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  • WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    Heightened security measures are already visible ahead of the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference as tensions continue to escalate between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    Videos circulating on social media from the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at the Prudential Center showed an unusually large police presence before Thursday’s press conference even began.

    Additional footage also revealed the UFC seating Chimaev and Strickland noticeably far apart on stage, a clear sign the promotion is taking extra precautions before Saturday’s middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.

    The UFC 328 press conference is expected to feature all four championship fighters from this weekend’s pay-per-view card, including flyweight champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira. But much of the attention has centered on the increasingly hostile feud between Chimaev and Strickland.

    UFC Ramps Up Security Amid Escalating Threats

    The buildup to the fight has taken a darker tone in recent days after both men made alarming comments regarding potential confrontations outside the cage.

    “Borz” previously suggested that he and members of his team could confront Strickland during fight week, while Strickland responded by referencing “stand your ground” laws and implying he would defend himself with a firearm if necessary.

    That exchange appears to have prompted the UFC to significantly tighten security around both fighters throughout the week.

    According to reports from Newark, several uniformed Morristown police officers have been assigned to the event in an effort to prevent any physical altercations before fight night. Extra coordination has also reportedly been implemented whenever Strickland moves through media areas or backstage sections of the venue.

    Strickland recently claimed that his primary concern is not Chimaev himself, but the possibility of being confronted by the champion’s large entourage during fight week.

    Meanwhile, Chimaev hinted that Strickland is staying separately from the rest of the UFC roster, further fueling speculation about how seriously the promotion is treating the situation behind the scenes.

  • Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus du Plessis believes a lot of people may be underestimating Sean Strickland heading into his title clash with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.

    Chimaev enters Saturday’s main event at the Prudential Center in Newark as a sizable betting favorite while preparing for the first defense of the middleweight belt he captured from Du Plessis at UFC 319 last year.

    But despite losing his title to “Borz”, Du Plessis isn’t convinced the matchup is as one-sided as many expect.

    Speaking during an appearance on Fight Forecast, “Stillknocks” explained why he believes the opening round could determine everything.

    “The first round is going to tell us so much about this fight,” Du Plessis said. “I know Khamzat is going to get him down. I’ve taken Strickland down so many times. I know Khamzat is going to get him down, but to keep him there? That’s going to be the big question.”

    Du Plessis Gives Strickland Surprising Edge Over Chimaev At UFC 328

    Having spent extended time inside the cage with both men, Du Plessis offered an unexpected assessment when comparing their physicality.

    “Because Strickland’s ability to get up, the technique he uses, the strength he has. He’s a strong guy, a lot stronger than Khamzat on a physical level,” Du Plessis said. “I think he’s going to surprise some people.”

    The South African believes Strickland’s cardio and defensive style could become major factors if the fight extends beyond the early grappling exchanges.

    “If Strickland gets up two or three times in the first round, it’s not going to get easier with the sweat and the fatigue, trying to keep a guy down that gets up,” he said. “It uses a lot more energy than the guy getting up.”

  • Alexander Volkov Calls Out UFC Over His Own Treatment

    Alexander Volkov Calls Out UFC Over His Own Treatment

    Alexander Volkov is not buying the UFC White House interim heavyweight title fight as a legitimate championship matchup, and he is equally confused about where his own career stands within the promotion despite a winning streak he views as one of the most overlooked in the division.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting, Volkov addressed both the Pereira and Gane booking and his own frustrations with UFC policy in the same breath.

    “It doesn’t matter who wins. UFC won with this fight. And it will be for sure not like a boring fight, but it’s not true title fight. It’s more like a promotional or media fight. Alex Pereira, he just lost to the guy, then he beats him with just broken rib, and now he want to go one category up, where he never fought, and they give him title shot? Like, in logic, it doesn’t have any sense. It’s just marketing. It’s nothing more about how many followers and how many fans he have. Maybe it’s good for UFC, maybe more people will watching this fight, maybe this they will do this White House card more loud, but it’s nothing about like a real champ.”

    The frustration extends to how Volkov’s own situation has been handled. He fought Jailton Almeida while Gane received an Aspinall title shot, and a subsequent no-contest resulted from eye pokes that sent the champion to double eye surgery.

    Many observers believe Volkov was also robbed in his split-decision loss to Gane at UFC 310 in December 2024, a view Dana White has reportedly shared. Despite that, Gane remains in the picture, and Volkov finds himself fighting Waldo Cortes-Acosta on the UFC 328 main card this Saturday without clarity on what a win would mean for his future.

    “Honestly, I don’t understand at all policy in the UFC about me because sometimes I hear different things about my future in UFC.”

    A victory over Cortes-Acosta this weekend would extend what Volkov considers a six-fight winning streak, given his dispute over the Gane result.

  • Ilia Topuria Sets Timeframe for When he Wants to Fight Islam Makhachev

    Ilia Topuria Sets Timeframe for When he Wants to Fight Islam Makhachev

    Ilia Topuria has one eye on Justin Gaethje and another on Islam Makhachev, and he is not hiding which fight excites him more in the long run.

    Speaking with ESPN ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, Topuria explained that the Gaethje matchup was not his first preference when the interim title picture was being sorted out. He had expected to face either a victorious Paddy Pimblett or be given the opportunity to jump to welterweight to challenge Makhachev if Gaethje won at UFC 324. The unification bout against Gaethje is what materialized instead, and Topuria is fully locked in. But the Makhachev fight is where his ambitions ultimately point.

    “If it would be my choice, I would fight him on this card or by the end of the year. I’m excited, too. I’m a fighter. This is what I do every day of my life, so why not test my skills against someone like him? He is a very skillful fighter, I respect him as a fighter, he dominated the whole division for I don’t know how many years. He fought for the title I don’t know how many times, so what better than to test yourself against someone like him and at the same time everyone’s going to be freaking out. Everyone’s going to be very excited about the fight and I love that, I love people to be excited to go to an event. We’ll see, hopefully it’s going to happen.”

    All current signs point to Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense against top contender Ian Machado Garry this summer, though the matchup has yet to be officially announced. If Garry were to score the upset, Topuria’s dream fight would be considerably complicated. He is not treating that as a concern.

    “It’s a fight business, everyone has a chance, especially someone like Ian. He’s been able to collect a lot of experience during his run in the UFC and why not? I see him with a lot of chances. And Islam, we already saw him getting knocked out in a fight. Why not for the second time?”

    On the broader question of how a Garry win would affect his own plans, Topuria offered the simplest possible answer.

    “I’m the type of person that at the end, whatever happens, mindset is like, it’s good for me. Whoever wins, it’s good for me. Everything happens for a reason.”

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

  • Dana White Explains Every Detail of UFC Freedom 250’s White House Setup

    Dana White Explains Every Detail of UFC Freedom 250’s White House Setup

    Dana White has laid out the full scope of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, and the event extends well beyond the intimate White House South Lawn setup most fans have been picturing.

