MMA News

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim Preview, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim Preview, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Fight Night returns to the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on Saturday, June 6, with a welterweight main event carrying real title-picture stakes. Former champion Belal Muhammad faces rising Brazilian contender Gabriel Bonfim in a 12-fight card streaming on Paramount+.

    Key Points

    • Main event: Belal Muhammad, ranked #5 at welterweight, looks to snap a two-fight skid against #11-ranked Gabriel Bonfim, who rides a four-fight win streak.
    • Co-main: #4 middleweight Brendan Allen meets Edmen Shahbazyan in a striker-versus-grinder matchup.
    • How to Watch: Prelims at 5 PM ET, main card at 8 PM ET, all on Paramount+.

    What’s at Stake

    Muhammad lost the welterweight title to Jack Della Maddalena and followed it with a decision loss to Ian Garry, the first back-to-back defeats of his career. A win keeps him in the contender mix. A loss likely drops him out of the title conversation entirely while Bonfim, beating a former champ, fast-tracks himself toward an elimination bout or a shot at gold.

    Full Card

    Bout Division
    Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim Welterweight
    Brendan Allen vs. Edmen Shahbazyan Middleweight
    Farès Ziam vs. Tom Nolan Lightweight
    Bryce Mitchell vs. Santiago Luna Bantamweight
    Iwo Baraniewski vs. Junior Tafa Light Heavyweight
    Matt Schnell vs. Alessandro Costa Catchweight
    Marcus McGhee vs. John Yannis Bantamweight
    Bruno Silva vs. Edgar Chairez Flyweight
    Priscila Cachoeira vs. Chelsea Chandler Women’s Bantamweight
    Jordan Leavitt vs. Joanderson Brito Featherweight
    Jeisla Chaves vs. Yuneisy Duben Women’s Flyweight
    Ketlen Souza vs. Ariane Carnelossi Women’s Strawweight

    Fights to Watch

    Welterweight: Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim

    A classic wrestler-versus-striker test that decides who stays relevant at the top of 170 pounds.

    • The matchup: Muhammad’s blueprint is to close distance, secure ties, and grind opponents into the fence. Bonfim wants to keep it standing and let his aggressive striking work.
    • The skid: Muhammad arrives off losses to Jack Della Maddalena and Ian Garry, the first two-fight slide of his career. Garry’s stock has only climbed since, with Islam Makhachev naming him the No. 1 welterweight contender.
    • The run: Bonfim enters on a four-fight win streak, most recently beating Randy Brown, in his second straight main event.
    • The question: Bonfim’s cardio has been flagged in three-round fights, raising doubts about how he handles a five-round headliner against a relentless pace.

    Middleweight: Brendan Allen vs. Edmen Shahbazyan

    The #4-ranked Allen draws a dangerous early finisher in Shahbazyan.

    • The styles: Shahbazyan is most threatening in the opening minutes; Allen’s grinding, submission-heavy approach is built to drag fights into deep water.
    • The stakes: A win keeps Allen near the title picture at 185 pounds.

    Lightweight: Farès Ziam vs. Tom Nolan

    Ranked #14 Ziam takes a sizable betting favorite role against Australia’s Tom Nolan in a contender-tier lightweight bout.

    Bantamweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Santiago Luna

    Mitchell moves into a bantamweight scrap against Mexico’s Santiago Luna on the main card.

    How to Watch

    • Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
    • Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Prelims: 5:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • Main Card: 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+

    Paramount continues to expand its UFC footprint, recently confirmed to become the exclusive Canadian home of UFC numbered events in 2027.

    Don’t Miss MMA News Coverage

    Stay tuned to MMANews.com for live results, fight recaps, and full post-event fallout.

  • Paramount To End UFC Pay-Per-View For Canada In 2027

    Paramount To End UFC Pay-Per-View For Canada In 2027

    Canadian UFC fans will stop paying for pay-per-views in 2027. Paramount and TKO Group announced Thursday that Paramount+ will become the exclusive home of all UFC numbered event main cards in Canada for six years, beginning in 2027, with every marquee card included at no extra cost to subscribers.

    The deal covers all 13 numbered event main cards per year, the championship-heavy cards traditionally sold as pay-per-views. It expands the seven-year, multi-territory media rights partnership Paramount and TKO Group Holdings first announced in 2025, which already made Paramount+ the UFC’s home across the United States, Latin America and Australia.

    Canada was the notable gap in that original agreement. When the U.S. deal was unveiled, Sportsnet retained the Canadian rights it took over in 2024, meaning Canadian fans kept buying individual numbered events at roughly $70 each while American viewers moved to a flat subscription. A single fan tracking all the year’s cards faced a bill approaching $1,000.

    “Beginning in 2027, Paramount+ subscribers in Canada will get every UFC Numbered Event main card live, at no additional cost,” UFC President and CEO Dana White said. “Paramount has been an incredible partner that understands the power of UFC, and together we’re going to make it easier than ever for fans in Canada to watch the biggest fights in the sport.”

    Rodrigo Mazón, Paramount+’s Head of Direct-To-Consumer in Latin America and Canada, said the expansion lets the service reach a heavily engaged MMA audience while reinforcing what the platform is built around: premium live sports and global entertainment.

    A Bigger Test For Paramount’s UFC Bet

    The Canadian rollout follows a strong U.S. launch. Paramount said its UFC debut earlier this year became the service’s biggest exclusive live event ever, with more than 10 million households watching over 100 million hours of programming, viewership the company pegged at more than 15 times the average pay-per-view event of the past two years.

    UFC has run 37 premier events across 11 Canadian cities since debuting in the country with UFC 83 in 2008. Those cards have featured names like Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, Jose Aldo, Valentina Shevchenko and Max Holloway.

    Paramount and UFC said the first events to stream live in Canada under the new arrangement will be announced later this year.

  • Trump Bought UFC Parent Company Stock Before White House Card

    Trump Bought UFC Parent Company Stock Before White House Card

    President Donald Trump purchased stock in TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC, on March 25, according to a financial disclosure filing reviewed by HuffPost. The purchase fell in a range of $15,001 to $50,000.

    The filing, submitted May 12, surfaced as Trump continues to promote the UFC’s June 14 event on the White House South Lawn, billed as UFC Freedom 250. That card lands on Trump’s 80th birthday and ties into celebrations for the 250th anniversary of American independence.

    Trump has attended multiple UFC events across his second term and counts UFC CEO Dana White as a close friend, a relationship that dates back to 2000 when the Trump Taj Mahal hosted early UFC shows. White confirmed the White House card earlier this year, with the main event set for 8 p.m. ET on June 14.

    The timing of the TKO purchase has drawn scrutiny because of that promotional overlap. Trump has bought and sold stock in numerous companies he has publicly praised or whose industries his administration regulates.

    White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have previously said Trump does not personally select which stocks to buy and sell, and that his financial advisers handle those decisions. TKO Group Holdings did not respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.

    TKO reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $1.597 billion, a 26 percent year-over-year increase, with the UFC and WWE driving much of that growth. The fights at the White House will stream on Paramount+, which holds exclusive UFC streaming rights under a seven-year deal.

