MMA News

Harry Kettle - December 18, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling didn’t hold back when giving his thoughts on the state of doping in mixed martial arts. Throughout the last few years, Aljamain Sterling has consistently possessed something that many fighters lack – a great physique. He is also a former UFC bantamweight champion, and his goal is to try and achieve that feat once again, this time in the featherweight division.

Harry Kettle - December 18, 2025

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus du Plessis has given his thoughts on the current state of the division. As we know, Dricus du Plessis is one of the top middleweight fighters in mixed martial arts right now. However, he is no longer the champion in the UFC after he was beaten in a fairly one-sided fight against Khamzat Chimaev earlier this year.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 18, 2025

Sam-A Gaiyanghadao knows the weight cut changes everything. The Thai legend plans to exploit that vulnerability when Jaosuayai drops down to strawweight. The former two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion welcomes Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi to the strawweight Muay Thai ranks at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Friday, December 19, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 42-year-old icon has lived through those physical adjustments himself and believes they offer a clear opening against his younger compatriot.

Curtis Calhoun - December 17, 2025

UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder was medically cleared to compete faster than expected and will return at UFC 326. Former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder hinted at a long absence from competition due to medical issues stemming from his loss to Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver. But months later, it appears De Ridder has worked through some of his health issues and will return to the Octagon on one of the first cards of 2026, way ahead of schedule.

Curtis Calhoun - December 17, 2025

2025 PFL featherweight title winner Movlid Khaybulaev’s championship belt has been forfeited after he was served a one-year USADA suspension. One of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s top proteges, Movlid Khaybulaev, is in hot water after he was handed a one-year USADA suspension stemming from testing positive for a banned substance.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 17, 2025

Chihiro Sawada gets another shot at breaking into title contention, but the Japanese grappler needs to solve an undefeated puzzle first. Sawada meets Natalie Salcedo in a women’s atomweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, 2026, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The event opens ONE Championship’s U.S. primetime calendar and features two fighters desperate to crack the championship picture.

Curtis Calhoun - December 17, 2025

Bare Knuckle FC heavyweight champion and former UFC star Ben Rothwell will face a familiar rival in his upcoming title defense. Ben Rothwell’s first Bare Knuckle FC title defense headlines the promotion’s upcoming card at Knucklemania VI in Philadelphia.

Curtis Calhoun - December 17, 2025

Former PFL champion Movlid Khaybulaev was handed a one-year USADA suspension after testing positive for a banned performance enhancer. 2025 PFL World Tournament featherweight title winner Movlid Khaybulaev’s recent championship win is now under intense scrutiny after a failed drug test.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2025

Anderson Silva has no issues with UFC CEO Dana White. Silva once ruled the UFC’s middleweight division and was considered to be the best fighter in the world during his prime. “The Spider’s” relationship with White wasn’t always perfect, as the UFC boss criticized Silva’s performances when he felt it was warranted. Silva also had a rather unceremonious exit from the company despite his legendary status.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2025

Tony Ferguson once called upon a former WWE titleholder for some advice. Ferguson turned into a popular pro MMA personality who could mix it up with elite talent during his prime years. Ferguson even captured the interim UFC Lightweight Championship at one point. While he ultimately left UFC on a losing skid, he has rebounded under the Misfits Boxing banner.

Harry Kettle - December 17, 2025

UFC analyst Din Thomas believes Merab Dvalishvili will get the trilogy fight against Petr Yan in his next outing. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili came up short in his attempt to successfully defend the UFC bantamweight championship for the fourth time in 2025. He lost the strap to Petr Yan, who was able to avenge his loss from their first meeting. As you can imagine, Merab is pretty determined to get a trilogy bout against the new champion.

Harry Kettle - December 17, 2025

UFC legend Henry Cejudo has explained why he understands Arman Tsarukyan being snubbed for a world title shot. Right now, Arman Tsarukyan is in a difficult position. While he’s coming off the back of an incredible submission win over Dan Hooker, he wasn’t selected to be part of the UFC interim lightweight title fight at UFC 324. Instead, that honor went to Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett who will battle it out next month.

Harry Kettle - December 19, 2025

UFC star Paddy Pimblett believes that fellow lightweight Arman Tsarukyan is lucky he wasn’t cut from the promotion. As we know, Arman Tsarukyan is one of the best lightweights in all of mixed martial arts. However, he also isn’t the most popular fighter on the UFC roster – far from it, in fact. Arman has been receiving a lot of criticism over the course of the last few years, and even after demolishing Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar, he still didn’t seem to be getting too much respect from the masses – and that includes UFC boss Dana White.

