MMA News
Rose Namajunas responds to critics of flyweight move ahead of UFC Atlanta: 'I am better'
BJ Penn Staff - June 11, 2025
Rose Namajunas is well aware that a lot of UFC fans are skeptical of her run in the flyweight division. Namajunas is a legend of women’s MMA. Almost all of her pro career has occurred in the UFC. In the Octagon, she is a two-time strawweight champion, with wins over Zhang Weili (twice), Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice) and Jessica Andrade. She may just be the best fighter in the strawweight division’s history.
Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2025
In the main event of UFC Atlanta, a welterweight bout goes down as former champion Kamaru Usman returns to the Octagon to take on Joaquin Buckley. Heading into the fight, Usman is a +210 underdog while ‘New Mansa’ is a -280 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC Atlanta, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the intriguing welterweight bout. The pros believe Buckley will get his hand raised as they think Usman’s layoff and age will hurt him too much while Buckley is rolling.
Kamaru Usman shoots down potential fight with Belal Muhammad: "What do you have to offer me?"
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2025
Kamaru Usman doesn’t see a need or have an interest in fighting Belal Muhammad. Usman is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Atlanta against Joaquin Buckley. It’s an intriguing matchup, and should he win, Usman will be in the title picture.
Cody Garbrandt still chasing 'huge fight' against Sean O'Malley
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2025
Cody Garbrandt is still interested in fighting Sean O’Malley as he believes it would be a massive fight. Garbrandt and O’Malley are both former bantamweight champions who have feuded in the past. As Garbrandt was dropping down to flyweight, he and O’Malley got into with ‘Suga’ at the UFC 269 press conference, as the two even had a faceoff.
Kamaru Usman reveals major plans following UFC Atlanta fight with Joaquin Buckley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 11, 2025
Kamaru Usman is shooting for the stars if he can secure a win at UFC Atlanta. Usman is set to return to the Octagon after being out of action since Oct. 2023. “The Nigerian Nightmare” had been healing from some nagging injuries. He’ll jump right back into the fire against the No. 7-ranked Joaquin Buckley. The former UFC Welterweight Champion is an underdog going into the bout on Saturday, but he isn’t interested in hearing about it.
Patchy Mix learned harsh lesson in his UFC debut, says popular retired fighter
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 11, 2025
Patchy Mix had a rough go in his UFC debut, and a former standup warrior thinks a harsh lesson was learned. Mix shared the Octagon with Mario Bautista on the main card of UFC 316 in Newark. The former Bellator Bantamweight Champion entered the bout with some buzz. Bautista was the No. 10-ranked 135-pounder going into the bout. Mix was outgunned throughout the fight and ultimately lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Kamaru Usman gets honest about his health ahead of UFC Atlanta comeback fight
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2025
UFC star Kamaru Usman has given an honest assessment of his health heading into his comeback fight this weekend. As we know, former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is one of the best to ever do it at 170 pounds. He had a legendary run with the title, and he picked up wins over a lot of big names along the way. With that being said, he’s currently riding a three-fight losing streak, and he’s desperate to get himself back in the win column.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach gives thoughts on when Sean O'Malley began to break at UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili’s coach believes he has pinpointed the moment when Sean O’Malley began to break at UFC 316. Last weekend, Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his UFC bantamweight championship. He did so with yet another phenomenal performance which ended with him submitting Sean O’Malley in the third round. While many felt as if him winning was likely, a lot of people thought it would come via decision. Instead, he stepped things up and managed to get the finish.
Sean O'Malley gives in-depth thoughts on his UFC 316 loss to Merab Dvalishvili
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley has given his in-depth thoughts on his recent UFC 316 defeat at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili. Last weekend, Sean O’Malley attempted to regain the UFC bantamweight championship in his rematch with Merab Dvalishvili. Unfortunately for him, he came up short, losing via submission in the third round. As a result of the defeat, many have been left to wonder what exactly is going to be next for him in the promotion.
