MMA News
Merab Dvalishvili slams Petr Yan's claim that he was injured during their first fight
Harry Kettle - December 5, 2025
UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has hit back at Petr Yan after he claimed that he was injured during their first fight. Tomorrow night, Merab Dvalishvili will defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Petr Yan at UFC 323. It has the potential to be one of the most intriguing fights of the year, especially given the insane activity of Merab who, in 2025 alone, has been able to put together a 3-0 run.
Diogo Reis envisions dominant reign after upcoming title clash at ONE Fight Night 38: "The beginning of everything"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 5, 2025
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom Diogo Reis faces Japan’s Daiki Yonekura for the vacant ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The bout brings together two master technicians in a duel that promises urgency, invention, and danger under ONE’s aggressive submission rule set. Reis’ journey to this stage began far from any spotlight. In Manaus, Brazil, he honed his craft with little more than discipline, perseverance, and a hunger that outgrew the room he trained in. That mindset became the force that propelled his meteoric rise through Brazil’s competitive circuits and later across the United States.
Three under the radar fights you can't miss at ONE Fight Night 38
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2025
Fabricio Andrade defends his belt in the main event. Submission grappling legends collide on the undercard. But some of the night’s best action might come from fights nobody’s talking about. ONE Fight Night 38 lands at Lumpinee Stadium on Friday, December 6, with a loaded card that extends well beyond the marquee attractions. The depth is real. And buried underneath the championship fights are three matchups that could easily steal the show.
Malcolm Wellmaker on "absolutely dumb assumption" that informed UFC 322 loss
Dylan Bowker - December 4, 2025
Malcolm Wellmaker recently suffered a notable setback at UFC 322 as he lost to an underdog, short-notice opponent, and Wellmaker has reflected on the errors that led to that. Wellmaker mentioned that he knew on 4 or 5 pm on Thursday, he would be fighting Ethyn Ewing at 145 pounds instead of the initially scheduled Cody Haddon for the Saturday, November 15th card. During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, when asked if he watched film on Ethyn Ewing and if did the requisite research on his newly booked adversary for the Madison Square Garden matchup, Wellmaker said,
Marcelo Garcia reveals why he wanted to face Lachlan Giles: "I want to test myself"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 4, 2025
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia faces Australian innovator Lachlan Giles in lightweight submission grappling at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The 43-year-old captured four ADCC World Championships and five IBJJF World Titles with an unmatched finishing instinct. In doing so, he cemented his status as arguably the sport’s greatest competitor.
Paddy Pimblett absolutely rips 'nobody' Arman Tsarukyan: 'He’s a boring b*****d'
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2025
Paddy Pimblett isn’t a fan of Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan is the No. 1 contender at lightweight, but he isn’t fighting for the interim belt. Instead, it will be Pimblett taking on Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324 on January 24.
Leon Edwards finally breaks social media silence after first KO loss at UFC 322
Curtis Calhoun - December 4, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards addressed his followers for the first time after weeks of silence following UFC 322. For the first time in his professional MMA career, former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards was on the wrong end of a brutal knockout performance.
Merab Dvalishvili makes shocking choice for next opponent after UFC 323, dismisses Umar Nurmagomedov rematch
Curtis Calhoun - December 4, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is eying a fresh, new challenge with a win this Saturday at UFC 323 over Petr Yan. Merab Dvalishvili is aiming to earn his fourth win of 2025 as he prepares to defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Petr Yan this Saturday at UFC 323. Dvalishvili and Yan will clash in a rematch of their 2023 bout, which featured a record-setting performance by the current champion.
Petr Yan expects immediate rematch for Merab Dvalishvili if he beats him at UFC 323: 'Would be a really cool trilogy'
Cole Shelton - December 4, 2025
Petr Yan knows he will have to beat Merab Dvalishvili twice if he’s going to remain the bantamweight champion. Yan is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 323 in a rematch against Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title. Although Yan is a sizable underdog and was dominated by Dvalishvili two years prior, he has full confidence that he will get his hand raised.
UFC 323's Alexandre Pantoja makes plans clear if he defeats Joshua Van
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2025
Alexandre Pantoja has clear plans if he can earn another successful title defense at UFC 323. Pantoja has a young and hungry contender waiting for him in Joshua Van. The two will mix it up in Saturday’s co-main event. Pantoja’s UFC Flyweight Championship will be at stake inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Joe Rogan thinks UFC heavyweight division is in trouble when former WWE star joins roster
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2025
Longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes the heavyweight division is in for a rude awakening once a certain ex-WWE talent gets signed. The MMA world has been buzzing ever since Gable Steveson made his professional debut. The Olympic gold medalist starched Braden Peterson in the opening round of his first pro MMA bout back in September. Steveson then dabbled into the world of Dirty Boxing, knocking out Billy Swanson in 15 seconds.
