MMA News

BJ Penn Staff - May 9, 2025

The UFC has parted ways with two more fighters, including a long-time training partner of heavyweight champion Jon Jones. That would be heavyweight Don’Tale Mayes, who spent about five years with the Las Vegas-based MMA promotion. Croatian flyweight Ivana Petrovic was also cut from the UFC roster.

Harry Kettle - May 9, 2025

Former UFC champion Jamahal Hill has discussed a strange interaction he had with Khalil Rountree Jr at the UFC PI. In the main event of UFC Baku, Jamahal Hill and Khalil Rountree Jr will collide in a blockbuster light heavyweight clash. The two men will serve as the big fight of the night as the promotion heads to Azerbaijan for the first time, marking the 31st country they’ve held an event in. In many ways, there’s a lot on the line here, especially now that there’s a new champion sitting at the top of the division.

Harry Kettle - May 9, 2025

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is set for another side quest – this time in a grappling match with ADXC. As we know, Arman Tsarukyan is one of the best lightweight fighters on the planet today. He has beaten some top names in the division over the course of the last few years, with the most notable being Beneil Dariush and Charles Oliveira. Back in January, he was set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship – only for a late injury to rule him out.

Harry Kettle - May 9, 2025

UFC legend Jon Jones believes that he would’ve beaten Daniel Cormier pretty decisively if they’d met at heavyweight. As we know, Jon Jones is one of the greatest fighters of all time. He’s certainly one of the best mixed martial artists ever, and he’s proved that over the course of a long career in the sport. While he did most of his work in the light heavyweight division, ‘Bones’ has also found success at heavyweight. He is a two-weight world champion, with many awaiting his next fight announcement – which will hopefully come sooner rather than later.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2025

Teenage star Johan Ghazali and Colombian-American puncher Diego Paez will add to the flyweight Muay Thai division’s fiery lineup at ONE Fight Night 32: Nakrob vs. Jaosuayai. On Friday, 6 June, the two strikers lock up inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Both men look to get one step closer to the World Title landscape.

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2025

In the co-main event of UFC 315 on Saturday in Montreal, Valentina Shevchenko defends her flyweight title against Manon Fiorot. Heading into the fight, Shevcheko is a +118 underdog while the challenger is a -150 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the women’s flyweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Shevchenki defends her belt as they are surprised she’s the underdog and will get her hand raised by decision.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2025

Japanese striking star Kaito Ono will finally make his promotional debut at ONE Friday Fights 109 as one of Japan’s most prolific strikers arrives on the scene. He will step inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium against Iranian standout Mohammad Siasarani. Their fight happens under featherweight kickboxing action on Friday, 23 May.

Cole Shelton - May 8, 2025

Jessica Andrade has laid out her retirement plan as she returns to the Octagon at UFC 315. Andrade is set to take on Canadian Jasmine Jasudavicius in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Saturday. It’s a pivotal fight at flyweight as the winner could get a top-five opponent next and close in on a title shot.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

Brock Lesnar famously reached the pinnacle of both WWE and the UFC during his legendary career. It seems he has passed his athletic gifts on to his son. On Wednesday, the Western Hockey League (WHL) began its prospects draft. On Thursday, the former UFC champion’s son, Duke Lesnar, was drafted by the the Medicine Hat Tigers with the 115th overall pick.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

About that new nickname UFC star Ilia Topuria chose for himself last month… Spain’s Topuria, the former UFC featherweight champ, is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA right now. Ahead of his anticipated debut in the lightweight division, he announced plans to switch his nickname from “El Matador” to “La Leyenda.”

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

If you ask long-time UFC commentator Joe Rogan, the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the lightweight division is BJ Penn, not Khabib Nurmagomedov. In 2025, most long-time MMA fans agree that Penn is one of the greatest lightweights ever. However, the immense success that Nurmagomedov had in the Octagon after Penn retired created space for plenty of healthy debate.

BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025

Jeremy Stephens didn’t get the victory he was hoping for in his unexpected return to the UFC. The good news is that he seems to be taking his recent loss well. Stephens is one of the most experienced fighters in UFC, tallying 34 fights in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, dating all the way back to 2007. However, he parted ways with the promotion in 2021 following a decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot. Stephens was closing in on his mid-30s by that point, and was winless in his last six fights, so it seemed unlikely he would ever return to the promotion.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

Anthony Smith found the acknowledgment he had been seeking throughout his in entire career during his final night on the job. Smith wrapped up his pro MMA career during the UFC Kansas City event on April 26. “Lionheart” shared the Octagon with Zhang Mingyang inside T-Mobile Center. Smith was stopped in the first round via TKO, ending his prizefighting career on a loss.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

One former UFC slugger thinks the honeymoon phase of women’s MMA has come and gone. There was a time when UFC CEO Dana White was opposed to adding women to the roster. Once White was introduced to Ronda Rousey, things changed. There are three female divisions in the UFC currently, and a women’s flyweight title fight is scheduled for this Saturday.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 8, 2025

Diego Lopes has revealed when he’d like to make the trip back inside the Octagon. Lopes took on Alexander Volkanovski for the vacant UFC Featherweight Championship back in April. While Lopes had some moments, Volkanovski proved that he’s still an elite 145-pounder. Volkanovski defeated Lopes via unanimous decision to become a two-time UFC Featherweight Champion.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2025

Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama continues to ascend the flyweight Muay Thai division. He took a huge step closer to the division’s summit this past weekend. The striking great defeated #3-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai by unanimous decision. It happened in the main event of ONE Fight Night 31 on Friday, 2 May, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Harry Kettle - May 8, 2025

UFC contender Jack Della Maddalena claims he has left no stone unturned in preparing for his title shot at UFC 315. On Saturday night, Jack Della Maddalena will go head to head with Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315. The UFC welterweight championship will be on the line and while Belal may be the favorite, counting out JDM would be a big mistake. He thrives off of being the underdog and you can bet he’s going in there with the belief that he can bring the belt home to Australia.

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025

UFC star Ian Machado Garry believes he could pull off the biggest heist in UFC history at UFC 315 on Saturday night. As we know, Ian Machado Garry is one of the biggest names in the welterweight division. He has slowly but surely been making his way up through the ranks and now, nobody can argue against him being in the title picture. Following on from his short notice win over Carlos Prates last weekend, he’s now in a position where he is the backup fighter for the UFC 315 main event.