MMA News
Yuya Wakamatsu believes sacrifices will pay dividends in world title rematch at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 21, 2025
Second-ranked flyweight MMA contender Yuya Wakamatsu has spent the last three years working his way back to a World Title opportunity. Through blood, sweat, and tears, he’s now just days away from his second chance at gold. “Little Piranha” meets former divisional king Adriano Moraes for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title. This happens at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang, this Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Liam Harrison seeks redemption in return at ONE 173: Denver
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 21, 2025
There’s still more left in the tank for British Muay Thai star Liam Harrison. “Hitman” will return to ONE Championship this summer. There, he faces Myanmar bruiser Soe Lin Oo at ONE 173: Denver, on Friday, August 1. They will compete in a bantamweight Muay Thai outing that’s not expected to go the distance.
Leon Edwards claims he didn't realize how small Sean Brady was until faceoff
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025
Former UFC champion Leon Edwards has claimed that he didn’t realize how small Sean Brady was until their recent faceoff. In the last three years or so, Leon Edwards has been on a real rollercoaster ride in the world of mixed martial arts. He captured the belt from Kamaru Usman with one of the most dramatic knockouts we’ve ever seen in the sport, before successfully defending it against both Usman and Colby Covington. From there, you could make the argument that he became one of the biggest names in the sport. “Headshot, dead” alone was enough to make him the poster boy of British MMA – a spot which he had earned through years of hard work and dedication.
Kamaru Usman proposes some fun fights for the UFC's lightweight division
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025
Former UFC champion Kamaru Usman has put forward some ideas for the future of the promotion’s lightweight division. The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been incredibly lucky over the last five to ten years or so. There are a couple reasons for that, but one that comes to mind is this: the lightweight division. From top to bottom, the UFC has had an absolutely stacked top 15 and beyond at 155 pounds for the longest time. There are some absolute killers residing at lightweight, and we can’t think when that wasn’t the case.
Ilia Topuria says he will be returning to the Octagon with a new identity: “El Matador has been my ally in every fight”
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025
UFC champion Ilia Topuria has suggested that when he returns to the Octagon, he’ll be doing so with an entirely new identity. Every now and then, a fighter comes along who doesn’t even seem human. They are able to put everything together in a way that defies logic – especially in a sport like mixed martial arts. There are a couple of examples of this in recent years but right now, there’s one man that is on everyone’s lips: Ilia Topuria.
The UFC parts ways with five fighters including Armen Petrosyan
Harry Kettle - March 21, 2025
The UFC has reportedly parted ways with five more fighters, including Armen Petrosyan and Jalin Turner. If there’s one thing we know to be true, it’s that there’s a lot of turnover in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. It’s where some of the most elite fighters on the planet ply their trade and while many of the UFC’s big names will continue to find a home there for many years to come, others aren’t quite so lucky. One of the reasons for that is simple: they already have so many names on the roster as it is.
Leon Edwards confirms he had staph weeks ago, says he's fine for UFC London main event against Sean Brady
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2025
Leon Edwards confirmed he did deal with a staph infection during his training camp for UFC London but he says he’s fine. A photo went viral of Edwards’ appearing to have staph near his elbow, which he said happened weeks ago. He also claims the staph infection had no impact on his training or his cardio.
Conor McGregor announces he's running for President of Ireland: "Vote McGregor and have your voice heard"
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2025
Conor McGregor has announced he’s running for the President of Ireland. McGregor has complained about Ireland and the way it’s being run as of late. The Irishman has been frustrated with the country’s crime among other complaints.
Jake Paul unleashes on former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua: "I will f*cking beat his a*s!"
Josh Evanoff - March 20, 2025
Influencer-turned-boxing star Jake Paul seemingly wants to fight former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. ‘The Problem Child’ hasn’t been seen in action since his clash with the legendary Mike Tyson in November. Fresh off a lopsided knockout win over Mike Perry in July, Jake Paul looked to hand the 58-year-old legend a loss. While ‘Iron Mike’ came out firing early, he quickly slowed. After eight rounds of lackluster action, it was Paul who emerged with a unanimous decision victory. Following the win, the influencer called out Canelo Alvarez.
