MMA News
UFC star narrowly avoided nightmare scenario in last fight: 'My stomach was not feeling great'
BJ Penn Staff - April 1, 2025
MMA fans can be a pretty critical bunch, and they sure don’t forget easily. In her latest UFC fight, strawweight star Loopy Godinez narrowly avoided a situation that would have had fans chattering for weeks — and not in a good way. Godinez, who was born in Mexico but now lives in Canada, was back in action as part of this past Saturday’s UFC Mexico City card. This time, she was taking on Julia Polastri in a three-round fight, looking to bounce back from consecutive decision losses to submission specialists — and top contenders — Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern.
Under the radar: 3 fights to watch at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 1, 2025
ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles is only days away now. With two huge World Title bouts at the top of the bill, there’s plenty to keep you gripped this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Two-sport ONE World Champion Roman Kryklia defends his heavyweight Muay Thai gold against Lyndon Knowles. Also, fellow dual-reigning king Regian Eersel puts his lightweight kickboxing crown on the line against former champ Alexis Nicolas in a trilogy.
Nico Carrillo fires shots at "coward" Jonathan Haggerty
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 1, 2025
Nico Carrillo had some choice words for ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty after their interaction at ONE 170. Carrillo enters the featherweight Muay Thai division this Friday, April 4, at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles, as he meets #4-ranked contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. But he still has time for his long standing rival.
Dana White announces two title fights for UFC 316, including Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2
Josh Evanoff - April 1, 2025
UFC 316 will be headlined by Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2, Dana White revealed earlier today. Earlier today, the UFC CEO took to social media to announce several new fights. Sadly, the Fight Night slated for Kansas City later this month has a new main event, following an injury to Jamahal Hill. As a result, ‘Sweet Dreams’ is out of his slated fight against Khalil Rountree Jr., and the bout has been replaced by Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates. However, that welterweight headliner wasn’t the only bout announced earlier today.
Former UFC title challenger Jessica Eye signs with BKFC
Josh Evanoff - April 1, 2025
Former UFC women’s flyweight contender Jessica Eye has signed with BKFC. ‘Evil’ was one of the first high-profile women to make a splash in the UFC. Jessica Eye joined the company in 2013 and quickly found success with wins over the likes of Sarah Kaufman and Leslie Smith. However, that success was short-lived. Eye eventually found herself in the midst of a four-fight losing streak in 2018, having suffered losses to the likes of Miesha Tate and Julianna Pena. As a result, the striker went down in weight.
Ryan Bader reveals ongoing talks with RIZIN following sudden PFL release: "It sounds fun!"
Josh Evanoff - April 1, 2025
Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is in talks to join RIZIN. ‘Darth’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash with Renan Ferreira last February. Back for the first time since a knockout win over Fedor Emelianenko at Bellator 290, Ryan Bader met ‘Problema’. The bout was a clash of champions, as the Brazilian entered the bout the PFL’s reigning heavyweight tournament winner. Ultimately, it took just 21 seconds for Ferreira to earn a first-round knockout victory.
PFL executive doubts Jake Paul will ever actually fight in MMA: "He's not going to fight anybody"
Josh Evanoff - April 1, 2025
PFL executive Dan Hardy doesn’t believe Jake Paul will ever step into the cage. ‘The Problem Child’ hasn’t been seen in action since his high-profile meeting with Mike Tyson in the boxing ring last year. That bout saw the 28-year-old dominate the heavyweight legend thirty years his senior, outboxing him en route to a lopsided decision victory. Following the win, Jake Paul called for a longshot bout with Canelo Alvarez. While the Mexican star entered talks with him, he instead signed a deal to fight Terence Crawford under Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season banner.
Henry Cejudo contemplating retirement following recent eye injury: "I want to be able to play with my kids"
Josh Evanoff - April 1, 2025
Former two-weight UFC champion Henry Cejudo could retire following his recent injury. ‘Triple C’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the main event of UFC Seattle in February. Back for the first time since a lopsided loss to Merab Dvalishvili last year, the former UFC champion met Song Yadong. Riding a two-fight losing streak entering the event, Henry Cejudo badly needed a win. Instead, he left the cage last month with a stoppage loss and an injured eye.
Dillon Danis shares scatching prediction for Tony Ferguson fight in GFL
Cole Shelton - April 1, 2025
UFC 315: Carlos Prates shares prediction for Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 1, 2025
Rising UFC star Carlos Prates has shared his prediction for the welterweight title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad and Maddalena are set to collide in the main event of UFC 315 on May 10. The championship fight will be held inside the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It’ll be Muhammad’s first attempt at a successful UFC title defense. As for Maddalena, this will be his first UFC championship fight.
