MMA News

Anthony Smith UFC Kansas City
Matt Brown

Former UFC slugger isn't a fan of retirement fight announcements amid Anthony Smith's loss

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 29, 2025

The UFC recently held a retirement fight in Kansas City for Anthony Smith, and he was stopped via bloody first-round TKO. Smith mentioned in his post-fight interview that it was simply time to walk away from pro MMA competition. He admitted that he was getting older and wasn’t moving the way he used to inside the Octagon. “Lionheart” now looks forward to putting in more time as an analyst, along with other projects.

Eddie Hall
Mariusz Pudzianowski

Eddie Hall apologizes for hitting Mariusz Pudzianowski with shots to back of the head

Harry Kettle - April 29, 2025

Eddie Hall has issued an apology for hitting former five-time World’s Strongest Man Mariusz Pudzianowski in the back of the head in their KSW fight. Throughout the course of his life, Eddie Hall has always committed to pulling off unlikely feats of strength. He dedicated his life to the cause of becoming World’s Strongest Man and eventually, he turned that dream into a reality. From there, he retired from Strongman competition, opting to focus on other ventures – including combat sports.

Joaquin Buckley and Ian Machado Garry
Joaquin Buckley

Joaquin Buckley intensifies Ian Machado Garry feud with comments about his wife

Harry Kettle - April 29, 2025

UFC star Joaquin Buckley has continued to ramp up the intensity of his feud with fellow welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry. In case you’ve missed it, Joaquin Buckley is now a top contender in the welterweight division. He’s picked up a string of big wins over the course of his last few fights including triumphs over Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. Now, his ‘veteran’ tour will take him to the main event of UFC Atlanta, where he will meet former undisputed champion Kamaru Usman.

Ian Machado Garry, Carlos Prates
Ian Garry

What's next for Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates after UFC Kansas City?

Cole Shelton - April 29, 2025

The UFC was in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, April 26, for UFC Kansas City. The main event saw welterweight contenders Ian Machado Garry throw down with Carlos Prates. Garry was coming off a decision loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov in a No. 1 contender fight he took on short notice, which was his first-career loss. Prates, meanwhile, was coming off a KO win over Neil Magny and was 4-0 in the UFC entering this fight.

Bo Nickal
UFC

Bo Nickal responds to strange challenge from YouTuber MrBeast

Harry Kettle - April 29, 2025

UFC star Bo Nickal has responded to an insane idea that has been pitched by famous yet controversial YouTuber MrBeast. We’re all aware of the fact that Bo Nickal is an incredibly dangerous fighter. Within the context of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, many believe he has what it takes to become a title contender one day. Of course, he’s taking his time in building up his name value right now, but the goal is still a simple one: win the gold and establish yourself as one of the very best in all of mixed martial arts.

Abdulla Dayakaev
ONE Championship

Saemapetch targeted by Russian finisher: "Stoppage win for me"

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 28, 2025

Bantamweight Muay Thai brawler Abdulla Dayakaev won’t rest until he solidifies himself as the greatest striker in the division. Fresh off a fiery stint in ONE Friday Fights, the 23-year-old makes his main roster debut versus Saemapetch Fairtex in bantamweight Muay Thai. This happens at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Tye Ruotolo
ONE Championship

Tye Ruotolo outlines path to victory against Dante Leon at ONE Fight Night 31

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 28, 2025

ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo has lit up ONE Championship with his dynamic, unorthodox approach to grappling. With that, he believes it will lead him to victory at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II. He defends his welterweight gold versus fierce rival Dante Leon in the co-main event this Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Anthony Smith
UFC

Anthony Smith explains why he flipped off the fan after UFC Kansas City loss: "I was so mad"

Cole Shelton - April 28, 2025

Anthony Smith opened up on why he flipped off the fan after his UFC Kansas City loss. Smith was set for his retirement fight against Mingyang Zhang. ‘Lionheart’ entered the bout as a sizeable underdog, and he suffered a first-round TKO loss. After the loss, while the doctors were attending to him in the Octagon, he was flipping someone off and he revealed it was a fan.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Patrice Evra
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov offers to train former soccer star Patrice Evra ahead of PFL debut: "I’m going to teach you"

Cole Shelton - April 28, 2025

Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is open to training Patrice Evra ahead of his MMA debut. Evra is a former captain for both Manchester United and the France men’s national team in his career. He’s widely considered to be one of the greatest full-backs of his generation, and at age 43, he will be making his MMA debut at PFL Paris on May 23 at the Accor Arena.

