MMA News
Mateusz Gamrot expresses eagerness to return to action in the UFC
Harry Kettle - April 18, 2025
UFC lightweight contender Mateusz Gamrot has made it clear that he’s very eager to get back in the Octagon and compete. Over the course of the last few years, Mateusz Gamrot has had a series of ups and downs in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. At times, he’s looked like one of the most exciting contenders in the lightweight division. At others, he’s looked like someone who isn’t quite able to get over the hump when it comes to beating some of the best that 155 pounds has to offer.
Ilia Topuria believes Paddy Pimblett would defeat Justin Gaethje and Conor McGregor
Harry Kettle - April 18, 2025
UFC star Ilia Topuria is of the belief that his rival Paddy Pimblett would be able to defeat both Justin Gaethje and Conor McGregor. As we know, Paddy Pimblett is now considered to be a top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division. He has been able to take his game to a whole new level, largely thanks to his victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 314. Now, there are a handful of big names being linked with a fight against ‘The Baddy’, and all of them would make for pretty intriguing matchups in the future.
Khabib Nurmagomedov has big praise for UFC champion Belal Muhammad
Harry Kettle - April 18, 2025
UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has big praise for reigning UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. As we know, the reigning 170-pound champion of the world is Belal Muhammad. He earned that title by dethroning Leon Edwards, and doing so in convincing fashion. As we look ahead to the immediate future, the champ faces a new challenge at UFC 315 when he defends the belt against Jack Della Maddalena. While he’s the favorite in this contest, we all know that nothing is guaranteed in mixed martial arts.
Yair Rodriguez believes Alexander Volkanovski is the greatest featherweight of all time
Harry Kettle - April 18, 2025
UFC featherweight contender Yair Rodriguez believes Alexander Volkanovski is the best to ever do it at 145 pounds. As we know, Alexander Volkanovski is once again the reigning, defending UFC featherweight champion. He accomplished that goal by defeating Diego Lopes to claim the vacant belt at UFC 314 last weekend. On the same card, Yair Rodriguez was able to get past Patricio Pitbull in his UFC debut, leading many to wonder whether or not a rematch could be imminent between the two men.
Nong-O promises a different outcome in Kongthoranee rematch
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2025
Former ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Hama plans to bring back his classic hits after taking a different approach to his flyweight debut this past February. The Thai legend meets #3-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender Kongthoranee Sor Sommai in a rematch. This happens at ONE Fight Night 31 on Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. And he’s looking to inject himself into the ranks.
PFL star Dakota Ditcheva pleads with promotion to get her a fight: "Get me anything"
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2025
PFL superstar Dakota Ditcheva is not happy with the promotion as she’s searching for a fight. Ditcheva won the PFL’s flyweight tournament as she beat former UFC title challenger Taila Santos by TKO in the finals. It was a stellar year for Ditcheva, who looked to become the face of the PFL. However, she last fought in November and has nothing on the books as he’s frustrated she doesn’t have anything booked.
Carlos Prates fires back at Ian Machado Garry after he claims he'll "quit" at UFC Kansas City
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2025
Carlos Prates has taken aim at Ian Machado Garry as the Irishman called him a quitter ahead of their UFC Kansas City main event. Prates was supposed to fight Geoff Neal at UFC 314, but after the American had to pull out, the UFC pushed Prates two weeks to face Garry at UFC Kansas City. It’s a highly anticipated bout, and in the lead-up, Garry accused Prates of being a quitter and vowed to finish him.
Joe Rogan shares biggest issue with Conor McGregor making potential UFC return
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 17, 2025
Joe Rogan believes there’s one glaring issue with a potential Conor McGregor return to the UFC. The status of McGregor has been heavily discussed ever since he fractured his tibia and fibula during a 2021 trilogy against Dustin Poirier. McGregor has not been seen inside the Octagon ever since that fight. He had been scheduled for a UFC 303 showdown with Michael Chandler, but an injured toe put the Irishman out of commission.
Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire explains what went wrong in Yair Rodriguez fight at UFC 314
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 17, 2025
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire believes he knows what went wrong at UFC 314. The former two-division Bellator champion made his UFC debut on April 12 against Yair Rodriguez. It was a big moment for the 37-year-old Freire. “Pitbull” could not emerge victorious in the fight, as Rodriguez was often one step ahead of him.
