MMA News

Category: MMA

  • ‘Legendary’ – Jim Miller Extends UFC Wins Record At UFC 328

    ‘Legendary’ – Jim Miller Extends UFC Wins Record At UFC 328

    At 42 years old, Jim Miller continues to raise his legacy, adding to his UFC win record with a first-round submission of Jared Gordon during the UFC 328 prelims.

    Miller came right after Gordon with his striking, landing with quite a few heavy punches early. Gordon tried to pick up momentum by catching a kick from Miller, using it to execute a takedown.

    Miller, however, was ready, and he quickly locked up a guillotine choke, scoring the first-round submission.

    Jim Miller Submits Jared Gordon At UFC 329

    The win was Miller’s 39th of his MMA career and 28th in the UFC, extending the UFC record for most career wins.

    The New Jersey native is now 2-2 in his last four and 4-2 in his last six.

    Gordon, meanwhile, is now winless in four of his last six.

  • 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.

  • UFC 328 Results: Chimaev vs Strickland Live Updates & Highlights

    MMA News updates UFC 328 results and highlights live as the action unfolds from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event will feature Khamzat Chimaev defending the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Chimaev vs Strickland: Middleweight Title Fight

    The undefeated Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable in the sport, especially since his 2020 UFC debut. Tonight marks Chimaev’s first UFC title defense after defeating Dricus Du Plessis to become the middleweight champion at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland enters this fight with five wins in his last seven fights, including a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston. This marks his fourth middleweight title fight in his last six bouts. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the belt at UFC 293 but dropped the title to Du Plessis at UFC 297. He then lost a rematch with DDP at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also feature gold at stake, as Joshua Van puts the UFC flyweight championship on the line against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van has won six straight and is 9-1 in the UFC. This is his first title defense since winning the title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. On that same card, Taira, who is 18-1 in his MMA career, scored a finish of former champion Brandon Moreno.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 328!

    How to Watch UFC 328

    • Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
    • Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
    • Streaming: Paramount+
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 328 Quick Results

    • Main: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland — Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)
    • Co-Main: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira — Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)
    • Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta — Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley — Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)
    • King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens — King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    UFC 328 Results & Highlights

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Flyweight: Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev def. Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:12)

    Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Middleweight: Roman Kopylov def. Marco Tulio via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Jim Miller def. Jared Gordon via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 3:29)

    Lightweight: Grant Dawson def. Mateusz Rebecki via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:42)

    Welterweight: Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 1:13)

    Middleweight: Ateba Gautier def. Ozzy Diaz via KO (Rd. 2, 1:10)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Lightweight: King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)

    Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)

    Middleweight Championship: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)

  • UFC Freedom 250 Face-Offs

    UFC Freedom 250 Face-Offs

    The UFC held its first press conference for UFC Freedom 250 on Friday in Newark, New Jersey, with all 14 fighters on the June 14 White House card in attendance and face-offs between the main and co-main event competitors taking center stage.

    Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje headlined the staredowns as they prepare for their title unification bout, which will determine the undisputed lightweight champion. Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane also faced off ahead of their interim heavyweight title fight in the co-main event.

    Twelve of the 14 fighters participated in staredowns at the press conference itself. The main and co-main event fighters had previously faced off earlier in the week during a promotional appearance on the White House lawn, making Friday’s event a second look at the matchups that will headline the historic card.

    You can watch the full press conference on the UFC’s YouTube channel.

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C., streaming on Paramount+.

  • Ilia Topuria Says Tsarukyan’s Words Mean Nothing: ‘You Don’t Take the Words of a Child Personally’

    Ilia Topuria Says Tsarukyan’s Words Mean Nothing: ‘You Don’t Take the Words of a Child Personally’

    Ilia Topuria is not losing any sleep over Arman Tsarukyan’s role as the official backup fighter for UFC Freedom 250, and he made his feelings about the situation abundantly clear at Friday’s press conference in Newark.

    Speaking during a media scrum, Topuria was asked about Tsarukyan’s presence and whether the rivalry between the two makes things feel more personal heading into fight week.

    “It absolutely doesn’t matter to me. The only thing that’s important to me is that everything goes smoothly. No matter what, I’ll be in that cage. Whether they put Justin, Arman, or you in front of me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be there, and the outcome will be the same for everyone.”

    When a follow-up question suggested Tsarukyan had made things personal, Topuria dismissed the premise entirely.

    “Personal? You don’t take the words of a child personally. Arman can say whatever he wants, he can dedicate his whole day to me. What can I say? I don’t take anything personally. You have to be a little stupid to take things personally.”

    Dana White confirmed Tsarukyan’s backup role earlier this week, meaning the Armenian contender will step in to face either Topuria or Gaethje if either man is forced to withdraw from the card before fight night.

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C.

