MMA News
Luke Rockhold unloads on bare-knuckle boxing in heated rant: 'Who’s willing to lose their face first'
Cole Shelton - July 31, 2025
Luke Rockhold won’t be fighting in bare-knuckle ever again. Rockhold fought Mike Perry at BFKC 41 in April of 2023 in his bare-knuckle debut. The former UFC middleweight champion ended up losing by second-round TKO due to retirement. Looking back on the fight, Rockhold doesn’t believe bare-knuckle is a sport.
Paulo Costa rejected by surging UFC middleweight following callout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 31, 2025
Paulo Costa will not be fighting a particular top-ranked UFC middleweight anytime soon. Costa was paying attention to the UFC Abu Dhabi main event between Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker. The bout went the distance and de Ridder was awarded the split decision victory. “RDR” is now a top five UFC middleweight.
Arman Tsarukyan dismisses Justin Gaethje's UFC title demand
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 31, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan does not believe Justin Gaethje has earned another UFC title fight. Gaethje has been adamant about receiving the next crack at the UFC Lightweight Championship. He’s even threatened retirement if he isn’t next in line for a shot at the 155-pound gold. UFC CEO Dana White has said that while he respects Gaethje, he doesn’t appreciate the demands.
UFC champion labels Ilia Topuria a future Hall of Famer
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 31, 2025
A current UFC champion believes Ilia Topuria will become a Hall of Famer once his career wraps up. Topuria has already captured gold in two weight classes. He relinquished the featherweight title in a bid to challenge for the 155-pound gold. “El Matador” scored a first-round knockout over Charles Oliveira to lay claim to his second UFC title.
Jon Jones set for two bench trials following police incident in February
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2025
UFC legend Jon Jones is reportedly set for two bench trials following his leaving the scene incident back in February. As we know, Jon Jones is the definition of a controversial figure in mixed martial arts. In addition to his iconic career inside the cage, he’s had plenty of issues outside of it. This includes numerous run-ins with the law, and even within the UFC, he’s had several drug test failures that have led many to question the validity of his position as ‘greatest of all time’.
BJJ ‘GWOAT’ Beatriz Mesquita set for UFC debut later this year
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2025
Beatriz Mesquita, considered by many to be the greatest female BJJ star of all time, is set for her UFC debut later this year. As we know, Brazilian jiu-jitsu has been at the forefront of mixed martial arts for many, many years. In fact, some would argue that it was the dominant skillset for a long time – and you won’t find too many people who will argue with that. Well, when you’re talking about some of the most accomplished athletes in the history of the sport, Beatriz Mesquita is certainly up there.
UFC fans show concern following recent Tai Tuivasa image
Harry Kettle - July 31, 2025
UFC fans have voiced their concern about Tai Tuivasa’s fighting future after a recent image of him circulated. As we know, Tai Tuivasa has been a big fan favorite within the Ultimate Fighting Championship for quite some time now. He’s known for his fun personality, his knockout power, and his unpredictability inside the cage. At one point, it seemed like he could be on track for a world title opportunity – but it’s been a long time since he was at his very best.
Jeremy Pacatiw embraces "risky fight" ahead of ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2025
Most fighters avoid dangerous newcomers when their ranking hangs in the balance. But Jeremy Pacatiw sees opportunity where others find risk. Pacatiw faces undefeated Elbek Alyshov at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The #5-ranked bantamweight MMA fighter enters coming off a unanimous decision loss to Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 29 in April.
Tatsuro Taira vows to finish Hyun Sung Park in the first round at UFC Vegas 108 after his comments
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2025
Tatsuro Taira is looking to make Hyun Sung Park pay for his comments. Taira is set to headline UFC Vegas 108 against Park, who took the fight on less than a week’s notice. Despite taking the fight on short notice, Park has said he will smash Taira and knock him out.
Jailton Almeida shares prediction for Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane title fight
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2025
Jailton Almeida believes the upcoming heavyweight title fight is rather easy to call. Tom Aspinall is set to defend his heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 on October 25 in Abu Dhabi. It’s an intriguing fight and one that Aspinall is a massive -395 favorite to defeat the Frenchman. Almeida seems to agree with the odds as he expects the Brit to beat Gane relatively easily.
