MMA News
Superlek opens up on life as Muay Thai superstar
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 7, 2025
For reigning two-sport, two-division ONE World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9, fame didn’t come easily. It followed a body of work stemming from over 170 fights. But it also wasn’t something he was ever fully prepared for. “The Kicking Machine” defends his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang on Sunday, March 23, against interim king Nabil Anane inside Japan’s famed Saitama Super Arena.
Kiamran Nabati, Ferrari Fairtex suspended from ONE after testing positive for banned substances
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 7, 2025
ONE Championship has struck down the hammer on two of its Muay Thai fighters following positive tests for banned substances. Kiamran Nabati and Ferrari Fairtex both tested positive for doping. This happened after their bantamweight Muay Thai clash on Friday, January 31, at ONE Friday Fights 95.
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues unshaken by late-notice change of opponent at ONE Fight Night 29
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 7, 2025
The road to ONE Fight Night 29 hasn’t been the smoothest for reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues. But she remains undeterred and unshaken. The Brazilian star defends her crown against Marie McManamon in the main event this Friday, March 7, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium – live in U.S. primetime on Amazon Prime.
Eddie Hearn reacts to Dana White's decision to enter boxing: "I have no fear!"
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2025
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn isn’t afraid of Dana White or Turki Alalshikh. Earlier this week, the UFC CEO and Saudi Arabian promoter announced plans to form a new boxing league. While a lot is still unknown about the new promotion, they’re expected to start holding events as soon as September. Furthermore, Dana White has stated that they plan to sign every big-name fighter they can.
WATCH | Marlon Vera pulls shotgun on knife-wielding man to stop alleged robbery attempt
Josh Evanoff - March 7, 2025
Former UFC title challenger Marlon Vera recently went viral for his encounter with a knife-wielding alleged robber. ‘Chito’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since his clash with Deiveson Figueiredo in August. That night in Abu Dhabi saw Marlon Vera suffer a unanimous decision loss to ‘Deus da Guerra’, his second defeat in a row. The former title challenger had previously suffered a loss to Sean O’Malley in his first bid for UFC gold last spring.
Canelo Alvarez reacts to Dana White and TKO aligning with Turki Alalshikh for new boxing promotion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 7, 2025
Boxing megastar Canelo Alvarez has given his response to UFC CEO Dana White, TKO, and Turki Alalshikh aligning to start a new promotion. White has long teased dipping his toes back in the boxing waters. He even donned a Zuffa Boxing shirt during the buildup to the 2017 crossover match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor. Over the next few years, White began to sour on a possible boxing venture due to the sport’s business model. Things have changed now that TKO and Alalshikh are involved.
Sean Strickland's coach explains mistake he made with post-UFC 312 comments
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 7, 2025
Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick has shared where he feels he went wrong after Sean Strickland’s UFC 312 loss. Strickland fell short in his bid to become a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion in his rematch with Dricus du Plessis. While the two had a highly competitive meeting in their first go-around, Strickland had no answer for “Stillknocks” in their Feb. 8 rematch. It was clear that Strickland and Nicksick were not on the same page throughout the fight.
UFC 313 weigh-in results: Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev official
Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 7, 2025
The UFC 313 weigh-ins are in the books and we officially have ourselves a world title fight. The main event of Saturday’s card will feature a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship bout between titleholder Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev. Both men tipped the scales on Friday and made championship weight. That means the showdown between “Poatan” and Ankalaev will indeed take place inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Rafael Fiziev reveals why he thinks Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest of all time
Harry Kettle - March 7, 2025
Rafael Fiziev has revealed that he considers Khabib Nurmagomedov to be the best of all time. He also has a very simple explanation as to why. Throughout the course of his career, Khabib Nurmagomedov was known as one of the best fighters in mixed martial arts. Now, almost five years after his retirement from the sport, he’s widely recognized as one of the greatest of all time. From his fight style to his unbeaten 29-0 record, Khabib did some unbelievable things in MMA – and even in his coaching career, he’s been able to carry that reign of dominance forward.
