MMA News
Chihiro Sawada targeting finish against Macarena Aragon: "I'm aiming for a submission victory"
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.
Jack Della Maddalena believes Islam Makhachev is "too little" for him: "We saw what Volk did to him"
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.
Jean Silva makes things personal with Diego Lopes ahead of Noche UFC
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 3, 2025
Jean Silva isn’t mincing words ahead of his showdown with Diego Lopes. Silva and Lopes are set to collide in the main event of Noche UFC on Sept. 13 inside Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Going into the fight, Silva has decided to rev up the trash talk. The Fighting Nerds standout has never been shy in hurling barbs at his opponent, which is what he did prior to his most recent fight against Bryce Mitchell.
Former UFC star inks deal with Eddie Hearn to pursue boxing career
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.
Belal Muhammad claims UFC rival Kamaru Usman 'cried' during podcast brawl: 'He's trying to edit it out'
BJ Penn Staff - July 3, 2025
Belal Muhammad claims he made Kamaru Usman tear-up during their infamous podcast brawl. The brawl occurred on Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo several months ago. It’s been talked about to death by both parties, but so far, no footage of the incident has emerged.
Joe Pyfer lashes out over 'ridiculous' rankings snub – 'UFC doesn't care what I want'
BJ Penn Staff - July 3, 2025
Joe Pyfer isn’t happy about not being included in the UFC rankings. Pyfer is one of the top prospects in the UFC middleweight division. Known for his fearsome knockout power, he holds a 5-1 record in the promotion. His lone loss in the Octagon came against long-time contender Jack Hermansson last year. Since then, he’s rebounded with a knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault, and more recently, a decision win over Kelvin Gastelum.
Dustin Poirier proclaims he's 'getting on steroids' after UFC retirement
BJ Penn Staff - July 3, 2025
Dustin Poirier has some interesting plans for life after the UFC. Poirier is one of the best lightweights in MMA history, and could well be destined for a spot in the UFC Hall of Fame. Later this month, in the main event of UFC 318 in New Orleans, he’ll fight for a final time, with plans to hang up the gloves win, lose or draw. His opponent will be former featherweight champ Max Holloway.
Chael Sonnen argues Ilia Topuria should already have 3 UFC belts
BJ Penn Staff - July 3, 2025
If you ask Chael Sonnen, Ilia Topuria should already have three UFC titles—not two. Topuria is undefeated at 17-0. His last three wins have been particularly impressive. First, he knocked out featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski to claim that division’s title. Then he defended the featherweight belt with a knockout o another legend in Max Holloway—who had never been stopped with strikes before. He then vacated the featherweight belt, and moved up to lightweight, where he knocked out a third legend in Charles Oliveira to claim the division’s vacant title.
Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg predicts vicious ending to Jhanlo Mark Sangiao fight: "Put him to sleep"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 2, 2025
Confidence isn’t something Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg lacks heading into his next assignment. The question is whether he can back it up. The Mongolian striker faces Filipino prospect Jhanlo Mark Sangiao in bantamweight MMA action at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. For Zoltsetseg, the bout represents a chance to silence critics after his recent setback.
Ilia Topuria calls Paddy Pimblett one of the "easiest fights" at lightweight: "I could choose the way I finish him"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2025
Ilia Topuria believes Paddy Pimblett would be an easy fight for him, and one of the easiest fights in the division. After Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 to win the vacant lightweight title, Pimblett went into the Octagon to face off with him. Although Dana White wasn’t happy that happened, many fans are hoping that is the next fight. But if it is the next fight, Topuria has full confidence that he will win.
Belal Muhammad believes he beat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315: "I won that fight"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2025
Belal Muhammad believes he did more than enough to beat Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. Muhammad was looking to defend his welterweight title for the first time, but dropped a decision to Della Maddalena. The Aussie was able to land the more damaging shots to get the win. However, after watching it back multiple times, Muhammad feels like he did enough to get the win.
Colby Covington names ideal opponent for next UFC bout: I want 'Hall-of-Famer type fights'
BJ Penn Staff - July 2, 2025
Colby Covington only wants the biggest names possible in the UFC from here. Covington, known as much for his virulent trash talk as he is for his fighting ability, is one of the best welterweights of this generation. However, he has now lost his last two fights, and is 2-3 dating back 2020. Given his recent losses, and the fact that he is now 37, most fans feel his career is winding down.
Renato Moicano gets honest with himself in first statement since UFC 317 loss: 'I need to get better'
BJ Penn Staff - July 2, 2025
Renato Moicano knows he needs to get better after his UFC 317 loss to Beneil Dariush. Moicano met Dariush on the event’s main card. At the time, Dariush was ranked No. 9 at lightweight, and Moicano No. 11, so it was a big fight for the division. It was also Moicano’s opportunity to rebound from a quick loss to Islam Makhachev in a short-notice title fight earlier this year.
Arman Tsarukyan sends a message to Ilia Topuria: "See you soon"
Cole Shelton - July 2, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan has sent a message to Ilia Topuria as he looks to get the next title shot. Topuria became the UFC’s lightweight champion with a stunning first-round knockout win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Following the win, Paddy Pimblett came into the Octagon to face off with Topuria, but it’s not definitive that he will be next.
Former Conor McGregor opponent possibly returning to UFC: 'They know who I am'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 2, 2025
A former Conor McGregor foe believes he will be making his way back to the UFC. Going into his July 19, 2014 bout, McGregor’s stock was already rising. He had been sidelined for almost a full year following an ACL injury during his meeting with Max Holloway. McGregor’s ended up scoring a first-round TKO finish over Diego Brandao.
Top UFC contender blames Joe Rogan for Ilia Topuria's staredown with Paddy Pimblett
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 2, 2025
One top-ranked UFC lightweight has pinned blame on Joe Rogan for the staredown between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett. Topuria is fresh off another stellar knockout victory, capturing the UFC Lightweight Championship in the process. It didn’t take long for “El Matador” to find Charles Oliveira’s chin, scoring the first-round finish. After the bout, Pimblett was brought inside the Octagon for a faceoff with Topuria. The newly minted UFC 155-pound titleholder shoved “The Baddy” before security broke things up.
Shadow Singha Mawynn opens up about childhood poverty: "I didn't even dare to dream"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 1, 2025
Success hasn’t made Shadow Singha Mawynn forget where he came from. If anything, it’s made those memories more vivid. 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 the 25-year-old Thai striker, the bout represents validation of a journey that seemed impossible just years ago.
Jhanlo Mark Sangiao shares honest feelings about fatherhood: "More nervous than all my fights combined"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 1, 2025
Jhanlo Mark Sangiao enters his comeback fight carrying extra weight on his shoulders. But this time, it’s the good kind. The Filipino bantamweight MMA fighter faces Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg at ONE Fight Night 33 on Friday, July 11, inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium. The bout marks his first appearance since losing to Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in August 2023.