MMA News
Major Joe Rogan news ahead of UFC 317 broadcast in Las Vegas
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 24, 2025
Joe Rogan is back in the booth for UFC 317. The broadcast plans for the UFC’s next pay-per-view event this Saturday have been reported by MMAJunkie. Dan Hellie will be hosting the weigh-in show on Friday at 11:50 a.m. ET. He’ll be joined by Daniel Cormier, Michael Bisping and Laura Sanko.
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith criticizes Jon Jones for retiring before Tom Aspinall fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 24, 2025
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith had a lot to say about Jon Jones’ retirement. When Tom Aspinall witnessed Jones pick Stipe Miocic apart during the UFC 309 main event in New York City, many were hoping that a title unification bout would be next. At the time, Aspinall was the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion, while “Bones” held the main gold.
Ilia Topuria confirms that he decided to leave featherweight division before fighting Max Holloway
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2025
UFC star Ilia Topuria has confirmed that he decided to leave the featherweight division before even defending his belt against Max Holloway. As we know, Ilia Topuria will attempt to become a two-weight world champion on Saturday night when he goes head to head with Charles Oliveira. The bout is expected to be an electric affair, with the majority of fans and pundits backing ‘El Matador’ to get the job done.
Michael Chandler reveals interest in a possible WWE switch
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2025
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler has made it known that he is interested in a possible stint with WWE at some point in the future. As we know, Michael Chandler is a pretty outspoken guy. In addition to being a real daredevil in the cage, he’s also quite a good ‘talker’ in the sense that he knows how to build interest for a fight. He’s even made an appearance on WWE television before, calling out Conor McGregor in a manner similar to how he has done in the past.
Alex Pereira believes he's fought tougher opponents than Magomed Ankalaev
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2025
UFC icon Alex Pereira is of the belief that he has fought tougher opponents than Magomed Ankalaev during his combat sports career. As we know, Alex Pereira fell short in his last UFC outing as he lost his UFC light heavyweight championship to Magomed Ankalaev. Ever since then, fans have been questioning when he’s going to get back in the Octagon – but in a very uncharacteristic mood, ‘Poatan’ has decided to take his time before rushing back into what will likely be an immediate rematch.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 198 with Beneil Dariush and Terrance McKinney
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2025
The 198th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 317. We’re first joined by ninth-ranked UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush (0:55). Next, UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (12:33) joins the show.
Reug Reug, Anatoly Malykhin working with MMA icons for World Title rematch at ONE 173
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 23, 2025
Japan has a deep history of combat sports, and ONE Heavyweight MMA World Champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane is basking in it ahead of his World Title defense at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri in Tokyo. The Senegalese powerhouse revealed that MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will be in his corner for his World Title defense versus two-weight ONE MMA World Champion Anatoly Malykhin at Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16.
ONE Championship announces two title fights for ONE 173 in November
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 23, 2025
ONE Championship announced two massive bouts for its second monumental event in Japan this year. The promotion heads to Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16, for ONE 173. The main event sees a World Title unification bout as reigning ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon faces interim titleholder Masaaki Noiri.
Ilia Topuria shares bold prediction for Charles Oliveira fight at UFC 317
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2025
Ilia Topuria is oozing with confidence ahead of his UFC 317 fight against Charles Oliveira on Saturday. Topuria is moving up to lightweight to face Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Topuria is a massive favorite in. Although the oddsmakers expect him to get the win, he expects to end the fight early and violently.
UFC 317 headliner Ilia Topuria trashes Conor McGregor for punching man in night club
BJ Penn Staff - June 23, 2025
Ilia Topuria is busy with his final preparations for UFC 317, but found time in his busy schedule to sneak in a jab at Conor McGregor. Topuria recently vacated the UFC featherweight belt to move up to lightweight and chase a second title. He’ll get his shot at two-division gold in the main event of UFC 317 Saturday, when he takes on Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt.
Jailton Almeida "hopeful" to get title fight against Tom Aspinall following Jon Jones' retirement
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2025
Jailton Almeida believes he could be fighting for the heavyweight title next time out. Jon Jones announced his retirement from MMA, which meant Tom Aspinall has been promoted to the heavyweight champion. However, Aspinall’s first title defense hasn’t been announced, and Almeida believes he deserves it.
Dana White reacts to Jake Paul's next boxing match going head-to-head with UFC 317
BJ Penn Staff - June 23, 2025
Dana White will have some competition when UFC 317 goes down in Las Vegas this Saturday. On the same night, Jake Paul is set to meet Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the boxing ring. During a recent appearance at Fanatics Fest, White was asked by MMA Fighting what he thought about competing with a Paul fight. It’s safe to say he’s not especially concerned.
Nassourdine Imavov booked to headline UFC Paris on Sept. 6
BJ Penn Staff - June 23, 2025
UFC Paris has it’s main event, and as widely expected, Nassourdine Imavov will be involved. The UFC is set to return to Paris on September 6—in keeping with a tradition of recent September visits to France by the promotion. No. 1-ranked middleweight Imavov has been called upon to headline, as one of the country’s top mixed martial artists. He’ll be taking on Brazil’s Caio Borralho, who is currently ranked No. 6.
Jon Jones' legal team responds to 'baseless' criminal charge amid UFC retirement
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2025
Shortly after a cryptic social media post from Jon Jones, his legal team has issued a statement on a recent criminal charge. Not long after UFC CEO Dana White announced that Jones retired from pro MMA competition, a report from The Albuquerque Journal surfaced. In the report, it was noted that Jones was facing a criminal misdemeanor charge after allegedly leaving the scene of a traffic accident back in February in New Mexico. “Bones” told fans to not believe everything they read, and he said even the media gets things wrong.
MMA analyst doubts Arman Tsarukyan is back in good standing despite UFC 317 backup role
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2025
One well-known MMA analyst and coach thinks Arman Tsarukyan remains in the UFC’s doghouse. Some fans were surprised to hear the news that Tsarukyan will serve as the backup fighter for the UFC 317 main event. Tsarukyan lost his shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship after suffering a back injury hours before the weigh-ins for his planned rematch with Islam Makhachev back in January. Tsarukyan then declined a rematch with Mateusz Gamrot and expressed frustration with UFC matchmakers.
Khabib Nurmagomedov sends message to Jon Jones following UFC retirement
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 23, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has reacted to Jon Jones’ retirement with a message for the future UFC Hall of Famer. During the UFC Baku post-fight press conference, Dana White announced that Jon Jones has retired from pro MMA competition. While many were hoping that “Bones” would face Tom Aspinall in a heavyweight title unification bout, it wasn’t meant to be. Aspinall is now the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion.
BKFC boss confirms talks with UFC legend Nate Diaz
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2025
BKFC boss David Feldman has confirmed that the promotion is still interested in making a deal to sign Nate Diaz. Everyone knows that Nate Diaz is a bad, bad man. He’s one of the most notable and popular fighters in mixed martial arts history, and certainly in the history of the UFC. While his brother Nick was arguably more accomplished inside the cage, Nate has been able to capture the imagination of the masses throughout the course of his career.
Kevin Lee reveals he’s had his jaw wired shut following PFL defeat
Harry Kettle - June 23, 2025
UFC veteran Kevin Lee has revealed that he had his jaw wired shut following his defeat to Gadzhi Rabadanov last week. As we know, Kevin Lee has done a lot of impressive things in mixed martial arts. Unfortunately, he was never quite able to fulfill the potential that many believed he had. Instead, he’s faltered more often than not, picking up a string of losses in the latter stages of his career. Now, following the aforementioned KO loss to Rabadanov, nobody really knows what the next step will be for him.