MMA News

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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

Japanese kickboxing standout Yuki Yoza’s ONE Championship debut went off without a hitch. And he’s looking to get to grips with the biggest names in the world. The former K-1 Champion debuted at ONE Friday Fights 109 this past Friday, May 23. He became the first man to beat Elbrus Osmanov. He did so by unanimous decision in bantamweight kickboxing action 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.

BJ Penn Staff - May 27, 2025

Neither Sean Strickland nor Mike Perry has a fight booked right now. That didn’t stop the former UFC champ and current BKFC star from getting together in Las Vegas for a spirited sparring session. Perry posted a clip of his sparring session with Strickland on social media. See a clip of their work together below, as captured by Championship Rounds.

Cole Shelton - May 27, 2025

Mike Brown, the head coach of Dustin Poirier, isn’t ruling out ‘The Diamond’ fighting again after UFC 318. Poirier is set for his retirement fight against Max Holloway in their trilogy bout for the BMF belt in New Orleans. It’s an intriguing matchup, and Poirier has made it clear this will be it for him.

BJ Penn Staff - May 27, 2025

Nate Diaz has revealed the toughest fight of his UFC career, and it wasn’t either of his two battles with Conor McGregor. Diaz, 40, is one of the most popular fighters in UFC history. He competed in the Octagon from 2007 t0 2022, battling some of the most dangerous fighters at both lightweight and welterweight in that timeframe.