MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 9, 2025

Tye Ruotolo is ready to test his skills in a completely different arena. The grappling world champion will find out if his success translates to mixed martial arts. The reigning ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion makes his MMA debut against Adrian Lee at ONE Fight Night 35 on Friday, September 5, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Ruotolo, the bout represents a significant career transition.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 9, 2025

Chatri Sityodtong isn’t staying silent about the coordinated efforts to undermine his organization. The ONE Championship Chairman and CEO took to Facebook to address what he calls sophisticated attacks on the promotion. According to Sityodtong, the attacks have escalated significantly in 2025. He claims malicious parties have used AI-generated deepfake videos, thousands of fake social media accounts, and articles filled with misinformation to spread false narratives about ONE Championship.

Cole Shelton - July 9, 2025

Max Griffin says he doesn’t like Chris Curtis and is eager to fight him at UFC Nashville. Griffin is coming off a disappointing loss to Michael Chiesa. After the loss in December, Griffin made it clear that he wanted to return ASAP, but he didn’t get booked until now.

Cole Shelton - July 9, 2025

Ben Askren has given an update from his hospital bed after he had a double lung transplant. Askren has been in the hospital for months and is starting to get better after getting the transplant. On Wednesday, he posted a video on his Instagram giving fans a big update on his health and what he was going through.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2025

Charles Oliveira admits he made some mistakes in his title fight against Ilia Topuria. Oliveira and Topuria did battle in the main event of UFC 317. The fight hit the ground, but only momentarily. Once the action returned to the feet, it didn’t take “El Matador” long to put “do Bronx” to sleep with a right hand followed by a left.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 9, 2025

Max Holloway was quite happy when he heard Ilia Topuria would be making the jump to 155 pounds. Topuria vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship to challenge for the vacant lightweight gold. “El Matador” went one-on-one with Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317. Topuria ended up knocking “do Bronx” out in the opening frame to lay claim to UFC gold in a second weight class.

BJ Penn Staff - July 9, 2025

Former UFC middleweight Tim Kennedy is coming clean. Kennedy, once a top middleweight in both Strikeforce and the UFC, has an extensive military background, and several awards for his service. However, he has previously claimed to have received a Bronze Star with Valor. That claim was eventually called out by several members of the military. Then, it was proven to be outright false.

Harry Kettle - July 9, 2025

UFC veteran Derrick Lewis isn’t convinced that he’ll get the call to compete on a UFC White House card. On Saturday night, Derrick Lewis will go head to head with Tallison Teixeira. After winning two of his last three fights, some wonder whether or not ‘The Black Beast’ could have one more big run in the promotion. Given how light it seems to be at the top of the heavyweight division, it certainly feels like a possibility.

Harry Kettle - July 9, 2025

Kevin Lee has reflected on the broken jaw that he suffered in his most recent fight, calling it the worst injury he’s suffered. For the longest time, Kevin Lee was considered to be the next big thing in the world of mixed martial arts. Unfortunately, his career hasn’t quite panned out as many would’ve hoped, especially in the UFC.

Harry Kettle - July 9, 2025

UFC veteran Alexander Volkov has revealed his future plans following his controversial loss to Ciryl Gane last year. For the longest time, Alexander Volkov has been seen as one of the leading contenders in the heavyweight division. While he’s never been world champion, he’s been constantly improving and getting better, learning from all of his past mistakes along the way.

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.

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.

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.

BJ Penn Staff - July 8, 2025

Dana White is very excited about the line-up for UFC 318. It’s safe to say UFC fans are not quite as jazzed. UFC 318 is set for July 19 in New Orleans, Louisiana. In the main event, Louisianan hero Dustin Poirier will compete in his final fight, taking on a fellow UFC legend in Max Holloway. You won’t find many fight fans complaining about the card’s main event, but beyond the headliner, the line-up has been the subject of some controversy.

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).

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.

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.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 8, 2025

Diego Lopes is putting the blame on Yair Rodriguez for the lack of movement as far as a grudge match is concerned. Despite having bad blood with “El Pantera,” Lopes will be fighting Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC on Sept. 13. Lopes vs. Silva figures to be an explosive fight with major implications in the featherweight division. Still, many are wondering why Rodriguez wasn’t booked to face Lopes unless he’s receiving the next 145-pound title opportunity.