MMA News
Ronda Rousey's old rival open to UFC rematch: 'I don't know if she ever wanted to have one'
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.
Aljamain Sterling sounds off on doping in mixed martial arts
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.
Dricus du Plessis breaks down the state of UFC's middleweight 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.
Sam-A promises to make Jaosuayai's strawweight debut a nightmare: "A warm welcome"
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.
Jake Paul sends direct message to Anthony Joshua ahead of boxing match: 'Let's go to war'
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.
Movlid Khaybulaev stripped of 2025 PFL title win after USADA suspension announced
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.
Chihiro Sawada Faces Natalie Salcedo at ONE Fight Night 39 in potential title eliminator
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.
Ben Rothwell set to headline BKFC: Knucklemania VI against two-time rival
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.
Ilia Topuria should be stripped of UFC gold, says popular analyst
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+.
Anderson Silva explains why he has no beef with UFC boss Dana White
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.
Tony Ferguson sought out advice from former WWE champion: 'I value his opinion'
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.
Merab Dvalishvili will get Petr Yan trilogy fight next, predicts UFC analyst
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.
Yod-IQ gets rematch against Alexey Balyko at ONE Friday Fights 137
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 16, 2025
Elbrus Osmanov’s injury opened a door for Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri. The Thai striker will now get his chance at redemption. Osmanov withdrew from his scheduled bantamweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Friday, December 19, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. Yod-IQ moves up to featherweight to face Alexey Balyko, the only man to beat him in the weekly series.
Paddy Pimblett pleads for Anthony Joshua to 'punch Jake Paul's head in' in upcoming boxing match
Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025
UFC lightweight superstar Paddy Pimblett didn’t hold back on Jake Paul ahead of his upcoming boxing match against Anthony Joshua. Paddy Pimblett is a little over a month away from challenging for the interim lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. Pimblett and Gaethje headline a stacked card next month as the UFC kicks off its 2026 event slate on its new broadcasting home, Paramount+.
BREAKING: Terence Crawford announces boxing retirement to 'walk away on his own terms'
Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025
The conclusion of one of boxing’s legendary careers was announced on Tuesday as Terence Crawford opted to hang up the gloves. Legendary boxer Terence Crawford shook the boxing world on Tuesday when the 38-year-old superstar announced his abrupt retirement from the sport.
Paulo Costa set to face rising star nicknamed 'The Hulk' in UFC 326 Octagon return
Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025
Former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa will face a rising star when he returns to the Octagon at UFC 326 next year. The UFC middleweight division is in a peculiar spot with Khamzat Chimaev sitting atop the throne.
Tawanchai returns to kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 137: "I want that second belt"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 16, 2025
Nine months removed from his first kickboxing loss, Tawanchai PK Saenchai carries unfinished business back into the ring. The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion refuses to let one setback derail his two-sport dream. The 26-year-old Thai superstar faces Chinese standout Liu Mengyang in featherweight kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The main event clash represents his first kickboxing appearance since former K-1 Champion Masaaki Noiri finished him in the third round at ONE 172 in Saitama, Japan.
Belal Muhammad claims Islam Makhachev favors 'easier matchup' in Kamaru Usman over other top welterweights
Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad accused Islam Makhachev of cherry picking opponents ahead of his first title defense. Islam Makhachev won a second UFC title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 last month. Makhachev, just months after vacating the lightweight belt, put on one of the most dominant performances of his career to dethrone Maddalena and win the welterweight championship.