MMA News
Justin Gaethje declined fighting top contender, claims UFC Qatar headliner
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 9, 2025
A headliner on the UFC Qatar card says he’s heard that Justin Gaethje turned down a fight against him. Gaethje has made it clear that he wants his next fight to be contested for the UFC Lightweight Championship. The current titleholder is Ilia Topuria. While UFC CEO Dana White hasn’t been too receptive to Gaethje’s demands, he might just cave given how much of a fan favorite “The Highlight” is.
Frankie Edgar 'a little upset' over late BKFC 82 removal
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 9, 2025
BKFC 82 did not feature the combat sports return of Frankie Edgar as initially advertised. The former UFC Lightweight Champion was scheduled to face Jimmie Rivera inside Prudential Center in Newark. “The Answer” was removed from the card late, and many rumors swirled over the situation.
Charles Oliveira gives his thoughts on Alex Pereira vs Jon Jones
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2025
UFC legend Charles Oliveira has given his thoughts on a potential showdown between Alex Pereira and Jon Jones. While it’s far from confirmed, Alex Pereira has made it crystal clear that he wants to battle Jon Jones at the White House next year. While it would likely be a lucrative fight for the promotion, Dana White has made it known that he isn’t so sure he can trust ‘Bones’ after everything he’s put him through over the years, and especially in the last few months.
Dan Hooker questions Arman Tsarukyan regarding his wealth ahead of UFC Qatar clash
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has called out Arman Tsarukyan over his family’s wealth ahead of their UFC Qatar showdown. Next month, Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan will clash in a blockbuster lightweight encounter. While there’s no guarantee, it certainly feels like the winner will earn the right to challenge Ilia Topuria for the UFC lightweight championship. In equal measure, this fight perhaps serves as the final chance for ‘Hangman’ to get a crack at the gold.
Israel Adesanya backs Carlos Ulberg to receive UFC title shot against Alex Pereira
Harry Kettle - October 9, 2025
Israel Adesanya believes Carlos Ulberg should receive the next UFC light heavyweight championship shot against Alex Pereira. In the wake of his knockout win over Dominick Reyes, there was a lot of talk about Carlos Ulberg receiving the next title shot at 205 pounds. Of course, we had to wait and see how the UFC 320 main event played out, and we now know that Alex Pereira is once again the king of the division after finishing Magomed Ankalaev in the first round of their rematch.
Stephen Irvine identifies fatal flaw in opponent's approach: "He's crazy, I'm calculated"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 9, 2025
Technical precision defeats reckless aggression when fighters understand the difference between chaos and control. Stephen Irvine built his game around exploiting opponents who mistake fury for effectiveness. Irvine faces Rambong Sor Therapat in the 130-pound Muay Thai main event at ONE Friday Fights 128 on Friday, October 10, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 25-year-old Scottish striker chases a $100,000 contract while hoping to extend his four-fight winning streak against the pressure-fighting Thai veteran.
Fabricio Andrade defends Bantamweight World Title against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 8, 2025
Championship gold gets tested when ONE Championship closes 2025 with back-to-back title fights. Fabricio Andrade risks everything against a submission specialist who has tormented every opponent standing between him and glory. Andrade defends his ONE Bantamweight MMA World Title against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, in Bangkok, Thailand in U.S. primetime. The 30-year-old Brazilian puts his crown on the line against the surging #4-ranked Mongolian contender in the main event.
UFC Vancouver's Aiemann Zahabi "would love to take [Marlon Vera's] place"
Dylan Bowker - October 8, 2025
Aiemann Zahabi is having the biggest run of his career and hopes to vault toward title shot proximity by beating a former title challenger. The Tristar product has the chance to do just that when he battles Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC Vancouver on October 18th. A lot is falling into place for Zahabi, who spoke with MMA Canada and touched on how he called for this Vera bout after his massive Jose Aldo win in May at UFC 315. When addressing how important it was to him to get that desired next fight locked in, considering the expressed callout of Vera, Zahabi said [via MMA Canada],
Jake Paul shares emotional tribute to Arturo Gatti Jr. after promising boxer's tragic death
Curtis Calhoun - October 8, 2025
Jake Paul and many boxing stars are mourning the tragic death of Arturo Gatti Jr. The boxing world is collectively mourning after the news broke that Arturo Gatti Jr., the 17-year-old son of the legendary boxing legend, passed away on Wednesday. The WBA confirmed the news of Gatti’s passing in a recent statement.
