MMA News
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.
Michael Morales can cause problems for Islam Makhachev, says UFC veteran
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 18, 2025
Michael Morales has made it to the UFC welterweight title discussion, but could that mean bad news for Islam Makhachev? UFC 322 was a memorable night, and one of the most impressive performances was courtesy of Morales. The undefeated star scored a first-round TKO finish over Sean Brady, who was one of the top contenders in the 170-pound weight class entering the fight.
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.
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).
Ex-UFC vet blasts "double standard a** bulls**t" from Dana White about MMA not being a career
Dylan Bowker - November 17, 2025
To fight in the UFC has long been positioned by Dana White as less of a career-minded pursuit and more of a chance to jettison toward stardom, which drew a bit of an impassioned reaction from a former UFC contracted athlete. During an interview on Triggernometry, the UFC figurehead covered several subjects, and at one point delved into his viewpoint on how a UFC fighter should approach their pursuits inside the octagon. As he delved into that particular topic, White said,
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,
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.
Sean O'Malley unsure how Islam Makhachev would fare against Khamzat Chimaev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 17, 2025
Sean O’Malley feels Islam Makhachev can defeat most UFC middleweights, but could he beat the reigning champion? Makhachev further cemented his legacy this past Saturday night in New York City. He moved up in weight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight gold in the UFC 322 headliner. Makhachev’s grappling once again earned him UFC gold, securing a clear unanimous decision victory.
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.
Conor McGregor's longtime coach assures UFC comeback plans are sincere as seven-month camp kicks off
Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025
UFC superstar Conor McGregor recently kicked off a seven-month camp to potentially return on the UFC’s White House card. It’s been more than five years since Conor McGregor last fought inside the UFC Octagon. A leg injury suffered in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 put McGregor’s championship hopes to a screeching halt.
Belal Muhammad shares unique game plan for Ian Machado Garry at UFC Qatar
Cole Shelton - November 17, 2025
Belal Muhammad has a unique game plan for his UFC Qatar fight against Ian Machado Garry on Saturday. Muhammad is set for his first fight since losing his welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena back in May. He enters the bout at UFC Qatar against Garry as a sizable underdog.
WATCH: Israel Adesanya's shocked live reaction to Leon Edwards's KO loss at UFC 322
Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was devastated watching Leon Edwards’s third-straight loss at UFC 322. UFC 322 wrapped up last Saturday night in New York City as a new welterweight titleholder was crowned in the main event. Islam Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to win a second divisional belt, just months after vacating the lightweight title.
Kamaru Usman compares Islam Makhachev to Colby Covington in UFC 322 post-fight reaction
Curtis Calhoun - November 17, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman reacted to Islam Makhachev’s callout by comparing him to his fierce rival. Islam Makhachev achieved his lifelong goal to win multiple UFC world titles with a dominant performance last weekend at UFC 322. He smothered reigning UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena to win a unanimous decision and became the latest two-division champ in UFC history.
Superbon praises Masaaki Noiri after five-round war at ONE 173: "He was still standing there"
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 17, 2025
Survival matters as much as skill when warriors trade leather for 15 minutes straight. Superbon learned this truth again Sunday night, discovering that Japanese resolve runs deeper than most people realize. The undisputed ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion faced ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 35-year-old Thai striker extended his professional record to 117-37 after weathering a brutal five-round examination from the 32-year-old Japanese warrior.
Five fighters earn $50,000 bonuses at ONE 173 in Tokyo with spectacular finishes
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 16, 2025
Five finishes produced massive paydays when ONE 173 delivered its biggest spectacle of 2025. A handful of fighters walked away with $50,000 performance bonuses after delivering highlight-reel finishes that left Tokyo’s Ariake Arena in pandemonium. Yuya Wakamatsu and Christian Lee successfully defended their ONE MMA World Titles with brutal second-round TKO victories at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16. Both champions overcame adversity before unleashing devastating finishing sequences that earned bonuses from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.