MMA News
Vladimir Kuzmin promises "thrilling fight" against Stefan Korodi at ONE Fight Night 33
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.
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.
UFC commentator gushes over Ilia Topuria's run: 'It's almost as if he bends time'
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.
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.
Swedish fighter believes she can stop Allycia Hellen Rodrigues with elbows: "That's all I can say"
BJPENN.COM Staff - July 2, 2025
Seven years of grinding has led Johanna Persson to this moment. Now she just needs to seize it. 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 everything she’s worked toward.
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.
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.