MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.