MMA News
Beneil Dariush expects to "smash" Renato Moicano at UFC 317 after watching Islam Makhachev bout
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2025
Beneil Dariush has plenty of confidence that he will beat Renato Moicano at UFC 317. Dariush was supposed to fight Moicano back in January, but the Brazilian ended up getting a title shot against Islam Makhachev on a day’s notice after Arman Tsarukyan pulled out. After Dariush lost the fight, he was hoping to return sooner, but is glad he is getting a chance to face Moicano.
Dana White announces Diego Lopes vs Jean Silva headlines Noche UFC
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White has announced a featherweight banger is set to headline Noche UFC. White took to Instagram Live on Tuesday night to reveal that Diego Lopes will face Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC on in San Antonio on September 13. Noche UFC was originally supposed to be a pay-per-view card, but the arena in Mexico wasn’t going to be ready in time, so the promotion moved it to San Antonio and made it a Fight Night card.
Arman Tsarukyan takes aim at Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 317: "I’m the worst possible matchup for you"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan took aim at Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 317. Topuria is set to challenge Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title fight. It’s Topuria’s second fight at lightweight, as he vacated his featherweight title to move up to 155lbs to try and become a two-weight champion.
Charles Oliveira believes he's a better striker than Ilia Topuria ahead of UFC 317: "I've got heavy hands"
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2025
Charles Oliveira believes he’s a better striker than Ilia Topuria and is ready to prove it at UFC 317. Oliveira is set to take on Topuria for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of the pay-per-view card on Saturday. It’s an intriguing matchup, and although the Brazilian is a sizeable underdog, he has confidence that he’s better no matter where the fight takes place.
Tom Aspinall is 'the biggest loser' amid Jon Jones retirement news
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 24, 2025
In the mind of one former UFC fan favorite, Tom Aspinall lost the most following Jon Jones’ retirement. Fight fans were hoping that Jones vs. Aspinall would be booked, but “Bones” informed the UFC that he’s done with prizefighting. It’s the end of a legendary career with some bumps in the road outside of the Octagon for Jones. As for Aspinall, he’s now the undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion and his division gets a chance to move forward.
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.
Diego Lopes continues to question rival Yair Rodriguez over potential fight
Harry Kettle - June 24, 2025
The rivalry between Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez continues to heat up in the midst of rumors regarding Yair turning down a fight against him. As we know, Diego Lopes and Yair Rodriguez are both top featherweight contenders. They recently fought on the same card, and while Lopes fell short in his attempt to defeat Alexander Volkanovski and win the belt, Rodriguez managed to pick up a win over the debuting Patricio Pitbull. In the lead-up to fight night, however, the two men were at each other’s throats during the press conference, revealing a bubbling feud that has been developing between them.
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
What's next for Khalil Rountree and Jamahal Hill after UFC Baku?
Cole Shelton - June 23, 2025
The UFC was in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday for a solid UFC Baku Fight Night card. The main event saw former light heavyweight champ Jamahal Hill take on Khalil Rountree. Entering the fight, Hill was coming off back-to-back losses while Rountree was coming off a stoppage loss to Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title.
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.
Khalil Rountree suffered serious injury ahead of UFC Baku win, could barely 'walk and even stand'
BJ Penn Staff - June 23, 2025
Khalil Rountree picked up one of the biggest wins of his career in the main event of last Saturday’s UFC Baku card. Apparently, he did so with a serious injury. Rountree, a former light heavyweight title challenger, was back in action against former champion Jamahal Hill. He ended up dominating his fellow American over five rounds.
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.