MMA News

Cole Shelton - July 23, 2026 at 1:26 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Brendan Allen believes Dricus Du Plessis is ducking him. Allen has been calling out Du Plessis for quite some time, and the American claims he was told the fight was set. However, the former champ opted to face Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City instead, which is frustrating for Allen.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 23, 2026 at 1:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

For two decades, one family name has defined an era of Japanese kickboxing. Now, the younger son wants to build something that belongs only to him. Ryujin Nasukawa makes his ONE Championship debut against Thongpoon PK Saenchai in a strawweight kickboxing bout at The Inner Circle 23 on Friday, July 24. The card streams live from Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium through The Inner Circle.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2026 at 11:53 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Kamaru Usman wonders if retirement is the best route following a deflating loss to Dricus du Plessis. Usman collided with du Plessis in a battle of former champions in the UFC OKC main event on July 18. “The Nigerian Nightmare” was in a world of trouble in the first two rounds and was even wobbled by a big knee. The former welterweight titleholder gathered himself to make things more competitive down the stretch, but he ultimately lost a clear decision to “Stillknocks.”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2026 at 11:30 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Dana White believes UFC will continue to build stars, but there can only be one Conor McGregor. While things didn’t pan out for McGregor during his short-lived return at UFC 329, there is no denying that he remains the biggest star the MMA world has ever seen. He entered the UFC roster with a ton of buzz back in 2013, and he carried that momentum all the way to his shocking 13-second knockout win over Jose Aldo in late 2015.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM PDT // 0 Comments

For one Thai fighter, walking away was never really an option. The pull of the ring, and the people it provides for, brought him right back. Rodtang Jitmuangnon has officially re-signed with ONE Championship, ending months of speculation about his future in the sport. The news came from a press conference at Jitmuangnon Gym in Nonthaburi, Thailand, on July 23, his birthday.

Harry Kettle - July 23, 2026 at 8:19 AM PDT // 0 Comments

Former UFC champion Belal Muhammad has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. In the main event of UFC 330, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight championship against top contender Ian Machado Garry. While Islam is considered to be the big favorite, Machado Garry is certainly good enough to cause him some real problems.

Harry Kettle - July 23, 2026 at 8:13 AM PDT // 0 Comments

UFC light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev is still interested in hunting down a future third fight against Alex Pereira. This weekend, Magomed Ankalaev will attempt to get back on the winning trail when he goes head to head with Bogdan Guskov. While Guskov is certainly a dangerous opponent for him to face, the former champion will definitely be the overwhelming favorite.

Harry Kettle - July 23, 2026 at 8:10 AM PDT // 0 Comments

MMA analyst Dominick Cruz has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s potential recovery from his recent knee injury. At UFC 329, Conor McGregor suffered a nasty knee injury that will likely keep him out of action for quite some time. Some even feel like it is the final nail in the coffin of his career, especially when you consider that he recently turned 38 years old.

Curtis Calhoun - July 22, 2026 at 4:02 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Polarizing boxing star Jake Paul claims multiple National Football League teams have reached out to potentially sign him as a wide receiver. Jake Paul’s boxing future remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a jaw injury suffered against former heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua last year. For the first time in his career, Paul was stopped in the ring as Joshua dropped him multiple times en route to a TKO win.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Tawanchai PK Saenchai officially vacated his ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Title on Tuesday, July 21. The move clears the path for Nico Carrillo to be elevated from interim titleholder to undisputed champion of the division. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since December 2025 following surgery for an injury suffered against Liu Mengyang, and the decision carried genuine weight for a fighter of his stature.

Curtis Calhoun - July 22, 2026 at 1:43 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Former UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida will look to begin a potential fight back to the promotion in an upcoming main event. After back-to-back controversial losses to Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev, the UFC opted to cut ties with promising heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida earlier this year. Almeida, before a knockout loss to Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299, was seen as a potential future heavyweight title challenger.

BJPENN.COM Staff - July 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM PDT // 0 Comments

Two years ago, online critics wrote off Sam-A Gaiyanghadao. Now the Thai legend is one win from World Title gold. Sam-A Gaiyanghadao challenges Aliff Sor Dechapan for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle 23 on Friday, July 24, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 24, 2026

Rose Namajunas doesn’t want to retire just yet, but she needs to have a good reason to trade leather again. Namajunas last competed inside the Octagon back in January. She stepped inside the Octagon with Natalie Silva in hopes of returning to the UFC title picture, but she dropped a unanimous decision to Silva. The outcome was a bit controversial, as many pundits felt “Thug” Rose did enough to secure the win.

