MMA News
Henry Cejudo asks "how good is Raoni Barcelos?" after Payton Talbott loss, Talbott responds post-UFC 323
Dylan Bowker - December 8, 2025
Henry Cejudo made a playful reference to Raoni Barcelos, and Chael Sonnen by proxy, in the wake of Cejudo’s loss to Payton Talbott, and Talbott has since responded. The MMA reference point of “just how good is…” refers to a trope that Chael Sonnen established years ago, asking the ever-present question of “just how good is Kevin Lee?”, which became a common reference framework in mixed martial arts circles since. With the Olympic gold medalist retiring from mixed martial arts over the weekend, Henry Cejudo took to his personal X page to interject something a bit light-hearted in the fallout of losing his swan song bout, as Cejudo said,
ONE Fight Night 39: Bokang Masunyane drops back to strawweight for Japanese contender test
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 8, 2025
Bokang Masunyane faces Ryohei Kurosawa in strawweight MMA at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 24, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The #3-ranked contender spent his last appearance testing himself at flyweight. That experiment against Sanzhar Zakirov revealed improved ground skills but ended with a decision loss after three hard rounds. Now Masunyane drops back down where his blinding speed and explosive athleticism have always played best.
Petr Yan accomplishes an unprecedented feat with UFC 323 title win
Dylan Bowker - December 8, 2025
Petr Yan put together a masterclass performance to become a two-time UFC bantamweight champion, but he also put his name in the record books in a fashion that no fighter had done previously in the octagon. Yan avenged a prior loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 to unseat the dominant champion in a one-sided performance that shocked many due to the lack of competitiveness within it. When Yan fell short to Dvalishvili in their initial fight, it was the third loss in a row for the Russian combatant, with prior setbacks to Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. In a statistic provided by X account @MMAonPoint, it drew attention to the fact that no UFC fighter has ever gone on to regain their title after going on a three-fight losing streak since losing their hold on the gold.
What's next for the stars of UFC 323?
Cole Shelton - December 8, 2025
The UFC had its final pay-per-view card of the year on Saturday as the promotion was in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC 323. The main event saw Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title in a rematch against Petr Yan. The co-main event saw Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight strap against Joshua Van. In the end, it was Yan who pulled off the upset as he dominated Dvalishvili in all five rounds to cruise to a lopsided decision win to reclaim his bantamweight title. Van, meanwhile, became the new flyweight champ as Pantoja suffered an arm injury not even a minute into the fight.
VIDEO | Joanna Jedrzejczyk speaks after clip of Jamahal Hill threatening her at UFC 323 goes viral
Curtis Calhoun - December 8, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Joanna Jedrzejczyk issued a social media statement addressing her altercation with Jamahal Hill at UFC 323. UFC 323 was a night of great fights and great aura, but two fighters made headlines over the weekend for their actions outside of the Octagon.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach reacts to 'nightmare' loss to Petr Yan at UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 8, 2025
Coach John Wood issued his first public remarks about what went wrong for dethroned bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC bantamweight title reign came to an abrupt end via a loss to Petr Yan at UFC 323 last Saturday in Las Vegas. In a five-round instant classic, Dvalishvili lost to Yan by unanimous decision as the former titleholder reclaimed the bantamweight belt.
Brandon Moreno addresses questionable stoppage in first remarks since UFC 323 loss
Curtis Calhoun - December 8, 2025
Former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno broke his silence for the first time since his controversial defeat at UFC 323. One of UFC 323’s standout performances came courtesy of flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira, who defeated former titleholder Brandon Moreno by second-round TKO last Saturday in Las Vegas. After a wild grappling exchange, Taira got Moreno’s back and proceeded to throw down a flurry of ground-and-pound strikes to finish the fight.
Dana White excited for 'budding superstar's’ future after dominant win at UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 8, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has his eyes on one unranked bantamweight following his stellar performance in the cage at UFC 323. UFC 323 featured plenty of memorable moments before the main card started last Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. As the main card kicked off, the action delivered shocking finishes, controversy, and technical performances inside the Octagon.
Khamzat Chimaev won't stick around UFC middleweight division much longer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2025
Khamzat Chimaev doesn’t plan to make the UFC middleweight division his home permanently. Despite only capturing the UFC Middleweight Championship back in August, Chimaev is already talking about moving up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev hasn’t been shy about targeting reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira.
