MMA News
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arman Tsarukyan eyes backup role for UFC 317 lightweight title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan is throwing his name in the hat for backup roles if needed. Tsarukyan hasn’t exactly been in the UFC’s good graces as of late. He was forced out of a UFC Lightweight Championship fight against Islam Makhachev before the UFC 311 weigh-ins due to a back injury. UFC CEO Dana White made it clear that “Akhalkalakets” would not be getting the next title shot.
Sean O’Malley reveals how long he hopes to keep fighting beyond UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2025
Sean O’Malley hopes to extend his fighting career for as long as he can. O’Malley hasn’t been shy discussing some significant changes he’s made in his life. The “Suga” show has decided to focus less on his brand and more on his training and recovery. O’Malley made the decision after losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship to Merab Dvalishvili before undergoing surgery for a torn labrum in his left hip.
Erin Blanchfield receives good news following rare last-second UFC fight cancellation
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2025
Erin Blanchfield didn’t get a chance to compete at UFC Vegas 107, but she didn’t leave Las Vegas empty-handed. Blanchfield was expecting to share the Octagon with Maycee Barber in a headlining fight inside the UFC Apex. The bout was set to have major implications in the women’s flyweight division. Blanchfield told Athlon Sports that she believed there was a chance an impressive finish over Barber could’ve boosted her to a championship fight against Valentina Shevchenko.
Erin Blanchfield slams Maycee Barber following UFC main event cancellation: "I think she's a complete mess in every aspect of her entire life"
Chris Taylor - May 31, 2025
Erin Blanchfield was anything but sympathetic after her slated UFC Vegas 107 main event with Maycee Barber was cancelled at the last minute. Blanchfield (13-2 MMA) and Barber (14-2 MMA) were expected to collide in a high stakes five-round main event fight tonight at the UFC Apex. ‘The Future’ was to be returning following a 14-month layoff due to health issues. While Barber’s training camp for the fight appeared to be going fine in terms of what fans got to see on social media, things took a turn for the worse on Friday when Maycee failed to make the flyweight limit of 126lbs. Despite the weight miss, Erin Blanchfield agreed to fight Maycee Baber at a catchweight this evening in Las Vegas.
UFC Vegas 107 Bonus Report: Ramiz Brahimaj one of four POTN winners
Chris Taylor - May 31, 2025
The Ultimate Fighting Championship was back at the Apex for tonight’s UFC Vegas 107 event, and 4 fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. This evening’s fight card was supposed to be headlined by a key women’s flyweight bout featuring Maycee Barber taking on Erin Blanchfield. Unfortunately for fight fans, the main event was cancelled at the very last second, this after it was revealed that ‘The Future’ was no longer medically cleared to compete (see more on that here).