MMA News
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.
Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong details journey from poverty to ONE Championship: "I fight for my family, for my roots"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 30, 2025
Thailand’s Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong carries his family’s struggles every time he steps into combat. The lightweight striker’s journey from cassava fields to global stardom represents Muay Thai’s transformative power. Sitsongpeenong faces Youssef Assouik in lightweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The 29-year-old seeks redemption after his knockout loss to George Jarvis last November.
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.
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.
Reinier de Ridder explains why preparing for Khamzat Chimaev is easier than Dricus du Plessis
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 30, 2025
If Reinier de Ridder gets the winner of the UFC 319 main event, he thinks he has an idea of who would be easier to prepare for. Khamzat Chimaev is set to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship on Aug. 16. It’ll be Chimaev’s first crack at UFC gold, while du Plessis is hoping to achieve his second successful title defense.
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.
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
UFC commentator Joe Rogan didn’t do himself any favors with a recent video of him falling for an AI-created clip on his podcast. Over the course of the last few decades, it’s safe to say that Joe Rogan has been one of the voices of mixed martial arts. He was an early advocate of the sport from a young age and from there, he played a big role in helping to bring the sport – and mainly the UFC – into the mainstream. He’s continued to work with the company in a commentary capacity for a long time and as we look ahead to the future, it certainly doesn’t seem as if he’s going to slow down anytime soon.
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.
Amir Albazi reveals UFC, commission pulled him from main event spot: 'I wasn’t medically cleared'
Cole Shelton - July 29, 2025
Amir Albazi reveals he wasn’t medically cleared to headline UFC Vegas 108 on Saturday. Albazi was supposed to take on Tasturo Taira in an intriguing flyweight bout. Yet, less than a week out from the fight, it was revealed he was out of the bout, and Hyun Sung Park will replace him against Taira.
Jon Anik open to knockdown rule in MMA after Steven Nguyen-Mohammed Yahya controversy: 'It does exist for a reason'
Cole Shelton - July 29, 2025
UFC commentator Jon Anik is open to the idea of a knockdown rule in MMA after watching the Steven Nguyen-Mohammed Yahya fight. Nguyen took on Yahya on the prelims of UFC Abu Dhabi at featherweight. Nguyen dropped Yahya five times in the first round and got another knockdown in the second round for six total, before the doctor stopped it at the end of the second round. However, many fans wanted the fight to be stopped sooner, and Jon Anik agrees, as he believes that the fight could have been stopped early in the first round.
Robert Whittaker reflects on UFC Abu Dhabi loss to Reinier de Ridder: 'This isn't the end'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 29, 2025
Robert Whittaker has delivered a statement following his UFC Abu Dhabi loss against Reinier de Ridder. Whittaker and de Ridder shared the Octagon this past Saturday inside Etihad Arena. The bout went five rounds and was competitive throughout. Ultimately, de Ridder got the nod via split decision, and he might be on his way to a UFC Middleweight Championship opportunity against the winner of Dricus du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev.
Bryce Mitchell will struggle against elite bantamweights, says UFC personality
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 29, 2025
Bryce Mitchell is fresh off a win in the bantamweight division, but one top UFC personality believes it’ll be a tough road ahead. Mitchell shared the Octagon with Said Nurmagomedov on the UFC Abu Dhabi card this past Saturday. “Thug Nasty” had his bell rung early and was knocked down, but he weathered the storm. Mitchell ended up scoring a unanimous decision victory, which was a bounce back for him as he was submitted by Jean Silva in his previous outing.
MMA analyst gives honest thoughts on Robert Whittaker's UFC future
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2025
MMA analyst Din Thomas has given his thoughts on what the immediate future could hold for Robert Whittaker. Last weekend, Robert Whittaker fell short in his attempt to overcome and defeat Reinier de Ridder in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi. While it was an incredibly close fight, it wasn’t quite enough from ‘The Reaper’ as RDR just about edged past him via split decision.
Gilbert Burns reveals he is currently in UFC concussion protocol
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2025
UFC veteran Gilbert Burns has revealed that he is currently in concussion protocol as we await his return to the cage. For the longest time, Gilbert Burns has been an ever-present member of the UFC’s welterweight division. He’s even fought for the world title, coming close to defeating Kamaru Usman in the pandemic era. Alas, at this point, it’s not quite clear what his route forward is given some of his recent setbacks.