  • Fighter Removed From UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference After Topuria Incident

    Fighter Removed From UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference After Topuria Incident

    Josh Hokit turned the UFC Freedom 250 press conference into something nobody in attendance was expecting on Friday, getting ejected from the event after a confrontation with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria that required security intervention and ended with Hokit being escorted out of the building.

    Hokit, a late addition to the card facing Derrick Lewis in a preliminary heavyweight bout, entered the press conference in character and began directing rhymes and insults at Lewis in his usual style. Lewis showed no reaction. Hokit then turned his attention to Alex Pereira, who was similarly unbothered. That is when Topuria, seated next to Pereira, decided he had heard enough.

    As Hokit continued targeting Pereira with insults, Topuria spoke out against the behavior. That prompted Hokit to redirect at the lightweight champion directly.

    “Fk you, you fing little bh! I’m the real BMF belt! Little short midget! Come up to a real weight class! I’ll give it to anybody! I don’t give a fk!”

    Topuria rose from his seat as though prepared to get physical with the heavyweight. Security stepped in before the two could reach each other, and the situation appeared to settle momentarily. It reignited when Topuria threw an object toward Hokit, prompting security to escort Hokit out of the event entirely.

    After Hokit left, Pereira and Topuria shook hands, and Dana White brought the press conference to a close. Derrick Lewis got one final word in before the stage cleared for faceoffs.

    “I got him.”

    Because of his ejection, Hokit and Lewis did not face off at the event. You can watch the confrontation below: 

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C., streaming on Paramount+.

  • WATCH: Ilia Topuria And Josh Hokit Nearly Throw Down Before Security Intervention At UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference

    WATCH: Ilia Topuria And Josh Hokit Nearly Throw Down Before Security Intervention At UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference

    UFC Freedom 250’s press conference in Newark completely descended into chaos after heavyweight contender Josh Hokit launched into an explosive tirade aimed at multiple fighters on stage before security was forced to remove him from the event.

    The press conference, held Friday at the Prudential Center ahead of the historic White House card on June 14, initially followed the usual format as fighters answered questions. But things spiraled once Hokit grabbed the microphone.

    The outspoken heavyweight, who is scheduled to face Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250, first began directing trash talk toward Alex Pereira. “Poatan”, however, appeared largely unfazed by the comments and barely reacted as Hokit attempted to provoke him.

    As Hokit continued ranting, Ilia Topuria interrupted from his seat, which immediately sent the situation into chaos.

    “I’m gonna Chama on yo mama,” Hokit shouted while pointing toward Pereira. “Look how I speak to him, like my dog, like my b*tch. F*uck you.”

    “El Matador” immediately fired back from his seat.

    “F*ck you, little b*tch. Sit down,” the reiging lightweight champion responded.

    Security Forced To Intervene After Josh Hokit And Ilia Topuria Nearly Clash

    Instead of backing down, Hokit continued jawing at Topuria and pushed the confrontation even further.

    “Ilia Topuria you shouldn’t find your wife in Miami,” Hokit yelled, triggering an immediate reaction inside the room.

    The two fighters quickly rose from their seats and came face-to-face before security rushed in to separate them. Multiple guards surrounded the stage as tensions escalated, eventually escorting Hokit out before the press conference could completely unravel.

    The heavyweight contender was removed so abruptly that he never even got the opportunity to face off with Lewis afterward.

    UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled to take place on June 14 in Washington, D.C., with Topuria set to headline the event against Justin Gaethje while Pereira faces Ciryl Gane in the co-main event for the interim heavyweight championship.

  • Dana White Puts Chimaev vs. Strickland in His Top Three All-Time UFC Feuds

    Dana White Puts Chimaev vs. Strickland in His Top Three All-Time UFC Feuds

    Dana White has placed the Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland rivalry among the worst cases of bad blood in UFC history, ranking it third on his all-time list after an extraordinary press conference on Thursday in Newark that ended with Chimaev kicking Strickland during their faceoff.

    Speaking on Nina Drama’s Kick stream following the press conference, White gave his full take on where the feud sits historically.

    “It was what I expected. It was great. Highly anticipated fight, finally going to happen on Saturday. All that really matters is that the fight is a good fight. But sometimes, guys are very respectful, and they’re chill and whatever. And sometimes they’re today. The great thing about press conferences is there’s a wide range. It’s not all the same sh*t all the time. But for this one, this is one of the worst cases of bad blood ever. I put it No. 2 on the all-time list.”

    He then reconsidered when prompted to recall the full history between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, which included a legitimate fistfight in the lobby of the MGM Grand while guests were checking in.

    “Jones and Cormier is a good one. That’s a good point. Complete fistfight in the middle of the MGM Grand. Actually, you’re right. That’s probably No. 2. I forgot there was a fist fight in the lobby of the MGM while people were checking into their hotel. I would put Chimaev vs. Strickland at 3.”

