MMA News
Paulo Costa set to face rising star nicknamed 'The Hulk' in UFC 326 Octagon return
Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025
Former UFC title challenger Paulo Costa will face a rising star when he returns to the Octagon at UFC 326 next year. The UFC middleweight division is in a peculiar spot with Khamzat Chimaev sitting atop the throne.
Tom Aspinall blasts 'cheat' Ciryl Gane as feud continues to grow: 'I’ll be back to smash your face'
Cole Shelton - December 16, 2025
Tom Aspinall has taken aim at Ciryl Gane as their feud continues to take shape. Aspinall was defending his heavyweight title for the first time at UFC 321 back in October against Gane. It was a highly anticipated fight, and early on, Gane was having success. However, Gane poked Aspinall in both of his eyes, and the champ said he couldn’t see, so the fight was ruled a No Contest.
Tawanchai returns to kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 137: "I want that second belt"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 16, 2025
Nine months removed from his first kickboxing loss, Tawanchai PK Saenchai carries unfinished business back into the ring. The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion refuses to let one setback derail his two-sport dream. The 26-year-old Thai superstar faces Chinese standout Liu Mengyang in featherweight kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The main event clash represents his first kickboxing appearance since former K-1 Champion Masaaki Noiri finished him in the third round at ONE 172 in Saitama, Japan.
Belal Muhammad claims Islam Makhachev favors 'easier matchup' in Kamaru Usman over other top welterweights
Curtis Calhoun - December 16, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad accused Islam Makhachev of cherry picking opponents ahead of his first title defense. Islam Makhachev won a second UFC title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision at UFC 322 last month. Makhachev, just months after vacating the lightweight belt, put on one of the most dominant performances of his career to dethrone Maddalena and win the welterweight championship.
Retired UFC fighter slams predictions for Jake Paul to upset Anthony Joshua
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2025
One retired UFC veteran is tired of seeing predictions for Jake Paul to defeat Anthony Joshua, as he senses inauthenticity. Paul is scheduled to share the boxing ring with Anthony Joshua on Friday. The professional bout is scheduled for eight, three-minute rounds. Credible boxing experts have picked Joshua to finish Paul early unless he wants to drag things out. Some MMA fighters have gone against the grain and picked “El Gallo” to pull off the massive upset.
Conor McGregor will not fight at UFC White House, predicts former MMA star
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 16, 2025
A former UFC title contender isn’t sold on Conor McGregor fighting on the White House card. McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021, yet UFC continues to use him to market the promotion’s debut on Paramount+. The “Notorious” one is the biggest name to ever compete in UFC and he has vowed to fight again. It hasn’t happened since he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier in their trilogy fight.
Arman Tsarukyan reveals what he'd like to do after his MMA career ends
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan has spoken about what he would like to do once his mixed martial arts career comes to an end. Right now, Arman Tsarukyan is in a tricky spot. Despite demolishing Dan Hooker in their UFC Qatar main event, Arman didn’t get the call to be part of the UFC 324 main event for the interim UFC lightweight championship. Instead, that went to Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, who will compete for the belt next month.
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier reveals what part of mixed martial arts he misses
Harry Kettle - December 16, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has spoken openly about what he misses from his mixed martial arts career. These days, Daniel Cormier is best known for commentating on fights and breaking down everything MMA and boxing related on his podcast with Chael Sonnen. Back in the day, though, he was one of the best fighters of his generation, standing tall as a two-weight world champion in the UFC.
Zhang Peimian expects three-round war with Thongpoon at ONE Friday Fights 137: "We are both hard to be finished"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 15, 2025
Two straight losses put Zhang Peimian‘s career trajectory in jeopardy. The Chinese phenom refuses to let controversy define his path forward. The 22-year-old former ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Title challenger faces charismatic Thai striker Thongpoon PK Saenchai in strawweight kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The bout represents a crucial opportunity to reclaim his status among the division’s most dangerous contenders.
Justin Gaethje details 2026 plan: "The best way I can finish off my career"
Dylan Bowker - December 15, 2025
Justin Gaethje realizes that he is authoring the final chapters of his story as a competitive fighter heading into the new year, but he has navigated a plan to go on a 2026 run that will dovetail his narrative together seamlessly. During a video address posted to his personal YouTube channel ahead of his interim 155-pound title bout against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 in January 2026, with an excerpt of the video footage posted to X account @RedCorner_MMA, Gaethje said,
Kulabdam promises career-defining fight at ONE Friday Fights 137: "I am very confident"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 15, 2025
Four straight victories put Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai within striking distance of redemption. The Thai southpaw believes one more statement performance separates him from the life-changing contract he desperately wants. The 27-year-old two-division Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion meets PTT Apichart Farm in bantamweight Muay Thai at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The co-main event represents everything at stake for a fighter who previously competed on ONE’s global stage.
Yaroslav Amosov scorches UFC athletes who compare fighting to war after Ukraine invasion: 'Shut up'
Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025
UFC welterweight and former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov is tired of hearing fighters compare their career to war. Former Bellator welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov passed his first UFC test with flying colors in a dominant win at UFC Vegas 112 last weekend.
Alex Pereira shares bad news on potential UFC White House fight vs. Jon Jones
Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025
It sounds like a potential showdown between UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Jon Jones at the White House has hit a dead end. Alex Pereira reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title by knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 320 main event earlier this year. He avenged his lone light heavyweight MMA defeat by putting on one of the most dominant performances of his career.
Kyoji Horiguchi set to face Top 5 flyweight in massive title eliminator at UFC Vegas 113
Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025
Former UFC flyweight title challenger Kyoji Horiguchi could secure another shot at the belt with a win in his upcoming fight. UFC flyweight contender Kyoji Horiguchi’s return to the promotion has greatly exceeded the expectations of fans and pundits. After finding success in Rizin and Bellator following an up-and-down first UFC stint, the UFC gave Horiguchi another opportunity to make a run at the title, winning his promotional return earlier this year at UFC Qatar.
Ilia Topuria shockingly ends bitter UFC feud with Paddy Pimblett: 'We all make mistakes'
Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025
One of the UFC’s hottest feuds might be concluding, with recent remarks by Ilia Topuria about Paddy Pimblett. Ilia Topuria’s ongoing hiatus from competition resulted in the UFC booking an interim lightweight title fight between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 next month. As Topuria deals with issues away from the Octagon, Pimblett and Gaethje will fight to face Topuria in the undisputed lightweight titleholder’s return to the Octagon.
Giga Chikadze releases post-fight statement after shocking KO loss at UFC Vegas 112
Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025
UFC featherweight star Giga Chikadze addressed retirement speculation after a brutal knockout loss at UFC Vegas 112 to continue his ongoing skid. Once on the cusp of a UFC featherweight title shot, Giga Chikadze’s struggles in the Octagon continued brutally at UFC Vegas 112 last Saturday.
Ilia Topuria eviscerated by former rival over domestic violence allegations linked to UFC leave
Curtis Calhoun - December 15, 2025
One of UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s former foes, Bryce Mitchell, went on an unhinged rant over domestic violence allegations. Fight fans shouldn’t expect UFC superstar Ilia Topuria to return to the Octagon anytime soon.
Michael Bisping worried about Jake Paul's health ahead of Anthony Joshua fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 15, 2025
Michael Bisping has had his issues with Jake Paul, but he doesn’t want to see “The Problem Child” get hurt against Anthony Joshua. Paul is scheduled to collide with Joshua in a heavyweight boxing match scheduled for eight rounds. This will be a professional bout, which has some concerned for Paul ahead of Friday. You can count Bisping, a UFC Hall of Famer, as one of those names who is worried.