MMA News
Javier Mendez wants Islam Makhachev vs Kamaru Usman if he wins at UFC 322
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2025
Javier Mendez wants to see Islam Makhachev vs Kamaru Usman if the challenger wins the belt at UFC 322. This weekend, Islam Makhachev will challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. While it’s somewhat foolish to look past someone as talented as JDM, there’s also a sense in the air for many that Islam is destined to win a second world title.
Tracy Cortez didn't know the UFC 322 main event: "I’m like what is [Islam Makhachev] doing here?"
Dylan Bowker - November 13, 2025
Tracy Cortez is a featured competitor on UFC 322 but had no idea as to what the headlining fight of the night with Islam Makhachev’s presence becoming a confusing sight for her recently. This was revealed during a pre-fight interview with Nina Drama, with an excerpt from the full interview posted to X account @RedCorner_MMA. Cortez will clash with Erin Blanchfield in one of the more relevant bouts on the preliminary portion of the card. Cortez is trying to claim that number four spot that Blanchfield currently occupies in the flyweight rankings.
Kyle Daukaus eager to fight at MSG, expects to finish Gerald Meerschaert early at UFC 322
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2025
Kyle Daukaus is ecstatic he’s getting the chance to fight at Madison Square Garden at UFC 322. Daukaus returned to the UFC back in August with a 43-second knockout win over Michel Pereira. After the win, Daukaus turned his attention to UFC 322 as he said fighting at Madison Square Garden has been a bucket list item for him.
Carlos Prates sees a chance to jump Ian Garry and Sean Brady: "I strongly believe I’ll be next for the belt"
Dylan Bowker - November 13, 2025
Carlos Prates has a layout for how he could vault over Ian Garry, who has a win over him, as well as Sean Brady, depending on how his fight plays out. UFC 322 is not just a card with tremendous importance to the welterweight division, but there are multiple fights playing out over the coming days that can inform the 170-pound hierarchy. Prates prepares to take on former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards, with Jack Della Maddalena defending his 170-pound crown against Islam Makhachev in the main event set for Saturday, November 15th. The subsequent weekend, Ian Machado Garry will collide with another ex-UFC welterweight kingpin in Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of UFC Qatar.
Yuya Wakamatsu predicts knockout finish against Joshua Pacio in ONE 173 world title defense
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 13, 2025
Championship warfare awaits when Japan’s newly crowned flyweight king defends his throne against a fellow divisional ruler seeking two-division glory. Yuya Wakamatsu has already visualized exactly how his first title defense ends in Tokyo. The 30-year-old champion battles Joshua Pacio for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The Japanese titleholder makes his first championship defense against the reigning ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion.
Chael Sonnen names UFC 322 star 'the best fighter in the UFC' despite two-fight skid
Curtis Calhoun - November 13, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen named Leon Edwards the best fighter on the roster despite a two-fight skid entering UFC 322. UFC 322 is just hours away at Madison Square Garden, headlined by a welterweight title matchup between champion Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. The UFC 322 co-main event features a super fight between UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko and longtime strawweight titleholder Zhang Weili.
Sean Strickland backs UFC star Brandon Royval's harsh dismissal of fighting at The White House
Curtis Calhoun - November 13, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland backed Brandon Royval’s viral rant about fighting at The White House. Former UFC flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval made headlines earlier this week during an appearance on the In The Arena MMA podcast.
UFC welterweight division has moved on from Shavkat Rakhmonov, says reigning champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 13, 2025
Shavkat Rakhmonov hasn’t been seen in action in a while, and a reigning UFC champion thinks the welterweight division is moving on. There was a time when many thought Rakhmonov would be a lock for a run with the 170-pound title, but now there are questions about his fighting future. He hasn’t competed since late 2024 when he defeated Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision.
Jack Della Maddalena gets advice from champion ahead of UFC 322 clash with Islam Makhachev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 13, 2025
Jack Della Maddalena has gotten some pointers from a current champion before UFC 322. Maddalena will be defending the UFC Welterweight Championship against Islam Makhachev on Saturday. The two will clash inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. It’ll be Maddalena’s first fight since winning the 170-pound gold from Belal Muhammad back in May.