    The number one spot belongs to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, a rivalry that produced the bus window incident in Brooklyn and the post-fight brawl at UFC 229 when Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage. White was clear about why nothing else tops that.

    “Conor-Khabib No. 1. And the only reason Conor-Khabib is No. 1 is Brooklyn, and then what happened after the fight. We made some mistakes, obviously, leading up to that fight and after that fight. And we won’t do that again.”

    White also mentioned Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans as well as Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock as rivalries worthy of inclusion in any extended top five conversation. On the faceoff incident itself, White acknowledged he did not anticipate Chimaev going that far while holding the champion back.

    “I had his arm, Khamzat’s arms, and I didn’t think he’d kick him. I didn’t think he was going to do anything. I thought it was going to be a lot of yelling and back-and-forth. That’s the most we will fail this weekend. That’s the most we will fail.”

  • Joaquin Buckley Calls His UFC 328 Fight Against Sean Brady ‘Match Made in Heaven’

    Joaquin Buckley Calls His UFC 328 Fight Against Sean Brady ‘Match Made in Heaven’

    Joaquin Buckley has spent 11 months away from the Octagon, reflecting, growing, and preparing for what he views as a statement moment, and he is arriving at UFC 328 with the conviction that Saturday night’s bout against Sean Brady marks the beginning of a world title run.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of the Newark card, Buckley addressed the lengthy absence with characteristic positivity, framing everything that happened in the gap, including the loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta last June, as part of a larger process.

    “Everything a blessing in disguise, brother. Everything’s a blessing in disguise. I like how you put that. It’s been busy. I’ve been keeping myself busy when it comes to just the small things, man. I had some losses in my career. Even though I took an L, man, I went to RAF and did that as well, man, going up against Pat Downey, just being able to do some random stuff, man. But things that I think really, kind of, applied great experience, that I could take with me into the octagon. So there’s been a lot of great things that happened in this past 10, 11 months now.”

    Buckley’s 2024 campaign was one of the year’s best stories in MMA, culminating in back-to-back finishes of Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. The Usman loss interrupted that momentum, but did not derail his belief in where he is headed.

    He described the Brady matchup as ideal for both fighters at this stage of their respective trajectories, with both men looking to reassert themselves in a loaded welterweight division after suffering setbacks.

    “To be honest with you, man, this is going to be one of those good type of fights that I’ll get everything just flowing. But Sean Brady, I know that he’s not going to be no scrub. I know that he’s not going to be no punk. He’s going to go out there and make it a fight, and he’s going to try to look for his takedowns and look for his clinch opportunities, and that’s what we’re looking for. We want to get close. No rush, no picking of the fighters or my own willing to fight somebody different. I think Sean Brady and myself is a match made in heaven. That’s all I’m going to say: It’s a match made in heaven. After this fight, he definitely got to unblock me on social media, man. He blocked me. He still got me blocked. But I respect him because at the end of the day, I can’t do what I want to do without an opponent, and obviously, he signed that contract, so I have nothing but respect for that man once we step in there.”

    Buckley was equally clear about what he believes Saturday night ultimately represents, both for his career and for the fans watching.

    “I feel like the headline is going to be a reintroduction of Joaquin Buckley for the UFC and Paramount. I’m being reintroduced to a new fan base since being out for 11 months, and I truly believe that this is the time that I really get to prove to the world who I am and what I’m capable of doing, and truthfully, why I will be the next world champion in the welterweight division. So it’s a reintroduction to Joaquin Buckley in the UFC.”

    UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Cody Garbrandt Returns at UFC 329

    Cody Garbrandt Returns at UFC 329

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is returning at International Fight Week, with multiple sources confirming to MMA Fighting that he will face Adrian Yanez at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    Garbrandt most recently defeated Xiao Long by unanimous decision at UFC 326 in March, getting back in the win column after a submission loss to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300 in April 2024 and a decision defeat to Raoni Barcelos at UFC Atlanta last June. Since winning the bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 in December 2016, Garbrandt has gone 4-7 inside the Octagon.

    Yanez had one of the most impressive starts to a UFC career in recent memory after earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, winning his first five promotional bouts and collecting performance bonuses in all five. Since then his results have been inconsistent, with one win in his last five appearances. His most recent outing ended in a controversial majority draw against Ricky Simon at UFC Seattle.

    UFC 329 takes place July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is expected to be headlined by Conor McGregor’s return against Max Holloway.

  • UFC Boss Dana White Says Men Shouldn’t Publicly Share Their Emotional Struggles Online

    UFC Boss Dana White Says Men Shouldn’t Publicly Share Their Emotional Struggles Online

    Dana White is drawing heavy backlash online after making controversial comments about men’s mental health and modern masculinity during a recent podcast appearance.

    Speaking on The Katie Miller Podcast, White criticized what he described as the growing culture of men publicly discussing emotional struggles on social media.