    Speaking with Lara Trump on Fox News, White explained that while the arena beside the White House will hold only 4,300 people with most of those seats going to military members, the surrounding public event at the Ellipse is designed to accommodate approximately 85,000 fans for free.

    “Across the street is the Ellipse. And for those who don’t know, the Ellipse is a massive park. That’s literally, you will be able to see the fight from the Ellipse. But we have screens, we got stages, we have music, we have activations over there. If you are a fan of the UFC and especially if you have never been to Washington D.C., we’re going to give away about 85,000 tickets. And you have to, there’s a process, you have to register for tickets, and they’re free.”

    The Ellipse, formally known as President’s Park South, is a 52-acre public park south of the White House fence that has hosted major public events for decades, including the National Christmas Tree tradition. Its size makes it a natural fit for the kind of large-scale fan experience the UFC is building around the card.

    The military-first approach to the White House arena seating is something White tied directly to the event’s broader patriotic theme and to Trump’s personal direction for the card.

    “He wants this to be mostly for the military. So there’s going to be 4,300 people there. I just literally went over it right now, 4,300 people. And most of them will be military.”

    When Lara Trump framed the allocation as a thank-you to service members, White was unequivocal.

    “100%. I mean, this is America’s 250th birthday. This is the event.”

    White also revealed that Trump has been fielding more ticket requests for this event than anything he has previously hosted, a detail that has come up in White’s conversations with the president during the planning process.

    “I’m meeting with the president. And he keeps telling me that he’s never had an event where people have asked him for more tickets. So I’m trying to figure out how to give him more tickets.”

    The concept originated in a casual conversation at a fight, according to White.

    “We were at a fight and he leans over to me and he says, we should do a fight at the White House. I was like, yes, yes, we should. And if he says it, consider it done. It starts blowing me up the whole next week to get this thing rolling. And we went in and we pitched him on the plan and he loved everything that we pitched to him.”

    Production preparations are already underway, with White describing UFC head of production Craig Borsari as having visited the White House repeatedly to map out the logistics of what is the most operationally complex event the promotion has ever attempted.

    “My head of production, Craig Borsari, is the best in the business. And it’s literally all he’s working on right now, 24-7. He’s been to the White House a million times. We’re already starting to move stuff in. We’ll start loading in, like really loading in a month before the show.”

    Weather remains the primary operational variable. White has already made clear the event will proceed through rain, wind, or snow, but lightning represents the one genuine threat to the schedule. He outlined the contingency planning in detail.

    “Outdoors is just way too unpredictable. And we’ve gone over this, if it rains, we’re going. If it snows, we’re going. The only thing that will stop us is lightning. But we’re working with the military. So the military knows the weather 10 days out. And they’ll notify us every two hours, 10 days out. Seven days out, they’ll notify us every hour. We also, there’s another company that does it for concerts and things like that. They’re very good, too. So what could happen is the only thing that kills us is lightning. So we could move the event two hours earlier, two hours after. So these are all things that we’ll be playing with the week of the event on top of all the other things that we’ll have going on. Which we never had to deal with.”

    White pointed to UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi on April 10, 2010, as the only previous outdoor UFC event he agreed to, noting the Middle Eastern weather made that decision straightforward. Washington D.C. in June is a very different proposition.

    UFC Freedom 250 is headlined by Ilia Topuria defending the undisputed lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje, with Alex Pereira challenging Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Conor McGregor’s Middleweight Title Claim

    Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Conor McGregor’s Middleweight Title Claim

    Khamzat Chimaev had a quick and pointed response when asked at UFC 328 media day about Conor McGregor’s since-deleted post claiming the middleweight championship being contested on Saturday was his title.

    McGregor had posted on X that Chimaev and Strickland were competing with “my 185lb title on the line,” despite never having competed at middleweight and being absent from the Octagon since July 2021. Chimaev was shown the comment and offered an assessment that covered both McGregor’s claim and his current lifestyle.

    “His belt? He lost his belt 10 years ago, so I don’t know, this guy comes off a little bit drunk or is it Proper something he’s drinking all the time? Come back to normal and work and let’s fight. I don’t care, boxing. I told Zuffa Boxing people think I’m just a wrestler, I don’t need to use my just boxing, I’m an MMA fighter. If I go to the boxing, I’m going to show my boxing, too.”

    McGregor was stripped of his lightweight title in 2018 due to inactivity following his professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August 2017. He awaits an official booking for his return, with a lightweight matchup against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 the most heavily discussed option.

    Chimaev also addressed the possibility of his own future weight class moves when asked about challenging himself at higher divisions. He described a training history that has always included heavyweights and said he has never found the size step to be an issue.

    “Of course, for sure. I’ve always been training with heavyweight guys. I’ve trained most of my time with Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa, Gokhan Saki from the beginning of my career and I was fighting 170. I trained with them, sparred with them, never been a problem with weight. I like to eat, have fun in the cage.”

    He also offered an unprompted endorsement of his friend Arman Tsarukyan as someone capable of beating Strickland, should the lightweight contender ever move up to middleweight.

    “Yeah, of course, he can beat him now.”

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

  • Sean Strickland Calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘Little Rat’ for Releasing Sparring Footage

    Sean Strickland Calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘Little Rat’ for Releasing Sparring Footage

    Sean Strickland had plenty to say about Khamzat Chimaev’s decision to post a 25-second sparring clip on social media, and none of it was particularly flattering toward the man he will face for the middleweight title on Saturday.

    The clip, which showed the two exchanging jabs in what Strickland described as warmup rounds, was captioned by Chimaev with “I am bullying weak people.” Strickland addressed it directly at UFC 328 media day and made clear the context behind the footage matters significantly.

    “That’s what I’m talking about. The guy’s just a little f***ing rat. One, I didn’t know we were filming. Those are our warmup rounds. You’re just a weak man. You’re just a weak, weak man. It’s like what is the point? We’re light sparring. I mean those shorts are a little questionable on my part. They were Amazon. It was a bad angle.”

    Beyond the clip itself, Strickland pushed back on any suggestion the footage reflects what actually happened between them in the gym. He claimed the two only shared one genuine sparring session and that he repeatedly tried to get more time with Chimaev afterward, only to be turned down.

    “We’ve only sparred once and we did like a three-round spar. We sparred once. I kept telling you this. When I got to a gym, I want to spar the best guy. I want to spar him but he would always just go beat up the lower level guys.”

    Despite the grievances, Strickland acknowledged the fight makes sense given the current state of the middleweight division and described it as a welcome matchup for both parties.