Harry Kettle - July 24, 2026

UFC veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio has looked to the future ahead of his clash with Sam Patterson at UFC Abu Dhabi. For the longest time, Santiago Ponzinibbio has been a consistent presence in the UFC’s welterweight division. He has picked up some big wins throughout the course of his tenure with the promotion, and on Saturday, he will try to get another when he faces off against Sam Patterson.

Harry Kettle - July 24, 2026

UFC star Ian Machado Garry has looked ahead to his UFC 330 main event against welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. In just a few weeks, Ian Machado Garry will challenge Islam Makhachev for the undisputed UFC welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 330. As you can imagine, Islam is viewed by many as the clear favorite to leave Philadelphia with the title, but counting Ian out feels like a big mistake.

Harry Kettle - July 24, 2026

TJ Dillashaw has given his thoughts on Kamaru Usman’s performance against Dricus du Plessis at UFC Oklahoma City. Last weekend in the main event of UFC Oklahoma City, Dricus du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman – and he did so pretty convincingly. It was a dominant showing, and it vaults DDP right back into the title picture.

Curtis Calhoun - July 23, 2026

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira could skip the line for a title shot over Paulo Costa and other contenders. Former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa raised eyebrows with a brutal knockout against Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 in his return to the light heavyweight division. After knocking out Murzakanov with a head kick, Costa made a strong case for a potential No. 1 contender fight for his next appearance in the Octagon.

Curtis Calhoun - July 23, 2026

Reports are circulating that BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira will headline UFC 331 in Los Angeles in his first title defense. BMF champion Charles Oliveira is on the cusp of potentially earning another UFC lightweight title shot after defeating Max Holloway earlier this year at UFC 326. After getting knocked out by Ilia Topuria last year at UFC 317, Oliveira has bounced back nicely with wins over Mateusz Gamrot and Holloway.

Cole Shelton - July 23, 2026

Brendan Allen believes Dricus Du Plessis is ducking him. Allen has been calling out Du Plessis for quite some time, and the American claims he was told the fight was set. However, the former champ opted to face Kamaru Usman at UFC Oklahoma City instead, which is frustrating for Allen.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2026

Kamaru Usman wonders if retirement is the best route following a deflating loss to Dricus du Plessis. Usman collided with du Plessis in a battle of former champions in the UFC OKC main event on July 18. “The Nigerian Nightmare” was in a world of trouble in the first two rounds and was even wobbled by a big knee. The former welterweight titleholder gathered himself to make things more competitive down the stretch, but he ultimately lost a clear decision to “Stillknocks.”

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2026

Justin Gaethje continues to dismiss an immediate rematch with Ilia Topuria. Gaethje pulled off a huge upset at the conclusion of UFC Freedom 250, forcing Topuria’s corner to quit on the stool before the fifth round of their undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship fight. “The Highlight” battered Topuria’s face to the point where he caused an orbital injury. Gaethje delivered such damage that some are even questioning if “El Matador” will ever recapture the magic he had prior to suffering the first defeat of his pro MMA career.

Harry Kettle - July 23, 2026

Former UFC champion Belal Muhammad has given his thoughts on Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. In the main event of UFC 330, Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight championship against top contender Ian Machado Garry. While Islam is considered to be the big favorite, Machado Garry is certainly good enough to cause him some real problems.

Harry Kettle - July 23, 2026

UFC light heavyweight Magomed Ankalaev is still interested in hunting down a future third fight against Alex Pereira. This weekend, Magomed Ankalaev will attempt to get back on the winning trail when he goes head to head with Bogdan Guskov. While Guskov is certainly a dangerous opponent for him to face, the former champion will definitely be the overwhelming favorite.

Harry Kettle - July 23, 2026

MMA analyst Dominick Cruz has given his thoughts on Conor McGregor’s potential recovery from his recent knee injury. At UFC 329, Conor McGregor suffered a nasty knee injury that will likely keep him out of action for quite some time. Some even feel like it is the final nail in the coffin of his career, especially when you consider that he recently turned 38 years old.