MMA News
WATCH | UFC Kansas City headliner caught smoking cigarettes days before main event fight
BJ Penn Staff - April 25, 2025
It’s no secret that UFC welterweight contender Carlos Prates enjoys the occasional — or regular — cigarette. What may surprise some fans is that the Brazilian is still hacking darts mere days before the biggest fight of his life. Prates is currently ranked No. 13 at welterweight, thanks in large part to recent victories over welterweight veterans Li Jingliang and Neil Magny. This weekend, in the main event of the UFC’s latest stop in Kansas City, he will take on No. 7-ranked contender Ian Machado Garry. The winner of their fight probably isn’t next for a shot at the welterweight title, but they will be close. Safe to say the stakes of the fight are extremely high.
Dustin Poirier claims he asked for Ilia Topuria in retirement fight but UFC ‘never entertained it’
BJ Penn Staff - April 25, 2025
Dustin Poirier will fight for a final time at UFC 318 on July 19, when he takes on his long-time rival Max Holloway. On paper, Holloway looks like a perfect final opponent for the legendary lightweight Poirier. The pair have fought twice before, and while Poirier has won both encounters, both fights were entertaining. Furthermore, the two MMA legends are among the most beloved fighters in the sport’s history. It makes all the sense in the world.
Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra signs with PFL, set to debut in May
Cole Shelton - April 25, 2025
Former Manchester United superstar Patrice Evra will be making his MMA debut. The PFL announced they signed Evra, and he’s set to make his debut at PFL Paris on May 23. The event will take place at the Accor Arena.
Joe Rogan explains what makes George St-Pierre ‘incredible’ compared to other retired UFC fighters
BJ Penn Staff - April 25, 2025
We’ve seen a lot of legendary UFC fighters retire in recent years. According to the promotion’s long-time commentator Joe Rogan, Georges St-Pierre is a little different from the rest of them. Canada’s St-Pierre is considered one of the best MMA fighters of all time. A long-time UFC welterweight champ, he first retired after a controversial decision win over Johny Hendricks in 2013. However, he returned in 2017, to challenge middleweight champ Michael Bisping in a bid for a second title. St-Pierre won the title with a submission victory, becoming one of just a few two-division champs in UFC history.
Dustin Poirier ends UFC career in BMF title fight against Max Holloway on July 19
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 25, 2025
Dustin Poirier’s swan song has been announced, and he’ll get to have one last dance with an old rival. Poirier appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” and he revealed that the final bout of his pro MMA career will take place on July 19. Poirier will share the Octagon with Max Holloway for the third and final time. Holloway’s BMF title will be at stake in the five-round pay-per-view headliner.
UFC Kansas City weigh-in results: Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates official, one fighter whiffs on scale
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 25, 2025
The UFC Kansas City weigh-ins have wrapped up, and there was a scale fail on the main card. Luckily for fight fans, headliners Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates made weight for their clash scheduled for Saturday. Garry tipped the scales at 171 pounds. Prates made championship weight at 170 pounds. Anthony Smith also clocked in for the last bout of his pro MMA career. Both he and his opponent Zhang Mingyang weighed in at 206 pounds.
Ian Machado Garry says Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington are "not fighters" anymore
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry has taken an interesting shot at welterweight veterans Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington. For Ian Machado Garry, Saturday night serves as a real opportunity for him to prove that he belongs amongst the elite at 170 pounds. He plans on taking out Carlos Prates which, if you’ve seen the Brazilian fight, is going to be no easy task. It may well be the toughest bout of the Irishman’s career to date, and that’s saying something given that he’s battled Shavkat Rakhmonov – although, Shavkat was reportedly injured at least during some of that fight.
Nicolas Dalby dubs Randy Brown as the Jon Jones of welterweight ahead of Kansas City clash
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2025
UFC veteran Nicolas Dalby has dubbed Randy Brown the ‘Jon Jones’ of the welterweight division ahead of their fight this weekend. When it comes to underappreciated fighters in the world of mixed martial arts, Nicolas Dalby is up there. The Danish star, now aged 40, has achieved a lot during his time in the sport. He’s also one of the more likeable fighters out there on the roster, and even after suffering several big setbacks in his career, he’s still willing to push forward and keep on fighting.
