MMA News

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Gina Carano Says Dana White Called First About Fight Against Ronda Rousey

    Gina Carano Says Dana White Called First About Fight Against Ronda Rousey

    Gina Carano has revealed the full timeline of how her May 16 fight against Ronda Rousey came together, and the path ran through a collapsed UFC deal before Rousey stepped in to finish the job herself.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday, Carano explained that Dana White made the first call in December 2024, months after she had already begun working on her own to get back into fighting shape.

    “Dana called in December,” Carano said. “From September 2024 to when Dana called in December, I had lost about 30 lbs by that point, but I had a long way to go.”

    White had spent the back half of 2024 publicly teasing a major announcement, which Carano confirmed was tied to her. She asked him to stay quiet while she found a gym and got into condition without public scrutiny. Those initial conversations were UFC conversations, and they eventually stalled.

    Carano was candid about where her negotiating leverage actually sat. “I didn’t really have that much negotiating power, except for the fact that Ronda wants to fight me. I’m the only one she wants to fight. So I was just like, ‘Ronda, go for it.’”

    When the UFC negotiations went nowhere, Rousey handled it personally. The two women, linked by dream fight hypotheticals for more than a decade, finally sat down together in person.

    “She really led the way, she led the way a thousand percent. I just said yes. And then when their negotiations weren’t going anywhere, she called me personally. And then we had dinner and actually talked about it,” Carano said.

    The fight landed at Most Valuable Promotions with Netflix as the distribution partner, making Carano the headliner of the first live MMA card the streamer has ever produced. For Carano, the entire process had a clarity that she found grounding.

    “When you have a purpose and a goal, this goal of a fight has really just consumed me and put a protective shield over me that I needed to experience,” she said. “It’s very selfish. Eat, sleep, train. I needed to live like this for a second. And I’m already going to miss it.”

    Carano vs. Rousey headlines the Netflix card on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Admits Overtraining Cost Him UFC Title

    Merab Dvalishvili Admits Overtraining Cost Him UFC Title

    Merab Dvalishvili believes he handed himself the defeat in his December bantamweight title loss to Petr Yan, and the explanation centers on a training camp that pushed his body well past its limits.

    Speaking with Demetrious Johnson, the former champion acknowledged that fighting just two months after his bout with Cory Sandhagen left him overtrained and physically depleted heading into what would have been a historic fourth title defense in a single calendar year. He also revealed he sparred five rounds with two top training partners on fight day itself.

    “I think I did over-training, too much training. And even fight day, I did sparring, and this time I sparred two top sparring partners,” Dvalishvili said. “Five rounds I already sparring, and I warmed up in the locker room, and when I go to the cage, maybe I was a little over-tired. My nickname is ‘Machine,’ but I’m human against Petr Yan.”

    Yan secured a unanimous decision victory to claim the bantamweight title at UFC 323, reversing the outcome of their first encounter two years earlier when Dvalishvili had dominated him. The Georgian fighter credited both Yan’s specific preparation for the rematch and his unique style as factors in the result.

    “I think that day I can beat everybody, maybe, except Petr,” Dvalishvili said. “That’s what showed, because Petr was really training for me, and then his style is different, and he’s a tough, tough fighter.”

    The former champion will not have to wait long for a chance at redemption. Dvalishvili revealed the UFC has already confirmed his next fight will be a trilogy bout with Yan, with both sides targeting a summer return. June, July, and August have all been mentioned as potential timeframes.

    “He was saying that he’s ready to fight in June. Which is good. If Petr is saying he’s ready for June, of course, he will be ready for either July or August. So, I’m fine. Whatever time the UFC wants. So now, I’m relaxing, because the UFC told me I’m fighting for the belt.”

  • Eddie Hearn Slams UFC For Treatment Of Tom Aspinall

    Eddie Hearn Slams UFC For Treatment Of Tom Aspinall

    Tom Aspinall was not at UFC London in March, and his manager Eddie Hearn has explained why in terms that raise questions about how the UFC handled the situation.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Tuesday, Hearn revealed that Aspinall received a text message from UFC President Dana White at around 6pm on the day of the March 21 event asking if he wanted to attend. The problem was that Aspinall lives five hours away from London.

    “He was very surprised that he never got an invite,” Hearn said. “He got a text from Dana at about 6pm on the day of the fight saying, ‘Would you like to come tonight?’ And he lives five hours away. So, that wasn’t ideal.”

    Hearn expressed genuine bafflement at the decision to hold a UK event without properly inviting the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion, who is himself British.

    “I just find it baffling that you can do an event in the UK and not invite the heavyweight world champion, who is from the UK,” Hearn said. “Let’s be honest, it wasn’t exactly a card for the huge names, was it? Tom Aspinall being there would’ve been great for the event.”

    Aspinall has been sidelined since suffering a double eye poke during his fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October, subsequently undergoing double eye surgery. He is still not fully cleared for contact training.

    “I’ve not had a lot going on, just been back in the gym doing a bit of light training. I’m still waiting to get fully cleared for contact on my eye, but we are back in the gym doing a little bit,” Aspinall said earlier this month.

    Due to his extended absence, the UFC has created an interim heavyweight title, with Gane and Alex Pereira scheduled to fight for the secondary championship on June 14.