Vinc Pichel, UFC
Vinc Pichel

12-fight UFC veteran announces retirement from MMA: 'I’m sad, I’m excited, I’m happy, I’m afraid'

BJ Penn Staff - April 28, 2025

Vinc Pichel, a 12-fight veteran of the UFC Octagon, is hanging up his gloves. While most fighters tend to announce their retirements immediately after their fights, Pichel quietly announced his decision on social media, almost one month removed from his last fight.

Dana White, UFC 318, MMA
Ian Garry

Dana White confirms backup fighter for UFC 315 welterweight title bout

BJ Penn Staff - April 28, 2025

If disaster strikes the UFC 315 main event, Ian Machado Garry will be ready, according to Dana White. UFC 315 goes down on May 10 in Montreal, Canada. The main event will see welterweight champ Belal Muhammad attempt the first title defense of his reign against Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena.

Dustin Poirier, UFC MMA
UFC

Dustin Poirier reveals he's had 'at least 10 fights' that aren't listed on his record

BJ Penn Staff - April 28, 2025

Dustin Poirier is one of the most experienced fighters in the UFC, with 30-9 record contested at both lightweight and featherweight. Yet apparently, that’s just scratching the surface. During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Poirier revealed that he’s had a number of pro fights that aren’t listed on his record. In fact, he says there are nine wins and one loss that don’t appear on his official resume.

Joaquin Buckley and Kamaru Usman
Joaquin Buckley

Ian Machado Garry makes shocking prediction for Joaquin Buckley vs. Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 28, 2025

Ian Machado Garry has fired back at Joaquin Buckley, but he also made a stunning prediction for his foe’s clash with Kamaru Usman. Garry stepped up on short notice to take a main event slot against Carlos Prates this past Saturday at UFC Kansas City. While Prates was preparing for Geoff Neal, “The Future” entered the fray when Neal suffered an injury. Garry looked sharp for most of the fight, but he had to overcome a late scare to take the unanimous decision victory.

Michael Bisping Anthony Smith
Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping reacts to Anthony Smith's loss in retirement fight at UFC Kansas City

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 28, 2025

Michael Bisping has given his reaction to Anthony Smith’s swan song. Smith entered the Octagon for the final time in the co-main event of UFC Kansas City. Zhang Mingyang was his dance partner, and the fight didn’t make it out of the opening frame. Mingyang delivered some sharp elbows that split the top of Smith’s head. He then rained down strikes on the ground before referee Jason Herzog stopped the fight.

Georges St-Pierre, UFC, MMA
UFC

Georges St-Pierre provides an update on a potential return to active competition

Harry Kettle - April 28, 2025

UFC legend Georges St-Pierre has given his thoughts on the possibility of a return to active competition. When you’re talking about the very best fighters in the history of mixed martial arts, Georges St-Pierre has to be located towards the top of that list. He achieved some truly incredible things throughout the course of his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and he went out in style after defeating Michael Bisping to become a two-weight world champion.

CM Punk, Mickey Gall
Matt Brown

UFC legend Matt Brown is still shocked that CM Punk fought for the promotion

Harry Kettle - April 28, 2025

UFC legend Matt Brown has given his thoughts on the fact that WWE superstar CM Punk competed for the promotion. These days, CM Punk is enjoying his second run with WWE. After ten years away from the company, he finally made his way back into the mix – and he hasn’t looked back since. He’s been on a great run of form with great match after great match, and many believe he’ll eventually be back in world title contention before too long.

Carlos Prates, UFC Kansas City, MMA
UFC

Carlos Prates' smoking may have hurt UFC Kansas City performance, says Josh Thomson

Harry Kettle - April 28, 2025

MMA analyst Josh Thomson has given his thoughts on Carlos Prates’ smoking after his loss at UFC Kansas City. Last weekend, Carlos Prates fell short in his attempt to overcome the challenge of Ian Machado Garry. The two men went to war in the main event in Kansas City, with the Irishman coming away with the victory. However, he didn’t have things all his own way. In the fifth and final round, Prates was able to hurt Machado Garry pretty badly – to the point where it seemed as if he was close to getting him out of there.

Tom Aspinall, Jon Jones, UFC, MMA
Jon Jones

Dana White provides positive update on potential Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall fight

Harry Kettle - April 28, 2025

UFC president Dana White has provided an update on the possibility of a fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall. For the longest time now, fans have been demanding answers when it comes to Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall. Both men hold gold in the heavyweight division, and we’ve all been waiting to see whether or not the promotion would actually be able to get this fight made. Ever since this saga began, it’s been clear to see that if there has been one hold-up in this process, it’s been Jon.