MMA News
Adrian Lee explains increase in social media presence ahead of ONE Fight Night 35: "An MMA fighter who just happens to document his life"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 25, 2025
Adrian “The Phenom” Lee balances content creation with championship ambitions as he documents his rising career. The 19-year-old fighter uses social media to connect with fans while maintaining focus on his primary goal of MMA success. Lee faces Tye Ruotolo in lightweight MMA action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The undefeated Hawaii native enters riding three consecutive first-round finishes that earned $50,000 performance bonuses.
What's next for Johnny Walker and Zhang Mingyang after UFC Shanghai?
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2025
The UFC was in Shanghai, China, on Saturday for a solid UFC Shanghai Fight Night card. The main event saw light heavyweight contenders throw down as Johnny Walker took on Zhang Mingyang. Entering the fight, Walker was on a two-fight losing streak after back-to-back KO losses to Volkan Oezdemir and Magomed Ankalaev. Mingyang, meanwhile, was a perfect 3-0 in the UFC and was coming off a first-round stoppage win over Anthony Smith.
Paulo Costa turns attention to 'unpredictable' Dricus Du Plessis as his next opponent: 'A huge fight'
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2025
Paulo Costa has his eyes set on former middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis as his next opponent. Costa is coming off an upset win over Roman Kopylov to prove he’s still a contender at middleweight. Following the win, the Brazilian wanted to face Khamzat Chimaev, but he knows he will likely need another fight, so he wants to face Du Plessis instead of rematching the likes of Israel Adesanya or Sean Strickland.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Ilia Topuria doesn't have a chance against Arman Tsarukyan
Cole Shelton - August 25, 2025
Former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t think Ilia Topuria has much of a chance against Arman Tsarukyan. Topuria became the lightweight champ with a knockout win over Charles Oliveira back in June. He’s currently waiting to be booked for his first title defense, but all signs point to it being against either Paddy Pimblett or Arman Tsarukyan.
Legendary referee poses interesting question to Brian Ortega amid UFC Shanghai defeat
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 25, 2025
A renowned ex-referee has an important question for Brian Ortega. Ortega was in action this past Saturday in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai. It was a big spot for “T-City,” as he was facing a former UFC champion in Aljamain Sterling. It was also an opportunity for Ortega to rebound after losing his UFC 306 clash with Diego Lopes.
Dricus du Plessis posts lengthy statement following lopsided UFC 319 loss against Khamzat Chimaev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 25, 2025
Dricus du Plessis has spoken out after losing the UFC Middleweight Championship. Many were expecting an interesting affair between du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 in Chicago. Many questioned if Chimaev would have the gas tank to keep up with “Stillknocks” for five rounds. Ultimately, Chimaev kept du Plessis grounded throughout the fight to take a clear unanimous decision victory.
Natalie Salcedo guarantees entertainment in promotional debut: "Either they keep up with me or they break"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 24, 2025
Natalie Salcedo brings undefeated confidence into her ONE Championship debut against seasoned competition. The American newcomer faces Macarena Aragon determined to prove her perfect record translates against elite-level opposition. Salcedo battles Aragon in atomweight MMA action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 33-year-old Denver native enters with a spotless 3-0 professional record highlighted by two impressive finishes.
Tye Ruotolo reveals MMA debut strategy: "My plan is to get him out and finish the fight as soon as possible"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 24, 2025
Tye Ruotolo refuses to ease into mixed martial arts competition gradually. He targets an immediate statement victory against undefeated Adrian Lee in his highly anticipated MMA debut. Ruotolo faces Lee in lightweight MMA action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 22-year-old California native enters as the reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion.
Islam Makhachev unsure if he'll ever return to lightweight, remains interested in Ilia Topuria fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Former UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev isn’t so sure that a return to 155 pounds will be doable. Makhachev decided to vacate the lightweight gold in favor of challenging Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship. While the bout hasn’t been made official, most experts are expecting the matchup to take place before 2025 wraps up. Rumors have pointed to a November date in New York City, and it’ll be interesting to see if that ends up happening.