  • Curtis Blaydes Believes He Won Josh Hokit Fight at UFC 327

    Curtis Blaydes Believes He Won Josh Hokit Fight at UFC 327

    Curtis Blaydes believes the judges got it wrong at UFC 327, and he made his case clearly in the aftermath of a war with Josh Hokit that left both men battered and sent to the hospital.

    Blaydes dropped a unanimous decision to Hokit via 29-28 scores across the board in their heavyweight contest in Miami on April 11, with both fighters combining for more than 390 strikes across three rounds. Despite the result, Blaydes is convinced he did enough to win.

    “I hate to be that guy, I’ve never had a fight like this, but I think I won,” Blaydes told MMA Fighting. “I felt like I won round one. Yeah, he rocked me, he got the damage but I also rocked him equally at the end of that round and I got the takedown.”

    He gave the second round to Hokit but argued he controlled the third and pointed to the clinch exchanges as the area where the judges failed him most consistently.

    “I feel like I won each of the clinch exchanges. Each one. We did those a few times. I won those. I think that was the difference.”

    Despite being rocked multiple times during the contest, Blaydes refused to go down, admitting the motivation to stay upright was partly personal.

    “This guy who’s been disrespectful to me all week — I was thinking in my head there were times like no, I’m not going to let this guy have that over me. It’s bad enough that he has the win over me.”

    For Blaydes, Hokit’s conduct throughout fight week and during the fight itself made any post-fight handshake impossible. Hokit repeatedly flipped off Blaydes during exchanges, and Blaydes said he simply could not bring himself to show respect when the final bell sounded.

    “It’s hard to respect a guy who flips you off five or six times during the fight. Do I regret that? Yeah, I wish I had been a lot more professional about that.”

    The two crossed paths one final time when both were loaded into the same ambulance for transport to a Miami hospital. When Blaydes heard Hokit’s voice, he immediately asked to be moved further away.

  • Leon Edwards’ UFC 329 Opponent Gets Leaked

    Leon Edwards’ UFC 329 Opponent Gets Leaked

    Daniel Rodriguez has accepted a fight against former UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards at International Fight Week on July 11 in Las Vegas, making the announcement just days after his release from an eight-month stay in a Mexican prison.

    Rodriguez disclosed the matchup during an interview with TMZ Sports on Tuesday, revealing that the offer came through the same day and that he made his decision quickly.

    “I’ll be real with you guys, I’m probably looking at International Fight Week,” Rodriguez said. “I got an amazing offer. You guys will probably see me in there with Leon Edwards during International Fight Week. Just today was when they offered me the fight. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’ve made the decision. Right now, I’m accepting the offer for Leon Edwards, International Fight Week.”

    The bout represents a critical spot for Edwards, who enters the fight on a three-fight losing streak. The former champion lost his title via decision to Belal Muhammad at UFC 304 in July 2024, was submitted by Sean Brady in the UFC London main event in March 2025, and was then knocked out by Carlos Prates at UFC 322 last November. A fourth consecutive defeat would place him in a spot, where hsi future could be questioned with the promotion. 

    International Fight Week is also rumored to feature Conor McGregor’s return bout at UFC 329, with Gable Steveson the only fighter officially confirmed for the card so far.

  • Carlos Ulberg Out One Year After UFC 327 ACL Tear

    Carlos Ulberg is facing approximately one year on the sidelines after suffering a torn ACL during his UFC 327 title victory, according to Paulo Costa, who says he heard it directly from the new champion.

    Costa disclosed the injury timeline during an appearance on The Helwani Show, revealing that a conversation with Ulberg in a hotel lobby confirmed what many had suspected after watching the fight footage.

    “Carlos is out for one year. I talked to him in the lobby yesterday. He told me he needed the surgery. He’s out,” Costa said.

    Ulberg sustained the knee injury during the first round of his main event bout against Jiri Prochazka in Miami at UFC 327. Despite being visibly compromised and struggling to bear weight on the injured leg at various points during the round, Ulberg still managed to knock out Prochazka and claim the vacant 205-pound championship in one of the more remarkable performances in recent light heavyweight history.

    Costa used his appearance at the Helwani Show to make his case for the next title shot, whether for a vacant or interim championship, citing his knockout of Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 as justification.

    The light heavyweight division has dealt with repeated disruptions at the top in recent years due to injuries and inactivity, and Ulberg’s situation continues that pattern almost immediately after a new champion was crowned. 

  • Ray Longo Blasts Jiri Prochazka for UFC 327 Loss

    Ray Longo has delivered a verdict on Jiri Prochazka’s performance at UFC 327, and he has no patience for the explanation the former champion offered afterward.

    Speaking on the Anik and Florian Podcast, the veteran coach tore into Prochazka’s decision to ease off Carlos Ulberg after the New Zealander suffered a leg injury during their light heavyweight title fight in Miami. Prochazka was knocked out despite his opponent being visibly compromised, and afterward admitted he had shown mercy rather than pressing his advantage. Longo was not sympathetic.

    “I think we first have to discuss mental illness in MMA because something is — You know, it’s all funny when the guy’s praying up on Mount Olympus and standing on his head drinking his own piss, but this is what happens,” Longo said. “This is what happens. That poor guy was confused. I mean, like, ‘Mercy. Mercy.’ Dude, you blew the f***ing fight.”

