MMA News
Taiki Naito calls on Takeru for all-Japanese showdown
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 11, 2025
Taiki Naito looked back to his best at ONE Fight Night 32 this past Friday, June 6. Now he believes he’s once again ready to take on the biggest names in the world. “Silent Sniper” unleashed a counter-striking clinic versus Johan Estupinan inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, winning by majority decision. In doing so, he served the Colombian star the first loss of his career. He also gave himself a much needed confidence boost.
Kamaru Usman lays out "pretty simple" path to superfight with Dricus Du Plessis for middleweight title
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2025
Kamaru Usman believes there is a path for him to fight for the middleweight belt, but it all starts by defeating Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta. Usman is set to fight for the first time since October of 2023, when he dropped a decision to Khamzat Chimaev. Ahead of his return against Buckley, Usman has his eyes set on reclaiming his welterweight title. But, he also has his eyes set on a superfight with Dricus Du Plessis.
Jon Jones reveals his UFC Mount Rushmore — with a few controversial snubs
BJ Penn Staff - June 11, 2025
Who would appear on the MMA version of Mount Rushmore? Every fight fan has their answers, and now UFC legend Jon Jones has shared his. Jones was asked for his MMA Mount Rushmore by a YouTube channel called Vic Blends. The question, which is very common in MMA, essentially boils down to this: Who are the four best—or perhaps most influential—fighters in MMA history?
Merab Dvalishvili reveals generous wedding gift for Aljamain Sterling following UFC 316 win
BJ Penn Staff - June 11, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling are two of the best bantamweights in UFC history. Interestingly, they’re also close friends and training partners. Sterling held the UFC bantamweight belt first. He won it with a disqualification against Petr Yan in 2021, and then defended it three times, against Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. He ultimately lost the belt to Sean O’Malley, who went on to lose the belt to Dvalishvili.
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.
Joaquin Buckley would 'quit' against Sean Brady, says UFC middleweight contender
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 11, 2025
One streaking UFC middleweight contender believes Joaquin Buckley is no match for Sean Brady. Buckley is preparing for the biggest fight of his pro MMA career. He will collide with former UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman. The pivotal 170-pound clash will headline UFC Atlanta on Saturday.
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.
Joaquin Buckley doesn't believe Islam Makhachev will want to fight him
Harry Kettle - June 11, 2025
UFC welterweight Joaquin Buckley doesn’t believe Islam Makhachev would be interested in fighting him. As we know, Joaquin Buckley has been surging up through the welterweight division. He’s been picking up a parade of big wins as of late and now, he’s gearing up for his biggest challenge to date. On Saturday night, he will lock horns with Kamaru Usman – one of the best welterweight champions of all time.
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.
Kamaru Usman hopeful to face Islam Makhachev before he retires: "Another blockbuster before I sail off"
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2025
Kamaru Usman would like the chance to fight Islam Makhachev before his career is up. Makhachev is set to move up to the welterweight division after vacating his lightweight belt. The former lightweight champ wants to win a second belt, and although he’s no longer the champ, Usman has his eyes set on him.
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.