MMA News
Reinier De Ridder explains why he likes Bo Nickal booking for UFC Des Moines
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 19, 2025
Bo Nickal wasn’t Reinier De Ridder’s first choice for his next opponent, but he has no complaints. De Ridder and Nickal will collide on the UFC Des Moines card on May 3. It’s Nickal’s chance to enter the top 10 UFC middleweight rankings for the first time. As for De Ridder, he admits that he wasn’t expecting to receive the bout offer to fight the surging 185-pounder.
UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili ranks his last five opponents from hardest to easiest
BJ Penn Staff - March 19, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is on one of the best runs in MMA right now, with wins over a host of former champions and undefeated contenders behind him. In a recent conversation with X user @judobetter995, he ranked his five most recent opponents in terms of difficulty.
Yoel Romero offers some advice to former UFC rival Israel Adesanya
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2025
Former UFC star Yoel Romero has offered some advice to former rival and pay-per-view opponent Israel Adesanya. As we know, Israel Adesanya is one of the best champions of his generation. He achieved some great things during his reign as UFC middleweight champion, and he also accomplished some wonderful things as a contender.
Bo Nickal becomes the latest fighter to criticize UFC Apex events
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2025
UFC star Bo Nickal has become the latest fighter to criticize UFC events taking place at the promotion’s Apex facility. Over the course of the last few years, we’ve seen a parade of UFC shows take place at the UFC Apex arena. It was originally done as a way to deal with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but even after the pandemic came to an end, the promotion continued to use it for fight night cards.
Sean Brady questions Leon Edwards' history against grapplers ahead of UFC London
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2025
Sean Brady has given his thoughts on Leon Edwards’ history against other grapplers ahead of their UFC London main event. For Leon Edwards, Saturday night serves as a real crossroads moment for him. He will go head to head with Sean Brady, a fellow contender in the welterweight division. For Leon, it’s his first fight since losing the belt at the hands of Belal Muhammad.
Kana believes she's the only woman who can dethrone Phetjeeja at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 18, 2025
Just when a fighter seems unbeatable, along comes a contender who’s ready to usher in a new era. That’s what decorated Japanese striker Kana Morimoto aims to do at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang. “Krusher Queen” challenges reigning ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion “The Queen” Phetjeeja on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Rodtang plans to finish Takeru, call out Superlek at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 18, 2025
By the time the curtain falls on 2025, former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon wants to join the list of two-sport ONE World Champions. “The Iron Man” squares off with three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa at ONE 172 this Sunday, March 23, in a flyweight kickboxing super-fight inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Dricus Du Plessis frustrated he lost "the biggest payday of my life" with Alex Pereira losing at UFC 313
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis is annoyed Alex Pereira lost to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313. Pereira was defending his light heavyweight title and Du Plessis felt like had the Brazilian won, he could have moved up in weight and had a superfight. However, Pereira lost a decision, and the South African says that ruined any chances of them fighting and also cost him the biggest payday of his career.
Gunnar Nelson opens up on relationship with Conor McGregor ahead of UFC London return: "I haven't met him in years"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Gunnar Nelson has offered an update on his relationship with teammate Conor McGregor. ‘Gunni’ is slowly, but surely rising up the UFC welterweight division. Gunnar Nelson was last seen in the cage in early 2023, for a clash with the ever-entertaining Bryan Barberena in London. There, the grappler submitted ‘Bam Bam’ inside of a round, his second victory in a row. Nelson is set to return to the octagon this Saturday in the U.K., where he will look to move his winning streak to three against Kevin Holland.
Jalin Turner doubles down on his decision to retire at UFC 313: "I'm still feeling the same way"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2025
Former UFC lightweight contender Jalin Turner has no intention of ever fighting again. ‘The Tarantula’ was once viewed as one of the UFC’s rising stars in the lightweight division. From 2020 to 2023, Jalin Turner rattled off a five-fight winning streak, winning all those bouts by way of finish. However, the wheels quickly came off. Turner’s winning streak was snapped by Mateusz Gamrot on short notice in early 2023 by way of a split decision. He then proceeded to lose two of his next three, suffering losses to Dan Hooker and Renato Moicano.