Surging welterweight lays out path for Leon Edwards victory at UFC 322
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 13, 2025
A surging welterweight has revealed what he expects from Leon Edwards at UFC 322. Edwards is scheduled to share the Octagon with Carlos Prates in New York City on Saturday. Many believe it could be “Rocky’s” final chance to prove he still has some juice left in the tank following two one-sided losses.
Bo Nickal responds to fan criticism ahead of return at UFC 322
Harry Kettle - November 13, 2025
UFC prospect Bo Nickal has given his thoughts on those who have criticized him since his loss to Reinier de Ridder. For a while after entering the promotion, Bo Nickal was seen by many as the next big thing. Sure, some wondered just how far he could go, but his amateur wrestling background alone was enough to intrigue the masses and keep them invested in what he was going to do next. However, after his one-sided loss at the hands of Reinier de Ridder, a lot of people have been quick to go after Bo on social media and in interviews.
Leon Edwards isn't bothered by fans overlooking him ahead of UFC 322
Harry Kettle - November 13, 2025
Former UFC champion Leon Edwards isn’t too concerned about fans overlooking him heading into UFC 322 this weekend. As we know, Leon Edwards is set to face a pretty big challenge at UFC 322 when he collides with rising welterweight contender Carlos Prates. It’s the first time in many years that he’s gone head to head with a striker as opposed to a wrestler, and given that he’s riding a two-fight win streak, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
Takeru predicts devastating finish of Denis Puric at ONE 173 in Tokyo
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 13, 2025
Chaos awaits when two knockout artists refuse to take backward steps. Takeru Segawa thrives in exchanges inside the pocket, and Denis Puric built his reputation on standing toe-to-toe with the world’s most dangerous strikers. The 34-year-old Japanese icon battles Denis Puric in flyweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The #2-ranked contender returns to his home crowd desperate for victory after consecutive setbacks against Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
UFC 322 | Pro fighters make their picks for Valentina Shevchenko vs. Zhang Weili title fight
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2025
In the co-main event of UFC 322, the women’s flyweight title is up for grabs as Valentina Shevchenko defends her belt against Zhang Weili, who’s moving up in weight. Heading into the bout, Shevchenko is a -128 favorite, while the challenger is a +100 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get the predictions for the women’s flyweight title fight at UFC 322. The pros like the underdog in Zhang to pull off the upset and become a two-division champion.
Three under-the-radar fights to watch at ONE 173 on November 16
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 12, 2025
Desperate circumstances breed dangerous collisions. Takeru Segawa carries the sting of his shocking first-round knockout loss to Rodtang Jitmuangnon into hostile territory against a battle-tested veteran hungry to prove age means nothing. The 34-year-old Japanese striking icon battles Denis Puric in flyweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri. The action goes down on Sunday, November 16, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The #2-ranked contender hasn’t tasted victory on home soil in nearly five years following his narrow defeat to Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 165.
Aung La N Sang to receive ONE Championship Hall of Fame honor at ONE 173 in Tokyo
BJPENN.COM Staff - November 12, 2025
Myanmar’s greatest sports hero closes his legendary journey with the ultimate recognition. Aung La N Sang sacrificed two decades building a legacy that transcended personal glory to inspire an entire nation through martial arts excellence. The 40-year-old former two-division ONE MMA World Champion receives his ONE Championship Hall of Fame induction at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. He joins Demetrious Johnson and Bibiano Fernandes as the third fighter honored with this rare distinction. He closed his career with a second-round TKO of Zebaztian Kadestam at ONE Fight Night 36 in October.
Leon Edwards fires back at Carlos Prates for claiming he's past his prime: 'I'll go out and remind him who I am'
Cole Shelton - November 12, 2025
Leon Edwards has fired back at Carlos Prates over his recent comments ahead of UFC 322. Edwards and Prates are set to fight in a pivotal fight at welterweight on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Heading into the bout, Prates is the betting favorite, and he claimed that it is due to the fact that Edwards is past his prime.
Kamaru Usman explains why Islam Makhachev win at UFC 322 will be 'bittersweet' ahead of potential title shot
Curtis Calhoun - November 12, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman made a surprising admission ahead of the UFC 322 welterweight title main event. Islam Makhachev is days away from potentially becoming the UFC’s latest two-division champion as he prepares to face Jack Della Maddalena in the UFC 322 main event. Maddalena will make his first welterweight title defense against Makhachev in one of the biggest fights of the year.