MMA News
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.
Brandon Moreno believes he can earn a title shot with a win at UFC Mexico City: "I move the needle more than the other guys"
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.
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.
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.
Alex Pereira confirms injury prior to UFC 313 loss to Magomed Ankalaev: "I don't want to make excuses"
Josh Evanoff - March 26, 2025
Alex Pereira entered his UFC 313 fight against Magomed Ankalaev with a hand injury. ‘Poatan’ is fresh off his return to the cage earlier this month in Las Vegas. Back for the first time since a dominant 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 beating Aleksandar Rakic last October. While Pereira entered the cage dreaming of a boxing match against Oleksandr Usyk, those plans were foiled earlier this month.
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.
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.
Tom Aspinall explains disappointment over UFC London atmosphere
Harry Kettle - March 26, 2025
UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has expressed his disappointment over the atmosphere at UFC London. When the Ultimate Fighting Championship rolls up to London, England, fans are often expected to show up in a big way. From a big card to an atmosphere that shows off why these crowds are so incredible, the expectations are always high. Sometimes, they deliver. Sometimes, however, things fall a bit flat, as was the case when the promotion decided to put on fights at US primetime last year.
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.
Yuya Wakamatsu reveals biggest test wasn't Adriano Moraes: "The enemy is in yourself"
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 25, 2025
Newly minted ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion Yuya Wakamatsu’s journey to the division’s pinnacle was more than physical. If anything, the mental aspect was a much tougher task. And he showed a whole new attitude at ONE 172. “Little Piranha” blew the roof off of Japan’s Saitama Super Arena this past Sunday, March 23. There, he knocked out former flyweight MMA kingpin Adriano Moraes in a rematch three years in the making. In doing so, he claimed the vacant throne inside one round in front of his hometown supporters.
Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones is "scared" to take tough fights, including him: "He’s not wanting to fight me"
Cole Shelton - March 25, 2025
Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones is scared to fight him and is scared of taking tough fights. Aspinall has been the interim heavyweight champion since November of 2023 but has yet to unify his belt against Jones. With the fight still not happening, Aspinall claims Jones is scared to fight him and was scared to fight Francis Ngannou.
Logan Paul reveals Dana White ignored offer to fight on UFC undercard: "It spoke volumes"
Josh Evanoff - March 25, 2025
Dana White didn’t respond to Logan Paul’s offer to fight in the UFC. ‘The Maverick’ hasn’t been seen in action since his boxing match with Dillon Danis in October 2023. That night saw Logan Paul largely dominate ‘El Jefe’, ultimately earning a disqualification win in the sixth round after a failed takedown from the grappler. Following that win, the YouTuber-turned-fighter announced his “retirement” from boxing. However, that doesn’t mean that Paul is done competing.
Jan Blachowicz releases statement following controversial loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC London: "I’ll leave the verdict for discussion"
Josh Evanoff - March 25, 2025
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz has released a statement following his loss to Carlos Ulberg. The 42-year-old light-heavyweight made his return to the cage Saturday night at UFC London. Back for the first time since a split-decision loss to Alex Pereira in July 2023, Jan Blachowicz met the rising Carlos Ulberg. ‘Black Jag’ entered the octagon riding an eight-fight winning streak, last scoring a win over Volkan Oezdemir in November. Given Blachowicz’s shoulder injury last year and Ulberg’s momentum, the former champion entered the bout a heavy underdog.
Kamaru Usman interested in bout with Sean Brady for long-awaited UFC comeback: "Let's bang it out"
Josh Evanoff - March 25, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is interested in fighting Sean Brady in his return. It’s been nearly two years since ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ last appeared in the cage. Kamaru Usman last fought at UFC 294 in October 2023, stepping up on short notice for a rare middleweight appearance against Khamzat Chimaev. That night saw the wrestler bring the fight to the undefeated Chechen, but still suffer a majority decision loss. The defeat was Usman’s third in a row, previously suffering back-to-back losses to Leon Edwards.
Jeff Molina reacts after three-year suspension over gambling probe: "I made a mistake by continuing to wager"
Cole Shelton - March 25, 2025
Jeff Molina has opened up after his three-year suspension was handed down by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Molina received a three-year suspension and was fined $235.56 in prosecution fees for failing to disclose his teammate Darrick Minner’s injury and then willingly placing a significant bet on the fight. His suspension expires on November 5, 2025.