MMA News
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.
Merab Dvalishvili questions the UFC bantamweight division being "stuck"
Harry Kettle - June 3, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has given his thoughts on the current state of the division. For the longest time now, Merab Dvalishvili has been the man to beat at 135 pounds. He has ruled over the bantamweight division and even when he was just a top contender, it seemed like nobody wanted to fight him. So, he decided to tear through the rest of the competition, making it crystal clear that he is the one who should rightfully be sat at the top of the mountain.
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.
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.”
Johan Estupinan confident he will finish Taiki Naito "in the first round" at ONE Fight Night 32
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 2, 2025
Fifth-ranked flyweight Muay Thai star Johan Estupinan has had a whirlwind run through his division. He’s defeated promising prospects and rising stars. He’ll now face a grizzled veteran who he plans to make an example of. “Panda Kick” meets Japanese striking ace Taiki Naito at ONE Fight Night 32. The duo collide in a flyweight Muay Thai outing this Friday, 6 June, at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
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 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.
Patchy Mix takes aim at "journeyman" Mario Bautista ahead of UFC 316
Cole Shelton - June 2, 2025
Patchy Mix is ready to make a statement in his UFC debut against Mario Bautista. Mix is the former Bellator bantamweight champion, and he will make his debut on Saturday at UFC 316 against Bautista. It’s an intriguing matchup, and heading into the fight, Mix is confident he won’t just win his debut but will submit Bautista, as he doesn’t think highly of his opponent.
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
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.
Diego Paez eyes ONE Fight Night 32 as second chance to make a first impression
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 1, 2025
Flyweight Muay Thai star Diego Paez is on a mission to show the world there’s more to him following an unfortunate debut earlier this year. The mullet-rocking mauler meets spirited youngster Johan Ghazali at ONE Fight Night 32. The pair square off in flyweight Muay Thai at Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium, on Friday, June 6.
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.
UFC champion Jon Jones moving on from controversial pro MMA loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2025
Jon Jones isn’t pounding the table to have his lone career defeat removed from his record. Jones has had 30 pro MMA fights and has officially won 29 of them. The lone defeat occurred on Dec. 5, 2009. Jones went one-on-one with Matt Hamill. “Bones” was dominating the opening frame and rained down strikes while in top control. Referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight, and it looked as if Jones had won via TKO. Instead, Mazzagatti disqualified Jones for using 12-6 elbows, which were illegal at the time.
UFC 316 commentator thinks Merab Dvalishvili is the greatest bantamweight of all time
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2025
A top UFC commentator believes Merab Dvalishvili has already cemented himself as the greatest bantamweight of all time. Dvalishvili may have just one successful UFC bantamweight title defense, but his road to the title featured wins over elite competition. Before capturing gold, Dvalishvili had victories over UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo, and former UFC bantamweight titleholder Petr Yan.