MMA News
Sean Strickland blasts MMA judging criteria ahead of UFC 312 rematch against Dricus du Plessis
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 2, 2025
Sean Strickland is not a fan of what the judges look for when scoring MMA fights. Strickland is set for a rematch against reigning UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis. The two will do battle in the main event of UFC 312 on February 8th. Strickland lost the 185-pound gold to “Stillknocks” back in early 2024 via split decision. It’s a fight that Strickland believes he should’ve won and he blames the scoring criteria of judges for the defeat.
Nassourdine Imavov wants UFC title fight after finishing Israel Adesanya, Dana White mulls over potential contender fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 2, 2025
Nassourdine Imavov believes it’s time for him to fight for UFC gold. Imavov entered the biggest fight of his pro MMA career when he shared the Octagon with former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. The 185-pound clash headlined UFC Saudi Arabia this past Saturday. After a competitive opening round, it only took Imavov 30 seconds into the second stanza to stop “The Last Stylebender” via TKO.
Bryce Mitchell issues apology after controversial comments supporting Adolf Hitler
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell has issued an apology after making some controversial comments about supporting Adolf Hitler. Mitchell turned heads earlier this week when he dubbed Hitler “a good guy” while speaking on his podcast. In addition to praising Adolf, the outspoke featherweight also shared his theories on the Holocaust being a hoax.
Israel Adesanya issues statement following TKO loss to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
Israel Adesanya has issued a statement after suffering his third consecutive loss at the hands of Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia. Adesanya (24-5 MMA) was returning to action this afternoon for the first time since suffering a submission loss to Dricus Du Plessis (22-2 MMA) this past August at UFC 305. The former UFC middleweight champion was looking to avoid the first three-fight losing skid of his career, as he had dropped a decision to Sean Strickland prior to being tapped out by ‘DDP’.
UFC Saudi Arabia Bonus Report: Nassourdine Imavov one of four fighters to take home $50k
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
The Octagon returned to Riyadh for today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event, an 11-bout fight card headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov. The highly anticipated middleweight main event resulted in a second-round TKO victory for ‘The Sniper’. After a back-and-forth opening round, Imavov was able to drop Adesanya with a big uppercut in the early stages of the second round. Nassourdine immediately pounced on Izzy with ground and pound, which forced the referee to step in and wave off the contest.
Pros react after Nassourdine Imavov stops Israel Adesanya at UFC Saudi Arabia
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
Today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event was headlined by a middleweight contest featuring Nassourdine Imavov taking on Israel Adesanya. Adesanya (24-5 MMA) had entered the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former UFC middleweight champion was coming off losses to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) and Sean Strickland (decision) in his most previous Octagon appearances.
UFC Saudi Arabia Results: Nassourdine Imavov def. Israel Adesanya (Video)
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
We have you covered for all of today’s UFC Saudi Arabia results, including the main event between Israel Adesanya and Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya (24-4 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former UFC middleweight champion is coming off losses to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) and Sean Strickland (decision) in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has gone 2-3 over his past five fights overall, earning wins over Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier during that stretch.
UFC Saudi Arabia: 'Adesanya vs. Imavov' Live Results and Highlights
Chris Taylor - February 1, 2025
The Octagon returns to Riyadh for today’s UFC Saudi Arabia event, an 11-bout fight card headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov. Adesanya (24-4 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping a two-fight losing skid. The former UFC middleweight champion is coming off losses to Dricus Du Plessis (submission) and Sean Strickland (decision) in his most recent Octagon appearances. ‘The Last Stylebender’ has gone 2-3 over his past five fights overall, earning wins over Alex Pereira and Jared Cannonier during that stretch.
Chael Sonnen reveals Global Fight League attempted to get him out of retirement: "I'm not fighting again"
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2025
The newly founded Global Fight League reportedly wanted to sign UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen. The upstart promotion founded by Darren Owen has been making a lot of headlines as of late. While the GFL has no events scheduled, nor an announced broadcast partner, they’re full-steam ahead on an April debut. Earlier this month, fighters were divided into six teams for a “draft” criticized for its runtime and use of AI.
