MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Paddy Pimblett Rips Mateusz Gamrot After UFC 327 Win

    Paddy Pimblett Rips Mateusz Gamrot After UFC 327 Win

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Jiri Prochazka Called ‘Choke Artist’ After UFC 327 Loss

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The performance made the gift especially meaningful to Makhachev.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Carlos Ulberg Injury: Doctor Predicts 2027 Return After ACL Tear

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Paulo Costa Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 327 Knockout

    Paulo Costa Calls Out Khamzat Chimaev After UFC 327 Knockout

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Jon Jones Downplays UFC Disagreement Over Alex Pereira Fight

    Jon Jones Downplays UFC Disagreement Over Alex Pereira Fight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Jiri Prochazka Reacts to UFC 327 Loss to Carlos Ulberg

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

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

    “I will be back,” Prochazka wrote.

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

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

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

  • “Still Catches Him” – Carlos Ulberg KOs Jiri Prochazka

    Despite appearing to injure his leg — potentially tearing his ACL — in the first minute of the fight, Carlos Ulberg knocked out Jiri Prochazka in highlight fashion to become the new UFC light heavyweight champion in the main event of UFC 327.

    Prochazka and Ulberg did some trading early, and things looked grim for Ulberg. One of Prochazka’s leg kicks caused Ulberg to stumble, and something appeared to pop in Ulberg’s leg, with some claiming it was an ACL tear.

    Prochazka attacked the knee a bit but admitted to taking things easy, daring Ulberg to stand and trade.

    Prochazka paid for that decision; landing a massive left hand and follow-up strikes that put Prochazka out to give Ulberg the championship despite his injury.

    Carlos Ulberg KOs Jiri Prochazka For UFC Light Heavyweight Title At UFC 327

    Prochazka is a former light heavyweight champion, defeating Glover Teixiera for the title in the main event of UFC 275. Prochazka, however, vacated the title due to injury before making a defense.

    Prochazka entered this fight 6-2 in the UFC, with his two losses coming in light heavyweight title fights with Alex Pereira.

    Pereira vacated the light heavyweight title tonight due to his impending move to heavyweight. He fights Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250.

  • UFC Announces Signing Of Gable Steveson, Will Debut At UFC 329

    UFC Announces Signing Of Gable Steveson, Will Debut At UFC 329

    In a move that has been expected for a while, the UFC have signed former Olympic gold medalist and NCAA wrestling champion Gable Steveson.

    The signing was made official in an announcement during the UFC 327 broadcast. Steveson was in the crowd for the event, seated next to former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones has been overseeing Steveson’s transition to full-time Mixed Martial Arts.

    The UFC broadcast also announced that Steveson will make his UFC debut at UFC 329 on July 11, during the UFC’s International Fight Week.

    Former Olympic, NCAA Champion Gable Steveson Signs With UFC

    Steveson was a standout wrestler, becoming a four-time conference champion and five-time NCAA-Division I All-American while wrestling at the University of Minnesota. Steveson won the NCAA championship twice and made the finals a third time.

    Steveson, in addition, was a gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

    After failed stints with the WWE and Buffalo Bills, Steveson made the move to professional MMA in 2025. He has scored three first-round finishes so far.

    Steveson is also signed to RAF and is expected to debut on May 30 at RAF 9, taking on Alexandr Romanov.

  • Dana White Announces Lewis vs. Hokit Added To UFC Freedom 250

    Dana White Announces Lewis vs. Hokit Added To UFC Freedom 250

    Despite the previous announcement that there will be six fights for the UFC Freedom 250 card, a seventh has been added tonight after the UFC 327 performance of Josh Hokit.

    In an announcement posted to social media during the event, UFC CEO and President Dana White announced that Hokit will compete on the UFC Freedom 250 card, taking on Derrick Lewis.

    Derrick Lewis vs. Josh Hokit Added To UFC Freedom 250 At White House

    Hokit competed in just his third UFC bout during UFC 327, going toe-to-toe with Curtis Blaydes. The two put on a bloody heavyweight slugfest, with the two wobbling one another throughout. Hokit landed the more effective strikes and got the win via decision.

    Hokit, a former NFL player, won a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last year. He then scored first-round finishes of Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman in his first two UFC fights.

    Lewis is 3-2 in his last five. He’ll enter this fight off a loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC 324.

  • “He Finds A Way” – Paulo Costa Hands Azamat Murzakanov First Loss

    “He Finds A Way” – Paulo Costa Hands Azamat Murzakanov First Loss

    The undefeated record of Azamat Murzakanov is no more, as Paulo Costa’s move up to light heavyweight produces a strong start. Costa knocked out Murzakanov in the third round of the UFC 327 co-main event.

    Despite Murzakanov’s pressure and stalking attempts, Costa’s kicking helped to get him off to an early start, landing kicks to the body and legs of Murzakanov that did damage. A body kick in the closing minute of the first round, in fact, dropped and troubled Murzakanov.

