MMA News
Tom Aspinall favors Ciryl Gane over Lesnar and Werdum in hypothetical fights
Dylan Bowker - October 22, 2025
Tom Aspinall definitely rates Ciryl Gane highly as a fighter ahead of their clash this weekend, and that came across during a recent media appearance he did, where he favoured ‘Bon Gamin’ over multiple former UFC champs. The reigning UFC heavyweight champion took part in a segment for TNT Sports as part of their ‘Winner Stays On’ segment with Aspinall picking victors in fantasy fights. The name Brock Lesnar was mentioned early on, with the UK-based divisional kingpin picking Lesnar to defeat Andrei Arlovski and Don Frye before the former UFC heavyweight champion was described as someone who would lose to Gane. After Lesnar was taken out of the game, Aspinall also favoured Gane to beat another former titleholder in the UFC’s heavyweight ranks.
Conor McGregor hints 'ulterior motives' could've contributed to Frankie Edgar's abrupt BKFC 82 removal
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2025
Conor McGregor had some interesting comments on former UFC champion Frankie Edgar’s abrupt removal from Bare Knuckle FC 82. Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar was set to make his combat sports return against fellow UFC veteran Jimmie Rivera at Bare Knuckle FC 82. It would’ve been Edgar’s bare-knuckle debut on his home turf in Newark, three years after announcing his MMA retirement at UFC 281.
Jalin Turner's UFC comeback set for UFC 323 against Khabib Nurmagomedov's former rival
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2025
UFC fan favorite Jalin Turner’s comeback fight is set for UFC 323 against one of the lightweight division’s legends. UFC star Jalin Turner surprised fans, pundits, and fellow fighters when he announced his retirement at age 29 following a loss at UFC 313 earlier this year. Turner acknowledged that his passion for fighting had decreased amid his recent losing skid, which includes recent defeats to Dan Hooker and Renato Moicano.
Khamzat Chimaev attacks former rival for admitting he'd fight UFC champ on short-notice
Curtis Calhoun - October 22, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev didn’t take kindly to Ikram Aliskerov’s recent callout. Before Khamzat Chimaev became a UFC superstar, he rose through the ranks in Europe, enjoying successful stints in Brave CF and other promotions. During his early career grind, Chimaev faced off with future UFC colleague Ikram Aliskerov in a fight that Chimaev calls the toughest of his career.
Robert Whittaker calls out Sean Strickland for White House event: 'It’ll be a fun fight'
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2025
Robert Whittaker believes the time is now for him to fight Sean Strickland. Whittaker has wanted to fight Strickland for quite some time, and with both on the outside looking in for the title picture, the Aussie believes a battle of former champions makes sense. He also wants the fight to happen on the White House card, as he expects it to be a fan-friendly striking fight.
Dana White touts UFC ticket sales ahead of Paramount streaming deal
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2025
Dana White is quite happy with UFC’s success as the company enters a streaming deal with Paramount. The top mixed martial arts promotion scored a seven-year deal for $7.7 billion to have its events streamed on Paramount+ and broadcast on CBS. It’s a massive increase from the $1.5 billion media rights deal UFC agreed to with ESPN back in 2019.
UFC 321's Umar Nurmagomedov says Merab Dvalishvili knows he will lose possible rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2025
Umar Nurmagomedov is aware of Merab Dvalishvili’s continued trash talk, and he thinks the explanation is clear. Nurmagomedov challenged Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship back in January. Despite being competitive, Nurmagomedov fell short in his first crack at a major world title. The unanimous decision loss marked the first time Nurmagomedov had been defeated in his pro MMA career.
Reinier de Ridder breaks silence following disappointing UFC Vancouver loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 22, 2025
Reinier de Ridder has spoken out after his upset loss at UFC Vancouver. “RDR” was expecting to clash with Anthony Hernandez inside Rogers Arena, but “Fluffy” was forced to bow out due to an injury. Brendan Allen stepped up and made the most of his opportunity. After four rounds of action, de Ridder didn’t get off his stool, and Allen was awarded the victory.
Sean O'Malley issues warning to Merab Dvalishvili ahead of Petr Yan rematch
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley has issued a warning to former rival Merab Dvalishvili ahead of his UFC 323 rematch against Petr Yan. In the main event of UFC 323 in December, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Petr Yan. It will serve as a rematch following their first meeting a few years back, which ‘The Machine’ won to put himself in line for a shot at the belt. If Merab wins, it will take him to 4-0 in 2025, cementing his position as Fighter of the Year beyond a shadow of a doubt.
