MMA News
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.