MMA News

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - October 28, 2025

Steve Garcia is eager to headline his first UFC card. After Garcia beat Calvin Kattar earlier this year, he called for a top-10 opponent and wanted a big name. Although he didn’t get a huge name, Garcia will take on David Onama in the main event of UFC Vegas 110.

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.

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],

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.

BJPENN.COM Staff - October 28, 2025

Perfect records vanish with a single mistake. Shozo Isojima and Tye Ruotolo both understand this brutal reality as they prepare to settle who remains unbeaten in lightweight MMA competition. The Japanese rising star battles the American submission grappling champion at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri. This goes down on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena at Tokyo, Japan. Both fighters carry unblemished records into this high-stakes encounter that could launch the winner toward title contention. Isojima brings hometown momentum while Ruotolo seeks to prove his grappling dominance translates seamlessly into mixed martial arts competition.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.