition to his incredible win streak, he’s also now successfully defended the UFC bantamweight championship. With wins over Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov, he’s firmly established himself as the best fighter at 135 pounds right now.

Ilia Topuria provides interesting assessment of Dagestani fighters
Harry Kettle - February 17, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria has given an interesting assessment of how Dagestani fighters perform in competitive fights. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet right now. He’s been able to tear through the featherweight division, which has included knockout wins over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. However, it’s clear to see that he’s hungry for more – and that means a potential venture up to lightweight to take on Islam Makhachev.

Kevin Belingon ready for war with Bibiano Fernandes at ONE 171: “Wherever this fight goes”
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 17, 2025
Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon wants to show that he can still hang with the big dogs in the yard. He looks to prove that point when he clashes with former longtime king Bibiano Fernandes for the fifth and final time at ONE 171: Qatar, on Thursday, February 20, inside Lusail Sports Arena.

Michael Bisping suggests familiar foe as Jared Cannonier's next opponent following UFC Vegas 102 win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025
Michael Bisping is playing a bit of UFC matchmaker and he thinks he has the perfect opponent for Jared Cannonier. Cannonier was in action this past Saturday inside the UFC Apex. He shared the Octagon with Gregory Rodrigues in the UFC Vegas 102 headliner. Cannonier got off to a shaky start, being dropped in the opening frame. “The Killa Gorilla” recovered, while Rodrigues faded. This was bad news for “Robocop,” as he ended up being finished in the fourth round via TKO.

Belal Muhammad reveals key to victory against Shavkat Rakhmonov in UFC title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025
Belal Muhammad believes he knows the key to victory against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Muhammad was expecting to put his UFC Welterweight Championship at stake against Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310 at the end of 2024. The champion ended up pulling out of the fight due to a foot infection. Rakhmonov ended up defeating Ian Machado Garry in a competitive fight via unanimous decision.

Conor McGregor drops massive BKFC tease involving Fedor Emelianenko: 'Some news might be coming'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025
Conor McGregor is teasing MMA legend Fedor Emeliananeko possibly entering the world of BKFC. McGregor has been hyping up the bare knuckle promotion ever since becoming a minority stake owner. The “Notorious” one has made some bold claims, even vowing to compete under the BKFC banner some day. While many believe it’s far-fetched to think that the Irishman will ever knuckle up, perhaps “The Last Emperor” is more likely to throw down in BKFC.

Daniel Cormier expects changes at Xtreme Couture following Sean Strickland's UFC 312 loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025
Daniel Cormier is expecting some changes for Xtreme Couture following Sean Strickland’s UFC 312 loss. Strickland challenged Dricus du Plessis in a rematch for the UFC Middleweight Championship in Sydney, Australia in February. While their first encounter was competitive, Strickland had little to offer DDP in the rematch. Du Plessis was ahead of Strickland on the feet throughout the fight and even busted his nose.

UFC legend shares major concern for Francis Ngannou's potential return to boxing
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer has his concerns if Francis Ngannou returns to the boxing ring. Ngannou tried his hand in the sweet science when he decided to leave the UFC in favor of the option to take lucrative boxing matches, as well as a deal with PFL. While Ngannou nearly pulled off a shocking win over Tyson Fury, he was demolished by Anthony Joshua.

Conor McGregor doubles down on wanting to fight in BKFC: 'Mark my words'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 16, 2025
Conor McGregor insists he will end up fighting under the BKFC banner. McGregor is currently tied to a deal with the UFC, but he does have minority ownership stake in BKFC. The “Notorious” one has engaged in stare downs with Mike Perry and Jeremy Stephens, but many are skeptical of the Irishman’s plan to knuckle up.