MMA News

Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025

UFC newcomer Aaron Pico has provided an update on his rumored debut showdown with Movsar Evloev. As we now know, Aaron Pico has finally made his way over to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It’s been a long time coming, and a lot of fans are over the moon to see that he’s finally made his way to the big time. With that being said, there’s been a bit of confusion over who his first opponent is going to be. The initial expectation was Movsar Evloev, in a rumor that spread like wildfire just a matter of days ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.