REPORT | RIZIN flyweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi nearing deal to return to the UFC
Josh Evanoff - March 20, 2025
According to a recent report from Ariel Helwani, RIZIN champion Kyoji Horiguchi is nearing a deal to return to the UFC. ‘The Typhoon’ hasn’t been in the RIZIN ring since his title defense against Nkazimulo Zulu in December. Back for the first time since his lopsided decision win over Sergio Pettis last summer, he handed ‘Zulu Boy’ a unanimous decision loss. The win moved Kyoji Horiguchi’s unbeaten streak to seven, and was also his first defense of flyweight gold. However, that will likely go down as his last appearance in the Japanese promotion.
Carlos Ulberg explains why he should get a title shot with a win over Jan Blachowicz at UFC London
Cole Shelton - March 20, 2025
Carlos Ulberg believes he should be fighting for the belt with a win at UFC London. Ulberg is set to take on Jan Blachowicz in the co-main event of UFC London on Saturday. It’s a pivotal fight for the light heavyweight division and Ulberg believes he should get a title shot with a win.
Former UFC champion reveals key changes Alex Pereira needs to make in Magomed Ankalaev rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2025
Alex Pereira is no longer the ruler of the light heavyweight division, but one former UFC champion believes “Poatan” can bounce back. Pereira was challenged by Magomed Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Entering the bout, Pereira was the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. In a competitive bout, Pereira struggled finding success while moving back. It allowed Ankalaev to be the aggressor in the fight, and he scored a unanimous decision win to capture the 205-pound gold.
Demetrious Johnson understands Alexandre Pantoja callout, calls UFC champion best flyweight today
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 20, 2025
Demetrious Johnson has high praise for Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja is the reigning UFC Flyweight Champion. His most recent title defense took place at the UFC 310 pay-per-view against Kai Asakura. Pantoja secured a second-round technical submission finish to retain the 125-pound gold. After the fight, Pantoja called out Johnson, who retired from pro MMA competition in Sept. 2024.
UFC commentator believes Colby Covington is struggling to maintain MAGA persona
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2025
UFC commentator Paul Felder believes Colby Covington is struggling to maintain his ‘heel’ persona these days. Over the course of the last decade or so, Colby Covington has portrayed a bad guy within the world of mixed martial arts. He has done everything possible to get under the skin of his opponents – sometimes it works, and sometimes it falls short.
Leon Edwards' coach blames Belal Muhammad defeat on 5am fight time
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2025
UFC star Leon Edwards’ coach has once again questioned the 5am start time from his defeat to Belal Muhammad last year. As we know, in his most recent fight, Leon Edwards lost the UFC welterweight championship. After beating Kamaru Usman for the belt before successfully defending it twice, ‘Rocky’ fell short against Belal Muhammad in London. Now, this year, he’ll fight in the English capital once again when he locks horns with Sean Brady on Saturday night.
UFC champion Magomed Ankalaev claims he has already accepted date for next fight
Harry Kettle - March 20, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev has claimed that he’s already accepted a date for his next fight. As we know, Magomed Ankalaev is the new king of the light heavyweight division. He earned that title as a result of his triumph over Alex Pereira at UFC 313 which, while not 100% emphatic, certainly emphasized that he is operating at a brand new level right now – and that he deserves to be wearing the gold.
ONE 172: Takeru views fight with Rodtang as "the last challenge" to conquer
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 19, 2025
Decorated Japanese kickboxing star Takeru Segawa has cemented himself as an all-time great in the striking realm. But to be undeniable, he feels he has to conquer ONE Championship – more specifically, Rodtang Jitmuangnon. “The Natural Born Krusher” collides with the former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion in a flyweight kickboxing super-fight at ONE 172 this Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Tawanchai sees ONE 172 battle against Masaaki Noiri as must-win scenario
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 19, 2025
Reigning ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai dreams of becoming a two-sport ONE World Champion. To keep that dream alive, he believes he must make his opportunity count at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang. The 25-year-old faces Masaaki Noiri for the ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Title this Sunday, 23 March, at Japan’s illustrious Saitama Super Arena.