MMA News
Itsuki Hirata gets quick turnaround bout against Ritu Phogat at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 25, 2025
Ritu Phogat continues her journey back to title contention against dangerous opposition. The wrestling specialist faces Japanese judoka Itsuki Hirata in a grappling showcase that could determine future championship opportunities. Phogat battles Hirata in atomweight MMA action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The bout features two elite grapplers seeking to establish themselves among the division’s top contenders.
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.
Former UFC star Tony Ferguson sends fiery message to those who think he should retire
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 25, 2025
Tony Ferguson has a clear message for those who want him to stop fighting. Ferguson is 41 years old and lost eight fights in a row before his time with the UFC came to an end. “El Cucuy” also hasn’t secured a win since 2019. Still, Ferguson snaps at anyone who suggests he should step away from the fight game.
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.
Corey Anderson reveals surprising reason he never received UFC title shot
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Corey Anderson has made quite the claim on why he never got a chance to compete for UFC gold. Anderson had been a veteran under the UFC banner from 2014 through early 2020. Ultimately, Anderson was granted his UFC release and signed with Bellator MMA. Anderson ended up fighting his way to eventually become the Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. He is currently recognized as the PFL light heavyweight titleholder.
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.”
Aljamain Sterling explains what made UFC Shanghai win over Brian Ortega satisfying
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 24, 2025
Aljamain Sterling walked out of UFC Shanghai with a win over Brian Ortega, and he says one aspect of the fight makes the victory that much sweeter. Sterling entered his five-round matchup against Ortega on Saturday looking to remain relevant in the featherweight division. He hadn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Movsar Evloev in late 2024. “Funkmaster” was able to rebound by defeating “T-City.” It was a clean sweep for Sterling, who earned score totals of 50-45 across the board.
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.
Zhang Mingyang questions Alex Pereira's motivation ahead of Magomed Ankalaev rematch
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2025
UFC light heavyweight Zhang Mingyang has questioned Alex Pereira’s motivation ahead of his upcoming rematch at UFC 320. At UFC 320, Alex Pereira will attempt to reclaim the UFC light heavyweight championship. He’ll do so when he challenges Magomed Ankalaev for the belt, the same man who took the title from him. Some believe the rematch will go differently to the first fight, whereas others imagine a similar outcome playing out.
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.