MMA News
Alex Pereira's coaches believe he defeated Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313
Harry Kettle - March 14, 2025
Paige VanZant interested in UFC return after Austin Vanderford's recent debut: "I took it for granted"
Josh Evanoff - March 13, 2025
Former UFC women’s strawweight contender Paige VanZant is interested in a return to the cage. ’12 Gauge’ recently made her return to the octagon, but not as a fighter. Last month, Paige VanZant was in the corner of her husband, Austin Vanderford, for his promotional debut at UFC Seattle. On a week’s notice, the former Bellator title challenger secured a second-round knockout win over Nikolay Veretennikov. For VanZant, the moment was an incredibly special one.
Manel Kape dismisses eye poke 'excuse' in recent win over Asu Almabayev: "I was beating him"
Josh Evanoff - March 13, 2025
UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape doesn’t want to hear any excuses about his fight with Asu Almabayev. ‘Starboy’ and ‘Zulfikar’ are fresh off their meeting at UFC Vegas 103 earlier this month in Las Vegas. Both men entered the flyweight headliner riding lengthy winning streaks, and hoping to earn a crack at reigning champion Alexandre Pantoja. In the end, the bout ended up being quite lopsided. Manel Kape broke down the younger Asu Almabayev, en route to a third-round stoppage victory.
Josh Thomson calls out PFL, says he has no faith they can be a top promotion: "They don't know the sport"
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025
Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson isn’t a fan of the PFL. Thomson has been retired since 2020, despite not fighting since 2017. Since then, he has gotten into commentary as he was an analyst for Bellator and even did some commentary for the PFL. Yet, he says after being around the PFL he realized they won’t be a top promotion, especially with how they are run.
Report: TKO plotting 'mega card' featuring UFC, boxing and WWE
BJ Penn Staff - March 13, 2025
Combat sports fans could soon be offered a smorgasbord of action the likes of which we have never seen before, featuring UFC, boxing and WWE all in one night. That’s according to a new report from Wrestling Informer, who claim “a mega card” featuring “UFC, boxing, and WWE all on the same event” is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia “this year or next.”
UFC icon predicts Islam Makhachev's next UFC lightweight title challenger
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 13, 2025
When push comes to shove, one UFC Hall of Famer believes that Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is happening next. Makhachev recently etched his name in the history books. He submitted last-minute replacement opponent Renato Moicano to secure his fourth UFC Lightweight Championship defense. That is the most successful title defenses in UFC lightweight history.
Alexander Volkanovski hopes to prove he can beat 'new school' Diego Lopes at UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 13, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski wants to show the MMA world that he can reign supreme in the new era of featherweights. Volkanovski was down on his luck the last two outings. He suffered back-to-back knockout losses to UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski’s UFC 314 clash against Diego Lopes will be telling, as fans are wondering how much juice “The Great” has left. A win over Lopes would earn Volkanovski his second UFC Featherweight Championship.
Regian Eersel to face Alexis Nicolas in world title trilogy at ONE Fight Night 30
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 13, 2025
A magnificent trilogy will take place on Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Live in U.S. primetime, reigning ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel will meet Alexis Nicolas in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. The pair hope to settle the score in one of the most intriguing all-striking trilogies in recent times.
Daniel Cormier isn't convinced Alex Pereira would have success at heavyweight
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier isn’t convinced that Alex Pereira would find success in the heavyweight division. Last weekend, Alex Pereira lost for just the second time in his run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was defeated by Magomed Ankalaev and, in the process, he lost his UFC light heavyweight title. Ever since then, many have been wondering whether or not he’ll shift up to heavyweight in an attempt to become the first ever three-weight UFC champion.
Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a shot at Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025
UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a crack at Islam Makhachev’s UFC title. Last weekend, Justin Gaethje proved that he’s still an elite competitor in the lightweight division. He went toe to toe with Rafael Fiziev for the second time, and for the second time, he came away with a blockbuster victory.
