MMA News
Wyatt Hendrickson opens up on possible move to MMA after recent NCAA title win: "I love everything about it"
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.
Kai Kara-France hints at UFC 317 flyweight title fight against Alexandre Pantoja: "12 weeks out"
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.
Deontay Wilder offers update on long-awaited clash with Francis Ngannou: "Stay tuned!"
Josh Evanoff - April 2, 2025
Former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is down for a meeting with Francis Ngannou in the boxing ring. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ hasn’t been seen in action since his clash with Zhilei Zhang last summer in Saudi Arabia. The bout was a must-win for Deontay Wilder, as he entered the bout having suffered three losses in his last four bouts. However, ‘Big Bang’ wound up dominating the former champion. In round five, Zhang landed a thudding right hand to put Wilder down for good. Post-fight, many called for the heavyweight to retire.
Bryce Mitchell vows to "destroy" Jean Silva at UFC 314
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.
UFC 314: Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire open to fighting UFC Hall of Famer if asked
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2025
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire won’t shy away from a dream fight with his fellow legendary countryman. Freire will finally be making his UFC debut on April 12. He’ll share the Octagon with Yair Rodriguez on the main card of UFC 314 in Miami. It’s a big spot for Freire, who is looking to snag UFC gold before his fighting career is over.
Henry Cejudo names UFC legend who could prevent Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 2, 2025
Henry Cejudo believes one UFC legend will play a role in Islam Makhachev’s next fight. Much has been made about what’s next in the UFC lightweight title picture. Ilia Topuria recently vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship. While many assumed “La Leyenda” would get the next crack at Makhachev’s 155-pound gold, UFC CEO Dana White told reporters that it isn’t a guarantee.
Jack Della Maddalena receives apology regarding UFC 315 fundraising story
Harry Kettle - April 2, 2025
As it turns out, the story that Jack Della Maddalena was using a venue event to help raise travel funds for his team ahead of UFC 315. We all know that Jack Della Maddalena is an incredibly dangerous welterweight. At UFC 315, he’ll get the chance to prove he’s the best in the world. He’s set to throw down with Belal Muhammad for the UFC title, and while he’s the underdog, there’s always a chance that he can pull off one of the biggest upsets of the year thus far.
Ian Machado Garry reacts to short notice UFC Kansas City fight against Carlos Prates
Harry Kettle - April 2, 2025
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has reacted to being given a short notice fight against Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas City. We all know that Ian Machado Garry is a very serious, legit contender in the welterweight division. He’s proven that time and time again, most notably in his incredibly close decision loss at the hands of Shavkat Rakhmonov. Now, though, he’s set for an entirely new challenge – and another short notice one.
Khalil Rountree Jr reacts to Jamahal Hill fight being called off for UFC Kansas City
Harry Kettle - April 2, 2025
Khalil Rountree Jr has given his thoughts on his upcoming fight with Jamahal Hill at UFC Kansas City being called off. As we know, Rountree Jr is one of the most interesting light heavyweight contenders out there today. In his last outing, he battled Alex Pereira for the championship – and he came pretty close to pulling off an upset win. Alas, in the end, he went out on his shield, proving once and for all what a true warrior he really is.
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.
UFC Kansas City gets new main event as Ian Machado Garry takes on surging contender
Cole Shelton - April 1, 2025
UFC Kansas City has gotten a new main event as Ian Machado Garry has once again stepped up on short notice. The event was supposed to be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Khalil Rountree and Jamahal Hill. However, the fight is now off, and UFC CEO Dana White announced that Garry will take on Carlos Prates in the main event. The event is set to take place on April 26.
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.
Dillon Danis shares scatching prediction for Tony Ferguson fight in GFL
Cole Shelton - April 1, 2025
Dillon Danis has sent a bold prediction on his upcoming fight against Tony Ferguson in the GFL. Danis is set to take on Ferguson at lightweight, which is 165 pounds in the GFL in the main event of GFL 2 on May 25. The event will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Heading into the fight, Danis is oozing with confidence and shared a scathing prediction for his fight.
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.