Luke Rockhold explains why he isn't interested in MMA return prior to boxing match against Darren Till
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Luke Rockhold isn’t thinking about a return to MMA competition, but could that change? Rockhold has had some ventures in combat sports post-UFC. He’s dabbled into the world of bare-knuckle boxing and Karate Combat with mixed success. Now, he will enter the boxing ring to take on a fellow ex-UFC star in Darren Till for Misfits Boxing 22.
Daniel Cormier laments one lucrative UFC fight he never got a chance to have
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Daniel Cormier has shared his thoughts on missing out on one major payout during his time as an active member of the UFC roster. Cormier had success in both the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. He captured championship gold in both weight classes. After knocking out Stipe Miocic in their first meeting, Cormier had a staredown with Lesnar that ended in a shove from “The Beast.”
Johnny Walker felt timing was off despite UFC Shanghai win: 'I was not very trusting'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Johnny Walker pulled off an upset win at UFC Shanghai, but he feels his performance could’ve been even better. Walker shared the Octagon with Zhang Mingyang this past Saturday. Mingyang was on a 12-fight winning streak entering his light heavyweight showdown with Walker. While many were expecting Mingyang to send the crowd home happy, the crafty Walker added another highlight reel finish to his resume.
Rampage Jackson issues statement amid shocking video of son beating down pro wrestler
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is aware of his son’s actions during a pro wrestling event, and he has responded to the disturbing footage. Raja Jackson was part of a Knokx Pro Wrestling show to confront independent wrestler Syko Stu. Raja slammed Stu to the mat, which appeared to knock the wrestler unconscious. While Stu looked to be unable to defend himself, Raja landed over 20 unanswered punches to the man’s head before he was pulled off by other wrestlers.
Jack Della Maddalena would've struggled against past UFC welterweights, says former champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 22, 2025
A former UFC Welterweight Champion is skeptical of Jack Della Maddalena finding success in his era. Maddalena is the reigning 170-pound titleholder. He captured the gold by defeating Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 via unanimous decision. Maddalena demonstrated effective takedown defense and standup to earn the welterweight gold.
Aaron Pico receives prudent advice from UFC Shanghai fighter following KO loss to Lerone Murphy
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 22, 2025
A main card UFC Shanghai fighter has some guidance for Aaron Pico. Pico entered his UFC debut with some buzz, but he was thrown to the wolves immediately. The former Bellator and PFL standout shared the Octagon with Lerone Murphy in the UFC 319 co-headliner. Pico ran into a spinning back elbow that shut his lights off. One criticism of Pico throughout his career has been over aggression, and it cost him once again.
UFC 319 referee Marc Goddard gets support amid debate involving Khamzat Chimaev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 22, 2025
Marc Goddard was the center of attention at times during the UFC 319 main event thanks to the commentary of Joe Rogan. Goddard officiated the middleweight title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. While du Plessis entered as the champion, Chimaev took the gold in a landslide decision victory. It was the relentless takedowns and nearly 22 minutes of control that won “Borz” the 185-pound title.
UFC lightweight provides big update on Ilia Topuria's potential return date
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2025
UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan has provided an update on Ilia Topuria’s potential return to the Octagon. As we know, there’s been a great deal of speculation over Ilia Topuria’s future for a while now. Some believe that he’s going to fight Justin Gaethje, others think it’s going to be Arman Tsarukyan, and some don’t really care who it is – they just want an active champion.
Sean O'Malley gives his thoughts on Merab Dvalishvili vs Cory Sandhagen
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on the upcoming Merab Dvalishvili vs Cory Sandhagen fight at UFC 320. As we know, Sean O’Malley is a pretty interesting character study in the bantamweight division. He’s the former champion at 135 pounds but after losing consecutive fights to current champ Merab Dvalishvili, many have been left to wonder what exactly could be next for him.