Ben Tynan faces biggest test yet in Kirill Grishenko at ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 11, 2025
Unbeaten Canadian star Ben Tynan has defeated every fighter ONE Championship has put in front of him. But his next opponent is no pushover. “Vanilla Thunder” takes on former ONE World Title challenger Kirill Grishenko at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis. The heavyweight MMA collision goes down on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Shamil Gasanov seeking redemption versus Garry Tonon at ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 11, 2025
It’s been two years since #3-ranked featherweight MMA contender Shamil Gasanov lost to former ONE World Title challenger Garry Tonon. Since then, the Russian has been dying for the chance to run it back. Fortunately, he now gets his shot. At ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis on Friday, August 1, the two standouts meet in a featherweight MMA sequel inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Michael Chiesa not hiding game plan against Court McGee at UFC Atlanta: "I'll stick to my strengths, it's no secret what that is"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2025
Michael Chiesa is glad to fight a veteran like Court McGee at UFC Atlanta. Chiesa was rumored to be fighting in Seattle earlier this year, but it didn’t come to fruition. Although he was disappointed not to fight at home, he says this timeline is better for him.
Top UFC welterweight thinks he'll get title shot before Islam Makhachev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 10, 2025
One soaring UFC welterweight contender believes he will get a crack at 170-pound gold before Islam Makhachev does. Makhachev is set to officially relinquish the UFC Lightweight Championship once the UFC 317 main event between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria begins. The soon-to-be former 155-pound champion made the decision in an effort to secure the welterweight gold, which is held by Jack Della Maddalena. UFC CEO Dana White has confirmed that the plan is indeed Maddalena vs. Makhachev.
Merab Dvalishvili could run into problems with next UFC title defense, says former champion
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 10, 2025
Could Merab Dvalishvili be in for a letdown in his next title defense? Dvalishvili has looked the part of an elite fighter every time he steps inside the Octagon. He further added to his aura by submitting Sean O’Malley in their UFC 316 rematch on Saturday. “The Machine” has lived up to his nickname, riding a 13-fight winning streak. He now has two successful UFC Bantamweight Championship defenses. He hasn’t lost a pro MMA fight since 2018.
Patchy Mix gets brutal assessment of UFC 316 loss from MMA legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 10, 2025
One UFC Hall of Famer shared his take on Patchy Mix’s failed UFC debut. Mix entered UFC 316 with some buzz. The former Bellator Bantamweight Champion was regarded by many as the best 135-pounder who wasn’t a part of the UFC roster. When the time arrived for Mix to share the Octagon with Mario Bautista, the former Bellator star didn’t look like a world-beater by any means. He ultimately dropped a unanimous decision, which is his first loss since 2020.
Ian Machado Garry issues a warning to Belal Muhammad ahead of potential fight
Harry Kettle - June 10, 2025
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has previewed what a fight between him and Belal Muhammad could look like. As we know, Ian Machado Garry is a top contender in the welterweight division. We also know that Belal Muhammad is the former champion of the division after losing his crown to Jack Della Maddalena. As we look ahead to the future, it certainly seems as if there’s a chance that the two could collide sooner rather than later.
Jaosuayai credits Superbon for 52-second finish of Nakrob: "His kick is amazing"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 10, 2025
Flyweight Muay Thai star Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi’s main roster debut could not have been much more prolific. The Thai striker annihilated #5-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Nakrob Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 32 this past Friday, June 6. He picked apart his compatriot in 52 seconds inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium to score a massive knockout victory.
Daniel Cormier gives honest Sean O'Malley assessment after UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 10, 2025
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his assessment of Sean O’Malley after his defeat at UFC 316. Last Saturday night, Sean O’Malley failed in his attempt to reclaim the UFC bantamweight championship. He was submitted by Merab Dvalishvili, the same man who took the belt from him in the first place. Now, ‘Suga’ will head back to the drawing board and contemplate what’s next for him in his career – which could include a shift up to the featherweight division.