MMA News
Takeru reflects on ONE 173 victory: "I returned to my old self"
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 18, 2025
Shem Rock blasts UFC Qatar foe: "No one wants to see that boring s**t"
Dylan Bowker - November 18, 2025
Shem Rock recognizes his debut opponent in the UFC has a spotless MMA record, but does not have an ample amount of appreciation for his fighting style. The man known as Shaqueme Rock is making his long-awaited UFC debut this weekend at UFC Qatar when he battles Nurullo Aliev. This bout goes down on November 22nd, and when asked for his thoughts on Aliev’s resume as well as general skill set heading into this fight, Rock said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
Demetrious Johnson scolds 'boring' critiques of Islam Makhachev's dominant win at UFC 322
Curtis Calhoun - November 18, 2025
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson went off on a vocal group of fans who were critical of Islam Makhachev’s win at UFC 322. Islam Makhachev achieved his lifelong goal to win a second UFC world championship when he dominated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision last weekend at UFC 322. Maddalena’s welterweight title reign ended in one title defense after winning the belt earlier this year.
Valentina Shevchenko's four-time rival crowns her the UFC GOAT after UFC 322 victory
Curtis Calhoun - November 18, 2025
One of UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko’s biggest rivals believes she’s earned the right to be called the greatest. UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko earned arguably the biggest win of her career last weekend at UFC 322. In a dominant performance against former strawweight titleholder Zhang Weili, Shevchenko pitched a shutout in the Octagon en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Volkan Oezdemir vows to make a statement against Alonzo Menifield at UFC Qatar, eyes Jamahal Hill next
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2025
Volkan Oezdemir is finally making his return to the Octagon after over a year away. Nearly a year to the date, Oezdemir is set to return at UFC Qatar when he takes on Alonzo Menifield. He’s coming off a decision loss to Carlos Ulberg, and after the loss, Oezdemir said it was always part of the plan to take some time off, as his girlfriend was pregnant and he was going to be a dad.
Islam Makhachev's team warns Ilia Topuria against suffering Dillon Danis' fate as bad blood intensifies
Curtis Calhoun - November 18, 2025
Manager Ali Abdelaziz says Ilia Topuria could suffer a similar fate as Dillon Danis if he continues to taunt Islam Makhachev. Just before Islam Makhachev won a second UFC title at UFC 322 over Jack Della Maddalena, members of his team were escorted out of Madison Square Garden after getting into a brawl with Dillon Danis cageside. The incident happened after months of bad blood between Danis, Makhachev, and their respective teams online.
Valentina Shevchenko responds to Amanda Nunes after UFC 322 win: 'She likes to talk a lot'
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2025
Valentina Shevchenko has fired back at Amanda Nunes. After Shevchenko defended her flyweight title in a one-sided decision win over Zhang Weili at UFC 322, Nunes claimed she would drop down to flyweight to beat Shevchenko up again. It was a bold comment, and following her win, Shevchenko welcomed the challenge and fired back at Nunes.
Dana White says he and Francis Ngannou nearly fought in UFC office at the height of bad blood
Curtis Calhoun - November 18, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White recounted an incident between him and Francis Ngannou at the height of their bad blood. UFC CEO Dana White and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, once business partners in the promotion, are now distant adversaries. Things between White and Ngannou have grown tense over the past five years, resulting in Ngannou’s release from the UFC in early 2023.
UFC Hall of Famer says Bo Nickal's title hopes back on after UFC 322 KO win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 18, 2025
Bo Nickal had the best performance of his pro MMA career at UFC 322, and one MMA legend thinks title aspirations are back on. Nickal had been under heavy scrutiny following a decision win over Paul Craig and a TKO defeat to Reinier de Ridder. He returned to Madison Square Garden, the same venue that saw fans boo him after defeating Craig, to face Rodolfo Vieira this past Saturday. Nickal scored a head kick knockout in the third round.
UFC analyst believes Shavkat Rakhmonov would be a tough fight for Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - November 18, 2025
UFC analyst Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov possibly challenging Islam Makhachev. It’s been almost a year since we have seen Shavkat Rakhmonov compete inside the Octagon, when he extended his unbeaten record with a nice win over Ian Machado Garry. While many still believe he is the rightful number one contender for the world title, others feel as if he needs to earn his way back to that spot given his time away from the cage.
