MMA News
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.
Chase Hooper eager for "litmus test" against Jim Miller at UFC 314
Cole Shelton - April 8, 2025
Chase Hooper is excited to share the Octagon with Jim Miller. After Hooper beat Clay Guida last time out, he was asked about a potential fight against Miller, which he thought was cool. Hooper thought it was a good next step and a chance to fight another legend.
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.
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
Henry Cejudo was recently the victim of a break-in. Unfortunately, the thief made off with something the former two-division MMA champion will be unable to replace: his first UFC championship belt. Cejudo is currently competing in the UFC bantamweight division, where he briefly reigned as champion. However, before winning gold at bantamweight, he was also the promotion’s flyweight champion, having claimed the belt with an impressive but controversial decision win over fellow MMA legend Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson.
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.
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.
Kayla Harrison makes surprising admission ahead of UFC 316 title fight against Julianna Pena
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2025
Kayla Harrison has her first UFC title bout set, and she’s made quite the admission. Harrison is scheduled to challenge Julianna Pena for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 316. The championship clash will be held inside the Prudential Center in Newark on June 7. With a pro MMA record of 18-1 and UFC wins over Ketlen Vieira and Holly Holm, the general consensus is that Harrison has unquestionably earned her title opportunity.
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.
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.
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.
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.