Jeremy Stephens returns to the UFC in Iowa homecoming fight
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens is set to return to the promotion, almost four years after he had his last fight with the company. For the longest time, Jeremy Stephens was an ever-present in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He fought some of the very best that the company had to offer, and he did so with all the passion in the world. However, following a poor run of form, he left the UFC in pursuit of a new venture with PFL. There, he was only able to put together a record of 1-2.
How Rodtang's childhood struggles created an elite Muay Thai superstar
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 12, 2025
When you think about fighters’ origins, they rarely emerge from comfort. They rise from hardship, desperation, necessity. Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s story exemplifies this truth. “The Iron Man” faces Japanese kickboxing megastar Takeru Segawa at ONE 172 in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.
Marvin Vettori plans to prove he's still a title contender at UFC Vegas 104: "My comeback starts with Saturday"
Cole Shelton - March 12, 2025
Marvin Vettori plans to remind everyone that he’s still a title contender at middleweight Vettori is set to headline UFC Vegas 104 on Saturday against Roman Dolidze. It’s his first fight since June of 2023 when he lost to Jared Cannonier. As he’s set to rematch Dolidze, who he beat by decision in 2023, he is confident he will get his hand raised and prove he’s still a legit contender at middleweight.
Arman Tsarukyan slams Justin Gaethje following UFC title shot request: "Go through me first"
Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t plan on letting Justin Gaethje get a title shot. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313 on Saturday. Back for the first time since a knockout loss to Max Holloway last April, Justin Gaethje met Rafael Fiziev. The former ‘BMF’ titleholder had previously handed the striker a unanimous decision defeat in 2023, and he made it 2-0 in the series over the weekend. Gaethje knocked down Fiziev in round two, en route to a decision victory.
Jason 'Mayhem' Miller gets brutally honest on life struggles after leaving MMA: "Every man has to walk his own path"
Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2025
Former UFC star Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller wants to see some sort of change in MMA. Before there were stars such as Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, there was the man known to fans as ‘Mayhem’. In the late 2000s, Jason Miller became a star through his crazy antics, fun fighting style, and rivalries with the likes of Nick Diaz. While he never held UFC gold or anything like that, his fanbase was massive. In 2009, he began hosting MTV’s ‘Bully Beatdown’, a reality show about MMA fighters facing off with real-life bullies.
Jan Blachowicz lays out plans for the rest of his career ahead of UFC London return: "This is the perfect scenario"
Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2025
UFC light-heavyweight contender Jan Blachowicz wants to end his career as a champion. The 42-year-old hasn’t been seen since his meeting with Alex Pereira in July 2023. That night saw Jan Blachowicz take down the future UFC champion several times, but ultimately gas out doing so. After 15 minutes of action, it was ‘Poatan’ who emerged with a split-decision victory. The defeat was a brutal one for the former champion, who would then sit out the next two years due to a devastating shoulder injury.
Paddy Pimblett: Dustin Poirier 'must be an idiot' for summer retirement plan
BJ Penn Staff - March 12, 2025
Paddy Pimblett has some questions about Dustin Poirier’s intelligence. Pimblett, one of the fastest-rising lightweights in the UFC, is set for the biggest fight of his career at UFC 314 in Miami, when he takes on former Bellator champ Michael Chandler in a fight that could catapult him into title contention.
UFC fan favorite vows to retire for good after next fight: 'My kids deserve it'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2025
One seasoned UFC veteran says his next fight will be his MMA swan song, and he won’t be looking back. Anthony Smith is scheduled to compete on the UFC Kansas City card. He will take on Zhang Mingyang inside T-Mobile Center on Aug. 26. Headlining that card will be a light heavyweight battle between former 205-pound champion Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree.
UFC legend goes off on Jon Jones record debate: 'It's still a loss, motherf*****'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 12, 2025
One former UFC legend has heard enough of those who say Jon Jones should be undefeated. Jones is considered to be one of the best fighters to ever join the UFC roster. For years, “Bones” dominated the light heavyweight division and reigned as champion in the weight class before taking heavyweight gold. Jones only has one loss in his legendary pro MMA career. That was a disqualification against Matt Hamill back in 2009.