    Longo referenced the 1984 film The Karate Kid to illustrate his frustration with whoever first shaped Prochazka’s competitive philosophy. “First off, his first trainer needs to go back and watch the Karate Kid 1. You’ve got to be f***ing kidding me.”

    Despite crediting Prochazka for continuing to target Ulberg’s lead leg with kicks, Longo argued the approach was not effective if a finish was the goal, and that Prochazka failed to capitalize even when Ulberg’s other leg buckled.

    He reserved praise for Ulberg, who fought through the injury to claim the championship rather than taking the easier path of coasting through the round.

    “I feel bad for Carlos because it was a Hollywood movie-type script and he’s got to now think that this guy gave him a break because he had mercy on him,” Longo said. “But with that being said, hat’s off to Ulberg, he did what he had to do. He could have stopped. He could have quit. He could have hobbled around, but he was going to fight to the very end and he deserves what he got.”

    Longo also pushed back on Prochazka’s attempt to frame the mercy as something to be both proud of and upset about simultaneously.

    “If you gave the guy mercy, then be happy. You did what you wanted to do. You let him off the hook. Don’t be mad about it,” Longo said. “That should be a badge of honor for you, you didn’t want to hurt a guy that was injured. So leave it like that, but you can’t have it both ways.”

    He closed with a straightforward reminder about the nature of competition. “When that door closes, anything can happen and that’s it, period. When that door closes, s*** is on. I don’t care what the f*** happens.”

  • Matt Brown Doubts Nate Diaz Turned Down More UFC Money

    Matt Brown Doubts Nate Diaz Turned Down More UFC Money

    Matt Brown does not believe Nate Diaz’s explanation for turning down a UFC fight with Conor McGregor, and he laid out exactly why on The Fighter vs. The Writer.

    Diaz recently claimed he rejected a more lucrative offer from the UFC for a McGregor trilogy because he did not want to face the Irishman on what he described as his “last dying f***ing leg” after five years away from competition. Brown is skeptical, arguing that Diaz’s career history tells a different story about his decision-making.

    “Money talks,” Brown said. “He’s making more money with this Netflix fight than he would with the UFC. That’s why he’s not fighting Conor in the UFC. I lean towards believing Dana on this. He got an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

    Brown reinforced the point by noting that Diaz has always prioritized the biggest payday available. “I don’t believe it for a second that he’s not making more money with this Netflix deal, however that plays out, his bank account ends up with more money from this fight than it does in the UFC or he doesn’t take the fight. He’s going to pick the highest bidder. I don’t think that’s unique to him, but I think he understands this is prize fighting. He’s fighting for money. He’s going to take the highest pay.”

    Diaz is instead fighting Mike Perry on May 16 on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card under Most Valuable Promotions. Perry left the UFC on a 1-4 skid before becoming a star in bare-knuckle fighting.

    Brown acknowledged that, on paper, the McGregor fight carries far more cultural weight. “Whereas Conor, dude you already beat him twice, you know what to do. It’s a way, way bigger fight. Whether the viewership numbers reflect that or not, the actual fight and the media, the attention, the fight fans that care, even mainstream, Diaz and Conor is probably the biggest fight the UFC could even make right now.”

    He also suggested the UFC’s offer likely came with conditions such as a multi-fight deal, which may have made the single-fight MVP arrangement more attractive to Diaz, regardless of the headline number. The door for a future UFC return remains open, but Brown is firm that money drove the decision.

  • Carlos Ulberg Knee Injury Not as Serious as Feared, Coach Says

    Carlos Ulberg Knee Injury Not as Serious as Feared, Coach Says

    Carlos Ulberg’s head coach, Eugene Bareman, is not ready to accept the worst-case scenario for his champion’s knee, offering a considerably more optimistic read than the medical analysis circulating since UFC 327.

    Bareman appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday and shared his take after watching Ulberg at the post-fight celebration in Miami. His observations from the after-party gave him reason to believe the injury may not be as serious as feared.

    “It’s just a scratch, mate. He’ll be back as soon as he can,” Bareman said. “The way he was jumping around at the after-party in Miami, I reckon it was just a scratch. We’ll wait for a medical diagnosis because I’m the furthest person who can make that qualification. I’m not sure. It’s probably not as bad as everybody thinks.”

    That view stands in sharp contrast to the assessment offered by sports medicine physician Dr. Brian Sutterer, who analyzed slow-motion footage from the fight and delivered a far grimmer prognosis.

    “That injury that Ulberg suffered is almost certainly going to keep him out for a very long time. It’s not his Achilles, it’s something more serious in his knee,” Sutterer said. “This is pathognomonic of an ACL tear. I would be stunned if it’s not. There is nothing else that is going to cause the tibia to shift forward internally like that and then pop backwards other than an ACL tear.”

    Sutterer projected a recovery timeline of nine to twelve months if surgery is required, which would keep Ulberg out of action until mid-to-late 2026 at the earliest and potentially into 2027.

  • Jiri Prochazka Says UFC Has Multiple Options On The Table for His Career

    Jiri Prochazka Says UFC Has Multiple Options On The Table for His Career

    Jiri Prochazka has revealed that UFC management is open to multiple directions for his career following his first-round knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327, including the possibility of working back toward a title shot.

