MMA News

Tom Aspinall and Alex Pereira
Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall gives his thoughts on rumors of Alex Pereira moving to heavyweight

Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira potentially moving up to his division. As we know, Tom Aspinall is the new king of the heavyweight division following the retirement of Jon Jones. What we don’t know, though, is who he’s going to face in his next fight. There are a handful of potential contenders in the mix but one that stands out as being pretty intriguing is none other than Alex Pereira.

Bryce Mitchell, UFC
Merab Dvalishvili

Bryce Mitchell believes he is the man to defeat UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili

Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025

UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell believes he has what it takes to defeat Merab Dvalishvili after his move down to bantamweight. This weekend, Bryce Mitchell makes his way down to 135 pounds at UFC Abu Dhabi. He will face off against Said Nurmagomedov, in what is bound to be a tough first assignment for him. With that being said, ‘Thug Nasty’ seems pretty confident that he’ll be able to make magic happen in his new home at bantamweight.

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 200, UFC Abu Dhabi
MMA Podcasts

Just Scrap Radio Ep. 200 with Marcus McGhee and Davey Grant

Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025

The 200th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. We’re first joined by 13th-ranked UFC bantamweight Marcus McGhee (1:09). We close things out by chatting with UFC bantamweight (14:04).

Kang Ji Won
ONE Championship

Kang Ji Won confident ahead of heavyweight battle: "I don't see much difficulty"

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 21, 2025

Kang Ji Won enters his heavyweight battle against Ryugo Takeuchi with supreme confidence. The South Korean knockout artist has maintained a perfect finishing rate and aims to keep that streak alive. The South Korean faces Takeuchi at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Prime Video on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The bout features two heavy-handed fighters looking to make their mark.

Khamzat Chimaev
UFC

Khamzat Chimaev responds to Paulo Costa’s claim that he was DMing his wife: “She deleted everything bro”

Cole Shelton - July 21, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Paulo Costa. After Costa pulled off an upset win over Roman Kopylov, he called out Chimaev and claimed ‘Borz’ was DMing his wife. He says he will be chasing down Chimaev until he gets to fight him, but after his callout, ‘Borz’ took to social media to claim Costa’s wife was the one messaging him.

Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier, UFC 318
Max Holloway

What's next for the stars of UFC 318?

Cole Shelton - July 21, 2025

The UFC was in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday for a solid UFC 318 card. The main event saw Max Holloway defending his BMF belt in the trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, which also served as ‘The Diamond’s’ final fight. Ultimately, it was Holloway who won a decision in a back-and-forth, thrilling fight to defend his BMF belt and become the first person to defend his BMF belt. Following UFC 318, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.

Reinier de Ridder, UFC Des Moines, Bonus, UFC
Robert Whittaker

Reinier de Ridder predicting a spectacular win over Robert Whittaker at UFC Abu Dhabi: "I need to finish him"

Cole Shelton - July 21, 2025

Reinier de Ridder is expecting to make a statement in the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. de Ridder is set to headline the card against former middleweight champion Robert Whittaker in a pivotal fight at middleweight. Although the winner of Nassourdibe Imavov vs Caio Borralho appears to be next in line, de Ridder believes that if he has a spectacular finish, as he predicts, he could leapfrog them.

Curtis Blaydes
UFC

Curtis Blaydes interested in rematch with Russian heavyweight contender

Cole Shelton - July 21, 2025

Curtis Blaydes has his eyes set on a rematch for his next fight. Blaydes is coming off a split decision win over Rizvan Kuniev back at UFC Baku. The victory got him back in the win column after being knocked out by Tom Aspinall for the interim heavyweight title. With Aspinall now the undisputed champ and likely to face Ciryl Gane next, Blaydes is calling for a rematch with Alexander Volkov.

Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway
Max Holloway

Max Holloway's old foe vouches for 'Blessed' UFC lightweight title fight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 21, 2025

An old rival of Max Holloway believes “Blessed” is a solid choice for the next UFC lightweight title contender. Holloway recently fought Dustin Poirier in “The Diamond’s” final pro MMA fight. It was a vintage performance from Holloway, who outstruck the man who had beaten him twice.

Ilia Topuria vs. Max Holloway
Ilia Topuria

Dana White won't rule out Max Holloway getting chance at revenge against Ilia Topuria

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 21, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White thinks Max Holloway has set himself up for plenty of options after defeating Dustin Poirier. Holloway scored the unanimous decision victory in “The Diamond’s” retirement fight at UFC 318. “Blessed” is hoping to take over the lightweight division now that he finally secured a victory over Poirier in their trilogy bout. He also gets to keep his top five position in the official UFC 155-pound rankings.

