MMA News
What went down at the ONE 173 press conference in Japan
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 11, 2025
Rukiya Anpo refuses to show respect for established kickboxing royalty. The three-time K-1 Champion believes his ONE Championship debut will mark the beginning of a new era in featherweight kickboxing. Anpo faces Marat Grigorian in featherweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, inside Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 29-year-old Japanese striker seeks to establish himself as the division’s premier threat in front of his home crowd against the Armenian knockout artist.
Winningest strawweight in UFC history returns at UFC 322
Dylan Bowker - September 11, 2025
The all-time leader for strawweight wins in the UFC will return to the octagon at Madison Square Garden. UFC 322 will see Angela Hill step back into the cage to take on an up-and-coming prospect in Fatima Kline, as first reported by MMA Junkie. On November 15th at the World’s Most Famous Arena, the former Invicta FC titleholder will look to further add to her records for overall appearances in UFC contracted bouts at 115 pounds, in addition to Hill’s all-time strawweight wins distinction. ‘Overkill’ has garnered 12 wins across 27 appearances, which represent both of the aforementioned all-time records at 115 pounds throughout the annals of the promotion’s existence.
Alex Pereira: "The story will be over" with Magomed Ankalaev post-UFC 320
Dylan Bowker - September 11, 2025
Alex Pereira does not necessarily see a rubber match down the line with Magomed Ankalaev once the dust settles on their rematch at UFC 320. ‘Poatan’ first fought Ankalaev earlier this year at UFC 313, with the Russian combatant wresting the light heavyweight title from Pereira by way of a unanimous decision in March. It’s a classic scenario in combat sports to have a tiebreaking trilogy bout, if Pereira were to regain the gold in their October 4th sequel clash, but in an interview with MMA Junkie, where a translator from Stake who translated the imparted message from Portuguese to English, Pereira said [via MMA Junkie],
Rodtang Jitmuangnon faces Nong-O Hama for vacant flyweight Muay Thai world title at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 11, 2025
Rodtang Jitmuangnon seeks redemption against living legend Nong-O Hama in a Thai super-fight for vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Title, while Christian Lee defends his ONE Lightweight MMA World Title against Alibeg Rasulov in their highly anticipated rematch in Japan. ONE Championship announced the blockbuster additions to ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on November 16 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The former flyweight champion faces the ex-bantamweight king in the most anticipated Muay Thai clash of the year between two Thai legends.
Kelvin Gastelum believes he's fighting for his job at Noche UFC
Cole Shelton - September 11, 2025
Kelvin Gastelum believes he could be on the chopping block ahead of Noche UFC. Gastelum is set to take on Dustin Stoltzfus on Saturday in a fight he believes has high stakes. Gastelum is coming off a decision loss to Joe Pyfer and is 3-7 in his last 10, so he believes he’s fighting for his job on Saturday night.
Eddie Hearn wants to 'take on' Dana White as UFC head prepares full-scale move into boxing
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2025
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn addressed UFC CEO Dana White’s recent comments about becoming the ‘CEO of Boxing’ ahead of Alvarez vs. Crawford. We’re days away from one of the biggest fights in boxing history as Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford prepare to square off in Las Vegas. The event is co-promoted by Riyadh Season and UFC CEO Dana White, who will launch his full-scale move into the sport this weekend.
Ilia Topuria responds to Terence Crawford's 'drunk' comments by sending a message to top boxing stars
Curtis Calhoun - September 11, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria responded to Terence Crawford’s latest remarks about a potential future crossover fight. Tensions are ramping up between UFC lightweight champ Ilia Topuria and boxing superstar Terence Crawford.
UFC 'sociopath' Sean Strickland was 'excited' to learn Charlie Kirk was killed
BJ Penn Staff - September 11, 2025
You had to know Sean Strickland would be one of the first UFC fighters to chime in on the murder of Charlie Kirk. Kirk, a controversial conservative pundit, was shot and killed in Utah on Wednesday, and graphic video of the incident quickly began to surface. The hunt for the killer is still underway as of Thursday afternoon, yet FBI have identified a person of interest.
