MMA News
Retired UFC veteran thinks Dana White should give Arman Tsarukyan title shot following UFC 311 pullout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 23, 2025
An ex-UFC bruiser doesn’t believe Arman Tsarukyan should be punished by Dana White after his removal from the UFC 311 card. Tsarukyan was expected to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. During the weigh-ins, White revealed on social media that Tsarukyan pulled out of the fight due to a back injury. Makhachev ended up submitting replacement opponent Renato Moicano in the first round.
Coach Ray Longo explains how UFC 'created a monster' in Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 23, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has been on a tear, and Ray Longo believes the UFC played a significant role. Dvalishvili is the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. He’s fresh off his first successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-main event of UFC 311. The 135-pound titleholder displayed his elite conditioning and grappling to outlast the challenger after five rounds of action.
Aljamain Sterling has one regret following Chris Weidman's retirement: 'It was just kind of rough'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 23, 2025
Aljamain Sterling has reacted to Chris Weidman’s retirement announcement, and he has one regret. Weidman appeared on the official UFC 311 weigh-in show last Friday and announced that he is walking away from pro MMA competition. The former UFC middleweight champion has retired with a pro MMA record of 16-8. While some feel the retirement may have been past due, Weidman will not be fighting past the age of 40, which is a sigh of relief for many fight fans.
WATCH | Conor McGregor vows to "slap the hell" out of Paul brothers & KSI: "A little side job"
Cole Shelton - January 22, 2025
Conor McGregor appears to be truly interested in wanting to box the Paul brothers and KSI. McGregor and Logan Paul were rumored to box in India, which Dana White then shut down. But, on Monday while McGregor was at Trump’s Inauguration, he was in a van alongside the Paul brothers who have both called him out. While talking to them, the Irishman said he wanted to slap them and called it a little side job before his return to the UFC.
Robert Whittaker opens up on former feud with Israel Adesanya: "If I could've hit him with a car I would have"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has buried the hatchet with Israel Adesanya. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘The Last Stylebender’ famously have had two clashes for UFC gold. They first met in late 2019, in Robert Whittaker’s first title defense. Over a year after going to war with Yoel Romero for five rounds, the champion met interim champion, Israel Adesanya. In Whittaker’s absence, he scored a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum to claim interim gold.
Jeremy Stephens eyeing fight with BKFC boss Conor McGregor ahead of Eddie Alvarez bout: "Beat up my f*cking boss"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Jeremy Stephens is still hoping to score a showdown with his BKFC boss, Conor McGregor. ‘Lil Heathen’ is one of the many, many former UFC stars who’s headed for the bare-knuckle boxing ring. Jeremy Stephens signed with David Feldman’s BKFC in late 2023, scoring a stoppage win over Jimmie Rivera in his promotional debut. The following September, he scored a unanimous decision victory over Bobby Taylor in Salt Lake City.
Robert Whittaker offers update on jaw injury suffered against Khamzat Chimaev: "You can't fight through that"
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker is healing well from his fight with Khamzat Chimaev. ‘The Reaper’ and ‘Borz’ met in the co-main event of UFC 308 in late October. Back for the first time since scoring a knockout win over Ikram Aliskerov in June, Robert Whittaker hoped to secure a title shot. Meanwhile, Khamzat Chimaev last appeared in the cage last October, scoring a decision victory over Kamaru Usman.
Payton Talbott issues statement after stunning first career loss at UFC 311
Cole Shelton - January 22, 2025
Payton Talbott issued his first statement after his stunning loss to Raoni Barcelos at UFC 311. Talbott entered the fight as the biggest betting favorite on the card and many expected him to cruise to a win. However, Talbott was dominated in all three rounds to lose by decision which was his first career loss.