Dana White admits the UFC could move on from Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: "If we don't get the fight done..."
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2025
UFC President Dana White has offered an update on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall. ‘Bones’ is just a few months removed from his return to the cage in the main event of UFC 309. Ending a long layoff due to injury, Jon Jones faced former champion Stipe Miocic in the main event of the New York-based pay-per-view. With interim champion Tom Aspinall watching cageside, the light-heavyweight great scored a fourth-round knockout win.
Doo Ho Choi calls out Bryce Mitchell following Adolf Hitler remarks: "I'll give him a good history lesson in the octagon"
Josh Evanoff - January 31, 2025
UFC featherweight contender Doo Ho Choi wants to teach Bryce Mitchell a history lesson. The ever-controversial ‘Thug Nasty’ is fresh off his return to the cage last month in Las Vegas. Ending a nearly yearlong hiatus, Bryce Mitchell faced Kron Gracie on the UFC 310 main card last month. There, the grappler scored a rare stoppage win, knocking out the Brazilian with a slam after he pulled guard in the opening seconds of round three.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett explains why he didn't let go of choke on Denis Frimpong during gym fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 31, 2025
Paddy Pimblett has explained why he didn’t let go of his choke on Denis Frimpong during their gym scuffle. Footage surfaced of Pimblett and Frimpong having a gym fight that was previously agreed upon. The UFC star sunk in a rear-naked choke that forced Frimpong to tap out. Despite the tap, Pimblett continued to hold onto the choke before fellow gym members broke things up.
Conor McGregor unleashes shocking rant on Khabib Nurmagomedov: 'Show yo wife, show yo kids'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 31, 2025
Conor McGregor has fired perhaps his most nasty dig towards Khabib Nurmagomedov yet. McGregor and Nurmagomedov have been at odds for years. Fight fans still haven’t forgotten a UFC media day incident back in 2018 when McGregor hurled a dolly at a fighter bus that “The Eagle” was in. Despite the fact that Nurmagomedov submitted McGregor in their UFC 229 clash, the “Notorious” one continues to blast Khabib and his team.
What we know so far about wild “Japan against the world” ONE 172 card
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 31, 2025
As if the card for ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang wasn’t big enough, ONE Championship has bolstered its return to Japan with even more striking superstars. The action goes down on Sunday, March 23, inside Saitama Super Arena. In the main event, Japanese kickboxing megastar Takeru Segawa meets former flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Superlek Kiatmoo9 vs. Nabil Anane II added to ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 31, 2025
Two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will defend his bantamweight Muay Thai crown in a unification bout with interim king Nabil Anane. The pair will square off at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s iconic Saitama Super Arena.
Alex Pereira believes he'd be a bigger achievement for Jon Jones than Tom Aspinall
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2025
UFC champion Alex Pereira believes he’d be a bigger achievement for Jon Jones than if he defeated Tom Aspinall. As we know, Alex Pereira is an incredibly ambitious man. He is constantly trying to level up and add to his legacy, which is already pretty spectacular. He is, of course, a two-weight world champion in the UFC, but there’s been talk of him potentially going after a third championship at heavyweight.
Daniel Cormier says Alex Pereira is making a “dangerous” decision by cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312: “It seems risky”
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2025
Daniel Cormier believes Alex Pereira is making a risky decision by cornering Sean Strickland at UFC 312 next month. As we know, Alex Pereira is someone who likes to complete the occasional side quest alongside his duties as UFC light heavyweight champion. For his latest venture, he is apparently set to corner Sean Strickland for his UFC 312 main event against Dricus du Plessis. It seems crazy in the eyes of many, and yet, ‘Poatan’ is pushing ahead with it regardless.
Highlights! The Russian Dumpling dethrones Da Crazy Hawaiian at Power Slap 11
Harry Kettle - January 31, 2025
The Russian Dumpling defeated Da Crazy Hawaiian this week at Power Slap 11 which went down in Saudi Arabia. As we know, Power Slap has been a real passion project for UFC president Dana White over the course of the last few years. He has been instrumental in trying to grow the sport, even though it still divides opinion more often than not. With that being said, it does seem like there’s a certain level of intrigue involved in the whole thing.