MMA News
Reinier De Ridder reveals surprising strategy for Bo Nickal fight at UFC Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 27, 2025
Reinier De Ridder thinks he knows the direction his fight with Bo Nickal could go. De Ridder and Nickal are scheduled to collide at UFC Des Moines on May 3. It’s a big opportunity for both men. For De Ridder, it’s a chance to end the hype train of a rising 185-pounder. On the flipside, Nickal gets the opportunity to make his debut on the official UFC middleweight rankings.
Sister of beloved UFC champion announces retirement from MMA
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 27, 2025
Add another UFC fighter to the retirement list. As of late, there has been a small wave of MMA fighters hanging up their gloves. Jalin Turner revealed he’s walking away from pro MMA competition following a submission loss to Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC 313 on March 8. Just a few weeks later, Molly McCann left her gloves inside the Octagon following her first-round submission loss to Alexia Thainara at UFC London.
UFC commentator Jon Anik names one fighter who is being overlooked ahead of UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 27, 2025
UFC play-by-play ace Jon Anik thinks one fighter has become the “forgotten man.” Anik has covered his share of big fights, and he’s seen some of the best athletes share the Octagon while calling the action. One division that he’s intrigued by is featherweight. There is a vacant championship fight set for April 12 between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. That title bout will headline UFC 314.
Steve Erceg plans to prove he's not a "bum" against Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City: "We will be slinging leather"
Cole Shelton - March 27, 2025
Steve Erceg wants to prove the doubters wrong that he is a top-ranked flyweight at UFC Mexico City. Erceg is coming off back-to-back losses to Kai Kara-France by KO and Alexandre Pantoja by decision. Despite losing two straight fights, he’s set to headline UFC Mexico City against Brandon Moreno on Saturday.
Alex Pereira hits out at Magomed Ankalaev’s coach over cheating accusations
Harry Kettle - March 27, 2025
Alex Pereira has lashed out at Magomed Ankalaev’s coach over accusations that he tried to cheat during their UFC 313 main event. As we know, Alex Pereira came up short in his UFC 313 main event clash with Magomed Ankalaev. Many were hoping that ‘Poatan’ would be able to extend his incredible reign as UFC light heavyweight champion but instead, his run came to an end at the hands of Ankalaev. Ever since then, fans and pundits alike have been calling for the two to run it back sooner rather than later.
UFC fighter defends Jon Jones’ desire to have six months to prepare for Tom Aspinall
Harry Kettle - March 27, 2025
UFC fighter Kevin Holland has defended Jon Jones for reportedly wanting six months to prepare for a fight against Tom Aspinall. As we know, Jon Jones is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. We also know that Tom Aspinall is the interim heavyweight champion. Of course, it makes sense for the two to fight and unify the belts, but there’s one problem – Jon is in no hurry whatsoever to make this fight happen.
ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang draws $2 million gate, ONE boss Chatri Sityodtong "very happy"
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 26, 2025
ONE Championship’s return to Japan this past weekend marked a huge moment. The promotion drew their largest numbers ever in the country. ONE 172 on Sunday, March 23, brought in a staggering gate in excess of $2 million in ticket sales with over 15,000 fans in attendance.
Phetjeeja breaks down career-best performance versus Kana at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 26, 2025
ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Phetjeeja passed her toughest test with flying colors at ONE 172. “The Queen” defended her gold against Japanese knockout artist Kana Morimoto in a five-round striking showcase this past Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Alex Pereira reveals plans to call for boxing match with Oleksandr Usyk if victorious at UFC 313: "I wanted to move up"
Josh Evanoff - March 26, 2025
If UFC light-heavyweight Alex Pereira defeated Magomed Ankalaev earlier this month, he had some big plans. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage in Las Vegas earlier this month. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Khalil Rountree Jr. last fall, Alex Pereira finally met Magomed Ankalaev. The Russian entered the bout riding a 14-fight unbeaten streak, last handing Aleksandar Rakic a defeat last October. Ahead of the bout, the Brazilian was openly discussing future bouts against Jon Jones, and even Oleksandr Usyk.
Colby Covington shoots down fight against 'irrelevant bum' Michael Chiesa for The Ultimate Fighter 33 finale: "He's a nobody!"
