MMA News
Aiemann Zahabi's "selfish" reason behind picking Merab Dvalishvili to best Petr Yan at UFC 323
Dylan Bowker - December 4, 2025
Aiemann Zahabi has his own vested interests in why he is leaning more on the “and still” side than “and new” in Saturday’s pay-per-view title challenge at bantamweight. Merab Dvalishvili aims to defend his 135-pound crown and defeat Petr Yan for a second time when the two battle in a rematch at UFC 323. In an interview with James Lynch for Bodog, the surging Canadian bantamweight contender offered up his thoughts on the next championship clash at 135 pounds, which goes down this weekend, as Aiemann Zahabi said,
Marcelo Garcia reveals why he wanted to face Lachlan Giles: "I want to test myself"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2025
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia faces Australian innovator Lachlan Giles in lightweight submission grappling at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 43-year-old captured four ADCC World Championships and five IBJJF World Titles with an unmatched finishing instinct. In doing so, he cemented his status as arguably the sport’s greatest competitor.
Paddy Pimblett absolutely rips 'nobody' Arman Tsarukyan: 'He’s a boring b*****d'
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2025
Paddy Pimblett isn’t a fan of Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan is the No. 1 contender at lightweight, but he isn’t fighting for the interim belt. Instead, it will be Pimblett taking on Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324 on January 24.
Leon Edwards finally breaks social media silence after first KO loss at UFC 322
Curtis Calhoun - December 4, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards addressed his followers for the first time after weeks of silence following UFC 322. For the first time in his professional MMA career, former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards was on the wrong end of a brutal knockout performance.
VIDEO | Alexandre Pantoja watches heartfelt message from son ahead of UFC 323 title fight
Curtis Calhoun - December 4, 2025
UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja received an emotional message from his young son ahead of his co-headlining fight at UFC 323. Alexandre Pantoja’s family means the world to him, as evidenced by his emotional post-fight interview with Joe Rogan after winning the UFC flyweight title at UFC 290. After a rough upbringing in Brazil, headlined by an allegedly neglectful father, Pantoja has worked his way into becoming one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.
Petr Yan expects immediate rematch for Merab Dvalishvili if he beats him at UFC 323: 'Would be a really cool trilogy'
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2025
Petr Yan knows he will have to beat Merab Dvalishvili twice if he’s going to remain the bantamweight champion. Yan is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 323 in a rematch against Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title. Although Yan is a sizable underdog and was dominated by Dvalishvili two years prior, he has full confidence that he will get his hand raised.
UFC 323's Alexandre Pantoja makes plans clear if he defeats Joshua Van
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2025
Alexandre Pantoja has clear plans if he can earn another successful title defense at UFC 323. Pantoja has a young and hungry contender waiting for him in Joshua Van. The two will mix it up in Saturday’s co-main event. Pantoja’s UFC Flyweight Championship will be at stake inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Joe Rogan thinks UFC heavyweight division is in trouble when former WWE star joins roster
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2025
Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes the heavyweight division is in for a rude awakening once a certain ex-WWE talent gets signed. The MMA world has been buzzing ever since Gable Steveson made his professional debut. The Olympic gold medalist starched Braden Peterson in the opening round of his first pro MMA bout back in September. Steveson then dabbled into the world of Dirty Boxing, knocking out Billy Swanson in 15 seconds.
Kamaru Usman's manager makes his pitch for Islam Makhachev title fight
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025
Kamaru Usman’s manager Ali Abdelaziz has made his pitch for the former champion to get a shot at Islam Makhachev. For a while now, we have heard rumblings that Kamaru Usman could get a UFC welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev. It’s been discussed for quite some time, with Kamaru kickstarting the conversation after defeating Joaquin Buckley earlier this year to break his three-fight losing streak.
Joshua Van sees Alexandre Pantoja as the flyweight GOAT ahead of UFC 323
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025
Joshua Van has said that in his eyes, Alexandre Pantoja is the flyweight GOAT as they prepare to battle it out at UFC 323. For the longest time now, Joshua Van has been viewed as someone who can make some real noise at 125 pounds. On Saturday night, he has the chance to make the most noise of all when he challenges Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight championship in the co-main event of UFC 323.
