MMA News
Another popular UFC analyst questions Ilia Topuria's coaching change ahead of UFC 317
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
You can count another prominent UFC analyst who is unsure what to make of Ilia Topuria’s decision to split from his longtime coaches. The news came as a surprise to many within the MMA industry. Jorge and Agustin Climent had been in Topuria’s corner since his days as an amateur. They helped prepare him for his eventual UFC Featherweight Championship victory. A little over a month before his UFC Lightweight Championship fight against Charles Oliveira, word broke that “El Matador” had split from the Climent brothers.
'Petty' Kayla Harrison will 'smash' Julianna Pena's face at UFC 316, says manager
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
Kayla Harrison’s manager believes Julianna Pena is in for a rough night at UFC 316. Harrison is scheduled to challenge Pena for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in the co-main event of UFC 316 on June 7. It’ll be Harrison’s first crack at UFC gold. Pena will look for her first successful title defense in her second reign.
Merab Dvalishvili details major plans if he wins Sean O'Malley rematch at UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has some big plans for the rest of 2025 if he can defeat Sean O’Malley a second time. Dvalishvili and O’Malley will collide again in the UFC 316 headliner in Newark on June 7. “The Machine” is hoping for his second successful UFC bantamweight title defense. He’s already beaten “Sugar” via unanimous decision to capture the gold, but Dvalishvili is expecting a sharper and more healthy version of O’Malley this go-around.
Tom Aspinall advised to avoid Michael Chandler trap in waiting for Jon Jones
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
As Tom Aspinall continues to wait for his next fight, one former UFC fan favorite is advising him to dodge a pitfall. Aspinall has yet to receive a title unification bout despite the fact that he’s been the interim UFC Heavyweight Champion since Nov. 2023. He’s even successfully defended the gold. While Dana White has insisted that reigning titleholder Jon Jones and Aspinall will fight, there appears to be no signs of any movement towards making the bout happen.
UFC heavyweight contender 'not happy' with Jon Jones situation
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025
One highly ranked UFC heavyweight has expressed frustration over the Jon Jones dilemma. Top fighters in the heavyweight division continue to wait for what’s next in the title picture. While UFC CEO Dana White remains confident that current champion Jones and interim titleholder Tom Aspinall will fight, the wait continues. Jones captured the gold back in March 2023, yet has as many title defenses as the interim champion, which is one apiece.
UFC legend questions timing of Ilia Topuria's split from longtime coaches
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 23, 2025
The recent news of Ilia Topuria parting ways with his coaches has left one UFC Hall of Famer a bit puzzled. Topuria is set for a massive fight in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28. The former UFC Featherweight Champion will attempt to capture gold at 155 pounds. “El Matador” will do battle with Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC Lightweight Championship in Las Vegas.
Rising UFC star scoffs at Yair Rodriguez potentially receiving another featherweight title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 23, 2025
One emerging UFC featherweight isn’t too thrilled about rumblings of Yair Rodriguez potentially getting another title shot. Alexander Volkanovski became a two-time 145-pound titleholder when he defeated Diego Lopes for the vacant gold at UFC 314. Rodriguez also fought on that card, defeating former two-division Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. While some felt Rodriguez could be booked in a grudge match with Lopes at UFC 320 in Guadalajara, there are some who think “El Pantera” could be getting a rematch with Volkanovski.
Justin Gaethje should be fighting Ilia Topuria for UFC gold instead of Charles Oliveira, says top MMA coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 23, 2025
One renowned MMA coach believes the UFC missed out on a more exciting vacant lightweight title fight. Islam Makhachev will no longer be the UFC Lightweight Champion once the UFC 317 main event between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira begins. Many fans and experts are looking forward to seeing Topuria and Oliveira share the Octagon. Still, there are some who feel a better option than “do Bronx” was on the table.
Bare Knuckle Boxer Uly Diaz calls out Tristan Hamm for Misfits fight in Miami: "I used to beat him up in sparring"
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2025
Former bare-knuckle boxer Uly Diaz is looking to put on his gloves and box influencer Tristan Hamm in Misfits. Diaz fought for the BKFC title and interim title throughout his lengthy bare-knuckle career. However, he announced his retirement from bare-knuckle boxing back in August. Although he retired from bare-knuckle, he did fight at the first Dirty Boxing event and now wants to get into boxing and get on a Misfits card.
