MMA News
Ilia Topuria strongly advised not to pursue boxing match with Terence Crawford
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2025
Ilia Topuria has been calling for a showdown with boxing great Terence Crawford, but one UFC fighter doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Topuria has certainly seen his stock soar thanks to stellar performances against Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. “El Matador” is a former UFC featherweight titleholder, who vacated the gold to eventually capture the lightweight championship. Many believe Topuria has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook, and his callout of “Bud” Crawford is an example of that.
UFC analyst defends The Fighting Nerds amid recent losing streak
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2025
It’s easy for fans to pile on when fighters are down on their luck, and one UFC analyst has seen enough. Carlos Prates, Caio Borralho, Jean Silva, and Mauricio Ruffy were all riding hot streaks and representing The Fighting Nerds while doing so. The fighters gained a ton of buzz for their exciting fighting styles and personalities. While fans were singing the praises of all four men, they quickly turned on the quartet after they all dropped their most recent outings.
Surprising name suggested for Conor McGregor's UFC White House opponent
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2025
If Conor McGregor gets his UFC White House wish, could he be sharing the Octagon with an unexpected foe? McGregor has made it clear that he wants in on the UFC’s planned card at the White House in 2026. The “Notorious” one hasn’t competed since 2021, but UFC CEO Dana White insists the Irishman is taking comeback plans seriously. White has said that McGregor is in the drug testing pool and has been training as if he intends to go through with a return to the Octagon.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach issues scary warning to his rivals
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili’s coach John Wood has issued a warning to his future opponents. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the reigning king of the bantamweights – and he’s well and truly earned that title. He’s already successfully defended the belt twice and in his next outing, he’ll put the strap on the line against top contender Cory Sandhagen.
Jon Jones’ pre-Gustafsson preparation involved heavy drinking session
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
Bogdan Guskov has told a wild story about Jon Jones’ preparation for his first fight against Alexander Gustafsson. One thing we know to be true is that Jon Jones is a bit of a wildcard – and that’s us putting it lightly. He has a tendency to do some crazy things from time to time, whether it be in or outside of the cage. Despite that, he’s still widely considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Magomed Ankalaev’s “easiest” fight ever revealed in forgotten tweet
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
In a resurfaced tweet, world champion Magomed Ankalaev looks back at what he considers to be the easiest fight of his UFC career. As we know, Magomed Ankalaev is the current UFC light heavyweight champion. In just a matter of weeks, he’ll attempt to successfully defend that crown when he goes head to head with Alex Pereira for the second time – the same man from whom he won the belt. In the eyes of many, he’s the favorite to win and walk away with the title around his waist.
Elbrus Osmanov predicts "easy fight" against former world title challenger
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 18, 2025
Elbrus Osmanov faces Saemapetch Fairtex in the main event of ONE Friday Fights 125 on September 19 in Bangkok, Thailand. The 24-year-old Dagestani warrior enters this bantamweight Muay Thai clash hunting his second consecutive victory and the life-changing $100,000 contract. Osmanov rebounded from career adversity in spectacular fashion. After suffering his first promotional loss to Yuki Yoza in May, “The Samurai” channeled that disappointment into fuel for improvement. He returned just two months later with a vicious first-round knockout of Kampeetewada Sitthikul at ONE Friday Fights 117.
Arman Tsarukyan "more likely to be Pimblett than Gaethje" for UFC title shot
Dylan Bowker - September 18, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan leans more toward Paddy Pimblett than Justin Gaethje as far as who will get the next shot at the UFC lightweight championship. After halting Charles Oliveira with strikes at UFC 317, newly minted UFC 155-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria is still awaiting his first title defense. While many do think Tsarukyan is potentially next up for the title, there is a chance that the promotion pursues other options outside of the number two-ranked contender. Justin Gaethje is the number five-ranked lightweight, has often come through for the promotion in tight spots, but he has also secured multiple prior title shots. While Pimblett is ranked number seven at lightweight, he has the longest-running narrative with Topuria as the two have had an outside of the octagon rivalry for years now.
Yuki Yoza promises revenge against Superlek at ONE 173: "I'm definitely going to win"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 18, 2025
Yuki Yoza is carrying his teammate’s burden into the biggest fight of his career. Yoza steps up where Takeru couldn’t finish the job. Yoza faces ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 in a bantamweight kickboxing clash at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 27-year-old Team Vasileus standout enters this career-defining moment carrying more than personal ambition.
