MMA News
Joe Rogan points out big 'issue' Alex Pereira will face in UFC heavyweight debut
Curtis Calhoun - May 29, 2026
Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes one of Alex Pereira’s greatest strengths could be hindered in his move to heavyweight. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will look to make history when he faces Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 next month. This will mark Pereira’s first heavyweight appearance in his combat sports career, and if he’s victorious, he’d become the first fighter in UFC history to win belts in three divisions.
Khakimov Anisjon eager for ONE Championship debut against Kongsuk at ONE Friday Fights 156
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 29, 2026
His grandfather brought him to the gym at 10 years old. The trainer happened to be a relative. The first session turned into nine years of work, a 10-2 career record, and a debut on the biggest stage in Muay Thai. Khakimov “Warrior” Anisjon faces two-time Lumpinee Stadium World Champion Kongsuk Sitsarawatsuer in the bantamweight Muay Thai main event of ONE Friday Fights 156, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on May 29.
Eddie Hearn dares Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from UFC deal: "It's disgusting what they're paying him"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2026
Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has a proposal for Dana White to get Tom Aspinall out of his UFC contract. Aspinall is the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion, but there has been some friction with the promotion he’s called home since 2020. Aspinall was none too pleased with how White responded to his eye injury that put an early halt to his UFC 321 bout against Ciryl Gane.
Sean Strickland dismisses Dricus du Plessis trilogy for now: "I don’t think sitting out on the sidelines gets you a title shot"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2026
Sean Strickland doesn’t believe the first title defense in his second reign as the UFC Middleweight Champion will be against Dricus du Plessis. Strickland and du Plessis have shared the Octagon twice. “Stillknocks” defeated Strickland via split decision back in Jan. 2024 to capture the 185-pound gold. Their title rematch was far more one-sided with du Plessis earning a unanimous decision victory.
Cain Velasquez gives an honest opinion on potentially fighting again
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2026
UFC heavyweight legend Cain Velasquez has given his thoughts on potentially fighting again at some point in the future. As we know, Cain Velasquez is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweights to ever compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is a multiple-time world champion, and he has picked up some huge wins throughout the course of his illustrious career.
Ilia Topuria believes he will embarrass Arman Tsarukyan in potential fight
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2026
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria believes he would embarrass Arman Tsarukyan if the two ever fought one another. Ilia Topuria has his sights set on greatness in the world of mixed martial arts and in his next outing, he will attempt to successfully defend his UFC lightweight championship when he puts it on the line against veteran Justin Gaethje.
Sean O'Malley addresses possible weather concerns for UFC White House event
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2026
UFC star Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on the possible weather concerns surrounding the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event. In his next outing, Sean O’Malley will go head to head with Aiemann Zahabi in a fascinating bantamweight encounter. If he’s able to pick up the win, there’s an excellent chance that he will set himself up for a world title opportunity at some point later this year.
Fabricio Andrey faces Owen Jones at ONE Fight Night 44 after Kade Ruotolo sustains injury following Inner Circle MMA win
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 28, 2026
Kade Ruotolo submitted Hiroyuki Tetsuka at The Inner Circle on May 15 to extend his perfect MMA record. He also picked up an injury that night. Now his title defense against Fabricio Andrey is off the table for June 26. Instead, Andrey faces British prodigy Owen Jones in a featherweight submission grappling bout at ONE Fight Night 44: Jarvis vs. Rungrawee II on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 26.
Islam Makhachev admits Justin Gaethje has a real chance to beat Ilia Topuria at UFC White House
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2026
Former UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev believes Justin Gaethje can shock the world against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250. UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will look to remain unbeaten in his professional MMA career when he faces Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 next month at the White House. Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines a stacked seven-fight card, featuring an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.
