MMA News
Belal Muhammad reveals ideal timeline for Shavkat Rakhmonov fight
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2025
UFC champion Belal Muhammad has revealed his ideal timeline for his anticipated title fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Right now, Belal Muhammad is on top of the world as the UFC welterweight champion. He captured the belt from Leon Edwards and ever since then, he’s been getting ready for a showdown with top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Michael Bisping tells absolutely insane stem cell story
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2025
UFC commentator Michael Bisping got pretty wild on a recent podcast when talking about stem cells. Throughout the course of his career, Michael Bisping has been known and recognized as a true warrior. He achieved some wonderful things in the world of mixed martial arts, most notably, becoming UFC middleweight champion by knocking out Luke Rockhold.
Jiri Prochazka shaves his head in solidarity with girl battling cancer
Harry Kettle - January 17, 2025
UFC star Jiri Prochazka has shaved his head in solidarity with a fan of his who is currently battling cancer. As we know, Jiri Prochazka is a massive fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. In the UFC, especially, he’s been able to build up quite a base during his run with the company. On Saturday night, he’ll attempt to get back in the win column when he locks horns with fellow light heavyweight contender – and a fellow former champion – Jamahal Hill.
WATCH | Logan Paul shares phone call with Conor McGregor discussing potential boxing match
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2025
Logan Paul shared a phone call he had with Conor McGregor to discuss their potential boxing match. A rumor came out that Paul and McGregor will box in India, but nothing has been made official. Now, a video went viral of Paul on the phone with McGregor discussing the potential bout.
Jake Paul's PFL debut is tentatively scheduled for fall 2025: "It will happen!"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2025
PFL founder Donn Davis believes Jake Paul will finally fight in the cage next year. ‘The Problem Child’ was last seen in the boxing in November, live on Netflix. Back for the first time since knocking out BKFC star Mike Perry in July, the YouTuber-turned-boxer faced Mike Tyson. ‘Iron Mike’ ended a two-decade retirement to face Jake Paul, promising an early knockout win over the 27-year-old.
Donn Davis reveals PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou will likely be competing in boxing next: "That's his business"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2025
According to PFL founder Donn Davis, Francis Ngannou will be competing in the boxing ring next. ‘The Predator’ was last seen in action against Renan Ferreira in October in Saudi Arabia. For Francis Ngannou, the fight was his first in the cage since a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in early 2022. After that bout, he famously left the UFC and suffered losses in the boxing ring against Tyson Fury and later Anthony Joshua.
Anthony Smith confirms plans to fight on following emotional UFC 310 knockout loss: "You can't retire like that"
Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2025
Longtime UFC light-heavyweight contender Anthony Smith isn’t retiring quite yet. ‘Lionheart’ returned to the octagon on the UFC 310 main card last month in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since suffering a short-notice loss to Roman Dolidze in June, Anthony Smith faced Dominick Reyes. For his part, ‘The Devastator’ headed into the bout fresh off a knockout win over Dustin Jacoby in the summer.
GFL signs seven more fighters including Shogun Rua and Yoel Romero
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2025
The GFL has continued to add to its roster as the promotion has signed seven more veterans. The GFL announced in a press release that the promotion signed Shogun Rua, Yoel Romero, Chad Mendes, Renan Barao, Douglas Lima, Ovince Saint Preux, and Todd Duffee. All seven fighters will be draft-eligible next week.
Charles Oliveira will attend UFC 311 to watch Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan 2: 'I'm the next'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 16, 2025
Charles Oliveira will be waiting for the winner of the UFC 311 main event. This Saturday night, Islam Makhachev will put the UFC Lightweight Championship at stake when he shares the Octagon with Arman Tsarukyan. Both men have grown significantly in the fight game since their first meeting back in 2019. Fans will soon get to see how things will play out in the rematch.
Umar Nurmagomedov explains key holes in Merab Dvalishvili's game ahead of UFC 311: 'I can't lose to him'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 16, 2025
Umar Nurmagomedov doesn’t see any aspect of the MMA game where Merab Dvalishvili can get ahead of him. Nurmagomedov is set to challenge Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship this Saturday night. The title fight will serve as the co-headliner for UFC 311, the first UFC pay-per-view event of 2025. While Dvalishvili is looking for his first successful UFC title defense, Nurmagomedov plans to win UFC gold for the first time in his career.
Conor McGregor faces new civil lawsuit over alleged NBA Finals incident
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2025
A woman is suing UFC star Conor McGregor over an alleged sexual assault at an NBA Finals game in 2023. Back in 2023, Conor McGregor attended an NBA Finals game between the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets. It was a notable evening for a couple of reasons, with one of the first being that the Irishman legitimately hurt the Heat mascot during a skit at half-time.
UFC icon Clay Guida released after nearly two decades
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2025
UFC legend Clay Guida has reportedly been released from the promotion after almost two decades with the company. When you talk about legendary figures in the world of mixed martial arts, Clay Guida has to be part of the conversation. We’re talking about a man who has been there and done it all, with his UFC debut coming all the way back in October 2006. His actual MMA debut, meanwhile, happened in July 2003. He has had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows but through it all, the 43-year-old veteran has always managed to entertain us.
Fans react after UFC CEO Dana White teases fight “nobody will see coming” in fall of 2025
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2025
UFC fans have reacted to Dana White teasing a fight that “nobody will see coming” later this year. As we know, Dana White enjoys teasing big things being on the horizon in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Throughout the course of his entire run as president, he has constantly been putting on fights that fans want to see. Of course, in mixed martial arts, you always need to adapt and evolve.
Sinsamut faces Trujillo at ONE 170 for “very big” showdown
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2025
Lightweight Muay Thai star Sinsamut Klinmee is ready to get back to business, and he’s looking to kick the year off in style at ONE 170. “Aquaman” meets divisional dark horse Nauzet Trujillo on Friday, January 24, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Impact Arena.
UFC 311 | Pro fighters make their picks for Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan 2 title fight
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025
In the main event of UFC 311, the lightweight title is on the line as Islam Makhachev takes on Arman Tsarukyan. Heading into the fight, Makhachev is a sizeable -400 favorite while the challenger is a +285 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the fight. The pros believe Makhachev will beat Tsarukyan again to remain the UFC’s lightweight champ after UFC 311. However, all the pros believe it should be a very competitive fight as they feel like these are the two best lightweights.
John Lineker preparing for "test of fire" versus Kulabdam at ONE Fight Night 27
BJPENN.COM Staff - January 15, 2025
Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker has done it all in the sport. But fresh challenges continue to await him in the art of Muay Thai. “Hands of Stone” meets revered knockout artist Kulabdam in a bantamweight Muay Thai banger at ONE Fight Night 27: Tang vs. Abdullaev, this Friday, January 10, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Kevin Holland vows to expose the quit in Reinier de Ridder at UFC 311: "He fades and gives it away"
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025
Kevin Holland believes Reinier de Ridder quits when the going gets tough and he plans to prove that at UFC 311. Holland remains in the middleweight division to face de Ridder on the main card of UFC 311. It’s an intriguing bout, but Holland is confident he will get his hand raised and likely finish the former ONE Championship champ.
Holly Holm confirms plans to continue fighting after shocking UFC release: "In a perfect world I'd do both sports"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2025
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm is excited for the future. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with promotional newcomer Kayla Harrison in April. The bout was a big one for the 43-year-old, and she hoped to earn a title shot with a win. Instead, Holly Holm was taken down repeatedly in the UFC 300 prelim bout, ultimately suffering a second-round submission loss.