MMA News
UFC 321 fighter cut after lopsided victory in Abu Dhabi
BJ Penn Staff - October 28, 2025
UFC fighters don’t usually get cut from the promotion’s roster following victories, but that’s not a hard a fast rule. Every now and then, fighters will receive their walking papers even if they were victorious in their most recent Octagon appearance. That, unfortunately, is the reality for one of the winners of last Saturday’s UFC 321 event.
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.
Roman Kryklia chases third World Title at ONE Fight Night 37: "I want to make history"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 27, 2025
Championship belts fuel ambition rather than satisfy hunger. Roman Kryklia stands on the edge of striking immortality with two ONE World Titles already draped across his shoulders, yet he sees only the one missing piece. The Ukrainian giant battles undefeated Turkish sensation Samet Agdeve for the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Fight Night 37 on Prime Video on Friday, November 7, live from Bangkok, Thailand. Kryklia seeks his third ONE World Title to cement his legacy as one of striking arts’ all-time greats. The 6-foot-6 powerhouse already holds both the ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing and ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championships.
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.
Mackenzie Dern responds to Din Thomas's 'insignificant' label of her UFC 321 title fight win
Curtis Calhoun - October 27, 2025
UFC women’s strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern isn’t happy with analyst Din Thomas after his pre-UFC 321 remarks about her ‘insignificant’ title fight. Mackenzie Dern won the then-vacant UFC strawweight title over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 last Saturday in Abu Dhabi. She outpointed Jandiroba by unanimous decision to secure a UFC belt and usher in a new era in the strawweight division.
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.
Tom Aspinall defended by MMA legend amid UFC 321 eye poke debacle
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 27, 2025
One MMA icon has come to the defense of Tom Aspinall following UFC 321. The heavyweight title fight between Aspinall and Ciryl Gane this past weekend had the makings of an intriguing affair. Gane found success by busting up Aspinall’s nose. The fight ended prematurely, however. Gane landed a accidental double poke and the champion was unable to continue. The bout was ruled a no contest.
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.
Virna Jandiroba speaks out following UFC 321 loss to Mackenzie Dern in title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 26, 2025
Virna Jandiroba has delivered a message to her supporters after falling short in her UFC 321 title fight. Jandiroba and Dern collided with the vacant UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship on the line. The bout went the distance and it was Dern who outlasted Jandiroba to capture the gold. Dern won the title matchup via unanimous decision. It is Dern’s second pro MMA win over Jandiroba.
UFC 321 winner Mackenzie Dern reveals potential contender following title win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 26, 2025
Mackenzie Dern is the newly minted UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion, and she already has an idea of who her first title challenger could be. Dern and Virna Jandiroba collided for the vacant 115-pound gold in the UFC 321 co-main event. This was a rematch from their bout back in 2020, which Dern won via unanimous decision. The rematch in Abu Dhabi went all five rounds, and Dern had all three judges award her the title win.
Dana White's interesting comment about Tom Aspinall has people talking following UFC 321
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 26, 2025
Dana White’s post-UFC 321 remark about Tom Aspinall has fans speculating. Aspinall put the UFC Heavyweight Championship at stake against Ciryl Gane this past Saturday. Gane found success on the feet, busting the nose of Aspinall. Things went awry when Gane delivered an inadvertent double poke to the eyes of Aspinall. The heavyweight champion informed the doctor and referee that he couldn’t see out of his eye, which led to a no contest.