MMA News

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.

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.

Cole Shelton - May 28, 2025

Erin Blanchfield has fired back at Maycee Barber after she said she had a boring fighting style. Blanchfield and Barber are set to headline UFC Vegas 107 on Saturday in a highly anticipated fight. It’s a fight that is years in the making and one that could determine the next flyweight contender. The two have taken shots at one another, including Barber saying Blanchfield is boring, which she responded to at media day.

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.

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.

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.

BJ Penn Staff - May 28, 2025

Chuck Liddell is one of the most important figures in UFC history. It’s been many years since he competed in the Octagon, but it’s still very interesting to hear his thoughts on the state of MMA today. During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, the UFC Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on how the sport has changed over the years, and made some interesting points.

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.

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.

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.

BJ Penn Staff - May 28, 2025

Former UFC star Kevin Lee is set for his debut with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He will not get a warm welcome. The former UFC star is set to meet Gadzhi Rabadanov in the semifinals of the 2025 PFL lightweight tournament, the promotion announced on May 28. The fight goes down on June 20, less than a month from now. Lee replaces the injured Jay-Jay Wilson, who Rabadanov has already beaten.

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.

Harry Kettle - May 28, 2025

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has given his thoughts on the possibility of Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall actually taking place. For the longest time now, fight fans have been watching and waiting to see whether or not we’ll get Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall. It’s undisputed heavyweight champion vs interim heavyweight champion. It makes all the sense in the world and yet, for whatever reason, the man known as ‘Bones’ just doesn’t seem interested in making it happen.

Harry Kettle - May 28, 2025

Former UFC star Darren Till has given his updated thoughts on a potential showdown between himself and Mike Perry. As we know, Darren Till is one of the bigger names when it comes to the recent history of English mixed martial arts. While he may never have won a world championship in the UFC, he certainly had some big moments, which include fights against the likes of Stephen Thompson, Robert Whittaker, Donald Cerrone and Kelvin Gastelum.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 27, 2025

Flyweight Muay Thai combatant Diego Paez will not be lured into any traps from Johan Ghazali at ONE Fight Night 32. The fiery flyweight stars will collide on Friday, June 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. And Paez will look to gain the first win of his ONE Championship tenure.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 27, 2025

When it comes to heart, you don’t have to look much further than ONE Women’s Atomweight Muay Thai World Champion Allycia Hellen Rodrigues. For the second time this year, Rodrigues will defend her crown on short notice. She headlines ONE Fight Night 32 on Friday, June 6, against fierce Israeli striker Shir Cohen inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 27, 2025

Seasoned strikers Seksan Or Kwanmuang and Muangthai PK Saenchai are set for battle at ONE Friday Fights 114 next month. But their history dates back a full decade. The pair square off in 140-pound Muay Thai action on Friday, June 27, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. It’s a place that has become synonymous with their duels. And their upcoming installment promises to be as thrilling as those that came before.

Cole Shelton - May 27, 2025

Maycee Barber doesn’t think Erin Blanchfield is all that exciting. Barber is set to headline UFC Vegas 107 on Saturday night against Blanchfield in an intriguing fight. It’s a pivotal fight for the flyweight division, and in the lead-up, both have taken shots at one another.