    As the fight went on, however, it appeared that Costa’s gas tank was giving him an issue. Murzakanov fought back with his own body shots, and his power came more to fruition, which bothered Costa.

    Costa was refreshed in round three, and a kick that landed on one of Murzakanov’s arms appeared to damage it badly. Costa later followed it up with a head kick that resulted in Murzakanov crumbling to the mat to give Costa the win.

    Paulo Costa Takes The 0 Of Azamat Murzakanov At UFC 327

    Costa is now 3-2 in his last five fights. This was his second fight at light heavyweight, previously fighting Marvin Vettori at 205 in 2021. Costa entered this fight off a victory over Roman Kopylov at UFC 318.

    Murzakanov now falls to 16-1. He entered this fight off a first-round finish of Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321.

  • Mitch McKee Uses Wrestling To Take Decision Over Sergio Pettis

    Mitch McKee Uses Wrestling To Take Decision Over Sergio Pettis

    In just one fight with the PFL, Mitch McKee has established himself as someone to watch out for at bantamweight, defeating Sergio Pettis in the main event of PFL Chicago.

    McKee’s wrestling proved to be the distance from the start, taking Pettis down quickly and overwhelming him with grappling control and ground-and-pound. McKee continued this strategy in the second round, and while Pettis looked for multiple submissions, McKee was able to easily shake those off.

    Pettis, needing a finish, looked to pick up his striking in the final round. He, however, had no answer for McKee’s takedowns, as McKee went on to score 29-28 totals on all three scorecards.

    Mitch McKee defeats Sergio Pettis In PFL Chicago Main Event

    McKee made his PFL debut tonight, spending most of his career with the LFA. He last fought at LFA 217 in September, defeating Pedro Nobre.

    Pettis, the former Bellator bantamweight champion, scored a pair of wins in his first two PFL appearances last year. He defeated Raufeon Stots by decision in June and scored a highlight knockout of Magomed Magomedov in October.

  • “15 Minutes Of Carnage” – Josh Hokit Bests Curtis Blaydes In War

    “15 Minutes Of Carnage” – Josh Hokit Bests Curtis Blaydes In War

    In one of the greatest heavyweight battles ever seen in the Octagon in what has felt like forever, Curtis Blaydes and Josh Hokit put on an epic, bloody battle that will go down as a Fight of the Year contender.

    Ultimately, Hokit got the judges’ nod to remain undefeated.

    The two did plenty of trading to start the fight, and that played into Hokit’s favor, wobbling Blaydes in the first minute. Blaydes was wobbled but fought his way back into the fight, getting Hokit into his grasp. Blaydes then landed a flurry of shots on Hokit, though it didn’t deter Hokit from taunting Blaydes during the round.

    Blaydes appeared to be gassed in the second round, and it showed with Hokit landing the better shots early. Blaydes attempted to fight back, but Blaydes showed a lack of head movement. Hokit battered Blaydes near the fence in another near-finish; however, Blaydes endured it and gave a flurry right back.

    Josh Hokit Defeats Curtis Blaydes In Fight Of The Year Contender At UFC 327

    Hokit, now 9-0, was competing in just his third UFC fight. The former NFL player, a Dana White’s Contender Series alum, scored first-round finishes of Max Gimenis and Denzel Freeman.

    Blaydes entered this fight off a controversial decision win over Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Baku 10 months ago.

  • Renat Khavalov Gets Grappling Edge, Decision Over Raufeon Stots

    Renat Khavalov Gets Grappling Edge, Decision Over Raufeon Stots

    Renat Khavalov remains undefeated and scores the biggest win of his professional MMA career, defeating former interim Bellator champion Raufeon Stots in the co-main event of PFL Chicago.

    Despite Stots’ NCAA wrestling experience, it was Dagestan’s Khavalov who outworked him in grappling. Khavalov controlled the action for the first 10 minutes with his clinchwork and takedowns, mixing in inside shots for good measure.

    The two traded strikes throughout the third round, with Stots seemingly landing the more effective strikes but not doing enough to deter Khavalov.

    All three judges scored the bout 29-28 in Khavalov’s favor.

    Renat Khavalov Defeats Raufeon Stots At PFL Chicago

    This bout was promoted to the co-main event slot just minutes before PFL Chicago’s start after Jordan Newman withdrew from his bout against Josh Silveira.

    Since the closure of Bellator, Stots, the former interim Bellator bantamweight champion, has had two fights in PFL prior to tonight. He defeated Marcos Breno at the PFL Battle of the Giants card in October 2024 and lost to Sergio Pettis this past June.

    Khavalov was a perfect 10-0 entering tonight. The former Eagle FC champion entered tonight 3-0 in the PFL, scoring wins over Cleiver Fernandes, Vilson Ndregjoni, and Edgars Skrivers.

