MMA News

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.

Harry Kettle - December 11, 2025

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has confirmed his interest in defending the belt against Kamaru Usman. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the current UFC welterweight champion. He earned that title courtesy of his dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena, and now, there are plenty of contenders waiting for their opportunity to try and take the belt away from him.

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.

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.

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.

Curtis Calhoun - December 10, 2025

Islam Makhachev came to his former rival Arman Tsarukyan’s defense after the recent announcement of the Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett fight. Arman Tsarukyan will have to wait a while longer for another shot at the UFC lightweight belt after UFC CEO Dana White’s recent remarks.

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.

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.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2025

A top UFC middleweight contender believes Dricus du Plessis is avoiding him. Back in August, du Plessis lost the 185-pound gold to Khamzat Chimaev in one-sided fashion. Chimaev was in control for nearly 22 minutes and du Plessis couldn’t get anything going. It was a total wipeout and many are wondering what “Stillknocks” will do next.

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.

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.

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,

Dylan Bowker - December 9, 2025

Paddy Pimblett foresees a finish transpiring in his Justin Gaethje fight and envisions that stoppage coming by way of strikes. Piblett and Gathej are set to do battle for the interim UFC lightweight title in their headlining bout at UFC 324 in January. During an interview with Red Corner MMA, with an excerpt of the chat posted to the X account @Home_of_Fight, as Pimblett said,

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - December 9, 2025

Henry Cejudo issued a lengthy statement following his retirement. Cejudo suffered a decision loss to Payton Talbott at UFC 323 on Saturday, which was his retirement fight. Although Cejudo lost his final fight, he was happy with how he went out.

Curtis Calhoun - December 9, 2025

Former UFC star Matt Brown believes Joshua Van is facing unfair criticism of his UFC 323 post-fight celebration. Joshua Van earned the UFC flyweight championship under unideal circumstances last weekend at UFC 323.