MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 24, 2025

Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon was just as surprised as fans at his 80-second spectacle this past weekend at ONE 172. “The Iron Man” demolished three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa in the first round of their flyweight kickboxing super-fight. It took place this past Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 24, 2025

ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane continues to evolve in front of our eyes. His performance this past weekend at ONE 172 was no exception. There, he outclassed former two-division, two-sport ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9. The Algerian-Thai dominated “The Kicking Machine” in a non-title bantamweight Muay Thai bout on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena to earn the unanimous decision.

Josh Evanoff - March 24, 2025

UFC commentator Joe Rogan has no plans of calling Belal Muhammad vs. Jack Della Maddalena later this summer. Later this year in Montreal, ‘Remember The Name’ will look to make his first title defense. Almost a year after beating Leon Edwards in Manchester to win UFC gold, Belal Muhammad will meet the rising Jack Della Maddalena. The Australian will enter his first title fight riding a 17-fight winning streak, last handing Gilbert Burns a knockout loss last year in Miami. However, the welterweight title won’t be the only one on the line in Canada.

Josh Evanoff - March 24, 2025

Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk is down for a fight in the cage against Jake Paul. It’s not exactly a secret that ‘The Cat’ is winding down his historic career. Approaching his 40s, Oleksandr Usyk is a former undisputed heavyweight champion and cruiserweight champion. In December, the Ukrainian boxer handed Tyson Fury his second straight loss, this time by unanimous decision. As of now, Usyk has no set opponent for his next bout but has been linked to a rematch with Daniel Dubois.

Cole Shelton - March 24, 2025

Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been sentenced to five years in prison for his 2022 shooting. Velasquez’s sentencing came down from Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Arthur Bocanegra on Monday. The maximum time Velasquez could have served in jail was 40 years, or as little as walking away with zero prison time. According to KRON4, Deputy District Attorney Aaron French asked the Judge for a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, while Velasquez’s camp was hoping to walk away.

Cole Shelton - March 24, 2025

Sean Brady doesn’t see a need to fight Ian Machado Garry next time out. Brady picked up the biggest win of his career as he scored a submission win over Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC London. It was a stellar performance from Brady who dominated Edwards from start to finish en route to the stoppage win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2025

One UFC Hall of Famer has a suggestion for what should be next for Leon Edwards. The conclusion of UFC London was a disaster for “Rocky.” The former UFC Welterweight Champion headlined in front of his fellow Englishman in hopes of rebounding from his title loss to Belal Muhammad in 2024. Instead, Edwards was grounded by a far superior grappler in Sean Brady. Edwards was submitted in the fourth round via guillotine choke.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 24, 2025

One former standup warrior under the UFC banner has made his pick for Islam Makhachev’s next UFC lightweight title challenger. UFC CEO Dana White recently told reporters that Makhachev isn’t short on options when it comes to his next championship defense. The 155-pound ruler has key names such as Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and of course, Ilia Topuria gunning for his gold. While “El Matador” recently vacated the 145-pound title, it appears he is not guaranteed a crack at the 155-pound championship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 23, 2025

One rising welterweight contender bashed Leon Edwards’ team for their corner advice during the UFC London main event. Edwards was hoping to bounce back from his UFC Welterweight Championship loss to Belal Muhammad. He was expecting to share the Octagon with Jack Della Maddalena, but Sean Brady stepped up when Maddalena was moved to a title fight against Muhammad for UFC 315. Brady had no trouble entering enemy territory and giving Edwards a one-sided submission loss.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 23, 2025

A recently retired UFC fighter has issued a statement. Careers come and go in the fight business. We’ve seen the likes of Jalin Turner hang up the gloves following two straight finishing losses. Turner had also gone 1-4 in his last five outings.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 23, 2025

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev says only one man deserves to be his first title challenger. Ankalaev captured UFC gold for the first time in his pro MMA career in the main event of UFC 313. He defeated Alex Pereira inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Ankalaev was effective in forcing Pereira to fight backwards, which was out of “Poatan’s” comfort zone. It led to a unanimous decision victory for the champion from Dagestan.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 23, 2025

Paddy Pimblett has responded to the notion that Michael Chandler bends the rules during his fights. Some have accused Chandler of cheating, and point to his Nov. 2024 clash with Charles Oliveira as an example. Chandler almost finished the former UFC Lightweight Champion after being down in the fight, but he couldn’t seal the deal. Numerous shots were landed to the back of Oliveira’s head.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 23, 2025

Carlos Ulberg believes he’s on the cusp of a UFC title fight, and if Jiri Prochazka gets him there, then he’s ready to swing leather again. Ulberg shared the Octagon with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Blachowicz this past Saturday. The pivotal 205-pound clash served as the co-main event of UFC London. The fight went the distance and it was the Auckland native who scored a unanimous decision over Poland’s Blachowicz.

Harry Kettle - March 23, 2025

UFC welterweight Sean Brady believes his win over Leon Edwards was more impressive than Belal Muhammad’s last year. Last night, Sean Brady picked up the biggest win of his career so far. He was able to defeat and dominate former UFC champion Leon Edwards, and in doing so, he has put himself in contention for a shot at the title. More than likely, he’ll battle it out with Belal Muhammad, if the champ is able to get through Jack Della Maddalena.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 23, 2025

Sean Brady feels he made quite the statement by submitting Leon Edwards in enemy territory. Brady took a short notice fight against Edwards in the main event of UFC London. Edwards was going to face Jack Della Maddalena, but plans changed when Shavkat Rakhmonov couldn’t accept the May 10 date to challenge Belal Muhammad for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Brady made the most of his opportunity, keeping Edwards grounded before securing a fourth-round guillotine choke for the win.

Harry Kettle - March 23, 2025

Ilia Topuria has advised Charles Oliveira to quiet down as the former continues to prepare for his move to lightweight. Right now, the lightweight division is being defined by one storyline: Ilia Topuria’s move up from featherweight. After dominating at 145 pounds, he’s ready to try and do the same at 155. Some believe that he could go straight into a world title shot against Islam Makhachev, whereas others are of the belief that he is more likely to take on a contender first.

Harry Kettle - March 23, 2025

UFC veteran Andrei Arlovski has scored his first stoppage win in 10 years in combat sports at Dirty Boxing Championship. For the longest time, Andrei Arlovski has been competing in combat sports. For the most part, he’s spent his energy on mixed martial arts. Nowadays, though, he’s enjoying the twilight of his career in a different way – with a venture into boxing. For some, it’s an unusual transition – but others feel as if he’s earned the right to make any decision he wants when it comes to earning money and having fun.

Chris Taylor - March 22, 2025

The Octagon returned to England for today’s UFC London event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The fight card was headlined by a key welterweight showdown featuring former champion Leon Edwards taking on rising contender Sean Brady. The bout proved to be a coming out party for Brady. The American was able to dominate Edwards throughout the entirety of the fight, using his strong grappling skills to smother and control the former welterweight champion. After controlling and battering ‘Rocky’ on the ground for fifteen minutes, Sean Brady promptly locked up a fight-ending guillotine choke early in round four to seal the impressive victory. With the win, the Philadelphia native is poised for a top contender bout next time out.