MMA News
Islam Makhachev receives unexpected praise ahead of UFC 322
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 17, 2025
Islam Makhachev has gotten some praise from a former foe one month prior to UFC 322. Makhachev is scheduled to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship on Nov. 15. He vacated the UFC Lightweight Championship in an effort to capture the 170-pound gold. Makhachev vs. Maddalena will be held inside Madison Square Garden in New York City.
UFC Vancouver weigh-in results: Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen is official
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 17, 2025
The UFC Vancouver weigh-ins have wrapped up and all 26 fighters on the card were on point. There wasn’t a single miss during the weigh-ins ahead of Saturday’s event. Headliners Reinier de Ridder and Brendan Allen both hit the 186-pound mark, making use of the one pound allowance for a non-title bout.
4 UFC fighters removed from roster ahead of return to Vancouver
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 17, 2025
The UFC has seemingly parted ways with more fighters as the company prepares its return to Vancouver. Roster cuts happen several times each year, and it seems that four combatants hit the chopping block. Irina Alekseeva, Andre Muniz, Justin Tafa, and Brogan Walker have been removed from the UFC roster. Tafa’s exit won’t come as a surprise to most fans, as the fan favorite from West Auckland issued a statement on his Instagram page announcing that he’s taking a break from combat sports.
Suablack faces unbeaten Johan Estupinan in flyweight Muay Thai clash at ONE Fight Night 37
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 16, 2025
Explosive finishing power collides when two of flyweight Muay Thai’s most dangerous strikers meet. Momentum versus redemption creates fascinating dynamics in Bangkok. Suablack Tor Pran49 faces Johan Estupinan in flyweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 37: Kryklia vs. Agdeve on Friday, November 7, broadcasting live from Bangkok, Thailand, on Amazon Prime Video. The 29-year-old Thai striker recently ended his three-fight skid with back-to-back victories while the 23-year-old Colombian seeks to bounce back from his first career defeat.
Melissa Croden responds after receiving praise from UFC champion Alex Pereira ahead of her Octagon debut
Dylan Bowker - October 16, 2025
Alex Pereira recently gave Melissa Croden some props and the UFC debutant was quite enthusiastic about it. Melissa Croden will clash with Tainara Lisboa at UFC Vancouver on October 18th. Croden appeared on MMA Canada to touch on her clash with the Brazilian mixed martial artist as well as some recent feedback from another prolific South American fighter. Alex Pereira had some complimentary things to say about Croden’s archery skills in a video showcased on the UFC Canada Instagram page. ‘Poatan’ has generated some viral clips in the past showcasing his aptitude at archery so it seemed apropos to have him comment on the footage of the Canadian combatant.
Joshua Pacio embraces flyweight move: "I've gotten physically stronger"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 16, 2025
Weight class transitions demand strategic adaptation. Joshua Pacio discovered maintaining speed while adding strength requires meticulous preparation. Pacio challenges Yuya Wakamatsu for the ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 29-year-old ONE Strawweight MMA World Champion seeks to become the Philippines’ first-ever two-division MMA World Champion against the newly crowned Japanese titleholder.
Kamaru Usman shares lofty 'dream scenario' to end UFC career
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has a dream scenario to end his career. Usman was the UFC’s welterweight champion from 2019 until 2022 and defended the belt five times. Although Usman is now 38 and is 1-3 in his last four, he has confidence that he will be able to recapture UFC gold.
Ronda Rousey shares eye-opening reaction to latest UFC comeback rumors: "Never really done"
Curtis Calhoun - October 16, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey responded to the swirl of recent rumors surrounding a potential return to the Octagon in 2026. Years since her UFC 207 finale against Amanda Nunes, UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey is ramping up speculation over another potential appearance inside the Octagon.
Kevin Holland vows to f**k 's**t up' against Mike Malott at UFC Vancouver
Cole Shelton - October 16, 2025
Kevin Holland is planning on making some noise at UFC Vancouver. Holland is set to return to the Octagon in the co-main event against Mike Malott in a pivotal fight at welterweight. Heading into the bout, Holland has full confidence that he will be able to beat Malott and stun the Canadian crowd. Should he win, Holland plans to get another fight in this year – hopefully against Neil Magny – as he wants to create some noise at welterweight.
Alex Pereira has solidified legendary status, says former UFC champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2025
Alex Pereira has been on a tear ever since entering the UFC, and one ex-champion thinks “Poatan” should be considered a legend by now. Pereira entered the world of MMA after a stellar kickboxing career that saw him win gold in two weight classes. “Poatan” would repeat history, this time under the UFC banner with title reigns at middleweight and light heavyweight. He is now a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion after getting revenge on Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320.
UFC Vancouver star questions Khamzat Chimaev's callout of Alex Pereira
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2025
A UFC Vancouver headliner believes Khamzat Chimaev’s callout of Alex Pereira could just be for show. Chimaev dominated Dricus du Plessis throughout their UFC 319 title fight back in August. The middleweight gold was at stake, and “Borz” left no doubt that he was the rightful winner. After securing nearly 22 minutes of total control, Chimaev was awarded the clear unanimous decision victory.
Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis undercard gets surprising trilogy bout between two ex-UFC names
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 16, 2025
A trilogy bout has been added to the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Gervonta ‘Tank” Davis, and it’s sure to surprise many. Most Valuable Promotions has announced that UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva will be taking on Chris Weidman in a six-round boxing match that will have a 205-pound weight limit. This will be the first time Silva and Weidman will collide in a combat sports bout since their infamous Dec. 2013 rematch, which saw “The Spider” suffer a brutal leg break.
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.
Davey Grant eager to be the 'bad guy' against Charles Jourdain at UFC Vancouver: 'I'm looking to knock him out'
Cole Shelton - October 15, 2025
Davey Grant is excited to go into enemy territory on Saturday at UFC Vancouver. Grant is set to take on Canadian Charles Jourdain in a fan-friendly fight at bantamweight. Grant is coming off an upset win over Da’Mon Blackshear in July and is thrilled to already be fighting again.
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.