MMA News
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.
Renato Moicano becomes the latest to blast the UFC Apex following recent event: "Apex cards must stop!"
Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2025
Lightweight contender Renato Moicano is tired of seeing events at the UFC Apex. Over the weekend, UFC Vegas 104 went down at the Apex in Las Vegas. Headlined by a lackluster rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze, there was a major lack of buzz around the event. During the card, several media members raised concerns about the Apex and the lack of atmosphere at the events taking place there. In response on fight night, the UFC’s X account poked fun at fans who complained about the small venue.
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.
Alexander Volkanovski makes prediction for possible Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria fight
BJ Penn Staff - March 18, 2025
Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC right now, and there is only one man who has fought them both: Alexander Volkanovski. Australia’s Volkanovski has actually fought Makhachev twice, both times for the lightweight title. He lost their first fight with a razor-close decision, and their second by first-round KO. Of course it’s worth noting he took the second fight on short notice. He fought Topuria in his last fight, surrendering the title with a second-round knockout loss. He is perhaps the best win on Makhachev or Topuria’s resume.
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.
Leon Edwards doesn't think the UFC world title looks right on Belal Muhammad
Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025
UFC star Leon Edwards has stated that he doesn’t think the UFC welterweight championship looks right on his old rival Belal Muhammad. This weekend, Leon Edwards will kickstart his push to get back to the world title at 170 pounds. He will go head to head with Sean Brady in the main event of UFC London, which is expected to be a really tight, interesting clash between two men with very different styles.
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.
Rodtang eyes career-best performance versus Takeru at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 17, 2025
The stakes at ONE 172 are higher than ever for former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon. But he intends to rise to the occasion like never before. “The Iron Man” locks up with three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa in a flyweight kickboxing super-fight in the main event on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Yuya Wakamatsu reflects on previous loss to Adriano Moraes ahead of ONE 172 world title rematch
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 17, 2025
Second-ranked flyweight MMA star Yuya Wakamatsu has come a long way in ONE Championship. Arriving as a promising 22-year-old to a World Title challenger, he’s risen up the ranks to become a divisional stalwart, and he looks to make good on his second chance at gold. The Japanese jouster meets #1-ranked flyweight MMA star Adriano Moraes in a rematch for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang this Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
What's next for Roman Dolidze and Marvin Vettori after UFC Vegas 104?
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2025
The UFC was back at the Apex on Saturday, March 15 for UFC Vegas 104. The main event saw Roman Dolidze rematching Marvin Vettori. Dolidze was coming off a TKO victory over Kevin Holland which was his second-straight win. Vettori, meanwhile, hadn’t fought since June of 2023 when he dropped a decision to Jared Cannonier.
Robert Whittaker reveals next middleweight fight could be his last: "I'm going to decide after this next fight"
Josh Evanoff - March 17, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker remains interested in a move to 205 pounds. ‘The Reaper’ hasn’t been seen in action since a clash against Khamzat Chimaev last October at UFC 308. Robert Whittaker entered the title eliminator riding a wave of momentum, fresh off a first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov in June. Sadly for the former middleweight champion, he was quickly taken down and submitted by ‘Borz’ in round one. Five years after losing the gold, Whittaker had suffered another setback.
Nate Diaz confirms interest in UFC return, trashes current roster: "I want to go back and get a title"
Josh Evanoff - March 17, 2025
Nate Diaz is interested in a return to the octagon to win a UFC championship. The 39-year-old hasn’t been seen in action since his boxing match with Jorge Masvidal last July. Nearly five years after facing off at UFC 244 in New York City, Nate Diaz and ‘Gamebred’ put on a show in California. The two former title challengers went back and forth for 10 rounds, with both landing big shots throughout. However, it was Diaz who emerged with a majority decision victory.