MMA News
Israel Adesanya's coach unsure of former UFC champion's future in MMA
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 9, 2025
The future of Israel Adesanya inside the Octagon is unclear. Adesanya ruled the roost of the UFC middleweight division twice, but he now finds himself on a three-fight skid. He lost back-to-back title fights against Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis. “The Last Stylebender” was then stopped by Nassourdine Imavov in Saudi Arabia.
UFC 316: Merab Dvalishvili explains why he doesn't mind title rematch against Sean O’Malley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 9, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has no problem mixing it up with Sean O’Malley again. Dvalishvili took the UFC Bantamweight Championship from O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306, which was held inside the Sphere in Las Vegas back in Sept. 2024. Dvalishvili went on to have a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov, while O’Malley was recovering from surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left hip.
Major upset brewing for marquee UFC 314 main card fight, says former two-division champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 9, 2025
A former UFC champion thinks an upset is brewing with a major UFC 314 fight. The UFC 314 card remains stacked even with the removal of Geoff Neal vs. Carlos Prates. The event still has several big fights, including the main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Those two will be fighting for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship. There’s also the UFC debut of Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, who goes one-on-one with Yair Rodriguez.
Kayla Harrison wants to respect UFC 316 foe Julianna Pena
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025
UFC star Kayla Harrison has admitted that she wants to be able to respect her upcoming UFC 316 opponent Julianna Pena. At UFC 316 later this year, Kayla Harrison will attempt to become a UFC world champion. She’ll do so by locking horns with Julianna Pena, a woman who she’s been linked with fighting for a long time now. When you take a look at the current state of women’s mixed martial arts, you could probably argue that this is one of the most intriguing – and certainly important – fights that can be made right now.
Demetrious Johnson believes Paddy Pimblett will one day become UFC champion
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson is of the belief that Paddy Pimblett could one day become UFC lightweight champion. Nobody can deny the popularity of Paddy Pimblett. While he isn’t exactly close to the levels of Conor McGregor, he’s certainly becoming a household name. Even if you aren’t a massive mixed martial arts fan (a casual, for example), you probably know who Paddy is. This Saturday, he’ll try and pick up the biggest win of his career to date when he collides with Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314.
Alexander Volkanovski set for greatness with UFC 314 win, says UFC commentator
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025
UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Alexander Volkanovski is set for featherweight greatness if he can win on Saturday night. This weekend at UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski will once again attempt to become UFC featherweight champion. He will go up against Diego Lopes for the belt, which will become vacant once the fight starts. ‘The Great’ will try and reclaim the gold that was taken from him when he was viciously knocked out by Ilia Topuria, who went on to also knock out Max Holloway.
Paddy Pimblett is close to UFC superstar status, says Jon Anik
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025
UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett is close to reaching superstar status in the eyes of UFC lead commentator Jon Anik. Everyone knows that Paddy Pimblett has been groomed for greatness in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Up to this point, he hasn’t lost a single fight in the promotion – although, some would argue that he should’ve. Either way, the Liverpudlian has been on a real rise to prominence – and at UFC 314, he faces his biggest test yet when he collides with Michael Chandler.
Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II set for ONE Fight Night 31 headliner
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 8, 2025
Following an outcome that had fans torn on both sides, ONE Fight Night 31 has a hot main event that aims to settle the discussion. On Friday, May 2, former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama locks horns with #3-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in flyweight Muay Thai action. This happens inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Nico Carrillo battled demons en route to victory versus Sitthichai at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 8, 2025
Scottish striking star Nico Carrillo felt a weight lifted off his shoulders this past weekend as he made a ceremonious return to action at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. The #3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender made his featherweight Muay Thai debut on Friday, April 4, taking out #5-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong in the second round at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
Arman Tsarukyan fires back at Paddy Pimblett after recent comments: "I dare you to call me out"
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan isn’t pleased with Paddy Pimblett after his recent comments. Pimblett took aim at Tsarukyan, saying he’s been handed everything and faked the injury to avoid fighting Islam Makhachev earlier this year. Tsarukyan, of course, pulled out the day before UFC 311, and he has yet to fight since.
UFC 314 | Pro fighters make their picks for Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes title fight
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2025
In the main event of UFC 314 on Saturday in Miami, the vacant featherweight title is up for grabs as Alexander Volkanovski takes on Diego Lopes. Heading into the fight, Volkanovski is a -125 favorite, while the Brazilian is a -105 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the featherweight title fight. The pros lean toward Volkanovski getting the win and reclaiming his featherweight title.
Alexander Volkanovski says fans will see the "dominant" champ he once was at UFC 314 against Diego Lopes
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski plans to turn back the clock at UFC 314 against Diego Lopes on Saturday night. Volkanovski is set to take on Lopes for the vacant featherweight title. The former champ is coming off back-to-back knockout losses to Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title.
Thief steals irreplaceable treasure from former UFC champ Henry Cejudo
BJ Penn Staff - April 8, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili admits he finds UFC 316 opponent Sean O'Malley 'cute' and 'funny'
BJ Penn Staff - April 8, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley traded a ton of pre-fight trash talk before their first meeting in the UFC. Apparently, it wasn’t serious — at least, not from the former’s perspective. Dvalishvili and O’Malley first met at UFC 306 at the Las Vegas Sphere last September. Dvalishvili was challenging O’Malley for the bantamweight belt, and ultimately succeeded on his mission, dominating the five-round fight with his wrestling to a clear-cut unanimous decision win.
Cory Sandhagen claims next UFC opponent makes him do 'crazy s**t' on OnlyFans
BJ Penn Staff - April 8, 2025
Cory Sandhagen has brought forth some absolutely wild allegations against his next UFC opponent. Sandhagen, one of the bantamweight division’s top contenders, will meet former flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of the upcoming UFC Des Moines card, slated for May 3.
Paddy Pimblett confident he will submit Michael Chandler at UFC 314: "I've got a better submission game than Charles Oliveira"
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2025
Paddy Pimblett is confident he won’t just beat Michael Chandler but will be able to finish him. Pimblett is set to take on Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 on Saturday in a pivotal fight for the division. It’s a step-up in competition for Pimblett, who is confident he will be able to get his hand raised.
Sydney Sweeney recounts 'f***ing crazy' lunch with former UFC champ
BJ Penn Staff - April 8, 2025
Sydney Sweeney is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood right now. She’s also a big UFC fan. In fact, she actually had lunch with one former UFC champ that seemingly left her star struck. During a recent video call with YouTuber Kyle Forgeard, Sweeney was asked who her favorite UFC fighter is. She was quick to name drop former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, and revealed they shared a meal together.
Paddy Pimblett slams Arman Tsarukyan for missing UFC title opportunity: 'Little posh boy'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2025
Paddy Pimblett has some harsh words for Arman Tsarukyan. Back in January, fans were expecting to see Tsarukyan challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC Lightweight Championship in a rematch. Tsarukyan hurt his back, and many believe the issue occurred due to weight-cutting woes. Tsarukyan was pulled from the UFC 311 card at the last minute and replaced by Renato Moicano.
Former UFC slugger thinks Michael Chandler's career is at risk entering UFC 314 fight with Paddy Pimblett
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2025
A former UFC fan favorite believes Michael Chandler’s fighting career could be nearing the end if he loses at UFC 314. Chandler will share the Octagon with Paddy Pimblett this Saturday night in Miami. For Pimblett, it’s a major opportunity to score a victory over his toughest test to date. Meanwhile, Chandler will be fighting for relevancy in the lightweight division.