Joe Rogan reacts to 'robbery' narrative of Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven controversy
Curtis Calhoun - May 28, 2026
Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes officials got it wrong in the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven super fight. Former GLORY Kickboxing heavyweight champ Rico Verhoeven was minutes away from shocking the world and handing WBC heavyweight boxing titleholder Oleksandr Usyk a stunning loss in the ring last weekend. Verhoeven looked poised and crisp through the first 10 rounds of the fight, with many believing he won most of the early action.
Suriyanlek brings never-say-quit mentality to Ramadan Ondash bout at The Inner Circle
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 28, 2026
His right leg was hurting from the opening bell. He absorbed a knockdown in round two. His corner told him he had nothing to lose. He went out, pressed forward, and scored a knockdown of his own to win. That is Suriyanlek Por Yenying. Suriyanlek now faces Lebanese teenage standout Ramadan “The Scorpion” Ondash in the flyweight Muay Thai main event of The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, May 29.
Song Yadong explains why he's so confident ahead of UFC Macau main event against Deiveson Figueiredo
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2026
Song Yadong is oozing with confidence ahead of his UFC Macau main event fight against Deiveson Figueiredo. Yadong is set to headline the card on Saturday against the former flyweight champ in a pivotal bantamweight scrap. Heading into the fight, Yadong is a -600 favorite, and he believes that’s because he’s better everywhere and will be able to finish the Brazilian to send a statement to the entire division.
Ronda Rousey claims she'd decimate Holly Holm, but don't expect a rematch: "It doesn't haunt me"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2026
Ronda Rousey believes she can avenge her devastating 2015 loss to Holly Holm, but the rematch may never happen. Rousey was back in the spotlight after having her comeback fight against Gina Carano in the MVP MMA 1 main event on May 16. It only took “Rowdy” 17 seconds to pull off the quick submission finish over Carano inside the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Dana White won't commit to Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev rematch yet: "We don't know what we're going to do"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2026
UFC CEO Dana White isn’t sure whether or not a rematch between Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev will be the next middleweight title fight. Strickland pulled off another big upset at the conclusion of UFC 328 in Newark on May 9. Chimaev was the sizable betting favorite, but he was forced to stand with Strickland after the opening frame. Strickland made it a dog fight and he earned the split decision victory to become a two-time UFC Middleweight Champion.
Deiveson Figueiredo still believes he can win another UFC world title
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2026
Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo believes he still has what it takes to win a world championship in the promotion. Many mixed martial arts fans will fondly remember the days when Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno battled it out on four separate occasions for the flyweight title. Nowadays, though, the Brazilian sensation is part of the bantamweight division, and with three losses in his last four, many are wondering what the future holds for him.
Colby Covington believes his resume is worthy of him being in UFC Hall of Fame
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2026
Former UFC star Colby Covington believes his resume is worthy of him eventually being inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. As we know, Colby Covington recently informed the Ultimate Fighting Championship of his desire to retire. He will be walking away from the sport as a former UFC interim welterweight champion, but despite having three attempts at the undisputed gold, he was never quite able to get to that next level.
Denkriangkrai targets a contract-winning finish over Abdallah Ondash at The Inner Circle on May 29
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 27, 2026
Denkriangkrai Mavinn Muaythai faces contracted Lebanese striker Abdallah Ondash in the strawweight Muay Thai co-main event of The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, May 29. The 27-year-old Team Mavinn Muaythai product holds a 62-win professional record and enters on a five-fight winning streak. His sole promotional stoppage came in a 51-second knockout of Sanpet Sor Salacheep in 2025. Everything else has gone to the judges.
Ilia Topuria taunts Shakur Stevenson's 'hate' over potential crossover fight, Stevenson responds
Curtis Calhoun - May 27, 2026
Bad blood continues to boil between UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and boxer Shakur Stevenson, as both tease a crossover. UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria is arguably one of the greatest boxers in Mixed Martial Arts history, as evidenced by recent knockout wins over Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, and Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria will headline UFC Freedom 250 next month against Justin Gaethje as he looks to remain unbeaten in his career.