MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 23, 2025

Jake Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian caused quite a stir with his comments in the aftermath of “El Gallo’s” defeat to Anthony Joshua. Paul accepted a heavyweight bout scheduled for eight rounds against Joshua in Miami this past Friday. Paul lasted until the sixth round when he was blasted by a punch that broke his jaw. He didn’t get off the canvas before the count of 10, and Joshua was awarded the knockout win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 23, 2025

Jake Paul will not be getting any flowers from an ex-interim UFC champion after his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. Paul and Joshua went one-on-one inside the Kaseya Center this past Friday. Paul was on the move from the start of the fight, making it difficult for Joshua to find his target. “El Gallo” wasn’t landing anything significant in return, allowing Joshua to stalk him before breaking his jaw for the sixth-round knockout.

Cole Shelton - December 23, 2025

David Dvorak is ready to bring a world title back to the Czech Republic. Dvorak is set to take on Zhalgas Zhumagulov on Sunday in the co-main event of OKTAGON 81 for the flyweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup, and one Dvorak is glad is happening as he admits he wanted this fight in the UFC.

Harry Kettle - December 23, 2025

Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold has questioned Paddy Pimblett’s recent push to a UFC interim lightweight title shot. At UFC 324 next month, Paddy Pimblett will go head to head with Justin Gaethje in the main event, with the UFC interim lightweight championship on the line. The winner is expected to face Ilia Topuria, the undisputed champion, later this year, once he has dealt with his ongoing personal issues.

Harry Kettle - December 23, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling wants some big fights in the featherweight division next year. As we know, once upon a time, Aljamain Sterling was the UFC bantamweight champion. However, after losing the belt to Sean O’Malley, he opted to make the move back up to 145 pounds. He’s gone 2-1 since then, but at the age of 36, it certainly feels like the clock is ticking if he’s serious about making a push to become a two-weight world champion.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 22, 2025

Mohammad Siasarani arrived at ONE Championship ready to bleed. Three years later, he learned when to make opponents bleed instead. The 23-year-old Iranian striker earned a $100,000 contract with ONE Championship after knocking out Jo Nattawut at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Friday, December 19, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The second-round finish capped a journey that started with raw toughness and ended with calculated violence.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 22, 2025

Three years feels like forever when you’re chasing a dream. Yod-IQ Pimolsri finally caught his. The 23-year-old Thai striker earned a $100,000 contract with ONE Championship after knocking out Alexey Balyko at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19 inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The first-round head kick didn’t just shut Balyko’s lights off. It erased the only loss on Yod-IQ’s ONE record and capped an 11-1 run through the promotion’s weekly series.

Curtis Calhoun - December 22, 2025

Ilia Topuria’s recent interviews drew the attention of former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s team amidst his absence. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s timeline for his first title defense remains uncertain, as he navigates personal issues outside the Octagon. UFC 324 is headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett next month, amidst Topuria’s ongoing hiatus.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2025

Yoel Romero is urging Anderson Silva to share the boxing ring with him. Both Romero and Silva are former UFC middleweights. Romero is regarded as one of the best UFC fighters to never hold gold in the promotion, while Silva is recognized as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. Both men have had success post-UFC.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2025

Jake Paul couldn’t beat the 10-count in the sixth round of his bout with Anthony Joshua, and one UFC legend is thankful. Paul and Joshua collided inside the Kaseya Center in Miami this past Friday. Joshua was a massive betting favorite going into the fight with many thinking he would dust Paul within the first two rounds. While that didn’t end up happening, Paul did suffer the fate many expected him to and he suffered a broken jaw by the end of the night.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 22, 2025

Robert Whittaker is mulling over a potential run in the boxing world once he wraps up his time with UFC. Whittaker is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and while most would argue he’s no longer in his prime, “The Reaper” continues to be a tough out for most 185-pounders. Still, at the age of 35, Whittaker is closer to the end of his pro MMA run than ever before.

Harry Kettle - December 22, 2025

Ilia Topuria has discussed his submission prowess and how he could use it in a possible showdown against Islam Makhachev. Right now, Ilia Topuria is the UFC lightweight champion. At UFC 324, he will be watching closely as Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett collide for the interim UFC lightweight championship, with the winner going on to face ‘El Matador’ for the undisputed belt at some point later in 2026.

Harry Kettle - December 22, 2025

UFC flyweight contender Maycee Barber has called for a rematch against Alexa Grasso in February next year. For the longest time now, Maycee Barber has been viewed as someone who could legitimately become a future world champion in the UFC. That much goes without saying, but at the same time, she has also had her fair share of injury setbacks, leaving many to wonder whether she’ll ever be healthy enough to really go after the gold.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 22, 2025

Isi Fitikefu knows what it’s like to watch an opportunity slip away. But the Australian-Tongan welterweight gets a second chance to prove his worth. The 33-year-old meets undefeated American newcomer Chase Mann at ONE Fight Night 39: Rambolek vs. Dayakaev on Friday, January 23, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The event broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Amazon Prime Video.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 21, 2025

Fabricio Andrey’s explosive grappling style has made him a fan favorite in just two appearances. The Brazilian submission hunter gets another showcase opportunity against elite competition. Andrey meets Joao Mendes in a featherweight submission grappling clash at ONE Fight Night 40 on Friday, February 13, 2026, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The all-Brazilian showdown broadcasts live in U.S. primetime and features two grapplers hungry to prove supremacy on the global stage. The 25-year-old Manaus native arrived in ONE Championship with massive hype surrounding his highlight-reel style.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 21, 2025

One UFC Hall of Famer believes Jake Paul should get some credit for his efforts against Anthony Joshua. Paul and Joshua collided inside the boxing ring this past Saturday. Paul was initially going to face Gervonta “Tank” Davis, but he removed the far smaller fighter from the event due to accusations of domestic abuse. Joshua stepped up and he delivered a crushing sixth-round knockout victory, breaking Paul’s jaw in the process.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 21, 2025

Jorge Masvidal is coming to the defense of Kamaru Usman amid recent comments from Ian Machado Garry. Garry has been clamoring for a shot at the UFC Welterweight Championship, ripping Usman along the way. Current titleholder Islam Makhachev has admitted he’d rather put his gold at stake against Usman, but Garry believes “The Nigerian Nightmare” is irrelevant going into 2026.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 21, 2025

Jake Paul’s team at Most Valuable Promotions continues to be baffled over Francis Ngannou turning down a fight with “El Gallo.” When Paul and MVP pulled Gervonta “Tank” Davis from a previously planned bout due to a civil suit, “The Problem Child” looked for a new opponent. One of the potential names that surfaced was Ngannou, who publicly trashed the opportunity. Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua stepped up and he knocked Paul out in the sixth round.