MMA News
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.
UFC 321 | Pro fighters make their picks for Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane title fight
Cole Shelton - October 22, 2025
In the main event of UFC 321, the heavyweight title is up for grabs as Tom Aspinall takes on Ciryl Gane. Heading into the fight, Aspinall is a massive -500 favorite while the challenger is a +340 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get the predictions for the heavyweight title fight at UFC 321. The pros are unanimous in thinking Aspinall retains his heavyweight title with ease, and likely does so by finish.
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.
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.
Rodtang confronts emotional conflict facing mentor Nong-O for vacant title: "I might be happy or maybe not"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 21, 2025
Former flyweight king Rodtang Jitmuangnon never imagined destiny would force this collision. The Thai superstar built his reign admiring the veteran who now stands between him and championship redemption, creating emotional complexity that transcends typical competition. Rodtang faces Nong-O Hama for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 28-year-old former champion confronts his longtime role model after being stripped of his belt in November 2024 for missing weight, while 38-year-old Nong-O pursues rare two-division glory.
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.
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.
MMA has "become an aggressively right wing sport", per prominent analyst
Dylan Bowker - October 21, 2025
MMA has been quite overt about its political partisanship as of late, according to one of the most widely known analysts within mixed martial arts. This was discussed during a recent interview conducted by acclaimed MMA great Demetrious Johnson when he had Luke Thomas as a guest on his personal YouTube channel. On his channel Mighty, Luke Thomas got into which part of the political continuum the UFC is nestled in, Thomas said, “Dude, like let’s just be honest, it’s become an aggressively right-wing sport. I bring this up to say, some people will like that, some people will not like that. I’m not trying to tell anybody they don’t have to like that if they, in fact do. In fact, what I’m quite aware of is even if I did, they wouldn’t listen. It’s not really about that.”
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 321 fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane will be one-sided, says popular analyst
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 21, 2025
UFC 321 will be headlined by Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane, and one analyst thinks it’ll be a one-sided affair. Gane will challenge Aspinall for the UFC Heavyweight Championship on Saturday. Being a contender for UFC gold isn’t unusual territory for “Bon Gamin.” He is a former interim champion and has challenged Ngannou and Jon Jones. Those bout ended up being losing efforts for Gane, and an ex-UFC fighter thinks history will repeat itself.
Joe Rogan argues Max Holloway is not 'the real BMF' in the UFC
BJ Penn Staff - October 21, 2025
If you consider Max Holloway the UFC’s true “BMF” champion, Joe Rogan has a message for you: “Shut the f**k up.”
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 207 with Mario Bautista and Chris Barnett
Cole Shelton - October 21, 2025
The 207th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 321. We’re first joined by eighth-ranked UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista (1:12). We close things out by chatting with UFC heavyweight Chris Barnett (14:18).
Justin Gaethje gets honest about UFC 254 defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2025
Justin Gaethje has opened up on his submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov in the main event of UFC 254. Right now, Justin Gaethje is waiting his opportunity to compete for the UFC lightweight championship once again. While it certainly seems like he’s the next man in line to face Ilia Topuria, it’s certainly not guaranteed – which is probably why we haven’t heard an official announcement from the UFC just yet.
UFC star thinks Tom Aspinall represents the next stage of divisional dominance
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2025
UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page believes Tom Aspinall, like Jon Jones, can dominate his division as world champion. In the main event of UFC 321 this weekend, Tom Aspinall will defend his UFC heavyweight championship. He will do so against Ciryl Gane, and it’ll serve as the first time he defends the belt as the undisputed champ of the division.
Superbon targeting Masaaki Noiri finish: "Ending the fight with a knockout would make it a perfect victory"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 20, 2025
ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon refuses to leave his Tokyo destiny in the hands of the judges. The Thai striker learned hard lessons from his January loss to Tawanchai, transforming shortcomings into fuel that powers his pursuit of divisional supremacy against an opponent who accomplished what he couldn’t. Superbon faces ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri in a unification bout at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 35-year-old brings 116 career victories into his clash with Japan’s striking sensation, who captured interim gold by knocking out Tawanchai at ONE 172 in March.