UFC News
Nassourdine Imavov bails on UFC 319 backup duties: 'Conditions changed'
BJ Penn Staff - June 17, 2025
The UFC 319 main event no longer has a backup fighter, as Nassourdine Imavov has shrugged off his commitment to the role. UFC 319 is set for August 16 in Chicago, Illinois. The card will be headlined by a middleweight title fight, as champion Dricus Du Plessis of South Africa looks to defend his belt against undefeated Chechen juggernaut Khamzat Chimaev. It’s easily one of the biggest fights of the year, and everyone is hoping it goes down as planned. However, accidents do happen. Chimaev also unfortunately has a track record of withdrawing from fights at the last minute.
Ben Askren may need a lung transplant as he remains on a ventilator, his wife reveals
Cole Shelton - June 17, 2025
Ben Askren remains in the hospital and may need a lung transplant. Ben’s wife, Amy, posted an update on social media revealing that the former UFC fighter remains in the hospital. In the update, Amy revealed that Ben’s health status remains in limbo, but the sedation isn’t as strong, allowing ‘Funky’ to open his eyes and squeeze hands.
Jorge Masvidal reveals who he thinks is a future UFC champion: 'This guy's scary'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 17, 2025
Jorge Masvidal has some big praise for one surging UFC contender. The featherweight division is stacked with the likes of champion Alexander Volkanovski, Diego Lopes, Aljamain Sterling, and Yair Rodriguez. One 145-pounder has developed the reputation of being the boogeyman of the weight class. That man is Movsar Evloev, who is undefeated at this point in his pro MMA career.
Umar Nurmagomedov won't lose sleep if he doesn't get Merab Dvalishvili rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 17, 2025
Umar Nurmagomedov wants to share the Octagon with Merab Dvalishvili again, but he won’t beg for it. Back in January, Nurmagomedov challenged “The Machine” for the UFC Bantamweight Championship. Nurmagomedov fell short in the bout and he ended up walking out of the title fight with a broken hand. It was also the first loss of Nurmagomedov’s pro MMA career.
Islam Makhachev's coach believes Kamaru Usman title fight is possible
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
Islam Makhachev’s coach Javier Mendez is of the belief that a fight against Kamaru Usman could be possible in the future. As we know, Kamaru Usman got back to winning ways last weekend with a convincing victory over Joaquin Buckley. While he had to overcome some adversity in the fifth round, he was able to persevere and make it known that he’s far from done in mixed martial arts.
Joe Rogan has high praise for Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
UFC commentator Joe Rogan has had great things to say about UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is a fairly terrifying individual. He is the reigning king of the bantamweight division and throughout the course of the last few years, he’s really been able to step his game up to a whole new level.
Alexandre Pantoja understands the KO threat posed by Kai Kara-France
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
Alexandre Pantoja understands the threat he’ll be facing when he battles Kai Kara-France ahead of their upcoming title fight. In the co-main event of UFC 317 next weekend, Alexandre Pantoja will defend his UFC flyweight championship against Kai Kara-France. It’s the moment that KKF has been waiting a long time for and now, he’ll finally get the opportunity to battle it out for the belt.
Jamahal Hill doesn't think Khalil Rountree Jr is on his level ahead of UFC Baku
Harry Kettle - June 17, 2025
UFC star Jamahal Hill doesn’t believe that Khalil Rountree Jr is on his level ahead of their UFC Baku main event clash. This weekend, Jamahal Hill will attempt to get back in the win column. He’ll do so in a fascinating fight against Khalil Rountree Jr, pitting two elite light heavyweight contenders against each other. If one of them scores a convincing knockout, they may even be in the running for a championship opportunity again sooner rather than later.
Sean O'Malley has opponent in mind for next UFC fight, 'still confident' he can beat Merab Dvalisvhili
BJ Penn Staff - June 16, 2025
Sean O’Malley is still less than two weeks removed from a dejecting submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili, but the UFC star already thinking about his next fight. O’Malley met Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316, in hopes of reclaiming the bantamweight title. However, he suffered a decisive submission loss to the champion. It was his second loss in a row to the Georgian, after surrendering the belt with a decision loss last September.
Khalil Rountree vows to put on an "undeniable performance" against Jamahal Hill to earn a title shot
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2025
Khalil Rountree is looking to secure a title shot at UFC Baku. Rountree is set to take on Jamahal Hill in the main event of the Fight Night card on Saturday. It’s an intriguing matchup and one that Rountree enters as the betting favorite. Although Rountree is the favorite, he isn’t paying attention to that, as he’s just focused on his own performance.
Top lightweight contender claims he will serve as backup fighter for UFC 317 main event
BJ Penn Staff - June 16, 2025
If Charles Oliveira or Ilia Topuria is unable to make it to the Octagon for UFC 317, there is a backup plan in place. UFC 317 goes down on June 28 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oliveira and Topuria will meet in the main event. The pair will battle for the lightweight title, which was recently vacated by long-time champion Islam Makhachev, who is headed up to welterweight. It’s one of the biggest fights of the year. As such, it would be a real disappointment if either man got injured and couldn’t compete. The good news is that, if that happens, Arman Tsarukyan will be ready to step in.
Payton Talbott booked for tough UFC 317 matchup after suffering first pro loss
BJ Penn Staff - June 16, 2025
Payton Talbott is set to return to action at UFC 317. Talbott, 26, started 2025 as one of the hottest prospects in MMA. However, he ended up losing his first pro fight at UFC 311 in January, when Brazilian veteran Raoni Barcelos beat him by decision. Talbott will look to put that experience behind him at UFC 317, which goes down on June 28 in Las Vegas. There, he’ll be taking on Felipe Lima of Brazil.