    The longtime UFC boss argued that men are expected to serve as providers and leaders for their families, suggesting that openly sharing personal hardships online projects weakness. Dana White also weighed in on the ” toxic masculinity ” debate.

    “I hate this whole men’s mental health stuff that they talk about,” White said. “Unfortunately, when you’re a man, you are the provider, you can’t be that guy posting on social media, ‘Oh I had a bad day and I’m so sad.’ It’s unattractive to other males, let alone women.”

    The comments quickly sparked debate across social media, with many criticizing White for discouraging men from speaking openly about mental health issues. Others defended the UFC CEO, arguing he was emphasizing personal responsibility and traditional masculinity rather than dismissing mental health entirely.

    Dana White Also Weighed In On “Toxic Masculinity” Debate

    The conversation expanded beyond mental health as White discussed what he sees as the changing role of young men in modern society. Referencing the COVID era and broader cultural shifts, he claimed many men have felt “displaced” in recent years.

    “These young men, I think, we went through COVID and the whole woke era and all the weird sh*t that went on during that period,” White said. “A lot of the young males felt displaced.”

    The UFC head honcho also mocked criticism surrounding so-called “toxic masculinity,” a term frequently associated with online debates about gender roles and modern male culture.

    “I grew up in the 80s when men were men,” White said. “Now it’s a whole other world out there.”

    During the discussion, podcast host Katie Miller suggested many women still ultimately want men who fulfill traditional protector and provider roles. White agreed strongly with that viewpoint.

    “It is never, ever going to change,” White said. “I don’t care how powerful a woman is, what she does. Women want to be taken care of, treated right, and they want to feel safe. It’s a man’s job to do all that.”

  • TKO President Says UFC Has “Never Been Stronger” Despite Fans Complaining About Recent Fight Cards Quality

    TKO President Says UFC Has “Never Been Stronger” Despite Fans Complaining About Recent Fight Cards Quality

    Mark Shapiro is dismissing growing criticism surrounding the UFC’s recent run of events, insisting the promotion remains stronger than ever despite increasing complaints from fans about card quality.

    Over the past several months, frustration has steadily built online regarding UFC matchmaking, particularly with smaller Fight Night cards and the growing number of relatively unknown fighters appearing on major events. The criticism has only intensified since the UFC began its new broadcast era with Paramount earlier this year.

    Still, Shapiro made it clear during a recent TKO financial call that the company does not believe the product has declined.

    “Look, bottom line is we don’t buy it,” Shapiro said. “Let’s just start with this premise. The product is great at the UFC, the brand has never been stronger, our reach has never been greater, so the foundational elements of UFC are in concrete.”

    TKO Believes UFC Is Simply Entering New Era Of Stars

    Shapiro pointed to recent events like UFC 327 and the UFC’s Perth card as examples of why the company remains confident in the direction of the promotion.

    “Anyone that came to our last numbered fight in Miami, which was UFC 327, was flat-out blown away,” Shapiro said. “Or anyone that went to our last Fight Night, which happened to be last week in Perth, Australia.”

    Rather than seeing the current roster transition as a weakness, Shapiro argued that the UFC is in the middle of building its next generation of stars.

    “We are always building in the UFC,” he said. “We find the best up-and-coming talent around the world and we match them continually in the best fights.”

    Shapiro specifically highlighted rising names such as Joshua Van, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales as examples of the promotion’s future direction.

    “There’s a huge movement right now with all these young fighters coming up in the ranks,” Shapiro said. “Many of them are taking over slots in the top 10 from guys that have been names in the rankings for years.”

    He also referenced the UFC’s upcoming White House event, UFC Freedom 250, which is expected to be one of the biggest cards of the year and will feature lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event.

    “It’s all very cyclical,” Shapiro added while addressing the criticism. “With any sport, there’s natural ebbs and flows.”

  • Henry Cejudo Shares Controversial Opinion On Alex Pereira’s Place In UFC History

    Henry Cejudo Shares Controversial Opinion On Alex Pereira’s Place In UFC History

    Henry Cejudo believes Alex Pereira is already building one of the greatest résumés in UFC history, but he still isn’t ready to place “Poatan” at the very top of the all-time list.

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Cejudo and Kamaru Usman discussed what the Brazilian’s legacy could look like if he defeats Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House on June 14.

    A victory would potentially make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships across three different weight classes after previously winning titles at middleweight and light heavyweight.

    Despite acknowledging the magnitude of that achievement, “Triple C” stopped short of calling Pereira the greatest fighter ever.

    “He’s in the top 5 greatest of all time,” Cejudo said.

    Henry Cejudo Questions Alex Pereira’s Path To UFC titles

    When Usman pushed back and suggested that becoming a three-division champion should automatically place Pereira at No. 1, Cejudo argued that Pereira’s road to championship opportunities differs from many of the sport’s legendary figures.