Merab Dvalishvili says there's no bad blood with Petr Yan heading into UFC 323
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has said there’s no bad blood between him and Petr Yan ahead of UFC 323. On Saturday night, Merab Dvalishvili will take on Petr Yan in the main event of UFC 323. If he’s able to pick up the win, Merab will officially go 4-0 this year, successfully defending his belt on every occasion. Of course, these two men have fought before, with ‘The Machine’ picking up the win on that occasion en route to earning his own shot at the gold.
Beneil Dariush eyes weight class move after quick KO loss at UFC 322
Dylan Bowker - December 3, 2025
Beneil Dariush is opening his mind to the idea of a change in weight category following his fast knockout loss inside Madison Square Garden recently. At UFC 322, Dariush was stopped by strikes against Benoit Saint Denis sixteen seconds into the bout, and the stalwart lightweight is now entertaining applying a fresh coat of paint to things by moving up. Beyond the nature of the fight result, Dariush also missed weight leading into the fight, which could also inform a desire to move up to 170 pounds. Speaking to Submission Radio in the wake of his recent setback, Dariush mentioned how he felt poised to have an all-time career performance as he felt dialed in with all facets of his preparation until fight week hurdles came up. Despite the weight miss where he came in at 157.2 pounds, Dariush mentioned how he felt fine in some regards on fight day, but did notice his inability to take a shot in the same wya he normally would.
ONE Fight Night 39 to feature two pivotal Thai vs. Russian bouts
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 3, 2025
Diego Lopes is a "beast" and "proper gentleman", says Paddy Pimblett teammate who trained with the title challenger
Dylan Bowker - December 3, 2025
Diego Lopes and Nathan Fletcher have honed skills with one another over the years and the latter recently shed light on what those experiences were like. While Fletcher trains at Next Generation MMA Liverpool with big names like Paddy Pimblett, the former also gets in work with other prominent names in the sport when the UFC competitor’s on the road training. When discussing his training anecdotes with Diego Lopes, Fletcher said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
VIDEO | Merab Dvalishvili hilariously jabs at former rival Umar Nurmagomedov just days before UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili kicked off UFC 323 fight week by taking a shot at his former rival, Umar Nurmagomedov. Merab Dvalishvili has quickly become one of the top fan favorites in the UFC, due to his relentless style inside the cage and colorful personality outside of it. The UFC bantamweight champion is days away from making his fourth title defense of the year against former titleholder Petr Yan at UFC 323.
Kamaru Usman responds to Tyron Woodley's fiery remarks discrediting his welterweight GOAT case
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champions Kamaru Usman and Tyron Woodley have traded barbs in recent days regarding the former’s GOAT case. Kamaru Usman could potentially earn the next UFC welterweight title fight against newly minted champion Islam Makhachev. Following Makhachev’s recent win over Jack Della Maddalena, Usman was Makhachev’s callout target, as the two legends seemed equally ready to clash in the Octagon next year.
Henry Cejudo calls for Dana White to 'man up' amidst UFC's ongoing eyepoke controversy
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
Former UFC two-division champion Henry Cejudo believes Dana White needs to take significant steps to reform penalties for eye pokes. Henry Cejudo will make his final walk to the Octagon this Saturday at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. The former two-division UFC champion will call it a career after his upcoming fight with Payton Talbott, win or lose.
Alexa Grasso's former rival set to replace her vs. Rose Namajunas in UFC 324 fight
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
Former UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is reportedly out of her scheduled fight with Rose Namajunas on the upcoming UFC 324 card. UFC 324 has reportedly taken a hit just weeks before the promotion’s broadcasting debut on Paramount+.
Tai Tuivasa set for long-awaited comeback at UFC 325 against tallest fighter in the promotion
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
UFC heavyweight fan favorite Tai Tuivasa will face a surging contender in his first fight since August 2024. It’s been more than a year since UFC heavyweight fan favorite Tai Tuivasa competed inside the Octagon. Tuivasa, one of the heavyweight division’s most accomplished knockout artists, is looking to get back on track after a five-fight losing skid.