MMA News
Tom Aspinall slams fans saying he wanted a way out against Ciryl Gane: 'I was expecting a tough fight'
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2025
Tom Aspinall has made it clear he wasn’t looking for a way out against Ciryl Gane. Aspinall was defending his undisputed heavyweight title for the first time against Gane back in October at UFC 321. Early on in the fight, Gane was having success as Aspinall was bleeding from his nose. However, Gane then poked Aspinall in both eyes, and the champ couldn’t continue, making the fight a no-contest.
Michael Bisping says Tom Aspinall is 'playing into the narrative' in proving severity of UFC 321 injuries
Curtis Calhoun - December 2, 2025
UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping advised Tom Aspinall on how to handle criticism of his fight at UFC 321 correctly. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has been the target of intense criticism since his first undisputed title defense at UFC 321.
Tom Aspinall slams Jon Jones for post-UFC 321 trolling: 'This guy was the GOAT?'
Curtis Calhoun - December 2, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall finally responded to Jon Jones’s relentless trolling since his UFC 321 title defense. Tom Aspinall’s long-awaited undisputed heavyweight title fight came to a screeching halt in the UFC 321 main event against Ciryl Gane in October. Just minutes into their UFC 321 headliner, Gane accidentally poked both of Aspinall’s eyes, causing vision issues and leaving Aspinall unable to continue competing.
UFC 324's Sean O'Malley jokes about his 'downfall' before Song Yadong fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 2, 2025
Sean O’Malley isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself ahead of his UFC 324 clash with Song Yadong. The “Suga” show hasn’t had the best of luck inside the Octagon as of late. He dropped two straight bouts to the current UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley was submitted in his most recent outing against “The Machine.”
UFC champion doubts Ronda Rousey fights Katie Taylor in boxing match
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 2, 2025
A reigning UFC titleholder doubts Ronda Rousey steps inside the boxing ring with Katie Taylor. BoxingScene.com recently had a report that turned some heads within the combat sports world. The report claimed that a boxing match between Rousey and Taylor was being discussed for summer 2026. It was noted that Netflix was interested in possibly streaming the event.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 211 with Terrance McKinney
Cole Shelton - December 2, 2025
The 211th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC 323. We’re joined by UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney (1:08) to preview his exciting UFC 323 scrap.
Brandon Moreno believes title shot is undeniable if he wins at UFC 323
Harry Kettle - December 2, 2025
Former UFC champion Brandon Moreno believes he deserves another shot at flyweight gold if he defeats Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323. For the longest time now, Brandon Moreno has been a pretty consistent figure in the UFC’s flyweight division. In addition to being a two-time world champion, he has also been in there against some of the best flyweights that we’ve ever seen in the promotion.
Merab Dvalishvili is a more interesting grappler than Islam Makhachev, says Dominick Cruz
Harry Kettle - December 2, 2025
UFC legend Dominick Cruz has explained why he prefers Merab Dvalishvili’s grappling to Islam Makhachev’s grappling. For the longest time now, Merab Dvalishvili has been seen as one of the best bantamweights on the planet. On the flip side, Islam Makhachev is considered by many to be the pound for pound best fighter in all of mixed martial arts right now.
Two changes announced in ONE Fight Night 38 card shuffle
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 1, 2025
Third-ranked featherweight Muay Thai contender Shadow Singha Mawynn will now face ISKA Kickboxing World Champion Enzo Kartoum at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The featherweight Muay Thai clash replaces Shadow’s originally scheduled rematch with Mohamed Younes Rabah, who withdrew due to illness. Meanwhile, Shinji Suzuki squares off against Dmitrii Kovtun in a bantamweight Muay Thai thriller after two consecutive opponent withdrawals. Suzuki was set to face British legend Liam Harrison before the Englishman pulled out due to injury. Nontachai Jitmuangnon initially agreed to step in but withdrew due to illness. Kovtun takes the three-round contest on short notice.