    “No, because there’s a big difference because he was kind of pushed to the title at 185,” Cejudo said. “He was pushed to the title at light heavyweight. And now he’s being pushed to the title.”

    “It’s different when you actually run through the weight class like you did, like Jon Jones did, that sh*t is f*cking hard,” he continued. “Now, if you’re able to do that, go up, run through the next one, go up, run through that next one, that’s a big difference. I’m not hating, I’m just telling the truth.”

    Still, Pereira’s accomplishments since joining the UFC have been remarkable.

    After arriving from kickboxing in 2021, “Poatan” rapidly climbed through the middleweight division before knocking out Israel Adesanya to win the 185-pound title. He later moved to light heavyweight, where he captured another championship and scored high-profile victories over fighters such as Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

  • UFC Veteran Explains Why Alex Pereira Could Struggle in Heavyweight Debut Against Ciryl Gane

    UFC Veteran Explains Why Alex Pereira Could Struggle in Heavyweight Debut Against Ciryl Gane

    Alexander Volkov isn’t fully convinced that Alex Pereira’s highly anticipated move to heavyweight will go as smoothly as many fans expect.

    The former two-division champion is set to make his heavyweight debut on June 14 at UFC Freedom Fights 250, where he’ll face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship while undisputed titleholder Tom Aspinall continues recovering from an eye injury.

    While much of the MMA world has rallied behind the Brazilian’s pursuit of a third UFC title in a new division, Volkov believes Gane’s style could create serious problems for “Poatan.”

    Speaking during UFC 328 media day in Newark, “Drago” explained why he currently favors the French heavyweight in the matchup.

    “Honestly, Ciryl is more favorite right now,” Volkov said. “He has really great footwork. I respect Alex Pereira and his power, but I don’t know how he will show up in the heavyweight division, and I don’t know how he will do with Ciryl Gane’s style in the octagon

    Alexander Volkov Questions Whether Alex Pereira Can Solve Ciryl Gane’s Movement

    Volkov pointed specifically to Gane’s mobility and movement-heavy striking approach as a potential nightmare matchup for Pereira.

    “Because Pereira needs to pressure the guy and work on counterattacks, and Ciryl Gane don’t give him the opportunity,” Volkov said. “He just punches and kicks and moves a lot. It’s a hard thing for Alex Pereira to solve in the fight. I’m not sure he can do this.”

    Volkov’s opinion carries weight, given his own history with Gane. The Russian heavyweight fought the former interim champion back in 2024 and lost a razor-close split decision, many observers felt could have gone the other way.

    Outside of that defeat, Volkov has quietly built one of the strongest recent runs in the heavyweight division, winning five of his last six fights heading into his UFC 328 clash with Waldo Cortes-Acosta this weekend.

  • Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White has once again made it clear that Dillon Danis is not welcome anywhere near the UFC, especially during one of the most volatile fight weeks the promotion has seen in years.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s KICK stream, White joked — while also sounding genuinely cautious — about the possibility of Danis showing up at UFC 328 in Newark this weekend amid the already explosive tensions surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    “Dillon, if you show up on Saturday, maybe the Muslim Brotherhood will be so focused on you they won’t be able to go after Sean,” White said.

    The comment comes as security has already been heavily increased throughout UFC 328 fight week following repeated hostile exchanges between Chimaev and Strickland.

    The two middleweights nearly erupted into a physical altercation during Thursday’s press conference, where “Borz” kicked Strickland during an intense faceoff that immediately triggered a massive security response.

    UFC 322 Crowd Brawl Still Hangs Over Dillon Danis

    White’s warning also ties directly back to the chaos that unfolded at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden late last year.

    During the event, “El Jefe” became involved in a massive crowd brawl linked to members of Islam Makhachev’s entourage after allegedly provoking them cageside. Videos from the incident appeared to show multiple people throwing punches inside the packed arena.

    Several fighters connected to Team Makhachev were reportedly involved in the altercation, including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, also known online as “John Pork.”

    The UFC CEO later publicly blamed Danis for the incident and announced that the polarizing fighter would never attend another UFC event again.

  • Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    We are now just one day shy of UFC 328, which will see the highly intense middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Get the latest from all of today’s weigh-ins in New Jersey here with MMANews!

    This will be the first title defense for Chimaev, who has been seemingly unstoppable since he arrived in the UFC in 2020. Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis to win the middleweight title at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland comes into this title fight off his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston three months ago. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293 but dropped the belt to Du Plessis at UFC 297. Strickland lost again to DDP in a championship rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also have gold at stake when Joshua Van defends the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van had a memorable 2025, culminating in him defeating Alexandre Pantoja via injury to become the champion at UFC 323 this past December. The one-loss Taira, meanwhile, earned this title shot by finishing former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    UFC 328 Official And Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    You can find the YouTube video to view the UFC’s official UFC 328 Morning Weigh-In Show below.

