MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

If Charles Oliveira or Ilia Topuria is unable to make it to the Octagon for UFC 317, there is a backup plan in place. UFC 317 goes down on June 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oliveira and Topuria will meet in the main event. The pair will battle for the lightweight title, which was recently vacated by long-time champion Islam Makhachev, who is headed up to welterweight. It’s one of the biggest fights of the year. As such, it would be a real disappointment if either man got injured and couldn’t compete. The good news is that, if that happens, Arman Tsarukyan will be ready to step in.

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

Israel Adesanya is not a fan of one well-known UFC welterweight. This past Saturday, Kamaru Usman stepped inside the Octagon for the first time since Oct. 2023. After healing from nagging injuries, “The Nigerian Nightmare” faced Joaquin Buckley. Ahead of the UFC Atlanta main event, many felt that this would be another case of the old guard being phased out. Instead, Usman’s grappling gave “New Mansa” significant problems. While Buckley was dangerous in the final round, it wasn’t enough. Usman scored the unanimous decision victory.

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.

Harry Kettle - June 16, 2025

Francis Ngannou has praised Kamaru Usman following the latter’s victory over Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. In the main event of UFC Atlanta, Kamaru Usman reminded us all why he’s one of the best welterweights of all time. The former champion dominated Joaquin Buckley through most of their encounter, landing nasty ground and pound after a series of successful takedowns. While Buckley had a strong fifth round, it wasn’t enough to overcome ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ – who seemed to look like himself again.

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.