MMA News
UFC commentator discusses possible slam ban following scary knockout
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on a possible slam ban after Elijah Smith’s slam KO win over Toshiomi Kazama at UFC Vegas 109. Last Saturday night, we saw a handful of pretty wild finishes in the latest UFC Apex event. One of the biggest examples of that came from Elijah Smith, who was able to defeat and knock out Toshiomi Kazama in the first round. The manner in which he did it, though, was the real story, as he slammed Kazama to the ground which led to him being knocked out cold.
Miles Johns releases passionate statement following Jean Matsumoto defeat
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2025
Miles Johns has released a statement in the wake of his controversial loss to Jean Matsumoto last weekend. Heading into their encounter last Saturday night, Miles Johns made it crystal clear that he wanted to go to war with Jean Matsumoto. He was ready to go out there and put on a show for the fans and, in the end, that’s exactly what they did in what proved to be a fascinating fight in Las Vegas.
Tom Aspinall reveals he’s not interested in Jon Jones fight at UFC White House
Harry Kettle - August 12, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has revealed that he’s not interested in fighting Jon Jones at UFC’s White House event. For the longest time, Tom Aspinall was campaigning to get a crack at Jon Jones and the undisputed UFC heavyweight championship. Unfortunately, Jones wasn’t at all interested in making that fight happen. A lot of fans, pundits and critics felt as if he was clearly ducking the Englishman, but regardless of the circumstances behind it, the bout never came to fruition after Jon opted to retire from mixed martial arts.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 202 with Diego Ferreira and Drakkar Klose
Cole Shelton - August 12, 2025
The 202nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 319. We’re first joined by UFC lightweight Diego Ferreira (0:58). We close things out by chatting with UFC lightweight Drakkar Klose (11:40).
Nabil Anane opens up about special relationship with younger brother
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Brotherhood runs deeper than blood for Nabil Anane when it comes to his relationship with younger sibling Yonis Anane. The ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion found his closest ally and training partner within his own family. The Anane brothers have forged their careers side by side at ONE Championship, with Nabil currently holding undisputed gold while 18-year-old Yonis begins his own ascent through the strawweight Muay Thai ranks. Their parallel journeys started in childhood when both brothers embraced “the art of eight limbs” simultaneously.
What's next for Anthony Hernandez and Roman Dolidze after UFC Vegas 109?
Cole Shelton - August 11, 2025
The UFC was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, August 9, for UFC Vegas 109. The main event saw middleweight contenders throw down as Anthony Hernandez took on Roman Dolidze. Entering the fight, Hernandez was riding a seven-fight winning streak, while Dolidze was on a three-fight winning streak and was coming off a win over Marvin Vettori.
Charles Oliveira takes aim at top lightweight contenders after Rafael Fiziev booking: 'They run the other way'
Cole Shelton - August 11, 2025
Charles Oliveira took aim at some lightweight contenders after he was booked to return at UFC Rio. Oliveira was knocked out by Ilia Topuria for the lightweight title at the end of June. Despite being knocked out, Oliveira will make a quick turnaround as he’ll take on Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio on October 11.
Khamzat Chimaev expects his hands to be a problem for Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319
Cole Shelton - August 11, 2025
Khamzat Chimaev believes his hands will be the big problem for Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319. Chimaev is set to headline UFC 319 on Saturday in Chicago against Du Plessis for the middleweight title. Heading into the fight, ‘Borz’ is a -225 favorite on FanDuel to become the new champ, and he has full confidence that he will get his hand raised.
Geoff Neal thinks UFC 319 fight with Carlos Prates will be short and sweet
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2025
Geoff Neal believes he’ll make it a quick night against Carlos Prates at UFC 319. Neal and Prates were supposed to collide sooner, but “Handz of Steel” was removed from the matchup. The welterweight clash has been rebooked for UFC 319 on Saturday, and fans are expecting fireworks. Neal is looking to maintain his spot in the top 10 of the UFC welterweight rankings. Prates currently holds the No. 12 spot.
