MMA News
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.
Drew Dober reveals he lost his unborn child during UFC Vancouver camp
Harry Kettle - October 21, 2025
UFC veteran Drew Dober has revealed that he lost his unborn child during training camp for UFC Vancouver. It’s safe to say that Drew Dober has been through his fair share of adversity in the Octagon recently. Last Saturday night, though, Drew was able to get back in the win column when he defeated and finished Kyle Prepolec in a great battle at UFC Vancouver.
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.
Arman Tsarukyan is "the biggest challenge" for Ilia Topuria, per Kyle Nelson
Dylan Bowker - October 20, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan is someone who could present a stiff test for Ilia Topuria according to a recently victorious UFC lightweight. Kyle Nelson is the combatant in question who thinks this and the former UFC featherweight introduced himself to the lightweight scene in a big way at UFC Vancouver. ‘The Monster’ secured a win against Matt Frevola over the weekend with Frevola being a former opponent of Arman Tsarukyan, someone who was supposed to fight for the 155 pound title in January.
Stamp Fairtex "excited, and also nervous" about return to competition ahead of ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 20, 2025
Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex spent two years wondering whether her body would cooperate again. The former three-sport queen traded heavy bags for rehab rooms, transforming daily striking sessions into careful stretches that tested patience more than technique. Stamp faces Kana Morimoto in atomweight kickboxing at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 27-year-old captured the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title at ONE Fight Night 14 in 2023 before a torn meniscus derailed her championship reign and forced complete lifestyle reconstruction.
UFC Vancouver's Melissa Croden on potential Canadian MMA boom: "We're all passive and nice until we're not"
Dylan Bowker - October 20, 2025
After her successful UFC debut, amid several big wins for Canadian combatants at UFC Vancouver, Melissa Croden foresees a galvanizing of the Canadian MMA scene taking place. There was a lot of stacked Canadian representation on the UFC Vancouver card, with names like Mike Malott, Aiemann Zahabi, Kyle Nelson, and Charles Jourdain all notching important wins. When asked if it feels like we’re like poised for something big in the Canadian MMA scene as far as getting into a new, peak era and boom period for the great fight north, Croden said [via MMA Canada],
Jean Silva slams Max Holloway in response to mockery of recent UFC callout
Curtis Calhoun - October 20, 2025
UFC featherweight contender Jean Silva hit back at Max Holloway after the BMF titleholder’s cold response to his recent callout. The UFC’s card at The White House is less than a year away, as UFC CEO Dana White plans to host a major event on the South Lawn of the U.S. President’s residence. Many top names have thrown their names into the conversation to feature on the card.
Mackenzie Dern admits she 'wouldn't be ready' to fight Zhang Weili at UFC 321 if ex-champ kept title
Curtis Calhoun - October 20, 2025
UFC strawweight star Mackenzie Dern saluted the former strawweight titleholder ahead of her vacant title fight at UFC 321. After Zhang Weili vacated the UFC strawweight title for a move to flyweight, top strawweight contenders Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba got the call from matchmakers that they’ll compete for the vacant title at UFC 321. It’ll be the first title shot for Dern and Jandiroba; after both contenders went through a long journey to reach the top of the division.
Max Holloway brutally shuts down fighting bare-knuckle after UFC retirement: "Stupidest thing"
Curtis Calhoun - October 20, 2025
BMF champion Max Holloway doesn’t have any plans of following up his legendary UFC tenure with a move to the bare-knuckle boxing ring. Several UFC legends have made the move from the Octagon to the ring in recent years, most notably Mike Perry and Darren Till. Perry has become the face of bare-knuckle fighting with his electric tenure in Bare Knuckle FC, while Till remains unbeaten in his boxing career after recently knocking out former UFC champ Luke Rockhold.
'Cheap'...Mike Malott reveals tense exchange backstage with Kevin Holland after UFC Vancouver controversy
Curtis Calhoun - October 20, 2025
Things between UFC welterweights Kevin Holland and Mike Malott nearly escalated backstage after their fight at UFC Vancouver. The UFC Vancouver co-main event bout between surging welterweights Kevin Holland and Mike Malott didn’t disappoint last Saturday. The fight was a barnburner from start-to-finish, with Malott getting the unanimous decision nod over the UFC fan favorite Holland.
Tom Aspinall's father doesn't see how Ciryl Gane can defeat his son at UFC 321
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 20, 2025
Tom Aspinall’s father and coach isn’t sold on Ciryl Gane being able to find success at UFC 321. Aspinall will be defending the UFC Heavyweight Championship against Gane in the main event of UFC 321 on Saturday. The two will collide inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It’ll be Aspinall’s first fight as the undisputed titleholder, as he held interim gold before Jon Jones retired.
Max Holloway shuts down UFC featherweight's callout: 'We're not taking it serious'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 20, 2025
Max Holloway doesn’t like the idea of facing one UFC featherweight who is known for their exciting fighting style. Holloway is the BMF Champion and many have been wondering if he’s on a collision course to meet former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira. The two have shown interest in the bout. They actually shared the Octagon back in 2015, but it ended in the first round due to an injury to Oliveira.
Reinier de Ridder's coach explains decision to throw in the towel at UFC Vancouver
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2025
Reinier de Ridder’s coach Harun Ozkan has released a statement following his student’s defeat at UFC Vancouver. Last Saturday night, Reinier de Ridder fell to a pretty surprising defeat at the hands of Brendan Allen. The bout took place on short notice with Allen filling in for Anthony Hernandez, and while RDR was the favorite to pick up the win, it was Allen who forced his opponent to quit on the stool towards the end of the fight.
Paul Felder pays emotional tribute to Duke Roufus following his death
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2025
Former UFC fighter Paul Felder has paid tribute to Duke Roufus following the legendary MMA coach’s death. Last week, the mixed martial arts world was stunned to learn that Duke Roufus, the former kickboxer and iconic MMA coach, had passed away at the age of just 55. He died in his sleep, and many figures from both in and outside of the Roufusport family were quick to post tributes to him across all social media platforms.
Joe Rogan calls for huge Alex Pereira vs Jon Jones fight to happen at UFC White House
Harry Kettle - October 20, 2025
Joe Rogan is interested in seeing Alex Pereira and Jon Jones square off at next summer’s UFC White House event. Following his win over Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320, Alex Pereira has made it crystal clear that he wants to fight Jon Jones at the White House next summer. He’s insisted that he wants to move up to heavyweight, and while he now once again holds the belt at 205 pounds, it doesn’t appear as if that’s going to put him off chasing this Jones bout.
Jake Peacock on farm life outside Calgary: "I wouldn't change it"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 20, 2025
London bred Jake Peacock as a city boy through and through. The British-Canadian striker never imagined trading urban energy for rural rhythms until meeting his wife transformed everything, pulling him toward open fields and animal chores an hour south of Calgary. Peacock faces Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin in bantamweight Muay Thai at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 32-year-old Road to ONE: Canada winner brings his cowboy persona to life both inside the ring and on the acreage where chickens, goats, and daily farm duties keep him grounded between fights.
Shamil Erdogan sees flaws in Ryugo Takeuchi's striking strategy: "He is too aggressive"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 19, 2025
Heavyweight debuts carry enormous pressure. Shamil Erdogan sees opportunity rather than risk against a dangerous Japanese knockout artist fighting before his home crowd. Erdogan faces Ryugo Takeuchi in a heavyweight MMA bout at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 35-year-old Turkish powerhouse makes his divisional debut riding a four-fight winning streak after dominating at middleweight.