MMA News
Khabib Nurmagomedov's view on Islam Makhachev's welterweight future
Harry Kettle - July 23, 2025
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s welterweight future if he’s able to win the belt. Later this year, Islam Makhachev is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. He will be aiming to become the latest fighter to win world titles in two weight classes in the promotion, and he’ll be doing so in what many people consider to be the toughest fight of his career – including Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Alan Jouban declares Dustin Poirier the "uncrowned" BMF champion
Harry Kettle - July 23, 2025
MMA analyst Alan Jouban believes that Dustin Poirier is the uncrowned BMF champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Last Saturday night, Dustin Poirier fell short in his attempt to win the BMF title. He went to war with Max Holloway in a blockbuster UFC 318 main event, but unfortunately for ‘The Diamond’, he simply wasn’t able to keep up with ‘Blessed’. After the fight, Dustin stuck to his word and officially retired from mixed martial arts.
Justin Gaethje won't be happy with fighting Paddy Pimblett instead of Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - July 23, 2025
UFC star Justin Gaethje has admitted he wouldn’t be happy if he were given Paddy Pimblett instead of a UFC lightweight title shot. As we know, Justin Gaethje isn’t particularly happy right now. In the wake of his recent win over Rafael Fiziev, ‘The Highlight’ has made it crystal clear that he wants to be given a UFC lightweight championship opportunity. Unfortunately, he appears to be at something of a stalemate with the promotion.
Jeremy Pacatiw becomes new father days before pivotal fight: "Starting my own little family"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 22, 2025
Jeremy Pacatiw has discovered that fatherhood brings an entirely different kind of excitement than competition. The Filipino striker finds himself balancing athletic preparation and supporting his wife as they care for their newborn son. He faces undefeated Elbek Alyshov in a bantamweight MMA clash at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The timing couldn’t be more significant for the 29-year-old. He’s preparing for victory while adjusting to life as a new father.
Marcus McGhee ecstatic to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi: "My game is to finish guys"
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Marcus McGhee was surprised he got the call to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi. McGhee is ranked 13th at bantamweight and thought he’d get a top-10 opponent next. Yet, he got the call to fight former champion and third-ranked bantamweight Petr Yan at UFC bantamweight, which was a surprise to him.
Dana White announces UFC 320, UFC 321 main events
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has announced the main events for UFC 320 and UFC 321, as well as other fights. White took to Instagram Live on July 22 and announced that the main event of UFC 320 will see Magomed Anakalaev defending his light heavyweight title in a rematch against Alex Pereira. The event will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 4.
WATCH | Ben Askren gets emotional after leaving hospital: "Thank you guys
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Ben Askren has shared a massive update regarding his ongoing health scare. Askren had been hospitalized for months and had been on a ventilator. He ended up getting a lung transplant, which was needed as he nearly died multiple times while in the hospital.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Jack Della Maddalena is the toughest fight of Islam Makhachev's career
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Jack Della Maddalena will be the toughest test of Islam Makhachev’s career. Makhachev is set to move up to welterweight to challenge Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Although the fight isn’t booked yet, all signs point to it happening later this year.
Reinier de Ridder sees path to UFC middleweight title shot if he defeats Robert Whittaker
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 22, 2025
Could unforeseen circumstances lead to a quick UFC title opportunity for Reinier de Ridder? Saturday will be pivotal for de Ridder, as he will meet former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. The 185-pound scrap will headline UFC Abu Dhabi. For de Ridder, it’s a chance to shoot up to a top five position in the division.
Robert Whittaker reveals ultimate goal for UFC Abu Dhabi fight against Reinier de Ridder
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 22, 2025
Robert Whittaker knows the stakes of his middleweight bout against Reinier de Ridder on Saturday. Many fans were pleasantly surprised when Whittaker vs. de Ridder was first announced. While de Ridder is the No. 12-ranked UFC middleweight, many believe his accomplishments in ONE Championship along with his performance against Bo Nickal warranted top five competition.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Jon Jones is long past his prime as he considers MMA comeback
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on the future of Jon Jones ahead of his potential comeback. As we know, Jon Jones is technically retired from the sport of mixed martial arts. He made the decision a few weeks back, declining to defend his UFC heavyweight championship against interim champion Tom Aspinall. As a result of that, Tom has been promoted to the position of undisputed champion.
Max Holloway once again mocks Ilia Topuria for carrying around BMF title belt
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC legend Max Holloway has questioned Ilia Topuria for carrying around the BMF title belt as talks of a rematch continue. Last Saturday night, Max Holloway successfully retained the BMF championship by defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. As we know, though, ‘Blessed’ lost his last fight before this, falling to a KO defeat at the hands of Ilia Topuria. While the BMF title wasn’t on the line in that fight, some felt as if it should’ve been.
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 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 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.
Shamil Gasanov aims to become Dagestan's next ONE World Champion: "I always wanted to be the best"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 21, 2025
Shamil Gasanov believes his village upbringing forged the mentality needed to capture MMA gold. The Russian is ready to prove a wrestler from remote Dagestan can achieve worldwide greatness. The third-ranked featherweight rematches Garry Tonon at ONE Fight Night 34 on Friday, August 1, inside Lumpinee Stadium at Bangkok, Thailand. The bout comes after Gasanov defeated Martin Nguyen, marking his fourth consecutive victory since Tonon submitted him.
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 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.