MMA News
Diego Paez claims Johan Ghazali "looked right past" him in victory at ONE Fight Night 32
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 10, 2025
When flyweight Muay Thai star Diego Paez found out he would fight teenage phenom Johan Ghazali next, he sensed many would overlook him. That includes his Malaysian-American opponent. Paez faced off with Ghazali at ONE Fight Night 32 this past Friday, June 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. He outstruck the 18-year-old across three entertaining rounds to take home a split-decision victory.
Joey Diaz was locked in during one specific fight at UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 10, 2025
MMA personality Joey Diaz was 100% locked in during the co-main event at UFC 316 last weekend – and that’s an understatement. Over the course of the last decade or so, Joey Diaz has been one of the bigger personalities within the world of mixed martial arts. From cracking jokes with Joe Rogan to giving his own thoughts on the sport, he’s quite the character. He’s best known for his acting and comedy, of course, bit in the MMA realm, ‘Uncle Joey’ has provided us with a whole lot of joy.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 197 with Michael Chiesa and Shawne Merriman
Cole Shelton - June 10, 2025
The 197th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Atlanta. We’re first joined by UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa (1:13). Next, Lights Out founder and former NFL star Shawne Merriman (15:55) returns to the show.
What's next for the stars of UFC 316?
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2025
The UFC was in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday for a solid UFC 316 card. The main event saw Merab Dvalishvili rematching Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight belt. The co-main event saw Julianna Pena defending her bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison. Ultimately, it was Dvalishvili who beat O’Malley again, but this time he submitted ‘Suga’ to defend his bantamweight title. The co-main event saw Harrison submit Pena to win the women’s bantamweight title. Following UFC 316, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.
WATCH | UFC stars give new champ Kayla Harrison a hero's welcome at American Top Team
BJ Penn Staff - June 9, 2025
New UFC bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison is back home in Florida, and received a hero’s welcome from some of the top fighters in MMA when she returned to American Top Team. Harrison finally won UFC gold at UFC 316 this past weekend in Newark, New Jersey, tapping out trash-talking champion Julianna Peña with a kimura. She didn’t waste any time returning home to South Florida, where her teammates at the renowned gym awaited.
Merab Dvalishvili open to fighting flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja: "People will be interested in this fight"
Cole Shelton - June 9, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili believes that a fight against Alexandre Pantoja would be one that the people would be interested in. Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title on Saturday in the main event of UFC 316 with a submission win over Sean O’Malley. It was a dominating performance, and after the win, his next title defense wasn’t clear. Cory Sandhagen appears to be next in line, but Petr Yan and Umar Nurmagomedov are both potential candidates.
UFC 316 winner Joshua Van booked for lightning quick turnaround against top contender
BJ Penn Staff - June 9, 2025
Joshua Van has the opportunity to completely upend the UFC flyweight rankings in a few weeks time. Myanmar’s Van is one of the division’s most promising young contenders. He took another big step up the ladder at UFC 316 this past weekend, when he stunned fans with a blistering knockout of Bruno Silva. That win him brought him to 14-2 overall, and 7-1 in the UFC.
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
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.
Dana White agrees that Merab Dvalishvili should be in the bantamweight GOAT conversation after UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2025
UFC president Dana White believes Merab Dvalishvili is in the greatest bantamweight of all time conversation after UFC 316. Last weekend, Merab Dvalishvili cemented himself as the best bantamweight on the planet. Many already knew that he held that title, as well as the actual championship belt, but he doubled down by once again defeating Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316. While ‘Suga’ certainly showed some improvements from the first fight, ‘The Machine’ was still able to implement his own game plan.
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.
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.
Kevin Holland calls out former title challenger following UFC 316 submission finish
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2025
Kevin Holland has named one brash UFC welterweight who he wouldn’t mind mixing it up with. Holland competed on the UFC 316 card in Newark. He went one-on-one with fellow veteran Vicente Luque. Holland earned a “Performance of the Night” bonus thanks to his second-round submission finish.
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.
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.