MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.

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.

Chris Taylor - July 26, 2025

Today’s UFC Abu Dhabi event was headlined by a key middleweight contest featuring Robert Whittaker taking on Reinier de Ridder. Whittaker (26-9 MMA) had entered the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev in his most previous Octagon appearance at UFC 308 last October. Prior to that setback, ‘The Reaper’ was coming off back-to-back wins over Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov respectively.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 25, 2025

One beloved MMA head coach believes Dustin Poirier hung up his gloves exactly when he should have. Poirier stepped inside the Octagon for the final time as a competitor in the main event of UFC 318. “The Diamond” threw leather with Max Holloway, another fan favorite who he had two victories over. The third time ended up being the charm for Holloway, as he defeated Poirier via unanimous decision in enemy territory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 25, 2025

The UFC Abu Dhabi weigh-ins have concluded, and fans will be pleased to know that the main event remains intact. Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker will do battle with Reinier de Ridder on Saturday. It’s a key matchup in the 185-pound division, as Whittaker will fight to remain in the title picture. It’ll be a huge opportunity for de Ridder, who is the No. 13-ranked UFC middleweight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 25, 2025

Dana White has given his reaction to the passing of Hulk Hogan. TMZ reported that Hogan passed away on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest. There had been conflicting reports about the health status of Hogan prior to his death. While Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart both denied Bubba the Love Sponge’s claim that Hogan was in a dire situation, the WWE Hall of Famer ultimately died in Clearwater.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 24, 2025

George Jarvis discovered that becoming a father transformed his understanding of sacrifice in ways training never could. The British striker now carries the weight of providing for his son while honoring the man who shaped him. He challenges reigning king Regian Eersel for the ONE Lightweight Muay Thai World Championship at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The 29-year-old enters with his father in his corner and his son serving as motivation.

Cole Shelton - July 24, 2025

Davey Grant knows he will have his hands full at UFC Abu Dhabi. Grant is set to take on Da’Mon Blackshear in a fight that was booked on short notice. Grant was supposed to fight back in April, but Daniel Santos pulled out due to a weigh-in issue, and after that, Grant said he wanted to return on this card.

Cole Shelton - July 24, 2025

Petr Yan is hoping to secure the next bantamweight title shot at UFC Abu Dhabi. Yan is set to take on McGhee in an intriguing fight, as the American is taking a massive step-up in competition. Although Yan could have gotten a title shot, he took this fight to cement himself as the next title contender.