    The former light heavyweight champion was stopped by Ulberg in the opening round of their vacant title fight in Miami on Saturday night, with the loss marking the third time Prochazka has failed to win a UFC championship bout. He offered an honest take of what cost him upon returning to the Czech Republic.

    “I didn’t give the performance that I wanted, I literally f—– it up,” Prochazka said. “Mainly by that at the moment when I saw a weak opponent or an injured opponent, I won’t make an excuse about some pity or compassion for him. I know that at that moment, I then no longer worked at 100 percent. That then cost me the victory.”

    Prochazka confirmed he has already begun conversations with UFC officials about his next move and said the promotion is not closing any doors.

    “As I talked with the UFC management, they are open there towards all sorts of other alternatives, whether just some interesting fights or just jump just for those for a title shot,” he said. “I am not saying yet, straight out, nothing is confirmed yet, however, I know that after this performance I will no longer be the same.”

    He was firm about his intentions going forward despite the setback. “I want to eat this up here until the worst end so that I can with all these emotions, with this feeling, go further and go for that title again. I believe that after this experience I will be stronger than ever before, and I will bring that title to the Czech Republic.”

    With Ulberg potentially sidelined until 2027 due to his knee injury, the UFC may consider an interim title scenario that could factor Prochazka back into the picture sooner than expected.

  • Josh Hokit Fires Back at Paulo Costa Over UFC 327 Bonus

    Josh Hokit Fires Back at Paulo Costa Over UFC 327 Bonus

    Paulo Costa and Josh Hokit turned a bonus dispute into one of the more entertaining social media exchanges in recent MMA memory following UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday.

    Costa made his light heavyweight debut at the event, finishing Azamat Murzakanov with a head kick in the third round. Under normal circumstances, the knockout would have earned him a $100,000 Performance of the Night bonus. Instead, Hokit swept both the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses after his heavyweight showcase against Curtis Blaydes, leaving Costa empty-handed.

    Costa did not take the news quietly. “Hey Josh Hokit you got my bonus motherf—-, I’m gonna f— you up next time you f—— bum,” he posted on X.

    Hokit responded in kind, and things escalated quickly from there. “Fight deez nutz… but of course, I got like 20% body fat but don’t get it twisted my Incredible Hok juice is far more superior than your secret juice,” Hokit wrote.

    Costa pushed further. “Fat ass you owe me $100k bonus,” he continued.

    Hokit fired back. “I’d take you down and suffocate you with this belly and take all your women from you, they prefer a dad bod anyway.”

    Costa then proposed an unconventional solution. “Costa x Hok for real BMF. No weight limit. No boring hugs. Winner takes all.”

    Hokit closed the exchange with four words. “I’ll eat your heart.”

    Hokit’s performance at UFC 327 earned him a spot on the upcoming UFC White House card against Derrick Lewis, a placement reportedly requested by both President Donald Trump and Joe Rogan. Costa, meanwhile, may be positioned for a light heavyweight title shot, particularly with new champion Carlos Ulberg potentially sidelined until 2027 following a knee injury suffered during his title victory.

  • Jon Jones Backtracks on Retirement After UFC 327 Attendance

    Jon Jones Backtracks on Retirement After UFC 327 Attendance

    Jon Jones appears to be reconsidering his retirement, walking back comments he made just days earlier suggesting his fighting career was over.

    Jones had previously declared that his “gloves are hung up,” a statement that seemed to bring a definitive end to one of the most storied careers in combat sports history. His attendance at UFC 327 in Miami appears to have shifted that perspective.

    “I’m just taking it day by day,” Jones said when asked about his fighting future, a significant change from the finality of his earlier remarks.

    Jones himself acknowledged at the event that being around the sport in person had reignited something in him, saying the atmosphere gave him “a fire that I haven’t felt in a little bit.” 

    Although Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, having held the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship for multiple reigns and briefly capturing heavyweight gold, there has been outside the Octagon problems.

    His career has also been marked by repeated controversies including suspensions, failed drug tests, and legal issues, making his legacy one of the most complicated in the sport.

    No timeline for a potential return has been announced. Whether the day-by-day approach eventually leads him back to the Octagon or he ultimately sticks with retirement remains to be seen.

  • Paulo Costa Has 1 Fight Left on UFC Contract, Eyes Title Shot

    Paulo Costa Has 1 Fight Left on UFC Contract, Eyes Title Shot

    Paulo Costa is down to one fight on his current UFC contract following his knockout victory at UFC 327, and he says a title shot at either middleweight or light heavyweight is now a realistic possibility.

    Costa moved up to 205 pounds and handed the previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov his first career loss with a third-round stoppage in Miami on April 4. The win extended his current streak to two consecutive victories and came against the number six-ranked light heavyweight in the division.

    Speaking to Ag. Fight afterward, Costa was direct about where things stand contractually and what he is hoping comes next.

    “I have one fight left on this contract. Let’s see what’s next. I think we’re in a good position to fight for the belt, maybe,” Costa said.

    The UFC has already opened conversations about extending his deal, but Costa indicated he wants to see how the final fight plays out before committing. “The UFC already wanted to renew the contract. We’re seeing if we do one more and then sit down to negotiate.”