Fabricio Andrade reflects on life after becoming ONE World Champion: "Hard to believe that everything came out right"
BJPENN.COM Staff - December 1, 2025
ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion Fabricio Andrade defends his title against #4-ranked Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, December 5, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. Nearly three years into his reign, the 28-year-old Brazilian says he’s no longer driven by the desperation that once pushed him through poverty, struggle, and years of sacrifice. Becoming champion allowed Andrade to mature, reflect, and redefine what truly matters. The Fortaleza native has been honest about how success shaped him as a person who embraces responsibility, stability, and a deeper purpose than the one that fueled him when he first left home.
Ariel Helwani says UFC "feels uninspired": "I'm sorry if I care so much"
Dylan Bowker - December 1, 2025
Ariel Helwani is not terribly excited by the UFC product these days and recently offered up his thoughts on some of the marquee matches that have been teed up for next year by the company. It’s worth noting these are also sentiments echoed by not just Helwani but also fans and even former UFC champions alike. During a recent episode of The Ariel Helwani Show, in an excerpt of his show posted to the X account @jedigoodman, the titular figure was responding to some fans who have told him to ‘take a chill pill’ and to just enjoy the fights, Helwani said,
Alexandre Pantoja would have fought Sean O'Malley at 135 pounds "but with Merab it's different"
Dylan Bowker - December 1, 2025
Alexandre Pantoja would have been open to attempting a path to becoming a two-division UFC champion if Sean O’Malley held bantamweight gold, but the current titleholder at 135 pounds gives him some pause. That combatant in question is Merab Dvalishvili, who beat the aforementioned O’Malley twice. The Georgian will also defend his title the same night that Pantoja will. The Brazilian standout will look to retain his flyweight crown against the surging Joshua Van while Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight belt against former UFC kingpin at 135 pounds, Petr Yan in a rematch set for UFC 323 on December 6th.
Belal Muhammad blames Ian Machado Garry's repeated eye pokes for UFC Qatar loss
Curtis Calhoun - December 1, 2025
Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad didn’t hold back on Ian Machado Garry in his first in-depth remarks since UFC Qatar. UFC welterweight contenders Belal Muhammad and Ian Machado Garry clashed in a pivotal matchup in the division at UFC Qatar last month. Garry squeaked out a unanimous decision victory to hand Muhammad his second-straight defeat in the Octagon.
Lerone Murphy 'fell out of love' with fighting after Diego Lopes title shot news
Curtis Calhoun - December 1, 2025
UFC featherweight contender Lerone Murphy shared a brutally honest reaction to the Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes 2 announcement. UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, less than a year since returning to the throne, will defend the belt against the man he opposed in his title-winning performance. Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, who lost to Volkanovski earlier this year at UFC 314, headline an intriguing card at UFC 324.
Jon Jones reverses course on criticizing Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement after 'wise' take
Curtis Calhoun - December 1, 2025
Jon Jones gave Khabib Nurmagomedov supreme credit for past comments about his abrupt retirement. UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov shook up MMA when he announced his retirement from the sport following a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Months removed from the tragic death of his father, Nurmagomedov opted to hang up the gloves, despite being the pound-for-pound best and just scratching the surface of his potential long-term earnings.
Kayla Harrison admits she's 'not convinced' Amanda Nunes will make weight at UFC 324
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2025
Kayla Harrison isn’t sure her fight against Amanda Nunes at UFC 324 will even happen. Nunes is set to return to the UFC to take on Harrison in the co-main event of UFC 324 on January 24. Harrison is defending her bantamweight title for the first time and will be taking on the former champ.
Former UFC star labels Tom Aspinall 'whiny' after labeling Ciryl Gane a cheater after UFC 321 controversy
Curtis Calhoun - December 1, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall’s recent remarks about Ciryl Gane have received mixed reactions from the fighting community. UFC heavyweight titleholder Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed title defense ended disastrously after he was accidentally poked in both eyes by UFC 321 foe Ciryl Gane. Just minutes into their fight, Aspinall vs. Gane was ruled a no-contest after Aspinall was unable to continue competing due to vision issues.
Joshua Van shares bold prediction for his UFC 323 title fight against Alexandre Pantoja
Cole Shelton - December 1, 2025
Joshua Van has a bold prediction for his UFC 323 title fight against Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Van is set to take on Pantoja for the flyweight belt in the co-main event in the final pay-per-view card of the year. Heading into the bout, Van is a +200 underdog while Pantoja is a -265 favorite on FanDuel.