    “I think it’s also a good fight, it’s a fun fight. There’s so many people in the division where it’s like what are the top five? Brendan Allen? He’s his f***ing punching bag. His meat. What else in the top five in the division do you have right now? It’s kind of nice just to get a fresh look, new blood. I think the fight just kind of made sense.”

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

  • Tom Aspinall Breaks Down Chimaev vs. Strickland and Gives His Verdict on the Title Fight

    Tom Aspinall Breaks Down Chimaev vs. Strickland and Gives His Verdict on the Title Fight

    Tom Aspinall has weighed in on the UFC 328 main event and the undisputed heavyweight champion is leaning toward Khamzat Chimaev, though he made clear he sees a genuine path for Sean Strickland to pull off the upset.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aspinall broke down both fighters before arriving at his prediction.

    “I think this is going to be a good fight, first of all. I think Khamzat, to me, looks pretty unstoppable at the moment with his takedowns and stuff. His striking, obviously he’s very dangerous with his striking as well. I think Sean Strickland probably has a little bit of an edge in the striking department, but Khamzat’s grappling. I don’t know if Sean Strickland will be able to get up off the bottom enough times.”

    He acknowledged the reports about Strickland’s bottom game before identifying the question he believes will define the fight.

    “That being said, I know Sean’s coach. I’ve actually trained with Sean a little bit as well, only a tiny bit, though. But I know a lot of people who are close to him and everyone keeps saying how good he is at getting up off the bottom. So, I think it’s going to be real interesting. The big question for me is like, how many times can he get up off the bottom without getting caught in a submission without getting tired. Khamzat will just rinse and repeat for the full five rounds. If Strickland can come through that, not be exhausted, which he’s never shown any signs of that before in my opinion, and put him on the end of that awkward style that he’s got with striking and really unorthodox stand up, I think there’s definitely a chance for Strickland. But in my opinion I’m leaning a little bit toward Khamzat.”

    When pushed to commit to a pick, Aspinall landed on the champion winning a competitive contest.

    “The verdict is for me Khamzat by decision. I think it will be a little more competitive than the DDP fight, but I think Khamzat by decision.”

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

  • UFC Selling $1.5M White House Tickets with UFC 329 Access

    UFC Selling $1.5M White House Tickets with UFC 329 Access

    The UFC is marketing premium ticket packages for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House at $1.5 million per seat, with the offering extending well beyond the June 14 event itself and into Conor McGregor’s anticipated UFC 329 return.

    MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed the details on Wednesday, describing a deck being sent to influential figures and high-profile buyers under the label of a Partner Investment.

    “There are opportunities to buy tickets. Partner Investment is what it’s being called. It’s a deck being sent out to a lot of influential people, high rollers.”

    The package includes access to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House alongside a partner welcome reception, reserved seating at the press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins, general admission access, and entry to a Zac Brown concert. It also covers floor tickets to UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, where McGregor is expected to return to the Octagon, as well as WWE event integration with ring signage.

    Dana White previously confirmed that 4,300 people will attend the White House event itself, with most seats reserved for military personnel.

    The card features seven fights, a leaner lineup than a standard UFC numbered event, headlined by Ilia Topuria defending the undisputed lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje. Alex Pereira challenges Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event, with Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus, Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia, and Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis rounding out the card.

  • UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 is this week, and we’re that much closer to two title fights, including a heated championship main event. Get the latest betting odds and best bets from MMANews!

    In the main event of UFC 328, the UFC middleweight championship will be on the line as Khamzat Chimaev defends against former champion Sean Strickland.

    Despite some inactivity due to illness during his tenure, Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable since his memorable 2020 arrival to the Octagon. This is Chimaev’s first defense since winning the championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland is 2-2 in his last four but has won five of his last seven, including his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland scored a major upset when he defeated Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293. Strickland, however, dropped the championship to Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost a rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will see Joshua Van defend the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira. This was the planned co-main event for UFC 327 last month, but the bout was delayed to this event after a minor injury to Van.

    Van enters this fight on a six-fight win streak, having an incredible stretch since the middle of 2024. Last year, in fact, saw Van defeat Rei Tsuruya in March, finish Bruno Silva at UFC 316, and take a short-notice bout with Brandon Royval at UFC 317, winning in that card’s Fight of the Night. Van won the title at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury 26 seconds into the fight.

    Taira comes into this fight with an 18-1 record. He has rebounded since suffering his first loss by Park Hyun-sung in August and stopping former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    Other UFC 328 main card bouts include Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, and King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens.

    UFC 328 Betting Odds

    Here are the latest betting odds for UFC 328, as of 12 am ET on May 6, courtesy of DraftKings:

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter (+145) vs. Jose Ochoa (-175)
    • Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev (-675) vs. Djorden Santos (+490)
    • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini (-218) vs. William Gomis (+180)
    • Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (+154) vs. Marco Tulio (-185)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: Jim Miller (+250) vs. Jared Gordon (-310)
    • Lightweight: Grant Dawson (-176) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+140)
    • Welterweight: Joel Alvarez (+160) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (-192)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (-1350) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+800)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: King Green (-360) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+285)
    • Welterweight: Sean Brady (-175) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+145)
    • Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (-166) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+140)
    • Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van (+140) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-166)
    • Middleweight Championship: Khamzat Chimaev (-575) vs. Sean Strickland (+425)

    UFC 328 Predictions & Best Bets

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland: There is a lot of anticipation around this fight, given the heat between the two. Chimaev is trying to get his first successful defense, and Strickland is looking to pull off another upset to become a two-time champ. Strickland may have a 76 percent takedown defense, per UFC Stats, but the numbers in Chimaev’s grappling statistics are beyond those of the normal UFC fighter. And while Strickland has his own grappling abilities, the wrestling style of Chimaev is a whole other level. For all the hype this fight has on it, it’s probably going to be another one-sided bout in Chimaev’s favor; so far, no one has shown they can be a true, credible threat, to be honest. (Prediction: Chimaev) (Best Bet: Chimaev via decision [+300])

    Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira: Van is the champion and has an amazing 2025; however, he’s the underdog given the circumstances of how he defeated Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 323. Regardless, he won the fight and has shown skills in the Octagon that state he is one of the best flyweights in the world. Yet, people have been hoping for a Taira title shot for some time, and he got that by finishing Brandon Moreno (not an easy feat) at UFC 323. This is probably a striking vs. grappling matchup, and while Van isn’t popular in fans’ books, I’m leaning to his 81 percent takedown defense being the key difference. He may not stop all of Taira’s attempts, but it’ll be enough to control the fight through most of its duration. The real question is if the winner of this fight will have a chance against a returning, healthy Pantoja… (Prediction: Van) (Best Bet: Van ML [+140])

    Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta: A major heavyweight contender’s battle here. It’s unfortunate for Volkov that he didn’t get a title shot after his title eliminator win over Jailton Almeida, but that’s par for the course with the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division. And now he has to deal with Waldo Cortes-Acosta, one of the only other positive names in the heavyweight division, coming off a 2025 where he went 5-1 and was one of the top fighters of the year. This is one of the fights on this card that can be a coin flip, but the edge will go to Volkov based on his technical striking. That said, don’t be surprised if WCA lands one of his major power shots that turns the fight’s tide in his favor. (Prediction: Volkov) (Best Bet: Volkov via decision [+140])

    Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley: Major top-10 welterweight matchup here, with the winner finding themselves a fight or two away from earning a shot at the gold. Brady may have had a loss to Michael Morales, but Morales is one fight away from a title shot himself — and Brady had previously rebounded from his first loss with three straight wins and two post-fight bonuses. Buckley comes in off his loss to Kamaru Usman, but he had won six consecutive fights before that. This fight comes down to who can control the action first and best. If it’s Brady, he uses his wrestling for the win. If it’s Buckley, it’s a third loss via KO/TKO for Brady. (Prediction: Brady) (Best Bet: Brady via decision [+150])

    King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens: Jeremy Stephens has made a name for himself post-UFC with his work in BKFC. Even then, he and Mason Jones provided a fun bout last year. But Stephens’ record in his last 10 fights is 1-8 (1 NC)! Green, meanwhile, continues to find ways to win at his age and in the state of his career. While this will be a fun battle, I don’t see a way Stephens gets his hand raised. (Prediction: Green) (Best Bet: Green via decision [+110])

    Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz: Ateba Gautier’s power has been his calling card, but his last fight showed him facing some adversity. He was able to rock Andrey Pulyaev, but Pulayev gave him some struggle as the fight went the full 15 minutes. While Diaz can be seen as another test, his only UFC performances have seen him get stopped in one round by Zhang Mingyang and earn a decision over Djorden Santos. It’s pretty doubtful Gautier goes two fights in a row without a finish. But given the odds, honestly, stay away from betting this fight. (Prediction: Gautier) (Best Bet: Gautier via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Joel Alvarez vs. Yaroslav Amosov: Yaroslav Amosov had a decent UFC debut at the end of 2025, fending off early pressure from Neil Magny to score a first-round submission. Now the former Bellator champ gets a tougher test in Joel Alvarez, who has won four straight and eight of his last nine fights (though he has just made his welterweight debut in his last bout). This bout probably spends a lot of time on the floor and comes down to who the better wrestler is — and the lean here will be to Amosov. (Prediction: Amosov) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-105])

    Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rebecki: From teammates to opponents — Dawson and Rebecki go at it in a Fight of the Night sleeper nominee. Both men don’t have many losses in competition, but Dawson has been stopped twice in his last five fights, and Rebecki has three losses in his last four. Rebecki has power in his fists, but Dawson has the wrestling to counter that — and go toe-to-toe with Rebecki and his jiu-jitsu. This one’s probably going the distance, and the slight edge should go to Dawson, as the odds suggest. (Prediction: Dawson) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-135])

    Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon: Jim Miller is an absolute legend who can still pull off big finishes, and people would love to see in a firefight. Jared Gordon has the potential to be that kind of fun opponent — but potential has been a word that has kind of plagued Gordon’s career. Gordon has been the victim of bad luck, bad strategy, and getting finished (namely KO/TKOs) in his career. The 37-year-old hasn’t found consistent success in the Octagon since the pandemic era. Many may expect Gordon to have the edge in this one, but don’t be surprised if Miller pressures his way to a win here. This fight might be in the “too close to call” category. (Prediction: Miller) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-160])

    Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio: A Combat Sambo specialist, Roman Kopylov has had his share of highlights in the Octagon, as seen with his last-second knockout of Chris Curtis and his finish of Josh Fremd. Losses to the likes of Paulo Costa and Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues aren’t bad losses. The 35-year-old Kopylov, however, needs to show he can hang with the better middleweight contenders. Tulio scored a finish of Matthieu Duclos on DWCS, then finished Ihor Potieria and Tresean Gore before running into Christian Leroy Duncan. Perhaps a case of too much, too soon for Tulio? (Prediction: Kopylov) (Best Bet: Kopylov ML {+154])

    Pat Sabatini vs. William Gomis: Pat Sabatini has great wrestling and grappling abilities, and that should give him an edge against William Gomis. It helps that Sabatini has been on a roll between his UFC and grappling competitions, with his last two losses coming in 2022 and 2023 against, respectively, Damon Jackson and Diego Lopes. Sabatini has faced stronger competition, is more experienced, and will have the New Jersey crowd behind him (shout-out to Rider University). The only thing in Gomis’s favor here is that he tends to go the distance; his only submission loss was early in his career, in 2016. (Prediction: Sabatini) (Best Bet: Sabatini via decision [+175])

    Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos: This isn’t to say that Baisangur Susurkaev isn’t deserving of being the favorite here. The problem is, the odds reflect this idea of him being the “Next Big Thing” when he didn’t show the greatest offense (albeit still getting finishes) against Eric Nolan and Eric McConico. Djorden Santos has as much experience, but the fight probably plays out the same — Susurkaev either goes too grapple-heavy to the crowd’s dismay or gets himself in trouble, only for him to find the finish later in the fight. The hope here is to see if Susurkaev can show he’s making progress. (Prediction: Susurkaev) (Best Bet: Susurkaev via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa: Both men need a win here. Carpenter looked good in his first two outings but went 0-2 in 2025, dropping a decision to Tagir Ulanbekov and getting submitted by Jafel Filho. Ochoa is 1-2, but he’s younger, and he’s faced three talented names in Lone’er Kavanagh, Cody Durden, and Asu Almabayev (with the Almabayev fight coming on short notice). No particular strong edge in this fight, but Ochoa is the more (fairly) well-rounded fighter. (Prediction: Ochoa) (Best Bet: Ochoa via decision [+150])

  • WATCH: Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane Face Off At South Lawn Ahead Of Historic UFC White House Event

    WATCH: Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane Face Off At South Lawn Ahead Of Historic UFC White House Event

    Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane came face-to-face for the first time at the White House ahead of their upcoming clash at UFC Freedom 250.

    The staredown took place directly on the South Lawn on Wednesday, the same location where the two are expected to compete on June 14 in Washington, D.C. “Poatan” is set to challenge Gane for the interim heavyweight championship in a fight that could make him the first athlete in UFC history to capture titles across three different weight classes.

    Images and footage from the faceoff quickly spread online after Pereira’s longtime coach and former UFC champion Glover Teixeira shared clips from the meeting on social media.

    The White House appearance wasn’t limited to the co-main event fighters. Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, who are expected to headline the card in a lightweight title unification bout, were also present in Washington as part of the promotional activities surrounding the historic event.

    All four fighters later met with Donald Trump inside the Oval Office as preparations continues for the highly-anticipated fight card on White House grounds.

