MMA News
Dwayne Johnson's 'The Smashing Machine' release date revealed
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2025
‘The Smashing Machine’ featuring Dwayne Johnson as UFC legend Mark Kerr will release in October. In late 2023, it was announced that Dwayne Johnson’s passion project about Mark Kerr will finally come to fruition. Some fans likely remember ‘The Rock’ announcing plans for the movie at the UFC 244 pre-fight press conference in 2019. While the film stalled in development hell for years, it finally started filming last year. Quickly, details about the cast began to leak out.
Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje will be next: "That's a big name fight"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Islam Makhachev vs. Justin Gaethje is likely next. The UFC lightweight champion last appeared in the octagon in January. While Islam Makhachev was initially slated to face Arman Tsarukyan in Los Angeles, the Armenian was forced out on weigh-in day. As a result, the Russian wound up facing short-notice replacement Renato Moicano. Ultimately, it took just one round for Makhachev to score a submission win over ‘Money Moicano’.
Diego Lopes hoping for Movsar Evloev rematch with UFC 314 title win: "This is my goal"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2025
Diego Lopes plans to ask for a rematch against Movsar Evloev with a win over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314. The Brazilian is currently preparing for his return to the cage later this month in Miami. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Brian Ortega last September, Diego Lopes will meet Alexander Volkanovski. ‘The Great’ will enter UFC 314 riding a two-fight losing streak, last being knocked out by Ilia Topuria last February.
Alexandre Pantoja open to fight with teammate Kyoji Horiguchi for UFC title: "It's a pleasure"
Josh Evanoff - April 4, 2025
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja has no issues with fighting Kyoji Horiguchi. ‘The Cannibal’ was last seen in the octagon in the main event of UFC 310 in December. That night in Las Vegas saw Alexandre Pantoja dominate the newly signed Kai Asakura, ultimately securing a second-round submission win. As of now, the Brazilian remains unbooked. However, has been linked to a clash with Kai Kara-France this summer at International Fight Week.
UFC featherweight contender reveals new nickname inspired by popular British film series
BJ Penn Staff - April 4, 2025
Rising UFC featherweight contender Nathaniel Wood has finally revealed his new nickname. England’s Wood, 31, has been a part of the UFC roster since 2018. The former Cage Warriors champ began his time in the Octagon as a bantamweight, but is now an impressive 5-1 as a featherweight, and is closing in on the Top-15 as a result.
Curtis Blaydes details nasty illness that forced him out of UFC 313: 'I texted them while I was on the toilet'
BJ Penn Staff - April 4, 2025
Curtis Blaydes had every reason to pull out of UFC 313 last month. The long-time heavyweight contender was set to meet the debuting Rivzan Kuniev on the card. It was definitely a surprising matchup, but fans were disappointed all the same when it fell through at the last minute.
UFC Vegas 105 weigh-in results: One bout canceled after no-show, main card fighter misses weight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 4, 2025
The UFC Vegas 105 weigh-in results are in, and there has been one fight cancellation. The main event featherweight clash between Josh Emmett and Lerone Murphy remains intact. Emmett tipped the scales at 146 pounds, while Murphy clocked in at 145.5 pounds. Co-headliners Pat Sabatini and Joanderson Brito also made weight for their own featherweight scrap. Sabatini weighed in at 145.5 pounds, and his opponent’s weight was 146 pounds.
Daniel Cormier slams Conor McGregor's 'ridiculous' move into politics: 'People in Ireland don't even like him'
BJ Penn Staff - April 4, 2025
It’s safe to say Conor McGregor won’t be getting an endorsement from his fellow UFC star Daniel Cormier. McGregor is the biggest star in MMA history. However, the Irishman has not fought since a disastrous 2021 stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier. His long absence from the Octagon has led many fans to speculate he will never fight again, and those concerns were amplified when, following a visit with U.S. President Donald Trump, he announced plans to run for the Irish presidency.
The best Muay Thai strikers in the UFC, according to a living Muay Thai legend
BJ Penn Staff - April 4, 2025
Muay Thai is a crucial component of the MMA toolkit, and there are some excellent practitioners of the art in the UFC. Of course, the best Muay Thai fighters in the world still compete under Muay Thai rules, rather than MMA rules, and these days, the top fighters in the sport typically flock to ONE Championship. That includes England’s Liam Harrison. Harrison, who is considered one of the greatest foreigners to ever compete in Muay Thai, spent his early career competing in Thai stadiums against the best fighters in the country. However, in recent years, he has called ONE home, and is one of the bigger stars on the promotion’s roster.
Former UFC champion questions Sean O’Malley's personal changes ahead of UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 4, 2025
Aljamain Sterling isn’t convinced that Sean O’Malley’s lifestyle adjustments are the answer to his hopes of regaining UFC gold. O’Malley lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili in their UFC 306 title fight back in Sept. 2024. The “Sugar” show had to be sidelined after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left hip. Upon his return to action, O’Malley will be receiving a title rematch against “The Machine” at UFC 316 on June 7.
George Jarvis predicts knockout of Mouhcine Chafi: "It's going to be lights out"
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 4, 2025
British Muay Thai star George Jarvis has bad intentions when he makes his main roster debut at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. “G-Unit” meets Spanish-Moroccan striker Mouhcine Chafi in a lightweight Muay Thai contest this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Haggerty brothers praise Lyndon Knowles ahead of debut at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 4, 2025
Heavyweight Muay Thai standout Lyndon Knowles’ debut in ONE Championship has been a long time coming, and it arrives with plenty of support from the combat sports community, including some from Jonathan and Freddie Haggerty. The moustached mauler attempts to dethrone two-sport king Roman Kryklia and become the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion at ONE Fight Night 30, this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Drew Dober believes his UFC Mexico City fight should've been stopped earlier: "I was no longer there"
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.
Aljamain Sterling reacts after Sean O’Malley receives immediate rematch against Merab Dvalishvili
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.
Josh Emmett surprised he's a huge underdog against Lerone Murphy at UFC Vegas 105: "Wait till that right hand connects"
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.
Defeated UFC fighter reacts to controversial referee stoppage during fight night event
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 3, 2025
A UFC fighter who was on the receiving end of a controversial referee stoppage loss has spoken out. Usually, a highly debated fight stoppage from an official means that some feel the bout ended prematurely. In this case, fans have criticized a referee, believing that he stepped in too late. The fight in question was a UFC Mexico City clash between Drew Dober and Manuel Torres.
Michael Bisping praises Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates for accepting UFC Kansas fight
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.
Fabricio Werdum pulls out of GFL season due to lack of motivation
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.