MMA News
Diego Paez ready for rematch at ONE Fight Night 28: "Feels like destiny"
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 6, 2025
Diego Paez has been dreaming for an opportunity to compete in ONE Championship. Now that he’s only days away from his debut, he doesn’t plan on letting it pass him by. The Colombian-American meets old foe Sean Climaco in a flyweight Muay Thai bout at ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza. The event airs this Friday, February 7, from Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Kamaru Usman advises Israel Adesanya to follow Anderson Silva's approach after latest loss at UFC Saudi Arabia
Harry Kettle - February 6, 2025
Kamaru Usman has provided his friend Israel Adesanya with some advice following his defeat at UFC Saudi Arabia last weekend. In case you missed it, Israel Adesanya suffered a devastating defeat at UFC Saudi Arabia last Saturday night. He was defeated by Nassourdine Imavov, and on top of that, he was finished. It came early in the second round after what proved to be a competitive first round between the two middleweight contenders.
Lyoto Machida responds to rumors that he was in a coma following 2015 defeat
Harry Kettle - February 6, 2025
UFC legend Lyoto Machida has responded to rumors that he was put into a coma following a loss to Yoel Romero back in 2015. As we all know, Lyoto Machida is an absolute icon in the world of mixed martial arts. He’s achieved some truly incredible things throughout the course of his career, and a lot of his biggest fights came in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Throughout the course of his time in the promotion, he was viewed as a dangerous, impressive opponent for anyone to fact.
Khamzat Chimaev fires back at rival Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 312
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at rival Sean Strickland ahead of the latter’s fight at UFC 312 this weekend. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is easily one of the top fighters in mixed martial arts today. He’s also, in the eyes of many, the number one contender at middleweight. He looks set to challenge for the belt in his next fight, against whoever wins the UFC 312 main event between Dricus du Plessis and Sean Strickland.
Jimmy Crute eager for "tough fight" against Rodolfo Bellato at UFC 312 after stepping away from MMA
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
Jimmy Crute is eager to be back and fighting in Australia. Crute announced he’d be stepping away from MMA after his submission loss to Alonzo Menifield in July of 2023. The light heavyweight will now return at UFC 312 in Australia, as he says the time is right for him to come back.
UFC 312 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dricus Du Plessis vs Sean Strickland 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
In the main event of UFC 312, the middleweight title is up for grabs as Dricus Du Plessis rematches Sean Strickland. Heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a -215 favorite while the challenger is a +164 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the middleweight fight. The pros expect it to be another close fight, but the slight majority believe it will be Strickland getting his hand raised at UFC 312 to become the new champ.
Dominick Cruz out of UFC Seattle co-main event fight against Rob Font
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
Dominick Cruz is out of his UFC Seattle co-main event against Rob Font. Cruz was supposed to have his retirement fight against Font in an intriguing bantamweight bout. However, on Wednesday, Cageside Press reported that Cruz suffered an injury and is out of his fight against Font. Following the report, BJPENN.com was able to confirm with sources close to the situation that Cruz did indeed suffer an injury which forced him to withdraw from the contest.
WATCH | Sean Strickland spars with fan at UFC 312 open workout
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2025
Sean Strickland sparred with a lucky fan at the UFC 312 open workout earlier this week. ‘Tarzan’ is currently set to make his return to the cage against Dricus du Plessis on Saturday night. Back for the first time since a split-decision win over Paulo Costa last summer, Sean Strickland will again face ‘Stillknocks’. The former champion famously lost the gold to the South African last January, by a contentious split decision.
Dricus du Plessis believes Israel Adesanya's days as a top UFC title contender are over: "You'll always have your legacy"
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has reacted to Israel Adesanya’s recent loss. ‘The Last Stylebender’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Saudi Arabia over the weekend. Back for the first time since a submission loss to Dricus du Plessis last fall, Israel Adesanya faced Nassourdine Imavov. ‘The Sniper’ entered the bout riding a three-fight winning streak, last scoring a decision win over Brendan Allen in September.
