MMA News
Islam Makhachev criticizes UFC for refusing to award Arman Tsarukyan the next lightweight title shot
Curtis Calhoun - December 10, 2025
Islam Makhachev came to his former rival Arman Tsarukyan’s defense after the recent announcement of the Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett fight. Arman Tsarukyan will have to wait a while longer for another shot at the UFC lightweight belt after UFC CEO Dana White’s recent remarks.
Paddy Pimblett lays out his ideal plan to become champ-champ after UFC 324
Cole Shelton - December 10, 2025
Paddy Pimblett has his eyes set on becoming a two-division UFC champion. Pimblett is set to headline UFC 324 on January 24 against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title. The winner of the fight is expected to face Ilia Topuria for the undisputed lightweight title later in 2026.
Mario Bautista set to headline UFC Vegas 113 against dangerous knockout artist
Curtis Calhoun - December 10, 2025
UFC bantamweight contender Mario Bautista will reportedly headline UFC Vegas 113 at the Apex opposite one of the division’s surging stars. Mario Bautista’s bid for a UFC bantamweight title shot came to a screeching halt as he lost to former title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321 earlier this year. After an eight-fight win streak entering UFC 321, Bautista fell to Nurmagomedov by unanimous decision.
Joe Rogan says UFC must put Jon Jones on White House card
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2025
Joe Rogan believes UFC needs to book Jon Jones for the White House card. Jones has made it clear that he plans to ditch retirement if he can fight at the historic event. “Bones” has even said he’d be willing to fight Alex Pereira below the main event. UFC CEO Dana White has been hesitant about booking Jones for the show given his legal history. There’s also the failed talks to get Jones to fight Tom Aspinall, which left the heavyweight division in a lurch.
Former UFC champion Dricus du Plessis slammed for 'ducking' top contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 10, 2025
A top UFC middleweight contender believes Dricus du Plessis is avoiding him. Back in August, du Plessis lost the 185-pound gold to Khamzat Chimaev in one-sided fashion. Chimaev was in control for nearly 22 minutes and du Plessis couldn’t get anything going. It was a total wipeout and many are wondering what “Stillknocks” will do next.
Maycee Barber gives emotional response when asked about return from injury
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025
UFC star Maycee Barber has given her thoughts on the road back to the Octagon after her UFC 323 victory over Karine Silva. Last Saturday night at UFC 323, Maycee Barber made her big return to the cage after an extended period of time away due to some health problems. She was able to defeat Karine Silva and in doing so, she vaulted herself right back into contention in the women’s flyweight title picture.
Joshua Van should defend title before Alexandre Pantoja rematch, says Daniel Cormier
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier believes Joshua Van should defend his title against Tatsuro Taira prior to Alexandre Pantoja returning. Last Saturday night at UFC 323, Joshua Van became the new UFC flyweight champion. However, it happened under unfortunate circumstances, as Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury that rendered him unable to continue less than a minute into the first round.
UFC legend offers Merab Dvalishvili some advice following UFC 323 defeat
Harry Kettle - December 10, 2025
UFC legend Michael Bisping has given Merab Dvalishvili some advice following his defeat to Petr Yan at UFC 323. Last weekend at UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili fell short in his attempt to go 4-0 in 2025. In doing so, he also lost the UFC bantamweight championship, with the title being won from him by Petr Yan. Now, as we look ahead to the future, it certainly feels like Merab will be able to get a trilogy fight at some point next year.
Paddy Pimblett predicts he will KO Justin Gaethje: "I don’t see him getting past the third round"
Dylan Bowker - December 9, 2025
Paddy Pimblett foresees a finish transpiring in his Justin Gaethje fight and envisions that stoppage coming by way of strikes. Piblett and Gathej are set to do battle for the interim UFC lightweight title in their headlining bout at UFC 324 in January. During an interview with Red Corner MMA, with an excerpt of the chat posted to the X account @Home_of_Fight, as Pimblett said,
Panpayak seeks fresh start in kickboxing: "I need to develop myself even more if I want to return to greatness"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 9, 2025
Panpayak Jitmuangnon meets Zhao Chongyang in flyweight kickboxing at ONE Friday Fights 136 on Thursday, December 12, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 29-year-old Thai legend requested the switch after a first-round stoppage loss to Asadula Imangazaliev at ONE Friday Fights 122. The head-kick knockout ended a difficult stretch that saw him alternate between wins and losses across six promotional appearances.