Suriyanlek targets knockout at ONE Friday Fights 124 despite height disadvantage: "I'm confident in my fists"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 10, 2025
Suriyanlek Por Yenying believes his power advantage will overcome Decho Por Borirak’s physical dimensions. The veteran Thai striker seeks his 84th career victory against a dangerous opponent riding an eight-fight winning streak in Friday’s main event. Suriyanlek faces Decho in 132-pound Muay Thai action at ONE Friday Fights 124 on September 12 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 29-year-old hunts another spectacular finish to solidify his contract candidacy.
Maycee Barber set for UFC 323 return in first fight since stunning last-minute withdrawal
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2025
UFC women’s flyweight contender Maycee Barber will return to the Octagon just months after a significant health scare canceled her fight with Erin Blanchfield. Maycee Barber will return to the Octagon just months after her scheduled main event bout against Erin Blanchfield was canceled just minutes before she was supposed to walk to the cage.
Dominick Cruz goes on X-rated rant against referee Keith Peterson five years after controversial stoppage
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz still holds a major grudge against referee Keith Peterson. Dominick Cruz announced his retirement from MMA earlier this year after his planned final fight at UFC Seattle was scratched due to an injury suffered in camp. Despite the abrupt end to his fighting career, Cruz is a likely future UFC Hall of Famer and arguably the greatest bantamweight in the promotion’s history.
Terence Crawford issues hilarious response to UFC star Ilia Topuria's knockout threats
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2025
One of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world, Terence Crawford, was asked to respond to UFC star Ilia Topuria’s KO promise. Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez are just days away from squaring off in one of the biggest fights in boxing history this Saturday in Las Vegas. In a significant move up in weight, Crawford will challenge for Alvarez’s super middleweight titles in an attempt to add to his legacy.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's longtime coach shares 'stupid' detail from viral airplane incident
Curtis Calhoun - September 10, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov was removed from a Frontier Airlines flight earlier this year in a clip that went viral on social media. Khabib Nurmagomedov unintentionally made headlines earlier this year when the UFC Hall of Famer was famously removed from the exit row of a Frontier Airlines flight. Reactions from the likes of UFC CEO Dana White, former rival Dustin Poirier, and others scolded the company for its controversial actions.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has an 'asterisk' on legendary UFC career, says Joe Rogan
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2025
Joe Rogan believes that Khabib Nurmagomedov should’ve had one loss on his pro MMA record. There is no doubting the accomplishments Nurmagomedov made throughout his prizefighting career. He dominated the likes of Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. He also captured UFC gold along the way, and retired with an undefeated record of 29-0.
UFC commentator reveals approach to calling Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2025
Jon Anik doesn’t feel the change from calling UFC fights to boxing will be drastic. Anik has been the UFC’s play-by-play man for several years. He has called some of the biggest fights in MMA, but he’ll be in for quite the task when serving as a commentator for Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford on Saturday. It’s a big moment for Anik, as Alvarez vs. “Bud” is the biggest boxing match in recent memory.
Noche UFC headliner Jean Silva names middleweight contender who he can't stand
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 10, 2025
Jean Silva isn’t fond of one popular UFC middleweight. While Silva is focused on his upcoming featherweight tilt against Diego Lopes for Noche UFC, he hasn’t been shy in expressing his disdain for a 185-pounder. The name in question is Paulo Costa.
Bryce Mitchell challenges Ilia Topuria to a flat Earth debate in staggering rant
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2025
Bryce Mitchell has challenged former foe Ilia Topuria to a flat Earth debate in a staggering rant on social media. As we know, Bryce Mitchell and Ilia Topuria collided in the featherweight division a few years ago. On that night, Topuria largely dominated Bryce and ultimately secured a big finish over his rival. Ever since then, the two have seen their careers go in very different directions.
Dominick Cruz reveals gift he received from Dana White for short notice Demetrious Johnson fight
Harry Kettle - September 10, 2025
Dominick Cruz has revealed that he received a gift from Dana White in order to agree to a short notice fight against Demetrious Johnson. Back in 2011, Dominick Cruz was easily one of the best fighters in all of mixed martial arts. He was the king of the bantamweight division, and he hadn’t yet gone through a handful of his major injuries. In that year, he took on the rising star that was Demetrious Johnson in a short notice showdown for the belt.