MMA News

Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2025

Former UFC lightweight contender Jalin Turner has no intention of ever fighting again. ‘The Tarantula’ was once viewed as one of the UFC’s rising stars in the lightweight division. From 2020 to 2023, Jalin Turner rattled off a five-fight winning streak, winning all those bouts by way of finish. However, the wheels quickly came off. Turner’s winning streak was snapped by Mateusz Gamrot on short notice in early 2023 by way of a split decision. He then proceeded to lose two of his next three, suffering losses to Dan Hooker and Renato Moicano.

Josh Evanoff - March 18, 2025

Charles Oliveira believes Conor McGregor won’t fight in the UFC again. ‘The Notorious’ is fresh off his trip to The White House in Washington D.C. Almost four years after his last UFC appearance against Dustin Poirier, Conor McGregor celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with Donald Trump in the Oval Office. After meeting with the President, the former two-weight champion unleashed a rant against Ireland’s de facto Prime Minister, Michael Martin. The comments come as no surprise, given McGregor’s repeated teases to join the political world.

Cole Shelton - March 18, 2025

Gunnar Nelson will be ending a two-year-long layoff when he takes on Kevin Holland on the main card of UFC London on Saturday. Nelson hasn’t fought since UFC 286 in March of 2023 when he submitted Bryan Barberena in the first round. Despite getting a quick finish, Nelson has another long layoff as he says he was just focused on other things and not MMA, as he also says he was healthy.

BJ Penn Staff - March 18, 2025

Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria are two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC right now, and there is only one man who has fought them both: Alexander Volkanovski. Australia’s Volkanovski has actually fought Makhachev twice, both times for the lightweight title. He lost their first fight with a razor-close decision, and their second by first-round KO. Of course it’s worth noting he took the second fight on short notice. He fought Topuria in his last fight, surrendering the title with a second-round knockout loss. He is perhaps the best win on Makhachev or Topuria’s resume.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025

Ian Machado Garry believes he should’ve been called upon for a UFC welterweight title shot against Belal Muhammad. When Shavkat Rakhmonov couldn’t accept a championship bout with Muhammad due to an injury, Jack Della Maddalena stepped up. Maddalena will challenge Muhammad in the main event of UFC 315 on May 10.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 18, 2025

One ex-UFC titleholder has given his take on the dangers that Michael Chandler presents to Paddy Pimblett. Chandler and Pimblett are scheduled to clash on the UFC 314 card in Miami. The action will take place inside Kaseya Center on April 12. It’s a big opportunity for “The Baddy,” who is looking to break through in the lightweight title conversation. As for Chandler, he’s in search of his first win since May 2022.

Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025

Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira has issued a warning to Ilia Topuria ahead of the latter’s move up to 155 pounds. As we know, Ilia Topuria is planning on making the move up to the lightweight division following his incredible success at featherweight. While nobody knows for sure who he’ll fight next, there’s a good chance he could challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC lightweight championship in an immediate bid to win a second world title in the UFC.

Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025

UFC star Leon Edwards has stated that he doesn’t think the UFC welterweight championship looks right on his old rival Belal Muhammad. This weekend, Leon Edwards will kickstart his push to get back to the world title at 170 pounds. He will go head to head with Sean Brady in the main event of UFC London, which is expected to be a really tight, interesting clash between two men with very different styles.

Harry Kettle - March 18, 2025

UFC middleweight Marvin Vettori has issued a potential retirement challenge to Brendan Allen for a future fight. Last weekend, Marvin Vettori fell short in his effort to defeat Roman Dolidze. His hope was to kickstart another run for the world title, but instead, he’s left on the outside looking in once again. Some have wondered what’s next for him, especially given how many other big names there are located towards the top of the division.

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 17, 2025

The stakes at ONE 172 are higher than ever for former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon. But he intends to rise to the occasion like never before.   “The Iron Man” locks up with three-division K-1 Champion Takeru Segawa in a flyweight kickboxing super-fight in the main event on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena.  

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 17, 2025

Second-ranked flyweight MMA star Yuya Wakamatsu has come a long way in ONE Championship. Arriving as a promising 22-year-old to a World Title challenger, he’s risen up the ranks to become a divisional stalwart, and he looks to make good on his second chance at gold.   The Japanese jouster meets #1-ranked flyweight MMA star Adriano Moraes in a rematch for the vacant ONE Flyweight MMA World Title at ONE 172: Takeru vs. Rodtang this Sunday, March 23, at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena. 

Cole Shelton - March 17, 2025

The UFC was back at the Apex on Saturday, March 15 for UFC Vegas 104. The main event saw Roman Dolidze rematching Marvin Vettori. Dolidze was coming off a TKO victory over Kevin Holland which was his second-straight win. Vettori, meanwhile, hadn’t fought since June of 2023 when he dropped a decision to Jared Cannonier.

Josh Evanoff - March 17, 2025

Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker remains interested in a move to 205 pounds. ‘The Reaper’ hasn’t been seen in action since a clash against Khamzat Chimaev last October at UFC 308. Robert Whittaker entered the title eliminator riding a wave of momentum, fresh off a first-round knockout victory over Ikram Aliskerov in June. Sadly for the former middleweight champion, he was quickly taken down and submitted by ‘Borz’ in round one. Five years after losing the gold, Whittaker had suffered another setback.

Josh Evanoff - March 17, 2025

Nate Diaz is interested in a return to the octagon to win a UFC championship. The 39-year-old hasn’t been seen in action since his boxing match with Jorge Masvidal last July. Nearly five years after facing off at UFC 244 in New York City, Nate Diaz and ‘Gamebred’ put on a show in California. The two former title challengers went back and forth for 10 rounds, with both landing big shots throughout. However, it was Diaz who emerged with a majority decision victory.

Josh Evanoff - March 17, 2025

According to PFL founder Donn Davis, Francis Ngannou isn’t going anywhere. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen in action since a pivotal clash against Renan Ferreira in October. Back in the cage for the first time since defeating Ciryl Gane in January 2022, Francis Ngannou handed the former PFL tournament winner a first-round knockout loss. After so much turmoil and tragedy since leaving the UFC, the victory was an emotional one for the heavyweight star. However, Ngannou is already working on a return.

Josh Evanoff - March 17, 2025

Former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor met with Donald Trump at The White House earlier today. It’s no secret that the 47th President of the United States is a longtime fan of MMA. A lifelong friend of Dana White, Donald Trump regularly began attending UFC events in 2022 to promote his Presidential campaign. His efforts paid off in November, winning the Presidency by defeating then-Vice President Kamala Harris to become the first man since Grover Cleveland to win a second non-consecutive term.

Cole Shelton - March 17, 2025

Jeremy Stephens will be making his return to the UFC at UFC Des Moines in Iowa. Stephens last fought in the UFC 2021 when he was submitted by Mateusz Gamrot which was his third-straight loss and sent his winless streak to six straight. After the loss, the UFC parted ways with Stephens but he’s now back as he will fight in his hometown of Des Moines to face Mason Jones.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 17, 2025

Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall has seen some hot takes after Alex Pereira’s title loss. Pereira put the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at stake against Ankalaev in the main event of UFC 313. Fans were surprised to see “Poatan” fighting backwards, and it cost him the 205-pound gold. Ankalaev looked to be the aggressor throughout the fight and he captured UFC gold for the first time in his career via unanimous decision.