MMA News
Shadow Singha Mawynn predicts explosive finish: "Someone is getting a knockout in this fight"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 2, 2025
Shadow Singha Mawynn expects fireworks when he faces Bampara Kouyate in their potential ONE World Title eliminator. The Thai striker believes his elbow work and finishing ability will prove decisive against the tall French-Malian contender. Shadow faces Kouyate in featherweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 35 on Friday, September 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The #3-ranked contender seeks his first title shot while the #2-ranked challenger aims to secure his own championship opportunity.
Demetrious Johnson details how he would gameplan Merab Dvalishvili hypothetical fight
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2025
Cory Sandhagen might take a page out of Demetrious Johnson’s playbook as he prepares to fight Merab Dvalishvili. UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili makes a strong case for the toughest puzzle to solve in Mixed Martial Arts today. As evidenced in recent wins over Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili has a complete game with a gas tank seldom seen inside the Octagon.
Kaue Fernandes faces Cage Warriors champ in short notice UFC Paris bout
Dylan Bowker - September 2, 2025
An enticing lightweight matchup fell out from UFC Paris when Fares Ziam had to withdraw, but Kaue Fernandes has received a compelling replacement opponent for this weekend. Ziam withdrew from the bout after receiving the news that his grandmother had passed away, with subsequent reports indicating that the Cage Warriors featherweight champion would be called up to fill that bout vacancy for Saturday. The CW 145-pound titleholder Harry Hardwick will be moving up to 155 pounds for this Fernandes fight on September 6th, and Hardwick has not tasted defeat across his last nine contests. In a post that was put up on his Instagram story regarding this late replacement scenario, Hardwick said [via Bloody Elbow],
Colby Covington shares prediction for Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev at UFC 322
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2025
Former UFC interim welterweight champion Colby Covington is very interested to see how the welterweight title fight plays out. Jack Della Maddalena is looking to defend his welterweight title for the first time when he takes on Islam Makhachev. The former lightweight champ is moving up to welterweight in a highly anticipated bout. Heading into the bout, Della Maddalena is a +196 underdog while the challenger is a -260 favorite on FanDuel.
Robert Whittaker admits reclaiming gold is a "pipe dream", defines "biggest goal right now"
Dylan Bowker - September 2, 2025
A former UFC middleweight champion seems unsure about his path back to gold after his recent setback at UFC Abu Dhabi, but does still have competition-based motivations going forward. Robert Whittaker was the former champion in question, with the previous 185-pound titleholder expressing this thought during a recent interview with Submission Radio. The 34-year-old recently dropped a close split decision to former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder in July. At a time when the middleweight hierarchy is stacked like it hasn’t been in years, with looming high-stakes title eliminator-style bouts set up with RDR clashing with Anthony Hernandez at UFC Vancouver, as well as this weekend’s UFC Paris headliner with Nassourdine Imavov against Caio Borralho, it can become difficult to stand out as a prospective title challenger.
Alexander Volkanovski fakes a neck injury in brutal prank on lifelong fan
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2025
UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski showed no mercy on one of his most devoted fans. Alexander Volkanovski returned to the UFC featherweight throne when he defeated Diego Lopes for the vacant belt earlier this year. As he prepares for the first title defense of his second reign, he’s having a lot of fun in and out of the gym.
Modestas Bukauskas was surprised to face Paul Craig at UFC Paris but eager to prove he's a legit contender
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2025
Modestas Bukauskas is glad to be fighting close to home and making another quick turnaround. Bukauskas is coming off a split decision win over Ion Cutelaba back at UFC 315 in May. Shortly after the win, he was booked to face Paul Craig at UFC Paris, which caught him by surprise.
Jon Jones breaks silence after misdemeanor charges dropped that 'disrupted' UFC retirement
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2025
Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones scored a big legal victory on Tuesday stemming from a February hit-and-run incident. Jones, who announced his fighting retirement in June, was accused of fleeing the scene of a car accident near his home in Albuquerque. He was set to appear in court on Tuesday, before misdemeanor charges stemming from the incident were dropped.
