MMA News
'It's bad'...Tom Aspinall's father shares cryptic update on gruesome eye injuries suffered at UFC 321
Curtis Calhoun - October 28, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s father shared a discouraging update on his son’s eye injuries suffered at UFC 321. Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed heavyweight title defense came to an abrupt halt as his fight with Ciryl Gane was ruled a no-contest just minutes into the UFC 321 headliner. Gane accidentally poked both of Aspinall’s eyes as they exchanged strikes, leading to Aspinall losing vision and being deemed unfit to continue competing.
Bryce Mitchell: "Donald Trump is that beast of Revelation 13:3"
Dylan Bowker - October 28, 2025
What a difference a year can make, and a microcosm of that idea can be seen in Bryce Mitchell’s shifted stance on Donald Trump. Just a few weeks after Trump had won the 2024 US presidential election, Mitchell professed an intense level of support for the MAGA figurehead. Mitchell even went so far as to say he would take a bullet and die for the president who was entering his second term. Mitchell also made comments in 2019 during Trump’s first term in office that he would be willing to beat up fellow politicians for the former host of The Apprentice if needed.
Aljamain Sterling doubles down on Tom Aspinall injury take after firestorm of fan backlash
Curtis Calhoun - October 28, 2025
Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling responded to fans who blasted him for a strong stance on Tom Aspinall’s eye injury at UFC 321. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed title defense ended in controversy after Ciryl Gane accidentally double-poked him in the eyes just minutes into the fight at UFC 321. After taking five full minutes to try to recover, Aspinall was deemed unable to continue competing after telling cageside doctors that he couldn’t see.
PHOTO | MMA fan gets tattoo featuring PFL Chairman Donn Davis and tournament winner
BJ Penn Staff - October 28, 2025
We’ve seen a lot of interesting tattoos in MMA over the years, both emblazoned on the fighters themselves, and on their fans. One recent MMA tattoo has been making the rounds on social media, and it’s safe to say it’s getting some interesting reactions. The fan who got the tattoo in question—who has not yet been publicly identified—is evidently a fan of the PFL (Professional Fighters League). The tattoo, which seems to be on a calf or forearm, shows a victorious Alfie Davis holding a PFL belt, with the promotion’s founder and Chairman Donn Davis standing squarely in the background.
Sean O’Malley scolds fans for questioning Tom Aspinall's toughness amid UFC 321 eye poke fiasco
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2025
Sean O’Malley has some words for those who believe Tom Aspinall wanted a way out at UFC 321. Aspinall and Ciryl Gane fought with the UFC Heavyweight Championship at stake this past Saturday. Aspinall walked in as the champion, and the challenger was finding some success against him. Gane utilized his movement and didn’t show fear of his opponent’s punching power.
Tom Aspinall rematch will be tough for Ciryl Gane, says UFC Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2025
Ciryl Gane looked sharp for as long as his bout with Tom Aspinall lasted, but could the rematch be even tougher for “Bon Gamin?” Gane challenged Aspinall for the UFC Heavyweight Championship this past Saturday. The UFC 321 main event saw Gane have early success, as he wasn’t concerned about the champion’s punching power. Things came crashing down when Gane landed an accidental double eye poke, leading to a no-contest ruling.
Alex Pereira trilogy with Jiri Prochazka is tough sell, says top UFC contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 28, 2025
As fans await Alex Pereira’s next move, one top UFC contender doesn’t think “Poatan” will meet Jiri Prochazka again next. Pereira is coming off a first-round knockout victory to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Speaking to reporters after the fight, Pereira revealed he wants a heavyweight showdown with Jon Jones at the White House. UFC CEO Dana White admitted he’d prefer it if Pereira stays at light heavyweight, but he didn’t rule out “Poatan’s” request.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 208 with Steve Garcia and Isaac Dulgarian
Cole Shelton - October 28, 2025
The 208th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 110. We’re first joined by the 12th-ranked UFC featherweight Steve Garcia (0:49). Next, we close things out by chatting with UFC featherweight Isaac Dulgarian (18:44).
Shinya Aoki finally ready to settle heated rivalry with Hiroyuki Tetsuka at ONE 173 in Japan
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 27, 2025
Social media warfare transforms into Circle reality when personal pride meets professional combat. Shinya Aoki finally answers Hiroyuki Tetsuka’s challenge after months of heated exchanges that captivated Japanese fight fans. The legendary submission specialist battles the hard-hitting former Pancrase Welterweight Champion in lightweight MMA action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan. This all-Japanese showdown represents far more than another fight on a stacked card. Both men have traded verbal shots across multiple platforms, building genuine animosity that guarantees fireworks when the cage door closes.