Charles Oliveira guarantees Max Holloway rematch will happen 'at some point'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 11, 2025
Charles Oliveira believes he will mix it up with Max Holloway inside the Octagon again. Back in 2015, “do Bronx” and “Blessed” went one-on-one, but the fight didn’t last. Less than two minutes into the bout, Holloway scored the win due to Oliveira’s esophagus injury. It was an anticlimactic at the time, but there is more buzz for the two to mix it up now than there was a decade ago.
Michael Page gives his thoughts on Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev
Harry Kettle - August 11, 2025
UFC star Michael ‘Venom’ Page has given his thoughts on the upcoming title fight between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. In the next big UFC PPV event, Khamzat Chimaev will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship. While many believe that Chimaev has what it takes to get the job done and win his first UFC world title, counting out DDP is a mistake many of us have made it the past.
Ben Askren is back on his feet as he continues remarkable recovery
Harry Kettle - August 11, 2025
MMA legend Ben Askren has posted more footage of himself walking around as he continues his recovery from a double lung transplant. Over the course of the last few months, Ben Askren has been the name on everyone’s lips in the world of mixed martial arts. He has been able to do some remarkable things since his big health scare, which led to him needing a double lung transplant. Despite the severity of the situation, he certainly seems to be handling things as well as he possibly can right now.
Charles Oliveira reveals his regret from Ilia Topuria fight at UFC 317
Harry Kettle - August 11, 2025
UFC star Charles Oliveira has revealed the biggest regret he has from his fight – and defeat – to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. As we know, Charles Oliveira is a lightweight legend in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In his last outing, the man known as ‘Do Bronx’ squared off against Ilia Topuria with the UFC lightweight title on the line. Unfortunately for Charles, he was simply overwhelmed by ‘El Matador’, who knocked the Brazilian sensation out cold to successfully capture his second UFC world title.
Yuya Wakamatsu predicts "an intense battle" against Joshua Pacio at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Yuya “Little Piranha” Wakamatsu couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to mark his first title defense. The flyweight king faces an extraordinary challenge when strawweight titleholder Joshua Pacio moves up in weight. Wakamatsu defends his ONE Flyweight MMA World Title against Pacio at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 30-year-old champion makes his first defense in a rare champion-versus-champion clash on home soil.
"Reug Reug" Oumar Kane reveals new motivation: "Providing for my daughter is even more important"
BJPENN.COM Staff - August 11, 2025
Championship gold pales in comparison to fatherhood for “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane. The Senegalese heavyweight discovered an entirely new source of motivation after welcoming his daughter into the world. Kane defends his ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title against Anatoly Malykhin at ONE 173: Superbon vs Noiri on November 16 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The 33-year-old makes his first title defense months after becoming a first-time father to a baby girl.
UFC prospect 'really glad to be alive' after scary knockout loss
BJ Penn Staff - August 10, 2025
Toshiomi Kazama is glad to be alive after a brutal knockout loss at this past Saturday’s UFC event in Las Vegas. Japan’s Kazama was back in action on the undercard, taking Elijah Smith in the bantamweight division. A little more than four minutes into the first round, he was slammed on his head. The impact of his head hitting the canvas knocked him out cold, but Smith then hammered him two more times with punches. It was an utterly brutal knockout, and it took him several minutes to recover.
Khamzat Chimaev's biggest weakness revealed by rising star ahead of UFC 319 title fight against Dricus du Plessis
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 10, 2025
One surging UFC middleweight contender thinks he knows Khamzat Chimaev’s biggest flaw. Chimaev will be challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship on Saturday. The title fight is scheduled to headline UFC 319 inside the United Center in Chicago. “Borz” has been perfect as far as his record is concerned, but is this a test that will prove to be too much?
Dricus du Plessis might be in pound-for-pound discussion if he scores UFC 319 win over Khamzat Chimaev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 10, 2025
The conversation for pound-for-pound could have a new addition if Dricus du Plessis stands tall at UFC 319. Entering Saturday’s pay-per-view event, du Plessis has not been beaten since Oct. 6, 2018. The UFC Middleweight Champion’s next challenger is Khamzat Chimaev, who has yet to experience a loss in MMA competition. Many experts have weighed in on what to expect when the cage door closes for du Plessis vs. Chimaev.