MMA News
Sean O'Malley's coach open to future move to featherweight: "Could hang with a lot of the 145ers"
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.
UFC legend Chuck Liddell names favorite 'real fighter' in modern MMA
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.
Retired MMA veteran defends UFC over reported booking of Movsar Evloev
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.
Sean Strickland reveals what Alex Pereira can do to dethrone Magomed Ankalaev in rematch
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.
UFC to make major change to fight gear for debuting athletes
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.
UFC vet Kevin Lee booked for short-notice PFL debut against fearsome Russian champ
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.
Cory Sandhagen shares his thoughts on a potential Ilia Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev matchup: “It’s a hot take”
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.
Jon Jones reacts to Nate Diaz’s wild brawl over in Thailand
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.
Darren Till shuts down talk of possible Mike Perry fight
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.
Diego Paez refuses to play role as "stepping stone" for rising star Johan Ghazali
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.
Allycia Hellen Rodrigues unbothered by short-notice ONE World Title defense: "I'm always ready"
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.
Yuki Yoza envisions "leg-breaking battle" with Superlek following debut win at ONE Friday Fights 109
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.
Maycee Barber says Erin Blanchfield is a "boring fighter" ahead of UFC Vegas 107: "Terrible fighting style"
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.
WATCH | Former UFC champ Sean Strickland spars with BKFC star 'Platinum' Mike Perry
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.
Two exciting welterweight matchups added to UFC Nashville fight card
BJ Penn Staff - May 27, 2025
The upcoming UFC Nashville fight card just got even better with the addition of two fantastic welterweight scraps. In one of those matchups, we will see former middleweight contender Chris Curtis drop back down to 170 pounds for a fan-friendly clash with Max Griffin. The fight was first reported by X user MagicM, and confirmed by MMA journalist Marcel Dorff.
Coach isn't ruling out Dustin Poirier fighting again after Max Holloway trilogy: "Never say never"
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.
Joe Rogan has one big question ahead of Merab Dvalishvili's UFC 316 rematch with Sean O’Malley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 27, 2025
UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has chimed in on the bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. When “The Machine” and “Suga” first met back in Sept. 2024, it was Dvalishvili’s wrestling and pressure that earned him a unanimous decision win and UFC gold. They will collide again in the UFC 316 headliner on June 7 in Newark.
Former UFC star wonders if Khamzat Chimaev gets fraud checked by Dricus du Plessis
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 27, 2025
A former UFC and Strikeforce standout wonders if Khamzat Chimaev has been given too much credit. Chimaev is scheduled to challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC Middleweight Championship on Aug. 16. The title fight is set to take place inside the United Center in Chicago. There is plenty of buzz surrounding the matchup, as both men have demonstrated high-level skills inside the Octagon.




