UFC News
Mike Perry opens up on sparring with UFC star Sean Strickland: 'It’s not something I prepared myself for'
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Mike Perry recently linked up for a sparring session with UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland. Apparently, it was something the BKFC star had been meaning to do for a while.
Alexander Volkanovski set to meet with UFC 'very soon' to discuss title defense
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 12, 2025
Alexander Volkanovski remains out of the loop on his next UFC title fight, but that appears to be changing imminently. Volkanovski captured the UFC Featherweight Championship for the second time when he defeated Diego Lopes at UFC 314 in April. While the general consensus was that Movsar Evloev would be the No. 1 contender, he’s reportedly linked to a bout with Aaron Pico. Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Evloev and Pico, told Submission Radio that he has yet to receive a contract for the bout.
Daniel Cormier provides update on Ben Askren's health crisis: 'Everybody’s just kind of praying'
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Former UFC star Ben Askren is continue to battle through a frightening health crisis. Earlier this week, Askren’s wife Amy revealed that he has been hospitalized with pneumonia, and that he was effectively non-responsive. From there, several extremely worrying rumors began to surface.
Francis Ngannou ‘wants to make himself available’ for possible UFC return, but faces major hurdle
BJ Penn Staff - June 12, 2025
Francis Ngannou probably won’t be returning to the UFC anytime soon. Ngannou is the former UFC heavyweight champion. He never actually lost his belt. Instead, he vacated the title when he parted ways with the promotion in 2023. In other words, he’s still the lineal MMA heavyweight champion.
Kayla Harrison responds to MMA legend's bizarre take on Amanda Nunes fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 12, 2025
Kayla Harrison has responded to a warning from one MMA legend regarding a showdown with Amanda Nunes. Harrison competed for UFC gold for the first time in her pro MMA career this past Saturday. She defeated Julianna Pena via second-round submission to secure the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship. After the match, Nunes entered the Octagon and revealed her plans to end her retirement. She then had a staredown with Harrison.
Kamaru Usman responds to critics who believe his knees will cause him problems at UFC Atlanta
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2025
UFC legend Kamaru Usman has responded to those who have suggested his knees will cause him problems at UFC Atlanta. For the longest time, Kamaru Usman was the man to beat at 170 pounds. Unfortunately for him, a Leon Edwards head kick changed all of that. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ has now lost three on the bounce and after a period of inactivity, many are wondering what the 38-year-old has left in the tank in the world of mixed martial arts.
Joe Pyfer questions Joe Rogan’s commentary during his UFC 316 win
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2025
Rising UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer has called the commentary of Joe Rogan into question following UFC 316 last weekend. For a few years now, Joe Pyfer has been seen as one to watch in the UFC’s middleweight division. From his size to his personality to his incredible power, it’s clear to see that he’s a problem at 185 pounds. While he did experience a setback against Jack Hermansson, he’s been able to rebound well, most notably this past weekend.
Ariane da Silva released by UFC after medical issue and UFC 316 defeat
Harry Kettle - June 12, 2025
UFC veteran Ariane da Silva has reportedly been released by the promotion in the wake of her loss to Wang Cong. Back in early 2019, Ariane da Silva made her debut for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Polish sensation came into the company with a great deal of hype but unfortunately, she was never quite able to live up to that. While she made a real name for herself with KSW, she was far too inconsistent inside the Octagon. Still, she had a lot of heart, and that led to her continually getting booked in interesting matchups.
Merab Dvalishvili reveals generous wedding gift for Aljamain Sterling following UFC 316 win
BJ Penn Staff - June 11, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili and Aljamain Sterling are two of the best bantamweights in UFC history. Interestingly, they’re also close friends and training partners. Sterling held the UFC bantamweight belt first. He won it with a disqualification against Petr Yan in 2021, and then defended it three times, against Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo. He ultimately lost the belt to Sean O’Malley, who went on to lose the belt to Dvalishvili.
Rose Namajunas responds to critics of flyweight move ahead of UFC Atlanta: 'I am better'
BJ Penn Staff - June 11, 2025
Rose Namajunas is well aware that a lot of UFC fans are skeptical of her run in the flyweight division. Namajunas is a legend of women’s MMA. Almost all of her pro career has occurred in the UFC. In the Octagon, she is a two-time strawweight champion, with wins over Zhang Weili (twice), Joanna Jedrzejczyk (twice) and Jessica Andrade. She may just be the best fighter in the strawweight division’s history.
Pro fighters make their picks for Kamaru Usman vs Joaquin Buckley
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2025
In the main event of UFC Atlanta, a welterweight bout goes down as former champion Kamaru Usman returns to the Octagon to take on Joaquin Buckley. Heading into the fight, Usman is a +210 underdog while ‘New Mansa’ is a -280 favorite on FanDuel. Ahead of the scrap at UFC Atlanta, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the intriguing welterweight bout. The pros believe Buckley will get his hand raised as they think Usman’s layoff and age will hurt him too much while Buckley is rolling.
Kamaru Usman shoots down potential fight with Belal Muhammad: "What do you have to offer me?"
Cole Shelton - June 11, 2025
Kamaru Usman doesn’t see a need or have an interest in fighting Belal Muhammad. Usman is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC Atlanta against Joaquin Buckley. It’s an intriguing matchup, and should he win, Usman will be in the title picture.