MMA News
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues promises to return home with ONE World Title: "No one is taking it from me"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 8, 2025
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues has no intention of letting anyone else wear her gold. The Brazilian champion is ready to prove why she’s held the throne for nearly five years. The reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion defends her title against WBC Muay Thai World Champion Johanna Persson at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Rodrigues, the bout represents her fourth title defense and another opportunity to cement her legacy.
Max Holloway explains why he needs to beat Dustin Poirier at UFC 318: "I've got to play the spoiler here"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2025
Max Holloway knows he will upset a lot of fans by beating Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. Holloway is set to defend his BMF belt in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Poirier’s retirement fight. It also serves as the trilogy match, in which Poirier is up 2-0, so Holloway says he needs to win this fight to avoid going 0-3 in another trilogy.
Steve Garcia confident he will be first person to KO Calvin Kattar at UFC Nashville: "We are going to swing and watch someone fall"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2025
Steve Garcia is ready to make a statement and prove he is a top-ranked featherweight at UFC Nashville. Garcia was supposed to face Edson Barboza at UFC Seattle in February, but the Brazilian had to pull out. After he withdrew, it was disappointing for Garcia, as it was going to be a big-name opponent he could build his name off of.
Derrick Lewis says he "needs" to fight Tom Aspinall before his career is over: "I'm just looking to knock guys out"
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2025
Derrick Lewis wants to fight Tom Aspinall before his career is over. Lewis is set to headline UFC Nashville on Saturday against Taillon Teixeira in a fight he’s a +210 underdog in on FanDuel. If Lewis can pull off the upset, he’d be right back in the title picture at heavyweight, and he is hopeful he can face to Aspinall for the belt before his career is up.
UFC legend Georges St-Pierre shares his 'conclusion' on UFO encounters
BJ Penn Staff - July 8, 2025
Georges St-Pierre is considered one of the greatest fighters in UFC history. These days, the Canadian MMA star is more concerned with a different acronym: UFO. St-Pierre, the former welterweight and middleweight UFC champion, is well-known for his belief in alien life and UFOs (unidentified flying objects).
Max Holloway slams 'ridiculous' UFC rankings ahead of Dustin Poirier fight
BJ Penn Staff - July 8, 2025
Max Holloway has some issues with the official UFC rankings. Hawaii’s Holloway is set to return to Octagon in the main event of the widely criticized UFC 318 card on July 19. It will go down in New Orleans, and his opponent will be Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier, who is set to retire, win, lose, or draw.
Islam Makhachev might be making huge mistake with welterweight move, says UFC icon
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2025
Did Islam Makhachev bite off more than he can chew? Makhachev relinquished the UFC Lightweight Champion in an effort to compete for gold in a second weight class. Makhachev has long discussed the importance of winning the welterweight title, and he’ll have a chance to do so against Jack Della Maddalena. At this time, a date hasn’t been set for the fight, although UFC CEO Dana White admitted that a November date in Madison Square Garden is appealing.
Daniel Cormier willing to root for Jon Jones, but there's a catch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2025
Daniel Cormier has long been at odds with Jon Jones, but he would end up cheering for “Bones” under a special circumstance. POTUS Donald Trump had many within the MMA community buzzing when he discussed possibly holding a UFC event in the White House during Independence Day weekend in 2026. Such an event has not been confirmed, and many have questioned the logistics of such a show.
UFC veteran believes Charles Oliveira needs to take time off after UFC 317 loss
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2025
UFC veteran Gilbert Burns is of the belief that Charles Oliveira needs to take some time off following his loss at UFC 317. In his most recent outing at UFC 317, Charles Oliveira attempted to regain the UFC lightweight championship. He went up against Ilia Topuria, and while he had a few nice moments in the early stages of the fight, it ended in heartbreak for ‘Do Bronx’. He was knocked out cold, with Topuria doing exactly what he said he was going to do.
