MMA News
Joe Pyfer apologizes for calling Mexico a 'sh*t hole', but will still 'never fight there again'
BJ Penn Staff - June 9, 2025
UFC middleweight contender Joe Pyfer is sorry for the things he said about Mexico. Pyfer, one of the division’s fastest rising contenders, was set to fight Kelvin Gastelum when the UFC touched down in Mexico City on March 29. Regrettably, the fight fell through at the very last minute. The cause? Pyfer came down with stomach troubles just hours out from the event, which he later blamed on his travel to Mexico in the least graceful terms possible.
Julianna Pena speaks out following UFC 316 loss to Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 9, 2025
Julianna Pena has issued a statement in the aftermath of UFC 316. Pena put the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at stake against Kayla Harrison on Saturday. While “The Venezuelan Vixen” was in her second reign as a UFC titleholder, she was in search of her first successful defense. It didn’t come in Newark, as Harrison submitted Pena in the second round via kimura to lay claim to the bantamweight gold.
Justin Gaethje considering retirement if UFC doesn't meet his demand
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 9, 2025
Justin Gaethje might walk away from pro MMA competition if the UFC doesn’t grant his request. Gaethje finds himself on the outside looking in as far as the next UFC lightweight title fight is concerned. Ilia Topuria relinquished the UFC Featherweight Championship, and he will receive a shot at the vacant 155-pound gold against Charles Oliveira on June 28. Despite the fact that Oliveira has a submission win over Gaethje, “The Highlight” feels slighted.
Sean O'Malley made huge mistake in Merab Dvalishvili rematch, says top UFC contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 9, 2025
Did Sean O’Malley make a crucial error before he was ultimately submitted by Merab Dvalishvili? O’Malley challenged Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday. Dvalishvili had defeated “Suga” to capture the 135-pound gold back in Sept. 2024. While the first encounter ended via unanimous decision, Dvalishvili was able to secure his first finish since 2021. It was also “The Machine’s” first submission win since 2017.
Ben Askren’s wife confirms he has been hospitalized with severe pneumonia
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2025
MMA and wrestling legend Ben Askren has been hospitalized due to a case of severe pneumonia, his wife has announced. Over the course of the last few days, there has been mounting speculation regarding the condition of the great Ben Askren. After fans were asked to pray for him by Ohio State wrestling coach Thomas Ryan, fans were concerned that something serious had happened to the former UFC star. It led to an outpouring of support from the community, many of whom know Ben on a personal level.
Kayla Harrison details the extreme regiment she needed to undergo in order to make 135lbs at UFC 316: “I’ve been through some stuff”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2025
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has spoken about what she has to endure in order to make 135 pounds. Last Saturday night, Kayla Harrison made it to the top of the mountain. She defeated Julianna Pena via submission to become the new UFC women’s bantamweight champion. In doing so, she added the belt to her incredible list of achievements, which includes two Olympic gold medals and two PFL championships.
Sean O’Malley issues statement following submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316: “Sorry we didn’t get the job done”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2025
UFC star Sean O’Malley has issued a statement following his submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. As we know, Sean O’Malley fell short in his attempt to reclaim the UFC bantamweight championship last weekend. In the main event of UFC 316 on Saturday night, he was submitted in the third round by dominant champion Merab Dvalishvili. While Sean was able to showcase some improvements in the first couple of rounds, he ultimately wasn’t able to keep up with ‘The Machine’.
Henry Cejudo calls for retirement “tune up” fight with Sean O’Malley following UFC 316: “What do you say precious”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2025
UFC legend Henry Cejudo has called for a fight against Sean O’Malley following the latter’s loss at UFC 316 last weekend. As we know, Sean O’Malley fell short in his attempt to regain the UFC bantamweight championship last Saturday night. He was attempting to win it back from Merab Dvalishvili, the same man who took it from him in the first place. Unfortunately, after a competitive start to proceedings, ‘Suga’ was simply overwhelmed by Merab who seems to be getting better and better as champion.
Patchy Mix speaks on unsuccessful UFC debut against Mario Bautista
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2025
Patchy Mix has issued a statement following his defeat to Mario Bautista in his UFC debut. Mix and Bautista shared the Octagon on the main card of UFC 316 in Newark. It was Mix’s first fight since being freed of his PFL contract after being shelved for a year. Mix was unable to get the better of Bautista, who took home a unanimous decision victory to extend his winning streak to eight.
