MMA News
Bo Nickal set to return to wrestling following disastrous UFC loss
BJ Penn Staff - July 2, 2025
Bo Nickal is shifting gears after his first UFC loss. Nickal, a decorated amateur wrestler, started 2025 as one of the hottest prospects in the UFC. Then he ran into Reinier de Ridder. De Ridder, a former ONE Championship titleholder, absolutely dominated Nickal when they met in early May, handing the wrestling specialist his first MMA loss with a second-round TKO.
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.
Ilia Topuria has already surpassed Conor McGregor, says former UFC champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 2, 2025
A former UFC titleholder believes Ilia Topuria’s run has surpassed Conor McGregor’s. Topuria has dazzled fans with his last three performances. “El Matador” captured the UFC Featherweight Championship by knocking Alexander Volkanovski out. He followed that up by becoming the first fighter to put Max Holloway to sleep. Then, at UFC 317, Topuria scored a first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira to become the new UFC Lightweight Champion.
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.
Paddy Pimblett blasts 'stupid' Charles Oliveira for UFC 317 game plan against Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 1, 2025
Paddy Pimblett had a harsh assessment of Charles Oliveira’s knockout loss against Ilia Topuria. Oliveira and Topuria collided for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship this past Saturday. A counter elbow from Oliveira early on landed before the fight briefly went to the ground. “El Matador” didn’t appear to be in serious danger when Oliveira grabbed a hold of his leg. When the fight returned to the feet, Topuria unloaded with a right hook, followed by a left to score the knockout win.
Dustin Poirier shares honest assessment of Jack Della Maddalena vs. Islam Makhachev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 1, 2025
Dustin Poirier has offered his assessment of a clash between Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev. Plans are in place for Maddalena to put the UFC Welterweight Championship at stake against Makhachev at some point in the coming months. While the date hasn’t been confirmed, Dana White admitted to media members that a New York City card in November might be a good landing spot for Maddalena vs. Makhachev.
Tracy Cortez isn't overly happy despite defeating Viviane Araujo at UFC 317
Harry Kettle - July 1, 2025
UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez is disappointed she didn’t get the finish against Viviane Araújo at UFC 317 last weekend. For the longest time now, Tracy Cortez has been seen as a legitimate title threat in the women’s flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. However, after falling short in an outing against Rose Namajunas, some questioned whether or not she’d ever be able to win the big one.
Ilia Topuria gives his thoughts on possible UFC title fight against Justin Gaethje
Harry Kettle - July 1, 2025
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has given his thoughts on a potential title fight against Justin Gaethje. Last weekend, Ilia Topuria cemented his position as the #1 pound for pound fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was able to defeat Charles Oliveira to capture the lightweight title, joining a small group of people who have been able to win belts in two different divisions.
Terrance McKinney isn't fully satisfied despite quick UFC 317 finish
Harry Kettle - July 1, 2025
Terrance McKinney isn’t fully satisfied despite his quick, impressive submission win over Viacheslav Borshchev at UFC 317. As we know, Terrance McKinney is a pretty interesting prospect in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s had some incredible highlight reel moments since first singing for the promotion, but in equal measure, he’s also had his fair share of setbacks.
Reug Reug unbothered by Anatoly Malykhin's pre-fight banter: "He's gonna talk rubbish"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 30, 2025
ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane refuses to bite any of the bait thrown his way by two-weight ONE MMA king Anatoly Malykhin. The pair clash in a ONE Heavyweight MMA World Title rematch at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri on Sunday, November 16, at Tokyo, Japan’s Ariake Arena.
Suablack relives big win over Sangarthit at ONE Friday Fights 114: "I felt free"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 30, 2025
Suablack Tor Pran49 revealed he felt like the restraints were let loose this past Friday, June 27, as he shocked the world in his kickboxing debut. The Thai striker ended his three-fight losing streak in spectacular fashion as he dominated Sangarthit Looksaikongdin in 140-pound kickboxing action at ONE Friday Fights 114, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
What's next for the stars of UFC 317?
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2025
The UFC was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday for a solid UFC 317 card. The main event saw Ilia Topuria taking on Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. The co-main event saw Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight strap against Kai Kara-France. Ultimately, it was Topuria who scored a first-round knockout win over Oliveira to become the lightweight champ. Pantoja dominated Kara-France, en route to a submission win to defend his flyweight title. Following UFC 317, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.
Fighter claims he had to stop sparring with UFC star Ilia Topuria: 'Thank God my head is fine'
BJ Penn Staff - June 30, 2025
New two-division UFC champion Ilia Topuria hits so hard that his fellow Georgian Merab Dvalishvili—also a UFC champ—had to stop sparring with him. Topuria was back in action at UFC 317 last Saturday. He knocked out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight belt in the main event. His lightweight title win followed a brief reign at featherweight, where he scored two similarly stunning KOs against Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.
Gregory Rodrigues responds to backlash over controversial UFC 317 KO: 'I don't care'
BJ Penn Staff - June 30, 2025
Gregory Rodrigues has heard the criticism of his brutal UFC 317 knockout victory, but doesn’t seem to bothered by it. Rodrigues was back in action on the event’s undercard, taking on long-time staple of the middleweight top-15, Jack Hermansson. It was a crucial fight for the Brazilian, who was beaten by Jared Cannonier in his first bout with a ranked opponent earlier this year. To say he won his rebound fight impressively would be an understatement.
Islam Makhachev's coach explains why Jack Della Maddalena is a tougher matchup than Ilia Topuria
Cole Shelton - June 30, 2025
Javier Mendez, the head coach of Islam Makhachev, believes his fighter is taking the hardest fight possible. Makhachev vacated his lightweight title to move up to welterweight to face Jack Della Maddalena. It’s an intriguing matchup, but after Ilia Topuria won at UFC 317, many fans want Makhachev back at 155lbs to face Topuria.