  • Scott Coker Plans Tournament, Free Agent Push For New League

    Scott Coker plans to build his new MMA promotion around a grand prix tournament in a single weight class while buying established free agents from the top down, the same blueprint he used to grow Strikeforce.

    The veteran promoter detailed the strategy in an interview with Scott Fontana of the New York Post, days after announcing the new venture with $60 million in backing. Coker said the tournament structure and free-agent spending will work together rather than as competing approaches.

    “The tournament format is gonna build new stars, but also we’re gonna buy free agents from the top down, just like we built Strikeforce,” Coker said.

    He pointed to the careers his Strikeforce front office launched alongside the marquee names it acquired. “Strikeforce was a league that we built from the bottom up. Which means we signed Daniel Cormier, who had no fights. Ronda Rousey. No fights. We had all these great fighters that had no fights and we built their careers, but we also bought, let’s say Fedor’s contract,” Coker said.

    Coker said proven talent will be “sprinkled in” with developing fighters in the new promotion. He has described the approach as “fighter procurement,” calling it a strength of his front offices at both Strikeforce and Bellator.

    Coker Targets January 2027 Launch

    Coker is aiming to debut in January 2027, and not with a single card. “It’s going to be bang-bang-bang, bang-bang-bang,” he told the New York Post. “It’s going to be a gauntlet of events that we produce in the first half of the year.”

    He is targeting 12 events in 2027, followed by 18 in 2028 and 22 in 2029, with shows planned across the United States as well as European and Asian markets. The first-year tournament will crown a champion in one marquee division and feature a field Coker says will run “way north of eight,” larger than the eight-fighter grand prix he staged at Strikeforce and Bellator.

    The promotion enters a crowded market. The UFC remains the sport’s dominant force, the PFL absorbed Coker’s former home Bellator in a late 2023 sale, and Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions staged its first MMA card on Netflix earlier this month. Coker’s plan to outbid for established talent mirrors a wider push by newer promotions, with Jake Paul detailing his own plan to raid the UFC roster.

  • Scott Coker Plans New MMA League To Challenge UFC In 2027

    Scott Coker is returning to the promoter’s chair with a new global MMA league, and he has $60 million in financing lined up to take on the UFC and the PFL. The veteran promoter plans to launch the still unnamed venture globally in early 2027.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, funding is led by investment firm Creator Sports Capital, with participation from Griffin Gaming Partners. The investor group also includes trading card company Upper Deck, D.C. United owner and Oaktree Capital co-founder Steve Kaplan, Visional founder and New York Yankees limited partner Swimmy Minami, skateboarding icon Tony Hawk, and former Fortress Investment Group vice-chairman Dean Dakolias. The founders say the backers include several people with ownership stakes in NFL and NBA franchises.

    Coker will serve as co-founder and CEO. Peter Levin of Griffin Gaming Partners, who was an advisor and investor in Coker’s Strikeforce, takes the co-founder and board chairman roles. The advisory group features former TelevisaUnivision CEO and ex-Viacom CFO Wade Davis, former Sony Pictures Television chairman Steve Mosko, and Kevin Kay, the former president of Paramount Network, CMT, Spike TV and TV Land.

    The pitch leans on a gap the founders see in the sport. MMA has grown into a market worth more than $20 billion with over 625 million fans worldwide, yet the founders argue that professional fighters across more than 40 countries still lack a clear path to elite competition. The new league says it wants to place athletes at the center of the sport, a positioning that sets it against the UFC, where Dana White has handed off fighter contract negotiations to other TKO Group executives.

    From Strikeforce To A New Challenger

    Coker founded Strikeforce, which grew into a genuine UFC rival before it was sold to the UFC in 2011. He took over Bellator MMA in 2014 and ran it for close to a decade, but did not move with the brand when the PFL acquired Bellator in late 2023. Bellator now operates as part of the PFL’s restructured tournament system.

    The founders pointed to Coker’s history of finding and developing fighters such as Daniel Cormier, Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano during the Strikeforce era.

    “I always knew I wanted to come back when the time was right, with the right vision and a carefully curated team. That time is now,” Coker said. “There is an incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA. This new league is about returning to what matters: the integrity of competition, respect for the athletes and sharing their remarkable journeys with the world.”

    Benjamin Grubbs, co-founder and co-managing partner of Creator Sports Capital, framed the bet on Coker directly. “Scott Coker is one of the few operators in combat sports who has built winning franchises at a global scale, and he has done it by putting athletes first,” Grubbs said.

    Details Still To Come

    The full leadership team is expected to be named in the coming weeks. The league’s name, format, participating regions and event schedule have not been announced.

    A 2027 debut would drop Coker’s promotion into a market led by TKO Group’s UFC, run by Dana White, with the PFL operating as the clear number two.

  • McGregor UFC 329 Odds Show Wild Public-Sharp Money Split

    Conor McGregor is back, and the early betting market on his return is telling two very different stories.

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Saturday night that Conor McGregor will rematch Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The five-round welterweight fight headlines International Fight Week and streams on Paramount+. It is McGregor’s first scheduled bout since he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    Within hours of the announcement, the early lines were posted. The split between public action and real money is staggering.

    Holloway A Heavy Favorite, Sharps All Over Him

    According to a BetMGM data card released Sunday, Holloway opened at -345 and has already been steamed to -550. McGregor opened at +250 and has drifted out to +350, by far the longest underdog price of his UFC career.

    The kicker is the split. BetMGM reports 95% of total bets are riding with McGregor, but only 1% of the handle (the total dollars wagered) is on him. Holloway sits at 5% of tickets and 99% of the money. That is the textbook profile of a public-versus-sharp split. Small bettors are stacking single-digit tickets on the Notorious one for the storyline, while professional money is hammering Holloway in size.

    Other books are even more aggressive. BetOnline opened Holloway at -450 and McGregor at +350. DraftKings opened the Hawaiian as a -500 favorite, with some offshore markets briefly touching -700 before settling.

    What’s Driving The Number

    McGregor (22-6) has not won a UFC fight since his 40-second knockout of Donald Cerrone in January 2020. He is 37, has not competed in nearly five years, and will be making just his fourth start at welterweight, where he is 2-1 (wins over Cerrone and Nate Diaz, plus the loss in Diaz 1).

    Holloway (27-9) is no longer the featherweight champion who put together a 13-fight winning streak after the first McGregor fight, but he has stayed active. He is coming off a wide decision loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 in March, and the 34-year-old former BMF titleholder will be making his welterweight debut, a 15-pound jump from lightweight. He still owns the UFC’s all-time records for significant strikes landed and total strikes landed.

    The pair first met on August 17, 2013, at UFC Fight Night 26 in Boston, when a 25-year-old McGregor took a unanimous decision over a 21-year-old Holloway despite tearing his ACL during the fight. Holloway responded with a career-defining 13-fight unbeaten run. McGregor became the promotion’s biggest-ever star.

    Thirteen years later, the rematch is finally booked. The oddsmakers, and the bettors moving the largest tickets, are not betting on a sequel that mirrors the first.

  • UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi Set For July 25 At Etihad Arena

    The UFC will return to Abu Dhabi on Saturday, July 25, for its annual mid-summer Fight Night card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

    The promotion confirmed the date and venue Monday in a joint announcement with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), with tickets set to go on sale soon through VisitAbuDhabi.ae.

    UFC says the full lineup will be revealed in the weeks ahead, though several bouts have already trickled out through reporting in recent days.

    UFC Abu Dhabi Main Event

    Top-15 heavyweight Valter Walker is expected to headline the main card opposite Thomas Petersen, per Yahoo Sports. Walker enters on a four-fight UFC win streak, all by first-round heel hook, the longest such run in promotional history. The Brazilian last competed at UFC 321 in October, finishing Louie Sutherland in Abu Dhabi before withdrawing from a March booking with Marcin Tybura due to a leg injury sustained in that same Sutherland fight.

    Petersen, a former LFA heavyweight champion, rebounded from a knockout loss to Vitor Petrino with a majority decision win over Guilherme Pat in his most recent appearance. The same report has Ismael Bonfim drawing Axel Sola in a lightweight bout, with additional heavyweight and light heavyweight matchups listed on Tapology that have not yet been officially announced.

    Continuing An Abu Dhabi Run

    The July date extends a partnership between the UFC and DCT Abu Dhabi that dates back to 2010 and was cemented during the Fight Island era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emirate has hosted more than 20 UFC events since the relationship began, with two more on the books inside the last calendar year alone.

    Last July’s Fight Night at the same venue saw Reinier de Ridder hand Robert Whittaker a split-decision loss in a middleweight headliner. In October, Etihad Arena hosted UFC 321, which ended in a no-contest after a double eye poke left Tom Aspinall requiring surgery on both eyes. Mackenzie Dern claimed the vacant women’s strawweight title in the co-main event of that same card.

    The July 25 card is expected to broadcast in the United States on Paramount+, per Tapology’s event listing. Full ticket and travel package details will be posted to VisitAbuDhabi.ae when sales open.

  • UFC Set to Host Events in Arizona as TKO Signs Three-Year Deal With State Alliance

    UFC Set to Host Events in Arizona as TKO Signs Three-Year Deal With State Alliance

    The UFC is heading to Arizona in a big way. TKO Group Holdings has announced a three-year agreement with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance to bring seven live events to the state — with UFC among the marquee properties set to compete there.

    The deal covers multiple TKO-owned brands, including UFC, WWE, PBR, and Zuffa Boxing, and signals a long-term commitment to Arizona as a key market for live combat sports.

    UFC’s Role in the Partnership

    While TKO has not yet announced which specific UFC events will take place in Arizona, the scope of the deal — seven events over three years — suggests fight fans in the state can expect a regular presence from the promotion. Specific dates, venues, and ticket details are expected to be announced at a later date.

    Peter Dropick, TKO’s Executive Vice President of Event Development and Operations, made clear the company is invested in building something lasting in the region:

    “We’re excited to build this long-term partnership with the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance to bring some of our biggest events to the state.”

    Jay Parry, President & CEO of the Arizona Sports & Events Alliance, said the partnership reflects Arizona’s ability to host major sports and entertainment events at the highest level.

    Part of a Growing Live Event Strategy

    TKO described the Arizona partnership as part of a broader push to formalize relationships with government and private entities across the country, securing dedicated markets for its live events pipeline.

    It’s a strategy that makes sense given UFC’s growing live event footprint. The promotion has increasingly leaned into multi-event market agreements to ensure consistent programming for fans outside of Las Vegas.

    TKO Group Holdings owns the UFC, WWE, and PBR outright, and holds a stake in Zuffa Boxing. The company also operates IMG and On Location, its sports marketing and experiential hospitality arms.

    TKO’s Bigger Business Picture

    The Arizona deal comes as TKO continues to post strong financial numbers. The company reported Q1 2026 revenue of $1.597 billion — a 26% increase year-over-year — underscoring the demand for live combat sports content across all of its properties.

    Arizona UFC fans won’t have to wait long for more details. Event announcements are expected in the coming months.

  • Ariel Helwani Predicts Imminent Conor McGregor Fight Announcement

    Ariel Helwani Predicts Imminent Conor McGregor Fight Announcement

    Ariel Helwani believes the UFC will announce Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon within the next 24 hours, potentially during or after UFC 328. The MMA journalist expressed confidence in his earlier reporting about the former two-division champion’s comeback.

    Helwani addressed skeptics of his previous McGregor report Friday night at a special live show he hosted in New York City.

    “He didn’t believe my report about Conor McGregor, and I’m about to rub it in his face when they announce it in the next 24 or so hours,” Helwani stated.

    UFC CEO Dana White recently fueled speculation about McGregor’s return. Earlier this week, White said he was “extremely confident” the fighter would compete this summer, citing “a lot of great things going on behind-the-scenes.”

    McGregor Training Footage Builds Anticipation

    McGregor has been inactive for nearly five years but continues to generate buzz with training footage on social media. At 37 years old, “The Notorious” posted recent clips showcasing his preparation.

    The former UFC double champion is rumored to face Max Holloway on the International Fight Week card. McGregor has also been the most tested fighter on the roster this year, suggesting an imminent return to competition.

    If Helwani’s prediction proves accurate, the announcement could come as early as this weekend during UFC 328 festivities.

  • UFC 328: Abnormal Betting Patterns Reported on Welterweight Fight

    UFC 328: Abnormal Betting Patterns Reported on Welterweight Fight

    Unusual betting activity has been flagged ahead of tonight’s UFC 328 welterweight bout between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. According to sports betting analyst Dave Mason of Betag, abnormal patterns from highly monitored accounts have prompted sportsbooks to close prop markets and reduce limits on the main betting line.

    The betting movement has been significant. Buckley, who opened as an underdog, has surged to a -205 favorite after the suspicious activity was detected. Mason reported the shift on social media, noting that the patterns originated from accounts flagged for previous sharp betting behavior.

    Market Restrictions Implemented

    Sportsbooks have responded by closing all prop betting markets for the fight and implementing low limits on the main moneyline. These measures are typically reserved for contests where operators suspect insider information or coordinated betting activity that could indicate advance knowledge of a fighter’s condition or strategy.

    The Brady vs. Buckley matchup serves as a key welterweight eliminator on the UFC 328 card. Brady enters with a professional record built on his grappling credentials, while Buckley has established himself as a knockout artist with highlight-reel finishes throughout his UFC tenure.

    Neither the UFC nor the Nevada State Athletic Commission has commented on the betting irregularities. The fight remains scheduled to proceed as planned on tonight’s card.

  • Amanda Nunes Mocks Norma Dumont Loss, Dumont Claps Back

    Amanda Nunes Mocks Norma Dumont Loss, Dumont Claps Back

    Amanda Nunes broke her months-long silence on Norma Dumont in the worst possible way for the bantamweight contender, mocking Dumont’s Saturday loss to Joselyne Edwards at UFC Vegas 116.