Dana White and Jon Jones
Jon Jones

Jon Jones reacts to Dana White's White House fight rejection

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 21, 2025

Jon Jones is aware of UFC CEO Dana White’s recent comments shutting down the idea of “Bones” fighting in the White House. Jones announced his retirement from pro MMA competition, which led to Tom Aspinall being crowned the undisputed UFC heavyweight titleholder. It was then revealed that “Bones” has found himself in legal trouble again. He is facing a criminal charge stemming from a traffic incident in New Mexico back in February.

Israel Adesanya, UFC, MMA
Paulo Costa

Israel Adesanya praises former rival Paulo Costa after UFC 318 victory

Harry Kettle - July 21, 2025

Israel Adesanya has some rare praise for former rival Paulo Costa following the latter’s win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318. On Saturday night at UFC 318, Paulo Costa was able to get himself back in the win column. He did so against Roman Kopylov and while it was a competitive fight in certain areas, the Brazilian star was able to prove that he’s still more than capable of mixing it up with those residing in the top 15 of the middleweight division.

Paulo Costa, Roman Kopylov, UFC 318, Pros react, UFC
UFC

Paulo Costa praises coaches following victory at UFC 318

Harry Kettle - July 21, 2025

UFC middleweight Paulo Costa has praised his coaches in the wake of his win over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 last weekend. On Saturday night, Paulo Costa defeated Roman Kopylov to get himself back in the win column. It’s been a long time coming for a man who, as we know, has experienced his fair share of ups and downs in mixed martial arts. Alas, it seems as if he’s finally getting back on track, with his eyes firmly set on a showdown with Khamzat Chimaev.

Max Holloway, Dustin Poirier
Max Holloway

Dustin Poirier questions the judges following UFC 318 defeat to Max Holloway

Harry Kettle - July 21, 2025

UFC legend Dustin Poirier has questioned the judges following his defeat to Max Holloway in his retirement fight. Dustin Poirier has officially retired from mixed martial arts. He rode off into the sunset on Saturday night following his loss to Max Holloway, failing in his attempt to claim the BMF title. Alas, while he may have lost, he still won the hearts of MMA fans around the world – as you’d expect from someone like ‘The Diamond’.

Shadow
Shadow

Shadow Singha Mawynn vs. Bampara Kouyate added to ONE Fight Night 35

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 20, 2025

World Title opportunities don’t come around often in ONE Championship’s stacked divisions. Two elite strikers will battle for the next crack at featherweight gold in September. Second-ranked contender Bampara Kouyate faces #3-ranked Shadow Singha Mawynn in featherweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 35 on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The winner could secure the next shot at reigning champion Tawanchai PK Saenchai.

Helena Creva
ONE Championship

Helena Crevar signs with ONE Championship after historic ADCC achievement

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 20, 2025

ONE Championship continues building its submission grappling division with elite talent. The latest addition might be the most promising yet. The promotion has officially signed 18-year-old phenom Helena Crevar to compete in its submission grappling division, adding another young star to its world-class roster. For Crevar, the signing represents validation of her rapid rise through the sport’s ranks.

Dustin Poirier UFC weigh-in
Max Holloway

Dustin Poirier doesn’t regret going for guillotine choke against Max Holloway

Harry Kettle - July 20, 2025

UFC legend Dustin Poirier doesn’t regret going for the guillotine choke when he had Max Holloway hurt at UFC 318. Last night, Dustin Poirier failed in his attempt to defeat Max Holloway for the third time. The two warriors battled it out in an epic clash in the main event of UFC 318, with ‘The Diamond’ just coming up short against ‘Blessed’. It was a pretty strong effort from Dustin and he even came close to finishing the fight in the second round, but it just wasn’t enough.

Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway
Max Holloway

Max Holloway sends great message to retiring Dustin Poirier after UFC 318 battle

Harry Kettle - July 20, 2025

UFC star Max Holloway sent a message of positivity to Dustin Poirier in the wake of their UFC 318 main event last night. On Saturday, Max Holloway finally picked up a win over Dustin Poirier. While ‘The Diamond’ won their first two meetings, it was Holloway who managed to secure the victory and prevent Dustin from retiring on a victory. Alas, it didn’t spoil the mood all too much, with the hometown hero still getting a tremendous send-off in front of the passionate fans in New Orleans.