MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 3, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Johan Estupinan beat Johan Ghazali. That result put him on the map in a way few promotional debuts have managed. Two losses followed, and now he needs to show June 26 is where his real story starts again. Estupinan now faces Akif Guluzada in a flyweight kickboxing bout at ONE Fight Night 44: Jarvis vs. Rungrawee II on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 26.

Dylan Bowker - June 3, 2026 at 3:51 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC lightweight title in the coming days against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje at the White House in the coming days and someone interwoven within that UFC 155-pound title lineage has weighed in on the bout. Topuria versus Gaethje is a title unification contest that tops the marquee at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14th. The former UFC divisional kingpin being referenced is Benson Henderson, who broke down the machinations of that matchup when preparing for his own MMA return headlining the recent PFL Brussels card. Expounding upon his thoughts related to Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, Henderson said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Curtis Calhoun - June 3, 2026 at 3:42 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm responded to her former rival, Ronda Rousey’s recent comments about a rematch. UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey’s highly anticipated return to Mixed Martial Arts lasted just 17 seconds last month, as she submitted Gina Carano with her patented armbar. Rousey hadn’t fought since back-to-back losses to Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes to end her UFC tenure.

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2026 at 3:33 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Belal Muhammad plans to remind everyone he’s still one of the best welterweights in the world. Muhammad is set to headline UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday against Gabriel Bonfim in a pivotal fight at welterweight. Despite losing his last two fights, Muhammad enters the bout as a -130 favorite while the Brazilian is a +102 underdog on FanDuel.

Curtis Calhoun - June 3, 2026 at 1:51 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Former UFC interim title challenger Sergei Pavlovich has his eyes set on Josh Hokit after Hokit’s upcoming fight at the White House. UFC heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich earned an impressive first-round knockout win over Tallison Teixeira last Saturday at UFC Macau. After recent lopsided defeats to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov, Pavlovich is back in the heavyweight title discussion after earning his third consecutive victory.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Yodlekpet Or Atchariya faces Myanmar’s Saw Min Min in the flyweight Muay Thai main event of ONE Friday Fights 157, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 5. The 31-year-old multi-time Rajadamnern and Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion enters on the back of a third-round stoppage of Gingsanglek Wor Kumchamnarn that snapped his fellow Thai’s three-fight winning streak.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2026 at 11:44 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik doesn’t exactly view Colby Covington as Hall of Fame worthy. Covington recently wrapped up his pro MMA career in a move that surprised some. While “Chaos” will turn 39 in 2027, he had showed signs that he was ready for his next fight. Covington had been pounding the table to be a part of the UFC Freedom 250 card, but he didn’t get his wish and he ultimately retired.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2026 at 10:38 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Belal Muhammad doesn’t plan to put much attention on Kamaru Usman moving forward. Muhammad and Usman have traded barbs over the past couple of years, but the two have yet to share the Octagon. An unaired episode of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast back in 2024 went awry when “Remember The Name” and “The Nigerian Nightmare” got physical after some words were exchanged.

Harry Kettle - June 3, 2026 at 8:00 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has discussed who he considers to be some of the greatest to ever compete in the sport of MMA. When you talk about the best fighters to ever compete in mixed martial arts, Georges St-Pierre is a name that many will mention. He is a two-weight UFC world champion, and he was able to avenge both of the defeats he suffered as a professional fighter.

Harry Kettle - June 3, 2026 at 7:58 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC legend Dustin Poirier has taken a quick shot at Conor McGregor when discussing his rival’s upcoming return to the cage. Next month, Conor McGregor will return to active competition in mixed martial arts for the first time in five years when he squares off with Max Holloway. It will serve as a rematch from their first fight more than a decade ago, but on that occasion, they fought at featherweight.

Harry Kettle - June 3, 2026 at 7:56 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Usman Nurmagomedov has opened up on his mixed martial arts future ahead of his next outing for PFL. In his next fight, Usman Nurmagomedov will defend his PFL lightweight championship against Archie Colgan on July 31st. Over the course of the last few years, Usman has established himself as one of the best lightweights in the world – but many are eager to see what he could accomplish in the UFC.

