MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 17, 2025

Michael Page wouldn’t mind throwing leather with another UFC 319 winner. Page competed on the main card of UFC 319 this past Saturday. He went one-on-one with Jared Cannonier in a battle of seasoned veterans. While Cannonier had the edge in terms of middleweight experience, Page was elusive for the majority of the fight. Cannonier had success late, but he ultimately dropped a unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 17, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev had some fun with his critics in the aftermath of UFC 319. A big talking point going into Chimaev’s UFC Middleweight Championship fight was whether or not his cardio would be able to hold up. It became apparent early on that “Borz” had no breathing issues while he was maintaining control of Dricus du Plessis. In fact, it was Chimaev’s top control that wore out du Plessis, who had been praised for his gas tank.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 17, 2025

Joe Rogan has given his immediate thoughts in the aftermath of UFC 319. In the headliner of Saturday’s card, Dricus du Plessis entered as the UFC Middleweight Champion. He was hoping to earn his third successful title defense inside the United Center in Chicago. Instead, Chimaev turned in a dominant grappling display for five rounds. “Borz” is now the new UFC Middleweight Champion via unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 17, 2025

Belal Muhammad was hoping for a scrap with Dricus du Plessis in a Chicago parking lot. On Saturday night, du Plessis put the UFC Middleweight Championship at stake against Khamzat Chimaev. This one ended up being all “Borz,” who utilized his grappling advantage effectively to secure a clear unanimous decision win and the 185-pound title.