MMA News
Muhammad Mokaev reveals frustration at being painted as a 'bad guy' by UFC
Harry Kettle - October 30, 2025
Former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev has voiced his frustration at how he was perceived at the end of his run with the promotion. Last year, Muhammad Mokaev was considered to be one of the most intriguing prospects in all of mixed martial arts. He was doing some incredible things in the UFC’s flyweight division, and it seemed like just a matter of time before he received a world title shot at 125 pounds.
Marat Grigorian plans to "bring hell" to Rukiya Anpo at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 29, 2025
Marat Grigorian heard enough trash talk from Rukiya Anpo during their press conference confrontation, and now he’s ready to deliver a brutal reality check inside the Circle. The Armenian battles the former three-time K-1 Champion in featherweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan. Tension between the fighters reached a boiling point during the September press conference.
UFC criticized as being "Unfair. It is not a sport”, per UFC's first Canadian champ
Dylan Bowker - October 29, 2025
The business methodologies of the UFC have come under fire for years now, and the UFC’s first-ever Canadian champion has offered up his viewpoint on things. That fighter in question is Carlos Newton, who captured the UFC welterweight belts years back, and recently spoke at an NSAC hearing regarding aspects of the UFC antitrust lawsuit. Though not mentioning the new Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act specifically, Newton’s rhetoric did describe UFC’s business model which they want to bring into boxing.
Alex Pereira hits back at Joaquin Buckley after UFC star claims champion turned down 2022 fight
Curtis Calhoun - October 29, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira didn’t take kindly to Joaquin Buckley’s recent claims about a middleweight fight that never came to fruition. Alex Pereira got his revenge earlier this month at UFC 320 as he defeated Magomed Ankalaev by TKO to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight title. Pereira avenged his lone light heavyweight loss and is back on the throne of the 205 lb division.
Andrei Arlovski booked for professional boxing debut on upcoming Misfits Boxing card
Curtis Calhoun - October 29, 2025
46-year-old Andrei Arlovski isn’t slowing down anytime soon as he’s set to headline an upcoming Misfits Boxing card. Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski appeared on the verge of retirement following four consecutive defeats to wrap up his promotional tenure. A split decision defeat to Martin Buday at UFC 303 signaled the end of his UFC career, as the promotion opted not to re-sign the MMA legend to a new contract.
Conor McGregor will fight in BKFC, per Irish BKB legend: "He’s a fighting man"
Dylan Bowker - October 29, 2025
Conor McGregor is someone who could fight in bare knuckle against both big-name fighters in addition to the well-entrenched, active fighters on the circuit, unlike Mike Perry, as per the assessments of a former multi-division bare knuckle champion. Jimmy Sweeney mentioned this distinction during a recent interview on Bare Knuckle Bowker ahead of his sophomore BKFC bout against Carlos Trinidad Snake, which happened last weekend at BKFC Italy.
Ante Delija reacts to Tom Aspinall's refusal to fight him, defends teammate against skeptics of UFC 321 injuries
Curtis Calhoun - October 29, 2025
Surging UFC heavyweight Ante Delija responded to Tom Aspinall’s promise that he’ll vacate the belt if the matchmakers offer them a future title fight. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s first title defense ended in a no-contest last weekend at UFC 321. Just minutes into his fight with Ciryl Gane, Aspinall was hit with multiple eye pokes, which left him unable to continue fighting.
Doctor: Ben Askren combat sports comeback 'isn't crazy' amidst ongoing recovery from coma
Curtis Calhoun - October 29, 2025
Dr. Brian Sutterer explained why he wouldn’t be surprised to see Ben Askren return to combat sports once he fully recovers from his recent health scare. Former UFC welterweight Ben Askren is one of the inspirational stories of 2025 after bouncing back from a 45-day coma stemming from a severe case of pneumonia. After being given a low chance to survive the ordeal, Askren eventually regained confidence and is now out of the hospital.
Chris Weidman explains how Anderson Silva boxing match came together
Cole Shelton - October 29, 2025
Chris Weidman had thought of boxing Anderson Silva for quite some time. Weidman and Silva fought twice in the UFC in 2013, with Weidman winning both fights, to become the middleweight champion. The first fight was a massive upset, as Weidman knocked out Silva, and in the rematch, the Brazilian brutally broke his leg.
UFC legend makes interesting proposal to prevent boring fights amid UFC 321 criticism
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 29, 2025
Could Quinton “Rampage” Jackson be onto something with his proposal to prevent boring UFC fights? UFC 321 left fans feeling disappointed following a main event title fight that ended in an accidental double eye poke. While situations like that are out of a promotion’s control, Jackson believes UFC can do something to prevent bouts such as Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida.
Former PFL champion who defeated Kayla Harrison calls for UFC return
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 29, 2025
A former titleholder under the PFL banner wants to make her UFC return. Larissa Pacheco is the only fighter to have handed Kayla Harrison a pro MMA loss. Harrison is the reigning UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, while Pacheco has gone 10-1 in her last 11 outings. Despite her success, Pacheco was let go from her PFL deal.
Ex-UFC champion doubles down on advice for Umar Nurmagomedov
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 29, 2025
A former UFC champion still believes Umar Nurmagomedov would benefit by taking his advice. Nurmagomedov was recently seen in action against Mario Bautista at UFC 321. He earned a unanimous decision victory, which was a bounce back win after Nurmagomedov failed to capture the UFC Bantamweight Championship back in January. Despite the win, some feel that something was missing from Nurmagomedov’s performance.
Yuya Wakamatsu targets knockout against Joshua Pacio at ONE 173: "That's the ideal finish for me"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 28, 2025
Knockouts write the best championship stories. Yuya Wakamatsu plans to author his first title defense by separating Joshua Pacio from consciousness in front of his hometown crowd. The reigning ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion defends his gold against the ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan.
Jiri Prochazka becomes the latest to question Tom Aspinall after eye pokes led to UFC 321 no contest
Curtis Calhoun - October 28, 2025
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka is the latest to question Tom Aspinall’s eye injuries suffered at UFC 321. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has come under fire in the hours following a no-contest against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. Just minutes into the UFC 321 main event, accidental eye pokes from Gane left Aspinall badly compromised and unable to continue fighting.
Melissa Croden thinks Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes "is for sure going to bring excitement and more attention to the division"
Dylan Bowker - October 28, 2025
Melissa Croden is a more recent addition to the UFC’s bantamweight division and is entering a more intriguing landscape at 135 pounds with the looming Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes bout firing many up. While there has not been a specifically outlined date or location, the promotion is clearly intrigued about booking a Harrison vs. Nunes championship clash. The excitement around that fight is seen as a much-needed shot in the arm for the women’s bantamweight division in the UFC overall. When asked if she feels like there is a certain level of rejuvenation or excitement to the women’s bantamweight division with the Harrison vs. Nunes title fight acting as a lightning rod for that, Croden said [via MMA Canada],
Gillian Robertson and Jamey-Lyn Horth bolster UFC Fight Night in December
Dylan Bowker - October 28, 2025
A couple of Canadian combatants have been added to December’s UFC Fight Night offering as Gillian Robertson and Jamey-Lyn Horth have locked in their respective bouts to close out the year. On December 13th at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Robertson will clash with Iasmin Lucindo, with Jamey-Lyn Horth set to clash with Tereza Bleda. The news regarding these matchups were officially released by the promotion. The matchup for this UFC FN card that is set to close out the calendar year is headlined by a matchup between ranked flyweight contenders as Manel Kape and Brandon Royval.
'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.