MMA News
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.
Legendary MMA coach doubts Jon Jones ducked Tom Aspinall
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 29, 2025
One highly regarded MMA coach doesn’t believe Jon Jones purposely avoided fighting Tom Aspinall. Jones retired from the sport rather than face Aspinall in a title unification bout. Dana White told reporters that “Bones” initially agreed to the fight but decided to hang up his gloves instead. Shortly after his retirement, Jones claimed he was back in the drug testing pool and has called for a spot on a potential UFC White House card. White has shut down that idea.
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.
Khalil Rountree Jr discusses UFC abandoning new glove design
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2025
UFC fighter Khalil Rountree Jr has spoken out about why the promotion decided to abandon their new glove design. In his title fight against Alex Pereira, Khalil Rountree Jr put forward an incredible effort in a bid to win the UFC light heavyweight championship. While he didn’t quite get over the finish line, he certainly left it all in the cage. It was one of the most exciting fights of the year and in addition to that, it was one of the only title fights to take place with the new UFC glove design (and gold color).
Bryce Mitchell admits how tough UFC Abu Dhabi fight was after victory
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2025
Bryce Mitchell got honest when discussing his UFC Abu Dhabi fight and how he feels making the move to bantamweight. As we know, Bryce Mitchell is a pretty controversial figure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While he certainly has a great deal of potential, he’s also struggled to really build up any kind of consistency over the course of the last few years. Now, Bryce has made the switch down to the bantamweight division, winning his debut against Said Nurmagomedov last weekend.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.