MMA News
Johan Ghazali promises to show more than punching power: "I needed to switch my style"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 31, 2025
Johan Ghazali refuses to let recent setbacks derail his championship ambitions. The 18-year-old striker believes his tactical adjustments will pay dividends against experienced opposition. Ghazali faces Zakaria El Jamari in flyweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video on Friday, September 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The teenager seeks to end a two-fight losing streak that exposed flaws in his aggressive approach.
Akbar Abdullaev plans to use ONE Fight Night 35 as catalyst for Tang Kai rematch: "I don't have the belt, so I don't feel like a champion"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 31, 2025
Akbar Abdullaev carries the sting of missed opportunity into his next championship chase. The undefeated featherweight seeks redemption after his title dreams slipped away due to a critical scale failure against Tang Kai. Top-ranked Abdullaev faces Ibragim Dauev in featherweight MMA action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 27-year-old Kyrgyzstani enters seeking to rebuild his path toward another championship opportunity.
Former UFC star mulls possible Tony Ferguson rematch following Misfits Boxing 22
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
Could Tony Ferguson be meeting an old foe he first stared across from 10 years ago? Ferguson made headlines this past Saturday after picking up his first combat sports victory since 2019. After his UFC run came to an end, “El Cucuy” transitioned to the sweet science, taking on Salt Papi at Misfits Boxing 22. Ferguson scored a third-round TKO win over Salt Papi to become the MFB interim middleweight champion.
Frankie Edgar admits family members initially opposed BKFC debut
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
Frankie Edgar is coming out of combat sports retirement, but those close to him weren’t gung-ho about the idea at first. Most within the MMA community have said that Edgar has nothing left to prove. The former UFC Lightweight Champion has beaten the likes of the legendary BJ Penn, Charles Oliveira, Urijah Faber, and Yair Rodriguez to name a few. Edgar felt the need to take on a different challenge as he gets closer to the age of 44.
Sean O’Malley names famous personality who helped bolster his UFC career
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
Sean O’Malley is a popular fighter on the UFC roster, and one famous legend is credited with helping him break through. O’Malley shined on Dana White’s Contender Series and was given a UFC contract. While it was “Suga’s” performance that scored him a deal with the top MMA promotion, O’Malley found himself in the right place at the right time. Iconic rapper Snoop Dogg provided commentary for O’Malley’s appearance on the Contender Series, and he helped boost “Suga’s” stock.
Darren Till won't bother calling out Jake Paul following KO win at Misfits Boxing 22
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
Fresh off a sensational KO win at Misfits Boxing 22, Darren Till won’t be calling out Jake Paul. Till’s third pro boxing match couldn’t have gone any better. He shared the ring with fellow ex-UFC star Luke Rockhold this past Saturday in Manchester Arena. “The Gorilla” scored a third-round knockout victory over the former UFC Middleweight Champion. With the win, Till is now the inaugural MFB bridgerweight titleholder.
Merab Dvalishvili name drops worthy contender after UFC 320 title fight against Cory Sandhagen
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has an idea of who should get a bantamweight title shot after UFC 320. Dvalishvili is scheduled to put his gold at stake against Cory Sandhagen on Oct. 4. The bout will serve as the co-main event of UFC 320. “The Machine” has long called Sandhagen a worthy challenger, and the two even had a staredown inside the Octagon after Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley at UFC 316.
Ilia Topuria warned to avoid welterweight by Jack Della Maddalena's coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
The head coach of UFC Welterweight Champion, Jack Della Maddalena, doesn’t think it would be wise for Ilia Topuria to try his hand at 170 pounds. Topuria was the UFC Featherweight Champion before he moved up a weight class to fight for lightweight gold. “El Matador” ended up capturing the 155-pound title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 back in June. There are some worthy challengers in the lightweight division, but if Topuria clears him then talks will likely surface of a possible move to welterweight.
Misfits 22 Results: Darren Till KO's Luke Rockhold (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 30, 2025
We have you covered for all of today’s Misfits 22 results, including the bridgerweight main event between Luke Rockhold and Darren Till. Rockhold (16-6 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since scoring a third-round TKO victory over Joe Schilling under the Karate Combat banner in April of 2024. The former UFC middleweight champion is confident he will be able to play spoiler against his British opponent this afternoon in England.
