MMA News
Lil’ Wayne responds to Dustin Poirier’s UFC 318 retirement walkout request
BJ Penn Staff - June 18, 2025
Dustin Poirier will have prestigious company when he walks to the Octagon for his final UFC fight next month. Poirier, one of the greatest lightweights in MMA history, is set to fight for a final time in the main event of UFC 318 on July 19. His opponent will be former featherweight champion Max Holloway — a man he has already beaten twice, but who is just as legendary a fighter.
UFC 317 suffers major blow as main card fight gets rescheduled
BJ Penn Staff - June 18, 2025
UFC 317 took a major blow this week, as main card matchup involving Paulo Costa was rescheduled for a later date. Brazil’s Costa, a former UFC middleweight title challenger, was set to meet Russia’s Roman Kopylov on the June 28 event’s main card. According to a report from Laerta Viana, however, the Brazilian has come down with an illness. That has forced the UFC to move his fight with Kopylov to UFC 318, which is slated for July 19.
Report | Former WWE exec Vince McMahon made play to buy Conor McGregor's BKFC
BJ Penn Staff - June 18, 2025
Former WWE executive Vince McMahon seems to be trying to get back into the combat sports business. In fact, he recently had is eyes on BKFC. McMahon is one of the most important figures in WWE history. However, he parted ways with the organization following an extremely concerning scandal.
Alex Pereira shares prediction for Jamahal Hill vs Khalil Rountree at UFC Baku
Cole Shelton - June 18, 2025
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has shared his prediction for Saturday’s UFC Baku main event. The main event of UFC Baku sees Jamahal Hill taking on Khalil Rountree in a pivotal light heavyweight bout. Both men are looking to get back into the win column, and both were knocked out by Pereira.
Julianna Pena reveals key factor in UFC 316 title loss to Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 18, 2025
Julianna Pena believes her UFC 316 performance was hindered. Pena put the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at stake against Kayla Harrison in Newark on June 7. The title fight served as the co-main event of UFC 316. Harrison’s grappling proved to be too much for Pena, who was submitted via kimura at the end of the second round.
Robert Whittaker's next UFC fight is official and it might surprise you
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 18, 2025
Former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker has his next fight booked, and it isn’t what fans were expecting. While rising contenders such as Caio Borralho had been pounding the table to fight “The Reaper,” Whittaker made it clear publicly that he preferred to fight Sean Strickland since their paths have never crossed inside the Octagon. Neither Borralho nor Strickland will be facing Whittaker next.
Miranda Maverick confirms surgery is booked after UFC Atlanta loss
Harry Kettle - June 18, 2025
UFC star Miranda Maverick has confirmed that she has surgery booked following her defeat to Rose Namajunas at UFC Atlanta. Last weekend in the co-main event of UFC Atlanta, Miranda Maverick failed in her attempt to defeat Rose Namajunas. Instead, she was beaten via decision, although she did come close to securing a submission victory at one point in the fight. Still, the result is what matters, as does the fact that Miranda actually sustained a nasty injury during the bout.
Tom Aspinall's training partner and MMA champion doesn't think Jon Jones fight will happen
Harry Kettle - June 18, 2025
KSW heavyweight champion Phil De Fries isn’t convinced that the proposed Tom Aspinall vs Jon Jones fight will happen. As we know, Jon Jones is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion – and Tom Aspinall is the interim champion. It makes sense, then, that fans and media members alike want to see the two square off, unifying the championship in the first place. Alas, for whatever reason, Jones doesn’t appear to be too interested in making it happen.
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen floats the idea of Kamaru Usman facing Shavkat Rakhmonov
Harry Kettle - June 18, 2025
Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on the possibility of Kamaru Usman facing Shavkat Rakhmonov in a huge welterweight clash. As we know, Kamaru Usman’s win over Joaquin Buckley has vaulted him right back into championship contention at 170 pounds. He was able to prove that he still has what it takes to defeat top guys in the welterweight division, cementing his status as one of the true all-time greats.
