MMA News
Tom Aspinall makes shocking claim about Jon Jones' future with UFC
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2025
Tom Aspinall believes Jon Jones is hanging up his gloves. The heavyweight division hasn’t seen movement in quite some time, but that appears to be changing in the near future. Jones is the reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion, while Aspinall holds interim gold. Both men have held their titles since 2023 and each have one successful defense.
Merab Dvalishvili reveals next title challenger if he defeats Sean O'Malley at UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 3, 2025
Merab Dvalisvhili has an idea of who his next title challenger will be should he defeat Sean O’Malley a second time. Dvalishvili is looking for his second successful defense of the UFC Bantamweight Championship. He scored a unanimous decision victory over O’Malley to capture the gold, and followed that up with a successful title defense over Umar Nurmagomedov. Dvalishvili is expecting a competitive fight against “Suga” in their rematch.
Sean Strickland worries UFC roster will soon be ‘filled with foreigners’ who lack 'American ideals'
BJ Penn Staff - June 3, 2025
UFC middleweight contender Sean Strickland is at it again. The Las Vegas resident, who formerly held the middleweight belt, is known for his controversial opinions, and is often accused of racism by his naysayers. One of his latest comments is sure to generate another wave of controversy.
Magomed Ankalaev makes big statement about Alex Pereira's UFC future
Harry Kettle - June 3, 2025
UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev has made an interesting statement about Alex Pereira’s future. For Alex Pereira, it certainly feels like he doesn’t have anything left to prove in mixed martial arts. He has entered the sport and gone straight to the top, winning belts in two different weight classes. However, in the wake of losing the light heavyweight strap to Ankalaev, some have wondered how much longer he’ll compete in the sport for. There are obviously still interesting fights out there for him to take, but that doesn’t mean he necessarily will.
Demetrious Johnson gives his thoughts on how Ilia Topuria could be beaten
Harry Kettle - June 3, 2025
UFC legend Demetrious Johnson has given his thoughts on how someone – perhaps Charles Oliveira – could defeat Ilia Topuria. As we know, Ilia Topuria is easily one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts right now. The former UFC featherweight champion has made the move up to lightweight in search of a second world title, and he’ll face Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 for the right to earn that belt. As you can imagine, there’s a great deal of intrigue behind this contest.
UFC commentator believes Kayla Harrison could become the face of women's MMA
Harry Kettle - June 3, 2025
UFC commentator Jon Anik has given his thoughts on the star power potential of bantamweight contender Kayla Harrison. This weekend, Kayla Harrison will attempt to claim UFC gold for the first time in her career. She will challenge Julianna Pena for the FUC women’s bantamweight championship, and while many consider her to be the favorite, that’s certainly no guarantee of success – not by a long shot.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 196 with Mario Bautista and Tristan Hamm
Cole Shelton - June 3, 2025
The 196th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 316. We’re first joined by 10th-ranked UFC bantamweight Mario Bautista (0:53). We close things out by chatting with boxer Tristan Hamm (12:31) to get an update on his career.
John Lineker reveals why ONE Championship's multi-sport model "has benefited" the Brazilian legend
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 2, 2025
Former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker has become everything he has wanted and more in combat sports. And he puts that down to the options on hand in ONE Championship. The Brazilian gained notoriety in the all-encompassing sport for his ridiculous knockout power. That quickly transformed him into his moniker — “Hands of Stone.”
Kulabdam and Felipe Lobo look to punch their way to World Title shot at ONE Friday Fights 114
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 2, 2025
Two of ONE Championship’s longest-tenured bantamweights in Kulabdam Sor Jor Piek Uthai and #3-ranked contender Felipe Lobo will throw down at ONE Friday Fights 114. The knockout artists will duke it out on Friday, 27 June, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. And a victory could put either fighter on the path to a shot at bantamweight gold.
UFC veteran Kevin Lee announces lawsuits against former promoter ahead of PFL debut
BJ Penn Staff - June 2, 2025
Former UFC lightweight contender Kevin Lee is taking serious legal action against one of the recent MMA promotions he signed with. Lee (20-8) entered the MMA limelight in 2014, when he signed with the UFC. He was defeated by Al Iaquinta in his first fight in the Octagon, but then went 9-1 in 10 fights to set up an interim lightweight title fight with Tony Ferguson. Lee got off to a strong start in his fight with Ferguson, but ultimately fell apart, becoming part of the lightweight legend’s famous 12-fight win-streak.
