MMA News
Beneil Dariush still believes he could climb into UFC title contention
Harry Kettle - May 20, 2025
UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush still believes he could climb into title contention at 155 pounds with a few big wins. For the longest time now, Beneil Dariush has been a notable contender in the lightweight division. However, after a few poor results in his last few outings, many have been left to wonder whether or not he still belongs in the elite class. Of course, he also has big wins under his belt, but the top 15 is starting to look incredibly stacked once again.
What's next for Michael Morales and Gilbert Burns after UFC Vegas 106?
Cole Shelton - May 20, 2025
The UFC was at the Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday for UFC Vegas 106. In the main event, welterweight contenders threw down as Michael Morales took on Gilbert Burns. Entering the fight, Morales was a perfect 17-0 as a pro, including being 5-0 in the UFC, and was coming off a TKO win over Neil Magny. Burns, meanwhile, was on a three-fight losing streak and was looking to snap his losing skid and remain a title contender.
Ilia Topuria splits with long-time coach ahead of bid for second UFC title
BJ Penn Staff - May 19, 2025
Ilia Topuria is set for one of the biggest fights of his life at UFC 317. That hasn’t stopped him from changing up his coaching staff. Spain’s Topuria is the former UFC featherweight champion. After vacating the belt last year, he is set to challenge Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 on June 28.
Boxing star Claressa Shields reveals she turned down final PFL fight offer: 'MMA is done'
BJ Penn Staff - May 19, 2025
Claressa Shields is done with MMA. Shields, 30, is best known for her boxing accolades. The Flint, Michigan native has held titles in five weight classes, and is considered one of the best female boxers of all time. However, several years ago, she boldly transitioned into MMA.
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has a specific technique in mind for potential Ilia Topuria fight
BJ Penn Staff - May 19, 2025
Paddy Pimblett has something special in mind for a potential fight with fellow UFC star Ilia Topuria. England’s Pimblett is currently ranked No. 8 in the UFC lightweight division, and is probably just a few more wins from a crack at the division’s title. That title, of course, was recently vacated by long-time champion Islam Makhachev, who is headed up to welterweight. That cleared the way for Spain’s Topuria, the former featherweight champ, to battle Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt in his lightweight debut. The fight goes down at UFC 317 on June 28.
Ian Machado Garry claims Jack Della Maddalena looked "sloppy" at UFC 315: "Both of them looked slow"
Cole Shelton - May 19, 2025
Ian Machado Garry has taken aim at Jack Della Maddalena over his performance at UFC 315. Della Maddalena beat Belal Muhammad by decision to win the welterweight title. The Aussie was able to keep the fight standings and landed the more damaging shots. Although Della Maddalena pulled off the upset, Machado Garry felt like the Aussie wasn’t all that impressive in the win.
Magomed Ankalaev predicted to defend UFC title against surprising name
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 19, 2025
Could Magomed Ankalaev’s first UFC title challenger be a surprising choice? Ankalaev captured the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Alex Pereira at UFC 313 back in March. Anakalev forced “Poatan” to move back throughout the fight thanks to his forward pressure. Ankalaev’s efforts earned him the unanimous decision victory and UFC gold.
Former Jon Jones opponent thinks 'Bones' is trolling Tom Aspinall by stalling
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 19, 2025
Has Jon Jones worn Tom Aspinall out? Much has been made over the holdup in the UFC heavyweight division. Jones has been the champion since March 2023, but he’s only had one title defense. He has yet to face Aspinall, who has held the interim gold since Nov. 2023. Aspinall even has his own successful title defense.
Kelvin Gastelum reflects on iconic Israel Adesanya fight ahead of UFC Hall of Fame induction
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2025
Kelvin Gastelum has reflected on his iconic fight against Israel Adesanya ahead of his upcoming UFC Hall of Fame induction. At UFC 316, Kelvin Gastelum will make his return to the cage when he battles rising prospect Joe Pyfer. In the eyes of many, this is a great opportunity for Pyfer to reach the next level in his pursuit of UFC gold – whereas the popular belief is that Kelvin is now playing the role of ‘gatekeeper’ for many of these young prospects.
