UFC News
Petr Yan thinks UFC Abu Dhabi win could lead to another title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2025
Petr Yan is viewing his next fight as an audition for another UFC title opportunity. Yan, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion, will go one-on-one with Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. While some are wondering if this could be a trap fight for Yan, “No Mercy” is motivated by what he believes will be a high-stakes matchup.
Ilia Topuria scoffs at Max Holloway and Arman Tsarukyan: 'You ran away'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2025
Ilia Topuria has had enough of two top lightweight contenders. Topuria is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion after delivering a first-round knockout victory over Charles Oliveira to close out “International Fight Week.” It’s another accolade in the young career of “El Matador.” He vacated the UFC Featherweight Championship after handing Max Holloway his first knockout defeat.
Tom Aspinall shares lofty goal for UFC 321 main event against Ciryl Gane
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2025
Tom Aspinall wants to make quite the statement for his UFC 321 headliner. UFC CEO Dana White recently announced that Aspinall will put his undisputed heavyweight gold at stake against Ciryl Gane on Oct. 25 in Abu Dhabi. This will be Aspinall’s first fight as the undisputed champion. Fans have long expected Aspinall and Gane to eventually cross paths and barring unforeseen circumstances, that day will finally come.
Pro fighters make their picks for Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder
Cole Shelton - July 23, 2025
In the main event of UFC Abu Dhabi, a middleweight bout goes down on Saturday as former champion Robert Whittaker takes on Reinier de Ridder. Heading into the bout, Whittaker is a -160 favorite, while the Dutch fighter is a +124 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC Abu Dhabi, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the intriguing middleweight bout. The majority of pros believe Whittaker will be able to keep the fight standing and get a win, and possibly even finish de Ridder at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Khabib Nurmagomedov's view on Islam Makhachev's welterweight future
Harry Kettle - July 23, 2025
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev’s welterweight future if he’s able to win the belt. Later this year, Islam Makhachev is expected to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC welterweight championship. He will be aiming to become the latest fighter to win world titles in two weight classes in the promotion, and he’ll be doing so in what many people consider to be the toughest fight of his career – including Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Alan Jouban declares Dustin Poirier the "uncrowned" BMF champion
Harry Kettle - July 23, 2025
MMA analyst Alan Jouban believes that Dustin Poirier is the uncrowned BMF champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Last Saturday night, Dustin Poirier fell short in his attempt to win the BMF title. He went to war with Max Holloway in a blockbuster UFC 318 main event, but unfortunately for ‘The Diamond’, he simply wasn’t able to keep up with ‘Blessed’. After the fight, Dustin stuck to his word and officially retired from mixed martial arts.
Justin Gaethje won't be happy with fighting Paddy Pimblett instead of Ilia Topuria
Harry Kettle - July 23, 2025
UFC star Justin Gaethje has admitted he wouldn’t be happy if he were given Paddy Pimblett instead of a UFC lightweight title shot. As we know, Justin Gaethje isn’t particularly happy right now. In the wake of his recent win over Rafael Fiziev, ‘The Highlight’ has made it crystal clear that he wants to be given a UFC lightweight championship opportunity. Unfortunately, he appears to be at something of a stalemate with the promotion.
Marcus McGhee ecstatic to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi: "My game is to finish guys"
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Marcus McGhee was surprised he got the call to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi. McGhee is ranked 13th at bantamweight and thought he’d get a top-10 opponent next. Yet, he got the call to fight former champion and third-ranked bantamweight Petr Yan at UFC bantamweight, which was a surprise to him.
WATCH | Ben Askren gets emotional after leaving hospital: "Thank you guys
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Ben Askren has shared a massive update regarding his ongoing health scare. Askren had been hospitalized for months and had been on a ventilator. He ended up getting a lung transplant, which was needed as he nearly died multiple times while in the hospital.
Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why Jack Della Maddalena is the toughest fight of Islam Makhachev's career
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Jack Della Maddalena will be the toughest test of Islam Makhachev’s career. Makhachev is set to move up to welterweight to challenge Della Maddalena for the welterweight title. Although the fight isn’t booked yet, all signs point to it happening later this year.
UFC bantamweight veteran reignites beef with Sean O’Malley
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 22, 2025
One UFC bantamweight veteran’s beef with Sean O’Malley is alive and well. O’Malley has had his share of rivalries. He’s ruffled the feathers of Marlon “Chito” Vera and Aljamain Sterling to name a couple. While the war of words with Vera was intense, a former UFC bantamweight champion wants to give that feud a run for its money.
Reinier de Ridder sees path to UFC middleweight title shot if he defeats Robert Whittaker
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 22, 2025
Could unforeseen circumstances lead to a quick UFC title opportunity for Reinier de Ridder? Saturday will be pivotal for de Ridder, as he will meet former UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker. The 185-pound scrap will headline UFC Abu Dhabi. For de Ridder, it’s a chance to shoot up to a top five position in the division.
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Jon Jones is long past his prime as he considers MMA comeback
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has given his thoughts on the future of Jon Jones ahead of his potential comeback. As we know, Jon Jones is technically retired from the sport of mixed martial arts. He made the decision a few weeks back, declining to defend his UFC heavyweight championship against interim champion Tom Aspinall. As a result of that, Tom has been promoted to the position of undisputed champion.
Max Holloway once again mocks Ilia Topuria for carrying around BMF title belt
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC legend Max Holloway has questioned Ilia Topuria for carrying around the BMF title belt as talks of a rematch continue. Last Saturday night, Max Holloway successfully retained the BMF championship by defeating Dustin Poirier at UFC 318. As we know, though, ‘Blessed’ lost his last fight before this, falling to a KO defeat at the hands of Ilia Topuria. While the BMF title wasn’t on the line in that fight, some felt as if it should’ve been.
Tom Aspinall gives his thoughts on rumors of Alex Pereira moving to heavyweight
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has given his thoughts on Alex Pereira potentially moving up to his division. As we know, Tom Aspinall is the new king of the heavyweight division following the retirement of Jon Jones. What we don’t know, though, is who he’s going to face in his next fight. There are a handful of potential contenders in the mix but one that stands out as being pretty intriguing is none other than Alex Pereira.
Bryce Mitchell believes he is the man to defeat UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili
Harry Kettle - July 22, 2025
UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell believes he has what it takes to defeat Merab Dvalishvili after his move down to bantamweight. This weekend, Bryce Mitchell makes his way down to 135 pounds at UFC Abu Dhabi. He will face off against Said Nurmagomedov, in what is bound to be a tough first assignment for him. With that being said, ‘Thug Nasty’ seems pretty confident that he’ll be able to make magic happen in his new home at bantamweight.
Khamzat Chimaev responds to Paulo Costa’s claim that he was DMing his wife: “She deleted everything bro”
Cole Shelton - July 21, 2025
Khamzat Chimaev has fired back at Paulo Costa. After Costa pulled off an upset win over Roman Kopylov, he called out Chimaev and claimed ‘Borz’ was DMing his wife. He says he will be chasing down Chimaev until he gets to fight him, but after his callout, ‘Borz’ took to social media to claim Costa’s wife was the one messaging him.
What's next for the stars of UFC 318?
Cole Shelton - July 21, 2025
The UFC was in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Saturday for a solid UFC 318 card. The main event saw Max Holloway defending his BMF belt in the trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier, which also served as ‘The Diamond’s’ final fight. Ultimately, it was Holloway who won a decision in a back-and-forth, thrilling fight to defend his BMF belt and become the first person to defend his BMF belt. Following UFC 318, here is what I think should be next for the stars of the event.