MMA News
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.
Raja Jackson is arrested following pro wrestling assault
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
Rampage Jackson’s son Raja Jackson has been arrested following his pro wrestling assault incident recently. As we know, Raja Jackson was involved in a serious incident at a pro wrestling event where he attacked a performer in the ring. While it seemed as if the two were working an angle, it quickly became obvious that the situation had escalated quite severely. The victim, Syko Stu, was knocked out cold, with the whole thing being streamed live.
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.
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.
UFC Perth co-main event falls out from card
Dylan Bowker - September 18, 2025
The initially scheduled penultimate fight of the night at UFC Perth has now been scrapped from the event. Ibo Aslan and Junior Tafa will no longer be throwing down in a light heavyweight contest on September 27th, as announced by the promotion. An emergent injury caused the bout to fall out, although the Ultimate Fighting Championship did not specify which of the combatants fell to said injury.
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.
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.
Mario Bautista predicts title shot if he defeats Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 18, 2025
Mario Bautista believes a win over Umar Nurmagomedov would take him to the promised land. Bautista and Nurmagomedov will share the Octagon in a pivotal bantamweight clash at UFC 321 on Oct. 25. Earlier that month, Merab Dvalishvili will put the UFC Bantamweight Championship at stake against Cory Sandhagen. Bautista vs. Nurmagomedov is a significant chance for either man to earn a crack at 135-pound gold.
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.
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.
Masaaki Noiri challenges Rukiya Anpo: "If you have something to say, then first, beat Grigorian"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2025
ONE Interim Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Masaaki Noiri isn’t entertaining rematch talks with Rukiya Anpo until both fighters handle business first. Noiri has more pressing concerns than revenge scenarios with promotional newcomers. Noiri faces Superbon to unify the ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Championship at ONE 173 on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 32-year-old interim titleholder carries unfinished business with newly-signed rival Anpo.
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.
Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues booked on UFC 322
Dylan Bowker - September 17, 2025
Roman Kopylov and Gregory Rodrigues will throw down in an intriguing middleweight matchup that has been set for UFC 322. On November 15th, inside the World’s Most Famous Arena, the two combatants look to advance their placement within the promotion’s 185-pound hierarchy. While he is looking to rebound from a UFC 318 loss to Paulo Costa, Kopylov still finds himself in the rankings as he is the number fifteen-ranked middleweight contender. The former Fight Nights Global middleweight champion is 2-2 in his last four, with a loss to Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez bookending consecutive wins before his recent Costa setback. Kopylov secured victories during that stretch over Cesar Almeida as well as Chris Curtis.
VIDEO | Alessandro Costa sliced his toe open after getting it stuck in the Octagon at Noche UFC
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2025
UFC flyweight Alessandro Costa suffered more than a loss in his fight at Noche UFC last Saturday. Flyweights Alessandro Costa and Alden Coria treated fight fans to one of the best bouts of the night at Noche UFC last Saturday in San Antonio. It was a back-and-forth battle for as long as the fight lasted, before Coria finished Costa with punches just 47 seconds into Round 3.