MMA News
Chatri Sityodtong reveals Rodtang-Jonathan Haggerty III for later this year
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 28, 2025
We’re only three months into 2025 and ONE Championship has already hosted a number of monumental bouts. And ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is keeping them coming. At ONE 172‘s post-fight press conference, the promotion’s boss revealed that former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will meet reigning bantamweight kickboxing king Jonathan Haggerty in a trilogy bout later this year.
Lyndon Knowles believes he's the man to dethrone Roman Kryklia at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 28, 2025
With over two decades of combat sports experience, promotional newcomer Lyndon Knowles believes he has the goods to end two-sport ONE World Champion Roman Kryklia‘s reign at ONE Fight Night 30. The pink-hatted puncher challenges the Ukrainian ruler for the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Bigger, faster, stronger: Nico Carrillo expects to make huge waves in featherweight Muay Thai debut
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 28, 2025
Former ONE bantamweight Muay Thai contender Nico Carrillo is embracing his new lease of life in the featherweight division. The Scottish ace makes his debut in the weight bracket against #4-ranked contender Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong. This happens at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles this Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Masaaki Noiri thrilled to prove his worth at ONE 172, plans to finish Superbon
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 28, 2025
Newly crowned ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri felt like it was him against the world when he stepped in the ring at ONE 172. The Japanese star battled back to score a stunning third-round knockout over reigning ONE featherweight Muay Thai king Tawanchai PK Saenchai last Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
WATCH | Terence Crawford and Kamaru Usman debate boxing vs. UFC pay: "It's no comparison"
Josh Evanoff - March 28, 2025
Boxing champion Terence Crawford and ex-UFC champion Kamaru Usman recently debated fighter pay. Ever since the UFC began growing in popularity, there have been discussions about fighter pay. While some have attempted to form a union, every effort has ended in failure. Save for a few stars such as Conor McGregor or Jon Jones, most fighters struggle to get big paydays. Some, including Kamaru Usman, have argued that the sport pays better on average than boxing. However, boxers obviously get paid more at the top level.
Conor McGregor admits UFC career could be over as he focuses on politics: "I'm happy with what I've done"
Josh Evanoff - March 28, 2025
Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor is content with what he’s accomplished in the cage. ‘The Notorious’ hasn’t been seen in the octagon in nearly four years now. Conor McGregor last competed at UFC 264 in July 2021, in a heated trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier. That night saw the Irishman snap his leg in the final seconds of the first round, a devastating sight. Despite the brutal injury, McGregor vowed to embark on “The greatest comeback” in MMA history, and return to the cage by the end of 2022.
Jorge Masvidal reacts to Leon Edwards' one-sided loss to Sean Brady
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 28, 2025
Jorge Masvidal has given his take on Leon Edwards’ recent defeat to Sean Brady. Brady scored a massive win over Edwards in the main event of UFC London on March 22. “Rocky” simply didn’t have an answer for Brady’s grappling and was submitted in the fourth round. It’s the second loss in a row for Edwards, but many considered this defeat to be a blowout.
UFC Mexico City weigh-in results: One main card fighter misses, headliner made official
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 28, 2025
The UFC Mexico City weigh-ins have wrapped up. Former multi-time UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno tipped the scales at the championship weight of 125 pounds. His opponent, Steve Erceg, also clocked in at that same weight. Their pivotal flyweight headliner is now official.
Vince Morales plans to "break" Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC Mexico City to save his job: "I have to put him away"
Cole Shelton - March 27, 2025
Vince Morales believes he could be fighting for his job at UFC Mexico City. Morales made it back to the UFC last September at UFC Paris but dropped a decision to Taylor Lapilus. He then dropped a decision to Elijah Smith on February 15 in a very close fight.
RIZIN announces eight-man heavyweight Grand Prix, Danny Sabatello promotional debut set for May 4th show
Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2025
RIZIN: Otoko Matsuri will feature an eight-man heavyweight Grand Prix, and several other big fights in May. RIZIN is set to return to the beloved Tokyo Dome later this spring. Earlier this week, the promotion held a press conference in Japan, giving details about their planned event on May 4th. There, they revealed plans for a massive eight-man heavyweight tournament, a decade after their inaugural heavyweight Grand Prix. The finals of that 2015 tournament saw King Mo score a knockout win over future UFC champion Jiri Prochazka.
Joe Pyfer vows to be the first person to KO Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Mexico City: "I’m going to send a statement"
Cole Shelton - March 27, 2025
Joe Pyfer plans to make a statement against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Mexico City on Saturday. Pyfer is set to take on Gastelum at middleweight in an intriguing matchup. It’s a crucial fight for the division, and Pyfer believes he can make a statement by being the first person to knock out Gastelum.
Former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev signs with Karate Combat: "I just want to compete"
Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2025
Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev is now a member of Karate Combat. ‘The Punisher’ was once viewed as the UFC’s brightest young prospects. Signing with the organization in 2022 with an undefeated record, Muhammad Mokaev quickly found success. He scored a first-round submission win over Cody Durden in his promotional debut, and he never looked back. Over the next two years, the Brit scored lopsided victories over names such as Tim Elliott, Alex Perez, and Charles Johnson.
Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader parts ways with the PFL
Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2025
Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is now a free agent after parting ways with the PFL. There are few fighters who benefited from leaving the UFC more than ‘Darth’. After eight years under Dana White, Ryan Bader left in favor of Scott Coker and Bellator in 2016. Quickly, the light-heavyweight wrestler found success. Bader won gold in his first night in the promotion, scoring a split-decision win over Phil Davis. He would follow that up with a title defense against Linton Vassell, before heading up to heavyweight.
Michael Chandler reveals plan to lure Conor McGregor back to the Octagon at UFC 314
BJ Penn Staff - March 27, 2025
The chances of Conor McGregor returning to the UFC look slimmer by the day, but Michael Chandler isn’t letting his long-time rival off the hook. Chandler, 38, spent the last few years of his career in talks to fight McGregor. He coached The Ultimate Fighter opposite the Irishman, and their long-awaited fight was finally booked for UFC 303 last summer. However, it ultimately fell through when McGregor suffered a toe injury. When it wasn’t rebooked after several months, Chandler finally realized it was time to move on. At the point, he accepted a rematch with former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira.
UFC star Paul Craig reveals ‘really bad eating disorder’ impacted middleweight performances
BJ Penn Staff - March 27, 2025
Scottish UFC fighter Paul Craig has had some disappointing performances in the Octagon lately, but he claims that’s partly because of some health issues he’s been facing outside it. Craig started his UFC career as a light heavyweight. He had some decent wins in the division—notably defeating reigning champ Magomed Ankalaev and former champ Jamahal Hill before they got to the belt—but after some tough losses, he ultimately decided to move down to middleweight.
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.
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.