MMA News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Harry Kettle - May 7, 2025

Valentina Shevchenko believes her experience will help her when defending the belt again Manon Fiorot tomorrow night. On Saturday, Valentina Shevchenko will defend her UFC flyweight championship against Manon Fiorot. It comes as the first fight she’s had in a long time that hasn’t been against Alexa Grasso, as she attempts to move on to a new chapter in her career. While many believe she’s capable of getting the job done, others are of the belief that this is Fiorot’s time to shine – including the challenger herself.

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.

Cole Shelton - May 7, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena thinks UFC 315 could be the final time that Belal Muhammad fights in the UFC. Della Maddalena is set to challenge Muhammad for the welterweight title on Saturday in Montreal. It’s an intriguing matchup, and Della Maddalena has shown confidence that he won’t just win but will finish Muhammad. Not only does Della Maddalena believe he will finish Muhammad, but he thinks the champ may opt to retire after the loss, knowing he won’t get the belt back.

BJ Penn Staff - May 7, 2025

Alex Pereira claims his relationship with the UFC is actually in good place — contrary to a social media post that sent the MMA community into a frenzy this morning. On Tuesday morning, Pereira posted on X, lashing out at the UFC and threatening to retire after receiving some “disheartening” news.

BJ Penn Staff - May 7, 2025

Jake Paul has thrown his support behind UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. On Tuesday, Pereira shocked fans by lashing out at the UFC, and threatening to retiring from combat sports altogether.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 7, 2025

Belal Muhammad insists he has zero concern about Kamaru Usman. Muhammad and Usman haven’t been cordial with one another over the past year. Usman blames the dissension on Muhammad’s trash talk after winning the UFC Welterweight Championship from Leon Edwards in 2024. There is also the now infamous unaired “Pound 4 Pound” podcast episode featuring Muhammad, where things apparently got quite testy between the two.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 7, 2025

A one-time UFC champion has come to the defense of Bo Nickal. Fans witnessed the first pro MMA loss in the young career of Nickal this past Saturday. Nickal took on the experienced de Ridder in the UFC Des Moines co-headliner. Things certainly didn’t go the way Nickal planned. The once unbeaten prospect couldn’t handle the pressure of the former two-division ONE Championship titleholder, and he crumpled after receiving a knee to the body in the second stanza.

BJ Penn Staff - May 7, 2025

UPDATE: Alex Pereira now claims he was “hacked,” and that his relationship with the UFC is “great.” Get caught up on this crazy ordeal HERE. If you thought Alex Pereira and the UFC were on good terms, think again.