Pros react after Tony Ferguson TKO's Salt Papi at Misfits 22
Chris Taylor - August 30, 2025
Today’s Misfits 22 event was co-headlined by a middleweight boxing match between Tony Ferguson and Salt Papi. Ferguson (25-11 MMA) had entered the contest with hopes of snapping an eight-fight losing skid. ‘El Cucuy’ was most previously seen in action at UFC Abu Dhabi in August of last year, where he suffered a first-round submission defeat at the hands of Michael Chiesa. That loss was of course preceded by setbacks to Paddy Pimblett, King Green, Michael Chandler and Nate Diaz respectively.
Misfits 22 Results: Tony Ferguson TKO's Salt Papi (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 30, 2025
We have you covered for all of today’s Misfits 22 results, including the middleweight boxing match between Tony Ferguson and Salt Papi. Ferguson (25-11 MMA) will enter the contest with hopes of snapping an eight-fight losing skid. ‘El Cucuy’ was most previously seen in action at UFC Abu Dhabi in August of last year, where he suffered a first-round submission defeat at the hands of Michael Chiesa. That loss was preceded by setbacks to Paddy Pimblett, King Green, Michael Chandler and Nate Diaz respectively.
Misfits 22 Results: Dillon Danis stops Warren Spencer in 15 seconds (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 30, 2025
We have you covered for all of today’s Misfits 22 results, including the MMA light heavyweight title bout between Dillon Danis and Warren Spencer. The contest will serve as the first-ever mixed martials arts bout on a Misfits fight card.
Bogdan Guskov set to fight ex-Pereira and Ankalaev foe, per manager
Dylan Bowker - August 29, 2025
Bogdan Guskov has been putting together an impressive winning streak at 205 pounds and is reportedly preparing for arguably his toughest challenge yet. Pet Guskov’s manager, his next opponent will be against a former UFC light heavyweight champion who has fought inside the octagon against the likes of Alex Pereira as well as Magomed Ankalaev. This series of events kicked off with a recent social media post from Jan Blachowicz, who posted an Instagram story signing a fight contract and using a sword to embed his signature. This tease of fight news coming soon for the pugilist with the Polish power had many buzzing, and Guskov’s manager also took to IG to confirm that the two combatants would be meeting next.
Aaron Pico shelved until 2026 following brutal UFC 319 KO loss, says manager
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2025
Don’t expect Aaron Pico to return to the Octagon in 2025. Pico made his UFC debut against Lerone Murphy inside the United Center in Chicago. The UFC 319 co-main event was a pivotal bout in the featherweight division. Pico was knocked out in spectacular fashion by a spinning back elbow in the opening frame.
Merab Dvalishvili shares grim outlook for Umar Nurmagomedov if there's ever a rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili thinks Umar Nurmagomedov would be in for a rude awakening if they meet again down the road. Dvalishvili is currently focused on his next UFC Bantamweight Championship defense. He’ll be putting his 135-pound gold at stake against Cory Sandhagen in the UFC 320 co-main event. The planned date for that showdown is Oct. 4 in Las Vegas.
Islam Makhachev has weaker chin than recent Jack Della Maddalena opponent, says coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 29, 2025
Islam Makhachev is an elite fighter, but can his chin withstand the striking of Jack Della Maddalena? Maddalena’s coach, Ben Vickers, doesn’t seem convinced. Makhachev vacated the UFC Lightweight Championship to challenge Maddalena for the welterweight gold at UFC 322 in New York City. The title fight is scheduled to take place on Nov. 15.
Modestas Bukauskas praises Tom Aspinall for recent UFC run of form
Harry Kettle - August 29, 2025
Modestas Bukauskas has praised Tom Aspinall for helping to turn his career around in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Next weekend, Modestas Bukauskas will make his return to the cage when he collides with Paul Craig. Ahead of fight night, though, it’s worth reflecting on the journey that Modestas has been on over the course of the last few years. Following a 1-3 run during his first stint in the UFC, which included a nasty leg injury, Modestas has proceeded to go 7-1, which has included a recent three-fight win streak.
Usman Nurmagomedov's manager calls Paul Hughes a "clown" ahead of rematch
Harry Kettle - August 29, 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has hit out at his upcoming opponent Paul Hughes. On October 3rd, Paul Hughes will once again get the chance at glory when he battles Usman Nurmagomedov. In their first contest, Usman just about managed to edge past the Irishman via decision to ensure he retained his PFL/Bellator title. Now, however, given how close the first showdown was, many believe that this is the challenger’s opportunity to finally rise up and claim the gold.