MMA News
Daniel Cormier questions Islam Makhachev possibly leaving MMA after three more fights
Harry Kettle - June 18, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has questioned the idea of Islam Makhachev possibly retiring from MMA after three more fights. As we know, Islam Makhachev is set to move up to welterweight after successfully defending his UFC lightweight championship four times. He’s ready for an entirely new kind of challenge at 170 pounds as he goes in search of a second world title. Of course, acquiring that belt is going to be easier said than done.
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.
Filmmaker acquires rights for biopic about record-breaking former UFC champion Charles Oliveira
BJ Penn Staff - June 17, 2025
Former UFC champ Charles Oliveira is headed to the big screen. According to a report from Variety, Brazilian filmmaker Eduardo Ferro of 405 Films has acquired the rights to make a film about Oliveira’s life.
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.
WATCH | Conor McGregor knocks a man out in Ibiza nightclub
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2025
Conor McGregor has reportedly knocked a man out in an Ibiza nightclub. McGregor was at the Pacha nightclub on the Spanish party island, and video shows him striking a man while drinking early into Tuesday morning, The Sun reported.
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.
Francis Ngannou damaged his legacy after leaving UFC, says former MMA slugger
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 17, 2025
Was Francis Ngannou’s legacy tarnished by his boxing venture? Ngannou’s decision to leave the UFC while he was the promotion’s heavyweight champion sparked a debate online. “The Predator” sought out the freedom to box, and it almost led to a victory over future Hall of Famer Tyson Fury. “The Predator” ended up getting knocked out by Anthony Joshua, but he made a substantial amount of money for his boxing matches with “The Gypsy King” and Joshua.
Joe Rogan has high praise for Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has had great things to say about UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is a fairly terrifying individual. He is the reigning king of the bantamweight division and throughout the course of the last few years, he’s really been able to step his game up to a whole new level.
Alexandre Pantoja understands the KO threat posed by Kai Kara-France
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
Alexandre Pantoja understands the threat he’ll be facing when he battles Kai Kara-France ahead of their upcoming title fight. In the co-main event of UFC 317 next weekend, Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight championship against Kai Kara-France. It’s the moment that KKF has been waiting a long time for and now, he’ll finally get the opportunity to battle it out for the belt.
Jamahal Hill doesn't think Khalil Rountree Jr is on his level ahead of UFC Baku
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
UFC star Jamahal Hill doesn’t believe that Khalil Rountree Jr is on his level ahead of their UFC Baku main event clash. This weekend, Jamahal Hill will attempt to get back in the win column. He’ll do so in a fascinating fight against Khalil Rountree Jr, pitting two elite light heavyweight contenders against each other. If one of them scores a convincing knockout, they may even be in the running for a championship opportunity again sooner rather than later.
Taiki Naito seeks to avenge coach in flyweight Muay Thai clash with Nong-O Hama
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 16, 2025
After a tough run of results, Japanese striking star Taiki Naito finally had his arm raised at ONE Fight Night 32. The moment marked a make-or-break performance against Colombian star Johan Estupinan. The #3-ranked flyweight kickboxing contender served Estupinan the first loss of his career. This happened on Friday, June 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium by majority decision.
What's next for Kamaru Usman and Joaquin Buckley after UFC Atlanta?
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2025
The UFC was in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, June 14, for UFC Atlanta. The main event saw welterweight contenders throw down as Kamaru Usman took on Joaquin Buckley. Entering the fight, Usman was on a three-fight losing streak and was the underdog. Buckley, meanwhile, was a perfect 6-0 since dropping down to welterweight, including beating Colby Covington.
Sean O'Malley has opponent in mind for next UFC fight, 'still confident' he can beat Merab Dvalisvhili
BJ Penn Staff - June 16, 2025
Sean O’Malley is still less than two weeks removed from a dejecting submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili, but the UFC star already thinking about his next fight. O’Malley met Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316, in hopes of reclaiming the bantamweight title. However, he suffered a decisive submission loss to the champion. It was his second loss in a row to the Georgian, after surrendering the belt with a decision loss last September.