MMA News
Nabil Anane predicts Yuki Yoza-Superlek bantamweight kickboxing fight at ONE 173:
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 16, 2025
Championship experience provides unique perspective when breaking down elite striking matchups. Nabil Anane understands what Superlek brings after sharing the ring twice with the Thai legend. Anane defends his ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title against Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 21-year-old Algerian-Thai will also watch closely as Superlek Kiatmoo9 meets Yuki Yoza in bantamweight kickboxing on the same card.
Undefeated Willie van Rooyen signs with ONE Championship, faces Avazbek Kholmirzaev at ONE Fight Night 37
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 15, 2025
South African MMA sensation Willie van Rooyen brings his perfect record into ONE Championship’s global spotlight. The undefeated fighter faces his toughest challenge immediately against a dangerous Uzbek finisher. Van Rooyen meets Avazbek Kholmirzaev in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 37 on Friday, November 7, broadcasting live from Bangkok, Thailand. The 23-year-old newcomer joins an increasingly stacked card featuring multiple high-stakes matchups across various disciplines.
Henry Cejudo would "rather get into stripping than do BKFC"
Dylan Bowker - October 15, 2025
Henry Cejudo would rather align his path to being something akin to an Only Fans content creator rather than to sign up to compete in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. This was touched on by the former two division UFC champion during a conversation with former UFC welterweight kingpin Kamaru Usman. During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, co-hosts Usman and Cejudo were recapping some of the big happenings in the fight world from the first weekend of October.
'He'd quit!'...Alex Pereira scoffs at Magomed Ankalaev's injured rib he suffered weeks before UFC 320 revenge
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira isn’t buying what Magomed Ankalaev is selling in the weeks after UFC 320. Alex Pereira got his revenge against Magomed Ankalaev in the UFC 320 main event earlier this month. Just months after Ankalaev handed Pereira his first light heavyweight defeat, Pereira knocked out Ankalaev in under two minutes in their highly anticipated rematch.
Georges St. Pierre's advice to Aiemann Zahabi for Marlon Vera bout at UFC Vancouver
Dylan Bowker - October 15, 2025
Georges St. Pierre is regarded by many as the greatest fighter in MMA history and continues to provide advice to Aiemann Zahabi as he continues his own UFC career. Zahabi clashes with former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Vera at UFC Vancouver. The Tristar product appeared on MMA Canada ahead of this Saturday, October 18th showdown. GSP had given Zahabi some advice prior to his Jose Aldo at UFC 315 in Montreal. When asked if GSP has given him any particular advice for this ‘Chito’ Vera fight this weekend, Zahabi said [via MMA Canada],
Khamzat Chimaev alleges Sean Strickland brought a gun to the gym as UFC feud kicked off
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev made some wild accusations against Sean Strickland stemming from their past training sessions. Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland isn’t known to have many allies in Mixed Martial Arts due to his controversial behavior in and out of the cage. Strickland is currently serving a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission stemming from a post-fight brawl at a Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas earlier this year.
Valter Walker's return added to UFC 321 after days' notice fight cancelation at UFC Rio
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2025
UFC heavyweight star Valter Walker didn’t have to wait long for his next Octagon assignment after his fight was scratched from UFC Rio last weekend. Valter Walker was hours away from fighting Mohammed Usman on the UFC Rio undercard last Saturday, before Usman withdrew on hours’ notice due to an injury. Walker was furious with Usman’s withdrawal, as he scolded his opponent as he appeared at the official weigh-ins.
Sean Brady defends accepting Michael Morales fight at UFC 322 instead of waiting for title shot
Curtis Calhoun - October 15, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady defended fighting the unbeaten Michael Morales in a risky fight for his title pursuit. Sean Brady vs. Michael Morales was recently announced as a big addition to UFC 322 next month at Madison Square Garden. Brady and Morales, two of the hottest welterweight contenders, will collide with a potential title shot on the line.
Tai Tuivasa planning for UFC comeback in 2026 after having his 'lil break'
Cole Shelton - October 15, 2025
Tai Tuivasa is planning on making a comeback in 2026. Tuivasa hasn’t fought since August 2024, when he lost a split decision to Jairzinho Rozenstruik, which was his fifth-straight loss. Since the loss, he has been taking time away from the MMA, but the fan-favorite is looking to return to the UFC as he reflected on the past year on Instagram.