Colby Covington leaves influencer puking in $30k sparring challenge
Curtis Calhoun - September 2, 2025
Colby Covington taught influencer Chrogman a brutal lesson during their $30k spar at the UFC Performance Institute. Former UFC title challenger Colby Covington remains one of the most polarizing figures in combat sports today. While opinions vary on Covington’s persona in and out of the cage, few can deny his willingness to show up in a fight setting.
Raul Rosas Jr. details injury that pulled him from Noche UFC, shares lofty goal
Cole Shelton - September 2, 2025
Raul Rosas Jr. has opened up on why he had to pull out of Noche UFC. Rosas Jr. was supposed to take on the UFC’s ninth-ranked bantamweight in Rob Font on September 13 in a big fight at 135lbs. However, just days after the fight was announced, Rosas Jr. had to pull out as he revealed he had a rib injury.
Former UFC champion Jon Jones 'fully vindicated' after misdemeanor charges are dropped
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 2, 2025
Jon Jones’ recent run-in with the law is a thing of the past. After being accused of fleeing the scene of an incident in Albuquerque, misdemeanor charges against the polarizing UFC legend have been dropped. Jones was set to appear in court for a bench trial on Tuesday, but a Nolle Prosequi was filed by the state of New Mexico this past Friday.
Dricus du Plessis' biggest mistake against Khamzat Chimaev revealed by rising UFC contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 2, 2025
Dricus du Plessis couldn’t get much going against Khamzat Chimaev, and one surging contender thinks he knows why. Entering UFC 319, du Plessis was looking for his third successful UFC Middleweight Championship defense. It was apparent early on that Chimaev’s takedowns and control would be the story of the night. “Borz” had a methodical game plan that allowed him to preserve energy all the way until the final horn.
Tom Aspinall's father leaves door open for possible boxing match
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2025
Tom Aspinall’s father believes his son could go down the route of trying to secure a big boxing match in the future. As we know, Tom Aspinall is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. He has been an absolute force of nature since arriving on the mixed martial arts scene, and in his next outing, he’ll attempt to successfully defend the belt against Ciryl Gane. Beyond that, though, if he wins, it’s not clear as to how many other clear contenders there are in the division.
Ilia Topuria may opt to wrestle Justin Gaethje, says Ali Abdelaziz
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2025
Ali Abdelaziz believes that Ilia Topuria may decide to wrestle Justin Gaethje if they were to fight one another. Right now, Ilia Topuria is the biggest star in the world of mixed martial arts – and that doesn’t feel like a very controversial thing to say. He has done some incredible things throughout the course of his time in the sport and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like he’s on his way to becoming something special.
MMA legend Miesha Tate provides update on UFC career
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2025
Mixed martial arts legend Miesha Tate has provided an update on her future with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Miesha Tate is an icon when it comes to women’s mixed martial arts. She has achieved some incredible things throughout the course of her MMA career, which includes becoming a UFC champion. However, since beginning her second run with the UFC, she’s been fairly inconsistent when it comes to results inside the Octagon.
Din Thomas still isn't sure about Khamzat Chimaev as UFC champion
Harry Kettle - September 2, 2025
MMA analyst Din Thomas has doubled down on his thoughts regarding Khamzat Chimaev being an active UFC champion. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is the UFC middleweight champion. He earned that title by defeating and dominating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in impressive fashion. Now, though, the focus shifts to the future, with many wondering who ‘Borz’ will face off against next.
Marie McManamon receives chance at redemption against Selina Flores at ONE Fight Night 36
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 2, 2025
Marie McManamon seeks to erase the memory of her promotional debut disappointment. The English-Irish striker faces dangerous newcomer Selina Flores in her most important career crossroads. McManamon faces WBC Muay Thai World Champion Flores in atomweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 36 on Friday, October 3, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The London-based fighter enters seeking her first ONE Championship victory after suffering a setback in her debut appearance.
Ibragim Dauev vows to control pace against Akbar Abdullaev: "Not going to play by his rules"
BJPENN.COM Staff - September 1, 2025
Ibragim Dauev enters his biggest career test with unwavering confidence in his game plan. The undefeated Russian believes his approach will neutralize Abdullaev’s perfect finishing record and elite ranking. Dauev faces #1-ranked featherweight MMA contender Akbar Abdullaev at ONE Fight Night 35 on Friday, September 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 24-year-old seeks to extend his perfect promotional record while claiming the division’s top ranking.