Sean O'Malley explains why he feels bad for "poor" Jack Della Maddalena
Harry Kettle - November 18, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley has explained why he feels bad for Jack Della Maddalena in the wake of his UFC 322 defeat. On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena was unable to keep hold of his UFC welterweight championship. He was beaten pretty comprehensively by Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC 322, with Islam becoming a two-weight world champion as a result of his victory.
Belal Muhammad explains why Kamaru Usman shouldn't receive UFC title shot
Harry Kettle - November 18, 2025
Former UFC champion Belal Muhammad has explained why he doesn’t believe Kamaru Usman deserves a title shot. In the last few weeks, Kamaru Usman has made it crystal clear that he wants a shot at the UFC welterweight championship. Of course, he’s one of the best champions that the division has ever seen, and he is eager to prove that he’s still got it by challenging Islam Makhachev for the strap.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 210 with Volkan Oezdemir
Cole Shelton - November 18, 2025
The 210th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Qatar. We’re joined by the ninth-ranked UFC light heavyweight Volkan Oezdemir (0:49).
Kamaru Usman on MMA's vicious cycle that ties Ben Askren to Carlos Prates
Dylan Bowker - November 17, 2025
Kamaru Usman linked together a chain of events that started with Ben Askren and now ties to Carlos Prates in the wake of major happenings at UFC 322. This was discussed by Usman as well as his co-host, Henry Cejudo, on their podcast, Pound 4 Pound Show, who broke down all the major happenings from the UFC’s latest foray into Madison Square Garden. Touching upon a major match-up in the division he once helmed over as champion, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ discussed the latest setback for the man who claimed the welterweight title from him. That combatant was Leon Edwards, who suffered a devastating KO loss to Carlos Prates over the weekend. Using this Prates-Edwards result as a bit of a microcosm for how unpredictable mixed martial arts can be, during an excerpt of the podcast posted to X account @RedCorner_MMA, Usman said,
Jack Della Maddalena's coach says UFC 322 loss 'hurts like hell' in first post-fight remarks
Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena’s head coach issued his first remarks after a rough night at UFC 322. Jack Della Maddalena’s first UFC welterweight title defense resulted in the first defeat of his promotional career last Saturday at UFC 322. After five rounds, Maddalena was dominated on the judges’ scorecards as Islam Makhachev walked away with a unanimous decision victory.
Jorge Masvidal wanted to fight Dillon Danis moments before UFC 322 crowd brawl
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 17, 2025
Jorge Masvidal had plans to confront Dillon Danis before a wild crowd brawl at UFC 322 ensued. Masvidal was inside Madison Square Garden in New York City to watch Islam Makhachev turn in a dominant performance to take the UFC Welterweight Championship from Jack Della Maddalena. Prior to that, “Gamebred” found himself in a war of words with Danis through DMs on social media.
Christian Lee, Yuya Wakamatsu sound off after ONE 173 victories in Tokyo
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 17, 2025
Finishing fights separates champions from contenders. Christian Lee proved this Saturday night at ONE 173 inside Tokyo’s packed arena, delivering a second-round stoppage that erased all questions. Two-division ONE MMA World Champion Christian Lee retained his crown with a TKO victory over previously unbeaten Alibeg Rasulov at ONE 173 on Saturday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 27-year-old Singaporean-American handed the Turkish sensation his first career loss to successfully defend his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title.
Islam Makhachev receives interesting message from Michael Morales following UFC 322
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 17, 2025
Islam Makhachev has gotten a message from rising welterweight Michael Morales in the aftermath of UFC 322. Both Makhachev and Morales were featured on the pay-per-view card this past Saturday. Makhachev headlined the Madison Square Garden show, dominating Jack Della Maddalena to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship. Earlier that night, Morales scored the biggest win of his pro MMA career by stopping Sean Brady in the opening frame.
Sean Brady breaks social media silence after wild KO loss at UFC 322
Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady envisions a quick turnaround after his knockout loss to Michael Morales. Sean Brady’s shot at the UFC welterweight title took a big hit last Saturday at UFC 322. Just minutes into his fight with surging contender Michael Morales, Brady was finished with a barrage of strikes to end his recent win streak.