MMA News
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.
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.
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.
UFC legend warns Kayla Harrison against Amanda Nunes fight: 'I would retire from the sport'
BJ Penn Staff - June 9, 2025
All signs now point to a UFC super fight between Kayla Harrison and Amanda Nunes in the very near future. However, not everybody is on board with the matchup. Harrison claimed the bantamweight title with a submission win over Julianna Peña in the co-main event of last Saturday’s UFC 316 card in Newark. Leading into the fight, Nunes announced plans to end her retirement and return to the Octagon. Now that Harrison has the belt, it’s just a question of when they fight.
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.
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.