Josh Evanoff - March 26, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has no interest in facing Michael Chiesa. ‘Chaos’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in December. Ending a yearlong layoff, Colby Covington stepped up on short notice to face the rising Joaquin Buckley. That night at UFC Tampa saw ‘New Mansa’ dominate the former interim champion, hurting him several times en route to a third-round stoppage. Post-fight, Covington blamed the loss on a “DEI Doctor” who called the bout off due to a cut above his eye.
Miesha Tate previews potential future UFC title fight against longtime friend Julianna Pena: "She is always game"
Josh Evanoff - March 26, 2025
Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate is willing to fight Julianna Pena for a world title. ‘Cupcake’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Julia Avila in December 2023. That night at UFC Austin saw Miesha Tate turn back the clock, dominating ‘Raging Panda’ en route to a third-round submission win. Over a year on from that win, the 38-year-old former champion is finally set to return. At UFC Des Moines in May, Tate will meet former title challenger Yana Santos.
Kelvin Gastelum says move back to middleweight at UFC Mexico City is permanent: "185 is my home"
Cole Shelton - March 26, 2025
Kelvin Gastelum says he will be a middleweight again from here on out. Gastelum is set to return to the middleweight division to take on Joe Pyfer on the main card of UFC Mexico City. It’s an intriguing fight as it also serves as Gastelum’s return to middleweight. The former interim title challenger fought just once at welterweight, losing to Sean Brady before facing Daniel Rodriguez in his return to middleweight.
Robert Whittaker blasted by surging UFC contender over recent 'pub' comments
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 26, 2025
One surging UFC middleweight didn’t take too kindly to Robert Whittaker’s recent comments. Whittaker has made it clear that he’s eyeing a summer showdown with fellow ex-UFC middleweight titleholder Sean Strickland. Despite this, “The Reaper” has been called out by rising contenders such as Caio Borralho and Roman Dolidze.
Renowned UFC coach names one former champion who lacks heart of 'real true fighter'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 26, 2025
It’s one thing to become a UFC champion; it’s another to have the heart of a fighter. Much has been made about former UFC welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards following back-to-back losses in front of favorable crowds. “Rocky” struggled with Belal Muhammad’s grappling, which caused him to lose the 170-pound gold. He was once again dominated in the grappling department in the UFC London main event, but it was far worse this time against Sean Brady.
Paddy Pimblett writes heartfelt tribute to Molly McCann following her MMA retirement
Harry Kettle - March 26, 2025
UFC star Paddy Pimblett wrote a heartfelt tribute to his friend Molly McCann following her retirement from mixed martial arts. Last weekend at UFC London, Molly McCann retired from mixed martial arts. It came at the end of another disappointing loss in the Octagon, as she proceeded to give a passionate speech to the crowd at The O2 Arena in the English capital. Ever since then, fighters and fans alike have been looking back on her career and praising her for what she was able to do for the sport and women’s MMA as a whole.
Colby Covington believes Leon Edwards should retire following UFC London defeat
Harry Kettle - March 26, 2025
Colby Covington is of the belief that Leon Edwards should retire from mixed martial arts following his loss at UFC London. Last weekend at UFC London, Leon Edwards fell to his second straight defeat inside the Octagon. He was beaten and dominated by Sean Brady in a fight that could’ve seen ‘Rocky’ vault back into title contention. Alas, it didn’t work out that way and instead, he was finished – leaving many to question what’s next for him in mixed martial arts.
Demetrious Johnson explains why Islam Makhachev is his pound-for-pound #1 fighter
Harry Kettle - March 26, 2025
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has explained why he considers Islam Makhachev to be his current #1 pound-for-pound fighter. Right now, nobody can touch Islam Makhachev. He has achieved some wonderful things in his mixed martial arts career already, and it doesn’t appear as if he’s going to slow down anytime soon. He is the undisputed UFC lightweight champion and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels as if he has the upper hand over the majority of contenders in that division. Even if he moved up to welterweight, you’d fancy his chances against plenty of the guys up there.
Jonathan Di Bella honors Sam-A after hard-fought win at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 25, 2025
Leaving Japan’s Saitama Super Arena with the ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Title was a prolific moment in the career of Jonathan Di Bella. But going toe-to-toe with former two-division ONE World Champion Sam-A Gaiyanghadao was also a huge honor for him. The Canadian-Italian outstruck the Thai legend for 15 minutes to pick up the weight bracket’s interim crown at ONE 172 this past Sunday, March 23.