MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 28, 2025

Bo Nickal thinks one fighter has a slight edge in a potential clash between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. The wide belief within the MMA community is that Chimaev should be next in line for a shot at du Plessis’ UFC middleweight title. “Borz” is undefeated with a record of 14-0. He scored an emphatic first-round submission finish over former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker at UFC 308.

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.

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.

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.

Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2025

Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub wants $5 million to step into the cage again. ‘The Hybrid’ hasn’t appeared in the cage in over a decade now. Brendan Schaub last competed on the UFC 181 main card in December 2014, in a heated grudge match with Travis Browne. That night saw ‘Hapa’ hurt and quickly finish Schaub in the first round. While the fighter-turned-podcaster teased a move down to light-heavyweight, he instead retired the following year. Schaub quickly pursued stand-up comedy and a career outside the cage.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - March 27, 2025

Gordon Ryan has told a story about Jon Jones and his warm-up routine prior to his main event at UFC 309. Jon Jones is known as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time. Despite the many controversies he’s been involved in over the years, he has managed to hold onto that title. Now, at this point in his career, there’s one thing people want to see more than anything else: an undisputed championship fight against Tom Aspinall at heavyweight.

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.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - March 26, 2025

Brandon Moreno thinks he can earn a title shot with a win at UFC Mexico City. Moreno is set to headline the card on Saturday against Steve Erceg in a pivotal fight at flyweight. Although the Mexican is 0-2 as a pro against Alexandre Pantoja and also lost to him in TUF, he believes he could earn a title shot.

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.

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.