MMA News
Sean Brady gives his prediction for Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2025
UFC welterweight Sean Brady has given his prediction for the upcoming Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley showdown. Tomorrow night, Kamaru Usman will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon when he locks horns with rising welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley. While many consider him to be the underdog in this fight, the 38-year-old has the kind of skill and experience necessary to overcome a tough challenge like this one.
Chael Sonnen provides fresh update on Ben Askren’s health crisis
Harry Kettle - June 13, 2025
MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has provided a fresh update on the current health status of MMA veteran and wrestling legend Ben Askren. In recent days, it’s become public knowledge that former UFC fighter Ben Askren is currently dealing with a pretty severe health problem. He was admitted to hospital, initially relating to a staph infection, with it later coming out that he was suffering from pneumonia. Ever since then, the mixed martial arts world has been quick to flood his family with messages of support.
Tagir Khalilov dedicates latest win to newborn son, Malik: "I want to be a champion for him"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 12, 2025
Victory last weekend at ONE Fight Night 32 wasn’t just a return to winning ways for Russia’s Tagir Khalilov. It also meant delivering on his word to his baby boy, Malik. “Samingpri” defeated renowned Chinese striker Liao Shixu by unanimous decision in 140-pound Muay Thai action on Friday, June 6, at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand – a victory he promised his infant son shortly after he was born.
"Supergirl" gunning to reinvent herself at ONE Fight Night 34
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 12, 2025
After suffering the first stoppage defeat of her ONE Championship tenure, Anna “Supergirl” Jaroonsak is back and ready to reinvent herself. The Thai striker returns to the ring at ONE Fight Night 34: Eersel vs. Jarvis. She meets Bulgarian standout Teodora Kirilova under women’s atomweight Muay Thai rules on Friday, August 1, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Mike Perry opens up on sparring with UFC star Sean Strickland: 'It’s not something I prepared myself for'
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Mike Perry recently linked up for a sparring session with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Apparently, it was something the BKFC star had been meaning to do for a while.
Alexander Volkanovski set to meet with UFC 'very soon' to discuss title defense
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 12, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski remains out of the loop on his next UFC title fight, but that appears to be changing imminently. Volkanovski captured the UFC Featherweight Championship for the second time when he defeated Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in April. While the general consensus was that Movsar Evloev would be the No. 1 contender, he’s reportedly linked to a bout with Aaron Pico. Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Evloev and Pico, told Submission Radio that he has yet to receive a contract for the bout.
Daniel Cormier provides update on Ben Askren's health crisis: 'Everybody’s just kind of praying'
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Former UFC star Ben Askren is continue to battle through a frightening health crisis. Earlier this week, Askren’s wife Amy revealed that he has been hospitalized with pneumonia, and that he was effectively non-responsive. From there, several extremely worrying rumors began to surface.
Francis Ngannou ‘wants to make himself available’ for possible UFC return, but faces major hurdle
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Francis Ngannou probably won’t be returning to the UFC anytime soon. Ngannou is the former UFC heavyweight champion. He never actually lost his belt. Instead, he vacated the title when he parted ways with the promotion in 2023. In other words, he’s still the lineal MMA heavyweight champion.
Kayla Harrison responds to MMA legend's bizarre take on Amanda Nunes fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 12, 2025
Kayla Harrison has responded to a warning from one MMA legend regarding a showdown with Amanda Nunes. Harrison competed for UFC gold for the first time in her pro MMA career this past Saturday. She defeated Julianna Pena via second-round submission to secure the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. After the match, Nunes entered the Octagon and revealed her plans to end her retirement. She then had a staredown with Harrison.
Kamaru Usman responds to critics who believe his knees will cause him problems at UFC Atlanta
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2025
UFC legend Kamaru Usman has responded to those who have suggested his knees will cause him problems at UFC Atlanta. For the longest time, Kamaru Usman was the man to beat at 170 pounds. Unfortunately for him, a Leon Edwards head kick changed all of that. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has now lost three on the bounce and after a period of inactivity, many are wondering what the 38-year-old has left in the tank in the world of mixed martial arts.
Joe Pyfer questions Joe Rogan’s commentary during his UFC 316 win
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2025
Rising UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer has called the commentary of Joe Rogan into question following UFC 316 last weekend. For a few years now, Joe Pyfer has been seen as one to watch in the UFC’s middleweight division. From his size to his personality to his incredible power, it’s clear to see that he’s a problem at 185 pounds. While he did experience a setback against Jack Hermansson, he’s been able to rebound well, most notably this past weekend.
Ariane da Silva released by UFC after medical issue and UFC 316 defeat
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2025
UFC veteran Ariane da Silva has reportedly been released by the promotion in the wake of her loss to Wang Cong. Back in early 2019, Ariane da Silva made her debut for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Polish sensation came into the company with a great deal of hype but unfortunately, she was never quite able to live up to that. While she made a real name for herself with KSW, she was far too inconsistent inside the Octagon. Still, she had a lot of heart, and that led to her continually getting booked in interesting matchups.
Chatri Sityodtong names Marcelo Garcia "one of the greatest of all time"
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 12, 2025
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia has long been regarded as one of the greatest submission artists the sport has ever seen. Even after being forced to retire in 2011, the grappling world had not forgotten him. One of those who has admired the Brazilian submission star is ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. The promotion’s frontman also holds a black belt in BJJ, having earned it from renowned combat sports icon Renzo Gracie.
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?
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.