Miesha Tate reveals that she's undecided on her fighting future
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2025
UFC legend Miesha Tate has provided an update on her fighting future in the wake of her most recent defeat. As we know, Miesha Tate is an absolute icon within the context of women’s mixed martial arts. She achieved some great things during her tenure in the UFC, including winning the bantamweight championship. Since returning, however, she hasn’t been on the best form, going 2-3 in her last five fights.
Mateusz Gamrot explains why he isn't a fan of Paddy Pimblett
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2025
UFC contender Mateusz Gamrot has explained why he isn’t the biggest fan of fellow lightweight Paddy Pimblett. While he’s had some big wins since arriving in the promotion, Mateusz Gamrot has also had his fair share of setbacks. After falling to a defeat against Dan Hooker, he’s been forced to go back to the drawing board. The Polish sensation still believes that he is capable of reaching the very top of the lightweight division, but of course, he needs to get some wins under his belt.
Holly Holm explains decision to return to boxing after UFC departure
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2025
UFC veteran Holly Holm has explained her decision to make a return to professional boxing after her exit from the promotion. After a long stint in the world of mixed martial arts, Holly Holm left the UFC at the start of this year. After some suggestions that she’d be signing with GFL, things quickly quietened down after the promotion’s first few events were canceled. Now, it’s been confirmed that Holly will be heading back to her roots, as she prepares to climb back into the boxing ring as part of a card for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.
John Lineker reveals why he views potential Fabricio Andrade trilogy as "second fight"
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 23, 2025
Since fighting twice, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker and current reigning king Fabricio Andrade have enjoyed their respective runs in combat sports. But they could meet in an all-Brazilian MMA trilogy in the near future. The bantamweight duo are undoubtedly two of the best fighters to emerge from South America. While their trajectories have sent them down differing routes, their paths could intertwine.
Japanese "Mike Tyson" Yuki Yoza reflects on being "too gentle" in early karate days
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 23, 2025
Former K-1 Champion Yuki Yoza wasn’t always the destructive force he is today. It was a trait he didn’t seem to have in his early days. He wasn’t one to watch among his peers. But by hook or by crook, Yoza’s killer instinct eventually came alive. The 27-year-old makes his ONE Championship debut this Friday, May 23, at ONE Friday Fights 109. There, he takes on unbeaten Russian star Elbrus Osmanov in bantamweight kickboxing inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Movsar Evloev claims next fight is booked — but it won't be a UFC title shot
BJ Penn Staff - May 22, 2025
Movsar Evloev won’t be getting his UFC title shot just yet. The Russian featherweight is one of the hottest contenders in any UFC weight class right now. He is 19-0 overall, and a strong 9-0 in the Octagon. Highlights of his run in the UFC include wins over top contenders like Dan Ige, Diego Lopes, Arnold Allen, and most recently, former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett challenged to summer fight by No. 1 contender: 'It makes sense'
BJ Penn Staff - May 22, 2025
Paddy Pimblett might have found the dance partner for his next UFC fight. Liverpool’s Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champ, has been extremely impressive since joining the UFC, winning seven straight fights. In his last fight, a lopsided TKO win over former Bellator champ Michael Chandler, he evolved from prospect into legitimate lightweight contender.
Islam Makhachev fires back at UFC analyst over claims of ducking Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2025
Islam Makhachev has caught wind of one well-known UFC analyst’s ducking accusations, and he’s responded. Makhachev is set to vacate the UFC Lightweight Championship on June 28. Once the UFC 317 main event between Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira begins, Makhachev will relinquish the 155-pound gold. The soon-to-be former lightweight champion made the decision in order to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Sean O'Malley's coach shares surprising comments on Merab Dvalishvili ahead of UFC 316
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has received some surprising comments from Sean O’Malley’s head coach. It’s no secret that there’s some gamesmanship between Dvalishvili and O’Malley’s team. With that said, there is also mutual respect between both sides. Dvalishvili defeated O’Malley to become the UFC Bantamweight Champion back in Sept. 2024. O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch recently remarked that the lights inside the Las Vegas Sphere caused his fighter to miss a good portion of his strikes.