Tatsuro Taira reacts to Joshua Van's UFC 323 title win over Alexandre Pantoja
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2025
Tatsuro Taira may now be in prime position to challenge for the UFC Flyweight Championship. The new titleholder is Joshua Van, who defeated Alexandre Pantoja in 26 seconds at UFC 323. Pantoja suffered a bad shoulder injury and could not continue. Taira competed on that same night, scoring a second-round TKO finish over Brandon Moreno.
Payton Talbott expecting big fights after UFC 323 win over Henry Cejudo
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 8, 2025
Payton Talbott has reflected on defeating Henry Cejudo at UFC 323. Talbott and Cejudo clashed inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this past Saturday. This was the last fight of “Triple C’s” pro MMA career. Talbott was able to score a takedown on Cejudo and he demonstrated his superior standup. Ultimately, Talbott took home a unanimous decision victory.
Tatsuro Taira gives his thoughts on the stoppage in his win over Brandon Moreno
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2025
UFC flyweight contender Tatsuro Taira has given his thoughts on his UFC 323 stoppage victory over Brandon Moreno. Last weekend at UFC 323, Tatsuro Taira took his mixed martial arts career to a whole new level. He put on an excellent performance against Brandon Moreno on the main card, to the point where he was even able to secure a finish. Of course, there was a bit of controversy regarding this one, mainly because a lot of people felt like the stoppage was a bit early.
Alex Pereira reiterates desire for Jon Jones fight and pursuit of third world title
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2025
UFC champion Alex Pereira has made his intentions for a move to heavyweight clear once again in a recent interview. Alex Pereira, once again, is on top of the mixed martial arts world. Earlier this year, he was able to knock Magomed Ankalaev out and reclaim his UFC light heavyweight championship. While it was a great moment, it certainly seemed as if ‘Poatan’ was quick to switch his attention to the heavyweight division, and to a possible showdown with Jon Jones, likely at the UFC White House card next summer.
Merab Dvalishvili wants trilogy fight with Petr Yan after humbling UFC 323 defeat
Harry Kettle - December 8, 2025
UFC star Merab Dvalishvili has already made it clear that he is interested in a trilogy fight against rival Petr Yan. Last weekend at UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili lost his UFC bantamweight championship at the hands of Petr Yan. It was an incredible performance from the Russian sensation and ultimately, the judges saw it the same way, as he was able to reclaim the gold – something no fighter in UFC history has ever done after going on a three-fight losing streak.
Aliff Sor Dechapan proves he belongs at the top: "Prajanchai, I hope you're ready for me"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 7, 2025
Aliff Sor Dechapan outworked Ramadan Ondash across three rounds at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 6, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, to walk away with a win and shot at gold. Aliff won by unanimous decision and picked up a title shot against divisional king Praanchai PK Saenchai as announced by ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong immediately afterward. The 21-year-old systematically broke down the Lebanese phenom, handing Ondash his first promotional loss while proving he’s ready for championship-level competition.
Dana White slams Ronda Rousey vs. Katie Taylor report during UFC 323 presser
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025
Dana White has trashed a report claiming that Ronda Rousey and Katie Taylor are in talks for a boxing match. White had a busy night on Saturday with UFC 323 in Las Vegas, but he managed to get a question about the sweet science. It isn’t surprising, given White’s involvement with Zuffa Boxing. This time, White was asked about claims that Rousey vs. Taylor is being discussed for a possible clash in summer 2026.
Sean O'Malley in awe of Petr Yan's UFC 323 title win over Merab Dvalishvili
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025
Sean O’Malley reacted to Petr Yan’s stellar performance against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Yan challenged Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship this past Saturday in Las Vegas. It was a chance for Yan to not only reclaim the 135-pound gold, but to also get some revenge after being defeated by “The Machine” back in 2023. Mission accomplished for Yan, who earned the unanimous decision victory to close out his 2025.
Dana White praises Merab Dvalishvili with one-word message following UFC 323
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025
Dana White had some big praise for Merab Dvalishvili following UFC 323, and he only needed one word to get his point across. Dvalishvili attempted to set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses in a single year on Saturday. “The Machine” wasn’t able to achieve the feat, as he has finally met his match in Petr Yan. Dvalishvili actually had a unanimous decision win over Yan back in 2023, but their rematch played out far differently.