    The event itself is expected to transform the South Lawn into a temporary outdoor arena featuring a custom-built setup, large viewing screens, and seating for thousands of attendees. Additional fans are expected to gather at Ellipse Park nearby, where tens of thousands of free viewing tickets are planned to be distributed.

  • Donald Trump Hosts UFC Freedom 250 Headliners At White House, Reveals Special American-Themed Belt

    Donald Trump Hosts UFC Freedom 250 Headliners At White House, Reveals Special American-Themed Belt

    Donald Trump welcomed several of the UFC’s biggest stars to the Oval Office on Thursday as preparations continue for the unprecedented UFC Freedom 250 card set to take place on the South Lawn next month.

    Among the fighters present at the White House were Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and Ciryl Gane, who are expected to headline the historic event on June 14 in Washington, D.C.

    During a media briefing inside the Oval Office, the US President unveiled fresh details about the event’s setup while showcasing concept visuals for the outdoor venue. The plans include a custom-built arena structure on the White House grounds featuring large-scale lighting rigs, giant screens, and a full Octagon setup directly on the South Lawn.

    Trump described the event as a first-of-its-kind spectacle, with thousands expected to attend in person and tens of thousands more watching from nearby viewing areas.

    The venue itself is expected to hold approximately 4,300 spectators cageside, with a strong emphasis on military guests. In addition, roughly 85,000 free tickets are expected to be distributed for fans attending the public viewing experience at Ellipse Park, located just outside the White House grounds.

    One of the biggest reveals from the meeting was a special championship belt created specifically for the occasion. The custom-designed UFC Freedom 250 title prominently features the colors and styling of the American flag, marking the event as a celebration tied to the country’s 250th anniversary.

    The card is expected to be headlined by Topuria defending the undisputed lightweight championship against Gaethje in a title unification bout. Pereira and Gane are also set to clash for the interim heavyweight championship in the co-main event.



  • Sean Strickland Unloads on Brendan Allen After he Reveals Camp’s Reaction to Pre-Fight Trash Talk

    Sean Strickland Unloads on Brendan Allen After he Reveals Camp’s Reaction to Pre-Fight Trash Talk

    Brendan Allen spent three weeks in Khamzat Chimaev’s training camp ahead of UFC 328 and offered a window into how the champion’s team is processing Sean Strickland’s ongoing campaign of verbal aggression. Strickland responded to what Allen said with a fury of his own.

    Speaking on Submission Radio, Allen described the general atmosphere in Chimaev’s camp as Strickland’s latest comments filtered in.

    “We just laugh. He just sounds so rtarded. All he wants to do is get an emotional reaction out of people and it’s just like, alright bro, y’all are going to fight on Saturday, see if you’re talking all that sht then because you wasn’t talking that sh*t when y’all trained.”

    Allen also revealed what the coaches told everyone around Chimaev about handling fight week.

    “I think it was more of trying to get through to the team, like it’s all talk. If you care about Khamzat, stay in your lane, don’t mess up this opportunity for Khamzat to go out there and handle it. Let Khamzat handle it. He signed the contract, Sean signed the contract, they’re going to fight, let him talk, let him do whatever he wants to do, let his antics do what it’s going to do, just walk away. Just laugh, walk away. If someone puts their hands on you that’s a different situation, but if it’s just talk, just let him talk. At the end of the day, Khamzat has 25 minutes to be in there with him and he’s going to do his best to make him feel it.”

    He also questioned whether Strickland would actually back up his more extreme statements. “Talk is talk. Sean’s that kind of guy. I’d kill him in a press conference, though. I’d make him freak out for sure.”

    Strickland was asked about Allen’s comments at a media scrum and delivered a pointed response that took aim at Allen’s ranking and his decision to train with the champion.

    “Brendan Allen, you are the definition of a cnt. You are ranked 5. My boy Edmen’s about to beat you. You are ranked No. 5, you were talking about a title fight and you go and you train with the current champion and the whole world just watched him fck you up over and over and over again. All we know of your training camp is you’re getting your ass kicked by fcking Chimaev. You will never fight for a belt. If you want to get some advice from me, stop training with the champion and if you’re going to train with him, don’t let him beat the fck out of you for f*cking weeks at a time.”

    Allen and Strickland previously fought at a UFC APEX event in November 2020, with Strickland winning by second-round knockout. Allen now faces Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6. UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Leaks Sparring Footage of Himself and Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Leaks Sparring Footage of Himself and Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev released a brief clip from his infamous sparring session with Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 328, apparently attempting to reinforce his dominance narrative. Fans had a different reaction.

    The video, posted on social media, shows around 26 seconds of striking exchanges between the two fighters. Chimaev captioned it with a laughing emoji and the message “I am bullying weak people,” a jab at Strickland’s previously reported claim that he prefers sparring with lower-level or younger fighters at the gym.

    The clip drew over 600,000 views but the comment section was not kind. Reactions included “You did absolutely nothing kid. You’re DEAD Saturday,” “You didn’t even land a shot sorry a– bum,” and “Bro you hardly landed one punch.”

    The sparring session between the two has been a major talking point throughout the build to UFC 328. Multiple sources have suggested the striking exchanges were relatively even, perhaps with a slight edge to Strickland, while Chimaev’s grappling was reportedly more dominant once the fight went to the ground. Strickland will be fully aware of what actually happened when they trained together, making the psychological impact of the clip questionable at best.

    It is worth noting that fighters have occasionally released unimpressive training footage deliberately to lower an opponent’s guard. Whether that is the case here or whether the clip simply did not land the way Chimaev intended is a matter of interpretation.

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

  • Khamzat Chimaev Hints UFC 328 Could Be His Final Middleweight Fight

    Khamzat Chimaev Hints UFC 328 Could Be His Final Middleweight Fight

    Khamzat Chimaev has hinted that regardless of what happens against Sean Strickland on Saturday night, UFC 328 could represent his final appearance at 185 pounds.

    Speaking at a media scrum on Tuesday in Newark, Chimaev was asked about the possibility of moving up to light heavyweight after the Strickland fight. His response was brief, playful, and pointed.

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

    The light heavyweight division is currently in a state of flux following Carlos Ulberg’s ACL injury sustained during his title-winning knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327. Ulberg is not expected to return until 2027, and the UFC has not yet revealed whether it plans to implement an interim title in his absence. Chimaev has spoken previously about his desire to pursue a third divisional title, and his comments on Tuesday only added fuel to that possibility.

    Despite the broader conversation about his future weight class, Chimaev made clear his focus heading into the weekend remains entirely on Strickland.

    “I don’t know. I hope Ulberg gets a fast recovery. We will see. I’m not so much focused on what’s over Strickland. He’s a tough fighter, good fighter, but we take away all this sh*t he’s saying, he’s a good fighter. I just go focus on him, beat this guy, and then we go for the next. It’s always there. It doesn’t matter.”