    He was careful to frame the situation as gratitude rather than leverage. “I’m very grateful to the UFC. But it’s my life, right?”

    The championship picture at both weight classes offers Costa potential routes. At light heavyweight, Carlos Ulberg claimed the title at UFC 327 by knocking out Jiri Prochazka, though Ulberg’s status is uncertain after appearing to suffer a significant knee injury during the fight.

    At middleweight, Costa has a well-established rivalry with current champion Khamzat Chimaev, who defends his belt against Sean Strickland on May 16. Chimaev has also expressed interest in eventually moving up to light heavyweight, which could open further possibilities depending on how the division reshapes itself over the coming months.

  • Jon Jones Says His Fame Makes Every Mistake Public: ‘I’m a Pretty Good Person’

    Jon Jones Says His Fame Makes Every Mistake Public: ‘I’m a Pretty Good Person’

    Jon Jones addressed his complicated public image over the weekend, telling reporters at a Dirty Boxing event in Miami that his fame is what turns his personal missteps into major news stories.

    Speaking to reporter Shea Filling, Jones reflected on the gap between how he sees himself and how his controversies have shaped his public perception.

    “I am a little bit of a wild guy, and I’m pretty well-known so when I mess up it gets very, very public, but I do believe I’m way more good of a person than I am any negative,” Jones said. He laughed when Filling expressed surprise at his friendly demeanor, asking, “Did you expect me to be a scary guy?”

    He closed his remarks with a measured self-assessment. “We all have our things. We all have our sides, but I think I’m a pretty good person.”

    The comments come against the backdrop of one of the most decorated yet controversial careers in combat sports history. Jones holds 11 light heavyweight title defenses and a brief heavyweight championship reign, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

    That legacy, however, has been repeatedly complicated by a series of suspensions, stripped titles, and legal troubles including a 2015 hit-and-run involving a pregnant woman, failed drug tests in 2016 and 2017, and separate arrests for DUI and domestic violence.

    His recent public activity has done little to simplify the picture. Jones was filmed confronting a driver following an alleged road rage incident in New Mexico, though he has denied wrongdoing. He has also made conflicting statements about his fighting future in recent weeks, at various points declaring he was done competing before walking those comments back after a positive conversation with UFC executive Hunter Campbell at the Miami event.

    He also downplayed the public fallout from failed negotiations with the UFC over a potential White House card appearance, seeing it as a standard business disagreement rather than a deeper rift with the promotion.

  • Robert Whittaker Says Israel Adesanya Needs to Rediscover His Hunger After Career-Worst Losing Streak

    Robert Whittaker Says Israel Adesanya Needs to Rediscover His Hunger After Career-Worst Losing Streak

    Robert Whittaker has weighed in on Israel Adesanya’s four-fight losing streak and offered his take on what needs to change for the former champion to find his way back. Adesanya knocked out Whittaker at UFC 243 in 2019 to unify the championship, and the pair ran it back at UFC 271 in 2022 with Adesanya winning a competitive decision. Now, Whittaker is preparing to move up to light heavyweight, while Adesanya is in the worst form of his career following a loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle.

    Whittaker broke down what he believes went wrong in the Pyfer fight, pointing to a specific sequence that may have sent Adesanya into survival mode at the worst possible moment.

    “Much like anybody else’s, it was confusion at first because Izzy was doing so well. So well,” Whittaker said. “But I think ultimately one of the shots that landed in that last sequence hurt him to a degree where he kind of went on autopilot and took the fight into a range and into a mess that Pyfer really is good at, he loves being in. I think one of the shots is what put Izzy into that autopilot kind of zone where he didn’t make the most accurate reads. He’s much better at distance.”

    Beyond the tactical breakdown, Whittaker pointed to something deeper as the real issue facing Adesanya at this stage of his career.

    “It is what it is. I think he needs to find that hunger. It’s easy to say, it’s just he may be a little comfortable at the moment. He’s got money, he’s reached the top of the mountain, he’s done everything, he’s ticked every box. What is there he needs to achieve anymore? He needs to find that. He needs to find that drive to continue doing what he’s doing, to continue to light that fire, that hunger, and that love for the game.”

    Adesanya, who turns 37 in July, has given no indication he plans to retire despite having no clear path back to title contention. Whittaker made clear he supports whatever direction his rival and training partner chooses.

    “If he wants to press on, I’m 100 percent with him,” Whittaker said. “I love working with him and I’d love to see his journey continue and I’d love to see him get back up there. You know what’s crazy? I saw in the rankings, we were side by side again, which is something I haven’t seen for a while. I’d love to be a part of that, but ultimately I want to see him just get that love for the game, get that love for the craft, and love for contact and conflict back. Find the drive.”

    The two have formed a genuine working partnership in recent years, with Whittaker traveling regularly to Adesanya’s City Kickboxing Gym in New Zealand as he prepares for his move to 205 pounds. Carlos Ulberg and undefeated prospect Navajo Stirling have been part of those sessions.

    “I kicked off this year at CKB,” Whittaker said. “I jumped over the gap to New Zealand and spent some time with Izzy and Carlos and the boys and Navajo, great tall bodies, just getting used to the hype difference. They were so receptive of me and honestly I can’t wait to go back.”