UFC champ Tom Aspinall shuts down Michael Chandler comparisons: 'I'm not waiting'
BJ Penn Staff - June 2, 2025
If you’ve been comparing UFC heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall to Michael Chandler… think again. England’s Aspinall claimed the UFC interim heavyweight title with a quick knockout of Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich in 2023. He has since defended that interim title once with an even faster KO of Curtis Blaydes, which further proved he’s one of the best fighters alive.
Sean O'Malley criticizes Merab Dvalishvili's fighting style ahead of UFC 316: "Finisher vs. decisioner"
Cole Shelton - June 2, 2025
Sean O’Malley isn’t a fan of Merab Dvalishvili and the way he fights at UFC 316. O’Malley is set to rematch Dvalishvili in their fight back in September, which Dvalishvili won by decision to become the bantamweight champion. It was a disappointing result for O’Malley, who’s now looking to reclaim his belt.
22-year-old MMA prospect makes UFC heavyweight Ciryl Gane look tiny
BJ Penn Staff - June 2, 2025
The MMA Factory is easily the top gym in France, having already produced two UFC champions in Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane. The Paris-based facility may soon produce another UFC star in the utterly gigantic Dave Fotsing. Fotsing, still just 22, has yet to make his pro MMA debut, but is already off to an excellent start in his combat sports career. The Cameroonian-Parisian is an accomplished BJJ black belt, and has two amateur MMA wins to his credit: a second-round submission win, and a unanimous decision win, both in 2021. Since those amateur fights, he’s been fine-tuning his skills with Gane and coach Fernand Lopez, and there is no question he will be a terrifying challenge for whomever he next meets in the cage.
UFC champ Jon Jones accused of performing ‘sexual act’ on male official
BJ Penn Staff - June 2, 2025
Veteran MMA referee John McCarthy has fired an incendiary accusation at UFC star Jon Jones. Jones is the former UFC light heavyweight champion, and today, holds the promotion’s heavyweight title. His two-division title reign has cemented him as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history (even if he no longer watches the sport). However, he’s certainly no stranger to controversy in his life outside the cage.
Valentina Shevchenko expects superfight against Zhang Weili in her next fight
Harry Kettle - June 2, 2025
UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko believes she’ll battle strawweight queen Zhang Weili in her next outing. As we know, Valentina Shevchenko is one of the greatest female fighters of all time. She has achieved some remarkable things in the world of mixed martial arts and as we look ahead to the future, it feels like she still has a lot of gas left in the tank. Of course, if she’s going to stay at the top, she’ll face some stiff competition – which seems to be taking us down the route of her battling Zhang Weili.
UFC legend Don Frye advises Alex Pereira not to make the same mistake that ruined his career: “I almost died”
Harry Kettle - June 2, 2025
UFC legend Don Frye has given Alex Pereira some advice as he prepares for a seemingly inevitable rematch with Magomed Ankalaev. As we know, Alex Pereira is easily one of the most exciting fighters in all of mixed martial arts. The former UFC light heavyweight and middleweight champion has achieved some truly incredible things throughout the course of his career and as we look ahead to the future, there’s every chance that he’ll continue to find success in the promotion.
Maycee Barber issues statement, responds to Erin Blanchfield: "My life is not messy this is just a bad hand"
Chris Taylor - June 1, 2025
Maycee Barber has issued a statement and responded to Erin Blanchfield following last night’s UFC Vegas 107 main event cancellation. Barber (14-2 MMA) and Blanchfield (13-2 MMA) were expected to collide in a high stakes five-round main event yesterday evening at the UFC Apex. Unfortunately, the bout was cancelled at the last second after it was revealed that ‘The Future’ had suffered a seizure backstage and was no longer medically cleared to compete.
Mateusz Gamrot mocks ranked UFC lightweight for avoiding him
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2025
Mateusz Gamrot has a new nickname for one UFC lightweight who he’s been trying to fight. Gamrot is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Ľudovít Klein in what ended up being the final bout on the UFC Vegas 107 card. It was a one-sided showing in favor of the No. 7-ranked UFC lightweight, who had a clean sweep of 30-27 score totals. Gamrot has gone 4-1 in his last five outings, with the lone defeat being a split decision.