MMA News
Surging UFC welterweight shares take on Islam Makhachev's chances at success in 170-pound weight class
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2025
One UFC welterweight who is on the verge of contender status is expecting Islam Makhachev to hold his own at 170 pounds. Makhachev will be challenging UFC Welterweight Champion Jack Della Maddalena at some point in 2025. While Makhachev is the current UFC Lightweight Champion, he will officially vacate the gold at the start of Ilia Topuria vs. Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28. Once Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad to capture the welterweight gold at UFC 315, it opened the door for Makhachev to attempt capturing UFC gold in a second weight class.
Jon Jones remains noncommittal on fighting future amid UFC heavyweight title holdup
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2025
Jon Jones has still yet to make a decision on what’s next for his fighting career. Many have called for “Bones” to vacate the UFC Heavyweight Championship if he doesn’t plan on facing interim champion Tom Aspinall in a title unification bout. Jones has teased fans with both possibilities of returning and retiring. The wild goose chase has left many wondering when the UFC will step in to make a decision on what’s next at heavyweight.
Sean O'Malley reveals true reason he made lifestyle changes ahead of UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 29, 2025
Sean O’Malley has explained why he truly decided to quit some of his hobbies, and it isn’t because of Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley will collide with “The Machine” a second time for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. “Suga” lost the gold to Dvalishvili back in Sept. 2024. The two will share the Octagon again in the main event of UFC 316 in Newark on June 7.
Ian Machado Garry voices interest in a potential fight against Khamzat Chimaev
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2025
UFC star Ian Machado Garry has voiced his interest in a future fight with surging middleweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. As we know, Ian Machado Garry isn’t exactly someone who is short on confidence. Within the context of mixed martial arts, he is an exceptionally talented fighter who has the potential to go all the way in the welterweight division. Of course, he isn’t afraid to voice his thoughts from time to time, which often leads to a lot of beef online between him and other fighters.
Mateusz Gamrot explains difficulty in getting a fight with ranked UFC opponent
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2025
UFC lightweight Mateusz Gamrot has explained his difficulty in securing a fight with a ranked opponent. As we know, Mateusz Gamrot will return to action this weekend when he collides with Ludovit Klein. While this is expected by many to be an exciting and intriguing lightweight affair, a lot of people would’ve expected to see the Polish sensation take on someone a bit higher up the rankings.
Maycee Barber is ready to earn title shot with "dominant win" over Erin Blanchfield
Harry Kettle - May 29, 2025
UFC star Maycee Barber is ready to prove that she’s ready for a title shot by defeating Erin Blanchfield in their upcoming clash. This weekend, Maycee Barber and Erin Blanchfield will attempt to prove that they are finally ready for a shot at the UFC women’s flyweight championship. While Valentina Shevchenko is the current queen of the division, many people believe that both of these woman have the potential to dethrone her.
Dmitrii Kovtun reveals why he returned to Russia to "reset" before biggest bout of his life
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 29, 2025
To become great in combat sports, you cannot sit in your comfort zone. It requires you to enter the most uncomfortable spaces possible, from pushing yourself to the limit in the gym to going as far to leave everything behind in search of success. That’s exactly what Russian bantamweight Muay Thai star Dmitrii Kovtun has done in order to reach ONE Championship. But with his previous success in the bag, “The Silent Assassin” has headed home to prepare for the biggest bout of his life.
Jaosuayai aims to be the next big name on ONE Championship roster
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 29, 2025
Since January 2023, ONE Championship’s Friday Fights series has produced a litany of stars. Many have gone to become top-ranked in their divisions. But recent graduate Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi plans to be the biggest name of them all. He makes his main roster debut versus #5-ranked contender Nakrob Fairtex at ONE Fight Night 32. The duo square off in flyweight Muay Thai on Friday, June 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Dustin Jacoby frustrated to be fighting at the Apex, plans to KO Bruno Lopes at UFC Vegas 107: "There are levels to this"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2025
Dustin Jacoby believes he should be fighting on big cards and events in front of fans only. Jacoby is coming off a highlight-reel KO win over Vitor Petrino in December. He’ll return to the Octagon against Bruno Lopes at UFC Vegas 107 on Saturday, which he is annoyed by.
