MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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],
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.
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.
Merab Dvalishvili shares surprising goal for Cory Sandhagen fight at UFC 320
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 17, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has a preferred method of victory for his UFC 320 fight against Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili and Sandhagen are scheduled to collide in the co-main event of UFC 320. The event will be headlined by a light heavyweight title rematch between champion Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. The action will be held inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
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.