Cain Velasquez’s victims are demanding damages following his sentencing
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2025
Former UFC star Cain Velasquez could wind up paying significant damages to the victims of his shooting incident in 2022. As we know, Cain Velasquez was recently sentenced to five years in prison after a no-contest plea on numerous charges, including attempted murder, relating to an incident back in 2022. This has been one of the biggest stories outside of the cage in the world of mixed martial arts in recent years, with Cain receiving a great deal of support from the community.
UFC star claims Conor McGregor destroyed the career of Michael Chandler
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2025
UFC star Renato Moicano has said that he believes Conor McGregor assisted with the downfall of Michael Chandler’s MMA career. As we know, Michael Chandler fell to yet another defeat inside the Octagon last weekend. He went up against Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event of UFC 314 and in the end, he was finished in the third round. In truth, it wasn’t a particularly close fight whatsoever, with the Liverpudlian shutting down any kind of attack that the former Bellator champion was trying to put forward.
Paddy Pimblett shares backstage footage of interaction with Michael Chandler
Harry Kettle - April 17, 2025
UFC star Paddy Pimblett has shared backstage footage of an interaction he had with Michael Chandler after their fight at UFC 314. In the co-main event of UFC 314, Paddy Pimblett put a real beating on Michael Chandler. The two men went to war in the lightweight division and in the third round, it was ‘The Baddy’ who was able to pick up a decisive finish. Now, many are already questioning what’s next for him, with the popular opinion being that he should face a top contender like Justin Gaethje or Charles Oliveira.
Tye Ruotolo excited for "second chance" at ONE Fight Night 31 following knee injury
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2025
Competition has been a constant in the life of ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo. But that all changed when he suffered a debilitating knee injury last summer. On Friday, May 2, at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II, the submission magician returns to action inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium when he defends his gold versus Canadian standout Dante Leon.
Isi Fitikefu takes aim at ONE Championship's top fighters
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2025
Rising welterweight MMA star Isi Fitikefu didn’t sign with ONE Championship to make up the numbers. He’s committed to reaching the division’s pinnacle, and he wants to face the very best fighters in the world en route to the top. “Doxz” meets his toughest test yet in former ONE Welterweight MMA World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II, which airs on Friday, May 2, from Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Liam Nolan opens up on how call with ONE Championship boss reignited his career
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2025
British striker Liam Nolan decided to call it a day at the young age of 27 years old following a loss in February 2024. That was, however, until an encouraging call came from ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong. Nolan returns at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Friday, May 2, as he seeks revenge against Nauzet Trujillo in a lightweight Muay Thai rematch inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
Sean Climaco opens up on loss of father: "You have to keep moving forward"
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 17, 2025
Flyweight Muay Thai star Sean Climaco is currently tackling the arduous process of grief after losing his dad last summer, a frightening part of life that nobody ever truly prepares for. He’s taking it day by day. “The One” meets Akif Guluzada in a flyweight Muay Thai encounter at ONE Fight Night 31: Kongthoranee vs. Nong-O II on Friday, May 2, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.
ONE Championship veteran passes away: 'Sad news for the Philippine MMA industry'
BJ Penn Staff - April 16, 2025
Andrew Benibe, an MMA veteran from the Philippines and a one-time ONE Championship veteran, has passed away. The sad news was announced by authoritative Filipino MMA journalist Nissi Icasiano on Facebook.
Another former Bellator MMA star teases UFC move: 'Show time in the big arena'
BJ Penn Staff - April 16, 2025
We’ve seen a lot of former Bellator fighters make the move to the UFC over the last few years. From the sounds of it, another fighter is preparing to make that same move. For many years, Bellator was considered the second biggest promotion in MMA. However, the promotion was recently purchased by the Professional Fighters League (PFL). While some Bellator fighters have been successfully integrated into the PFL roster, a great many have expressed dissatisfaction with the a lack of fight offers from PFL brass. That includes decorated MMA veterans like Gegard Mousasi and Corey Anderson. It also includes Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, who came up short in his UFC debut against Yair Rodriguez at UFC 314 last weekend. Aaron Pico also makes the list. The wrestler-turned-KO-artist recently signed with the UFC himself, though his debut is not yet set.