MMA News
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dan Hooker gets honest about potential BMF title fight
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2025
UFC star Dan Hooker has spoken openly about the possibility of him competing for the BMF championship in the future. Dan Hooker is one of the biggest fan favorites in all of mixed martial arts. While he may not always be in the win column, he knows how to put his best foot forward and put on a fun performance. While he’s been out injured for a while, it certainly feels like he has a big fight on the horizon when he does eventually return.
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.
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.