    Whittaker does not yet have an opponent set for his light heavyweight debut and shot down reports linking him to former champion Magomed Ankalaev.

  • Paddy Pimblett Rips Mateusz Gamrot After UFC 327 Win

    Paddy Pimblett Rips Mateusz Gamrot After UFC 327 Win

    Paddy Pimblett had plenty to say about Mateusz Gamrot after watching UFC 327, and none of it was kind.

    The ranked lightweight contender posted a YouTube reaction video in which he criticized Gamrot’s marketability, questioned his placement on the card, and offered unsolicited advice on how the Polish fighter should approach his next move. Pimblett was surprised that a top-ten fighter was competing on the prelims.

    “I didn’t know Gamrot was fighting,” Pimblett said. “No one gives a f— about him, it’s mad. He’s ranked number 8, and he’s fighting on the prelims.”

    He went further, attributing the lack of interest to Gamrot’s style inside the cage. “It just genuinely shows nobody cares about him. Gamrot is boring,” Pimblett said following Gamrot’s third-round submission victory over Esteban Ribovics.

    Despite the criticism, Pimblett shifted into strategist mode and laid out what he believes would be Gamrot’s fastest path to title contention. He pointed to Arman Tsarukyan, currently ranked number one in the division, as the obvious call-out given that Gamrot already holds a win over the Armenian.

    “If I’m Gamrot, I’m calling Arman out because he’s beat him,” Pimblett said. “‘Come on, Arman, do you wanna get that one back? Fight me!’ You can go straight to number one contender, basically.” He also mentioned Dan Hooker as another viable option.

    Pimblett himself has been out of action since suffering his first UFC loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January. Reports indicate he and Dana White have agreed on a return date at UFC London, with plans for him to face a top contender at UFC 329 in Las Vegas on July 11.

  • Jiri Prochazka Called ‘Choke Artist’ After UFC 327 Loss

    Jiri Prochazka Called ‘Choke Artist’ After UFC 327 Loss

    Jiri Prochazka’s third consecutive loss in a UFC title fight has prompted one analyst to deliver a harsh verdict on the Czech fighter’s ability to perform under championship pressure.

    Carlos Ulberg stopped Prochazka at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday night to claim the vacant light heavyweight title, leaving Prochazka with an 0-3 record in UFC championship fights. Five of his six career losses have come by knockout.

    During the UFC’s On the Road show, Din Thomas did not hold back in his assessment of what Prochazka’s title fight record suggests about his mental approach to the biggest moments.

    “I want to say this with as much respect as I possibly can, and this is going to sound really bad,” Thomas said. “But it almost to me is he’s kind of a choke artist in the big moments.”

    Chael Sonnen supported the point, highlighting the weight of expectation on Prochazka as he attempted to reclaim the championship he had previously vacated due to injury.

    Prochazka offered a different explanation for the loss after the fight, blaming himself for showing mercy toward Ulberg after noticing the New Zealander had suffered a leg injury early in the bout.

    Both Thomas and Sonnen pushed back against that framing in their analysis, refusing to accept it as an answer to what unfolded.

  • UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Robbed in Italy, Asks Thieves To Return Gift

    UFC Champ Islam Makhachev Robbed in Italy, Asks Thieves To Return Gift

    Islam Makhachev had his suitcase stolen during a recent trip to Italy, and the most painful loss was a pair of football boots gifted to him by Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

    The reigning UFC welterweight champion shared the news through a series of Instagram story posts. He revealed the theft and appealed directly to whoever took the bag to return the unique keepsake.

    “The most valuable thing in the suitcase were the football boots,” Makhachev wrote. “Thieves, if football isn’t your thing, I’ll take them back.”

    Makhachev had received the match-worn boots from Kvaratskhelia after attending the Champions League first-leg clash between PSG and Liverpool in Paris earlier in the week. The Georgian winger scored a stunning goal in PSG’s 2-0 victory over the current holders.

    The performance made the gift especially meaningful to Makhachev.

    Despite the theft, the 34-year-old Dagestani found an unexpected silver lining. The robbers returned his passport after taking his belongings. He acknowledged this gesture in his posts by calling them “nice” for the consideration.

    He also told followers he had managed to keep his wallet and prayer mat with him during the incident. He reassured them there was no need to worry.

    “I don’t need anything else other than my prayer mat,” he said.

    He was less charitable about the destination itself. “I was heading to Italy in a great mood, but now I don’t like Italy anymore,” Makhachev wrote in the first of four posts about the situation.

    Makhachev was last seen in action at UFC 322 in November 2025, where he secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title. He is currently on a 16-fight win streak inside the Octagon and holds a professional record of 28–1.

  • Carlos Ulberg Injury: Doctor Predicts 2027 Return After ACL Tear

    Carlos Ulberg Injury: Doctor Predicts 2027 Return After ACL Tear

    Carlos Ulberg may have won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 327, but the celebration could be short-lived. A sports medicine physician who analyzed slow-motion footage from the fight believes Ulberg suffered a serious ACL tear during the bout and projects him to be sidelined until 2027.

    Dr. Brian Sutterer shared his analysis in a YouTube video posted after the event, examining replays showing the moment Ulberg’s knee gave way during his championship victory over Jiri Prochazka.