    Dumont dropped a unanimous decision to Edwards (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal, snapping her six-fight win streak and complicating her case for a title shot. The Brazilian protested the result in the cage. You can find the full breakdown of Edwards’ upset win and the post-fight reaction here.

    Shortly after the decision was read, Nunes posted laughing emojis on Instagram in response to Dumont’s loss. It was a pointed jab from a fighter Dumont has spent years chasing, and Dumont noticed.

    Dumont Fires Back On Instagram

    Responding on her Instagram story, Dumont leaned into the silence Nunes had kept for the better part of four years.

    “I’m very happy that Amanda (Nunes)’s internet is working again. Because it’s been six fights, four years if I’m not mistaken, that I went undefeated, and I challenged her to fight in every fight and she never responded,” Dumont said.

    “She never responded to any message I sent directly to her challenging her to a fight, she didn’t respond to any of the pages. But now she’s decided to show up, so I’m very happy that her internet is back. And now I understand that our conversation will be different.”

    Dumont then framed the exchange as a setup for unfinished business.

    “And I’m very happy about that, because I’m sure that in the next fight, we’ll come out with our arms raised and this conversation will still yield a lot. I think this has become very interesting now.”

    Nunes remains in training while she waits for champion Kayla Harrison to recover from neck surgery, with their postponed title fight expected to be rescheduled later in 2026. Dumont, despite the Vegas 116 setback, is making clear she wants in on whatever comes next.

  • EA Sports UFC 6 Release Date Set for June 19 on PS5, Xbox

    EA Sports UFC 6 Release Date Set for June 19 on PS5, Xbox

    UFC 6

    EA Sports UFC 6 has a release date. Per Insider Gaming’s Mike Straw, the game is set to launch on June 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

    A PC version is also in development, though Straw noted there is no word yet on whether it will be available at launch or arrive later in the year.

    UFC 5 launched in October 2023 exclusively on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, making UFC 6 the first entry in the series to have a confirmed PC version in development. The June window would see the game release roughly two and a half years after its predecessor.

    Straw has been tracking UFC 6 since late 2024, when he first reported the title was in full production. EA Vancouver is developing the game, with Jon Anik set to handle commentary duties.

    Dana White previously confirmed the game is coming in 2026 and that two cover athletes have been finalized, with Alex Pereira among those expected to be featured.

    No official announcement from EA has been made at this time.

  • ONE Championship Releases Garry Tonon, 4 Others From Roster

    ONE Championship Releases Garry Tonon, 4 Others From Roster

    ONE Championship has cut ties with five fighters across its MMA and Muay Thai rosters, headlined by the departure of grappling icon Garry Tonon.

    The release group also includes undefeated Russian MMA prospect Magomed Akaev, Romanian-Irish striker Stefan Korodi, British Muay Thai fighter Amber Kitchen, and Turkish kickboxing veteran Zafer Sayik.

    Garry Tonon’s ONE run ends after eight years

    Tonon’s exit closes the most decorated chapter on the cut list. The New Jersey native joined ONE in late 2017 and made his MMA debut for the promotion in early 2018, opening his career with five straight finishes before improving to 6-0 in 2020.

    “The Lion Killer” challenged Thanh Le for the ONE Featherweight World Title in March 2022 but was stopped in 56 seconds, suffering the first loss of his MMA career. He rebounded with three consecutive submission wins and a decision over Martin Nguyen at ONE 165, earning his way back into title contention.

    His final ONE appearance came at ONE Fight Night 34 on August 1, 2025, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Shamil Gasanov in a rematch of his 2023 kneebar victory. The multiple-time ADCC and IBJJF medalist remains one of the most accomplished grapplers ever to compete in the promotion.

    Akaev released after brief ONE tenure

    Akaev’s release comes as a surprise given the buildup behind his arrival. The Dagestani featherweight signed with ONE in 2025 carrying an unblemished 10-0 professional record and was promoted heavily as a future title threat ahead of his June 6, 2025 debut at ONE Fight Night 32.

    Korodi joined ONE in January 2024 after a Muay Thai career built in Ireland and went 1-3 inside the circle, with his most recent appearance ending in a unanimous decision loss to Vladimir Kuzmin at ONE Fight Night 33 in July 2025.

    Kitchen, the daughter of British Muay Thai legend Julie Kitchen, signed with the promotion in 2019 and competed primarily in the strawweight Muay Thai division. Sayik, a 13-time Turkish kickboxing champion, last fought at ONE Fight Night 34, dropping a unanimous decision to Suakim Sor Jor Tongprajin.

    Latest in a series of ONE roster cuts

    The releases continue a pattern of roster trimming at ONE Championship. The promotion parted ways with four fighters in March 2026, including former MMA world champions Adriano Moraes and Zebaztian Kadestam, and released six others in September 2025 with former strawweight Muay Thai champion Smilla Sundell among them.

  • UFC Vegas 116 Preview: Sterling vs. Zalal, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 116 Preview: Sterling vs. Zalal, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 116

    UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal goes down this Saturday, April 25, 2026, from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, streaming live on Paramount+ with prelims at 5 PM ET and the main card at 8 PM ET.

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5) meets surging contender Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) in a five-round featherweight main event that pits top-ranked 145-pounders against each other with real title implications. Here is the full breakdown.

    Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)

    Sterling enters as a slight underdog at +105 to +120 depending on the book, which is striking for a former champion still ranked fifth at featherweight. The 36-year-old Long Island native held the 135-pound belt from 2021 to 2023 with three successful defenses, and he’s 2-1 since moving up, including a five-round decision over Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai last August. His only featherweight loss came to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310, though Sterling still landed six takedowns in that fight.

    Zalal is the seventh-ranked featherweight and riding a five-fight win streak, with four submission finishes in his last five. The most eye-catching was a first-round armbar of Josh Emmett. The 29-year-old Moroccan switch-stance fighter holds real physical advantages: 5’10” to Sterling’s 5’7″, with a 72-inch reach and sharper striking numbers across the board.

    The style matchup breaks down cleanly. Sterling’s path is wrestling: chain takedowns, back control, positional dominance. He averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes and has never been submitted in 30 pro fights. Zalal’s path is distance striking and scrambling off his back. His 59 percent takedown defense isn’t elite, but his submission rate of 1.41 attempts per 15 minutes means Sterling won’t be able to sit heavy without risk.

    This fight was not the original main event. The card was supposed to be headlined by Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley before that pairing was moved to UFC 328. Whoever wins Saturday makes a serious case for a top-three featherweight slot, with Evloev already booked for the next title shot.

    Co-Main Event: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)

    The co-main pairs third-ranked Norma Dumont against 11th-ranked Joselyne Edwards in a women’s bantamweight fight with clear title picture implications. Dumont has been campaigning for a shot at the belt, and a win here keeps her near the front of the contender line. Edwards gets the biggest opportunity of her career against a top-five opponent.

    Main Card Fights to Watch

    Rafa García vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight) — This is the closest line on the card, a genuine pick’em between two top-25 155-pounders. García comes in on a two-fight winning streak with a knockout of Jared Gordon in September. Hernandez is the sharper striker at range, but García’s 3.13 takedowns per 15 minutes and pressure-forward style against Hernandez’s 73 percent takedown defense will decide it.

    Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti (Bantamweight) — Grant is a 39-year-old British veteran with heavy hands; Luna Martinetti is a short-notice prospect making his UFC debut. Expect fireworks early.

    Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight) — Jackson, ranked in the 135-pound top 15, is in a must-win spot against the Brazilian grappler. Barcelos has the jiu-jitsu pedigree to exploit any mistake.

    Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida vs. Ryan Spann (Heavyweight) — Buchecha is one of the most decorated grapplers in the sport’s history transitioning to heavyweight MMA. Spann is a veteran striker with knockout power. A classic strike-vs-grapple matchup.

    Preliminary Card

    The prelims feature Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico at middleweight, with Vieira another elite grappler looking for a finish. Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey is another middleweight bout with finish potential. Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague rounds out the women’s 135-pound action, with Bueno Silva a former title challenger looking to rebuild. Additional bouts include Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden, Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan, and Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela.

    Full Fight Card

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    • Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal — Featherweight (5 rounds)
    • Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards — Women’s Bantamweight
    • Rafa García vs. Alexander Hernandez — Lightweight
    • Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti — Bantamweight
    • Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos — Bantamweight
    • Marcus Almeida vs. Ryan Spann — Heavyweight

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico — Middleweight
    • Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey — Middleweight
    • Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague — Women’s Bantamweight
    • Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden — Flyweight
    • Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan — Featherweight
    • Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela — Welterweight

    How to Watch

    • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
    • Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Prelims: 5:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • Main Card: 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • UK: TNT Sports (main card) / UFC Fight Pass (prelims)
  • RIZIN Announces 2026 Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix With Ueda, Sudario, Edokpolo

    RIZIN Announces 2026 Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix With Ueda, Sudario, Edokpolo

    RIZIN has announced the 2026 Japan Heavyweight Grand Prix, an all-Japanese tournament set to run through the second half of the year. Three participants have been confirmed: Mikio Ueda, Tsuyoshi Sudario, and King Edokpolo, with a fourth entrant still to be named.

    The semifinals are scheduled for RIZIN 54 in August, with the two winners advancing to a final in November. From there, the tournament winner earns a shot at Alexander Soldatkin on New Year’s Eve with the inaugural RIZIN Heavyweight Championship on the line.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXdh_Cejx12/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Edokpolo is the obvious wildcard entering the bracket. The unbeaten 6’8″ prospect has been training under Plinio Cruz, who also serves as the head coach of former UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Still early in his MMA career, Edokpolo arrives in the tournament with significant physical tools and rapidly developing skills.

    Sudario, the former sumo wrestler who competed in the 2025 Grand Prix, gets another shot at a heavyweight title run. His twin brother Takakenshin will fight Ryo Sakai in a qualifying bout at RIZIN Landmark 14 in Sendai on June 6, setting up the possibility of both brothers competing in the same tournament down the line.

    Ueda rounds out the confirmed trio. He and Sudario have history inside the RIZIN ring, adding an existing rivalry thread to the bracket before it officially tips off.

    RIZIN Landmark 14 takes place June 6 in Sendai, with Takakenshin vs. Sakai kicking off the Grand Prix storyline.

  • “Bad Move” – Darren Till Warns Tom Aspinall Over Eddie Hearn Deal

    “Bad Move” – Darren Till Warns Tom Aspinall Over Eddie Hearn Deal

    Eddie Hearn and Tom Aspinall

    Darren Till has a warning for his close friend Tom Aspinall about the management deal that has put the UFC heavyweight champion on Dana White’s bad side.

    Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, Till spoke candidly about Aspinall’s decision to sign with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Talent Agency last month. The two Liverpudlians have known each other for years, and Till said he would give Aspinall the same honest take in private that he was giving on camera.

    “If Tom was sat here with me now, me and Tom have had deep, deep convos all our life, if Tom was to say, ‘What do you think?’ I’d go, ‘I think it was a bad move, Tom, because it’s just going to put you in bad stead with the UFC,’” Till said. “Dana is going to get a mini cob on. They’re probably going to do little things just to [undermine you]. That’s how I see it. And I’m always going to speak.”

    Till Believes Aspinall Got Paid, But At a Cost

    Till stressed that Aspinall is not being played by anyone and likely extracted real value from the deal. The concern is what happens inside the UFC now that the champion has a powerful outside representative pushing his interests.

    “Tom’s not stupid. He hasn’t been used as a pawn because he’ll be doing what’s best for him moneywise as well,” Till said. “He’s got a family there. Tom will be getting the most out of it moneywise. But signing with Eddie might have been a bit… I think it’s going to put him in bad stead with the UFC.”

    The warning lines up with what has already happened. Aspinall received a text from White at 6pm on the day of UFC London in March asking if he wanted to attend, despite living five hours away. The heavyweight champion has also been passed over in promotion while Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira fight for an interim title on June 14.

    The MMA-Boxing Trap

    Till also pushed back on the idea that MMA fighters can cross into boxing with minimal adjustment, a topic that has followed Aspinall since the Matchroom signing raised questions about a potential boxing move.

    “All of us are MMA fighters. If we switch over, we like to go, ‘Well, I’ve done boxing.’ No, you haven’t. You’ve done boxing for MMA. What does that mean? You’ve been in a wide stance. You don’t throw close-quarter shots. Only two guys, Max Holloway, Justin Gaethje, really use boxing for MMA. But MMA and boxing are two completely different things,” Till said.

    Aspinall is still not cleared for contact training following double eye surgery after the Gane fight at UFC 321 last October. Till has been through his own UFC-to-boxing pivot and is now moving on to BKFC, with his bare-knuckle debut set for May 30.

  • Darren Till Rips Dana White’s Ego: UFC Cards Are a “Can of Piss”

    Darren Till Rips Dana White’s Ego: UFC Cards Are a “Can of Piss”

    Dana White press Conference

    Darren Till does not watch the UFC anymore, and he wants Dana White to know exactly what he thinks of how the promotion is being run.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, the former UFC welterweight title challenger launched into an extended critique of White’s handling of the promotion, the state of the UFC product, and the culture of media scrums where he believes reporters are too afraid to ask real questions.

    “I do like Dana, but I just think Dana’s ego is getting a little bit too much out of control,” Till said. “I don’t even watch the UFC anymore. I couldn’t tell you half the people who fight on it. The events just aren’t juicy anymore. I think they’ve got very few stars left.”

    “Who Gives a Sh*t? I Give a Sh*t”

    Till saved his sharpest criticism for White’s habit of dismissing fan and media questions with the phrase “who gives a sh*t,” a line the UFC boss has used repeatedly in post-event scrums over the past year.

    “Every time Dana is in a scrum, it’s like these reporters are scared to say the real thing. And when they do ask questions, Dana’s all sort of like, ‘Who gives a sh*t?’” Till said. “We give a sh*t. I give a sh*t. So give us a sh*t answer, baldy. Take your ego away. I’m sorry to slag, I’ll go on one now, but I give a sh*t. What do you mean ‘who gives a sh*t?’ We give a sh*t. So give us some sh*t answers. What are you on about?”

