MMA News
George Jarvis dismisses Regian Eersel's credentials: "He's not a Muay Thai fighter"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 28, 2025
George “G-Unit” Jarvis is cutting through the hype like a perfectly timed knee through guard. The English challenger sees Regian Eersel‘s championship reign as kickboxing smoke and mirrors and he’s aiming to expose him with real Muay Thai. Jarvis faces Eersel for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 25-year-old challenger confronts a Dutch-Surinamese champion riding a nine-year unbeaten streak.
What's next for Reinier de Ridder and Robert Whittaker after UFC Abu Dhabi?
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2025
The UFC was in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, on Saturday, July 26, for a solid UFC Abu Dhabi card. The main event saw former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder. Entering the fight, Whittaker was coming off a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev, which snapped his two-fight winning streak. de Ridder, meanwhile, had an upset knockout win over Bo Nickal last time out.
Lerone Murphy explains why he took Aaron Pico fight at UFC 319 on short notice
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2025
Lerone Murphy knows he’s taking a big risk by facing Aaron Pico on short notice at UFC 319. Pico was supposed to take on Movsar Evloev at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday, but Evloev was forced out of the bout. Now, Pico has been booked to make his UFC debut on August 16 against Murphy, who took the fight on three weeks’ notice.
Dan Hooker takes aim at UFC in heated rant: 'I’m not going to break my back for a company that doesn’t respect me'
Cole Shelton - July 28, 2025
Dan Hooker isn’t happy with the UFC. Hooker flew to Las Vegas to attend UFC 317 to watch his teammate Kai Kara-France challenge Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title. Yet, before the event, Hooker had his tickets pulled, which he wasn’t happy about. He says that it will impact when he returns to fight, as he won’t be fighting injured or trying to save cards now.
Cory Sandhagen vows not to buy into the aura of Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 28, 2025
Cory Sandhagen isn’t sold on Merab Dvalishvili being an unstoppable force. Sandhagen is set to challenge “The Machine” for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Oct. 4. The title fight is set to serve as the co-headliner for UFC 320. The main event of that pay-per-view card will feature a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between titleholder Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira.
Justin Gaethje 'gets mopped' by Ilia Topuria, says former UFC fan favorite
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 28, 2025
One ex-UFC veteran isn’t sold on Justin Gaethje’s chances in a potential clash with Ilia Topuria. Gaethje has been adamant about receiving the next crack at lightweight gold. UFC CEO Dana White isn’t exactly thrilled that “The Highlight” is threatening to retire if he doesn’t receive the next title shot at 155 pounds. The UFC also isn’t short on potential challengers for “El Matador” with the likes of Arman Tsarukyan, Max Holloway, and Paddy Pimblett waiting in the wings.
Youssef Assouik outlines path to victory at ONE Fight Night 34: "I will be more aggressive"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 27, 2025
Youssef Assouik learned valuable lessons during his promotional debut and now plans to unleash a completely different version of himself. The Danish-Moroccan striker has spent months adjusting his approach after gaining crucial experience with ONE Championship’s unique 4-ounce gloves format. The 30-year-old former two-division ISKA World Champion faces Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Assouik earned a hard-fought unanimous decision victory over former world title challenger Sinsamut Klinmee in his October 2024 debut, establishing himself as a legitimate lightweight Muay Thai contender.
Shamil Gasanov vows revenge mission: "I'll look for any method to beat him"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 27, 2025
Shamil Gasanov has carried the sting of defeat for over a year, and now the Dagestani destroyer finally has his chance at redemption. The featherweight contender’s burning desire for vengeance against Garry Tonon has fueled every training session since their first encounter ended in heartbreak. The 29-year-old Gasanov faces Tonon at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Currently ranked third in the featherweight MMA division, Gasanov enters the co-main event riding a four-fight winning streak.
Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan put on blast by UFC lightweight slugger: 'Daddy's home'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
One crowd-pleasing UFC lightweight has taken aim at Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan. Oliveira is coming off a failed bid for a second run with the UFC lightweight title. He was knocked out in the first round by Ilia Topuria in the main event of UFC 317.
