MMA News
Deiveson Figueiredo "at 220%", eyes "fight for the belt" post-UFC Rio
Dylan Bowker - October 7, 2025
Deiveson Figueiredo sees himself in prime position to vault towards a title shot with a strong showing at UFC Rio. While some might see the former UFC flyweight champion in a bit of a compromised spot coming off of consecutive defeats, Figueiredo has an interesting line of logic as to why he could get a title crack. The Brazilian mixed martial artist is preparing to clash with Montel Jackson in Rio de Janeiro with Figueiredo facing his first unranked opponent since his 2017 promotional debut.
Petr Yan claims he was at '50%' health for first fight with Merab Dvalishvili ahead of likely rematch
Curtis Calhoun - October 7, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan revealed he fought Merab Dvalishvili significantly compromised ahead of a likely rematch. UFC bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili retained his title in largely dominant fashion against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 last Saturday. Despite Sandhagen proving to be a tough test on the feet, Dvalishvili challenged Sandhagen with his vastly improved striking en route to a decision victory.
Patchy Mix called for UFC firing by former star fighter after shocking 0-2 Octagon start
Curtis Calhoun - October 7, 2025
Josh Thomson doesn’t have faith in UFC bantamweight Patchy Mix turning things around after a 0-2 start with the promotion. Former Bellator champion Patchy Mix was regarded as one of the biggest UFC signings earlier this year and a potential threat to Merab Dvalishvili. But after another disastrous outing at UFC 320 last Saturday, Mix’s roster spot might be in grave danger.
UFC staff warned not to drink alcohol amid wave of poisonings in Brazil
BJ Penn Staff - October 7, 2025
UFC staff have been cautioned not to drink alcohol during their upcoming visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The warning to staff was delivered in an internal memo, per MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz, following a wave of poisonings in the South American country.
When Daniel Cormier gave an ex-boxing champ 13 stitches in a short notice MMA bout
Dylan Bowker - October 7, 2025
Daniel Cormier went on to put together one of the biggest legacies in mixed martial arts. An established boxing champion who clashed with DC early on in Cormier’s career has given insights into that contest. Lucas Browne is the combatant in question, and he is coming off a finish over Corey Harrison. This came via TKO, doctor’s stoppage at the end of round one in what was Browne’s bare-knuckle boxing debut at BKB 45.
Ilia Topuria congratulates Merab Dvalishvili post-UFC 320 win
Dylan Bowker - October 7, 2025
Ilia Topuria has tipped his cap to fellow Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili after the latter’s UFC 320 victory. Dvalishvili notched the third defense of his bantamweight title across a reign that now has many referring to him as MMA’s GOAT at 135 pounds. The 34-year-old bested Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event of the promotion’s October 4th pay-per-view offering. It was a historic outing for Dvalishvili who broke a UFC record related to takedowns that he already held going into the card at 97 takedowns overall. That record is one that the Georgian standout kept building on as Dvalishvili left the cage having recorded 117 takedowns as the dust settled on the clash with ‘Sandman’.
Alex Pereira warned by retired UFC veteran about potential super fight with Jon Jones
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 7, 2025
A former UFC veteran thinks Alex Pereira might be walking into a bad matchup against Jon Jones. Pereira is fresh off a first-round TKO finish over Magomed Ankalaev in their UFC 320 rematch. With the win, “Poatan” is now a two-time UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. During his post-fight speech, Pereira called for a moment of silence for Jones’ brother, Arthur, who passed away on Oct. 3. Pereira told reporters that his plan had been to call out “Bones” for a fight at the White House next year.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach makes brutal prediction for possible Umar Nurmagomedov rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 7, 2025
The head coach of UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili has a scathing prediction for a potential Umar Nurmagomedov rematch. Back in January, Dvalishvili silenced any doubters he may have had left. He successfully defended the 135-pound gold against Nurmagomedov via unanimous decision. While Nurmagomedov was competitive, “The Machine” was a step ahead and outlasted the challenger.
Alex Pereira makes big jump in UFC pound-for-pound rankings after UFC 320
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has made a notable jump up in the promotion’s pound-for-pound rankings. Last weekend, Alex Pereira was able to silence a lot of doubters – and that much is an understatement. In the main event of UFC 320, he finished Magomed Ankalaev in just 80 seconds to recapture the UFC light heavyweight championship that he lost earlier this year. It was the kind of emphatic performance that reminded us all why ‘Poatan’ is considered to be one of the most special talents in the history of mixed martial arts.
