MMA News
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.
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.
Ian Machado Garry will be rewarded by UFC for stepping up, says UFC commentator
Harry Kettle - April 8, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry will be rewarded for stepping up on short notice to fight Carlos Prates, says UFC commentator Paul Felder. In a couple of weeks, Ian Machado Garry will return to the Octagon. It will serve as the first time he’s fought since competing against Shavkat Rakhmonov in a short notice fight that really put Ian on the map – despite him losing that contest. Now, he’s set to do it all over again against Carlos Prates.
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.
Sean O'Malley sends message to fans complaining about UFC 316 rematch with Merab Dvalishvili: "Don't watch!"
Josh Evanoff - April 7, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has responded to critics of his upcoming fight against Merab Dvalishvili. ‘Sugar’ recently signed a deal to face ‘The Machine’ in the main event of UFC 316 in June. The bout will be a rematch of their prior meeting at The Sphere last September, which saw Merab Dvalishvili largely dominate the then-bantamweight champion. Post-fight, Sean O’Malley revealed a litany of injuries that hampered his performance, and called for a rematch. Earlier this month, Dana White granted his wish for a second crack at Dvalishvili.
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.