MMA News
Daniel Cormier reacts to Dricus du Plessis' "disappointing" UFC 319 performance
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on Dricus du Plessis’ performance at UFC 319 last weekend. As we know, Dricus du Plessis wasn’t exactly at his best in the main event of UFC 319. In fact, he was dominated in his one-sided loss at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev. In losing, he also lost the UFC middleweight championship, and it seems unlikely that the promotion will give him an immediate rematch.
Francis Ngannou explains his absence from PFL Africa event
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2025
PFL champion Francis Ngannou has explained why he was absent from the recent PFL Africa event. As we know, PFL Africa was something that Francis Ngannou was pretty excited to be a part of. He’s been eager to help grow mixed martial arts in that part of the world and so, when he didn’t appear at the first few events under that banner, some eyebrows were raised.
Frankie Edgar set to come out of combat sports retirement
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2025
UFC legend Frankie Edgar is reportedly set to come out of retirement in order to compete for BKFC. As we know, Frankie Edgar is an absolute icon in the world of mixed martial arts. The former UFC champion was known for being one of the toughest, most exciting guys to watch on the roster, and that was true throughout most of his career with the promotion. When he retired a few years ago, though, many believed it was the right decision in the wake of five nasty KO/TKO losses in his last eight fights.
Khamzat Chimaev, Reinier De Ridder and Paulo Costa trade shots on social media
Harry Kettle - August 19, 2025
Khamzat Chimaev is a popular man in the wake of his UFC middleweight championship triumph at UFC 319 last weekend. As you can imagine, Khamzat Chimaev’s name has been on plenty of people’s lips since UFC 319. He finally reached the top of the mountain and claimed UFC gold on Saturday night, defeating Dricus du Plessis. He didn’t just win, though – he dominated the South African sensation and, for the most part, made it look easy.
"Couldn't imagine Maddalena stopping wrestling" of Islam Makhachev, says Former AKA Fighter
Dylan Bowker - August 18, 2025
Islam Makhachev is preparing for his chance to become a two-division champion in a looming matchup against welterweight titleholder Jack Della Maddalena, and a former AKA-based fighter has weighed in on this pursuit from AKA product, Makhachev. Andrew Sanchez has worked at some of the best MMA gyms in the world, including a prior history of working out of American Kickboxing Academy, which is where Islam Makachev fights out of. Sanchez appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts ahead of his fight with former PFL champion Impa Kasanganay on August 21st in the PFL smart cage.
Nabil Anane to test kickboxing skills against former ONE World Champion Ilias Ennahachi
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 18, 2025
Nabil Anane steps outside his comfort zone when he makes his kickboxing debut against a former ONE World Champion. The undisputed bantamweight Muay Thai king faces his biggest test yet as he chases two-sport glory against proven elite competition. Anane battles Ilias Ennahachi in bantamweight kickboxing action at ONE Friday Fights 126 on September 26 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 21-year-old Thai-Algerian champion attempts to prove his striking skills translate across disciplines against the former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion.
"Reug Reug" celebrates inclusion in Senegal's school curriculum: "What an honor it is for a sportsman to achieve in life"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 18, 2025
“Reug Reug” Oumar Kane reached heights few athletes ever achieve in their homeland. The ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion discovered that Senegal’s secondary schools now teach his story as part of their educational curriculum. Kane defends his belt against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old Senegalese fighter enters the rematch as the first African-born champion in ONE Championship history.
Reinier de Ridder explains why he's a 'big challenge' for Khamzat Chimaev
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2025
Reinier de Ridder is hopeful to get the next middleweight title shot. de Ridder was in attendance at UFC 319 for the middleweight title fight that saw Khamzat Chimaev become the new champ with a dominant performance against Dricus Du Plessis. Following his win, Chimaev said he wants to turn around quickly and fight in Abu Dhabi in October, which de Ridder is more than ready for.
Jon Jones 'optimistic' he will be part of White House event despite Dana White's comments
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2025
Former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Jon Jones believes he will be part of the White House card. After Jones announced his retirement, White revealed the plan to host a UFC event on the White House lawn for the 4th of July. Following the announcement, Jones ended his retirement in hopes of being on that card. However, White has shot that down, saying there isn’t a chance ‘Bones’ will be on the card as he can’t trust him.