Joe Pyfer claims he felt flat despite stoppage victory at UFC 320
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2025
UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer has admitted that he felt flat at UFC 320, despite his submission win over Abus Magomedov. For quite some time now, Joe Pyfer has been seen as a real contender in the UFC’s middleweight division. It’s been a gradual rise but every time he gets in there, his power alone serves as proof that he has the potential to do some really big things at 185 pounds.
Sean O'Malley gives his thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili's striking after UFC 320
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2025
UFC contender Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili’s striking following his win at UFC 320. Last Saturday night, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Cory Sandhagen to retain his UFC bantamweight championship. It was the result many expected, but in addition to his incredible wrestling prowess, he also managed to drop Sandhagen – to the point where he almost got him out of there in the second round.
Carlos Ulberg contemplates his next move following chaotic UFC 320 event
Harry Kettle - October 7, 2025
UFC light heavyweight contender Carlos Ulberg is contemplating his next move following last weekend’s UFC 320 event. Just a few weeks ago, Carlos Ulberg made a real statement at 205 pounds when he knocked out Dominick Reyes. It was the kind of statement win he needed and now, many consider him to be the rightful number one contender for the UFC light heavyweight championship. Of course, with Jiri Prochazka also in the mix, it’s hard to know what direction the UFC is going to go in.
Aung La N Sang reflects on storied MMA career: "One for the ages"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 6, 2025
Twenty-one years of sacrifice compressed into one final walk for Aung La N Sang. The emotions hadn’t fully settled when Myanmar’s greatest sports hero reflected on his retirement victory against Zebaztian Kadestam. The 40-year-old former two-division ONE MMA World Champion defeated Kadestam via second-round TKO at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. He secured the 31st victory of his professional MMA career while earning a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
What's next for the stars of UFC 320?
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2025
The UFC was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday for a solid UFC 320 card. The main event saw Magomed Ankalaev defending his light heavyweight title against Alex Pereira. The co-main event saw Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight belt against Cory Sandhagen. In the end, it was Pereira who reclaimed his belt with a first-round knockout win over Ankalaev. In the co-main event, Dvalishvili dominated Sandhagen en route to a clear-cut decision win to defend his belt. Following UFC 320, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.
Khalil Rountree Jr. 'in good spirits' following nasty TKO loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 320
Curtis Calhoun - October 6, 2025
Former UFC title challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. spoke for the first time since his KO loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 320. Former UFC champion Jiri Prochazka scored one of the biggest highlights of UFC 320 when he knocked out Khalil Rountree Jr. with a left hook in their light heavyweight bout. In a back-and-forth war for as long as it lasted, Rountree was left in a pool of his own blood in a gruesome scene after an impressive showing in his last Octagon appearance.
Dana White reacts to Ronda Rousey's 'ripped' physique as UFC comeback rumors swirl
Curtis Calhoun - October 6, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White reacted to Ronda Rousey’s recent training footage as comeback rumors progress. UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey has raised many eyebrows in recent weeks as she returned to training in MMA for the first time since her loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016. Rousey opted not to return to fighting after UFC 207, transitioning to professional wrestling before her WWE tenure came to an abrupt end.
Jeremy Stephens breaks social media silence after loss to Mike Perry at BKFC 82
Curtis Calhoun - October 6, 2025
Jeremy Stephens’s Bare Knuckle FC showdown with Mike Perry didn’t go according to plan last weekend in Newark. Jeremy Stephens’s attempt to become the first fighter to hand Mike Perry a loss in bare-knuckle fighting fell short of the mark at BKFC 82 last Saturday in Newark. After winning his first three bare-knuckle fights, Stephens struggled against the ‘King of Violence’ titleholder, losing by fifth-round TKO.
Jiri Prochazka reveals he planned to confront Ali Abdelaziz and Magomed Ankalaev over comments before UFC 320
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2025
Jiri Prochazka wasn’t pleased with Magomed Ankalaev and Ali Abdelaziz over their comments ahead of UFC 320. In the lead-up to UFC 320 and even before that, Ankalaev’s social media has aimed at Prochazka and other light heavyweight contenders. Although Alex Pereira has accused Ali Abdelaziz of writing them in the past, Prochazka wasn’t sure. So, he wanted to confront both of them during fight week.