MMA News
Kongthoranee looks to make definitive point in Nong-O rematch
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 22, 2025
Third-ranked flyweight Muay Thai star Kongthoranee Sor Sommai wants to end his rivalry with former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama on Friday, May 2. The rising star meets Nong-O in a flyweight Muay Thai rematch in the main event of ONE Fight Night 31 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, where he looks to make a solid statement in his quest for a World Title shot.
Zebaztian Kadestam aims to keep KO record intact versus Isi Fitikefu
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 22, 2025
Former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam has delivered an extensive list of knockouts throughout his eight years in ONE Championship. Now he wants to keep that going versus Isi Fitikefu. “The Bandit” meets the Australian-Tongan tussler in a welterweight MMA showdown. This happens at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Dan Ige believes the ref "saved" Sean Woodson's career with stoppage at UFC 314
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2025
Dan Ige knew he had to go out and perform against Sean Woodson at UFC 314, and that’s what he did. Ige was coming off back-to-back losses, and in the lead-up to the fight, he tuned out all the noise and just focused on his camp. The Hawaiian said he was going to let his fighting do all the talking as he knew this fight was crucial for his career.
Bruce Buffer throws support behind Logan Paul UFC move: 'He could compete'
BJ Penn Staff - April 22, 2025
If Logan Paul ever competes in the UFC, he will do so with the confidence of Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer. Paul, 30, got his start as a social media influencer. However, he has some experience in high school wrestling. He has also competed in boxing quite extensively, most notably going eight rounds in a 2021 exhibition with undefeated legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. He also dominated BJJ specialist Dillon Danis in a 2023 exhibition, ultimately winning by disqualification due to his opponent’s unsportsmanlike conduct. While that’s the extent of his combat sports experience, he is also one of the biggest stars on the WWE roster right now.
Israel Adesanya reveals he has officially requested opponent for next UFC fight
BJ Penn Staff - April 22, 2025
Israel Adesanya has officially informed UFC executives that he is ready to return to action. In fact, he even requested a specific opponent when he spoke to them. Adesanya is one of the greatest middleweights in MMA history — probably the second greatest behind Anderson Silva. However, the recent years of his career after bumpy. First, he lost the middleweight title to Alex Pereira. While he reclaimed the belt in their immediate rematch, he then lost it again in the first defense of his second reign, suffering a shocking decision loss to Sean Strickland.
UFC lightweight Mateusz Gamrot announces next fight is official
BJ Penn Staff - April 22, 2025
Mateusz Gamrot will be back in the UFC Octagon soon. Poland’s Gamrot, a former champion in his home country’s popular KSW promotion, is the UFC’s No. 7-ranked lightweight. He was one of the top contenders for a crack at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev until an upset decision loss to Dan Hooker in his last fight. He has understandably been eager to get back on track ever since, and from the looks of it, he will soon have the opportunity.
WATCH | UFC Kansas City headliner Carlos Prates receives fight advice from his mother
BJ Penn Staff - April 22, 2025
Rising UFC welterweight contender Carlos Prates recently received some advice for his next fight from an interesting source: his own mother. Brazil’s Prates is one of the most hyped fighters in his division right now. This weekend, in the main event of the UFC’s return to Kansas City, Missouri, the Fighting Nerds product will take on Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry in a fight that will push the winner right up to title contention.
Analyst claims Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall fight is "agreed" to: "The fight is done"
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2025
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen says Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall is a done deal and will be announced soon. Jones vs Aspinall is one of the biggest fights to make in the UFC, but there hasn’t been much talk on when or if it would happen. Some thought Jones would retire, and Aspinall would get promoted to undisputed champ. Yet, Sonnen claims the fight is agreed to and the date is locked in.
Former UFC slugger thinks Paddy Pimblett's weight gains could be cause for concern
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 22, 2025
A former UFC fan favorite wonders if Paddy Pimblett is making a mistake with his post-fight weight gains. Pimblett’s stock has never been higher following his third-round TKO finish over Michael Chandler at UFC 314. “The Baddy” figures to get a top five-ranked UFC lightweight in his next outing. Some even feel a potential No. 1 contender fight could be in Pimblett’s future.
