UFC News
Islam Makhachev says he’s "not leaving" the UFC "without a second belt"
Cole Shelton - January 16, 2025
Islam Makhachev says his goal is to become a champ-champ in the UFC. Makhachev is set to defend his lightweight title in the main event of UFC 311 on Saturday in a rematch against Arman Tsarukyan. It’s an intriguing fight and if he wins, there is no clear-cut next contender for Makhachev. With that, Makhachev says he’d be interested in going up to welterweight as he claims he won’t retire until he is a champ-champ.
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.
Joe Rogan reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov's incident with Frontier Airlines: 'Imagine if that happened in Dagestan?'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 16, 2025
Joe Rogan has shared his reaction to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s recent flight fiasco. Nurmagomedov was ready to board a flight through Frontier Airlines going from Las Vegas to San Francisco. “The Eagle” was attempting to travel out to corner Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov for their UFC 311 title fights. The UFC Hall of Famer ended up arguing with a flight attendant over his sear near the emergency exit.
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.
UFC legend has surprise name for lightweight GOAT ahead of Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - January 16, 2025
A UFC legend has suggested that another fighter, not Khabib Nurmagomedov, could have a claim to being the lightweight GOAT. As we know, Khabib Nurmagomedov is recognized as one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time. He retired with an incredible 29-0 unbeaten record, he tore through some of the best in the world, and he rarely ever lost a round. He had a glittering career, and many consider him to be the best lightweight that has ever lived.
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.
UFC 311 | Pro fighters make their picks for Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov title fight
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC 311, the bantamweight title is up for grabs as current champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on Umar Nurmagomedov. Heading into the fight, the champ is a +240 underdog while the challenger is a -330 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the bantamweight title fight at UFC 311. The pros believe Merab Dvalishvili will be able to pull off the upset and hand Nurmagomedov his first career loss at UFC 311.
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.
Patricio Pitbull reveals who he wants next ahead of possible UFC signing: "I want that belt!"
Josh Evanoff - January 15, 2025
Former Bellator featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull knows who he wants in his UFC debut. The Brazilian was last seen in the Bellator cage last March in Belfast. There, Patricio Pitbull earned the first title defense of his third stint with featherweight gold, scoring a knockout win over Jeremy Kennedy. Following the victory, the 37-year-old called for a clash with the hard-hitting Aaron Pico. Despite rumors of a late 2024 bout between the two, it never came to fruition.
Dana White shoots down rumors of Conor McGregor boxing Logan Paul or KSI
Cole Shelton - January 15, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White says Conor McGregor won’t be boxing Logan Paul or KSI as rumored. McGregor was linked to a boxing match in India against Paul. But, he said he was focused on WWE and the attention then turned to KSI. However, White says neither of these fights will happen as McGregor’s next fight will be in the UFC.
Michael Bisping reveals biggest concern for Arman Tsarukyan ahead of UFC 311 rematch with Islam Makhachev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 15, 2025
Ahead of UFC 311, Michael Bisping has a major concern for Arman Tsarukyan. It’ll be Tsarukyan who will challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship this Saturday night. It’s a chance for “Ahalkalakets” to not only capture UFC gold for the first time, but get revenge on Makhachev for their 2019 bout.
Dana White's hilarious reaction to Khabib Nurmagomedov's flight incident prior to UFC 311: 'He's flying on that piece of sh*t airline'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 15, 2025
Dana White has responded to the Khabib Nurmagomedov flight incident exactly how you’d expect him to. Nurmagomedov found himself in an unwanted situation when he argued with a Frontier Airlines flight attendant over giving up his seat near the emergency exit. The UFC Hall of Famer ended up leaving the plane and he boarded another flight in order to make it to California for two title fights involving Islam Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov this Saturday at UFC 311.
Dana White confirms status of UFC 311 amid Los Angeles wildfires
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 15, 2025
UFC 311 is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles this weekend, and Dana White says everything is going according to plan. There has been much speculation over whether or not the event will moved due to the devastating wildfires in California. Recently, the NFL moved a wildcard playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings from Inglewood to Arizona.
Chael Sonnen criticizes Mackenzie Dern for not calling for title shot
Harry Kettle - January 15, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has criticized Mackenzie Dern for not calling for a title shot after defeating Amanda Ribas. Last weekend, Mackenzie Dern avenged her 2019 loss to Amanda Ribas with a really nice submission win in their main event clash. Following the bout, she suggested that she wasn’t interested in calling for a title shot right now. Instead, she wants to focus on improving.