MMA News

Harry Kettle - September 23, 2025

UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja believes Charles Oliveira should consider a move up to the welterweight division. As we know, Charles Oliveira is an absolutely huge fan favorite within the world of mixed martial arts. He has achieved some incredible things during his time in the sport and for his next outing, he was originally scheduled to battle Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio. Unfortunately, that’ll no longer be taking place.

Harry Kettle - September 23, 2025

UFC star Reinier de Ridder has expressed disappointment at Anthony Hernandez being forced out of their fight. Right now, Reinier de Ridder is one of the most fascinating contenders in all the UFC. He is enjoying life in the middleweight division and after defeating Robert Whittaker, he was given a number one contender fight (of sorts) against Anthony Hernandez. However, now that ‘Fluffy’ has pulled out, Brendan Allen has stepped up to try and make a statement of his own against RDR.

Harry Kettle - September 23, 2025

MMA analyst Dan Hardy has questioned Alex Pereira’s strategy in his first fight against Magomed Ankalaev. In the main event of UFC 320, Alex Pereira will challenge Magomed Ankalaev for the UFC light heavyweight championship. It comes in the wake of their first meeting, in which Ankaalev was able to take the belt away from ‘Poatan’ in a performance that didn’t show the best that the Brazilian had to offer.

Cole Shelton - September 23, 2025

The 204th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Perth. We’re first joined by UFC light heavyweight contender Jimmy Crute (1:13). We close things out by chatting with UFC bantamweight Colby Thicknesse (9:39).

Dylan Bowker - September 22, 2025

Jiri Prochazka will take on Khalil Rountree in the coming weeks, and someone who has previously trained with the former has broken down that bout. Martin Buday discussed this on Bowks Talking Bouts and referenced getting in work with Jiri Prochazka around this time last September at New Park Gym. When asked for his thoughts on the consequential contest in the light heavyweight hierarchy between Jiri Prochazka and Khalil Rountree at UFC 320, Buday said,

Dylan Bowker - September 22, 2025

Robert Whittaker is eyeing a return to the cage next year and looks to put himself in the position of partisan favorite against a fellow former UFC middleweight champion. The man known as Bobby Knuckles has recently referenced that he feels iced out of the UFC middleweight title scene after back-to-back losses to current champ Khamzat Chimaev and surging contender Reinier de Ridder. That being said, Sean Strickland is a relevant fighter in the division without a dance partner and is someone who is also interwoven into the UFC’s 185-pound titleholder history. Appearing on the MMArcade Podcast and indicating what he wants next for an in-cage competitive assignment, Whittaker said [via Sportskeeda],

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 22, 2025

Prajanchai PK Saenchai refuses to leave his rematch with Jonathan Di Bella in the judges’ hands. The Thai wants to erase all doubt with explosive finishing power when he faces the interim titleholder again. He faces Di Bella for the undisputed ONE Strawweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, live from Bangkok, Thailand. The 30-year-old two-sport ONE World Champion carries the memory of their closely contested first encounter, where he captured vacant gold through unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 68.

Curtis Calhoun - September 22, 2025

Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis’ first pre-fight faceoff left many boxing fans perplexed by their ridiculous size difference. WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis and the polarizing Jake Paul are less than two months away from squaring off in one of the biggest fights of the year in the ring. This will mark Paul’s second fight since defeating Mike Tyson last year, and comes after dismantling Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. earlier in 2025.

Cole Shelton - September 22, 2025

Tom Aspinall claims he never wanted to wait for Jon Jones. Aspinall was the interim heavyweight champion for over a year as he was waiting to face Jones, and even had to defend his belt once. Yet, the Jones fight never happened as ‘Bones’ retired and Aspinall was promoted to the undisputed champion.

Curtis Calhoun - September 22, 2025

Dan Hardy believes a potential fight between PFL superstar Dakota Ditcheva and UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko would have a decisive victor. 2024 PFL flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva is arguably the face of the league after a torrid start to her MMA career. Following Kayla Harrison’s PFL departure last year, Ditcheva has become one of the league’s biggest stars and is one of the most talked-about athletes in women’s MMA.

Curtis Calhoun - September 22, 2025

A top featherweight contender is willing to fight Charles Oliveira in the upcoming UFC Rio main event for his lightweight debut. Former UFC champion Charles Oliveira opted for a relatively fast turnaround at UFC Rio after a brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. Despite public protests from Daniel Cormier and others worried about Oliveira’s health, Oliveira refused to turn down the opportunity to headline in his home country.

BJPENN.COM Staff - September 21, 2025

Marat Grigorian refused to match his opponent’s energy during their heated verbal exchange last week. The Armenian veteran plans to let his fists deliver the real message when they finally meet inside the Circle. Grigorian faces Rukiya Anpo in a featherweight kickboxing clash at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 34-year-old former title challenger enters this pivotal matchup against the promotional newcomer who attacked his professionalism during their press conference confrontation.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

Ronda Rousey likely won’t be returning to pro MMA competition, but she’s renewing her love for the sport. Rousey became a pioneer for women’s MMA thanks to her dominance as the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, as well as her popularity. “Rowdy” was one of combat sports’ most talked about figures during her prime. At the end of her run, Rousey grew bitter towards the sport that helped put her on the map due to mental exhaustion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

Kayla Harrison isn’t as harsh on one of her past rivals as she once was. Harrison shared the Octagon with Julianna Pena for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship back in June. Harrison scored the second-round submission finish to capture UFC gold for the first time in her career. There was a war of words between the two going into fight night, as Pena even accused Harrison of juicing.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

Charles Oliveira isn’t happy with fighters who claim they want to step up on short notice, but don’t end up signing the contract. Oliveira was scheduled to meet Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio on Oct. 11. Fiziev is off the card due to an injury, and the search for a replacement opponent is underway. Several fighters have thrown their name in the hat to serve as a potential replacement opponent, but Oliveira claims no one actually wants to fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

Mario Bautista isn’t sold on Umar Nurmagomedov having a good time during his training camp ahead of UFC 321. Bautista and Nurmagomedov are scheduled to collide in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25. The pivotal bantamweight scrap will be featured on the same card headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship fight between titleholder Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. Bautista hopes to be closer than ever to a shot at the 135-pound gold, and a win over Nurmagomedov would certainly shake things up.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

Israel Adesanya won’t be hanging up his gloves imminently. Adesanya has earned his share of accomplishments throughout his fighting career. The former Glory Kickboxing star made a seamless transition to MMA, and he captured the UFC Middleweight Championship twice. While Adesanya enjoyed his time ruling the roost at 185 pounds, he now finds himself in unfamiliar territory with three straight losses.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025

A longtime member of the UFC roster believes Justin Gaethje has earned the right to challenge Ilia Topuria. Topuria is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion. Fight fans have been waiting to see who will be “El Matador’s” first contender at 155 pounds after he starched Charles Oliveira in their late June clash.