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

  • Khamzat Chimaev Says Sean Strickland’s Trash Talk Has Made Him More Money Than Ever

    Khamzat Chimaev Says Sean Strickland’s Trash Talk Has Made Him More Money Than Ever

    Khamzat Chimaev has a complicated relationship with Sean Strickland’s relentless trash talk heading into UFC 328, simultaneously expressing contempt for the content and genuine appreciation for what it has done to his bank account.

    Speaking at a media scrum on Tuesday in Newark, Chimaev was candid about the financial upside of sharing a card with one of the sport’s most polarizing mouths.

    “I love him. I don’t know they pay good for him. That’s the important thing. I never made that much money before. That’s good.”

    He also revealed he has been actively looking for Strickland since arriving in New Jersey, with the UFC’s separation protocol being the only thing keeping the two apart.

    “Let him come. I think they took him to some other hotel so maybe thinks so. I tried to find the guy and that’s not so much personal. The guy just talks too much. I don’t think it’s that possible to happen. Because they don’t let me see this guy.”

    When asked about Strickland’s gun threat and whether it registered as a genuine concern, Chimaev dismissed it in a way that made clear no amount of verbal escalation is going to affect his mindset.

    “Where is he? I’ve been here three days in the lobby and the guy said he’s going to shoot me. Let’s go. Do that. I will be happy to die. Do you think I care about what he says? When it comes time to die, I will be happy. All my life I’ve heard stuff like that. I don’t care about that.”

    On the possibility of a post-fight handshake, Chimaev offered the clearest possible window into how he views relationships with opponents.

    “What’s the point if I shake hands or not after the fight? I beat him up, maybe never see him again. The other 15 guys who I beat, I almost didn’t see them again. I don’t care about his life. I care about my life.”

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

  • Dana White Says He Doesn’t “Give A Sh*t” If UFC Faces Backlash Over Donald Trump Relationship

    Dana White Says He Doesn’t “Give A Sh*t” If UFC Faces Backlash Over Donald Trump Relationship

    Dana White isn’t losing sleep over whether his close ties to Donald Trump have impacted the UFC’s business.

    The UFC boss addressed the topic during a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast, where he was asked if the promotion’s visible alignment with Trump has led to any financial consequences.

    With the US President remaining a polarizing figure in American politics, the question has lingered as the UFC continues to feature him prominently at events and collaborates on high-profile ventures.

    I don’t give a sht,” White said. “I don’t know the answer to that question. I’ve gotten to a point in my life, especially after COVID and all the nutty sht that went on during that time, that I only want to be in business with and talk to people that I’m aligned with.”

    Long-standing Relationship Between Trump And White Continues To Shape UFC’s Direction

    White and Trump’s relationship stretches back decades, well before Trump entered politics. The UFC CEO has often credited Trump for giving the promotion a platform during its early years, hosting events when the sport struggled to find mainstream acceptance.

    That loyalty has remained consistent throughout Trump’s political rise. White publicly supported him during multiple presidential campaigns and played a visible role in his most recent run, helping connect Trump with younger audiences through podcast appearances and digital platforms.

    Their alignment is now more visible than ever, with the UFC preparing to host UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14. The event, a first of its kind, further underscores the close relationship between the promotion and the president.

    The 79-year-old Republican leader has also become a regular presence at UFC events, often receiving a high-profile walkout and a strong reception from crowds. Despite that visibility, White has consistently maintained that the UFC operates independently of political agendas.

  • Sean Strickland Rips Into Josh Hokit’s Gimmick, Compares It To WWE – “Jake Paul When He Was 13”

    Sean Strickland Rips Into Josh Hokit’s Gimmick, Compares It To WWE – “Jake Paul When He Was 13”

    Sean Strickland isn’t holding back when it comes to the rising profile of Josh Hokit, questioning the authenticity behind the heavyweight contender’s increasingly loud persona.

    During a recent media scrum ahead of his title fight against reigning middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 this Saturday, Strickland was asked about Hokit’s rise and the attention he’s been generating outside the cage.

    While the former 185-pound titleholder didn’t deny “The Incredible Hok’s” abilities, he made it clear he’s not impressed by the way the heavyweight has been presenting himself.

    “Josh Hokit, you’re a grown-a** man,” Strickland said.

    “You’re like almost 30 years old, and you’re acting like a fu*k Jake Paul when he was 13. Stop, bro. You made it, people know who you are, just stop. You don’t have to interview homeless people and be fu*k weird, just fight now!

    “The thing I don’t like about Josh, and again I’ve met Josh and trained with him, he’s a very likable guy. He’s a really nice guy, and I consider him a friend of mine, but at some point, it’s such a fabricated image, and it reminds you of a WWE skit.”

    Hokit’s Fast Rise Paired With Polarizing Image

    Hokit’s transition from professional football to MMA has been rapid, and his performances have quickly pushed him into the heavyweight spotlight. His recent win over Curtis Blaydes at UFC 327 elevated him into the division’s top tier and reinforced his potential as a serious contender.

    At the same time, “The Incredible Hok” has leaned heavily into a chaotic, attention-grabbing persona. His pre-fight antics and bold, often bizarre statements have made him one of the more polarizing figures in the UFC. Some fans see it as entertainment and marketability, while others believe it overshadows his actual skill set.

    Despite the criticism, Hokit’s momentum continues to build. He is scheduled to face Derrick Lewis at the White House event on June 14, a high-profile opportunity that could push him even closer to title contention.

  • Former Champ Claims Controversial Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Could Be In Khamzat Chimaev’s Corner At UFC 328

    Former Champ Claims Controversial Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov Could Be In Khamzat Chimaev’s Corner At UFC 328

    Luke Rockhold has added a controversial layer to fight week ahead of UFC 328, claiming he’s heard talk that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov could be present in Khamzat Chimaev’s corner.

    “Borz” is set to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Sean Strickland in the main event this weekend at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. But beyond the matchup itself, outside narratives are already shaping the event’s tone.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Rockhold claimed:

    “It sounds like we might have Kadyrov in his corner, so I think he’s pretty safe within his mindset. We’ll see how it goes. This fight week is gonna be interesting,”

    The former UFC middleweight champion also referenced recent comments from Strickland, adding another unpredictable element to the buildup.

    “Sean was saying he’s gonna bring a gun. I’m not sure if you can bring a gun out there in New Jersey, but they better check it. Sean is not a real threat in the world of what he’s dealt with and who he deals with.”

    Chimaev’s Long-Standing Ties To Kadyrov

    Chimaev’s connection to Kadyrov has been well-documented throughout his career. Following his title-winning performance against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August 2025, the “Borz” traveled to Chechnya, where he was welcomed by Kadyrov and celebrated in front of a large crowd.