Umar Nurmagomedov receives interesting callout from UFC Abu Dhabi winner
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
Umar Nurmagomedov has gotten an intriguing callout in the aftermath of UFC Abu Dhabi. The UFC was back on the road this past Saturday for a crucial “Fight Night” event. Reinier de Ridder outlasted former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker in a competitive five-round clash. Also featured on the card was Petr Yan, who avoided a letdown by defeating Marcus McGhee, and he may have punched his ticket to another title fight.
Ben Askren reveals physical challenges amid life-saving procedure: 'I'm going to work my ass off'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
Ben Askren has a long road to recovery, but he is determined to push through. Askren had to undergo a double lung transplant to save his life. The former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder said he was clinically dead four times, but he was able to hold on. Given the circumstances, many view Askren’s current state as a miracle.
Petr Yan has no interest in Umar Nurmagomedov fight following UFC Abu Dhabi win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
Petr Yan isn’t entertaining the idea of a showdown with Umar Nurmagomedov. Yan competed in the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi this past Saturday. He went one-on-one with Marcus McGhee in a bout that many considered to be a potential trap fight. The bout went the distance and Yan ultimately scored the unanimous decision victory. With the win, “No Mercy” is now hoping to secure another bantamweight title fight.
Reinier de Ridder isn't amused by Paulo Costa's trolling following UFC Abu Dhabi
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
Reinier de Ridder has fired back at Paulo Costa following post-fight remarks. On Saturday, de Ridder faced former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. The UFC Abu Dhabi main event went the distance and was highly competitive throughout. Once the score totals were read, it was revealed that “RDR” emerged victorious via split decision.
Robert Whittaker speaks out following loss to Reinier de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi: "Pretty butt-hurt to be honest"
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025
Robert Whittaker has suffered back-to-back losses for the first time at middleweight, this after dropping a split decision to Reinier de Ridder. Robert Whittaker (26-9 MMA) and Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA) collided in the headliner of today’s UFC on ABC 9 event in Abu Dhabi.
Daniel Cormier responds after Jon Jones claims he buried him twice in the UFC: "There’s nothing we can do"
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025
Daniel Cormier has responded to a pair of deleted tweets made by his longtime rival and fellow former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones. During a segment of the UFC 318 weigh-in show, ‘DC’ was asked where he would prefer to fight his “enemy” if given the choice on location and venue. Cormier responded to the question by saying that he’d like to do it at his own house because “I kind of want the ability to kill him”.
Reinier de Ridder reacts to split decision win over Robert Whittaker: "One judge scored it completely wrong"
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025
Reinier de Ridder was admittedly surprised that one judge got it “completely wrong” when scoring his fight with Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi. De Ridder (21-2 MMA) and Whittaker (26-9 MMA) squared off in a pivotal middleweight main event this afternoon at UFC on ABC 6.
Paulo Costa takes aim at Reinier de Ridder following UFC Abu Dhabi: "With all due respect"
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025
Paulo Costa shared some choice words for fellow middleweight Reinier de Ridder following today’s UFC on ABC 9 event in Abu Dhabi. De Ridder (21-2 MMA) squared off with former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker (26-9 MMA) in the headliner of this afternoon’s fight card in Abu Dhabi.
UFC Abu Dhabi Bonus Report: Muslim Salikhov one of four POTN winners
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025
The Octagon returned to Abu Dhabi for today’s UFC on ABC 9 event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The fight card was headlined by a key middleweight contest featuring Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder. The bout proved to be a wild back and forth affair. Robert Whittaker got off to a strong start, using his speed and angles to get the better of his opponent in the opening five minutes. However, Reinier de Ridder was able to battle back in round two, this after landing a big knee and then a takedown. The third round was absolutely hectic; Whittaker dropped De Ridder with a right hand and almost finished him off with ground and pound. Yet, despite the onslaught, ‘RDR’ was able to whether the storm before ultimately taking top position in the late stages of the round. The final two rounds were closely contested, with De Ridder landing his big knee and some body shots, while Whittaker worked to keep the fight standing while dishing out some good combinations. After 25 minutes of action, ‘RDR’ was awarded the split decision win.