MMA News
UFC legend calls Belal Muhammad the third best welterweight of all time
Harry Kettle - May 9, 2025
UFC analyst Chael Sonnen has dubbed Belal Muhammad the third best UFC welterweight champion of all time. Over the course of the last few years, Belal Muhammad has been slowly but surely rising up through the ranks of the UFC’s welterweight division. Now, we’re at a point where he sits at the top of the mountain as the UFC welterweight champion. He has earned that title through commitment, hard work and dedication, and this weekend, he is set to defend the gold at 170 pounds.
Johan Ghazali to face battle-tested Diego Paez at ONE Fight Night 32
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.
UFC 315 | Pro fighters make their picks for Valentina Shevchenko vs Manon Fiorot title fight
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.
Kaito Ono booked for kickboxing debut versus Mohammad Siasarani at ONE Friday Fights 109
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.
Alexa Grasso expecting a "beautiful war" against Natalia Silva at UFC 315
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2025
Alexa Grasso is expecting a very fun fight against Natalia Silva at UFC 315. Grasso is set for her first fight since losing her flyweight title to Valentina Shevchenko last time out. Although she is the former champion and fighting down in the ranks, Grasso is the underdog, but she doesn’t care about that.
Former UFC champ Brock Lesnar’s son gets drafted by Canadian hockey team
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.
Ilia Topuria decides to switch back to old nickname ahead of UFC return
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.”
Joe Rogan claims BJ Penn is lightweight GOAT, breaks down dream fight with Khabib Nurmagomedov
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.
Former UFC champ Cody Garbrandt books next fight — with a brand new look
BJ Penn Staff - May 8, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is officially set to the Octagon, and he’ll do so with a different look than we’re used to. Garbrandt will make his return when the UFC touches down in Atlanta, Georgia on June 14. His opponent this time around will be a fellow veteran in Raoni Barcelos. The bout was first announced by Barcelos himself.
Anthony Smith finally got what he wanted after UFC retirement fight
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.
Retired UFC fighter thinks bubble has burst on women's MMA
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.
Diego Lopes reveals timeline for next UFC fight following loss to Alexander Volkanovski
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.
Anatoly Malykhin to UFC fans: Remember that I already dealt with Reinier de Ridder
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 8, 2025
Two-weight ONE World Champion Anatoly Malykhin has heaped praise on rival and former two-division king Reinier de Ridder. But not before reminding everyone of his own prowess. De Ridder scored his third consecutive stoppage victory in the UFC this past Saturday, 3 May, putting an end to the surging Bo Nickal in the second round by TKO.
Jack Della Maddalena claims he has left no stone unturned in preparation for UFC 315 main event
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.
Ian Machado Garry believes he could pull off biggest heist in UFC history this weekend
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.
Belal Muhammad predicts knockout victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315
Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025
UFC champion Belal Muhammad has predicted a knockout triumph over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315. As we know, Belal Muhammad will defend his welterweight gold in the main event of UFC 315. He’ll do so against Jack Della Maddalena in a contest that many fans and pundits alike are pretty interested to see. JDM would seemingly have the advantage on the feet, but the wrestling of Belal is what got him to the dance in the first place.
UFC 315 | Pro fighters make their picks for Belal Muhammad vs Jack Della Maddalena title fight
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025
In the main event of UFC 315, the welterweight title is up for grabs as Belal Muhammad takes on Jack Della Maddalena. Heading into the fight, Muhammad is a -188 favorite while the challenger is a +146 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their predictions for the welterweight title fight. The pros are unanimous in thinking Muhammad’s pace and wrestling will be too much as he will defend his belt, most likely by decision.
Manon Fiorot plans to take Valentina Shevchenko's superfight against Weili Zhang with win at UFC 315
Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025
Manon Fiorot not only plans to take Valentina Shevchenko’s belt, but she also plans to take her superfight. Fiorot is set to take on Shevchenko in the co-main event of UFC 315 for the women’s flyweight title. Despite being the challenger, Fiorot is the betting favorite, which is a surprise to some. Although she is the challenger, Fiorot isn’t surprised she is the favorite as he knows she’s been dominating opponents when Shevchenko hasn’t.