    During the visit, Chimaev was seen handing over his championship belt as they posed for photos together.

    The relationship between the two dates back several years. The controversial leader attended Chimaev’s wedding in 2022, and the pair have frequently been seen training together. However, those ties have also drawn scrutiny, with Kadyrov facing international criticism and sanctions over alleged human rights abuses.

    At one point, Chimaev’s association with Kadyrov reportedly complicated his ability to travel to the United States. Those issues have since been resolved, allowing him to compete freely under the UFC banner.

  • Max Holloway Finally Breaks Silence On Potential Conor McGregor Rematch Rumors For UFC 329

    Max Holloway Finally Breaks Silence On Potential Conor McGregor Rematch Rumors For UFC 329

    Max Holloway has addressed growing speculation surrounding a potential showdown with Conor McGregor, confirming he is actively preparing for the former two-division UFC champion even as no official agreement is in place.

    Speaking during an interview with Paramount+, “Blessed” reacted to rumors linking him to McGregor for a possible UFC 329 main event on July 11 in Las Vegas. The bout would mark McGregor’s long-awaited return after nearly five years away from competition.

    The two fighters share a history dating back to 2013, when “The Notorious” defeated a young Holloway early in his UFC run. More than a decade later, the former BMF titleholder has made it clear that avenging that loss is high on his list.

    “I mean, we have history,” Holloway said. “We fought a very long time ago. I told you guys, if somebody’s got one over me, I want to get him back. I’d love to get him back.”

    Holloway Training For McGregor Despite No Deal In Place

    Although the UFC has yet to announce a main event for International Fight Week, Holloway confirmed he is already preparing as if the fight will happen.

    “With him having all this talk of coming back and everybody talking about how serious he actually is. It looks like he’s training and taking it and really wanting to come back to fight. It’s exciting,” Holloway said.

    “He looks hungrier. He looks super hungry. He just did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so that was pretty cool to see him. I would just like to get one back. It’s a huge fight. It’s a big fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge.”

    Holloway is also looking to rebound after a recent loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, a setback that cost him the BMF title and added urgency to his next move.

    “You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway said.

    For now, Holloway says nothing has been finalized, but he is closely following the same speculation as everyone else.

    “Maybe, we’ll see what happens. I’m seeing all the talk that you guys see. I really didn’t hear anything yet, but that wouldn’t be a bad time.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev’s Teammates Were Told Directly Not to Do Anything to Jeopardize UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev’s Teammates Were Told Directly Not to Do Anything to Jeopardize UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev’s team has been given an explicit instruction heading into UFC 328 fight week: do not do anything that puts the title fight at risk.

    Middleweight contender Brendan Allen, who spent the final three weeks of training camp alongside Chimaev before departing for his own June 6 preparation, shared the message coaches delivered to everyone in the champion’s circle.

    “Khamzat’s team, nor anyone on it that’s part of his entourage or whatever you want to call it, is going to jeopardize that opportunity. I promise you that nobody is going to do anything to jeopardize it. Now if someone approaches them and tries to put hands on them, hey, they’re not responsible for that. But as far as them initiating and starting a problem, I highly doubt that happens. There will be a lot of repercussions for anyone who does that outside of UFC or anything like that. Everyone knows what’s at stake and like the coaches said: If you care about Khamzat, you won’t do anything fight week. You’ll let everything be and let Khamzat handle the job how he’s going to handle it come fight night.”

    Allen also described how Chimaev and those closest to him are processing Strickland’s ongoing campaign to provoke a reaction, including the gun threats and relentless trash talk.

    “We know Sean’s just going to talk and try to dig deeper and say stupider things and try to get more reckless to try to draw a reaction or make him emotional. I know he knows this. The ones that are the closest to him keep making sure to be repetitive about that. He’s very aware. He’s very mature. He’ll have little comebacks here and there probably, but as long as they don’t put hands on him or try to, I think everything will be just fine. You’ll just hear Sean talk, talk, talk, talk.”

    Allen will not be part of Chimaev’s entourage in Newark this week, having returned to Chicago to prepare for his own fight with Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6. He will instead be watching from a distance as a fight week that has already generated unprecedented levels of security concern plays out in New Jersey.

    You can hear more from Allen on The Bohnfire podcast with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

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

  • Aleksandre Topuria Reveals Justin Gaethje’s Key Weakness

    Aleksandre Topuria Reveals Justin Gaethje’s Key Weakness

    Aleksandre Topuria has played a central role in Ilia Topuria’s rise to the top of the UFC, putting his own career on hold to serve as a key part of his younger brother’s corner before resuming his own run in 2021. Ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, he offered a detailed breakdown of the Topuria camp’s view of Justin Gaethje.

    Speaking on Ilia Topuria’s YouTube channel, Aleksandre zeroed in on Gaethje’s patterns and the specific window where he becomes most vulnerable.

    “One important thing: Justin Gaethje picks his shots when you stand in front of him. When you stand here, which is like Michael Chandler, and he also picks when Michael Chandler leaned forward, when you stand with the leg way forward trying to dodge his uppercut, then he comes in with calf kicks. But when you stand a bit square on, he comes in with uppercuts. If you don’t want to take it and you show him, ‘OK, I’ll move my body forward,’ then he’s going to want to start hitting you from here because he has long range.”

    He then identified what he sees as the central paradox in fighting Gaethje, explaining that the moment he is most open is also the most dangerous moment to attack him.

    “He’s very fragile when he hits, but it’s a double-edged sword to choose to hit him when he’s hitting. So you’ve got to be very selective with your shots. When he hits is when he’s very vulnerable to shots because he doesn’t know how to hit clean. He doesn’t hit clean like you. He hits with everything. That’s where he’s vulnerable. But that’s where you have to be careful: If you choose to hit him when he’s open, it’s because you’ve calculated it a lot.”

    Ilia Topuria enters the fight at 17-0 and is coming off first-round knockouts of Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. Gaethje is 27-5 and holds the interim lightweight title. UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C.

  • Alexander Volkov Calls Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane ‘Not a True Title Fight’

    Alexander Volkov Calls Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane ‘Not a True Title Fight’

    Alexander Volkov has watched the UFC build the Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane interim heavyweight title fight at UFC Freedom 250, and he has a pointed take on what it actually represents, both for the sport and for himself as a potential future opponent.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of his UFC 328 bout against Waldo Cortes-Acosta this Saturday in Newark, Volkov acknowledged the commercial logic behind the booking while being blunt about what it is not.

    “It doesn’t matter who wins. If Ciryl Gane wins, he will beat a UFC star. He will go on the next media level. If Alex Pereira wins, he won like third title in his career, so he will be good. Anyway, UFC won with this fight. And it will be for sure not like a boring fight, but it’s not true title fight. It’s more like a promotional or media fight.”