    The Morning Weigh-In show begins at 8:50am ET/5:50am PT.

    You can watch the UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In in the video player below.

    The UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In begins at 6pm ET/3pm PT.

  • Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira is backing Sean Strickland to shock the MMA world this weekend at UFC 328.

    Strickland enters Saturday’s main event in Newark as a sizable underdog against undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, but Pereira believes his former opponent and training partner has the tools to make things extremely difficult for “Borz.”

    During the UFC 328 Countdown, “Poatan” reflected on how his perception of Strickland changed after sharing the Octagon and later training with him.

    “Before our fight, I saw him differently,” Pereira said. “But once he stepped into the octagon, you could see it on his face. He was a different guy. He’s a warrior.”

    The Brazilian knockout artist famously stopped Strickland at UFC 276 to earn his shot at the middleweight title. But after the fight, the two eventually developed mutual respect and spent time training together at the UFC Performance Institute.

    “The first time we trained together was after our fight,” Pereira explained. “I learned a lot from those sessions. He’s got a lot of experience. He knows his craft.”

    Alex Pereira Believes Sean Strickland’s Jab Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev

    Pereira specifically pointed to Strickland’s relentless pressure and jab-heavy style as key weapons heading into the title fight.

    “He’s always moving forward, firing that jab,” Pereira said. “That’s a great weapon he has.”

    The former two-division UFC champion also offered strategic advice for how Strickland can potentially neutralize Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy attack.

    “He’s got to stay composed, keep pressing forward, stay alert, watch out for the takedowns, and use his jab and front kick,” Pereira said. “I’m really excited and motivated for this fight, and I hope he gets the win.”

    While “Poatan” is focused on supporting Strickland this weekend, he also has a historic opportunity looming next month.

    On June 14, Pereira is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C. A victory would make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships across three different divisions since joining the promotion in 2021.


  • UFC 328’s Jeremy Stephens Questions Why Promotion Isn’t Giving Fighters $500,000 Bonuses

    UFC 328’s Jeremy Stephens Questions Why Promotion Isn’t Giving Fighters $500,000 Bonuses

    Jeremy Stephens isn’t convinced the UFC’s newly increased bonus payouts are nearly enough, especially considering how much bigger the company has become since the start of his career.

    Ahead of his UFC 328 showdown against King Green this weekend in Newark, Stephens spoke candidly about fighter compensation during an interview with Full Send MMA.

    The longtime UFC veteran, who made his promotional debut back in 2007, argued that the promotion’s current $100,000 post-fight bonuses still fail to reflect the UFC’s financial growth over the years.

    “Now it is just corporations,” Stephens said. “They are like, here you go, $50 gs here, $50 gs here, and now it is $100 gs, but they were already doing that in 2007 at UFC 71 when I started my UFC career.”

    “Lil’ Heathen” questioned why bonus money has not scaled more dramatically despite the UFC becoming a multi-billion-dollar business.

    “So what the fu*k happened to the money?” Stephens asked. “Where is the budget guy on this, because the UFC is making all this money? Why aren’t we getting $500,000 bonuses?”

    Jeremy Stephens Misses Old “Dana Duffle Bag” Era

    While the UFC recently doubled its standard performance bonuses under the Paramount era, Stephens suggested fighters were often rewarded more generously behind the scenes in previous years.

    “You are basically giving out what you gave out thirty years ago,” Stephens said. “For me, that doesn’t make sense; it is just really corporate. Back in the day, it was the ‘Dana duffle bag,’ bring back the good old days.”

    The 39-year-old Iowa native also reflected on how sponsorship changes altered relationships between fighters and brands. Before exclusive outfitting deals with companies like Reebok and later Venum, fighters were allowed to secure and display their own sponsors inside the Octagon.

    “Before the UFC sponsors took over, I had my own sponsors,” Stephens explained. “I had relationships, communication, and networking. There was so much more availability that opened up bigger platforms.”

    “Now I get a check from someone I don’t even know,” he continued. “I kinda miss that intimate relationship you have with the sponsors and their families.”

  • Tatsuro Taira Plans To End Japan’s Long Wait For UFC Champion With Potential Win At UFC 328

    Tatsuro Taira Plans To End Japan’s Long Wait For UFC Champion With Potential Win At UFC 328

    Tatsuro Taira believes he has the opportunity to accomplish something no Japanese fighter has ever achieved inside the UFC.

    This Saturday at UFC 328, Taira will challenge Joshua Van for the flyweight title in the co-main event at the Prudential Center in Newark. Despite entering as the challenger, oddsmakers currently favor “The Best” to leave New Jersey with championship gold.

    For the 25-year-old contender, the fight represents far more than a personal milestone.