Top UFC bantamweight contender thinks he can dethrone Merab Dvalishvili: 'Styles make fights'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has one top UFC bantamweight contender knocking on his door. Dvalishvili is the reigning 135-pound champion, who is fresh off a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov collided in the co-main event of UFC 311. The Georgian champion was able to retain his gold thanks to some elite conditioning and grappling.
Sean Strickland sends expletive-laden challenge to Dricus du Plessis, UFC champion responds
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 22, 2025
Sean Strickland has proposed a pact to Dricus du Plessis ahead of their UFC 312 title rematch. Strickland will challenge du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship inside Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia on February 8th. The two had a highly competitive title bout back in early 2024. Going into that bout, Strickland was the 185-pound titleholder. He dropped the belt to du Plessis via split decision.
Khabib Nurmagomedov sends positive message to Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC 311 defeat
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has sent a message of positivity to Umar Nurmagomedov following his loss at UFC 311. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov will go down as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. In addition to that, he’s on his way to becoming one of the best coaches in the history of the game too.
Tom Aspinall finds Dana White's pound-for-pound shift "funny"
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has given his thoughts on Dana White declaring Islam Makhachev his new pound-for-pound #1 ahead of Jon Jones. As we know, there’s one thing Tom Aspinall wants in this world above all else: an undisputed title shot. He wants to face Jon Jones, and he wants to do it sooner rather than later. The Englishman has jumped through every hoop necessary and now, he wants what he believes he deserves.
Rob Font expects the best version of Dominick Cruz at UFC Seattle
Harry Kettle - January 22, 2025
UFC fighter Rob Font has said he expects to see the best version of Dominick Cruz when they collide at UFC Seattle. On February 22, Dominick Cruz will make the walk to the Octagon for the last time in his career. Following on from an iconic run, he is set to collide with Rob Font in what will serve as his last ever mixed martial arts contest.
Liam Harrison breaks down Nico Carrillo versus Nabil Anane at ONE 170
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 21, 2025
British striking legend Liam “Hitman” Harrison has never been one to mince words, and he’s got plenty to say about ONE 170. One bout in particular that Harrison is paying attention to is the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title clash between #2-ranked contender Nico Carrillo and #5-ranked Nabil Anane. That goes down this Friday, 24 January, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.
Max Holloway calls to defend BMF title in rematch against Charles Oliveira
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2025
Max Holloway is open to rematching Charles Oliveira next time out. Oliveira recently called out Holloway to fight for the BMF belt if Islam Makhachev doesn’t want to fight until October. The Brazilian believes it would make sense for a No. 1 contender fight and is a fight he wants back.
Javier Mendez explains why he wishes Umar Nurmagomedov told him he broke his hand at UFC 311
Cole Shelton - January 21, 2025
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Umar Nurmagomedov, wishes his fighter told him he broke his hand. Nurmagomedov revealed after UFC 311 that he broke his hand early in the fight. Early on, Nurmagomedov was having success against Merab Dvalishvili, but he lost the final three rounds to lose the decision and fall short of winning the belt.
Aljamain Sterling eyeing matchup with Arnold Allen for UFC return: "Interested in seeing what my striking game looks like"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling wants to test his striking against Arnold Allen. ‘The Funk Master’ is fresh off his return to the octagon at UFC 310 last month in Las Vegas. There, the former bantamweight champion competed in his second bout up at 145 pounds against Movsar Evloev. Despite a lot of early success from Aljamain Sterling, the undefeated Russian rallied to score a unanimous decision win.
Anthony Smith reveals his UFC retirement fight is slated for April: "Win, lose, or draw, that's going to be it"
Josh Evanoff - January 21, 2025
Former UFC title challenger Anthony Smith will make his final walk to the cage later this year. ‘Lionheart’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 310 last month in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since a short-notice loss to Roman Dolidze in June, Anthony Smith faced fellow contender Dominick Reyes. Sadly for the former title challenger, he entered the fight with a heavy heart. Just weeks before the bout, Smith’s coach, Scott Morton, suddenly passed away.