Israel Adesanya reacts to Khamzat Chimaev's dominant win over Dricus Du Plessis: 'Not what I expected'
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2025
Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was surprised by how the UFC 319 main event played out. In the main event of the pay-per-view card on Saturday, Dricus Du Plessis was looking to defend his middleweight title for the third time when he took on Khamzat Chimaev. However, Chimaev dominated Du Plessis in all five rounds, as he got the champ down early and was able to control him and dominate him on the ground for a lopsided decision win.
Dana White assess Dricus du Plessis' performance in UFC 319 blowout loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 18, 2025
Dana White has some thoughts on Dricus du Plessis’ performance at UFC 319. “DDP” attempted to nab a third successful UFC middleweight title defense when he met Khamzat Chimaev this past Saturday. Instead, he was taken down and controlled throughout the five-round title fight in Chicago. Ultimately, du Plessis dropped a unanimous decision with scores of 50-44 across the board.
If you didn't like Khamzat Chimaev's performance at UFC 319, that's on you, says MMA legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 18, 2025
One MMA legend is baffled by the reaction to Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant UFC 319 showing. Chimaev controlled Dricus du Plessis for nearly 22 of the 25 minutes they shared the Octagon this past Saturday. It was a grappling clinic in favor of “Borz.” Chimaev searched for chokes, but he settled for ground control on his way to a unanimous decision victory and his first UFC title win, capturing the middleweight championship.
Dricus du Plessis' head coach opens up on Khamzat Chimaev loss at UFC 319
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2025
Dricus du Plessis’ head coach Morne Visser has opened up on his student’s defeat at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev last weekend. On Saturday night, Dricus du Plessis lost the UFC middleweight championship. He was dominated from start to finish at the hands of Khamzat Chimaev in the main event of UFC 319, and that’s us putting it lightly. DDP tried to overcome the wrestling of Khamzat, but in the end, it just wasn’t enough.
Khamzat Chimaev could move up to light heavyweight, says former UFC champion
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley believes that Khamzat Chimaev could make the move up to light heavyweight following his middleweight title triumph. Last Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev finally reached the top of the mountain. He defeated Dricus du Plessis via unanimous decision to win the UFC middleweight championship. He did so in the main event of UFC 319 and, in all honesty, he made it look pretty easy with a dominant display from start to finish.
Aaron Pico releases statement following KO defeat at UFC 319
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2025
UFC newcomer Aaron Pico has released a statement in the wake of his nasty knockout loss to Lerone Murphy. As we know, there was a great deal of hype surrounding Aaron Pico ahead of his debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship this past weekend. The overwhelming expectation was that if he could defeat Lerone Murphy, he would set himself up for a world title fight against Alexander Volkanovski. Alas, that isn’t quite how things panned out.
Curtis Blaydes confirms he will not compete in the UFC for the rest of 2025
Harry Kettle - August 18, 2025
UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes has said that he will not compete inside the Octagon for the remainder of the year. Curtis Blaydes is an interesting case study in the UFC’s heavyweight division. For many years now, he’s seemed like the kind of fighter who is capable of making a push to challenge for the world title. However, whenever he’s gotten even remotely close to doing so, he’s lost his next big fight. Alas, even with that being the case, many of his fans still hold out hope that he can overcome these setbacks and challenge for the gold one day.
ONE Championship unveils explosive lineup for ONE Friday Fights 121 on August 22
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 17, 2025
Tengnueng Fairtex headlines ONE Friday Fights 121 when he faces undefeated Russian striker Maksim Bakhtin. The Thai veteran enters the lightweight Muay Thai main event riding a six-year winning streak against a dangerous prospect seeking his breakthrough moment. The event takes place on August 22 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Twenty-four fighters compete across Muay Thai and MMA bouts with $100,000 contracts and main roster spots available for standout performers.
Tawanchai PK Saenchai seeks kickboxing redemption against Liu Mengyang
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 17, 2025
Redemption roads rarely offer easy entry points. But Tawanchai PK Saenchai chose the scenic route back to two-sport supremacy. The ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Champion’s kickboxing resurrection begins against a dangerous young striker who represents everything standing between him and reclamation. Tawanchai battles Liu Mengyang in featherweight kickboxing action next. This happens at ONE Friday Fights 126 on September 26 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. He seeks his 135th career victory while attempting to erase painful memories from his last kickboxing appearance.