MMA News

Curtis Calhoun - December 12, 2025

UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov could be weeks away from returning to the Octagon after a hiatus dating back to UFC 310. It’s been over a year since undefeated welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the Octagon, but he remains a hot-button topic in one of the UFC’s stacked divisions.

Curtis Calhoun - December 12, 2025

Rising UFC welterweight contender Michael Morales claims he could be on his way to getting a shot on the upcoming White House card. Dana White’s Contender Series alum and rising welterweight contender Michael Morales could be one win away from a title shot after his stunning performance at UFC 322. On the biggest stage of his career, Morales knocked out Sean Brady in the opening round at UFC 322 to assert himself as a top title contender.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2025

A huge cocaine sting has led to the arrest of a former UFC athlete. Service de police de la Ville de Montréal announced several arrests after launching an investigation that began “last July,” per La Presse. Alex Garcia, who last competed under the UFC banner back in 2018, was among the names arrested and taken to the Montreal courthouse. Michele Laddaga and Victor Julio Sanchez Medrano have also been arrested.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 12, 2025

Francis Ngannou hasn’t competed in the PFL SmartCage since Oct. 2024, but his next fight will be “special” if you believe the promotion’s CEO. The last time Ngannou competed in MMA, he flattened Renan Fereira to win the symbolic PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship. Since that time, PFL has gone in a more clear direction with main titles for each division. While many have wondered when Ngannou will be a part of PFL’s new vision, the company’s CEO John Martin is optimistic.

Harry Kettle - December 12, 2025

UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski is still interested in pursuing a second world title in a different weight class. At UFC 325 in Australia, Alexander Volkanovski will defend the UFC featherweight championship against Diego Lopes. It will serve as the second time that he has battled Lopes within the last year, having defeated him to win back the belt following Ilia Topuria’s move up to lightweight.

Harry Kettle - December 12, 2025

UFC legend Anderson Silva believes former opponent Jake Paul deserves more credit in the world of boxing. Next Friday night, Jake Paul will take on the toughest test of his career thus far – by a country mile. He will lock horns with former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, in what many believe will be a one-sided beatdown with Joshua coming away with a comprehensive victory.

Harry Kettle - December 12, 2025

UFC veteran Dan Hooker is ready to play the role of spoiler in his clash with Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 325. Just a few weeks ago, Dan Hooker fell short in his attempt to defeat Arman Tsarukyan. While he’s experienced losses in the past, this was the kind of setback that reiterates that, perhaps, that he may no longer be in contention for a world championship opportunity.

BJPENN.COM Staff - December 11, 2025

Panpayak Jitmuangnon won’t be making his kickboxing debut this week. The Thai legend pulled out of ONE Friday Fights 136 on Friday due to illness, forcing ONE Championship to shuffle the deck. Petkhaokradong Lukjaomaesaithong now headlines opposite Ali Kelat at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on December 12. The lightweight Muay Thai clash replaces Panpayak‘s scheduled flyweight kickboxing bout against Zhao Chongyang.

Dylan Bowker - December 11, 2025

Demetrious Johnson has weighed in with his thoughts on the highly discussed Jake Paul-Anthony Joshua bout, and he would seemingly not be surprised if the influencer interloper were to stop the former Olympic medalist and multiple time heavyweight world champion. This thought was expressed by the record-setting UFC champion, as well as former ONE Championship titleholder, during a recent interview he was doing on his YouTube channel. DJ was speaking to former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley as part of the former’s channel Mighty, and the two delved into several subjects.

Dylan Bowker - December 11, 2025

Jack Della Maddalena losing his welterweight title to Islam Makhachev at UFC 322 would presumably make many in the Australian MMA scene feel crestfallen, but this was not reflected by a combat compatriot from the land down under vying for PFL gold later this week. Sara Collins is the combatant in question, and she battles Cris Cyborg for the PFL featherweight championship in the co-main event of PFL Europe 4 on December 13th.

Cole Shelton - December 11, 2025

Justin Gaethje has a surprise prediction for his UFC 324 interim title fight against Paddy Pimblett. Gaethje is set to headline the first card of 2025, which will be the UFC’s debut on Paramount. It’s a highly anticipated fight, and Pimblett opened as the betting favorite. Although Gaethje is the underdog, he has confidence he won’t just win, but believes he can submit Pimblett.

Curtis Calhoun - December 11, 2025

UFC welterweight fan favorite Kevin Holland will return to the Octagon for a homecoming bout against a dangerous contender. Kevin Holland won’t miss the opportunity to fight in his hometown as he plots his 2026 UFC comeback.

Curtis Calhoun - December 11, 2025

UFC CEO Dana White hints there’s more to the story behind Arman Tsarukyan’s latest title shot snub that hasn’t been made public. Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will battle for the interim UFC lightweight title next month at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. Amid the undisputed champion Ilia Topuria’s indefinite absence due to personal reasons, Pimblett and Gaethje will fight for the right to face Topuria upon his return to the Octagon.

Cole Shelton - December 11, 2025

Manel Kape believes he can style on Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112. Kape is set to headline UFC Vegas 112 on Saturday against Royval in a pivotal fight at flyweight. The winner of the bout could get the next title shot against the new champion Joshua Van.

Curtis Calhoun - December 11, 2025

Former UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja might need surgery after a devastating elbow injury suffered at UFC 323 last Saturday. Alexandre Pantoja’s historic run as the UFC flyweight champion came to an abrupt conclusion last Saturday at UFC 323. Just minutes into his fight with Joshua Van, Pantoja suffered a gruesome elbow injury while trying to brace himself on the canvas during a fall.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2025

Alexander Volkanovski knew he wouldn’t be defending his UFC gold against Movsar Evloev next. Volkanovski will be putting his featherweight title at stake against Diego Lopes in a rematch at UFC 325 on Jan. 31. The matchmaking is not popular among fans, as Volkanovski and Lopes already fought back in April and it wasn’t exactly a nail biter.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 11, 2025

UFC color commentator Joe Rogan has some thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev possibly moving up in weight. Chimaev won the UFC Middleweight Championship back in August. Despite not having a title defense, “Borz” has already discussed possibly moving up to the light heavyweight division. Chimaev’s first title defense hasn’t even been booked yet, but many feel Nassourdine Imavov is the likely No. 1 contender.

Harry Kettle - December 11, 2025

UFC flyweight Brandon Royval has spoken about what he plans to do to Manel Kape in the main event of UFC Vegas 112. As we know, Brandon Royval is one of the most respected flyweights currently residing in the top 15. He has fought some of the very best at 125 pounds, and while he hasn’t been able to get his hands on the gold up to this point, you just know that you’re going to be in for a treat whenever you see him compete.