MMA News
Nico Carrillo "much happier" with featherweight move after triumph at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2025
Scottish striker Nico Carrillo feels better in mind, body, and spirit following his transition to the featherweight Muay Thai division at ONE Fight Night 30. He faced off with #5-ranked featherweight contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong last Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, where he scored a second-round knockout over the Thai standout.
Zebaztian Kadestam versus Isi Fitikefu booked for ONE Fight Night 31
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2025
ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II has added another blockbuster bout to its lineup as former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam now faces surging star Isi Fitikefu. On Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, two of welterweight MMA’s heaviest hitters go head to head. Both warriors look to take a huge leap toward a World Title opportunity.
WATCH | Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez get into heated altercation at UFC 314 press conference: "Stop with the threats"
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2025
Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez got into it at the UFC 314 press conference. Lopes is set to headline the card for the featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski. Rodriguez, meanwhile, is set to take on Patricio Pitbull on the main card. Although the two aren’t fighting one another, they have taken shots at each other in the past and it finally blew up on Thursday at the press conference.
UFC 314 | Pro fighters make their picks for Yair Rodriguez vs Patricio Pitbull
Cole Shelton - April 10, 2025
On the main card of UFC 314, an intriguing featherweight bout goes down as Yair Rodriguez takes on Patricio Pitbull. Heading into the fight, Rodriguez is a -205 favorite, while the former Bellator champ-champ is a +158 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the featherweight bout. The pros believe this will be a close fight, but the slight majority believe it will be Rodriguez edging out a decision.
Max Holloway makes prediction for UFC 314 main event: 'Only two ways' it can go
BJ Penn Staff - April 10, 2025
Max Holloway has made his prediction for the UFC 314 main event. UFC 314 goes down this Saturday in Miami, Florida. The card will be headlined by a featherweight title fight, with former champion Alexander Volkanovski taking on surging contender Diego Lopes. The division’s belt is currently vacant, as Ilia Topuria dropped the title with plans to move up to lightweight.
Patricio Pitbull admits fighting for the UFC feels 'different’ than Bellator
BJ Penn Staff - April 10, 2025
There are a lot of reasons to be excited for this Saturday’s UFC 314 card in Miami. For hardcore fans, one of the most anticipated features of the card will be the UFC debut of Bellator legend Patricio Pitbull. Pitbull, 37, is probably the greatest fighter in Bellator history, having reigned as both the featherweight and lightweight champion over the course of his many years with the promotion.
MMA legend Jim Miller made a special request for his final UFC fights
BJ Penn Staff - April 10, 2025
Jim Miller will return to action against Chase Hooper at UFC 314 this Saturday in Miami. While the two lightweights will meet in one of the first bouts of the night, the stands inside the host Kaseya Center should be full of fans by they time they enter the cage. Hearing the fans cheering will be music to Miller’s ears.
Rising UFC contender wants Conor McGregor to help him ‘put an end to Islam Makhachev’
BJ Penn Staff - April 10, 2025
UFC lightweight prospect Mauricio Ruffy has his eyes on Islam Makhachev and the lightweight title. He is still not quite in title contention yet, but when he gets there, he plans to ask Conor McGregor for help beating the Russian. Specifically, he hopes the Irish MMA star will serve as one of his cornermen in the potential title fight.
Jon Jones' UFC rival reignites beef amid heated argument over their first fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 10, 2025
Jon Jones’ beef with a former rival is alive and well. Jones has fought a slew of fellow legends inside the Octagon throughout the years. “Bones” has beaten the likes of Stipe Miocic, Daniel Cormier, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Rashad Evans to name a few. While Jones has been mostly dominant throughout his Hall of Fame worthy career, he did have close encounters with some surprising names.
Alexander Volkanovski not worried about title 'curse' ahead of UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 10, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski plans on defying the odds to become a two-time UFC Featherweight Champion. Volkanovski will be fighting for the vacant 145-pound gold in the main event of UFC 314 on Saturday night. He’ll share the Octagon with Diego Lopes inside Kaseya Center in Miami. No former champion coming off back-to-back finishing losses has reclaimed UFC gold, not including the interim title.
Saemapetch vs. Abdulla Dayakaev added to ONE Fight Night 31
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2025
The card for ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O continues to flourish, and another high-stakes matchup has been added to billing. On Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, striking stalwart Saemapetch Fairtex takes on main roster newcomer Abdulla Dayakaev in a bantamweight Muay Thai banger that’s certain not to go the distance.
Superlek reveals he was at "50 percent" for ONE 172 showdown with Nabil Anane
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 10, 2025
Reigning ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 has broken his silence on his defeat to interim bantamweight Muay Thai titleholder Nabil Anane at ONE 172, revealing the reasons that led to his loss. “The Kicking Machine” lost a unanimous decision to his Thai-Algerian foe in their rematch on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Leon Edwards breaks silence following UFC London defeat against Sean Brady
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2025
Former UFC champion Leon Edwards has broken his silence following his lopsided defeat at the hands of Sean Brady. At UFC London last month, Leon Edwards went head to head with Sean Brady in the main event at the O2 Arena. While many expected Leon to put forward a good account of himself, it turned out to be quite the opposite. Instead, he was handily beaten by Brady, eventually leading to a submission defeat.
Bryce Mitchell encourages fans to “bet the farm” on him winning at UFC 314: “Make a tremendous amount of money off me”
Harry Kettle - April 10, 2025
UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell has encouraged fans to bet a large amount on him defeating Jean Silva at UFC 314. This Saturday night, Bryce Mitchell will collide with Jean Silva in what promises to be a fascinating affair at UFC 314. For Silva, it’s a chance to prove that he belongs at the elite level. For Bryce, he needs to silence some of the many, many doubters that he’s gained over the course of the last few months.
Three more UFC fighters released from their contracts with the promotion
Harry Kettle - April 9, 2025
Diana Belbita, SeungWoo Choi and Istela Nunes have all been removed from the official UFC roster, as per sources close to Guilherme Cruz. Part of being in the Ultimate Fighting Championship is trying to navigate your way through the turbulent waters of being on the roster. In the UFC, there’s no guarantee of success, and that much goes without saying. Alas, you can be kept on the roster for a multitude of reasons – and you can also be released for a lot of reasons too.
GFL cancels first two events, future of promotion up in the air
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2025
The GFL has canceled its first two events, and the future of the promotion is very much in doubt. Rumors started to swirl on Wednesday night that the GFL may have to postpone their first two events scheduled for next month. However, MMA reporter Ariel Helwai reported that the two events have indeed been postponed, and the future of the promotion is up in the air.
Paddy Pimblett plans to speak to the ref about "dirty" Michael Chandler ahead of UFC 314 fight: "I hope I get a good ref"
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2025
Paddy Pimblett admits he is worried about Michael Chandler and his dirty antics ahead of their UFC 314 fight. Pimblett is set to take on Chandler in a pivotal lightweight bout in the co-main event of UFC 314 on Saturday. It’s a step-up in competition for Pimblett, who is confident he has all the tools to get his hand raised.
UFC 314 | Pro fighters make their picks for Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Cole Shelton - April 9, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC 314, a pivotal five-round lightweight bout takes place as Michael Chandler takes on Paddy Pimblett. Heading into the fight, Chandler is a +124 underdog, while the Brit is a -160 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the lightweight bout. The pros slightly lean towards Pimblett getting the biggest win of his career, but many are expecting it to be a very close fight.