Ilia Topuria names one UFC contender he doesn't enjoy watching fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 22, 2025
Ilia Topuria has a few fighters that he enjoys watching, but not all of them can get his seal of approval. The former UFC Featherweight Champion has big aspirations for his career. Topuria is moving up to the lightweight division in hopes of capturing another UFC title. While “La Leyenda” is known for being boastful, he does admit there are other elite fighters on the UFC roster who catch his attention with their fighting style.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 194 with Dan Ige and Krzysztof Jotko
Cole Shelton - April 22, 2025
The 194th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to recap UFC 314 and preview OKTAGON 70. We’re first joined by 14th-ranked UFC featherweight Dan Ige (0:51). We close things out talking to OKATGON and former UFC middleweight Krzysztof Jotko (12:47).
Paddy Pimblett reveals weight gain since UFC 314 victory
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2025
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has spoken about his weight gain since his triumph over Michael Chandler at UFC 314. At UFC 314 earlier this month, Paddy Pimblett picked up the biggest win of his career. He defeated and dominated Michael Chandler in the co-main event of the evening, establishing himself as an elite contender in the lightweight division. In addition to that, ‘The Baddy’ also looked to be in incredible shape, and he towered above Chandler by the time fight night arrived.
Conor McGregor praises Merab Dvalishvili ahead of his UFC 316 return
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2025
UFC legend Conor McGregor has voiced his admiration for Merab Dvalishvili ahead of his return to action at UFC 316. Over the course of the last few years, Merab Dvalishvili has been impressing the masses in more ways than one. From his cardio to his grit and determination, he has earned the right to call himself the UFC bantamweight champion. Following on from wins over the likes of Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo, Merab finally claimed the gold by dethroning Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC last year.
Daniel Cormier reveals what he told Jon Jones’ publicist that left him furious
Harry Kettle - April 22, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has revealed what he told Jon Jones’ publicist that left the UFC legend furious. If there’s one thing we know about Jon Jones, it’s that he’s a pretty controversial figure. Throughout the course of his career, he has said and done things that have rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. In equal measure, though, he’s also widely considered to be the greatest of all time in the world of mixed martial arts. So, as you can imagine, there are some mixed feelings about him within the community.
Anthony Smith understands UFC's "business decision" for his final opponent: "They're trying to catch us on our way out"
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2025
UFC light heavyweight Anthony Smith understands that he has to fight a young up-and-comer in his retirement fight. Smith will retire at UFC Kansas City when he takes on Mingyang Zhang. Zhang is 2-0 in the UFC but has looked impressive in his two fights. For Smith’s retirement fight, it’s no layup fight or a big-name opponent, which ‘Lionheart’ understands. Smith knows the UFC is about getting the young guys over, which is what he thinks the UFC wants to happen here.
UFC 315 headliner Jack Della Maddalena seeking revenge against Islam Makhachev
BJ Penn Staff - April 21, 2025
Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena is set to challenge Belal Muhammad for welterweight gold at UFC 315. If he successfully claims the title, he’s got his eyes on an even bigger challenge: Islam Makhachev. UFC 315 goes down on May 10 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Australia’s Della Maddalena is an underdog against the welterweight champion Muhammad, but is one of the better strikers in his division, and has the power to stop any welterweight he faces off with.
Dricus Du Plessis fires back at Khamzat Chimaev amid injury rumors: "Was the fight signed?"
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2025
Dricus Du Plessis has fired back at Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis and Chimaev were linked to fighting one another at International Fight Week at the end of June. However, it was then rumored that Du Plessis was dealing with an injury that caused Chimaev to take aim at the champ.
WATCH | WWE hopeful Colby Covington showered with boos at WrestleMania
BJ Penn Staff - April 21, 2025
UFC star Colby Covington has long had his eye on the WWE ring. If the reception he got at this weekend’s WrestleMania 41 event is any indication, he has already got the fans’ interest. In fact, they seem to hate him. Covington has been a staple of the UFC welterweight top-15 for years. He has fought three times for the division’s title. However, he came up short each time — twice against Kamaru Usman, and once against Leon Edwards. Despite his long-time relevance in the welterweight division, he has never made any secret of his hopes to perform in the WWE ring when his MMA career is over. After a decisive loss to Joaquin Buckley in his last fight, that time could be right around the corner.