UFC 323's Petr Yan not overly impressed by Merab Dvalishvili's activity
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 4, 2025
As UFC 323 draws closer, Petr Yan isn’t mesmerized by Merab Dvalishvili’s activity. Dvalishvili is nearing the record for the most successful title defenses in a single year in UFC history. To break the record, “The Machine” will need to defeat Yan in a rematch on Saturday. Dvalishvili holds a unanimous decision victory over Yan, and he’s hoping to find even better success this go-around.
Joshua Van sees Alexandre Pantoja as the flyweight GOAT ahead of UFC 323
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025
Joshua Van has said that in his eyes, Alexandre Pantoja is the flyweight GOAT as they prepare to battle it out at UFC 323. For the longest time now, Joshua Van has been viewed as someone who can make some real noise at 125 pounds. On Saturday night, he has the chance to make the most noise of all when he challenges Alexandre Pantoja for the UFC flyweight championship in the co-main event of UFC 323.
Merab Dvalishvili says there's no bad blood with Petr Yan heading into UFC 323
Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has said there’s no bad blood between him and Petr Yan ahead of UFC 323. On Saturday night, Merab Dvalishvili will take on Petr Yan in the main event of UFC 323. If he’s able to pick up the win, Merab will officially go 4-0 this year, successfully defending his belt on every occasion. Of course, these two men have fought before, with ‘The Machine’ picking up the win on that occasion en route to earning his own shot at the gold.
Beneil Dariush eyes weight class move after quick KO loss at UFC 322
Dylan Bowker - December 3, 2025
Beneil Dariush is opening his mind to the idea of a change in weight category following his fast knockout loss inside Madison Square Garden recently. At UFC 322, Dariush was stopped by strikes against Benoit Saint Denis sixteen seconds into the bout, and the stalwart lightweight is now entertaining applying a fresh coat of paint to things by moving up. Beyond the nature of the fight result, Dariush also missed weight leading into the fight, which could also inform a desire to move up to 170 pounds. Speaking to Submission Radio in the wake of his recent setback, Dariush mentioned how he felt poised to have an all-time career performance as he felt dialed in with all facets of his preparation until fight week hurdles came up. Despite the weight miss where he came in at 157.2 pounds, Dariush mentioned how he felt fine in some regards on fight day, but did notice his inability to take a shot in the same wya he normally would.
ONE Fight Night 39 to feature two pivotal Thai vs. Russian bouts
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 3, 2025
Fourth-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai collides with undefeated destroyer Asadula Imangazaliev in a crucial divisional matchup at ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 24, 2026, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Meanwhile, #4-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender Rambolek Chor Ajalaboon finally locks horns with #5-ranked Abdulla Dayakaev in another explosive battle that could shake up the top-five divisional rankings. Kongthoranee has proven to be one of the best flyweight strikers in the world. The three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion owns a 72-18 career record with 11 victories in ONE Championship. The cerebral technician earned his stripes during a seven-bout winning streak at ONE Friday Fights. He capped it off with a majority decision win over Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi that secured his six-figure contract.
VIDEO | Merab Dvalishvili hilariously jabs at former rival Umar Nurmagomedov just days before UFC 323
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili kicked off UFC 323 fight week by taking a shot at his former rival, Umar Nurmagomedov. Merab Dvalishvili has quickly become one of the top fan favorites in the UFC, due to his relentless style inside the cage and colorful personality outside of it. The UFC bantamweight champion is days away from making his fourth title defense of the year against former titleholder Petr Yan at UFC 323.
Kamaru Usman responds to Tyron Woodley's fiery remarks discrediting his welterweight GOAT case
Curtis Calhoun - December 3, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champions Kamaru Usman and Tyron Woodley have traded barbs in recent days regarding the former’s GOAT case. Kamaru Usman could potentially earn the next UFC welterweight title fight against newly minted champion Islam Makhachev. Following Makhachev’s recent win over Jack Della Maddalena, Usman was Makhachev’s callout target, as the two legends seemed equally ready to clash in the Octagon next year.