MMA News
Sean Strickland explains why Raja Jackson shouldn't go to jail over wrestling incident
Cole Shelton - August 26, 2025
Sean Strickland doesn’t believe Raja Jackson should go to jail over his alleged assault during a wrestling event. Jackson, the son of Rampage Jackson, was involved in a wrestling incident that was streamed on Kick. Jackson entered the ring and slammed Skyo Stu to the mat and landed over 20 shots, which put Stu out. As Stu was knocked out, Jackson continued to land punches before being pulled off him.
PFL champion reacts to Joe Rogan's unexpected shoutout during UFC 319 broadcast
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 26, 2025
A current PFL champion received a pleasant surprise from Joe Rogan during the UFC 319 broadcast. It isn’t often that someone from PFL gets a mention on a UFC show, but that’s exactly what happened during the ESPN portion of the UFC 319 prelims. During a strawweight clash between Loopy Godinez and Jessica Andrade, Rogan mentioned Liz Carmouche’s 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament win.
Khamzat Chimaev might be unbeatable following UFC 319 sweep, says Sean O’Malley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 26, 2025
Sean O’Malley isn’t so sure that anyone can dethrone Khamzat Chimaev at this time. Chimaev is the newly minted UFC Middleweight Champion. He captured the 185-pound gold thanks to his dominant grappling display against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319. “Borz” earned scores of 50-44 across the board on his way to become a UFC champion for the first time in his career.
Khabib Nurmagomedov names big welterweight threats for Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - August 26, 2025
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has named the biggest welterweight threats facing Islam Makhachev in his new division. As we know, Islam Makhachev is set to make the move up to welterweight in the next few months. He’ll challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC title, and if he wins, he will join an exclusive group of fighters who have been able to win world titles in two different weight classes.
Paul Hughes believes he will break Usman Nurmagomedov in rematch
Harry Kettle - August 26, 2025
PFL star Paul Hughes believes that he will break Usman Nurmagomedov in their planned rematch later this year. Back at the start of the year, Paul Hughes challenged Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator/PFL lightweight championship. While many felt as if the Irishman would be able to put forward a solid effort, few could’ve imagined that he would push Usman all the way in the manner that he did.
Islam Makhachev gives his thoughts on the decline in American champions in UFC
Harry Kettle - August 26, 2025
UFC star Islam Makhachev has given his thoughts on the decline of American champions in the promotion in recent years. As we know, Islam Makhachev is the former UFC lightweight champion. Now, he’s pursuing a second world title up at welterweight, as he prepares to go head to head with Jack Della Maddalena for the strap.
Sean O'Malley admits trying to be too much like Conor McGregor in the past
Harry Kettle - August 26, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley has admitted that in the past, he’s tried too hard to be like former two-weight world champion Conor McGregor. As we know, Sean O’Malley is a pretty interesting case study when it comes to superstars in mixed martial arts. While it’s undeniable that he’s one of the most popular fighters in the sport, he’s never quite been able to reach the heights that many expected. Of course, there’s still time, but he has a lot of work to do after consecutive losses to Merab Dvalishvili.
2 exciting bouts announced for UFC Vancouver, including the return of Charles Jourdain
Dylan Bowker - August 25, 2025
Charles Jourdain and Kyle Prepolec are both embarking on their Octagon returns in the Fall, with the Canadian combatants getting a chance to compete on home soil. The two fighters have been announced for the looming UFC Vancouver card, with both positioned to receive a hero’s welcome from the partisan crowd on October 18th. Jourdain is set to test skills against Davey Grant, with Prepolec set to do battle against lightweight stalwart Drew Dober.
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Sean Brady "isn't happening", per manager
Dylan Bowker - August 25, 2025
Shavkat Rakhmonov and Sean Brady throwing down in the octagon in a few months was going around the rumor mill recently until a representative of the former came out to clarify some things. A report from Sportilinet.Kz intimated that this battle of ranked welterweights would happen in the final quarter of 2025. The report from the Kazakhstan-based media source intimated that Brady versus Rakhmonov was in the works for the looming UFC Qatar card.
Bryan Battle Booked for Jon Jones-Mike Perry Promotion After UFC Release
Dylan Bowker - August 25, 2025
Bryan Battle did not have to wait even two weeks to find out what his next combat sports assignment would be in the wake of being released from the UFC. After weight misses happening in back to back bookings under the UFC banner, Battle received his walking papers. This came after missing the mark at welterweight and in his most recent attempt, missing the contracted middleweight limit. The next time the combat sports world will see Battle compete will be next week as part of the Jon Jones and Mike Perry helmed promotion Dirty Boxing Championship. DBX will be holding another card on August 29th from The Hangar in Miami, Florida with the recently released octagon warrior prepared to step into the DBX ring as announced on the promotion’s official social media.
Rodtang is fair game but Johan Ghazali will not fight Nong-O
Dylan Bowker - August 25, 2025
Rodtang is a massive figure in Muay Thai and has served as a huge inspiration for a new wave of fighters to ply their trade in this sport. That includes Johan Ghazali who will clash with Zakaria El Jamari in a Muay Thai matchup at ONE Fight Night 35 on September 5th. Ghazali appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts and touched on how the ONE flyweight Muay Thai rankings are stacked with notable names like Nong-O, Rodtang, and Superlek as well.
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.
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.
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.
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.