MMA News
UFC 325's Alexander Volkanovski reveals when he knew Movsar Evloev wasn't getting title shot
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski knew he wouldn’t be defending his UFC gold against Movsar Evloev next. Volkanovski will be putting his featherweight title at stake against Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325 on Jan. 31. The matchmaking is not popular among fans, as Volkanovski and Lopes already fought back in April and it wasn’t exactly a nail biter.
UFC boss Dana White was thrilled when PFL signed Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White wasn’t exactly shedding tears when Francis Ngannou signed with PFL. White’s beef with Ngannou was initially puzzling to those within the MMA world. “The Predator” scored a big deal with PFL along with two lucrative boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Some felt White was showing a bit of sour grapes before the UFC boss claimed that Ngannou tried to intimidate him and UFC exec Hunter Campbell behind the scenes.
Joe Rogan assesses Khamzat Chimaev's possible UFC move to light heavyweight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2025
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has some thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev possibly moving up in weight. Chimaev won the UFC Middleweight Championship back in August. Despite not having a title defense, “Borz” has already discussed possibly moving up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev’s first title defense hasn’t even been booked yet, but many feel Nassourdine Imavov is the likely No. 1 contender.
Brandon Royval reveals game plan for UFC Vegas 112 main event against Manel Kape
Harry Kettle - December 11, 2025
UFC flyweight Brandon Royval has spoken about what he plans to do to Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112. As we know, Brandon Royval is one of the most respected flyweights currently residing in the top 15. He has fought some of the very best at 125 pounds, and while he hasn’t been able to get his hands on the gold up to this point, you just know that you’re going to be in for a treat whenever you see him compete.
ONE Friday Fights 137: Why Liu Mengyang could be Tawanchai PK Saenchai's toughest test
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 10, 2025
Liu Mengyang faces ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai in featherweight kickboxing action at ONE Friday Fights 137 on Thursday, December 19, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 22-year-old Chinese striker has won two of three promotional appearances against elite competition. His upset victories over Masaaki Noiri and Shadow Singha Mawynn revealed tools that make him dangerous against anyone standing across from him. Now he faces the biggest test of his career in non-title action.
Lucas Gabriel finally meets Dagestani destroyer after injury postponement
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 10, 2025
Lucas Gabriel faces Magomed Akaev in lightweight MMA at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 24, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The matchup was originally scheduled for ONE Fight Night 38 last weekend before Akaev withdrew due to injury. Now fully healed, the Dagestani powerhouse gets his chance against an undefeated Brazilian who’s carved through three consecutive opponents since earning his main roster contract.
Francis Ngannou responds to Dana White claims about a physical altercation: "We shouldn't have gone this way"
Dylan Bowker - December 10, 2025
Francis Ngannou has since offered up his response to Dana White after the latter made inflammatory claims about the former, which centered on the heavyweight fighter reportedly getting physical with the UFC CEO. Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, Ngannou responded to a multitude of related questions Helwani had for the standout combat sports athlete regarding those aforementioned recent comments that White made. Helwani referenced the story that White told on the Flagrant podcast, hosted by comedian Andrew Schulz, where White purported that Ngannou grabbed his collar to get a point across regarding a post-fight bonus and a requested jet. The lineal MMA heavyweight champion was not surprised that the UFC figurehead was talking about him putting his hands on him, as well as UFC CBO Hunter Campbell.
Merab Dvalishvili goes on social media rampage against Petr Yan just days after UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 10, 2025
It didn’t take long for tensions to ramp back up between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan after their rematch at UFC 323. Petr Yan got his revenge against Merab Dvalishvili last weekend in the UFC 323 main event. More than two years after Dvalishvili put on a history-making performance in their first fight, Yan outpointed Dvalishvili by unanimous decision, showcasing a ‘master class’ in the eyes of analyst Joe Rogan.
Paddy Pimblett lays out his ideal plan to become champ-champ after UFC 324
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2025
Paddy Pimblett has his eyes set on becoming a two-division UFC champion. Pimblett is set to headline UFC 324 on January 24 against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. The winner of the fight is expected to face Ilia Topuria for the undisputed lightweight title later in 2026.