Israel Adesanya reveals interest in training with former rival Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - April 25, 2025
UFC legend Israel Adesanya has said that he’d be interested in training with Jon Jones at some point in the future. As we know, Israel Adesanya is a pretty iconic figure within the world of mixed martial arts. He is one of the most popular fighters of his generation, and he’s one of the most successful middleweight in the history of the sport. Alas, across his last few fights, he’s fallen short in a string of losses that have left many wondering how much longer he’s got left at the elite level.
Sean Climaco aims to give Akif Guluzada a rude welcoming at ONE Fight Night 31
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 24, 2025
Flyweight Muay Thai striker Sean Climaco wants to teach rising star Akif Guluzada a harsh lesson when they meet at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II. The brawlers lock horns on Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium in flyweight Muay Thai action that promises to be memorable for as long as it lasts.
Tye Ruotolo gunning for fast finish in third clash with Dante Leon
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 24, 2025
ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo is out to prove he’s not the same man that Dante Leon battled all those years ago. The American defends his crown against Leon. This happens in their third meeting in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II. The action takes place on Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Carlos Prates vows to "smash" Ian Machado Garry at UFC Kansas City: "I'm going to knock him out"
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2025
Carlos Prates is oozing with confidence ahead of his UFC Kansas City main event against Ian Machado Garry. Prates is set for his second main event and another step-up in competition to take on Garry. It’s an intriguing welterweight matchup, and if the Brazilian wins, he will be closing in on a title shot. However, Prates is the betting underdog, but he doesn’t care as he’s confident he won’t just win, but will KO Garry.
Magomedov Ankalaev suspects Alex Pereira is 'done' fighting as UFC fans await rematch
BJ Penn Staff - April 24, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev doubts that Alex Pereira wants to continue fighting. Ankalaev captured the UFC light heavyweight title with a close decision win over Pereira at UFC 313 early last month. There has been talk of a rematch between the two stars since soon after they left the cage that night. Unfortunately, the rematch is still not a done deal.
'Crying' Ian Garry gets roasted by top welterweight contender over title shot ambitions
BJ Penn Staff - April 24, 2025
Irish welterweight contender Ian Garry has his hands full with Carlos Prates this Saturday, but is catching flack from another top UFC welterweight as he prepares for the fight. Garry will meet Prates in the main event of Saturday’s card, which goes down in Kansas City, Missouri. It will be Garry’s first fight since he suffered lost a decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov last December.
Dricus Du Plessis opens up on rumors of injury delaying Khamzat Chimaev fight: "I found it all very entertaining"
Cole Shelton - April 24, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis has shut down any concerns of him being injured. Du Plessis was rumored to be fighting Khamzat Chimaev at the end of June at International Fight Week. Yet, it was then reported he was dealing with an injury, so the fight wouldn’t happen then. But, taking to his Instagram, Du Plessis has opened up on the reported injury, which he says is false.
Kamaru Usman to Israel Adesanya: 'It's not fair' if you don't fight Alex Pereira again
BJ Penn Staff - April 24, 2025
Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira have one of the most legendary rivalries in combat sports history. Former UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman believes that rivalry needs to continue. Adesanya and Pereira began their rivalry in the kickboxing ring. They first met under the Glory of Heroes banner in Shenzhen, China in 2016. Brazil’s Pereira won that first encounter, defeating the Nigerian-born Kiwi Adesanya by unanimous decision.
Belal Muhammad explains why Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria shouldn't happen now
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 24, 2025
Belal Muhammad doesn’t see how a clash with Ilia Topuria benefits Islam Makhachev. The lightweight title picture isn’t short on contenders, but some are wondering what the next championship fight at 155 pounds will be. Topuria recently vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship to move up in weight. While Topuria challenging Makhachev for the lightweight gold figures to be a lucrative bout, the champion’s team is opposed to fighting another featherweight.
Daniel Cormier shares interesting advice for overlooked UFC middleweight contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 24, 2025
Daniel Cormier has a tip for one rising UFC middleweight contender. The 185-pound division has a slew of rising contenders such as Caio Borralho, but there’s one name who appears to be overlooked. That fighter is Nassourdine Imavov, who is the No. 1-ranked UFC middleweight. Despite a finish over Israel Adesanya, many often glance over Imavov as a potential name who deserves to fight for the 185-pound gold.