MMA News
Ciryl Gane wasn't bothered by Jon Jones holding up UFC heavyweight division
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 23, 2025
Ciryl Gane wasn’t exactly up in arms during the drama involving Jon Jones’ UFC heavyweight title reign. Jones actually defeated Gane to capture the heavyweight gold back in 2023. “Bones” was scheduled to defend the championship later that year against Stipe Miocic, but he suffered an injury. Meanwhile, Tom Aspinall captured the interim title and called for a unification bout against Jones. Instead, UFC went through with Jones vs. Miocic in late 2024, which “Bones” won via TKO. After mulling things over for several more months, Jones decided to retire from pro MMA competition.
Boxing legend slams Dana White and TKO over Muhammad Ali Act change efforts
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 23, 2025
A boxing legend, who is a top promoter in the sport today, is taking Dana White and TKO to task. White has helped the UFC soar to new heights for over two decades and he was recently called upon to promote the super fight between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas. White was questioned about the efforts of TKO to amend the Muhammad Ali Act throughout the buildup. Many believe the attempt is being made in order for TKO to enter the boxing space on its own terms at the expense of fighters.
Merab Dvalishvili is ready to hit 100-takedown milestone against Cory Sandhagen
Harry Kettle - September 23, 2025
UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili believes he will hit the 100-takedown milestone against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. Right now, Merab Dvalishvili is easily one of the best fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He is the UFC bantamweight champion and if he beats Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, he will have successfully defended the strap for the third time.
Julianna Pena gives her thoughts on Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes
Harry Kettle - September 23, 2025
Former UFC champion Julianna Pena has given her thoughts on the upcoming Kayla Harrison vs Amanda Nunes fight. While she may not be everyone’s favorite fighter, there’s no denying that Julianna Pena has had a pretty great success story in mixed martial arts. She is a former two-time world champion, only losing the belt to the aforementioned Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes.
Reinier de Ridder expresses disappointment at losing Anthony Hernandez fight
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.
MMA analyst questions Alex Pereira's first fight strategy against Magomed Ankalaev
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.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 204 with Jimmy Crute and Colby Thicknesse
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).
Nabil Anane switches sports to face former champion in kickboxing debut at ONE Friday Fights 126
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 22, 2025
Nabil Anane refuses to take the easy path toward multi-division glory. The ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion seeks immediate validation against elite competition when he enters unfamiliar territory. Anane faces Ilias Ennahachi at ONE Friday Fights 126 on Friday, September 26, live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 21-year-old makes his kickboxing debut against the former flyweight ruler in a potential title eliminator.
Robert Whittaker "I'd love to fight [Sean] Strickland" at UFC Sydney
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],
Prajanchai seeks decisive finish to unify strawweight world titles against Jonathan Di Bella
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.
'Boxing is a joke'...Fight fans fume at Jake Paul/Gervonta Davis size difference in viral first faceoff
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.
Daniel Cormier blames teammate for controversial 'towel incident' ahead of one of his legendary title fights
Curtis Calhoun - September 22, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier shared never-before-shared details surrounding the most controversial moment of his legendary career. Ahead of one of his light heavyweight title defenses at UFC 210, Daniel Cormier was at the center of one of MMA’s biggest controversies at the official weigh-in. Cormier was set to rematch Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson in Buffalo amid Jon Jones’s suspension.
Top MMA analyst explains why Dakota Ditcheva would beat Valentina Shevchenko in potential showdown
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.
Surprising name surfaces to be Charles Oliveira's replacement opponent for UFC Rio main event
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.
Marat Grigorian prepares for explosive encounter against Rukiya Anpo at ONE 173: "I'm ready for war"
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.
Fabricio Andrey details ONE Championship debut: "I feel much more confident fighting here"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 21, 2025
Fabricio Andrey faces Eduardo Granzotto in a bantamweight submission grappling clash at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, live from Bangkok, Thailand. The 25-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion carries personal motivation into this rematch after losing to Granzotto at the IBJJF World Championships earlier this year. Andrey dominated Ashley Williams in his promotional debut at ONE Fight Night 30, securing a unanimous decision victory. But the spectacle surrounding his first appearance left him mesmerized by the organization’s production value and global reach.
UFC champion Kayla Harrison admits she was wrong about recent foe: 'She did what she had to do'
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.
Charles Oliveira scolds fighters who are turning down UFC Rio spot amid opponent's injury
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.