Arnold Allen reveals he was attacked in Montreal for not speaking French
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2025
UFC star Arnold Allen has said that he was attacked in the street in Montreal, Canada for not speaking French. When you’re talking about some of the most relaxed, laid-back guys in mixed martial arts, Arnold Allen is a name that comes to mind. While the Englishman is an absolute machine when he gets into the Octagon, he tends to be a pretty chilled out dude during interviews and in his interactions on social media.
Paul Craig reveals he was once offered heavyweight fight against Tom Aspinall
Harry Kettle - October 22, 2025
Former UFC star Paul Craig has revealed that he was once offered the chance to fight Tom Aspinall at heavyweight. For so many years, Paul Craig was a real fan favorite in the world of mixed martial arts. From stunning victories to amusing tidbits in interviews, the Scottish sensation certainly knows how to play to the crowd. Plus, he had one of the best weigh-in traditions ever seen in the UFC.
Numsurin embraces underdog role against Nadaka: "There could be no mercy"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 21, 2025
Thai veteran Numsurin Chor Ketwina spent years proving skeptics wrong through obscurity. The 30-year-old striker finally earned recognition by shocking established contender Songchainoi Kiatsongrit, opening championship doors that seemed permanently locked throughout his career. Numsurin faces Nadaka for the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The Bangkok native confronts a 10-time Muay Thai World Champion riding a 39-fight winning streak after earning his $100,000 contract through the ONE Friday Fights platform.
Mario Bautista believes it's 'going to take everything I have' to beat Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2025
Mario Bautista knows he will have his hands full when he takes on Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321. Bautista is set to take on Nurmagomedov on the main card on Saturday in a pivotal fight at bantamweight. After his win over Patchy Mix, Bautista called for a big fight, so he wasn’t surprised he got Nurmagomedov in a No. 1 contender fight.
Jack Della Maddalena's coach explains why Islam Makhachev is 'a bit easier' than Belal Muhammad
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2025
Ben Vickers, the coach of Jack Della Maddalena, believes Islam Makhachev will be an easier fight than Belal Muhammad was. Della Maddalena is set to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he takes on Makhachev. Della Maddalena is coming off a decision win over Muhammad earlier this year to become the welterweight champion.
Sergio Pettis on Patchy Mix UFC 320 loss: "I feel for Patch"
Dylan Bowker - October 21, 2025
Sergio Pettis has a history with Patchy Mix and weighed in on the former Bellator MMA champion taking his second loss in the UFC at UFC 320. Patchy Mix actually finished Pettis to claim the Bellator strap, with Mix entering the UFC with the backing of some tremendous hype. Now he is 0-2 in the UFC, and while Mix fell short to Jakub Wikłacz by way of split decision, in some people’s eyes, that bout verdict was on the controversial side. When asked for his particular thoughts on that Mix fight at UFC 320 and if he was able to catch it, considering his return travel plans from his own emphatic win under the PFL umbrella vs. Magomed Magomedov, which was also on October 4th, Pettis said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
Ciryl Gane reveals mindset change after Jon Jones loss: 'It's different than before'
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2025
Ciryl Gane made a major change to his mindset after he lost to Jon Jones in the first round for the heavyweight title. Gane was fighting for the UFC’s undisputed heavyweight title for the second time, but for the second time, he came up short. After the first round submission loss to Jones, Gane realized he had to make some major changes if he was going to be a UFC champion when it’s all said and done.
Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira is a 'tough fight' to predict, says UFC 321 heavyweight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 21, 2025
Alex Pereira is calling for a UFC White House clash with Jon Jones, and a top contender thinks the dream fight would be a close call. After starching Magomed Ankalaev in the first round of their rematch to reclaim the light heavyweight gold, Pereira started a moment of silence for Jones’ late brother Arthur. When speaking to reporters later on, Pereira admitted that his initial plan was to call out “Bones” for a clash at the White House.
UFC legend slams athletic commissions amid Dan Miragliotta debacle in Vancouver
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 21, 2025
A former UFC slugger has some strong words for athletic commissions following Dan Miragliotta’s performance as an official in Vancouver. Miragliotta received heavy criticism for how he handled the Kyle Nelson vs. Matt Frevola fight at the end of the first round. While Nelson was raining down strikes, Miragliotta pulled him off of Frevola with three seconds remaining. Despite the fact that a horn never sounded, Miragliotta thought the round ended and the fight continued. Ultimately, Nelson earned a unanimous decision win.