Amanda Nunes wasn't "impressed" by Kayla Harrison's win at UFC 316
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2025
UFC legend Amanda Nunes has said that she wasn’t particularly impressed by Kayla Harrison’s win over Julianna Pena. As you may or may not know, Amanda Nunes is back. Just a few years after her retirement from mixed martial arts, the GOAT will be returning to the sport in order to challenge Kayla Harrison for the UFC women’s bantamweight championship. It’s set to be one of the biggest fights in the history of women’s MMA and, for many, it’s really hard to know which way it’s going to go.
Din Thomas believes Ilia Topuria will be able to defeat Islam Makhachev
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2025
MMA analyst Din Thomas is of the belief that Ilia Topuria has what it takes to defeat Islam Makhachev if they fought. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts today. He has already achieved some incredible things in the sport, which includes becoming a two-weight UFC champion. As we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if he’s ready to push for even more sensational accomplishments.
Renato Moicano calls for showdown with Michael Chandler after UFC 317 defeat
Harry Kettle - July 8, 2025
UFC veteran Renato Moicano has called for a showdown with Michael Chandler after his UFC 317 defeat. As we know, Renato Moicano is one of the more outspoken – and entertaining – lightweights on the UFC roster. A lot of that comes from what he does outside of the cage, but he’s also a pretty enjoyable guy to watch in action. Unfortunately for him and his fans, the Brazilian fell short in his most recent ouitng as he was defeated by fellow veteran Beneil Dariush.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 199 with Steve Garcia, Max Griffin, and Austen Lane
Cole Shelton - July 8, 2025
Pedro Dantas promises fireworks in ONE Championship debut: "I want to showcase some great knockouts"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 7, 2025
Pedro Dantas has waited his entire life for this moment. Now he’s ready to make the most of it. The undefeated Brazilian prospect makes his ONE Championship debut against #4-ranked featherweight MMA contender Ilya Freymanov at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For the 22-year-old, the opportunity represents validation of everything he’s worked toward.
Shadow Singha Mawynn confident in striking power against Mohamed Younes Rabah: "My most dangerous weapon would probably be my elbows"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 7, 2025
Shadow Singha Mawynn isn’t fazed by facing a bigger opponent this weekend. The Thai striker believes his technical skills will overcome any size disadvantage. The #3-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender faces Mohamed Younes Rabah at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Shadow, the bout represents another step toward a potential title shot.
Justin Gaethje hopeful for Ilia Topuria fight at MSG: "I would love to knock him out"
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2025
Justin Gaethje is hoping he will face Ilia Topuria at Madison Square Garden later this year. Topuria became the UFC’s lightweight champion with a first-round KO win over Charles Oliveira. After his win, it wasn’t clear who Topuria’s first title defense would be against, as Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and Paddy Pimblett could all get the next title shot.
UFC analyst begs Jon Jones not to 'become what Conor has become'
BJ Penn Staff - July 7, 2025
Daniel Cormier doesn’t want Jon Jones to end up like Conor McGregor in his post UFC life. Jones, the former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, retired last month. His retirement came after months of speculation as to whether he could be convinced to fight England’s Tom Aspinall. In the end, it never happened.
Donn Davis pitches Donald Trump on PFL fights at the White House
BJ Penn Staff - July 7, 2025
Donald Trump says he plans on hosting a UFC event at the White House to celebrate America’s 250th birthday next year. Donn Davis is hoping the PFL can get in on the star-spangled MMA action. Trump’s comments about a UFC card on the White House grounds sent the MMA world in a frenzy last week.
Robert Whittaker lays out retirement timeline for "fairy tale ending"
Cole Shelton - July 7, 2025
Robert Whittaker is closing in on the end of his UFC career. Whittaker is set to headline UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26 against Reinier de Ridder in an intriguing bout. ‘The Reaper’ is looking to get back into the win column after a submission loss to Khamzat Chimaev. Ahead of his return, Whittaker says he has four fights left in his career, which includes ending his career on top.