MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 31, 2025

The godfather of MMA officiating, “Big” John McCarthy, has some advice for a veteran referee who has taken some heat. Mike Beltran has become a familiar face to combat sports fans. He has officiated some marquee fights in the world of MMA. Beltran was on duty for the UFC Mexico City Fight Night card this past Saturday. He officiated the Manuel Torres vs. Drew Dober bout, which ended in a first-round TKO finish for Torres.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 31, 2025

One former UFC fighter has decided to hang up his gloves. MMA fans have seen a bevy of athletes retire as of late. The likes of Molly McCann, Antonina Shevchenko, and Jalin Turner have made the decision to leave pro MMA competition within the span of a few weeks. McCann admitted that her performances simply weren’t good enough in a sport that continues getting young, while Turner said the lifestyle of being a fighter is taking its toll. Shevchenko hadn’t fought since a 2022 win over Cortney Casey and has left the sport to fulfill her piloting duties.

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 31, 2025

Two-sport ONE World Champion Roman Kryklia has had a stronghold over the heavyweight Muay Thai and light heavyweight kickboxing divisions in ONE Championship. And he believes his reign is going to become even more dominant. The unambiguous Ukrainian looks to extend his ruling when he defends the ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Title versus Britain’s Lyndon Knowles this Friday, April 4, at ONE Fight Night 30 inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 31, 2025

One day you’re on top of the world. The next, you’re at rock bottom. That accurately sums up Muay Thai knockout artist Nico Carrillo’s mentality following his defeat to ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Nabil Anane at ONE 170 in January. After much thought, the #3-ranked bantamweight Muay Thai contender enters the featherweight division this Friday, April 4, at ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. He meets #4-ranked star Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium.

Harry Kettle - March 31, 2025

UFC veteran Kelvin Gastelum has shared his reaction to Joe Pyfer’s late UFC Mexico City withdrawal last weekend. As we know, Kelvin Gastelum has been around for a long time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In that time, he’s achieved some great things and he’s had some remarkable fights. With that being said, he hasn’t always come up on the winning side – and that’s been especially true across his latest string of bouts.

Harry Kettle - March 31, 2025

UFC newcomer Patricio Pitbull has revealed the plan that he hopes will fast-track him to a world title opportunity. At UFC 314, we look set to finally see the debut of Patricio Pitbull in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While he may be at an advanced point in his career, we’re talking about one of the all-time best. As was the case with Michael Chandler, Patricio has spent years building a name for himself outside of the promotion – most notably in Bellator.

Harry Kettle - March 31, 2025

An early review regarding The Rock’s Smashing Machine movie, based on the life of Mark Kerr, has led to a few raised eyebrows. The Rock is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood and we all know that to be true. From his days in professional wrestling to his transition over to the movies, he is a bonafide megastar. Over the years, though, some have questioned the quality of some of the movies that he’s made. Others are just interested in seeing him take part in really fun projects.

Harry Kettle - March 31, 2025

Canelo Alvarez’s fight later this year looks set to go head to head with Noche UFC, which will take place on the same night. As we know, Canelo Alvarez is one of the biggest stars in combat sports. He has served as a household name in the world of professional boxing for the longest time, and that’ll continue to be the case for as long as he decides to compete. He has fought the best of the best, losing to only Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol throughout the course of his illustrious career. Later this year, the expectation is that he will take on perhaps his biggest challenge yet: Terence Crawford.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Manuel Torres has responded to those who criticized referee Mike Beltran during UFC Mexico City. Torres had a stellar showing this past Saturday, defeating seasoned veteran Drew Dober in the opening frame via TKO. Torres delivered a series of hard punches to the head of his opponent. Beltran stopped the fight, but some believe he was too late in calling a halt to the bout.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Joe Pyfer has found himself in hot water after blaming Mexico City for pulling out of a planned matchup against Kelvin Gastelum. Pyfer and Gastelum were set to collide on the main card of UFC Mexico City. Plans went south when “Bodybagz” fell ill before fight night. It would’ve been a big opportunity for Pyfer to go up against the biggest name he’s faced yet, but it wasn’t meant to be on March 29.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire is confident that he will prove himself to be the best featherweight in the world. Freire will finally be making his UFC debut on April 12. The former two-division Bellator champion will share the Octagon with Yair Rodriguez on the main card of UFC 314 in Miami. It’s been a long time coming for the 37-year-old, who has garnered Hall of Fame worthy accolades during his time in Bellator.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Drew Dober has spoken out after being viciously stopped by Manuel Torres at UFC Mexico City. Dober was hoping to avoid the first three-fight skid of his pro MMA career going into Saturday’s fight card. He was unable to do so, suffering a first round-TKO loss. Dober grabbed his opponent’s leg in hopes of a takedown, but he ate a barrage of nasty punches before referee Mike Beltran finally stepped in.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Brandon Moreno is throwing his name in the hat to headline UFC 320. Moreno took center stage in the main event of UFC Mexico City this past Saturday night. He went one-on-one with No. 8-ranked UFC flyweight Steve Erceg. This was a competitive scrap that went the distance. Moreno was awarded the unanimous decision victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 30, 2025

Ilia Topuria has provided an update on his next fight with a big claim. Topuria will officially vacate the UFC Featherweight Championship once the UFC 314 main event between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes begins. When it was announced that Topuria is moving up to the 155-pound division, many assumed that “El Leyenda” will be getting a shot at Islam Makhachev’s UFC Lightweight Championship. UFC CEO Dana White told reporters that Makhachev vs. Topuria isn’t a lock for the next lightweight title fight.

Chris Taylor - March 29, 2025

The Octagon returned to Arena CDMX for tonight’s UFC Mexico City, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. Tonight’s fight card was headlined by a key men’s flyweight bout between Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg. The bout proved to be a thrilling twenty-five-minute affair. Brandon Moreno got off to a quick start, but Steve Erceg was able to establish his range early in the second frame. The fighters would trade leather for the final three rounds and after five rounds of exciting action, the judges’ in attendance unanimously awarded the decision in favor of ‘The Assassin Baby’. With the win, Moreno is right in line for another crack at the title.

Chris Taylor - March 29, 2025

Tonight’s UFC Mexico City event was headlined by a key men’s flyweight bout between Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg. Moreno (23-8-2 MMA), the promotion’s former flyweight champion, was competing for the first time since scoring a unanimous decision win over Amir Albazi this past November at UFC Edmonton. Prior to that victory, ‘The Assassin Baby’ was coming off back-to-back losses to Brandon Royval and Alexandre Pantoja respectively.

Chris Taylor - March 29, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Mexico City results, including the co-main event between Manuel Torres and Drew Dober. Torres (16-3 MMA) will enter the contest looking to rebound, this after suffering a TKO loss to Ignacio Bahamondes at last September’s UFC 306 event. That setback snapped a 6-fight winning streak for the 30-year-old Mexican standout.

Chris Taylor - March 29, 2025

Tonight’s UFC Mexico City main card featured a highly anticipated bantamweight bout between Raul Rosas Jr. and Vince Morales. Rosas Jr. (11-1 MMA) entered tonight’s contest on a three-fight winning streak, his most recent being a unanimous decision win over Aori Qileng at UFC 306 this past September in Las Vegas. ‘El Niño Problema’ had gone 4-1 inside of the Octagon since joining the UFC ranks in December of 2022.