    The frustration connects to a broader point Till made about how UFC cards used to feel. He pointed to co-main events like Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald and Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo as examples of fights that carried genuine weight, contrasting them with what he sees on cards now.

    “The fights back then just had a different thing to them,” Till said. “I just look at the card now and I just think, a load of can of piss.”

    Till Says Arman Tsarukyan Is Being Buried

    The Liverpudlian also called out what he views as selective treatment of the promotion’s current stars, pointing specifically to Arman Tsarukyan as a fighter the UFC should be building into a headliner.

    “Why is Arman Tsarukyan not getting the love he deserves? See what he’s doing? They’re mad at him because he gets crazy. He’s headbutting people, hitting fans on the way out. But he’s box office,” Till said. “I must have just passed my mind, Jon Jones has done all madness, Conor has done all madness, why [the different treatment]? Maybe they’ve got a personal vendetta.”

    Till is set to make his BKFC debut at BKFC 90 in Birmingham on May 30, fighting Aaron Chalmers. It is a long way from Madison Square Garden, but for Till, it beats watching a UFC card he no longer recognizes.

  • Jiri Prochazka: I Was 40-50% After Ulberg’s UFC 327 Knee Injury

    Jiri Prochazka: I Was 40-50% After Ulberg’s UFC 327 Knee Injury

    Jiri Prochazka has put a number on how much his performance slipped the moment Carlos Ulberg blew out his knee at UFC 327.

    The former UFC light heavyweight champion was on the verge of reclaiming the vacant title in Miami on April 11 before Ulberg, fighting on one leg, flattened him with a left hook and finishing ground shots at 3:45 of the opening round. In his latest comments, Prochazka says mercy took over the instant he realized his opponent was hurt.

    “From the moment the injury happened to Ulberg, I wasn’t at 100 percent anymore,” Prochazka said. “I was at maybe 40-50% of my performance, and I was just sparring and waiting for the referee to stop the fight at any moment. It was a big mistake, maybe one of my biggest.”

    Prochazka Targets Return to Title Talks

    The admission lines up with what fans saw in real time. After battering Ulberg’s lead leg with low kicks and watching the New Zealander stumble around the cage, Prochazka visibly pulled back on his offense rather than press the finish. Ulberg steadied himself against the fence, timed a counter left hook, and swarmed for the knockout.

    The loss drops Prochazka to three straight defeats in UFC title fights. He previously lost back-to-back championship bouts to Alex Pereira before this vacant-title setback against Ulberg.

    Despite the skid, Prochazka says he is already eyeing his next move. He told reporters he expects to be back in negotiations for his next fight within a month, with Ulberg facing a potentially lengthy recovery from the blown-out knee that nearly cost him the belt.

  • UFC Returns to Baku Through 2028 in Multi-Year Azerbaijan Deal

    UFC Returns to Baku Through 2028 in Multi-Year Azerbaijan Deal

    UFC is coming back to Azerbaijan, and this time it’s staying a while.

    The promotion announced Tuesday a multi-year partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Baku City Circuit Operations Company that will bring a UFC Fight Night to Baku every year through 2028.

    The deal kicks off with UFC Fight Night Baku on Saturday, June 27 at the National Gymnastics Arena.

    A Venue Change From the 2025 Debut

    The new agreement moves the event out of Baku Crystal Hall, which hosted UFC’s Azerbaijan debut last June. That card, headlined by Khalil Rountree Jr. defeating Jamahal Hill, drew what UFC describes as more than 14,000 fans and sold out. The success of that night is what pushed both sides to commit to a longer run.

    Dana White Comments

    UFC President and CEO Dana White met with Minister of Youth and Sports Farid Gayibov in Las Vegas to finalize the deal.

    “Baku is one of the best cities in the world to visit,” White said in a statement. “It’s beautiful and home to some of the greatest people you’ll ever meet. I was completely blown away when I visited last year. The hospitality was next level, and the fans were incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about the sport.”

    Azerbaijan’s Sports Strategy Gets a Long-Term Anchor

    For Azerbaijan, the deal slots UFC into a calendar that already includes Formula 1 and hosted the inaugural European Games. Gayibov framed the partnership as a platform for local fighters to compete in front of home crowds through 2028.

    “Securing a multi-year partnership with UFC marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s strategy to solidify its status as a premier global sports destination,” Gayibov said. “Our national fighters gain a prestigious platform to showcase their prowess on the international stage, competing before a passionate home crowd.”

    Baku City Circuit General Director Maqsud Farzullayev said demand for the 2026 return has already outpaced last year’s debut.

    “Following the incredible sold-out reception of last year’s UFC debut, we are thrilled to extend our partnership and bring Fight Nights back to Baku,” Farzullayev said. “This year, we are witnessing exceptionally strong regional demand, with a notable increase in inbound visitors.”

    June 27 Card Takes Shape

    UFC Fight Night Baku is currently expected to be headlined by a middleweight bout between Abusupiyan Magomedov and Michał Oleksiejczuk, with Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira booked in a co-main event slot. The card is already eight fights deep on paper.

    Fans can register for early ticket access at UFC.com/Baku.

  • RAF 08: Dvalishvili vs. Cejudo Preview, Full Card, How to Watch

    RAF 08: Dvalishvili vs. Cejudo Preview, Full Card, How to Watch

    RAF 08 Card

    RAF 08: Dvalishvili vs. Cejudo takes place Saturday, April 18, from The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The card begins at 8:00 PM ET and streams exclusively on FOX Nation.

    Real American Freestyle’s Philadelphia card stacks 12 matchups pairing UFC crossover names, Olympic medalists, and recent NCAA standouts.

    Dvalishvili vs. Cejudo Headlines RAF 08

    The main event puts elite UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili on the freestyle mat against former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo. Cejudo arrives off his 11-0 technical fall win over Urijah Faber at RAF 06, a performance that cemented his status as one of RAF’s marquee attractions.

    Dvalishvili is one of the most decorated grapplers on the current UFC roster and a top bantamweight contender. He brings a deep wrestling résumé into his Real American Freestyle debut, adding another high-level storyline to the Philadelphia headliner.

    Tsarukyan vs. Faber in Co-Main

    Arman Tsarukyan meets UFC Hall of Famer Urijah Faber in a featured middleweight bout in the co-main event slot. Tsarukyan is coming off his RAF 07 rematch win over Georgio Poullas, while Faber returns looking to rebound after dropping his RAF debut to Cejudo earlier this year.

    Snyder vs. Aitmukhan at Light Heavyweight

    Kyle Snyder faces Rizabek Aitmukhan of Kazakhstan at light heavyweight. Snyder is an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most credentialed American freestyle wrestlers ever to step onto a pro mat.

