MMA News

Harry Kettle - July 7, 2025

UFC veteran Kelvin Gastelum has given his thoughts on how he can rebound from his recent slump in the promotion. For the longest time now, Kelvin Gastelum has been a permanent fixture at welterweight and middleweight in the UFC. While he’s had some incredible moments along the way, he hasn’t always been the most consistent in terms of his results.

Harry Kettle - July 7, 2025

UFC star Islam Makhachev has spoken out about the possibility of him retiring from mixed martial arts in the near future. As we know, Islam Makhachev is one of the best fighters in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Right now, though, he’s not a champion after giving up his lightweight crown to pursue a second title at welterweight. The expectation is that he’ll battle Jack Della Maddalena at some point in the near future.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 6, 2025

Two years of soul-searching have brought Jhanlo Mark Sangiao to this moment. Now he’s ready to make a statement. The Filipino bantamweight MMA fighter faces Mongolian striker Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Sangiao, the bout represents more than just another fight.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 6, 2025

Seven years ago, Johanna Persson had never thrown a punch or kicked a pad. Now she’s fighting for world championship gold. The Swedish striker challenges reigning ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Persson, the title shot represents the culmination of an unlikely journey.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2025

Ian Machado Garry isn’t convinced that Belal Muhammad wants to fight him. Muhammad recently lost the UFC Welterweight Championship to Jack Della Maddalena in a five-round clash back in May. “Remember The Name” will look to rebound, but the question remains, will he be able to compete in Chicago for UFC 319 on Aug. 16? It would be a homecoming for Muhammad.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2025

Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has received some support from an unlikely name. O’Malley recently competed in a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. The “Suga” show lost the fight in the third round via submission. It was the first submission loss of O’Malley’s pro MMA career.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev has been given some advice from one former UFC champion ahead of his showdown against Dricus du Plessis. Chimaev is set to challenge du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship on Aug. 16. The title fight will headline UFC 319 inside United Center in Chicago. Chimaev will enter the bout with an undefeated record, while du Plessis hasn’t suffered a loss since 2018.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2025

Paddy Pimblett has detailed how his issues with Ilia Topuria began. Pimblett and Topuria have been at odds since 2021. The two had a physical altercation at a fighter hotel, which saw “The Baddy” throw a hand sanitizer bottle at “El Matador.” The two also nearly came to blows during a press conference in 2022.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 6, 2025

Israel Adesanya believes Sean Strickland might be going through some things at the moment. Adesanya and Strickland are no strangers to one another inside the Octagon. The two collided back in Sept. 2023. Adesanya was the UFC Middleweight Champion going into the bout and he was a huge betting favorite. Strickland ended up getting the better of “Izzy” for five rounds to pull off the upset unanimous decision victory to become the 185-pound titleholder.

Chris Taylor - July 4, 2025

Former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones could be ending his retirement just weeks after announcing his departure from the sport. It was only 13 days ago when UFC CEO Dana White announced that Jones (28-1 MMA) had decided to hang up his gloves for good, thus promoting Tom Aspinall to undisputed heavyweight champion status.

BJ Penn Staff - July 4, 2025

UFC 318 just lost one of its biggest fights. It’s the latest blow to a fight card MMA fans were already criticizing for its low quality. UFC 318 goes down on July 19 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The card will be topped by a lightweight clash between Louisiana’s own Dustin Poirier, and Hawaii’s Max Holloway. It will mark the final fight of Poirier’s illustrious career — hence the setting in his home state.

BJ Penn Staff - July 4, 2025

Jake Paul was back in action last Saturday, taking on Mexican boxing veteran Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a cruiserweight clash. Ahead of time, much was made of the fact that the boxing match was going head-to-head with the stacked UFC 317 MMA card in Las Vegas. Most fight fans reasonably assumed that UFC 317, headlined by a lightweight title fight between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira, would be the bigger card. However, Paul’s promotion company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), is now claiming otherwise.

BJ Penn Staff - July 4, 2025

US President Donald Trump is hoping to host a UFC event on the White House lawn, and a number of notable fighters—including Conor McGregor—are already eager to sign up. Trump announced plans for a UFC event at the White House in the lead-up to the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence—this date next year.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 3, 2025

Vladimir Kuzmin knows exactly what type of fight fans can expect when he steps into the ring next week. The only question is who will be left standing. The Russian striker faces Stefan Korodi in bantamweight Muay Thai action at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Kuzmin, the bout represents a chance to bounce back from his recent setback.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 3, 2025

Chihiro Sawada isn’t interested in leaving anything to chance in her next outing. The Japanese grappler has already decided how she wants her night to end. The #5-ranked atomweight MMA contender faces Argentine striker Macarena Aragon at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Sawada, the bout represents an opportunity to get back on track after her recent setback.

Cole Shelton - July 3, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena is fully confident he will beat Islam Makhachev when they end up fighting. Makhachev is set to move up to welterweight in hopes of becoming a two-weight champion when he takes on Della Maddalena. Although the fight hasn’t officially been made, all signs point to it happening sometime later this year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 3, 2025

Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn has announced the signing of a retired UFC fighter. Many MMA stars have transitioned to the world of boxing, whether it’s for a quick payday or a long-term play. Some of those fighters have found success in the sweet science to varying degrees. You can add Molly McCann to the list of MMA athletes turned boxers.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 3, 2025

One UFC commentator continues to be amazed by the current run Ilia Topuria is on. After knocking out two all-time greats in Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway back-to-back, Topuria decided to relinquish the featherweight gold in an effort to move up to 155 pounds. While some considered it to be a bold move for Topuria, he ended up starching Charles Oliveira in the opening frame to lay claim to the UFC Lightweight Championship.