What Khabib Nurmagomedov said to Sergio Pettis after he knocked out The Eagle’s teammate
Dylan Bowker - October 27, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has been a hugely dominant fighter and also has had quite the winning streak as a coach, but he revealed a lot about himself when one of his charges recently lost to Sergio Pettis. This happened to Magomed Magomedov, who ended up on the wrong end of a spinning back elbow KO loss to Pettis when the two fought at PFL Dubai earlier this month. In the aftermath, there was an abundance of respect shown from the Nurmagamedov team, and when touching on his interaction with Khabib Nurmagamedov after the Magomedov contest, Pettis said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
What's next for the stars of UFC 321?
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2025
The UFC was in Abu Dhabi on Saturday for a solid UFC 321 card. The main event saw heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall defending his belt against Ciryl Gane, while the co-main event saw Mackenzie Dern rematching Virna Jandiroba, with the vacant strawweight title up for grabs. In the end, the main event ended in a No Contest as Gane poked Aspinall in the eye, and the champ couldn’t continue. Dern, meanwhile, edged out a decision in a back-and-forth, fun fight to become the new strawweight champion. Following UFC 321, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.
Daniel Cormier 'upset' with Tom Aspinall after leaked conversation touts potential heavyweight run
Curtis Calhoun - October 27, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier criticized Tom Aspinall for letting their hot mic conversation about the heavyweight division go viral. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed title defense ended in disaster due to an accidental eye poke from Ciryl Gane just minutes into the fight. In Round 1, Aspinall was deemed unfit to continue fighting due to an eye injury suffered at Gane’s hands.
UFC fans slam Aljamain Sterling for 'pot meets kettle' take on Tom Aspinall's eye injury at UFC 321
Curtis Calhoun - October 27, 2025
Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling ruffled many fans’ feathers with a bizarre take after UFC 321. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited return was brought to a screeching halt against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 last Saturday. Just minutes into the fight, an accidental double eye poke from Gane left Aspinall unable to continue competing, resulting in a no-contest.
Henry Cejudo confirms Payton Talbott bout at UFC 323 is his retirement fight: 'This is it'
Cole Shelton - October 27, 2025
Henry Cejudo confirmed his UFC 323 fight will be his retirement bout. Cejudo is set to take on surging bantamweight contender Payton Talbott at UFC 323 on Dec. 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s a step-up in competition for Talbott, who will be looking to make a name off of the former two-division UFC champ. Ahead of the bout, while on the LFA 220 broadcast, Cejudo confirmed this would be it.
UFC 321 controversy leads to all-time rant from MMA legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 27, 2025
The controversial ending to the UFC 321 pay-per-view has led to one bonus snatcher giving athletic commissions an earful. The main event of the UFC 321 card ended in disappointing fashion when Tom Aspinall couldn’t continue fighting due to an accidental double eye poke. It was a heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane that will now have to be booked again.
Islam Makhachev questions Paddy Pimblett's UFC resume: 'Nobody's checked him'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 27, 2025
Islam Makhachev has scoffed at the possibility of Paddy Pimblett getting the next crack at the UFC Lightweight Championship. Much has been made over who will challenge Ilia Topuria for the 155-pound gold. Justin Gaethje has pounded the table for a title fight against “El Matador.” Pimblett’s name has also surfaced given his bad blood with Topuria.
Denis Puric promises early finish against Takeru: "It's not going past the second"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 26, 2025
Age means nothing when confidence runs this deep. Denis Puric sees his upcoming clash with Japanese striking icon Takeru Segawa as a chance to prove the doubters wrong. The 40-year-old Bosnian-Canadian brawler collides with the #2-ranked contender in flyweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan. Puric has spent months campaigning for high-profile matchups, and this fight against a three-division K-1 Champion represents exactly what he’s been chasing.
Joshua Pacio believes "timing will be key" against Yuya Wakamatsu at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 26, 2025
ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion Joshua Pacio pursues Philippine history against an opponent whose career trajectory mirrors his own. The 29-year-old recognizes similarities in Yuya Wakamatsu’s journey from early setbacks to championship glory through persistent improvement. Pacio challenges Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Lions Nation MMA representative seeks to become the Philippines’ first two-division MMA champion after cementing strawweight supremacy with his February trilogy victory over Jarred Brooks at ONE 171.