MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Aljamain Sterling vs Brian Ortega officially changed to catchweight fight
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2025
Tomorrow night’s Aljamain Sterling vs Brian Ortega fight will now take place at a catchweight of 153 pounds. This weekend, Aljamain Sterling and Brian Ortega will meet in what was set to be a crucial featherweight contest. Both men have got ambitions of going after another title shot, and both men are known for being pretty solid on the ground. It has the potential to be one of the most intriguing bouts of the year, and it’ll take place in the co-main event of UFC Shanghai.
Johan Ghazali unimpressed by Zakaria El Jamari's abilities ahead of ONE Fight Night 35
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 21, 2025
Johan “Jojo” Ghazali seeks to end his losing streak against an opponent he considers inferior. The teenage knockout artist faces Zakaria El Jamari determined to prove his recent setbacks were temporary obstacles rather than permanent problems. Ghazali meets El Jamari in flyweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 35: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger on Prime Video on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 18-year-old Malaysian-American enters seeking his first victory since consecutive defeats to Johan Estupinan and Diego Paez.
Jarred Brooks to settle rivalry with Mansur Malachiev at ONE Fight Night 36
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 21, 2025
Jarred Brooks gets his chance to silence a persistent critic when he faces Mansur Malachiev in flyweight action. The former strawweight champion moves up a weight class to settle their long-standing rivalry against the dangerous Dagestani contender. Brooks battles Malachiev in flyweight MMA action at ONE Fight Night 36 on Prime Video on Friday, October 3, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Both fighters seek to establish themselves in the 135-pound division.
Conor McGregor training to face winner of Mike Perry vs Jeremy Stephens, claims BFKC boss
Cole Shelton - August 21, 2025
Conor McGregor will apparently be making his BKFC debut soon, according to David Feldman. Feldman, the BKFC President, claims McGregor is back training so he can face the winner of Mike Perry vs Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 on October 4. McGregor was supposed to attend the press conference, but the Irishman wasn’t there as he’s back training.
Brian Ortega doesn't expect to get credit if he defeats Aljamain Sterling at UFC Shanghai
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 21, 2025
Brian Ortega isn’t convinced that he’ll get credit if he gets past Aljamain Sterling. Ortega and Sterling are scheduled to collide on Saturday. Their featherweight clash will serve as the co-main event of UFC Shanghai. Both men are coming off losses and could use a boost to stay relevant in the 145-pound title conversation.