MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 16, 2025

ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 never has a shortage of opponents. The most recent man to speak his name is promotional newcomer Yuki Yoza. And “The Kicking Machine” has expressed interest in a showdown with his fellow finisher. Yoza made his debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 in May. He outstruck Elbrus Osmanov in bantamweight kickboxing to earn a clinical unanimous decision. In turn, he handed the Russian the first defeat of his professional career.

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - June 16, 2025

Khalil Rountree is looking to secure a title shot at UFC Baku. Rountree is set to take on Jamahal Hill in the main event of the Fight Night card on Saturday. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Rountree enters as the betting favorite. Although Rountree is the favorite, he isn’t paying attention to that, as he’s just focused on his own performance.

BJ Penn Staff - June 16, 2025

Payton Talbott is set to return to action at UFC 317. Talbott, 26, started 2025 as one of the hottest prospects in MMA. However, he ended up losing his first pro fight at UFC 311 in January, when Brazilian veteran Raoni Barcelos beat him by decision. Talbott will look to put that experience behind him at UFC 317, which goes down on June 28 in Las Vegas. There, he’ll be taking on Felipe Lima of Brazil.

BJ Penn Staff - June 16, 2025

Coach Tim Welch has made an interesting comparison between his star pupil Sean O’Malley and former UFC stars Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz. O’Malley is the former UFC bantamweight champion, but lost his belt with a decision defeat to Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili last September. He was then given a shot at redemption at UFC 316 earlier this month, but suffered an even worse defeat to Dvalishvili, this time tapping to a late submission.

Cole Shelton - June 16, 2025

The UFC was in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday for UFC Atlanta, where a welterweight fight headlined the card. Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman defeated Joaquin Buckley in the main event to pull off the upset. The co-main event saw former strawweight champ Rose Namajunas defeating Miranda Maverick at flyweight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White has major praise for Dustin Poirier before “The Diamond’s” swan song. Poirier is scheduled to have the final pro MMA fight of his career on July 19. He will have the hometown advantage, as the fight will be held in New Orleans. Poirier will meet a familiar foe in Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 318.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 16, 2025

One UFC fighter who has been under heavy scrutiny from fans is denying claims that he flopped. Rodolfo Bellato shared the Octagon with seasoned veteran Paul Craig on the UFC Atlanta card on Saturday. Things took a turn at the end of the opening round. Craig connected with an illegal upkick. Bellato fell to the canvas, and it appeared he had been knocked out from the blow. This resulted in a no contest ruling. Fans have criticized Bellato, however, pointing out that he complained to the referee before he was seemingly unconscious.

Harry Kettle - June 16, 2025

UFC contender Mario Bautista has called for a showdown with Umar Nurmagomedov after defeating Patchy Mix. At UFC 316, Mario Bautista defeated Patchy Mix in the latter’s promotional debut. It served as a real coming of age moment for Mario who, up to this point, hadn’t been getting a whole lot of notice or respect from casual MMA fans. Alas, it’s hard to deny that he’s a top contender now, and he’s ready to try and make a push for the title at 135 pounds.

Harry Kettle - June 16, 2025

UFC light heavyweight Khalil Rountree Jr has admitted that he’s had struggles with jet lag ahead of UFC Baku. As we know, Khalil Rountree Jr is one of the top light heavyweight contenders in the UFC today. He’s coming off the back of an incredible performance over Alex Pereira and while he didn’t get the win and the gold, he certainly earned the respect of the masses. Now, he’s preparing to square off against Jamahal Hill in a highly anticipated main event at UFC Baku.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 16, 2025

ONE 172 in Japan this past March marked a monumental moment in combat sports. The world watched as former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon locked up with Takeru Segawa. The legendary duo’s collision course was almost two years in the making. All the hype, the ballyhoo. All for it to end in just 80 seconds after Rodtang drilled the Japanese icon with a magnetic left hook.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 16, 2025

ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Champion Superbon has advised teenage Muay Thai phenom Johan Ghazali not to give up on his dreams following defeat at ONE Fight Night 32. “Jojo” played his part in an exciting flyweight Muay Thai duel with American striker Diego Paez on Friday, June 6, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. He ultimately lost a split decision. But Superbon advised him not to take the setback to heart.

Harry Kettle - June 16, 2025

Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick has revealed Francis Ngannou’s reaction to his remarks suggesting he’s open to a UFC return. While he may have focused on boxing and PFL in recent years, Francis Ngannou is still recognized as a UFC legend. He’s a former heavyweight champion in the promotion and scored some of the most important knockouts in the company’s history.

Harry Kettle - June 16, 2025

UFC star Belal Muhammad has reiterated his desire to fight rival Kamaru Usman at some point in the future. As we know, Belal Muhammad is a former UFC welterweight champion. He lost the belt to Jack Della Maddalena and since then, fans have been wondering what could be next for him. He’s unlikely to get an immediate title shot and instead, he’s been linked with fights against Kamaru Usman and Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 15, 2025

Paddy Pimblett believes he knows the key error that Ilia Topuria’s opponents have made. Topuria is undefeated in his pro MMA career thus far. He has a record of 16-0, and he’s the former UFC Featherweight Champion. “El Matador” secured massive victories over Max Holloway and Alexander Volkanovski.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 15, 2025

Joaquin Buckley has issued a statement after suffering a unanimous decision loss at UFC Atlanta. Buckley took on former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. It was the highest-profile fight of Buckley’s career, and a win would’ve been put him closer than ever to a title opportunity. Ultimately, Usman’s grappling proved to be too much for “New Mansa.” While Buckley was able to thwart takedowns and land some clean shots in the final frame, it wasn’t enough to prevent the outcome.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 15, 2025

Cody Garbrandt fell short at UFC Atlanta, and he has spoken out following the loss. “No Love” shared the Octagon with Raoni Barcelos on the main card of UFC Atlanta. Garbrandt was hoping to rebound from a submission loss to Deiveson Figueiredo. While Garbrandt went the distance this time, he was unable to defeat Barcelos.