    “That injury that Ulberg suffered is almost certainly going to keep him out for a very long time. It’s not his Achilles, it’s something more serious in his knee,” Sutterer said. “This is pathognomonic of an ACL tear. I would be stunned if it’s not. There is nothing else that is going to cause the tibia to shift forward internally like that and then pop backwards other than an ACL tear.”

    The physician left little room for optimism on the recovery timeline. “This is almost certainly going to be a surgical injury. I’d be surprised if we see him fighting in nine to 12 months, which is really a shame when you’ve just acquired a new title.”

    Ulberg gutted through the injury to finish Prochazka and claim the belt, a remarkable feat given the apparent severity of what his knee sustained during the fight. The full extent of the damage will not be confirmed until official medical evaluation is completed.

    Meanwhile, Prochazka is already asking for a rematch and offered an explanation for his performance that drew significant attention. The former champion posted a video to Instagram claiming his own mindset cost him the fight after he noticed Ulberg’s injury.

    “Big apologies for my performance. I still can’t understand my stupid mercy in the fight that cost me this fight. I would like to fight a rematch, because that was my fight,” Prochazka said. “I just gave him this opportunity to catch me. Big apologies to everyone who supported me.”

    If Dr. Sutterer’s assessment proves accurate, the light heavyweight division faces a prolonged period of uncertainty at the top while its new champion recovers, potentially requiring the UFC to consider an interim title solution.

  • Donald Trump Tells Paulo Costa He’s ‘Too Good Looking to Be a Fighter’

    Donald Trump Tells Paulo Costa He’s ‘Too Good Looking to Be a Fighter’

    Paulo Costa stopped Azamat Murzakanov in the third round at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday night, but it was a post-fight exchange with Donald Trump that dominated the conversation afterward.

    After Costa secured the TKO victory in the co-main event, Trump, who was seated cageside, approached the Brazilian contender near the Octagon and delivered an unexpected compliment that immediately went viral.

    “Too good looking to be a fighter,” Trump told Costa in a moment captured on camera and shared widely across social media.

    The exchange added another layer of spectacle to an already entertaining night for Costa, who had to dig deep to earn the finish. He overcame early adversity before his power and pressure broke Murzakanov down in the third round to seal the stoppage. Murzakanov had entered the fight with a 16-0 record before falling to Borrachinha in what was Costa’s light heavyweight debut.

    After the fight, Costa called out Khamzat Chimaev, saying he has “beef” with the current UFC Middleweight Champion and would be willing to fight him at either 185 or 205 pounds.

    The win keeps Costa firmly in the contender conversation as he continues to campaign for another shot at championship gold.

  • Paulo Costa Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 327 Knockout

    Paulo Costa Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 327 Knockout

    Paulo Costa made a statement in his light heavyweight debut at UFC 327 on Saturday night and immediately used the spotlight to call out Khamzat Chimaev.

    Costa knocked out the previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov with a head kick in the third round of the co-main event at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Murzakanov entered the fight at 16-0 before falling to Borrachinha in what was Costa’s first appearance at 205 pounds.

    Following the finish, Costa celebrated cageside with President Donald Trump before making his intentions clear in his post-fight interview.

    “I have a lot of names, but I have beef with Chimaev,” Costa said. “I call him ‘Gourmet Chechen’. I’d like to fight him.”

    Costa indicated he would be open to fighting Chimaev at either middleweight or light heavyweight, leaving the weight class flexible based on what the UFC believes would make for the most compelling matchup. “We can do it here at light heavyweight. Whatever the UFC thinks is going to be an exciting fight,” he said.

    Chimaev has not competed since capturing the UFC Middleweight Championship last August, when he dominated Dricus du Plessis to win a unanimous decision at UFC 319. He is scheduled to make his first title defense against former champion Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9.

    If Chimaev successfully defends the belt, a showdown with Costa could realistically be on the table at either weight class. Costa’s knockout of Murzakanov establishes him as a legitimate presence at light heavyweight while keeping his options open for a return to 185 pounds, where his rivalry with Chimaev first took root online.

  • Jon Jones Downplays UFC Disagreement Over Alex Pereira Fight

    Jon Jones Downplays UFC Disagreement Over Alex Pereira Fight

    Jon Jones is still unsure whether he is retired, and his appearance at UFC 327 in Miami on Saturday did little to clarify the situation — though it did appear to reignite something in him.

    Speaking to UFC Brasil at the event, Jones addressed the failed negotiations for a fight with Alex Pereira and downplayed the public dispute that had spilled into the media in recent weeks, framing it as a straightforward disagreement over compensation rather than a deeper falling out with the promotion.

    “You know, I feel like I wanted to be compensated in a way that I wasn’t, and we just had a disagreement and that happens in life,” Jones said. “But you know what, I’m a big fan of Alex Pereira. I love the way he carries himself, he’s just such a classy fighter, potential opponent, person, big fan of him.”

    The fight ultimately went to Ciryl Gane after negotiations between Jones and the UFC broke down. Tension between the two sides had become public in March, when Jones expressed frustration over being left off the White House card. UFC CEO Dana White pushed back by claiming Jones was never realistically being discussed to headline the event. Jones had previously said the UFC “lowballed” him and at one point suggested the promotion release him if they were not serious about negotiating.

