MMA News
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.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 193 with Chase Hooper, Jim Miller, and Julian Erosa
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2025
The 193rd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 314. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Chase Hooper (0:41). Next, UFC lightweight Jim Miller (20:22) returns to the show. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Julian Erosa (51:30).
Sean O'Malley shouldn't be rematching Merab Dvalishvili straight away, says Ben Askren
Harry Kettle - April 8, 2025
Sean O’Malley shouldn’t have opted to rematch Merab Dvalishvili straight away, says former UFC star Ben Askren. As we now know, Sean O’Malley will challenge Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 316. While Dvalishvili has already defended his belt against Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean hasn’t fought since he lost the strap to Merab at UFC 306. Some expected him to take on a fellow contender in his next outing, but that isn’t the direction he’s gone in.
Sean O'Malley explains his excitement for Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Harry Kettle - April 8, 2025
Sean O’Malley has explained why he’s excited for this weekend’s clash between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. On Saturday night, Paddy Pimblett faces the biggest test of his mixed martial arts career to date. He will collide with Michael Chandler, a man who has previously competed for a UFC world title. If he wins, then the Liverpudlian could really vault himself into contention in the race to capture the UFC lightweight championship.
Paddy Pimblett opens up on details of his first UFC contract
Harry Kettle - April 8, 2025
UFC sensation Paddy Pimblett has provided details of the first contract that he signed upon arriving in the UFC. This weekend, Paddy Pimblett faces the biggest test of his mixed martial arts career to date. He will face off against Michael Chandler at UFC 314 and if he wins, he could really vault himself into title contention at 155 pounds. If he loses, however, it’ll likely lead to a parade of questions regarding his ability to compete at the elite level in the lightweight division.
Roman Kryklia wants quick turnaround following first-round KO at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 7, 2025
Hot off a first-round domination this past weekend at ONE Fight Night 30, two-sport ONE World Champion Roman Kryklia is eager to strike while the iron is hot. The stoic Ukrainian defended his ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title against former WBC Muay Thai Heavyweight World Champion Lyndon Knowles this past Friday, April 4, knocking out the Englishman at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Regian Eersel wants ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back: "My first baby"
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 7, 2025
Regian Eersel may still be the reigning lightweight Muay Thai king, but he wants his ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title back. “The Immortal” dispatched former lightweight kickboxing World Champion Alexis Nicolas this past Friday, April 4, at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. He outstruck the Frenchman across five rounds to win by unanimous decision in their trilogy bout, settling the score at 2-1.
What's next for Lerone Murphy and Josh Emmett after UFC Vegas 105?
Cole Shelton - April 7, 2025
The UFC was at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, April 5, for UFC Vegas 105. The main event saw featherweight contenders throw down as Lerone Murphy took on Josh Emmett. Murphy was coming off a decision win over Dan Ige, which was his seventh-straight win as the Brit was 7-0-1 in the UFC entering the bout. Emmett, meanwhile, was coming off a KO win over Bryce Mitchell in December of 2023 and had a significant layoff.
Lerone Murphy responds to critics of win over Josh Emmett at UFC Vegas 105: "What do you expect me to do?"
Josh Evanoff - April 7, 2025
UFC featherweight Lerone Murphy has responded to critics of his recent victory over Josh Emmett. ‘The Miracle’ returned to the octagon in the main event of UFC Vegas 105 over the weekend. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Dan Ige, the undefeated featherweight met Josh Emmett. For his part, the 40-year-old entered the bout off a brutal first-round knockout victory over Bryce Mitchell in December 2023. For Lerone Murphy, the opportunity to face the former title challenger was a big one.
REPORT | Aaron Pico set to make UFC debut against Movsar Evloev in May
Josh Evanoff - April 7, 2025
Aaron Pico is reportedly set to make his UFC debut against Movsar Evloev in May. The 27-year-old was one of the faces of Bellator for nearly a decade. Having signed with the promotion when he was a teenager, Aaron Pico struggled a bit upon his debut. The featherweight was 4-3 at one point in his career, with all of his losses coming by way of finish. However, in 2020, Pico turned things around, and he never looked back.