Rory MacDonald opens door to make MMA comeback: 'I'm enjoying my time in martial arts again'
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2025
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald could be ending his retirement. MacDonald retired from MMA in August of 2022 after a 2-4 run in the PFL. The Canadian said he lost the passion for the sport and didn’t want to hurt anyone anymore. Since then, he has been out of the spotlight. But he has since returned to the gym and helped Stephen Thompson prepare for his last fight.
Top UFC contender questions if Tom Aspinall can survive in deep waters
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 30, 2025
When the going gets tough, can Tom Aspinall rise to the occasion? Aspinall is set to put his undisputed UFC Heavyweight Championship at stake against Ciryl Gane in the main event of UFC 321 on Oct. 25. It’ll be Aspinall’s first fight as the undisputed titleholder, a distinction that was given to him after Jon Jones retired from pro MMA competition.
Jared Cannonier reveals biggest issue with Michael Page fight at UFC 319
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 30, 2025
Jared Cannonier isn’t exactly gung-ho about being booked to fight Michael Page at UFC 319. Cannonier has never been shy to express his dismay over potential matchups that he feels don’t favor his interests. “The Killa Gorilla” has been criticized in the past for dismissing a fight with Khamzat Chimaev, who will be challenging Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship, unless certain demands were met. He’s under the microscope again for taking exception to his planned bout with “MVP” despite going 1-2 in his last three outings.
Dominick Reyes vs Carlos Ulberg set to headline UFC Perth
Harry Kettle - July 30, 2025
UFC light heavyweights Dominick Reyes and Carlos Ulberg will headline the promotion’s return to Perth, Australia on September 27th. The light heavyweight division is certainly looking pretty interesting right now. Magomed Ankalaev is the reigning champion in the wake of him defeating Alex Pereira to capture the title, and the two will soon run it back. Elsewhere, though, there are plenty of other exciting fighters on the rise – with two of them being Dominick Reyes and Carlos Ulberg.
Conor McGregor releases heavy teaser suggesting he’s returning to UFC
Harry Kettle - July 30, 2025
It seems as if Conor McGregor may finally be getting serious about an active return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. For the longest time, fans and pundits alike have been questioning whether or not we’ll ever see Conor McGregor fight again in mixed martial arts. There’s certainly not a shortage of opponents who would be willing to step into the Octagon to face him – but really, that’s not the point. The point is that the Irishman is pretty erratic these days, especially with what he’s doing outside of the cage.
UFC veteran goes after Ilia Topuria for rejecting idea of Arman Tsarukyan fight
Harry Kettle - July 30, 2025
UFC veteran Paul Felder wasn’t happy about Ilia Topuria’s comments regarding a possible fight against Arman Tsarukyan. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts today. He’s also a two-weight UFC champion, currently holding the gold at lightweight after vacating his strap at 145 pounds. There are plenty of questions surrounding what the future holds for ‘El Matador’ and one of the reasons for that is that there are a lot of contenders who believe they can step up to the plate.
UFC commentator Joe Rogan falls for AI-created Khabib Nurmagomedov edit
Harry Kettle - July 30, 2025
Teodora Kirilova predicts "a real firefight" against Supergirl at ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 29, 2025
Bulgarian striker Teodora Kirilova isn’t mincing words about her upcoming collision with Thailand’s Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak. The veteran sees fireworks ahead when she steps back into ONE Championship action seeking her first promotional victory. Kirilova battles Jaroonsak in atomweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 34-year-old Bulgarian enters desperately needing a statement performance after dropping her promotional debut to Shir Cohen.
Anna Jaroonsak reveals comeback motivation: "I almost quit fighting because of all the negative comments online"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 29, 2025
The demons that nearly derailed Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak’s promising career are finally in the rearview mirror. After a brutal mental health battle that kept Thailand’s rising star away from competition for nearly two years, the atomweight striker has rediscovered her passion for combat. The 19-year-old phenom squares off against Teodora Kirilova at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium. Supergirl enters the Muay Thai bout walking a path back to elite competition that has been anything but straightforward.