MMA News

Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025

Anthony Smith has confirmed his UFC Kansas City fight against Mingyang Zhang will be his final fight. Smith believes he’s likely already stayed around for too long but knows the time is now to retire, regardless of the result. Even if Smth turns back the clock and has an incredible performance, he says this retirement is for good.

Josh Evanoff - March 13, 2025

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski will compete in the boxing ring later this month. ‘The Pitbull’ hasn’t been seen in action since a clash with Martin Buday last June at UFC 303. The former champion entered the bout riding a three-fight losing streak, previously suffering losses against Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Don’Tale Mayes, and Marcos Rogerio de Lima. Sadly for Andrei Arlovski, he was handed a split-decision loss by ‘Badys’ last summer. After the defeat, he was released from the promotion.

Josh Evanoff - March 13, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump recently offered praise of UFC star Conor McGregor during a meeting with the Irish prime minister. It’s no secret that the 45th and 47th U.S. President is a longtime fan of MMA and the UFC. As a lifelong friend of Dana White, Donald Trump began attending events on a regular basis in 2022 to promote his second Presidential campaign. The organization’s efforts paid off in November, as the Republican nominee defeated then-Vice President Kamala Harris to win a second trip to the White House.

Josh Evanoff - March 13, 2025

Former UFC women’s strawweight contender Paige VanZant is interested in a return to the cage. ’12 Gauge’ recently made her return to the octagon, but not as a fighter. Last month, Paige VanZant was in the corner of her husband, Austin Vanderford, for his promotional debut at UFC Seattle. On a week’s notice, the former Bellator title challenger secured a second-round knockout win over Nikolay Veretennikov. For VanZant, the moment was an incredibly special one.

Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025

Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson isn’t a fan of the PFL. Thomson has been retired since 2020, despite not fighting since 2017. Since then, he has gotten into commentary as he was an analyst for Bellator and even did some commentary for the PFL. Yet, he says after being around the PFL he realized they won’t be a top promotion, especially with how they are run.

BJ Penn Staff - March 13, 2025

Combat sports fans could soon be offered a smorgasbord of action the likes of which we have never seen before, featuring UFC, boxing and WWE all in one night. That’s according to a new report from Wrestling Informer, who claim “a mega card” featuring “UFC, boxing, and WWE all on the same event” is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia “this year or next.”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 13, 2025

Belal Muhammad has quite the promise for his UFC 315 title defense against Jack Della Maddalena. Muhammad will be making his first UFC Welterweight Championship defense against Maddalena on May 10. UFC matchmakers were looking to have Shavkat Rakhmonov’s title shot against Muhammad rebooked, but Rakhmonov wasn’t ready due to an injury. Now, Muhammad and Maddalena will share the Octagon inside Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 13, 2025

When push comes to shove, one UFC Hall of Famer believes that Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria is happening next. Makhachev recently etched his name in the history books. He submitted last-minute replacement opponent Renato Moicano to secure his fourth UFC Lightweight Championship defense. That is the most successful title defenses in UFC lightweight history.

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 13, 2025

A magnificent trilogy will take place on Friday, April 4, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s Lumpinee Stadium. Live in U.S. primetime, reigning ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Champion Regian Eersel will meet Alexis Nicolas in the co-main event of ONE Fight Night 30: Kryklia vs. Knowles. The pair hope to settle the score in one of the most intriguing all-striking trilogies in recent times.

Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier isn’t convinced that Alex Pereira would find success in the heavyweight division. Last weekend, Alex Pereira lost for just the second time in his run with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was defeated by Magomed Ankalaev and, in the process, he lost his UFC light heavyweight title. Ever since then, many have been wondering whether or not he’ll shift up to heavyweight in an attempt to become the first ever three-weight UFC champion.

Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025

UFC lightweight Beneil Dariush believes Paddy Pimblett could have a lot of success against Michael Chandler at UFC 314. Next month, Paddy Pimblett will face the toughest test of his mixed martial arts career thus far. He will go head to head with Michael Chandler, in a fight that many believe he has a good chance of winning.

Harry Kettle - March 13, 2025

UFC commentator Jon Anik believes Justin Gaethje deserves a crack at Islam Makhachev’s UFC title. Last weekend, Justin Gaethje proved that he’s still an elite competitor in the lightweight division. He went toe to toe with Rafael Fiziev for the second time, and for the second time, he came away with a blockbuster victory.

BJPENN.COM Staff - March 12, 2025

When you think about fighters’ origins, they rarely emerge from comfort. They rise from hardship, desperation, necessity. Former ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon’s story exemplifies this truth.  “The Iron Man” faces Japanese kickboxing megastar Takeru Segawa at ONE 172 in a five-round flyweight kickboxing super-fight on Sunday, March 23, inside Japan’s Saitama Super Arena. 

Cole Shelton - March 12, 2025

Marvin Vettori plans to remind everyone that he’s still a title contender at middleweight Vettori is set to headline UFC Vegas 104 on Saturday against Roman Dolidze. It’s his first fight since June of 2023 when he lost to Jared Cannonier. As he’s set to rematch Dolidze, who he beat by decision in 2023, he is confident he will get his hand raised and prove he’s still a legit contender at middleweight.

Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2025

Former UFC lightweight contender Jalin Turner has released a statement confirming his retirement. ‘The Tarantula’ is fresh off his return to the cage on the UFC 313 main card on Saturday night. The bout was a pivotal one for the young Jalin Turner, who entered the bout having lost three of his last four fights. Sadly for the lightweight, he was handed another defeat over the weekend. In round one, Ignacio Bahamondes scored a stunning submission victory over Turner, his third stoppage win in a row.

Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2025

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan doesn’t plan on letting Justin Gaethje get a title shot. ‘The Highlight’ is fresh off his return to the octagon in the co-main event of UFC 313 on Saturday. Back for the first time since a knockout loss to Max Holloway last April, Justin Gaethje met Rafael Fiziev. The former ‘BMF’ titleholder had previously handed the striker a unanimous decision defeat in 2023, and he made it 2-0 in the series over the weekend. Gaethje knocked down Fiziev in round two, en route to a decision victory.

Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2025

UFC light-heavyweight contender Jan Blachowicz wants to end his career as a champion. The 42-year-old hasn’t been seen since his meeting with Alex Pereira in July 2023. That night saw Jan Blachowicz take down the future UFC champion several times, but ultimately gas out doing so. After 15 minutes of action, it was ‘Poatan’ who emerged with a split-decision victory. The defeat was a brutal one for the former champion, who would then sit out the next two years due to a devastating shoulder injury.

BJ Penn Staff - March 12, 2025

Paddy Pimblett has some questions about Dustin Poirier’s intelligence. Pimblett, one of the fastest-rising lightweights in the UFC, is set for the biggest fight of his career at UFC 314 in Miami, when he takes on former Bellator champ Michael Chandler in a fight that could catapult him into title contention.