Daniel Cormier hits back at skeptics of Magomed Ankalaev's UFC 320 injury
Curtis Calhoun - October 8, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier says Magomed Ankalaev was encouraged not to fight at UFC 320 after suffering a rib injury weeks before the event. Magomed Ankalaev’s UFC light heavyweight title reign came to a screeching halt at the hands of Alex Pereira last weekend at UFC 320. Pereira knocked out Ankalaev in their rematch to reclaim the light heavyweight throne, handing Ankalaev his first defeat since his promotional debut in 2018.
Former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian shot dead in Sydney in targeted attack
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2025
Former UFC fighter Suman Mokhtarian has been shot dead in an alleged targeted attack in Sydney, Australia. According to ESPN, Mokhtarian was killed in Riverstone at around 6 pm on Wednesday. Emergency services were called to the scene and found Mokhtarian with gunshot wounds. He unfortnately died at the scene after paramedics’ attempts at reviving him.
Paul Hughes issues first remarks on what went wrong in Usman Nurmagomedov rematch
Curtis Calhoun - October 8, 2025
PFL superstar Paul Hughes opened up on his second decision loss of the year to Usman Nurmagomedov. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov handed Paul Hughes another loss in their highly anticipated rematch last weekend in Dubai. In another instant classic, Nurmagomedov outpointed Hughes to bring their rivalry to a seemingly swift close.
Charles Oliveira shoots down retirement talk ahead of UFC Rio: 'I'm not thinking about it'
Cole Shelton - October 8, 2025
Charles Oliveira shoots down any talk of retirement ahead of his UFC Rio main event. Oliveira is set to headline UFC Rio on Saturday against Mateusz Gamrot in a pivotal fight at lightweight. Oliveira is coming off a knockout loss to Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title back in June. Although he’s making a quick turnaround, there have been talks that Oliveira could retire after the bout.
Dan Hooker threatens Arman Tsarukyan about potential fight cancelation ahead of UFC Qatar
Curtis Calhoun - October 8, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker isn’t playing games ahead of his UFC Qatar main event matchup with Arman Tsarukyan. Top UFC lightweight contenders Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan will collide in the upcoming UFC Qatar main event in a pivotal matchup in the division. The UFC Qatar main event winner could potentially earn the next title shot against UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
TJ Dillashaw claims UFC 320 fighter battled illness in loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 8, 2025
In the aftermath of UFC 320, TJ Dillashaw claims a key fighter on that card was dealing with an ailment. UFC 320 had some memorable moments. Alex Pereira dismantled Magomed Ankalaev to reclaim the light heavyweight gold. Jiri Prochazka pulled off a comeback knockout win over Khalil Rountree. Patchy Mix’s split decision loss to Jakub Wikłacz might be memorable for the wrong reason.
UFC legend predicts massive surprise in Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 8, 2025
One retired UFC icon thinks fans will be surprised during UFC Rio. Charles Oliveira is set to headline the UFC’s next “Fight Night” event on Saturday. He was initially set to meet Rafael Fiziev, who suffered an injury. Mateusz Gamrot has stepped up as a replacement opponent. It’ll be Oliveira’s first fight in Brazil since 2020, and the first time there with a live crowd since 2019.
Bas Rutten opens up on his experience working on The Smashing Machine
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2025
MMA legend Bas Rutten has opened up about his experience working on The Smashing Machine movie with Dwayne Johnson. As we know, Bas Rutten is an icon in the world of mixed martial arts. He accomplished some incredible things throughout the course of his career and to this day, he is a big fan favorite within the sport. He was also, once upon a time, a coach for Mark Kerr, who was recently played by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in The Smashing Machine – a film based on the documentary of the same name.
Henry Cejudo thinks Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones is biggest possible UFC White House main event
Harry Kettle - October 8, 2025
Henry Cejudo believes that out of the realistic options, Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones is the best possible choice for the UFC White House main event. In a few short weeks, Tom Aspinall will defend his UFC heavyweight championship for the first time against Ciryl Gane. These two men have been circling one another for a few years now, and finally, we’ll get the chance to see a fight that, style wise, should be pretty interesting to watch.