Mongolia's president honors Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu after historic world title win: "Adding a new chapter"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 9, 2025
Mongolia President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh personally congratulated Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu following his stunning fourth-round submission victory over Fabricio Andrade at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 36-year-old entered as the #4-ranked bantamweight contender facing a dominant champion who’d never tasted defeat inside ONE Championship under MMA rules. But Baatarkhuu turned the impossible into reality. He scored a rear-naked choke at 1:33 of the fourth round that forced the Brazilian to tap.
Joe Rogan praises Petr Yan's 'master class' after upset win over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 9, 2025
Longtime UFC analyst Joe Rogan put Petr Yan’s performance at UFC 323 as one of the all-time greatest showings. Petr Yan got his revenge over Merab Dvalishvili to reclaim the UFC bantamweight championship belt at UFC 323 last Saturday. In what was a five-round instant classic, Yan shut down Dvalishvili’s grappling in the later rounds to score a unanimous decision win.
UFC legend defends Joshua Van from criticism of celebration after Alexandre Pantoja's graphic injury at UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 9, 2025
Former UFC star Matt Brown believes Joshua Van is facing unfair criticism of his UFC 323 post-fight celebration. Joshua Van earned the UFC flyweight championship under unideal circumstances last weekend at UFC 323.
Demetrious Johnson blames himself for Henry Cejudo's four-fight skid after UFC retirement reversal
Curtis Calhoun - December 9, 2025
Future UFC Hall of Famer Demetrious Johnson blames himself for Henry Cejudo’s failed second chapter after his send-off at UFC 323. Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo dropped the gloves after a unanimous decision loss to Payton Talbott last weekend at UFC 323. After ending his three-year retirement in 2023, Cejudo suffered four-straight defeats to end his career, including losses to Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling.
Jamahal Hill addresses viral Joanna Jedrzejczyk altercation and threat at UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 9, 2025
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill shared his side of the viral altercation with Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 323. Jamahal Hill and Joanna Jedrzejczyk were involved in a heated altercation while attending UFC 323 last Saturday in Las Vegas. In now-viral footage, Hill can be heard threatening to ‘knock the f— out of’ Jedrzejczyk as UFC security personnel intervened.
Aljamain Sterling shares controversial take on Merab Dvalishvili's UFC 323 loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2025
Aljamain Sterling won’t find too many people who agree with his UFC 323 take. In the UFC 323 main event, Merab Dvalishvili put the UFC Bantamweight Championship on the line against Petr Yan. The bout didn’t go the way many envisioned, as Yan thwarted the grappling of “The Machine.” He was also able to pepper his opponent on the feet on his way to a unanimous decision win.
UFC 323's Joshua Van gains support amid criticism for celebrating marred title win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 9, 2025
Joshua Van has been under some scrutiny following UFC 323, but a retired fan favorite is coming to his defense. Van shared the Octagon with Alexandre Pantoja for just 26 seconds this past Saturday. Van was challenging for the UFC Flyweight Championship. Early on, Pantoja injured his shoulder while trying to break his fall. The fight was called off and Van was awarded the win.
Gillian Robertson expects to submit Amanda Lemos to secure title shot at UFC Vegas 112
Cole Shelton - December 9, 2025
Gillian Robertson believes she can secure a title shot with a win on Saturday. Robertson is set to take on Amanda Lemos in a pivotal fight at strawweight at UFC Vegas 112. She was originally supposed to fight Iasmin Lucindo, but Lucindo had to pull out and was replaced by Lemos, which Robertson was happy about. Despite Lemos being ranked higher, Robertson enters the fight as a -184 favorite on FanDuel.