Joe Pyfer calls Kelvin Gastelum a "layup" fight for him: "A great opportunity for me"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2025
Joe Pyfer doesn’t think Kelvin Gastelum is all that good, as he calls it a layup fight. Pyfer was scheduled to face Gastelum at UFC Mexico City on March 29, but he fell ill and was forced out of the bout just hours before the event. The fight was rescheduled for UFC 316 on June 7, and Pyfer is glad the fight got rebooked as he doesn’t think Gastelum is all that good.
UFC champ Islam Makhachev gets advice from mentor's chief rival ahead of welterweight move
BJ Penn Staff - May 28, 2025
Islam Makhachev is making a bold trip up to the UFC welterweight division, and he’s received some advice from an unlikely source ahead of time. Makhachev is the long-time UFC lightweight champ. He claimed the belt with a submission win over record-breaking champ Charles Oliveira in 2022, and went on to defend his belt with wins over Alexander Volkanovski (twice), Dustin Poirier, and Renato Moicano. Those wins served to establish the Russian as the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC. It also set him up for a shot at the UFC welterweight title.
Sean O'Malley's coach open to future move to featherweight: "Could hang with a lot of the 145ers"
Cole Shelton - May 28, 2025
Sean O’Malley could soon go to featherweight, according to his coach, Tim Welch. O’Malley is set to rematch Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title on June 7 at UFC 316. It’s an intriguing matchup as O’Malley looks to reclaim the bantamweight title he lost to Dvalishvili back in September.
Retired MMA veteran defends UFC over reported booking of Movsar Evloev
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2025
A retired MMA veteran has come to the UFC’s defense amid criticism of how the promotion has handled Movsar Evloev. The general consensus is that Evloev has done enough to earn a UFC featherweight title opportunity. Despite the support from hardcore fans and experts, Evloev has suggested that he will not be getting the next crack at Volkanovski’s UFC gold. While not confirmed, some believe that Yair Rodriguez will be getting a rematch against “The Great” at UFC 320 in Guadalajara.
Sean Strickland reveals what Alex Pereira can do to dethrone Magomed Ankalaev in rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2025
One former UFC titleholder believes he knows what Alex Pereira can do to defeat Magomed Ankalaev in a rematch. At UFC 313 back in March, Pereira put the light heavyweight gold at stake against Ankalaev. “Poatan” was hoping to pull off a fourth successful title defense, but it wasn’t meant to be. Anaklaev’s forward pressure proved to be too much for Pereira on fight night, and the Russian contender became a champion via unanimous decision.
UFC fans have lost interest in Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall, says MMA legend
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 28, 2025
Do UFC fans no longer care about whether or not Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall happens? The wait continues for some movement in the heavyweight title picture. While Jones is enjoying his time in Thailand for a reality show, Aspinall is left to wonder what’s next. Both men have held UFC gold since 2023, with Aspinall laying claim to the interim title. Near the halfway point of 2025, there is still no answer on when there will be an undisputed UFC heavyweight title fight.
UFC to make major change to fight gear for debuting athletes
BJ Penn Staff - May 28, 2025
UFC newcomers are going to look a little bit different going forward. On May 28, it was announced that, starting with this weekend’s UFC card at the Apex, fighters making their debuts with the promotion will wear a unique “debut patch” to signify the milestone. Interestingly, this is being done to create new collectibles in partnership with Topps, a trading card company.
Cory Sandhagen shares his thoughts on a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev matchup: “It’s a hot take”
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2025
UFC contender Cory Sandhagen has given his thoughts on a possible showdown between Ilia Topuria and Islam Makahchev. It’s the fight that the mixed martial arts universe is desperate to see: Ilia Topuria vs Islam Makhachev. The best featherweight on the planet vs the best lightweight in the world, and and perhaps the two best fighters in the game. Unfortunately, Makhachev has opted to move up to welterweight in pursuit of a second world title. In his absence, Topuria will battle Charles Oliveira for the soon-to-be-vacant strap at 155 pounds.
Jon Jones reacts to Nate Diaz’s wild brawl over in Thailand
Harry Kettle - May 28, 2025
UFC star Jon Jones has given his thoughts on the brawl that led to Nate Diaz being thrown off the TV show he was filming. If there’s one thing we know to be true, it’s that Nate Diaz is an unpredictable guy. Nobody ever really knows for sure what he’s going to do next, which adds such a huge layer of intrigue to his character and career. Recently, he opted to take part in a Russian spin-off of The Ultimate Fighter alongside Jon Jones.