Charles Oliveira gets brutally honest on Conor McGregor's UFC return after White House visit: "He's not going to fight again"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2025
Charles Oliveira believes Conor McGregor won’t fight in the UFC again. ‘The Notorious’ is fresh off his trip to The White House in Washington D.C. Almost four years after his last UFC appearance against Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Donald Trump in the Oval Office. After meeting with the President, the former two-weight champion unleashed a rant against Ireland’s de facto Prime Minister, Michael Martin. The comments come as no surprise, given McGregor’s repeated teases to join the political world.
Gunnar Nelson explains why he hasn't fought in two years ahead of return at UFC London
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2025
Gunnar Nelson will be ending a two-year-long layoff when he takes on Kevin Holland on the main card of UFC London on Saturday. Nelson hasn’t fought since UFC 286 in March of 2023 when he submitted Bryan Barberena in the first round. Despite getting a quick finish, Nelson has another long layoff as he says he was just focused on other things and not MMA, as he also says he was healthy.
UFC legend explains why Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria would be an 'insult'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025
One legendary UFC name finds it insulting for Islam Makhachev to be asked to fight Ilia Topuria. Makhachev has made it clear that he’d rather fight an established contender at 155 pounds over another featherweight. Makhachev scored two wins over Alexander Volkanovski when “The Great” was the 145-pound champion. With Topuria moving up to lightweight, Makhachev would prefer if “El Matador” wins a No. 1 contender fight.
Ian Machado Garry was 'livid' over not receiving UFC 315 title fight against Belal Muhammad
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025
Ian Machado Garry believes he should’ve been called upon for a UFC welterweight title shot against Belal Muhammad. When Shavkat Rakhmonov couldn’t accept a championship bout with Muhammad due to an injury, Jack Della Maddalena stepped up. Maddalena will challenge Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315 on May 10.
Former UFC champion warns Paddy Pimblett of Michael Chandler's KO threat ahead of UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025
One ex-UFC titleholder has given his take on the dangers that Michael Chandler presents to Paddy Pimblett. Chandler and Pimblett are scheduled to clash on the UFC 314 card in Miami. The action will take place inside Kaseya Center on April 12. It’s a big opportunity for “The Baddy,” who is looking to break through in the lightweight title conversation. As for Chandler, he’s in search of his first win since May 2022.
Charles Oliveira issues a warning to Ilia Topuria ahead of lightweight move
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has issued a warning to Ilia Topuria ahead of the latter’s move up to 155 pounds. As we know, Ilia Topuria is planning on making the move up to the lightweight division following his incredible success at featherweight. While nobody knows for sure who he’ll fight next, there’s a good chance he could challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship in an immediate bid to win a second world title in the UFC.
Jean Silva responds to Bryce Mitchell's "demonic" claims
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025
UFC star Jean Silva has responded to claims made by Bryce Mitchell that he is being possessed by a legion of demons. As we know, Bryce Mitchell is a pretty complicated character. In addition to being a top-class mixed martial artist, he’s also quite an outspoken person. He’s said some chaotic things on social media throughout the course of his career, and that’s certainly true of the last few months. Most notably, he made some comments about Adolf Hitler that really caused a stir.
Marvin Vettori issues retirement challenge to UFC rival Brendan Allen: “Before I see you outside”
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025
UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has issued a potential retirement challenge to Brendan Allen for a future fight. Last weekend, Marvin Vettori fell short in his effort to defeat Roman Dolidze. His hope was to kickstart another run for the world title, but instead, he’s left on the outside looking in once again. Some have wondered what’s next for him, especially given how many other big names there are located towards the top of the division.