Tom Aspinall urged to move on from UFC title unification fight against Jon Jones
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 1, 2025
One of the greatest MMA fighters of all time believes Tom Aspinall should stop waiting for Jon Jones. Aspinall has been waiting for his UFC heavyweight title unification bout since knocking out Sergei Pavlovich at UFC 295 back in Nov. 2023. Aspinall even had a rare successful defense of the interim gold, knocking out Curtis Blaydes in the first round. While Jones has successfully defended the main heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic, many are wondering if a unification bout between him and Aspinall will ever materialize.
Conor McGregor planned early retirement 10 years ago, says UFC legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 1, 2025
One former UFC slugger believes Conor McGregor told the public of his plans to leave fighting 10 years ago. McGregor emerged as the biggest name in MMA, given his live gate and UFC pay-per-view records. The first fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously certainly knows how to draw attention, but fans of his work inside the Octagon have been waiting for his next fight since 2021. At this point, many believe the “Notorious” one will never make his return to the UFC.
Brandon Moreno reveals how he was able to defeat Steve Erceg at UFC Mexico City
Harry Kettle - April 1, 2025
Brandon Moreno has revealed how he was able to defeat Steve Erceg in their clash at UFC Mexico City last weekend. Last Saturday night, Brandon Moreno took a big step towards becoming a world title contender once again. He locked horns with Steve Erceg and managed to grind out another impressive victory. At this point, the former two-time champion may well be the next in line for a crack at the UFC flyweight championship.
Sean Brady calls out Colby Covington in frustrated rant
Harry Kettle - April 1, 2025
UFC contender Sean Brady has called out fellow welterweight rival, the always controversial Colby Covington, in quite the rant. As we know, Sean Brady is one of the top welterweight contenders in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He has been on quite the journey over the course of the last few years, to the point where he’s now viewed as a potential number one contender for the belt. At the very least, he’s incredibly close to booking a rematch with Belal Muhammad.
Andrei Arlovski calls for a fight against Jake Paul
Harry Kettle - April 1, 2025
MMA veteran Andrei Arlovski has called for a possible showdown with Jake Paul, the YouTuber-turned-boxer. When it comes to legendary fan favorites in heavyweight mixed martial arts, Andrei Arlovski is up there with the best of them. He has enjoyed the kind of longevity that a lot of fighters can only dream of. He’s a former champion, and he’s fought some of the best to have ever stepped foot through the doors of the UFC.
What's next for Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg after UFC Mexico City?
Cole Shelton - April 1, 2025
The UFC was in Mexico City, Mexico, on Saturday, March 29, for UFC Mexico City. The main event saw flyweight contenders throw down as Brandon Moreno took on Steve Erceg. Moreno was coming off a decision win over Amir Albazi. Erceg, meanwhile, lost back-to-back fights after being knocked out by Kai Kara-France and losing a decision to Alexandre Pantoja for the belt.
Mike Perry reveals discussions for short-notice Misfits MMA fight against Dillon Danis: "Let's do it!"
Josh Evanoff - March 31, 2025
Mike Perry is currently in talks for an April fight with Dillon Danis in Misfits MMA. ‘El Jefe’ was set to return to the boxing ring earlier this month under the Misfits Boxing banner. Dillon Danis hasn’t been seen in action since his loss to Logan Paul in late 2023, but he accepted a short-notice bout against KSI. ‘The Nightmare’ was initially set to face footballer Wayne Bridge, but the bout was canceled after the 44-year-old withdrew. For his part, KSI withdrew from the bout earlier this month due to illness.
Zack Snyder to direct new UFC and Turki Alalshikh-produced movie 'Brawler'
Josh Evanoff - March 31, 2025
Acclaimed director Zack Snyder is working with the UFC and Turki Alalshikh. The Saudi advisor’s journey into combat sports has changed a lot in the combat sports world. Over the last few years, Turki Alalshikh has worked to create long-awaited bouts such as Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, and Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev. Earlier this month, he announced plans to form a boxing league with UFC CEO Dana White.
Urijah Faber explains decision to sign with GFL ahead of Renan Barao trilogy bout: "It seems like a good time"
Josh Evanoff - March 31, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight Urijah Faber couldn’t pass up on the GFL’s offer to face Renan Barao in May. ‘The California Kid’ hasn’t been in the cage since a clash with Petr Yan in December 2019. The bout was just Urijah Faber’s second since ending his retirement that year, and it ended very badly. ‘No Mercy’ battered the UFC Hall of Famer en route to a third-round knockout victory.