    “It’s my dream and also Japanese fans’,” Taira said during UFC 328 media day. “Japanese fans have been waiting for the UFC belt. I will win and bring the UFC belt back to Japan. I’m ready to seize this opportunity.”

    Tatsuro Taira Looking To Make UFC History For Japan

    Japan has produced some of the most influential fighters in MMA history, but the country has never crowned an undisputed UFC champion despite several close attempts over the years.

    Seasoned veterans such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Kai Asakura, and Yushin Okami all came close to reaching the top of the UFC mountain, but none were ultimately able to capture a title.

    “The Best” now has the chance to change that.

    The Japanese standout enters UFC 328 with an impressive 18-1 professional record and an 8-1 mark inside the UFC. His lone career defeat came in a narrow decision loss to Brandon Royval in 2024

    Since then, Taira has continued building momentum and most recently earned a statement victory to secure his title shot against Van.

    Beyond winning the championship, Taira also hopes his success could help bring the UFC back to Japan for the first time in nearly a decade.

    “I must be the person,” Taira said. “After I win the belt, I want to help bring a big, big UFC event to Japan.”

    The UFC last held an event in Japan back in 2017, and Taira believes becoming champion could reignite the promotion’s presence in one of MMA’s most historic markets.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev may already be looking beyond the middleweight division before even making his first title defense.

    The undefeated champion is set to headline UFC 328 this weekend against bitter rival Sean Strickland in Newark, New Jersey. But during fight week, Chimaev hinted that Saturday night could potentially mark his final appearance at 185 pounds.

    When asked by reporters whether the Strickland fight might be his last middleweight bout, Chimaev gave a humorous but revealing answer.

    “I hope so,” Chimaev said. “I like to eat pizza. We will see.”

    Khamzat Chimaev Targeting Bigger Fights After UFC 328

    While Chimaev remains focused on settling his grudge with Strickland, he made it clear that future plans already include possible moves to light heavyweight — or even heavyweight.

    The undefeated Chechen specifically mentioned Alex Pereira as one of the names he’s interested in fighting if “Poatan” returns to 205 pounds following his upcoming interim heavyweight title clash with Ciryl Gane at the White House event in June.

    “I just want big fights,” Chimaev explained. “Alex Pereira, if he gonna lose to Ciryl Gane, he gonna come back down. He’s big fight too, big name. If not, I’m gonna go to heavyweight.”

    “I need big names, big money,” he added.

    Chimaev also suggested he no longer sees many compelling challenges remaining at middleweight. With contenders like Nassourdine Imavov already holding losses to Strickland, the champion questioned whether continuing to defend the belt against the same cycle of contenders would truly add to his legacy.

    “Even Sean is not a big thing for me because the guy I beat before him for all five rounds — Dricus du Plessis beat him twice,” Chimaev said. “If I stay here, I beat Sean, and then I beat Nassourdine Imavov — Imavov got beat by Sean — what’s the point? Are we just going around in circles playing Russian Roulette?”

  • UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    King Green says he’s entering UFC 328 carrying far more frustration than usual after allegedly losing $300,000 worth of jewelry in what he described as a betrayal by an ex-girlfriend.

    Speaking during Wednesday’s UFC 328 media day in Newark, Green unexpectedly opened up about the situation while discussing his motivation heading into Saturday’s lightweight matchup against Jeremy Stephens.

    “I just lost $300,000 in jewelry,” Green revealed. “So I got to make up and get some more monies. I’m hot right now, bro. I’ve really been through a lot right now lately. It’s been a real dark path.”

    The veteran fighter later explained that the alleged theft happened shortly after moving into a new home. According to Green, an ex-girlfriend contacted him asking for financial help due to a family emergency.

    “I had an ex-girlfriend, she was basically hitting me up saying, somebody died and she needed some money to help her and stuff,” Green said. “I help people, I take care of people.”

    King Green Says Alleged Theft Left Him Unable To Sleep

    The 39-year-old Californian claimed he allowed her to stop by the house while he headed out for training, unaware that his jewelry collection had been left inside instead of his vehicle, where he normally keeps it.

    “So, I let her come by, gave her a little money and stuff, trying to help her out,” Green said. “I left to go to practice. I left my jewelry in the house. I just bought a new house, I’m in the house maybe a week.”

    “I normally keep it in my car because I know I’m with some crazy motherfu*ker, and she took everything.”

    The incident appears to have deeply affected the longtime UFC veteran emotionally as well as financially.

    “Bro, I couldn’t sleep for like five days, driving around looking for my sh*t,” Green said. “It’s been fu*king dark, bro, it’s been real dark.”

    Despite the turmoil outside the cage, Green enters UFC 328 riding a two-fight winning streak and remains a betting favorite against Stephens. He also made it clear that the financial loss has added extra urgency to his fighting schedule moving forward.