Stamp Fairtex hoping for end-of-year return to ONE
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 18, 2025
Former three-sport ONE World Champion Stamp Fairtex’s absence from competition has been felt by many of her fans. But the Thai superstar spoke out to give a glimmer of hope on when she plans to return. The 27-year-old hasn’t been seen since she captured the ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Title. She claimed the crown in September 2023 at ONE Fight Night 14 in a third-round knockout win over Ham Seo Hee at Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Superlek fueled by "new motivation" following setback to Nabil Anane
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 18, 2025
ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 is ready to bounce back stronger than ever. The Thai striker suffered a surprising defeat in March at ONE 172 inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena. He lost to interim bantamweight Muay Thai titleholder Nabil Anane in a non-title affair after being stripped of the weight bracket’s crown for failing to make the championship weight.
Sean O'Malley opens up on 'embarassing' realization after watching Cody Garbrandt fight
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley had an embarrassing realization after watching Cody Garbrandt fight last Saturday. O’Malley saw Garbrandt lose to Raoni Barcelos at UFC Atlanta, which was his second-straight loss. In the fight, Garbrandt was sporting a new look with some face tattoos and braided hair, which gave O’Malley an embarrassing realization.
UFC boss Dana White promises Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall answers 'in the next couple weeks'
BJ Penn Staff - June 17, 2025
UFC CEO Dana White is promising fans a decisive answer about a long-awaited fight between Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall “in the next couple weeks.” The UFC boss provided an update on the fight, which is easily the greatest source of frustration among fans right now, during an interview with Jim Rome.
Edson Barboza set to return to the lightweight division at UFC 319
BJ Penn Staff - June 17, 2025
After a long run in the UFC featherweight division, Edson Barboza is headed up to lightweight. Barboza started his UFC career as a lightweight. He debuted with the promotion way back in 2010, and got off to a fast start, winning his first four fights. His fourth win was particularly impressive, as he cut down Terry Etim with a wheel kick that still dazzles fans to this day.
Nassourdine Imavov bails on UFC 319 backup duties: 'Conditions changed'
BJ Penn Staff - June 17, 2025
The UFC 319 main event no longer has a backup fighter, as Nassourdine Imavov has shrugged off his commitment to the role. UFC 319 is set for August 16 in Chicago, Illinois. The card will be headlined by a middleweight title fight, as champion Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa looks to defend his belt against undefeated Chechen juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev. It’s easily one of the biggest fights of the year, and everyone is hoping it goes down as planned. However, accidents do happen. Chimaev also unfortunately has a track record of withdrawing from fights at the last minute.
Ben Askren may need a lung transplant as he remains on a ventilator, his wife reveals
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2025
Ben Askren remains in the hospital and may need a lung transplant. Ben’s wife, Amy, posted an update on social media revealing that the former UFC fighter remains in the hospital. In the update, Amy revealed that Ben’s health status remains in limbo, but the sedation isn’t as strong, allowing ‘Funky’ to open his eyes and squeeze hands.
Jorge Masvidal reveals who he thinks is a future UFC champion: 'This guy's scary'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 17, 2025
Jorge Masvidal has some big praise for one surging UFC contender. The featherweight division is stacked with the likes of champion Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes, Aljamain Sterling, and Yair Rodriguez. One 145-pounder has developed the reputation of being the boogeyman of the weight class. That man is Movsar Evloev, who is undefeated at this point in his pro MMA career.
Umar Nurmagomedov won't lose sleep if he doesn't get Merab Dvalishvili rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 17, 2025
Umar Nurmagomedov wants to share the Octagon with Merab Dvalishvili again, but he won’t beg for it. Back in January, Nurmagomedov challenged “The Machine” for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Nurmagomedov fell short in the bout and he ended up walking out of the title fight with a broken hand. It was also the first loss of Nurmagomedov’s pro MMA career.