MMA News
Regian Eersel targets George Jarvis' conditioning: "Gonna let him feel my energy"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 28, 2025
Regian “The Immortal” Eersel isn’t sweating George Jarvis‘ bold predictions. The defending champion plans to turn this title fight into a conditioning nightmare that’ll separate the pretenders from the proven. Eersel defends his ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship for the third time against Jarvis at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 32-year-old Dutch-Surinamese fighter carries over nine years without a Muay Thai loss into this clash with the English challenger making his World Title debut.
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.
UFC commentator raises concern over fighter safety amid gruesome sight in Abu Dhabi
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 28, 2025
A top UFC commentator isn’t putting his friend Jason Herzog on blast, but he does raise an important question. One fight on the UFC Abu Dhabi prelims sparked a debate within the MMA community. Steven Nguyen went one-on-one with Mohammad Yahya in a featherweight tilt. The bout drew controversy, as Yahya was dropped multiple times and his eye ballooned so bad that he made ESPN’s SportsCenter. The fight was stopped before the third round began, but many have criticized Herzog, who officiated the bout, for not stepping in sooner.
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.
Khabib Nurmagomedov reveals another reason he won't attempt UFC comeback
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has unveiled another factor that would prevent him from making a return to the Octagon. Nurmagomedov retired following a technical submission win over Justin Gaethje back in 2020. “The Eagle” walked away from MMA competition due to the wishes of his mother, who wanted him to retire following the passing of Abdulmanap, Nurmagomedov’s father. Nurmagomedov retired with a perfect pro MMA record of 29-0 and he became a UFC Hall of Famer.
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.
Paddy Pimblett doesn't deserve UFC rankings spot, says top lightweight contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 27, 2025
One top-ranked UFC lightweight believes Paddy Pimblett has no place on the official 155-pound rankings Pimblett currently holds the No. 9 spot, but some are wondering if he can leapfrog his way to a No. 1 contender fight or even a title bout. Ilia Topuria recently captured the UFC Lightweight Championship and had a staredown with “The Baddy” inside the Octagon.
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”.
Aaron Pico receives new opponent for UFC 319 co-main event slot
Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025
Aaron Pico will be competing in the co-headliner of next month’s UFC 319 pay-per-view event in Chicago, Illinois. Pico (13-4 MMA) was originally slated to make his highly anticipated Octagon debut against undefeated featherweight contender Movsar Evloev (19-0 MMA) in this afternoon’s UFC Abu Dhabi co-main event. Unfortunately for fight fans, Evloev suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the contest.
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.