Dylan Bowker - June 2, 2026 at 7:01 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Gable Steveson and UFC Ceiling are already being perceived in a particular way ahead of his promotional debut with a UFC Hall of Famer weighing in on all of that. Gable Steveson is unbeaten in MMA, and the Jon Jones protege is making his UFC debut at UFC 329 against Elisha Ellison. The UFC Hall of Fame inductee in question is Clay Guida, who discussed this ahead of a Real American Freestyle contest with Steveson also competing for RAF. There’s a certain sentiment from many who in the wrestling space, but also within MMA, who tout Gable Stevenson’s ability to become a UFC champion in pretty short order. When asked if he sees what other people are seemingly seeing, Guida said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Cole Shelton - June 4, 2026

Gabriel Bonfim has high praise for his upcoming opponent, Belal Muhammad. Bonfim is set to headline UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday from the Apex against Muhammad. It’s a tough test for the Brazilian as he takes on a former champion, as Bonfim calls it the toughest test of his career.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2026

Sean O’Malley thinks a finish at UFC Freedom 250 gives him the best chance at another title fight, but he doesn’t feel it’s a lock. O’Malley is scheduled to collide with Zahabi in a pivotal bantamweight tilt on June 14. The “Suga” show is looking to build off his January win over Song Yadong during UFC’s debut on Paramount+. As for Zahabi, he’s in search of the biggest win of his pro MMA career, which would extend his winning streak to eight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2026

Brendan Allen is convinced that Dricus du Plessis doesn’t want the smoke. Allen and du Plessis have been exchanging heated words over the past year, but a bout between the two has yet to materialize. While UFC has yet to make it official, rumors have been swirling of a middleweight clash between du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on July 18. Meanwhile, the No. 4-ranked Allen will be facing unranked Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 4, 2026

Josh Hokit doesn’t believe Alex Pereira is as good as the MMA community thinks he is. Hokit has been trying to ruffle some feathers on his climb in the heavyweight division. He revved up his antics during media week for UFC 327 back in April, and he ultimately defeated Curtis Blaydes via unanimous decision in an entertaining scrap. He will meet Derrick Lewis on the UFC Freedom 250 card on June 14 and caused some chaos once again during a press conference back in May.

Harry Kettle - June 3, 2026

UFC star Alex Pereira has opened up on his decision to make the jump up to the promotion’s heavyweight division. Fight fans are well aware of the pedigree that Alex Pereira has in mixed martial arts and in combat sports in general. The Brazilian sensation has achieved some wonderful things since his career started, and now, he stands on the verge of history.

Harry Kettle - June 3, 2026

UFC star Mauricio Ruffy has addressed questions about his relationship with his former Fighting Nerds team. In his next outing, Mauricio Ruffy will go head to head with Michael Chandler as part of the blockbuster UFC Freedom 250 card. For a long time now, it’s seemed as if he was being lined up as the next big thing at lightweight, and if he can defeat a veteran like Chandler, that will only solidify those beliefs.

Curtis Calhoun - June 3, 2026

UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland got in trouble with the matchmakers over recent comments about UFC White House. Many current and former UFC champions are expected to attend the upcoming White House event later this month. According to UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland, he’s the only one excluded from the invitations.

Dylan Bowker - June 3, 2026

Ilia Topuria will defend his UFC lightweight title in the coming days against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje at the White House in the coming days and someone interwoven within that UFC 155-pound title lineage has weighed in on the bout. Topuria versus Gaethje is a title unification contest that tops the marquee at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14th. The former UFC divisional kingpin being referenced is Benson Henderson, who broke down the machinations of that matchup when preparing for his own MMA return headlining the recent PFL Brussels card. Expounding upon his thoughts related to Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, Henderson said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Cole Shelton - June 3, 2026

Belal Muhammad plans to remind everyone he’s still one of the best welterweights in the world. Muhammad is set to headline UFC Vegas 118 on Saturday against Gabriel Bonfim in a pivotal fight at welterweight. Despite losing his last two fights, Muhammad enters the bout as a -130 favorite while the Brazilian is a +102 underdog on FanDuel.

Curtis Calhoun - June 3, 2026

Former UFC interim title challenger Sergei Pavlovich has his eyes set on Josh Hokit after Hokit’s upcoming fight at the White House. UFC heavyweight contender Sergei Pavlovich earned an impressive first-round knockout win over Tallison Teixeira last Saturday at UFC Macau. After recent lopsided defeats to Tom Aspinall and Alexander Volkov, Pavlovich is back in the heavyweight title discussion after earning his third consecutive victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2026

UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik doesn’t exactly view Colby Covington as Hall of Fame worthy. Covington recently wrapped up his pro MMA career in a move that surprised some. While “Chaos” will turn 39 in 2027, he had showed signs that he was ready for his next fight. Covington had been pounding the table to be a part of the UFC Freedom 250 card, but he didn’t get his wish and he ultimately retired.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2026

Belal Muhammad doesn’t plan to put much attention on Kamaru Usman moving forward. Muhammad and Usman have traded barbs over the past couple of years, but the two have yet to share the Octagon. An unaired episode of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast back in 2024 went awry when “Remember The Name” and “The Nigerian Nightmare” got physical after some words were exchanged.