    Full Match Card

    • Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
    • Middleweight (Co-Main): Arman Tsarukyan vs. Urijah Faber
    • Light Heavyweight: Kyle Snyder vs. Rizabek Aitmukhan
    • Cruiserweight: Zahid Valencia vs. Aeoden Sinclair
    • Heavyweight: Anthony Cassioppi vs. Shamil Sharipov
    • Bantamweight: Helen Maroulis vs. Alexis Janiak
    • Featherweight: Real Woods vs. Anthony Ashnault
    • Middleweight (175 lbs): Jason Nolf vs. Joey Blaze
    • Featherweight: Vladimer Khinchegashvili vs. Johnni DiJulius
    • Lightweight: Lance Palmer vs. Cayden Henschel
    • Featherweight: Jordan Oliver vs. Mike Vanbrill
    • Bantamweight (135 lbs): Darian Cruz vs. Lucas Byrd

    Key Undercard Matchups

    The middleweight bout between Jason Nolf and Joey Blaze pits a multi-time NCAA champion against a 2026 NCAA All-American fresh off the college mat. The bantamweight closer between Darian Cruz and Lucas Byrd pairs two past NCAA standouts, with Cruz now representing Puerto Rico internationally.

    How to Watch RAF 08

    • Date/Time: Saturday, April 18, 2026, 8:00 PM ET
    • Venue: The Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA
    • Streaming: FOX Nation (exclusive)

    Looking ahead, Gable Steveson makes his RAF debut against Alexandr Romanov at RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas.

    Don’t Miss MMA News Coverage

    Stay tuned to MMANews.com for live results, match recaps, and post-event reaction from RAF 08.

  • Ronda Rousey Blasts Kayla Harrison At NYC Presser: “Eat Your Groceries”

    Ronda Rousey Blasts Kayla Harrison At NYC Presser: “Eat Your Groceries”

    Ronda Rousey turned a question about Kayla Harrison’s “irrelevant” comments into a nearly four-minute demolition at the MVP MMA press conference in New York City on Wednesday, torching the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion over her legacy, charisma, pay, and even her recent neck surgery.

    The press conference at Palladium Times Square was held to promote the May 16 Rousey vs. Gina Carano showdown at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, which streams live on Netflix. Host Ariel Helwani relayed Harrison’s recent remark labeling Rousey and Carano irrelevant, and Rousey did the rest.

    Rousey Frames Harrison As A Product Of Her Own Legacy

    Rousey’s opening salvo built a legacy case before it threw a punch. She argued Carano is the reason the UFC’s 145-pound women’s division ever existed, and that Harrison only has a UFC job because of the foundation Rousey built.

    “Gina is so relevant that she’s the whole reason the 145-pound division even exists,” Rousey said. “And I am so relevant that the only reason she has a job at the UFC is because of me. And Kayla is so irrelevant that she couldn’t even keep the 145-pound division around.”

    From there, Rousey pivoted to a charisma attack that doubled as a shot at Harrison’s drawing power. “She’s just sour because no matter what she does or what she accomplishes, she can’t change the fact that she has the charisma of a wet towel and will always be in me and Gina’s shadow,” Rousey said.

    The “Neck Brace” Shot And The Groceries Line

    Ronda Rousey blasts Kayla Harrison

    Rousey didn’t spare Harrison’s recent medical issues. Harrison withdrew from her scheduled UFC 324 title defense against Amanda Nunes in January after being diagnosed with herniated discs in her neck, which required surgery.

    “She can’t look down at her feet because she’s too busy holding on to the belt and a neck brace,” Rousey said.

    The loudest moment came when Rousey weaponized a past act of kindness. Harrison had publicly credited Rousey in the past for buying her groceries when she was broke training in Japan.

    “What did she say after she won the belt? ‘Oh, I’m never going to say anything bad about Ronda. She took care of me when I was broke in Japan and bought me groceries,’” Rousey recounted. “How about you shut the f**k up and eat your groceries?”

    Rousey also pushed back on reports that Harrison questioned her judo training history in Canada. “Over the last decade and a half of being a public figure, I have cultivated a reputation for being unabashedly truthful,” Rousey said. “This b**ch just got here and was already caught in a lie.”

    The Pay Shot And A Paddy Pimblett Pitch

    Rousey then moved the argument to money, questioning how Harrison’s upcoming fight can be labeled the biggest in women’s MMA history when the UFC is booking it beneath a men’s interim title fight. Harrison’s planned title defense against Nunes has been rumored as a potential co-main to a Paddy Pimblett interim lightweight title bout.

    “Her and Hunter trying to act like her next upcoming fight is the biggest women’s fight of all time, then why is it being booked as a co-main to a men’s interim title fight?” Rousey said. “The fight isn’t even bigger than Patty the Baddy. No offense to Patty, I think he’s got more potential than anybody in the UFC, and he should call me when his contract runs out.”

    Rousey also claimed a pay disparity. “If she thinks her fight is the biggest women’s fight of all time, why is she getting paid less now than I was 10 years ago? So, is this b**ch overvalued or is she underpaid?”

    “The Biggest MMA Fight Of All Time”

    Rousey closed by reframing Rousey vs. Carano as an industry moment, not just a personal grudge. She pointed to Netflix’s global footprint and MVP’s fighter-first pitch as the reason the May 16 card matters.

    “This is the biggest MMA fight of all time. It’s going to get the most views on the biggest platform on a card with the biggest stars,” Rousey said. “And it was all assembled by and will be headlined by two women who dare to dream big. This dream is going to bring more opportunities and greater revenue share to fighters than they’ve ever had before, because this fight is bigger than just me and Gina.”

    Harrison, 35, captured the UFC women’s bantamweight title via second-round kimura submission of Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025. Rousey opened as a heavy favorite over Carano, who has not competed since 2009.

  • Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return Talks, Calls Out Leon Edwards

    Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return Talks, Calls Out Leon Edwards

    Jorge Masvidal has confirmed that he’s in active negotiations with the UFC for a return to the Octagon, with Leon Edwards at the top of his wish list.

    Speaking on the Deep Waters panel show on UFC on Paramount+, the former BMF champion addressed Dana White’s public confirmation at UFC 327 that the two sides have been in talks.

    After initially playing coy with an “I’m retired, man” deflection, Masvidal dropped the act once the panel played White’s comments back to him.

    “We’re definitely talking. We’ve been talking for a minute. It’s just we haven’t landed on that thing,” Masvidal said.

    Masvidal on UFC Negotiations

    Masvidal was candid about the pace of negotiations, expressing loyalty to the promotion while acknowledging the reality of doing business with the UFC.

    “You guys know better than anybody how the UFC is. I love them to death, but man, they make you work for every single thing. It’s always like it’s not quite what you wanted it to be a lot of times. So we’re working. We’re going to get something done, though,” he said.

    The 40-year-old hasn’t competed in MMA since losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023, a defeat that prompted his retirement. He recently revealed that the UFC blocked him from competing on the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card because they had their own plans for his comeback.

    Leon Edwards: The Preferred Target

    While Masvidal said he’d prefer to fight at middleweight to avoid the weight cut, he made one thing clear: he’ll get back to 170 for the right name.

    “If they give me the Leon fight, I’ll get to 170 by the mall. No kidding. Quick. I would like that fight. The fans would like that fight,” Masvidal said.

    He then made his case by turning Edwards’ own previous reasoning against him.

