MMA News

Dylan Bowker - November 19, 2025

A stalwart contender within the UFC’s flyweight division was absent from the latest rankings update, and one of the most prominent combat sports journalists in the world delved into the specifics on why that is. On The Ariel Helwani Show, the titular figure was addressing Kai Kara-France being removed from the UFC flyweight rankings and began running down the top ten hierarchy among 125-pounders right now. Kara-France, who was in the top ten, is now completely gone, and with Ariel Helwani clarifying that the former UFC flyweight title challenger has not been released from the promotion, Helwani said,

Dylan Bowker - November 19, 2025

Ian Machado Garry does not like the emerging discourse about Kamaru Usman being the potential next challenger for Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title. This was touched on during a segment the Irish combatant did for UFC on TNT with an excerpt posted to X account @RedCorner_MMA. Touching on the depth of game contenders at 170 pounds who emerged from UFC 322 and why Usman does not stand out above them, Machado Garry said,

Curtis Calhoun - November 19, 2025

Vadim Nemkov and Cris Cyborg, two of the greatest Bellator fighters of all time, will feature on the same card on December 13th. The PFL will wrap up its 2025 event slate under new leadership, after John Martin took over the promotion’s CEO role earlier this year. PFL Lyon, which marks the league’s return to the European continent, will feature two elite fighters atop the card.

Curtis Calhoun - November 19, 2025

UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett didn’t hold back on Justin Gaethje amidst the former BMF titleholder’s holdout. The UFC lightweight title picture is filled with big names and big questions, including who will face newly-crowned champion Ilia Topuria for his first title defense. Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 earlier this year to become the latest two-division titleholder in the promotion’s history.

Cole Shelton - November 19, 2025

Dan Hooker expects to secure a title shot at UFC Qatar. Hooker is set to headline UFC Qatar on Saturday against Arman Tsarukyan in a pivotal fight at lightweight. The winner of the fight will be right in the title picture at lightweight, and Hooker expects to get it over Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2025

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t exactly sold on a welterweight contender who can stop Islam Makhachev. Makhachev challenged Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship inside Madison Square Garden in New York City this past Saturday. Makhachev lived up to his word, controlling “JDM” throughout the fight to score a unanimous decision victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2025

Tony Ferguson will be dabbling in the “sweet science” once again. Following a TKO finish over Salt Papi back in late August, “El Cucuy” will share the ring with Warren Spencer at “Misfits Boxing: The Fight Before Christmas” on Dec. 20. The boxing match is set to take place inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 19, 2025

Ian Machado Garry believes he can give Islam Makhachev fits in the standup. Makhachev displayed his dominance in the main event of UFC 322, defeating Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision. Makhachev’s effective grappling led to a clean sweep on the scorecards and UFC gold in a second weight class.

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 19, 2025

Championship gold validates every sacrifice. Nadaka discovered this truth Saturday night, capturing the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title in front of his home crowd with a performance that showcased his complete skill set. The 24-year-old Japanese striker dominated Numsurin Chor Ketwina across five rounds at ONE 173. The event took place on Saturday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Eiwa Sports Gym representative picked apart the Thai veteran with clinical accuracy. He earned a unanimous decision that extended his remarkable winning streak to 40 consecutive victories.

BJPENN.COM Staff - November 18, 2025

Redemption tastes sweeter on home soil. Takeru Segawa discovered this truth Sunday night, delivering the statement performance he desperately needed after two setbacks threatened his legendary career. The 34-year-old Japanese superstar stopped Denis Puric in the second round at ONE 173 on Saturday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The former three-division K-1 Champion scored four knockdowns across the entire fight, marking his first victory in his homeland under the ONE Championship banner.

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],

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.

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.

Curtis Calhoun - November 18, 2025

UFC legend Matt Brown has a lot of questions for Jack Della Maddalena’s team after a lopsided defeat at UFC 322. Jack Della Maddalena’s short-lived UFC welterweight title reign came to an abrupt end at the hands of Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 last weekend in New York City. After five rounds, Makhachev walked away with Maddalena’s belt and a unanimous decision victory.

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.

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.

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.

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.