Merab Dvalishvili reveals key name who helped him defeat Sean O'Malley again at UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili says one key name played a huge role in his successful training camp for UFC 316. Dvalishvili put his bantamweight title at stake against Sean O’Malley in a rematch on Saturday. Dvalishvili captured the 135-pound gold from “Suga” in their first encounter. In the rematch, Dvalishvili secured a north-south choke in the third round to maintain his hold on the gold. It marks O’Malley’s first submission defeat in pro MMA competition.
Alex Pereira takes shot at Magomed Ankalaev amid social media beef
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2025
Alex Pereira has responded to Magomed Ankalaev’s constant digs towards him on social media. Pereira lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship to Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313 back in March. “Poatan” found himself moving backwards throughout the fight, and he ended up losing the gold via unanimous decision. The defeat snapped Pereira’s five-fight winning streak, which included three successful title defenses.
Amanda Nunes shares true reason for initial UFC retirement
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2025
Amanda Nunes has revealed the true reason she initially decided to retire. Nunes walked away from pro MMA competition after defeating Irene Aldana to successfully retain the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. That bout took place on June 10, 2023. It didn’t take long for Nunes to tease a return to the Octagon, which was music to the ears of UFC CEO Dana White.
Kayla Harrison reacts to future UFC title fight with Amanda Nunes
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2025
Kayla Harrison wants the best version of Amanda Nunes when the two collide. Harrison captured the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship from Julianna Pena on Saturday. The two collided inside the Prudential Center in Newark. Harrison scored a submission finish via kimura to capture the 135-pound gold.
Dana White reacts to Patchy Mix’s disappointing Octagon debut at UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2025
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on Patchy Mix’s disappointing debut at UFC 316 last night. As we know, Patchy Mix made his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut yesterday. The expectation was that the Bellator star would come in and put on a clinic to really announce himself on the world stage – but that didn’t happen. Instead, he fell to a one-sided and pretty disappointing loss at the hands of Mario Bautista. In fact, he’s been getting a whole lot of slack for the performance in a general sense.
Dana White gives his thoughts on latest updates in Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall saga
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2025
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on the latest developments in the Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall saga. At this point, we all know the story when it comes to Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall. Everyone in the world wants it to happen, including Tom Aspinall and the UFC – but the same can’t be said for Jon. For whatever reason, he continues to shy away from the idea of the fight taking place, with many believing that he’s either ducking Tom completely or holding out for more money.
Aljamain Sterling calls for a rematch against Sean O’Malley after his UFC 316 defeat
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2025
Aljamain Sterling has called for a rematch against Sean O’Malley after the latter’s second straight loss to Merab Dvalishvili. Last night, Sean O’Malley fell to a second straight defeat at the hands of Merab Dvalishvili. This time, though, was perhaps even worse for ‘Suga’, as he was submitted by the man known as ‘The Machine’. It was a tense and tight affair through the first two rounds but once Dvalishvili got a controlling position, things seemed to be fairly one-sided until the finish.
UFC 316 Bonus Report: Kevin Holland one of four 'POTN' winners
Chris Taylor - June 7, 2025
The Octagon return to New Jersey for tonight’s UFC 316 pay-per-view event, and four fighters walked away with performance bonuses. The fight card was headlined by a men’s bantamweight title fight rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. The bout proved to be another dominant performance for the reigning and still champion Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ was able to connect with some good shots on the feet, this while imposing his wresting on ‘Suga’ throughout the course of their rematch. Eventually, in the third round, Merab locked up a north-south choke which forced Sean O’Malley to tapout. It was a very impressive performance from the Georgian, one that had many of his peers calling him the bantamweight goat.
Pros react after Merab Dvalishvili submits Sean O'Malley at UFC 316
Chris Taylor - June 7, 2025
Tonight’s UFC 316 event was headlined by a highly anticipated bantamweight title fight rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since scoring his first successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov at January’s UFC 311 event in California. ‘The Machine’ had entered this evening’s headliner sporting a 12-fight winning streak, which included victories over former UFC champions Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Jose Aldo.