Shara Bullet opens up on medical issues that contributed to UFC Saudi Arabia loss: "I've never felt this sick"
Josh Evanoff - February 5, 2025
UFC middleweight prospect Shara Bullet is opening up on his health following his loss to Michael Page. The flashy striker returned to the cage in the co-main event of UFC Saudi Arabia last Saturday night. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Armen Petrosyan in October, ‘Shara Bullet’ met Michael Page. While ‘Venom’ is normally a welterweight, he jumped at the opportunity to face Magomedov.
Jon Jones teases "huge announcement" coming soon: "And Still"
Cole Shelton - February 5, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is teasing a massive announcement coming on Thursday. After Jones defeated Stipe Miocic to defend his heavyweight title, many were hopeful he would face Tom Aspinall next. Unfortunately, there has yet to be an announcement, but Jones is now teasing a potential title defense or fight news.
UFC champion Ilia Topuria not impressed by Movsar Evloev, would rather fight Diego Lopes
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 5, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria doesn’t believe Movsar Evloev is deserving of a title shot. Topuria has been observing the 145-pound division and his potential contenders. While the featherweight king would rather move up to lightweight, he’s letting the UFC brass decide what they want to do with him going forward. “El Matador” is rumored to be facing Alexander Volkanovski in a rematch, but Topuria insists he hasn’t signed anything.
Massive UFC Fight Night headliner with potential title implications is off due to injury
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 5, 2025
Brandon Royval will not be facing Manel Kape on March 1st. The pivotal flyweight matchup was set to headline a UFC Fight Night card inside the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unfortunately, that fight will have to take place at another time. Royval has revealed that he is injured and will be unable to fight on the contracted date.
Former top-five strawweight "more ready this time" to fight his way back into the rankings
BJPENN.COM Staff - February 5, 2025
Surging strawweight MMA star Lito Adiwang is looking to turn over a new leaf in 2025 by showing he has what it takes to hang with the very best on offer. “Thunder Kid” meets #5-ranked contender Keito Yamakita in a strawweight MMA encounter at ONE Fight Night 28: Prajanchai vs. Barboza.
Sean Strickland reacts to Bryce Mitchell's controversial Adolf Hitler comments: 'A f*cking idiot from Arkansas'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 5, 2025
Sean Strickland believes Bryce Mitchell is buying into propaganda, but doesn’t feel he’s a Nazi. Mitchell caught some massive heat from UFC CEO Dana White over his recent comments about Adolf Hitler. Mitchell said that Hitler “was a good guy” and claimed the dictator changed due to meth use. During a recent Power Slap press conference, White slammed Mitchell, saying he was “beyond disgusted” and called the featherweight fighter “stupid.”
UFC star Terrance McKinney lays out his plans for the remainder of 2025
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
UFC sensation Terrance McKinney has laid out his plans for the rest of the year following his win at UFC Saudi Arabia. Terrance McKinney is one of the most interesting fighters to watch in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has the kind of “kill or be killed” mentality that is always bound to bring in some new fans. Sure, he doesn’t always get the job done, but you can bet he’s going to be involved in a pretty fun fight every single time he steps into the Octagon.
Zhang Weili believes she can solve Tatiana Suarez puzzle at UFC 312
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
UFC strawweight champion Zhang Weili backs herself to find success against Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312. On Saturday night, Zhang Weili will defend her strawweight gold against Tatiana Suarez. In the eyes of many, this is one of the toughest tests available to the champion. Suarez has spent her entire career impressing the masses, and many felt as if it was only a matter of time before she fought for a championship.
Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev could serve as back-up fighter for UFC 312 main event
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen believes Khamzat Chimaev may end up serving as the back-up fighter for the UFC 312 main event. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is a top contender in the middleweight division. While Dricus du Plessis may be defending the belt against Sean Strickland at UFC 312, we all know ‘Borz’ is waiting for the winner. In addition, many believe he’d be the favorite against either of the two potential champions.