Mario Bautista set to headline UFC Vegas 113 against dangerous knockout artist
Curtis Calhoun - December 10, 2025
UFC bantamweight contender Mario Bautista will reportedly headline UFC Vegas 113 at the Apex opposite one of the division’s surging stars. Mario Bautista’s bid for a UFC bantamweight title shot came to a screeching halt as he lost to former title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321 earlier this year. After an eight-fight win streak entering UFC 321, Bautista fell to Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision.
Joe Rogan says UFC must put Jon Jones on White House card
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2025
Joe Rogan believes UFC needs to book Jon Jones for the White House card. Jones has made it clear that he plans to ditch retirement if he can fight at the historic event. “Bones” has even said he’d be willing to fight Alex Pereira below the main event. UFC CEO Dana White has been hesitant about booking Jones for the show given his legal history. There’s also the failed talks to get Jones to fight Tom Aspinall, which left the heavyweight division in a lurch.
Jack Della Maddalena called out by rising UFC welterweight contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2025
Jack Della Maddalena has a willing dance partner when he’s ready to step back inside the UFC Octagon. Maddalena recently lost the UFC Welterweight Championship to Islam Makhachev inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. “JDM” tried to create opportunities, but the elite grappling of Makhachev paved the way for a new 170-pound king.
Maycee Barber gives emotional response when asked about return from injury
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025
UFC star Maycee Barber has given her thoughts on the road back to the Octagon after her UFC 323 victory over Karine Silva. Last Saturday night at UFC 323, Maycee Barber made her big return to the cage after an extended period of time away due to some health problems. She was able to defeat Karine Silva and in doing so, she vaulted herself right back into contention in the women’s flyweight title picture.
Joshua Van should defend title before Alexandre Pantoja rematch, says Daniel Cormier
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Joshua Van should defend his title against Tatsuro Taira prior to Alexandre Pantoja returning. Last Saturday night at UFC 323, Joshua Van became the new UFC flyweight champion. However, it happened under unfortunate circumstances, as Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury that rendered him unable to continue less than a minute into the first round.
UFC legend offers Merab Dvalishvili some advice following UFC 323 defeat
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025
UFC legend Michael Bisping has given Merab Dvalishvili some advice following his defeat to Petr Yan at UFC 323. Last weekend at UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili fell short in his attempt to go 4-0 in 2025. In doing so, he also lost the UFC bantamweight championship, with the title being won from him by Petr Yan. Now, as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like Merab will be able to get a trilogy fight at some point next year.
Khamzat Chimaev is not keen on Nassourdine Imavov bout: "There will be a lot of drama between the Dagestan and Chechen people"
Dylan Bowker - December 9, 2025
While Khamzat Chimaev and Nassourdine Imavov both sit in the upper echelon of the UFC middleweight division, a clash between the two does not seem imminent if the former has his say in matters. This was imparted by the reigning UFC middleweight champion during a recent interview with ESPN MMA. An excerpt of the chat was posted by X account @RedCorner_MMA as Khamzat Chimaev addressed the number two contender in the weight category he helms over, with Chimaev saying,
Panpayak seeks fresh start in kickboxing: "I need to develop myself even more if I want to return to greatness"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 9, 2025
Panpayak Jitmuangnon meets Zhao Chongyang in flyweight kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 136 on Thursday, December 12, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 29-year-old Thai legend requested the switch after a first-round stoppage loss to Asadula Imangazaliev at ONE Friday Fights 122. The head-kick knockout ended a difficult stretch that saw him alternate between wins and losses across six promotional appearances.
Mongolia's president honors Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu after historic world title win: "Adding a new chapter"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 9, 2025
Mongolia President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh personally congratulated Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu following his stunning fourth-round submission victory over Fabricio Andrade at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 36-year-old entered as the #4-ranked bantamweight contender facing a dominant champion who’d never tasted defeat inside ONE Championship under MMA rules. But Baatarkhuu turned the impossible into reality. He scored a rear-naked choke at 1:33 of the fourth round that forced the Brazilian to tap.