MMA News

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.

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.

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.

Curtis Calhoun - October 16, 2025

UFC bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov faces ‘extreme pressure’ at UFC 321, according to his longtime coach. Umar Nurmagomedov will return to the Octagon next month at UFC 321 as he looks to bounce back from the lone setback of his fighting career. Earlier this year, Nurmagomedov lost a unanimous decision to UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311, a stunning result for some.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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],

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.

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.

Dylan Bowker - October 15, 2025

Melissa Croden has established herself as one of the more exciting Canadian combatants in the world, and her debut with the UFC will see her positioned as the partisan favorite. At UFC Vancouver, ‘Scare’ Croden will clash with someone who recently had a five fight winning streak snapped in May. Despite being submitted by Luana Santos, Tainara Lisboa has secured some strong victories prior over the likes of Jessica Rose Clark and Ravena Oliveira. When touching on Lisboa’s skill set and general resume heading into this UFC Vancouver fight with her, Croden said [via MMA Canada],

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.

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.

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.