Merab Dvalishvili explains why he's rooting for Mario Bautista against Umar Nurmagomedov
Cole Shelton - September 18, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is hoping Mario Bautista defeats Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321. Bautista is taking on Nurmagomedov in a No. 1 contender bout, as the winner should get a title shot. Although Nurmagomedov has a bigger name and following, Dvalishvili says he is actually rooting for Bautista as he wants a fresh matchup.
Dana White rips notion that UFC lacks big stars entering massive Paramount deal
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 18, 2025
Dana White is lashing out at those who claim the UFC has a problem building new stars. The UFC has made significant business moves over the years to take control of a substantial portion of the combat sports market. The promotion scored a $1.5 billion deal to have its fights air on ESPN, and has now secured an even larger deal with Paramount. The deal with Paramount will last for seven years and is worth $7.7 billion.
Joe Rogan wishes UFC could've worked things out with current PFL champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 18, 2025
Joe Rogan has lamented on the failed relationship between UFC and a popular PFL star. UFC CEO Dana White has had his share of grudges with fighters over the years. His most notable public spat with a fighter in recent memory was with Francis Ngannou. “The Predator” left the promotion as the UFC Heavyweight Champion. Ngannou and the UFC failed to come to terms on a new deal.
Tom Aspinall wants a quick turnaround after fighting at UFC 321
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall wants a quick turnaround after fighting Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. At UFC 321 next month, Tom Aspinall is set to square off with Ciryl Gane as he prepares to defend his UFC heavyweight championship for the first time. It’s been a long time coming for the Englishman who has been forced to sit and wait to see whether or not Jon Jones would accept the fight against him. He didn’t, meaning that Tom has now been promoted to the position of undisputed champion.
Michael Bisping agrees with Dana White's stance on Jon Jones' return
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2025
UFC commentator Michael Bisping agrees with Dana White regarding Jon Jones potentially not fighting at UFC White House. For a while now, Jon Jones has been talking about returning to competitive mixed martial arts – even though it hasn’t been that long since he actually retired. As you can imagine, this led to a lot of raised eyebrows and eye rolls from those within the sport.
Kayla Harrison doesn't expect much trash talk in build-up to Amanda Nunes fight
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2025
Kayla Harrison has said she doesn’t expect much trash talk in the build-up to her proposed superfight against Amanda Nunes. Ever since capturing the UFC women’s bantamweight championship, Kayla Harrison has been focused on a potential showdown with Amanda Nunes. As we know, Nunes is widely considered to be the greatest female fighter of all time, and she’s been eager to come back and try to reclaim her throne.
MMA analyst wants to see fresh opponents for Alexander Volkanovski
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2025
MMA analyst Michael Chiesa has given his thoughts on what the future should hold for Alexander Volkanovski. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is once again the UFC featherweight champion. He earned that crown with a hard-fought victory over Diego Lopes and now, many fans are wondering what exactly is going to be next for ‘The Great’. The leading opinion, based on recent events, is that he’ll square off with Lerone Murphy.
Anatoly Malykhin embraces Russian legacy: "Japan needs a second Fedor Emelianenko"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2025
Anatoly Malykhin views his Japan rematch as an opportunity to honor his childhood idol’s dominance. The Russian superstar believes capturing heavyweight gold in Japan will complete his transformation into the country’s next heavyweight legend. Malykhin faces “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane for the ONE Heavyweight MMA World Championship at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The 37-year-old seeks to reclaim the title he lost via split decision in his first career defeat last November.
Conor McGregor "Not in the right mindset to run for president", says Artem Lobov after ‘Notorious’ drops out of Irish race
Dylan Bowker - September 17, 2025
Conor McGregor has pulled out of the Irish presidential race, and his estranged former training partner, Artem Lobov has weighed in on that. Lobov prepares to return to competition after over four years on the sidelines, with his return adversary being someone with ties to Lobov’s friendlier days with McGregor. ‘The Russian Hammer’ will test skill with Zubaira Tukhugov in a long-awaited bout with ties to the days of Conor McGregor feuding with Khabib Nurmagomedov with each representing those factions, respectively. This bout will occur at PFL Champions Series 2 on October 3rd and taking part in a PFL media call where he touched on McGregor dropping out of the race for Irish president, Lobov said [via MMA Fighting],