Harry Kettle - December 19, 2025

UFC middleweight Sean Strickland has torn into Tom Aspinall for the saga surrounding his recent eye injury. While he may be the UFC heavyweight champion, things aren’t going great for Tom Aspinall right now. He is on the verge of needing surgery to correct a nasty eye injury that he sustained at the hands of Ciryl Gane back at UFC 321, when the Frenchman poked him directly in both of his eyes to cause a no contest.

Harry Kettle - December 19, 2025

Joaquin Buckley isn’t convinced that Islam Makhachev will compete much longer, even if he fights and defeats Kamaru Usman. Right now, Islam Makhachev is on top of the world as the UFC welterweight champion. While there’s been no confirmation about what’s next for him, it certainly seems as if the idea of him being challenged by former champion Kamaru Usman is building momentum.

Curtis Calhoun - December 18, 2025

UFC lightweight star Paddy Pimblett clarified his stance towards Ilia Topuria after their recent classy back-and-forths. Paddy Pimblett will fight for the interim lightweight title next month against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, with the winner set for a likely showdown against undisputed champ Ilia Topuria. Topuria is dealing with issues outside of fighting and is taking an indefinite hiatus from competition.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2025

Tyron Woodley once ruled the UFC welterweight division, but he feels he lost sight of what got him to the dance. Once Georges St-Pierre vacated the 170-pound gold in late 2013, it opened the door for some new blood at the top. The title bounced from Johny Hendricks to Robbie Lawler, and then Woodley. Of the three names mentioned after GSP, who held the gold for over 2,000 days, Woodley had the longest reign at 945 days.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2025

Reigning UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van has received another harsh warning from the man who could be his first challenger. Van captured the 125-pound gold due to unfortunate circumstances. His first world title opportunity against Alexandre Pantoja ended in just 26 seconds. Pantoja suffered a horrific arm injury and he could not continue.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 18, 2025

A familiar face is open to fighting Ronda Rousey again. Rousey hasn’t stepped inside the Octagon since late 2016. The UFC women’s pioneer was stopped by Amanda Nunes via TKO in 48 seconds. In the bout prior to that, she was brutally knocked out by Holly Holm in her first pro MMA defeat. The loss to Holm was jarring for “Rowdy” and it ultimately led to her exit from combat sports.

Harry Kettle - December 18, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling didn’t hold back when giving his thoughts on the state of doping in mixed martial arts. Throughout the last few years, Aljamain Sterling has consistently possessed something that many fighters lack – a great physique. He is also a former UFC bantamweight champion, and his goal is to try and achieve that feat once again, this time in the featherweight division.

Curtis Calhoun - December 17, 2025

UFC middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder was medically cleared to compete faster than expected and will return at UFC 326. Former ONE two-division champion Reinier de Ridder hinted at a long absence from competition due to medical issues stemming from his loss to Brendan Allen at UFC Vancouver. But months later, it appears De Ridder has worked through some of his health issues and will return to the Octagon on one of the first cards of 2026, way ahead of schedule.

Cole Shelton - December 17, 2025

Jake Paul has sent a clear message to Anthony Joshua ahead of their highly anticipated fight on Friday. Paul is set to take on Joshua in an intriguing heavyweight fight, which is a massive step-up in competition for the brash YouTuber-turned-boxer. Heading into the bout, many expect Joshua to make quick work of Paul and get a knockout early; however, some have wondered how seriously Joshua is taking it.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2025

One well-known analyst has shifted his opinion on Ilia Topuria’s status as the UFC Lightweight Champion. Topuria might be holding the main 155-pound title, but he will not be featured in the next lightweight championship bout. Instead, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will be fighting for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on Jan. 24. The bout will headline UFC 324, which will be UFC’s debut event on Paramount+.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 17, 2025

Anderson Silva has no issues with UFC CEO Dana White. Silva once ruled the UFC’s middleweight division and was considered to be the best fighter in the world during his prime. “The Spider’s” relationship with White wasn’t always perfect, as the UFC boss criticized Silva’s performances when he felt it was warranted. Silva also had a rather unceremonious exit from the company despite his legendary status.