    Despite the back and forth, Jones stopped short of burning any bridges on Saturday. He also stopped short of committing to retirement, continuing a pattern of conflicting statements that has left his future genuinely unclear.

    “I’m not sure if I’m retired or not,” Jones said. “I’m just taking it day by day just trying to kind of figure out my body and how I feel, things like that.”

    Being around the sport in person appeared to have an effect on him. “I’ll tell you what, being here at the UFC right now definitely has given me this fire that I haven’t felt in a little bit, so it feels very good to be here,” Jones said.

    When asked if he still has anything left to prove as one of the most decorated champions in combat sports history, his answer was direct. “No, I don’t feel like I have anything to prove. I feel really good.”

    Jones has previously stated that his motivation to continue competing centers on adding major names to his legacy and maximizing his earning power. Whether those conditions can be met with the UFC remains an open question.

  • Jiri Prochazka Reacts to UFC 327 Loss to Carlos Ulberg

    Jiri Prochazka has spoken for the first time following his loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327, framing the defeat as a learning experience and making clear he has no intention of stepping away from the light heavyweight division.

    The former champion took to social media to address the setback with a brief but pointed message.

    “I will be back,” Prochazka wrote.

    He characterized the loss as a “lesson learning” experience, maintaining a positive outlook despite the result going against him. The defeat to Ulberg represents a significant blow to Prochazka’s positioning in the 205-pound rankings as the division continues to shift with new contenders emerging in the title picture.

    Prochazka had previously held the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship before losing it and has remained one of the more compelling and unpredictable fighters in the division due to his unorthodox striking style and willingness to engage in high-risk exchanges. A loss to Ulberg, a rising contender, complicates his path back to title contention.

    No timeline has been announced for his return to competition. For now, Prochazka’s focus is on recovery and planning his next move inside the Octagon.

  • Dricus Du Plessis: Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou Wouldn’t Be Close

    Dricus Du Plessis: Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou Wouldn’t Be Close

    Dricus Du Plessis does not believe a fight between Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou would be particularly close. The UFC middleweight champion shared a direct prediction during an appearance on Fight Forecast, dismissing the matchup as a lopsided fight in Jones’ favor.

    “I think that’s Jones easy,” Du Plessis said. “I think Jones… I don’t even think that’s a fight.”

    The potential matchup between the two has been a topic of discussion in combat sports conversations for years. In January 2023, Jones and Ngannou were deep in negotiations for a bout that appeared close to being finalized, but Ngannou’s departure from the UFC and subsequent title stripping ended those talks before anything could be made official.

    Jones retired from fighting in June 2025, months after defeating former two-time heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309. He has since come out of retirement with designs on competing at UFC Freedom 250, the historic White House event on June 14.

    When Jones was denied a spot on that card, he requested immediate release from his UFC contract. He currently remains in negotiations with the promotion over his future.

    Ngannou’s post-UFC path has taken him through the PFL, where his deal included provisions allowing him to accept professional boxing matches. He lost to both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in his two boxing appearances before parting ways with the PFL in March of this year.

    Ngannou is now scheduled to face Philipe Lins in a five-round co-main event bout on May 16 in Inglewood, California, on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card. He has publicly encouraged Jones to secure his release from the UFC, suggesting the two could potentially meet outside of the promotion if Jones were to gain his freedom.

  • Jiri Prochazka Shuts Down Alex Pereira Talk Before UFC 327

    Jiri Prochazka Shuts Down Alex Pereira Talk Before UFC 327

    Jiri Prochazka is not interested in discussing Alex Pereira, Khamzat Chimaev, or anything beyond Saturday night’s UFC 327 light heavyweight title fight against Carlos Ulberg. The former champion made his focus clear when speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of the bout, shutting down any line of conversation that did not involve his immediate opponent.

    “Just Saturday night,” Prochazka said. “After that fight, we can speak about the next options. But right now, the title fight is here. All what I’ve worked on is right now, right here. This is the week.” When pressed further about potential future matchups, he was equally direct. “No, there is no other things. No other opponents. F–k the others. There is just me and my art and what I want to show. This is all.”

    What Prochazka was willing to discuss was the timeline that led him to this point. Pereira vacated the light heavyweight championship to move to heavyweight, where he is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane at the UFC White House card in June. Despite the move catching many by surprise publicly, Prochazka says he saw it coming well in advance and had already begun preparing before the UFC made anything official.

    “I saw that coming,” Prochazka said. “We spoke with UFC about this a long time before it happened. We knew that with my team a long time before it happened. I prepared myself one and a half months before it was announced to everyone that I will have to fight with Carlos Ulberg.”

    That preparation included a month of high-altitude training in Mexico City. “First month was just I believed that will happen. Then we transferred to Mexico City for high altitude training, we trained there for one month and we came back and then UFC told me ‘you will have the title fight.’”

    Saturday’s fight carries personal stakes beyond the championship. Prochazka’s daughter is expected to be born very soon. He has not let that distract him, but he has not ignored it either.

    “Yes, I come with that but also, I am ready to do anything for a win on Saturday night,” Prochazka said. “It’s not counting the days after Saturday night but it’s about to be fully focused for Saturday night and be here and now and do my best on Saturday night. Win the belt, go home and see how my daughter will be born.”