UFC News

Harry Kettle - February 19, 2025

Former UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is set to make her return to the Octagon later this year at UFC 315. Over the course of the last few years, Alexa Grasso’s career has been focused on one person – Valentina Shevchenko. She defeated her for the belt back at UFC 285, then retained the belt as a result of a draw six months later. Then, at UFC 306 in September, Shevchenko was finally able to reclaim the strap at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Harry Kettle - February 19, 2025

Paige VanZant has reacted to her husband Austin Vanderford taking a short notice fight against Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC Seattle. For many years, Austin Vanderford has enjoyed a solid mixed martial arts career outside of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He even managed to work his way up to a Bellator title shot against Gegard Mousasi, although he was unable to capture the gold. Still, he’s had a great run in his own right, with a lot of people recognizing him for his own abilities as opposed to him just being married to Paige VanZant.

Harry Kettle - February 19, 2025

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has defended Jon Jones after the latter was involved in a strange Instagram video recently. We all know that Jon Jones is the definition of a wild card. He constantly says and does things that confuse the masses, with the majority of fans often questioning whether or not all of his actions over the years have severely tainted his legacy. Either way, though, he’s still considered by many to be one of the greatest of all time.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2025

Anthony Hernandez is ready to prove he’s the best middleweight on the roster. Hernandez is set to take on Brendan Allen in the co-main event of UFC Seattle on Saturday. It serves as a rematch of their 2018 fight in LFA which Hernandez won by decision to win the LFA middleweight title. Given he has fought Allen before, Hernandez

Josh Evanoff - February 18, 2025

Former Bellator middleweight title challenger Austin Vanderford is now a member of the UFC. ‘The Gentleman’ has found a way to make a name for himself outside of MMA’s leading promotion. Debuting in 2017, the former collegiate wrestler quickly found success. In the summer of 2018, Austin Vanderford found himself on the Dana White Contender Series. Despite scoring a decision win over Angelo Trevino, he wasn’t signed by the UFC.

Josh Evanoff - February 18, 2025

Eric Nicksick has some regrets about how he handled Sean Strickland’s UFC 312 title loss. ‘Tarzan’ is fresh off his return to the octagon earlier this month in Australia. In the main event of UFC 312, Sean Strickland met Dricus du Plessis in a rematch of their classic last January. While their first meeting was a back-and-forth war, their second clash was incredibly lopsided. ‘Stillknocks’ dominated Strickland across five rounds, handing the former champion a lopsided decision loss.

Josh Evanoff - February 18, 2025

UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis isn’t worried about Belal Muhammad. ‘Stillknocks’ is fresh off his return to the cage at UFC 312 earlier this month. Back for the first time since submitting Israel Adesanya last fall, Dricus du Plessis again met Sean Strickland. While their bout last January was a barnburner that ended in a split-decision, the second outing couldn’t be more different. Du Plessis dominated ‘Tarzan’ across five rounds, ultimately earning a lopsided decision win.

Josh Evanoff - February 18, 2025

UFC middleweight contender Jared Cannonier wants a rematch with Israel Adesanya. The ‘Killa Gorilla’ is fresh off his return to the cage in the main event of UFC Vegas 102 on Saturday. Back for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Caio Borralho in August, Jared Cannonier met another rising Brazilian in the form of Gregory Rodrigues. ‘Robocop’ entered the bout riding a three-fight winning streak, last beating Christian Leroy Duncan last July.

BJ Penn Staff - February 18, 2025

UFC lightweight King Green is going to bat for Anthony Smith following some harsh criticism from former bantamweight champ TJ Dillashaw. During a 2024 appearance on the JAXXON podcast, Dillashaw questioned “Lionheart” Smith’s heart, claiming he “gives up” in his fights.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025

Dan Hooker believes that win or lose, he’ll be feeling the aftermath of his clash with Justin Gaethje. Hooker and Gaethje will be sharing the Octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313. The bout will be taking place on March 8th. Hooker is looking for his fourth win in a row. A victory over Gaethje would also be the biggest win of “The Hangman’s” pro MMA career.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025

One UFC Hall of Famer says that Islam Makhachev has no fear of fighting Ilia Topuria. Makhachev is the reigning UFC lightweight champion, while Topuria holds the featherweight gold. Topuria has expressed interest in a champion vs. champion showdown, but Makhachev has let it be known that he prefers to go after “champ-champ” status. “El Matador” believes Makhachev is avoiding a fight against him.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2025

One rising UFC welterweight thinks it would be a mistake for Belal Muhammad to give middleweight a try. Muhammad has mulled over a potential move up to 185 pounds. “Remember The Name” has said he’d switch weight classes for a shot at becoming a double champion if the stars align. He has also said he’d rather move up in weight and allow reigning UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev to go after the welterweight gold.

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2025

Mixed martial arts fans have questioned the prospect of Urijah Faber making his return to the sport with GFL. Throughout the course of his iconic career, Urijah Faber has done some wonderful things in mixed martial arts. From competing to coaching, he’s a fairly iconic figure – especially in the smaller weight classes. In the eyes of many, he’s one of the greatest fighters to have never captured UFC gold.

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2025

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has explained why he’s concerned over Alex Pereira’s preparation ahead of UFC 313. As we know, Alex Periera is one of the scariest fighters in all of mixed martial arts – and combat sports in general. He’s the current UFC light heavyweight champion and since joining the UFC, he’s done some incredible things.

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2025

Controversial UFC star Conor McGregor is set to file an official appeal over the verdict in his sexual assault civil case. Last year, Conor McGregor was taken to civil court by Nikita Hand, a woman who accused him of sexual assault. She won her claim for damages, with a jury finding that he did, in fact, assault her in a Dublin hotel back in December 2018. He was then ordered to pay her more than €248,000 in damages. In addition, he was ordered to pay the costs of her taking the civil action against him.

Cole Shelton - February 18, 2025

The 190th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Seattle. We’re first joined by 12th-ranked UFC middleweight Anthony Hernandez (0:49). We close things out by talking to UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (8:26).

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.

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.