MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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],
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.
Report: UFC and Netflix were close to agreeing to broadcast deal before last-second speed bump
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2025
The UFC’s broadcasting rights were reportedly close to going to Netflix before a last-second snag in negotiations between the two sides. The UFC is less than four months away from kicking off its newly signed broadcast partnership with Paramount and CBS. The promotion’s first event on its new broadcasting platform will take place in January.
Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis fight moved to Florida after Georgia commission labels bout 'dumbest thing I've ever heard'
Curtis Calhoun - September 17, 2025
Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis will no longer take place in Georgia due to strong opposition from the state’s athletic commission to sanction the fight. Jake Paul and longtime boxing champion Gervonta Davis are scheduled to square off on November 14th at a location that was to be announced. As of this writing, it’s uncertain if the fight will be a professional bout or an exhibition, due to the significant weight difference between the two boxers.
Terence Crawford vs. Ilia Topuria isn't far-fetched, says UFC Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2025
Terence Crawford vs. Ilia Topuria doesn’t seem like a matchup UFC CEO Dana White would want to book, or is it? Crawford dazzled boxing fans with his stellar performance against Canelo Alvarez this past Saturday. While the undisputed super middleweight title fight wasn’t necessarily a wipeout, it was clear that “Bud” got the better of a fellow legend in Alvarez. Crawford further cemented his legacy with a unanimous decision victory, improving his perfect pro boxing record to 42-0.
One Conor McGregor opponent who got away insists UFC White House fight is possible
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2025
Will Conor McGregor finally meet a fighter he never got a chance to share the Octagon with? McGregor has been adamant about wanting to secure a spot on the UFC’s planned card at the White House. While many wondered if the “Notorious” one’s push for office in Ireland would hinder that plan, McGregor recently announced he’s no longer in the running. He is now free to focus on his training if that’s what he wishes to do.
Nadaka promises to showcase refined skill set at ONE 173: "Determination to update my best self"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 17, 2025
Nadaka seeks to establish his distinctive identity on martial arts’ biggest stage. The Japanese superstar believes capturing the inaugural ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title requires showcasing techniques that separate him from traditional Thai competitors. Nadaka faces Numsurin Chor Ketwina for the belt at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 24-year-old 10-time world champion aims to become the division’s first titleholder while inspiring his home crowd with exceptional striking.
Kayla Harrison still expects Amanda Nunes superfight to happen next
Harry Kettle - September 17, 2025
UFC champion Kayla Harrison still expects her superfight with Amanda Nunes to happen – but she won’t wait around forever. As we know, Kayla Harrison is the current UFC women’s bantamweight champion after she was able to knock off Julianna Pena in their title fight. Now, however, she has her sights on an even bigger goal, which is to defeat the greatest of all time Amanda Nunes.