Sean O’Malley makes surprising admission about ‘borderline embarrassing’ UFC title loss
BJ Penn Staff - April 7, 2025
Sean O’Malley is one of the most popular fighters in the UFC right now, but his reign as the promotion’s bantamweight champ didn’t last long. O’Malley won the bantamweight belt with a knockout of Aljamain Sterling in 2023. After defending his belt with a lopsided decision win over Marlon “Chito” Vera early last year, he then lost the belt last September, suffering a decision loss to Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili.
Top UFC contender opens up on concussion scare: ‘I wasn't formulating sentences well’
BJ Penn Staff - April 7, 2025
There’s a risk of concussion in a lot of sports. That includes MMA. Top UFC flyweight contender Brandon Royval can attest to that. Royval, who is currently ranked No. 1 in his division, was set to fight the No. 6-ranked Manel Kape in an apparent title eliminator on March 1. However, that fight fell through at the last minute.
Paddy Pimblett sends scathing message to Ilia Topuria amid UFC lightweight move
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 7, 2025
Paddy Pimblett is hoping to get a chance to face Ilia Topuria. Pimblett and Topuria have had some beef over the years. “The Baddy” even threw a hand sanitizer bottle at “La Leyenda” in a fighter hotel lobby. The two have continued to trade barbs, and it’s left many wondering if a matchup will become a reality in the future.
WATCH | Ivanka Trump shows off martial arts skills in new training footage
BJ Penn Staff - April 7, 2025
It’s no secret that Donald Trump is a fight fan. The US President frequently mingles with UFC stars, and often appears at the promotion’s pay-per-view events. As it turns out, his fascination with the martial arts runs in the family, as his daughter Ivanka Trump trains in a form of jiu jitsu. Ivanka does her training under the Valente brothers in North Miami Beach, Florida. If you’re curious about her skill level, you’re in luck. The gym she practices at recently posted some footage of her in training.
Robert Whittaker reveals key factor in UFC 314 main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 7, 2025
Robert Whittaker believes there is one important factor when it comes to the potential outcome of Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes. Volkanovski and Lopes will collide in the UFC 314 headliner. The bout will be contested for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship. Champion Ilia Topuria is moving on from 145 pounds, and the title will officially become vacant once Volkanovski vs. Lopes begins in Miami.
Sean O’Malley made huge mistake accepting Merab Dvalishvili rematch, says former UFC star
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 7, 2025
Sean O’Malley has been granted a UFC title rematch, but did he make a mistake? In the main event of UFC 306 inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, O’Malley attempted to successfully defend the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Merab Dvalishvili. The “Suga” show struggled with the wrestling and pressure of Dvalishvili. While O’Malley found some success late in the fight, it wasn’t enough to retain the 135-pound gold.
UFC 314 broadcast team revealed: Dustin Poirier to return as desk analyst
Harry Kettle - April 7, 2025
UFC legend Dustin Poirier is one of the names who will be part of the UFC 314 broadcast team this weekend in Miami, Florida. On Saturday night, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will make its return to Miami. The expectation is that we could be in for the best card of the year thus far, headlined by a UFC featherweight championship fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Regardless of your own expectations, there’s a lot of anticipation in the air as we get closer and closer to fight night.
Bryce Mitchell reveals his ‘Come to Jesus’ moment was spawned by dating a ‘spell-casting witch’
Harry Kettle - April 7, 2025
UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell continues to leave the mixed martial arts world guessing regarding what his next headline-making comment will be. There’s no one way to describe someone like Bryce Mitchell. He is one of the more controversial names in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and that much is saying something. He has a habit of saying things on social media, on podcasts and in interviews that leave many feeling pretty flabbergasted, especially within the MMA community as a whole.