MMA News

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2025

Alexa Grasso is expecting a very fun fight against Natalia Silva at UFC 315. Grasso is set for her first fight since losing her flyweight title to Valentina Shevchenko last time out. Although she is the former champion and fighting down in the ranks, Grasso is the underdog, but she doesn’t care about that.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

Brock Lesnar famously reached the pinnacle of both WWE and the UFC during his legendary career. It seems he has passed his athletic gifts on to his son. On Wednesday, the Western Hockey League (WHL) began its prospects draft. On Thursday, the former UFC champion’s son, Duke Lesnar, was drafted by the the Medicine Hat Tigers with the 115th overall pick.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

About that new nickname UFC star Ilia Topuria chose for himself last month… Spain’s Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champ, is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA right now. Ahead of his anticipated debut in the lightweight division, he announced plans to switch his nickname from “El Matador” to “La Leyenda.”

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

If you ask long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan, the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the lightweight division is BJ Penn, not Khabib Nurmagomedov. In 2025, most long-time MMA fans agree that Penn is one of the greatest lightweights ever. However, the immense success that Nurmagomedov had in the Octagon after Penn retired created space for plenty of healthy debate.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is officially set to the Octagon, and he’ll do so with a different look than we’re used to. Garbrandt will make his return when the UFC touches down in Atlanta, Georgia on June 14. His opponent this time around will be a fellow veteran in Raoni Barcelos. The bout was first announced by Barcelos himself.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

Anthony Smith found the acknowledgment he had been seeking throughout his in entire career during his final night on the job. Smith wrapped up his pro MMA career during the UFC Kansas City event on April 26. “Lionheart” shared the Octagon with Zhang Mingyang inside T-Mobile Center. Smith was stopped in the first round via TKO, ending his prizefighting career on a loss.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

One former UFC slugger thinks the honeymoon phase of women’s MMA has come and gone. There was a time when UFC CEO Dana White was opposed to adding women to the roster. Once White was introduced to Ronda Rousey, things changed. There are three female divisions in the UFC currently, and a women’s flyweight title fight is scheduled for this Saturday.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

Diego Lopes has revealed when he’d like to make the trip back inside the Octagon. Lopes took on Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship back in April. While Lopes had some moments, Volkanovski proved that he’s still an elite 145-pounder. Volkanovski defeated Lopes via unanimous decision to become a two-time UFC Featherweight Champion.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2025

Two-weight ONE World Champion Anatoly Malykhin has heaped praise on rival and former two-division king Reinier de Ridder. But not before reminding everyone of his own prowess. De Ridder scored his third consecutive stoppage victory in the UFC this past Saturday, 3 May, putting an end to the surging Bo Nickal in the second round by TKO.

Harry Kettle - May 8, 2025

UFC contender Jack Della Maddalena claims he has left no stone unturned in preparing for his title shot at UFC 315. On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena will go head to head with Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315. The UFC welterweight championship will be on the line and while Belal may be the favorite, counting out JDM would be a big mistake. He thrives off of being the underdog and you can bet he’s going in there with the belief that he can bring the belt home to Australia.

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025

UFC star Ian Machado Garry believes he could pull off the biggest heist in UFC history at UFC 315 on Saturday night. As we know, Ian Machado Garry is one of the biggest names in the welterweight division. He has slowly but surely been making his way up through the ranks and now, nobody can argue against him being in the title picture. Following on from his short notice win over Carlos Prates last weekend, he’s now in a position where he is the backup fighter for the UFC 315 main event.

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025

UFC champion Belal Muhammad has predicted a knockout triumph over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. As we know, Belal Muhammad will defend his welterweight gold in the main event of UFC 315. He’ll do so against Jack Della Maddalena in a contest that many fans and pundits alike are pretty interested to see. JDM would seemingly have the advantage on the feet, but the wrestling of Belal is what got him to the dance in the first place.

Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025

In the main event of UFC 315, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Belal Muhammad takes on Jack Della Maddalena. Heading into the fight, Muhammad is a -188 favorite while the challenger is a +146 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the welterweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Muhammad’s pace and wrestling will be too much as he will defend his belt, most likely by decision.

Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025

Manon Fiorot not only plans to take Valentina Shevchenko’s belt, but she also plans to take her superfight. Fiorot is set to take on Shevchenko in the co-main event of UFC 315 for the women’s flyweight title. Despite being the challenger, Fiorot is the betting favorite, which is a surprise to some. Although she is the challenger, Fiorot isn’t surprised she is the favorite as he knows she’s been dominating opponents when Shevchenko hasn’t.

Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena thinks UFC 315 could be the final time that Belal Muhammad fights in the UFC. Della Maddalena is set to challenge Muhammad for the welterweight title on Saturday in Montreal. It’s an intriguing matchup, and Della Maddalena has shown confidence that he won’t just win but will finish Muhammad. Not only does Della Maddalena believe he will finish Muhammad, but he thinks the champ may opt to retire after the loss, knowing he won’t get the belt back.

BJ Penn Staff - May 7, 2025

Alex Pereira claims his relationship with the UFC is actually in good place — contrary to a social media post that sent the MMA community into a frenzy this morning. On Tuesday morning, Pereira posted on X, lashing out at the UFC and threatening to retire after receiving some “disheartening” news.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 7, 2025

Belal Muhammad insists he has zero concern about Kamaru Usman. Muhammad and Usman haven’t been cordial with one another over the past year. Usman blames the dissension on Muhammad’s trash talk after winning the UFC Welterweight Championship from Leon Edwards in 2024. There is also the now infamous unaired “Pound 4 Pound” podcast episode featuring Muhammad, where things apparently got quite testy between the two.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 7, 2025

Jose Aldo was never known for being a trash talker, but he doesn’t shy away from throwing out a zinger or two. Aldo is already a UFC Hall of Famer, but he still competes inside the Octagon. While Aldo hasn’t tasted UFC gold in quite some time, he still believes in his ability to put on a show. While wins over Marlon “Chito” Vera, Pedro Munhoz, Rob Font, and Jonathan Martinez proved Aldo still has some juice left in the tank, losses against Merab Dvalishvili and Mario Bautista frustrated the UFC legend.