MMA News

BJ Penn Staff - May 13, 2025

Islam Makhachev has ambitions to reign over two UFC weight classes at once. His long-time friend and training partner Daniel Cormier is urging him to be cautious as he pursues this goal. Makhachev is already the UFC lightweight champion. He won the division’s coveted belt with a submission win over Charles Oliveira in 2022, and has since defended it four times. His first two defenses came against featherweight legend Alexander Volkanovski. Since then, he has defended the belt with finishes of Dustin Poirier and Renato Moicano.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 13, 2025

Jon Jones has something to say to those who think he’s ducking Tom Aspinall. Many fans have grown tired of the delay in crowning an undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion. Jones has held the gold since March 2023, while Aspinall has been the interim champion since Nov. 2023. Both Jones and Aspinall have successfully defended their titles once, yet a matchup between the two has yet to be made official.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 13, 2025

One longtime UFC veteran will keep his 15-year run intact. Not every fighter in MMA can remain competitive, regardless of their placement on the card. This is especially true in UFC, where a couple of bad performances, along with other factors, can lead to a release. In the case of one fan favorite, who won his most recent outing, his old contract expired and many wondered if this marked the end of the business relationship.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 13, 2025

Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez thinks Islam Makhachev will prove that Jack Della Maddalena simply isn’t on his level. Makhachev is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, and he might get to try his hand at double-champ status. Jack Della Maddalena defeated Makhachev’s training partner Belal Muhammad to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship this past Saturday. This now leaves the door open for Maddalena vs. Makhachev.

Harry Kettle - May 13, 2025

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has revealed that he declined an offer to coach on the Russian equivalent of The Ultimate Fighter against Jon Jones. As we know, Daniel Cormier is one of the all-time greats within the world of mixed martial arts. He achieved some incredible things throughout the course of his career, including winning world titles in two different weight classes. However, when it comes to rivalries, perhaps his most notable foe was none other than Jon Jones – the man who many consider to be the GOAT.

Harry Kettle - May 13, 2025

UFC president Dana White praised The Korean Zombie’s new regional promotion and even joked that they may have better referees. As we know, Dana White has never particularly trusted the judging or refereeing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While they may be the world leader in mixed martial arts, many poor judges and referees have been part of the UFC family at one point or another. Of course, due to the commissions, the promotion doesn’t really have much of a say in who gets the nod at these big events.

Harry Kettle - May 13, 2025

UFC fighter Modestas Bukauskas has responded to those claiming his win was a “robbery” at UFC 315. Throughout the course of his career, Modestas Bukauskas has been through his fair share of ups and downs. From big losses to horrific injuries and beyond, he’s had to overcome some real adversity. Now, though, he’s starting to put the right pieces in place, and the 31-year-old is beginning to look like a promising rising contender in the light heavyweight division.

Cole Shelton - May 13, 2025

The 195th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live to preview UFC Vegas 106. We’re first joined by UFC middleweight Jack Hermansson (1:00). UFC lightweight Thiago Moises (14:32) then joins the show. Julian Erosa (24:02) closes out the program.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 12, 2025

Losing someone close to you is always difficult to process. Currently, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker is grappling with grief after the passing of a young training partner. Depression and suicide represent a growing crisis among youth worldwide. The Brazilian striker has experienced this tragedy firsthand following the devastating decision made by a youthful teammate to end his own life.

Cole Shelton - May 12, 2025

Conor McGregor has plenty of praise for Valentina Shevchenko after she defeated Manon Fiorot at UFC 315. Shevchenko defended her flyweight title with a hard-fought decision win over Fiorot. It was a great performance from Shevchenko, and after the win, Conor McGregor took his Instagram story to heap praise on the champ.

BJ Penn Staff - May 12, 2025

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski is closing in on 50 years old, but he’s not done fighting yet. He’s now set to debut with BKFC. Arlovski, now 46, enjoyed two lengthy stints with the UFC. In fact, he has the second most fights in Octagon history, at 42.

BJ Penn Staff - May 12, 2025

Dan Hardy was very impressed with the way Jack Della Maddalena fought at UFC 315. So much so that he is now backing the Australian to beat Islam Makhachev in a widely-discussed super fight. UFC 315 went down last Saturday in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Australian knockout artist Jack Della Maddalena claimed the welterweight title in the main event, defeating champion Belal Muhammad by decision.

Cole Shelton - May 12, 2025

UFC welterweight contender Sean Brady believes Jack Della Maddalena vs Islam Makhachev will be a closer fight than people think. Della Maddalena became the UFC welterweight champion on Saturday with a decision win over Belal Muhammad. After the win, Makhachev called to get that fight to try and become a champ-champ. If that is indeed the next fight, it would be an intriguing matchup, and Brady believes it’s a closer fight than people think.

BJ Penn Staff - May 12, 2025

Just moments after winning the UFC welterweight title last weekend, Jack Della Maddalena was on the phone with the promotion’s CEO Dana White to discuss his next move. Australia’s Della Maddalena won the title in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 315 card in Montreal, defeating Belal Muhammad by decision in a thrilling five-round scrap.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 12, 2025

Khamzat Chimaev isn’t exactly feeling bad for Belal Muhammad following UFC 315. Muhammad lost the UFC Welterweight Championship to Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal this past Saturday. While many believe it was the most exciting fight Muhammad has ever been in, it didn’t lead to a successful title defense. Maddalena did an effective job stuffing takedowns, which allowed him to work his striking.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 12, 2025

Paddy Pimblett has reacted to Jack Della Maddalena’s UFC welterweight title win over Belal Muhammad. The main event of UFC 315 had major implications for not just the welterweight division, but the 155-pound weight class as well. A successful title defense for Muhammad would’ve likely meant a showdown between UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria. Following Maddalena’s title win, however, the door is now open for Makhachev to attempt double-champ status.

Harry Kettle - May 12, 2025

UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has provided an update on a potential fight against Jon Jones. There’s been a lot said on this subject over the course of the last few months – and really, over the course of the last year. Tom Aspinall is desperate to lock down a fight against Jon Jones, but unfortunately, the undisputed heavyweight champion just doesn’t seem to be all that interested. He continues to wait, seemingly negotiating with the UFC over the right kind of deal, and fans are getting a little bit tired of it.

Harry Kettle - May 12, 2025

UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev has provided an update on a potential rematch against Alex Pereira. As we know, Magomed Ankalaev is the king of the light heavyweight division. He earned that title as a result of beating Alex Pereira to claim the belt back at UFC 313. Ever since then, fans have been wondering whether or not we’re going to see these two men run it back for the championship at some point in the future.