MMA News

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 21, 2025

Reaching ONE Championship was a life goal for #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Nakrob Fairtex. But simply being here isn’t enough. The Thai star meets Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi in a flyweight Muay Thai tilt at ONE Fight Night 32 on Friday, June 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

BJ Penn Staff - May 21, 2025

Paddy Pimblett has his eyes on the UFC lightweight title, and he doesn’t think it’s far away. Pimblett became one of the top contenders in the lightweight division when he thrashed Michael Chandler to a third-round TKO at UFC 314 in March. Now ranked No. 8, there’s no question he’s getting close to a shot at the title.

BJ Penn Staff - May 21, 2025

Islam Makhachev has a new hobby, but his mentor and fellow UFC star Khabib Nurmagomedov doesn’t approve. Khabib and Islam are considered two of the best fighters in MMA history, largely on the strength as their reigns as UFC lightweight champion. Khabib held the belt first, but retired after a submission win over Justin Gaethje in 2020. Several years later, Islam claimed the vacant belt with a submission win over Charles Oliveira, and went on to be just as impressive — if not more impressive — than Khabib.

BJ Penn Staff - May 21, 2025

Charles Oliveira has made his first public prediction for his UFC 317 title fight with Ilia Topuria. With long-time lightweight champ Islam Makhachev making a (potentially nightmarish) move up to welterweight, Oliveira and Topuria are set to fight for the vacant belt in the June 28 card’s main event.

BJ Penn Staff - May 21, 2025

UFC heavyweight champ Jon Jones claims he isn’t retired. However, it doesn’t sound like we’ll see him in action any time soon either. Jones is best known for a legendary run in the UFC light heavyweight division, where he cemented himself as one of the best fighters ever over the course of multiple title reigns. However, he ultimately vacated the division’s belt to move up to heavyweight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 21, 2025

Jose Aldo has no issues with how he was booked at the end of his UFC run. Aldo recently announced his retirement after falling short against Aiemann Zahabi in their UFC 315 clash. While Aldo lost the fight via decision, many fans felt the Brazilian legend did enough to have his hand raised in Montreal. It wasn’t meant to be, and Aldo has decided to hang up his gloves.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 21, 2025

One fighter has been removed from an upcoming UFC Fight Night card. UFC Vegas 107 is scheduled to take place on May 31. The event will be headlined by a pivotal women’s flyweight matchup between Erin Blanchfield and Maycee Barber. UFC Apex will play host to UFC Vegas 107, but the card is now down one less fighter.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 21, 2025

One former opponent of UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey is contemplating her fighting future. UFC Des Moines took place on May 3 and it featured a slew of action, which was capped off by Cory Sandhagen defeating former UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo. The featured preliminary fight on that card was a clash between former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate and Yana Santos.

Harry Kettle - May 21, 2025

Iowa wrestling have trolled Bo Nickal in the wake of his one-sided defeat at the hands of Reinier de Ridder recently. As we know, Reinier de Ridder defeated Bo Nickal in their recent UFC Des Moines showdown. While many knew it was going to be the toughest test of Bo’s career up to this point in mixed martial arts, few could’ve expected how one-sided it would be. The wrestling sensation was controlled and dominated in pretty much every department, with de Ridder proving that he is an elite middleweight contender.

Harry Kettle - May 21, 2025

UFC star Khamzat Chimaev has taken a shot at Dricus du Plessis’ team ahead of their main event clash at UFC 319. At UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev will finally get his chance to reach the next level in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He will challenge Dricus du Plessis for the UFC middleweight championship, in a fight that has been a long time coming. He’s been able to tear through the rest of the competition, most notably Robert Whittaker, and he’s done so with a terrifying precision.

Harry Kettle - May 21, 2025

UFC star Joaquin Buckley has hit out at Sean Brady for reportedly turning down a main event fight against Kamaru Usman. As we know, Joaquin Buckley is a top contender in the welterweight division right now. He has been on an absolute tear, mowing through some top quality names like Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque and Colby Covington. At UFC Atlanta, however, he will face arguably his toughest test to date as he prepares to throw down with former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 21, 2025

Jaosuayai Mor Krungthepthonburi’s career as a fighter, for the most part, is a lonesome journey. Once you step in the ring and that bell sounds, it comes down to you. Recently, the flyweight Muay Thai star has felt an overwhelming amount of support. At ONE Fight Night 32, he makes his main roster debut versus #4-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Nakrob Fairtex on Friday, June 6, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 21, 2025

Japanese ace Yuki Yoza rides a 10-fight winning streak into his ONE Championship debut. And that run has given him the confidence he needs. The K-1 Champion takes on undefeated Russian Elbrus Osmanov in a bantamweight kickboxing bout at ONE Friday Fights 109 inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 21, 2025

Newly minted ONE Women’s Atomweight MMA World Champion Denice Zamboanga insists she’s destined to battle former three-sport queen Stamp Fairtex. Their previous bouts have seen injuries, cancellations, and other unforeseen circumstances occur.

Cole Shelton - May 20, 2025

Jack Hermansson will finally make his return to the Octagon at UFC 317 on June 28. Hermansson hasn’t fought since February of 2024 when he beat Joe Pyfer by decision. Since then, he has dealt with some injuries that have kept him sidelined, but he’s glad to return on such a big card in front of fans.

Cole Shelton - May 20, 2025

Sean Strickland has shared his prediction for the middleweight title fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis is set to defend his middleweight title in the main event of UFC 319 on August 16. It’s a highly anticipated bout, and heading into the fight, Du Plessis is a +162 underdog while the challenger is a -210 favorite on FanDuel.

BJ Penn Staff - May 20, 2025

Islam Makhachev is headed up to the UFC welterweight division, and there are some very tough matchups awaiting him there. One of them might turn out to be his “worst nightmare.” That would be Joaquin Buckley. Makhachev is the long-reigning UFC welterweight champion, and the promotion’s top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter right now. Earlier this month, he announced plans to vacate his lightweight belt and head up to welterweight. The expectation is that he will walk right into a title fight with the division’s new champion, Jack Della Maddalena.

BJ Penn Staff - May 20, 2025

Jon Jones has cleared the air after generating a bit of controversy with a comment about his fellow UFC champ Islam Makhachev. Jones is currently in Thailand filming a Russian reality television show with fellow UFC star Nate Diaz. In a recent clip from the show, Jones could be heard saying Makhachev is “new in the sport still.”