    “I need all that and some more,” Green said while discussing potential bonus money at UFC 328. “I’m that mad, I’m that pissed. I need that and more, so I plan on coming right back to work after this and do another one.”

  • Dana White Provides Most Definitive Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Update Yet

    Dana White Provides Most Definitive Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Update Yet

    Dana White appears more optimistic than ever about Conor McGregor finally making his long-awaited UFC return later this year.

    After years of uncertainty surrounding the former UFC two-division champion’s comeback timeline, White delivered one of his strongest public statements yet during a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, insisting that the Irish superstar is on track to fight this summer.

    “Conor will fight this summer,” White said definitively.

    The statement marks a significant shift in tone compared to previous updates from the UFC boss, who had often stopped short of offering firm timelines regarding McGregor’s future. This time, White repeatedly emphasized his confidence that the Irishman is actively preparing for a return.

    “We’re in a great place with Conor,” White said. “I’m extremely confident that Conor will fight this year. I’m extremely confident that we’ll get him dialed in and ready to roll. He’s training. There’s footage out there of him training right now.”

    UFC 329 Increasingly Linked To Conor McGregor Return

    While White did not officially announce an opponent or event, speculation continues to intensify around a possible showdown between McGregor and Max Holloway at UFC 329 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on July 11.

    “Blessed” recently acknowledged the rumors himself, admitting he has been preparing for the possibility of facing “The Notorious”, though he also noted that no contract had been finalized.

    McGregor has not fought since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier back in 2021. Since then, repeated comeback discussions have failed to materialize into an actual booking.

    White admitted he believed a return would happen last year before plans ultimately fell apart.

    “I thought it would happen last year. It didn’t,” White said. “I’m extremely confident it will happen this summer.

    “He seems motivated, he’s training. There are a lot of other great things going on behind the scenes that make me very confident he’ll fight this summer.”

  • Dana White Confirms Arman Tsarukyan As Official Backup Fighter For Historic UFC Freedom 250 Headliner

    Dana White Confirms Arman Tsarukyan As Official Backup Fighter For Historic UFC Freedom 250 Headliner

    Arman Tsarukyan officially has a major assignment lined up for the UFC’s historic White House card.

    During a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s stream, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Tsarukyan will serve as the official backup fighter for the lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.

    The event, scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., is expected to be one of the most ambitious productions in UFC history. The card will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States and is set to feature a custom-built outdoor arena with thousands of attendees on site, including military personnel and invited guests.

    With the main event carrying massive stakes, the UFC appears determined to avoid any last-minute complications by securing one of the division’s top contenders as a replacement option.

    Arman Tsarukyan Remains Ready While Waiting For UFC Return

    Although Tsarukyan has not competed inside the Octagon since defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar in November, the Armenian contender has remained highly active outside traditional MMA competition.

    The No. 2-ranked lightweight has recently focused on grappling and wrestling, competing at multiple RAF events while staying in fighting shape. Most recently, he picked up a technical fall victory over former UFC champion Urijah Faber at RAF 08.

    Tsarukyan is also scheduled to compete again later this month against influencer wrestler Mugzy at RAF 09 before appearing at another RAF event in June featuring Tony Ferguson.

    Despite the outside commitments, Tsarukyan has consistently made it clear that his priority remains the UFC lightweight title picture. He had previously volunteered to serve as a backup for major championship fights, including last year’s UFC 317 main event.


  • VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland nearly turned the UFC 328 press conference into complete chaos on Thursday evening after a heated faceoff ended with the reigning middleweight champion kicking his upcoming opponent in front of a packed crowd in Newark.

    The two middleweights finally came face-to-face publicly for the first time since their long-discussed sparring sessions became a major talking point in MMA circles. But any hopes of a calm press conference quickly disappeared once both fighters walked onto the stage at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center complex.

    Even before taking their seats, “Borz” and Strickland immediately began verbally firing at each other while security personnel positioned themselves closely between the two men.

    The UFC had already increased security measures for the event following days of escalating threats and hostile exchanges between the rivals, with multiple police officers visible throughout the venue.

    Heavy Security Struggles To Contain Chaotic UFC 328 Faceoff

    The tension inside the building continued to rise throughout the press conference as Strickland launched into several profanity-filled tirades directed at “Borz”. The champion repeatedly responded from across the stage while security remained on high alert during the entire presser.

    The atmosphere reached another level once the official faceoffs began.

    As the two fighters squared up for photos following the press conference, Chimaev suddenly kicked Strickland, instantly triggering a swarm of security officers and police who rushed in to separate the pair before the situation escalated further.

    The chaotic scene only added to what has already become one of the UFC’s most volatile fight-week buildups in recent memory. UFC CEO Dana White compared the hostility surrounding the matchup to some of the biggest grudge fights in promotional history.

    Saturday’s UFC 328 main event will see the undefeated Chechen attempt to make the first defense of his middleweight title against the outspoken former champion.