    He also pointed to a specific technical concern about how both fighters have been protected from wrestling throughout their careers, suggesting the matchup is convenient for that reason too.

    “Gane has never been under the pressure of a wrestler. He never been with the kind of Curtis Blaydes guy who just can take him down and hold it for a while and then beat him up, make good ground-and-pound. We never see him in this position. The UFC gives him pretty comfortable fighters. And Alex Pereira is also a kickboxing guy and we didn’t see him also with good wrestlers. This fight is good for both of them.”

    Volkov took issue with the path Pereira took to earn the heavyweight title shot, noting that his victory over Magomed Ankalaev in his most recent light heavyweight appearance came against an opponent who was competing with broken ribs.

    “Alex Pereira, for sure he’s very talented and he shows, like, crazy performances. But, to be honest, his previous fight, before he won, he lost to Ankalaev. Then he beat Ankalaev, but I was in this camp, and Ankalaev was with broken ribs. He was just too confident himself to go in the cage. And probably Alex Pereira knows this and this is why he pushes so hard. He just lost to the guy, then he beats him with just broken rib, and now he wants to go one category up, where he never fought, and they give him title shot. In logic, it doesn’t have any sense. It’s just marketing.”

    Looking at a hypothetical matchup between himself and Pereira, Volkov was direct about how he sees the size and stylistic dynamics playing out.

    “Fighting with Alex Pereira will be more easy for me, but more big fight if he won. He’s big, but I’m huge. I’m not saying he ever meet the guys like me and his stand is a little bit open for this type of big guys. He’s used to fight with guys who try to attack him, can’t touch him and he counterpunches with his hook or uppercut, but it’s so hard to do with me because I’m much taller, I have good reach and I have very good kicks. More to this now, I’m working with a lot of wrestling. On paper, I feel I have an advantage against Alex Pereira.”

    Volkov reserved his strongest words for how the entire situation has affected Tom Aspinall, calling the undisputed champion’s circumstances the most unfair element of the whole picture.

    “Honestly, I’m most upset for Tom Aspinall. Imagine him in this situation. He did so much work for the UFC, he fought a lot of fights. He was on a very good winning streak, he showed really impressive fights for everybody. And now we have Ciryl Gane, a guy who actually lost to me. He lose the fight for me, he injured Aspinall. It’s a very serious injury. I feel how bad Tom Aspinall is feeling looking at this White House fight and then they give Ciryl Gane the biggest fight in his life with Alex Pereira. It’s just not fair to the champ.”

    Volkov fights Cortes-Acosta on the UFC 328 main card this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • EA Sports UFC 6 Reveals First Gameplay Trailer With Massive Changes To Striking And Movement Ahead Of June 19 Release

    EA Sports UFC 6 Reveals First Gameplay Trailer With Massive Changes To Striking And Movement Ahead Of June 19 Release

    EA Sports UFC 6 has finally offered its first real look at gameplay, and the early footage suggests a clear shift toward realism and fighter individuality ahead of its June 19 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

    Unlike previous reveals that leaned heavily on cinematic teasers, EA’s debut trailer puts mechanics front and center. The presentation focuses on how fighters move, strike, and react, with the studio emphasizing a “powered by fighters” approach built around authenticity. New Markerless Capture technology has been used to refine movement and animations, while Sapien Technology upgrades aim to deliver more lifelike fighter models and body mechanics.

    One of the standout additions is the Real-Time Contact system, powered by Frostbite engine physics. This introduces more dynamic ragdoll reactions and visible damage effects, making exchanges feel more immediate and impactful. It builds on the foundation laid by EA Sports UFC 5, which already improved visuals and damage presentation, but pushes those elements further into gameplay.

    Another key feature is “Flow State,” a momentum-based mechanic that rewards sustained offense. As players build pressure and land clean strikes, fighters can unlock enhanced versions of their signature abilities, creating a more aggressive and fluid fighting experience.

    EA is also expanding its single-player offerings with two new modes. “Hall of Legends” focuses on reliving the careers of iconic fighters, while “The Legacy” allows players to build their own journey from smaller venues to the biggest stages in the sport.

    The UFC 6 game will feature Alex Pereira on the Standard Edition cover and Max Holloway on the Ultimate Edition. Pre-orders are already live, with Ultimate Edition buyers receiving early access starting June 12, along with additional fighters and post-launch content planned for future updates.

  • Sean O’Malley Originally Wanted Different Fight for UFC Freedom 250

    Sean O’Malley Originally Wanted Different Fight for UFC Freedom 250

    Sean O’Malley had a specific opponent in mind for UFC Freedom 250, and it was not Aiemann Zahabi.

    Speaking to FOX 11 Los Angeles, O’Malley explained why his original target for the June 14 White House card did not come to fruition, pointing directly at Yan’s reluctance as the reason the title fight did not materialize.

    “I was supposed to fight Petr Yan, the champ, the little Russian, but I beat him last time so he didn’t want to fight this time. That would have been a big fight. I’m fighting a guy named Aiemann Zahabi, he’s on a seven-fight win streak, he’s from Canada, a Canadian fella, so it’s kind of America vs. Canada-ish if you’re looking at it that way, which is kind of exciting. Very tough, very durable, very experienced. Very tough fight. An exciting challenge, he’s going to be more of a kickboxer style so it’s going to be a very exciting, electric kickboxing fight with little gloves on.”

    O’Malley and Yan previously met at UFC 280 in October 2022, with O’Malley winning a close decision. Yan subsequently won the bantamweight title by defeating Merab Dvalishvili, who had beaten O’Malley twice. A rematch with the belt on the line would have been one of the more commercially appealing fights on the White House card. Instead, Yan remains unbooked.

    O’Malley addressed the America versus Canada dimension of his Zahabi matchup in a separate interview with Against The Cage, keeping his focus on the competitive element rather than any broader narrative.

    “I’m not a very political person, I would say pretty much not at all. For me, it doesn’t matter who I’m fighting, but it is America vs. Canada, there’s a little bit of that to it. This is just man vs. man. We’re going to get locked in the doors and see who quits, see who breaks, see who gets knocked out first, that’s what it is every fight for me. But it is fun, there’s a little bit of the America-Canada thing, so it adds to it a little bit. Team vs. team, people like to pick teams, so there’s that aspect to it, but for me it’s just human vs. human.”

    O’Malley is coming off a win over Song Yadong in January that snapped a two-fight losing streak, both of those losses having come in title fights against Dvalishvili. A strong showing at the White House is his best argument for jumping back into the championship conversation.

    “Who knows, maybe if I would have went out there and finished Song in spectacular fashion I would have got the Petr fight. I don’t know. The UFC does what they do and all I can do is go out there and fight and put on performances, so if I go out there and get a beautiful performance, I don’t see how I’m not next for the title.”

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