Jon Jones provides big update on UFC future and possible Tom Aspinall fight
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones has provided an update on his immediate future and a possible return fight. Jon Jones is easily one of the biggest stars in the history of mixed martial arts. However, he’s also been involved in a lot of controversies throughout the course of his career. Nowadays, the big problem is that he doesn’t appear to be all too interested in the idea of unifying his heavyweight title in a UFC superfight against interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall.
Former UFC champion explains big worry for Charles Oliveira in Ilia Topuria fight
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2025
Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on the upcoming fight between Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria. In the main event of UFC 317, Charles Oliveira will take on Ilia Topuria in the main event. The two men will collide over the UFC lightweight championship, with the man known as ‘Do Bronx’ attempting to win the strap for the second time. Topuria, meanwhile, will try to join a rare group of fighters who have won belts in two different weight classes in the promotion.
Darren Till won't "beg" for a boxing match against Jake Paul or Tommy Fury
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2025
Former UFC star Darren Till has given his thoughts on potential boxing matches against the likes of Jake Paul or Tommy Fury. Since leaving the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Darren Till hasn’t really put too much effort or focus into mixed martial arts. Instead, he’s put a lot of attention into boxing. He’s been fairly successful up to this point but many are still eager to see him throw down against a bigger name, with two of the most popular names being Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.
Jonathan Haggerty vows to settle score with Rodtang: "My turn now"
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 19, 2025
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty believes he’s got the goods to finally defeat former flyweight Muay Thai king Rodtang Jitmuangnon. The duo have gone to war on two previous occasions. Their first came in 2019, where Rodtang dethroned the Brit after five rounds. The sequel came in January 2020 as “The Iron Man” once again defeated Haggerty — this time, by third-round TKO.
Jonathan Di Bella teases transition to Muay Thai: "I'm happy to move toward that"
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 19, 2025
ONE Interim Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Di Bella is open to a Muay Thai quest. But not before he unifies the division’s gold against Prajanchai PK Saenchai. The Canadian-Italian striker captured the interim strap this past March at ONE 172. He outstruck former two-division king Sam-A Gaiyanghadao, earning the unanimous decision victory.
Daniel Cormier's recent criticism of judging 'made no sense,' says UFC veteran
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 18, 2025
A UFC fighter who won his recent bout believes Daniel Cormier and other members of the UFC 315 broadcast team were vehemently against him. Cormier is a UFC Hall of Famer, but he’s also one of the key voices of the company. He’s become a regular color commentator for UFC pay-per-views, and some of his calls have been criticized by fighters. Recently, Cormier shared his belief that the scorecards in favor of Modestas Bukauskas over Ion Cutelaba were “trash.”
Patchy Mix reveals biggest reason for signing with UFC, and it isn't money
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 18, 2025
Patchy Mix is the newest member of the UFC roster, but he didn’t ink the deal solely for big paydays. Mix is a former Bellator champion who many experts and fans were pounding the table for the UFC to sign. He was under contract with PFL, but the two sides mutually agreed to part ways. Mix had been mostly inactive after PFL’s acquisition of Bellator.
Ilia Topuria plans to make Islam Makhachev wait for lightweight title fight if welterweight move doesn't work out
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 18, 2025
Ilia Topuria has no plans on giving Islam Makhachev a bout right away if things don’t pan out for the soon-to-be former UFC lightweight champion at 170 pounds. Makhachev will be vacating the UFC Lightweight Championship the moment Topuria’s fight with Charles Oliveira begins. Topuria and Oliveira will be fighting for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 317 on June 28. Makhachev is moving on to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Jose Aldo explains why he decided to retire following controversial UFC 315 loss
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 18, 2025
Jose Aldo has shared more details on his decision to walk away from pro MMA competition. If the retirement sticks, then Aldo’s final bout took place on May 10 at UFC 315. He lost a controversial decision to Aiemann Zahabi and decided it was time to hang up the gloves. The former two-time UFC featherweight titleholder has also insisted that he’s likely done with combat sports altogether, not just MMA.