    Edwards had reportedly declined a fight with Masvidal in the past because of his losing streak. The former welterweight champion is now on a three-fight skid of his own, dropping decisions to Belal Muhammad and finishes to Sean Brady and Carlos Prates.

    “He had said he wouldn’t fight me because I had like three or four losses in a row. I think he’s got like four losses in a row and like three by KO. So that’s the fight that makes sense,” Masvidal said, slightly overstating Edwards’ recent record but landing the broader point.

    He also made it clear that a tune-up fight holds no interest. “With your name, you just don’t show up and fight anybody. You’re not out there fighting Francisco Prado,” he said.

    The Timeline

    Masvidal pointed to International Fight Week in July as his ideal return window, requesting four to five months of preparation time. “The more time they give me to prepare, the better, obviously. A good 4 to 5 months from here, it’ll be perfect,” he said.

    Framing the matchup as an easy sell for the promotion, he closed with a simple pitch: “That’s low hanging fruit for the UFC. Just give me what I’m asking for and we’re good to go, man.”

    The Covington Dig

    In a lighter moment, the panel asked Masvidal about fighters he still has beef with. He said he gets along with virtually everyone he’s fought, but couldn’t resist one jab at his former American Top Team teammate.

    “For the most part I get along with everybody. If I see him I share a meal with him, hang out, talk. But just one rat-ass mother… I shouldn’t even say his name because he’s already suing me. But Colby Covington is the only one I really never mess with like that,” Masvidal said.

    Covington recently filed a civil lawsuit against Masvidal seeking damages related to the 2022 restaurant attack in Miami Beach.

    The rivalry between Masvidal and Edwards dates back to March 2019, when Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage at UFC London, coining the now-famous “three-piece and a soda” phrase that became part of his BMF-era identity. On the panel, he leaned into that legacy: “He already got a two-piece and a soda. Now it’s time for dessert. Now I’m going to hit this [guy] with the whole buffet, brother.”

  • Guy Fieri Issues Statement After Tate Brothers Encounter at UFC 327

    Guy Fieri Issues Statement After Tate Brothers Encounter at UFC 327

    Celebrity chef Guy Fieri posted a public statement on X Tuesday saying he was “devastated” by fan backlash after video of his brief greeting with Andrew and Tristan Tate at UFC 327 in Miami spread rapidly across social media.

    Fieri said he was walking through Kaseya Center on April 11 to watch the fights when the Tate brothers stood up from their seats and said hello. He said the exchange was the first time he had ever encountered them.

    “I was there to see the fights and when I was walking through the venue, the Tate brothers stood up and said hello and that’s when the exchange happened,” Fieri wrote. “I did not know them or about them before that moment. I do not know the Tate brothers nor do I support them in any way.”

    What the Video Showed

    Footage shared widely on X and Threads shows Fieri leaning over a railing to shake hands and exchange a shoulder bump with Andrew Tate, smiling as the brief interaction plays out. The clip spread quickly after the event, drawing thousands of critical replies and calls to boycott the Food Network.

    Andrew Tate replied to Fieri’s statement thread with a GIF, offering no written response. Reaction to Fieri’s clarification was sharply divided, with critics questioning whether someone of Fieri’s public profile could genuinely not recognize one of the most prominent figures on social media, while others defended him for simply returning a greeting from a stranger in a crowded arena.

    The Tate Brothers’ Legal Background

    Andrew and Tristan Tate have not been convicted of any crime. Romanian prosecutors have charged both brothers with forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women, allegations they deny. Andrew also faces a civil trial in the United Kingdom on June 22 involving allegations of sexual violence and coercive control brought by four women, which he denies.

    A Romanian court lifted all travel restrictions on the brothers on April 6, just days before UFC 327, following years of legal proceedings that have repeatedly stalled.

    UFC Events as a Celebrity Flashpoint

    The incident adds to a growing list of off-cage storylines generated by the celebrity presence at major UFC pay-per-view events. UFC 327 also saw Jon Jones attend in person, fueling renewed conversation about his fighting future. President Donald Trump was also in attendance, continuing a pattern of high-profile appearances that began at UFC 314 last April.

    Fieri faced similar scrutiny in 2023 when photos surfaced of him greeting Trump ringside at UFC 290 in Las Vegas. As numbered cards continue to draw an increasingly prominent crowd, the sidebar stories they produce have become as reliable as the fights themselves.

    The UFC 327 main event saw Carlos Ulberg claim the vacant light heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka.

  • Ilia Topuria HBO Max Docuseries ‘Los Topuria’ Premieres June 14

    Ilia Topuria HBO Max Docuseries ‘Los Topuria’ Premieres June 14

    Ilia Topuria is getting his own docuseries. HBO Max announced that Los Topuria will premiere in June, consisting of three 50-minute episodes available globally across all territories where the streaming service operates.

    The series is produced by Señor Mono, the same Spanish production company behind Matador, the 2024 feature documentary that followed Topuria’s rise through the UFC culminating in his featherweight title win over Alexander Volkanovski. Where Matador was a retrospective, Los Topuria is pitched as something more ongoing and intimate, shot in real time around training camps, media tours, and family moments.

    “Two-time UFC world champion Ilia Topuria, his family, and his closest circle star in this new original production that invites the audience to follow the journey of the Georgian-Spanish fighter from the conquest of his first featherweight world championship belt to the present day,” the official HBO Max press release stated.

    The timing is deliberate. Topuria headlines the UFC White House event on June 14, where he faces Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout. HBO Max also holds exclusive broadcast rights to that event, making the docuseries a clean lead-in for the platform.

    Beyond the Octagon

    Per HBO Max’s promotional materials, the series aims to show Topuria as a father, son, brother, friend, and entrepreneur alongside his championship run. The production moves between gym sessions, business meetings, and home life, leaning into a family-first narrative that frames his inner circle as the foundation of his success.

    One question hovering over the series is how it addresses Topuria’s recent divorce, a development that postdates the original trailer for the project, which surfaced roughly nine months ago. Whether the production captures that chapter or sidesteps it entirely will likely be a talking point when the episodes drop.

    Topuria’s business profile has also expanded significantly during the period the series covers. His stake in WOW FC, a Spanish MMA promotion, drew global attention after Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a share in the league, with event attendance reportedly jumping over 400 percent year-over-year.

    Los Topuria premieres on HBO Max in June ahead of UFC Freedom 250 at the White House on June 14.

  • Trump Confirmed for UFC 327 in Miami This Saturday

    UFC CEO Dana White confirmed via streamer Adin Ross that President Donald Trump will attend UFC 327 this Saturday in Miami.

    The event takes place April 11 at the Kaseya Center, the same Miami venue where Trump attended UFC 314 last April, becoming the first sitting president to attend a UFC event.

    UFC 327 is headlined by a vacant light heavyweight title fight between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg, with the flyweight title on the line in the co-main as Joshua Van defends against Tatsuro Taira. The card is one of the most stacked of 2026.

    Trump’s relationship with the UFC runs deep. White introduced Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention, and the two are currently co-planning UFC Freedom Fights 250 at the White House on June 14, set to coincide with Trump’s 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary.