MMA News
Yuya Wakamatsu embraces do-or-die mentality: "I'll fight as if it's my last"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 7, 2025
For Yuya Wakamatsu, defending his ONE Flyweight MMA World Title carries stakes that transcend sport — failure simply isn’t survivable in his mind. Wakamatsu defends his strap against Joshua Pacio at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 30-year-old Japanese fighter makes his first title defense against the reigning strawweight king in a rare champion-versus-champion clash.
Conor McGregor seemingly supported a BKFC champ leaving, Alberto Blas responds
Dylan Bowker - October 7, 2025
Conor McGregor comes across as quite passionate about BKFC, but the partial owner of the bare-knuckle boxing outfit was seen curiously liking a social media post centred on Alberto Blas leaving the promotion. Blas left the company as their reigning bantamweight champion and the unbeaten bare-knuckle boxer, since crossed over to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing, where he won his debut and kept his streak of first-round finishes going. In the wake of Blas announcing that he was signing to BKB, BKFC’s partial owner Conor McGregor had liked an Instagram post regarding Blas switching from one gloveless combat promotion to BKFC’s rival.
Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria is avoiding him: 'I'm the only one that can beat Ilia'
Cole Shelton - October 7, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan believes Ilia Topuria is avoiding him, as he knows he’s a difficult matchup. Tsarukyan is coming off a split decision win over Charles Oliveira back in April of 2024 to become the No. 1 contender. However, injuries have kept him on the sidelines as he will now headline UFC Qatar against Dan Hooker.
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.
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.
Conor McGregor suspended 18 months for violation of UFC anti-doping policy
BJ Penn Staff - October 7, 2025
Conor McGregor has been handed an 18-month suspension by Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD), the internal organization responsible for drug-testing in the UFC. McGregor, a former two-division UFC champion, received the suspension after failing to produce samples on repeated occasions. Specifically, he violated CSAD’s whereabouts policies.
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.
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 is the man to defeat Jon Jones, says former UFC champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 7, 2025
If one ex-UFC champion is correct, then Alex Pereira might be the one to hand Jon Jones his first non-disqualification loss. Pereira has dazzled fight fans throughout his combat sports career, and he secured another signature moment this past Saturday. “Poatan” challenged Magomed Ankalaev for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in a rematch. Pereira had lost the gold in their first encounter, but things were quite different at UFC 320.
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.
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.
Jonathan Di Bella details winning strategy against Prajanchai: "I saw his face change"
BJPENN.COM Staff - October 6, 2025
Body shots changed everything for Jonathan Di Bella. The moment Prajanchai’s expression shifted in round one, the Italian-Canadian knew his corner had called the perfect strategy. Di Bella unified the ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Prajanchai PK Saenchai at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 29-year-old erased his only career defeat while earning a $50,000 performance bonus from ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
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.
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.