MMA News
Khamzat Chimaev makes big jump in UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings after UFC 319
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2025
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev has made a big leap up in the pound-for-pound rankings after UFC 319. Last Saturday night, Khamzat Chimaev finally reached the top of the mountain in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He defeated Dricus du Plessis in dominant fashion to become UFC middleweight champion, and in doing so, he achieved a goal that many always expected him to achieve ever since he first debuted in the promotion.
Paulo Costa disputes Dana White’s claim that Khamzat Chimaev was “amazing” in UFC 319 title win: “He did horrible!”
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2025
UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has once again explained why he wasn’t a fan of Khamzat Chimaev’s performance at UFC 319. In case you haven’t heard, Paulo Costa isn’t a big fan of Khamzat Chimaev. These two men have been back and forth at one another on several occasions over social media and in interviews, and many believe it’s just a matter of time before we see them square off in the Octagon.
Dana White announces 4 fights for October’s UFC Vancouver event including Reinier de Ridder vs Anthony Hernandez
Harry Kettle - August 20, 2025
UFC boss Dana White has announced four fights for UFC Vancouver, including Reinier de Ridder vs Anthony Hernandez. As we know, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to return to Vancouver, Canada later this year. It was always expected to be a big card and now, we have a few fight announcements that should raise a few eyebrows. This includes the main event of the evening, which will be contested by Reinier de Ridder and Anthony Hernandez.
Takeru Segawa promises explosive encounter with Denis Puric: "An incredibly aggressive fighter who loves to trade shots"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 20, 2025
Japanese legend Takeru Segawa prepares for warfare when he faces Denis Puric in front of his home crowd. The former K-1 Champion seeks another shot at Rodtang Jitmuangnon by delivering a statement victory against a dangerous Bosnian-Canadian striker. Takeru battles Puric in flyweight kickboxing action at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The #2-ranked contender enters seeking his first ONE Championship World Title after falling short in previous attempts against elite competition.
Ex-Jon Jones Teammate on potential comeback: "waiting till Aspinall wins a few fights", "Maybe he'll come back then"
Dylan Bowker - August 19, 2025
Jon Jones could potentially return to the cage to fight a reigning UFC champion if that fighter in question can string together a few more wins, per a former training partner of Jones. Keith Jardine was that combatant in question and the former JacksonWink compatriot of Jones’ who touched on several subjects during his appearance on Bowks Talking Bouts.
Aljamain Sterling still believes Aaron Pico 'can still make some noise' in the UFC despite debut loss
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2025
Aljamain Sterling still believes in Aaron Pico despite his debut loss at UFC 319. Sterling, the former UFC bantamweight champion and now seventh-ranked featherweight contender, was paying close attention to the Pico vs Lerone Murphy fight at UFC 319. Sterling felt like Pico was looking good until he got knocked out, but his chin is a concern.
The Rock is "courageous" for Mark Kerr role, says ex-UFC fighter and John Wick star
Dylan Bowker - August 19, 2025
The Rock’s portrayal of Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’ has intrigued many to see the cinematic effort when it comes out, and a former UFC combatant as well as film industry fixture has commented on that movie. Keith Jardine appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to discuss his legendary UFC journey as a top-notch light heavyweight, as well as what he is doing in the world of Hollywood as of late. Jardine has written and directed his own film recently, ‘Kill Me Again’, which is widely available on VOD platforms now, and he has had other notable features in works like John Wick.
Kai Asakura accepts any 'harsh criticism' after UFC 319 loss: 'I'm disappointed in myself'
Cole Shelton - August 19, 2025
Kai Asakura has issued a statement after his upset UFC 319 loss to Tim Elliott. Asakura was set for his second UFC fight after being submitted by Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight belt in his debut. In his second fight, he was a sizeable favorite against Elliott, but he suffered a second-round submission loss.
Geoff Neal shares hilarious reaction to UFC 319 loss to Carlos Prates
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 19, 2025
Geoff Neal is taking his UFC 319 loss in stride. Neal was in action this past Saturday against Carlos Prates. The bout was initially supposed to take place back in April, but it was rescheduled for Chicago. Neal was just one second away from going to his stool prior to the start of the second stanza. Instead, he was nailed with a spinning back elbow that ended his night early.
Khamzat Chimaev compared to Georges St-Pierre amid dominant, yet 'boring' UFC 319 win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 19, 2025
Khamzat Chimaev is being compared to Georges St-Pierre in a way that is sure to have fight fans split. Fans and experts have had plenty to say in the aftermath of UFC 319. Khamzat Chimaev took the UFC Middleweight Championship from Dricus du Plessis in dominant fashion this past Saturday. “Borz” put his grappling on full display and “Stillknocks” had no answer for it. Ultimately, Chimaev won UFC gold via unanimous decision.
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.
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.
TUF champ: Khalil Rountree Jr. beats Jiri Prochazka with Hank Hill Mentality
Dylan Bowker - August 18, 2025
Khalil Rountree Jr. has a massive fight coming up with a former UFC light heavyweight champion and a combatant who previously beat him has weighed in on this fight. Andrew Sanchez touched upon this fight ahead of his own clash against former PFL champ Impa Kasanganay inside the PFL smart cage on August 21st. One of the bigger wins that Sanchez notched in his UFC tenure came against Rountree Jr. victory that saw the former become the TUF 23 champion. When offering up his thoughts on the Jiri Prochazka versus Rountree Jr. fight coming up at UFC 320 on October 4th, Sanchez said,
"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.
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.
What's next for the stars of UFC 319?
Cole Shelton - August 18, 2025
The UFC was in Chicago, Illinois, on Saturday, August 16, for a solid UFC 319 card. The main event saw middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis defending his belt against Khamzat Chimaev. The co-main event saw Lerone Murphy taking on newly signed Aaron Pico. Ultimately, it was Chimaev who dominated Du Plessis in all five rounds as he controlled him on the ground for a lopsided win to become the new champ. In the co-main event, Murphy scored a stunning first-round highlight-reel KO win. Following UFC 319, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.