MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 3, 2025

Former divisional kingpin Alexis Nicolas was supposed to face Regian Eersel in a trilogy fight for the latter’s ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title at ONE Fight Night 30. However, plans have changed. Eersel missed weight on Thursday, consequently losing his gold.

Cole Shelton - April 3, 2025

Drew Dober thinks his UFC Mexico City fight against Manuel Torres should have been stopped earlier. Dober was dropped and was hanging onto Torres’ leg while Torres was landing down hammerfists shots. On the broadcast, the commentators called for the fight to be stopped, but the referee let Dober take several unnecessary punches.

Cole Shelton - April 3, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling wasn’t surprised that Sean O’Malley to an immediate rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 on June 7. O’Malley lost his UFC bantamweight title to Dvalishvili last September at UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Since then, O’Malley has yet to fight against, while Dvalishvili beat Umar Nurmagomedov to defend his belt for the first time.

Cole Shelton - April 3, 2025

Josh Emmett doesn’t understand why he’s such a big underdog against Lerone Murphy at UFC Vegas 105. Emmett hasn’t fought since December of 2023, when he knocked out Bryce Mitchell. Despite Emmett fighting someone below him in the rankings, he is a +240 underdog, which he doesn’t get. However, he says he does like that as he wants all his fans to make money off him.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 3, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena has a take on Belal Muhammad’s fighting style that may surprise you. Maddalena is set to challenge Muhammad for the UFC Welterweight Championship in the main event of UFC 315. The title fight will be taking place inside Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 10. Maddalena was initially scheduled to meet Leon Edwards in the UFC London headliner, but he received a shot at gold after Shavkat Rakhmonov suffered an injury.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 3, 2025

UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping thinks the new UFC Kansas main event between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates is a home run in terms of matchmaking. The original headliner for the card was set to be a battle between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree. That fight will have to wait, as Hill was pulled from the event due to an injury. As a result, Rountree has also been pulled from UFC Kansas.

Harry Kettle - April 3, 2025

Heavyweight MMA veteran Fabricio Werdum has pulled out of the upcoming GFL season, citing a lack of motivation. When it comes to important heavyweight figures in the history of mixed martial arts, Fabricio Werdum is up there with the best of them. From some of his statement victories to his championship triumphs, he has achieved some great things in the sport. He hasn’t always been the biggest fan favorite, but that’s never been something that he’s particularly cared about.

Harry Kettle - April 3, 2025

UFC legend Michael Bisping has gone after one of his former opponents in a passionate rant about steroid use. If there’s one thing we know about Michael Bisping, it’s that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind. If he has something to say, then he’ll say it without worrying about who he offends. During his fighting career, that made him public enemy number one for a lot of his fellow competitors – but nobody can deny that he was entertaining.

Harry Kettle - April 3, 2025

UFC legend Derrick Lewis is set to face the gigantic Tallison Teixeira in his next outing on July 12 at UFC Nashville. For the longest time now, Derrick Lewis has been known as one of the most interesting heavyweights on the UFC roster – and perhaps one of the most interesting fighters, full stop. ‘The Black Beast’ has turned back some big names throughout the course of his career, and he’s even been able to compete for the world title on a couple of different occasions.

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 2, 2025

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Fabricio Andrey makes his much anticipated debut at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles this week. And he feels certain he can show off his unorthodox style of grappling to a whole new audience. “Hokage” meets Welsh veteran Ashley Williams in an intriguing featherweight submission grappling spectacle. It happens this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Cole Shelton - April 2, 2025

Davey Grant is expecting a fun fight against Daniel Santos at UFC Vegas 105 on Saturday. Grant returned to the win column in December and was hoping to return in the first quarter of 2025. Although he just missed it, he’s glad he is getting back into the Octagon.

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 2, 2025

Fourth-ranked featherweight Muay Thai star Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong enters ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles with a chip on his shoulder. “Killer Kid” welcomes #3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo to the featherweight Muay Thai division this Friday, April 4, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. And since the bout’s announcement, doubters have fueled Sitthichai.

Cole Shelton - April 2, 2025

Josh Emmett believes that Lerone Murphy will be in for a rude awakening at UFC Vegas 105 on Saturday night. Emmett is set to headline the Fight Night card from the Apex on Saturday against Murphy in a pivotal featherweight scrap. Emmett is set to make his 15th UFC appearance and will be headlining for the third time. Heading into the bout, Emmett believes his experience will be a factor as he thinks Lerone Murphy is still learning on the job.

Josh Evanoff - April 2, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White has announced a new multiyear partnership with Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta. Earlier this year, the 55-year-old fight promoter suddenly joined Meta’s Board of Directors. At the time, there weren’t a lot of details about what, if anything, would be changing with Dana White joining the company. However, the two companies have now already signed a deal to work together. Earlier today, White took to social media to announce Meta’s new contract with the UFC.

Josh Evanoff - April 2, 2025

NCAA wrestling champion Wyatt Hendrickson is open to a move to MMA. The 24-year-old is fresh off his meeting with Gable Steveson in the finals of the NCAA Championships last month. The Olympian entered the match riding a 70-match winning streak, and was widely expected to add another championship to his resume. Instead, Wyatt Hendrickson pulled off one of the biggest upsets in wrestling history. With Donald Trump watching on, the Oklahoma State wrestler pulled off the upset with a takedown in the final seconds.

Josh Evanoff - April 2, 2025

It appears that Kai Kara-France is preparing for a summer meeting with UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja. ‘Don’t Blink’ last appeared in the cage at UFC 305 last August in Australia. Kai Kara-France entered the bout riding a two-fight losing streak, previously suffering losses to Amir Albazi and Brandon Moreno. Badly needing a win to remain in title contention, the striker scored a blistering first-round knockout win over Steve Erceg last summer. Post-fight, Kara-France called for a title shot against Alexandre Pantoja.

Cole Shelton - April 2, 2025

Bryce Mitchell plans to make a statement at UFC 314 in Miami, Florida. Mitchell is set to return to the Octagon against Silva in a pivotal featherweight fight. The lead-up to the bout has been intense as both men have trash-talked one another.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2025

Sean O’Malley has shared his first words publicly since the announcement of his UFC 316 title rematch against Merab Dvalishvili. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 will be held inside the Prudential Center in Newark on June 7. The “Sugar” show lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship to “The Machine” back in Sept. 2024. O’Malley didn’t have an answer for his opponent’s relentless pressure.