MMA News
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.
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.
BKFC Fighter only worried about "Ben Rothwell and [Leonardo] Perdomo" in $25 Million Dollar Tournament
Dylan Bowker - August 21, 2025
A bare knuckle fighter who initially entered BKFC as a heavyweight before moving to cruiserweight has his eyes on the $25 million dollar tournament and is only concerned with two possible combatants in that potential field. Esteban Rodriguez stopped Julio Perez Rodriguez with a blink and you missed it, three-second KO on July 12th in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship’s squared circle. Rodriguez appeared on Bare Knuckle Bowker and when giving his thoughts on the BKFC 78 main event that saw Leonardo Perdomo finish Arnold Adams on the twelfth of July, Rodriguez said,
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.
Dricus du Plessis was satisfied with surviving in UFC 319 title loss, says former champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 21, 2025
An ex-UFC titleholder believes Dricus du Plessis was content with simply surviving against Khamzat Chimaev. Many were excited going into the UFC 319 main event between du Plessis and Chimaev. “DDP” was the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion entering the United Center in Chicago. While it was a highly anticipated fight, the result was a one-sided grappling affair in favor of “Borz.”
Anthony Hernandez explains why he took Reinier de Ridder fight at UFC Vancouver
Harry Kettle - August 21, 2025
Anthony Hernandez has explained why he decided to take the fight against Reinier de Ridder at UFC Vancouver. Anthony Hernandez is on a roll right now and after dominating and submitting Roman Dolidze, many felt as if he was on the verge of a UFC middleweight championship opportunity. As it turns out, he’ll have to go through one more guy in order to earn that shot – and that guy is Reinier de Ridder.
Jasmine Jasudavicius wants title shot if she beats Manon Fiorot at UFC Vancouver
Harry Kettle - August 21, 2025
Jasmine Jasudavicius believes she can earn a title shot if she defeats Manon Fiorot at UFC Vancouver. At the age of 36, Jasmine Jasudavicius knows that the time is now if she wants to push for a UFC flyweight title opportunity. She’s currently riding a five-fight win streak and earlier this week, it was announced that she will battle former title contender Manon Fiorot in an absolutely huge fight at UFC Vancouver.