Paul Felder gives his thoughts on Justin Gaethje returning to his violent roots
Harry Kettle - March 7, 2025
UFC commentator Paul Felder has given his thoughts on Justin Gaethje returning to his violent roots for his fight at UFC 313. Justin Gaethje is an absolute warrior and nobody is disputing that. However, over the course of the last few years, he’s drifted away from the reckless style that often led to some crazy wars inside the cage.
Belal Muhammad questions why Palestinian flag isn't next to his name in UFC rankings
Harry Kettle - March 7, 2025
UFC champion Belal Muhammad has questioned why the Palestinian flag isn’t next to his name in the UFC men’s rankings. As we know, Belal Muhammad is the king of the welterweight division. He earned that title by dominating and defeating Leon Edwards, in a performance that highlighted why ‘Remember The Name’ deserves to be at the top of the mountain at 170 pounds.
Alex Morono looking to do "15 minutes of damage" against Carlos Leal and prove doubters wrong at UFC 313
Cole Shelton - March 7, 2025
Alex Morono is looking to prove the doubters wrong that he still is a top contender at UFC 313. Morono is coming off a split decision loss to Daniel Rodriguez, which was his second-straight loss. The losses were disappointing, especially given that Morono feels like those are fights that he should have won.
Phetjeeja senses cardio will be Kana’s fatal flaw at ONE 172
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 6, 2025
Reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Kickboxing World Champion Phetjeeja presents a fighting style that’s quicker than a hiccup. At ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang later this month, she intends to utilize that to drag Kana Morimoto into deep waters. The Thai superstar will enter Japan’s Saitama Super Arena on Sunday, March 23. There, she defends her crown against Kana in a contest between the two best female strikers on the planet.
Takeru admits losing to Superlek changed him: "Like I had died"
BJPENN.COM Staff - March 6, 2025
Japanese kickboxing ace Takeru Segawa isn’t used to being on the losing side of the fight. That’s why his ONE Championship debut defeat to Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 165 in January 2024 hit so hard. But in the bout’s aftermath, he learned many lessons. “The Natural Born Crusher” returns to action at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang in Japan’s Saitama Super Arena. There, he meets Muay Thai god Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight on Sunday, March 23.
Movsar Evloev shares prediction for Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes title fight
Cole Shelton - March 6, 2025
Movsar Evloev has shared his prediction for the upcoming featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes. Volkanovski and Lopes are set to fight for the vacant featherweight title as Ilia Topuria gave up the belt to move up to lightweight. Ahead of the featherweight title fight at UFC 314, Evloev shared his prediction and he expects Volkanovski to reclaim his featherweight throne.
UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva reveals he'll "never retire" ahead of 50th birthday: "I'm not done fighting"
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva believes he will never retire from fighting. ‘The Spider’ hasn’t been seen in action since an exhibition boxing match against Chael Sonnen last June. That night saw the two former rivals have a largely civil five-round bout, a stark contrast to their fights in the cage. Prior to the bout, Anderson Silva revealed that his trilogy bout against ‘The American Gangster’ will be his final time fighting in Brazil.
Ilia Topuria teases massive fight announcement is on the way: "You won't believe it."
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2025
Former UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria hopes to have his next fight announced soon. ‘El Matador’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a stunning knockout win over Max Holloway in October. Following that stoppage victory at UFC 308, Ilia Topuria teased a move up to the lightweight division. While Dana White publicly shot down the possibility of the featherweight moving up so quickly, he seemingly made a u-turn on that idea.
Magomed Ankalaev believes Alex Pereira was "protected" ahead of UFC 313 fight: "Picks his opponents"
Josh Evanoff - March 6, 2025
Light-heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev has fired shots at Alex Pereira ahead of their UFC 313 headliner. The Russian is set to challenge for UFC gold for the second time in his career on Saturday night. Back for the first time since handing Aleksandar Rakic a unanimous decision loss in October, Magomed Ankalaev will finally face Alex Pereira. The challenger will enter the bout on a staggering 13-fight unbeaten streak, but is currently a slight betting underdog.