Popular UFC analyst dismisses Petr Yan's chances against Merab Dvalishvili in rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2025
One well-known UFC analyst and coach isn’t convinced that Petr Yan can find an answer against Merab Dvalishvili. It was announced by Dana White that Dvalishvili is scheduled to put his bantamweight title on the line against Yan at UFC 323 on Dec. 6. If Dvalishvili can emerge victorious, he’ll set a new record for the most UFC title defenses in a single year. He’s already thwarted challenges from Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen this year.
Dana White admits his opinion has changed on current UFC champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2025
Dana White has warmed up to a reigning UFC champion, who is on the verge of history. White and UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili didn’t always see eye-to-eye. The UFC boss was initially peeved when “The Machine” refused to fight his close friend and longtime training partner Aljamain Sterling. Eventually, Dvalishvili’s willingness to fight often changed White’s tune.
UFC champion Khazmat Chimaev teases risky game plan if he gets Alex Pereira fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 15, 2025
If Khamzat Chimaev gets to share the Octagon with Alex Pereira, he might just tempt fate. It’s hard for MMA fans to imagine that if Chimaev were to meet “Poatan” he won’t attempt takedowns right away. Pereira is viewed as one of the UFC’s most dangerous strikers today. He dusted Magomed Ankalaev in just over a minute to reclaim the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in early October.
Drew Dober has rediscovered his love for MMA ahead of UFC Vancouver
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2025
UFC veteran Drew Dober has found his love for mixed martial arts again ahead of his fight against Kyle Prepolec this weekend. For many years now, Drew Dober has been known as an action fighter that the Ultimate Fighting Championship can rely on. He will go out there and put on great fights every single time, and while he doesn’t always get his hand raised, he certainly knows how to put on a show for the fans in attendance.
Dana White teases Ilia Topuria headlining first big UFC Paramount card
Harry Kettle - October 15, 2025
UFC boss Dana White has teased the idea of Ilia Topuria headlining the first big UFC Paramount card next year. As we know, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will want to make a big splash when they begin their partnership with Paramount in 2026. As such, there’s been a lot of speculation regarding who could take part in the first major event on the network – and one of the names that keeps popping up is none other than UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
ONE Championship reveals historic 16-bout card featuring seven ONE World Title fights at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 14, 2025
Tokyo transforms into martial arts central command when ONE Championship delivers one of its most ambitious events. Seven world title fights headline a 16-bout spectacle spanning multiple combat disciplines. ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri takes over Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16. The historic card showcases MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling with champions defending crowns while new kings will emerge throughout the evening.
Tengnueng Fairtex "ready to attack in every way" in ONE Friday Fights 129 main event
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 14, 2025
Weight class adjustments fuel Tengnueng Fairtex’s confidence heading into his most dangerous assignment. The Thai veteran believes dropping pounds unlocked the speed and power necessary to overcome youth and aggression. Tengnueng faces Tun Min Aung in a 165-pound Muay Thai main event at ONE Friday Fights 129 on Friday, October 17, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 33-year-old Fairtex Training Center product seeks redemption after his knockout loss to Maksim Bakhtin at ONE Friday Fights 121 forced him to reconsider his fighting weight.
Ian Machado Garry refuses future fight with 'liar' Leon Edwards and cheers for Carlos Prates to 'spark him unconscious'
Curtis Calhoun - October 14, 2025
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry shut down a potential showdown with former teammate Leon Edwards after their upcoming fights. Top UFC welterweights Ian Machado Garry and Leon Edwards used to be training partners earlier in their careers, but things quickly turned messy after Garry left Edwards’s team.
UFC analyst believes Ronda Rousey 'shouldn't be 'cleared' to fight amid comeback rumors
Cole Shelton - October 14, 2025
UFC analyst Din Thomas doesn’t believe Ronda Rousey should be cleared to fight if she does return to MMA. Rousey has been sharing training videos and has claimed she loves MMA again. With Rousey back training and loving MMA, rumors have swirled that she could return to the UFC, perhaps even on the White House card.