  • “No Contest” – Dominick Reyes Beats Johnny Walker In Snoozefest

    “No Contest” – Dominick Reyes Beats Johnny Walker In Snoozefest

    A fight at UFC 327 that no one expected to go the distance and could have fallen either way ended up being close…but not in the good way.

    Boos rained down from the crowd as Dominick Reyes got his hand raised, defeating Johnny Walker via split decision at UFC 327.

    Walker got off to a good start in the opening round, focusing on the leg kicks, while Reyes stayed patient, looking to use his range and timing to land strong shots from distance.

    Reyes finally got to pressuring Walker in the second round, picking up his punching volume and adding in kicks to the body. Unfortunately, neither fighter seemed to show urgency in the third as they traded weak shots.

    All three judges scored the fight 29-28, with two giving it to Reyes for the win.

    Dominick Reyes Gets Split Decision Over Johnny Walker At UFC 327

    Reyes has now won four of his last five fights. He entered tonight off a knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC Perth last September.

    Walker is now winless in four of his last five fights. He came into this bout off a second-round finish of Zhang Mingyang at UFC Shanghai last August.

  • UFC Releases Video Promo, First Look At Stage For UFC Freedom 250

    UFC Releases Video Promo, First Look At Stage For UFC Freedom 250

    With U.S. President Donald Trump in attendance at UFC 327 in Miami, the UFC released the first video promo for the UFC Freedom 250 event that takes place on June 14.

    The promo included a first glance at the setup for how the UFC “arena” will look like on the White House lawn. The Octagon can be seen in the middle of the stage, surrounded by seats on all sides, under a pair of Americana-decorated arches.

    The video has the arena appear to overtake a significant area of the White House front lawn.

    UFC Release First Promo Video, Stage Look For UFC Freedom 250 At The White House

    UFC Freedom 250 will be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje battling to determine the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

    The co-main event will see Alex Pereira move up to heavyweight to take on Ciryl Gane in an interim UFC heavyweight title fight. With a win, Pereira will become the first fighter in UFC history to claim UFC titles in three different weight divisions.

    UFC Freedom 250 will consist of six fights and begin at 8pm ET/5pm PT on June 14, which is a Sunday. June 14 is Flag Day and the 80th birthday of President Trump. The event is being held as part of the celebrations for the Semiquincentennial of the United States.

    UFC Freedom 250 will also feature Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus, and Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia.

  • “Fairy Tale Ending!” – Cub Swanson Wins Retirement Fight

    “Fairy Tale Ending!” – Cub Swanson Wins Retirement Fight

    At 42 years old, Cub Swanson ends his professional MMA career a winner, dropping Nate Landwehr three times en route to a first-round knockout victory.

    Landwehr looked to start things off with leg kicks, but Swanson was patient and pressed forward slowly. Swanson eventually started to get his strikes going, landing on Landwehr when they were against the fence.

    Swanson dropped Landwehr with a left hand, and then again with a right. Swanson then cracked Landwehr with a right hand to fold him again, prompting referee Herb Dean to wave off the action.

    Cub Swanson Retires After First-Round Finish Of Nate Landwehr At UFC 327

    Swanson made his professional MMA debut in July 2004, working his way up by competing in promotions like King of the Cage and the WEC. Swanson made his UFC debut in November 2011, going 10-3 between then and April 2017, scoring wins over the likes of Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier and Jeremy Stephens. Two of the three losses came against Max Holloway and Frankie Edgar.

    Before tonight, Swanson was 5-7 stretching back to December 2017, losing to the likes of Brian Ortega, Renato Moicano, and Shane Burgos, along with losing a rematch with Edgar. Swanson entered tonight’s bout off a knockout of Billy Quarantillo at UFC Tampa in December 2024.

    Landwehr has now lost four of his last five fights, though he still holds three post-fight bonuses in his last six.

  • Jena Bishop Chokes Out Borena Tsertsvadze At PFL Chicago

    Jena Bishop Chokes Out Borena Tsertsvadze At PFL Chicago

    After falling just short in last year’s World Tournament, Jena Bishop is back in the win column, scoring a quick finish of Borena Tsertsvadze during the PFL Chicago prelims.

    Bishop quickly took the center and got the fight to the ground, getting in a dominant position early. Bishop then flattened Tsertsvadze out, raining down blows before locking in a body triangle.

    From there, Bishop searched and found the choke, scoring the submission just before the halfway mark of round one.

    Jena Bishop Submits Borena Tsertsvadze In Under Three Minutes At PFL Chicago

    Bishop, a veteran of LFA and Bellator, came close but fell short in both women’s flyweight tournaments in 2024 and 2025. She lost to the eventual champions — respectively, Dakota Ditcheva (in the semifinals) and Liz Carmouche (in the finals).

    This marked Tsertsvadze’s PFL debut and marks her first professional MMA loss. She entered this fight 6-0, most recently defeating Mobina Babanataj in November.

  • Alex Pereira To Be Honored With 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award

    Alex Pereira To Be Honored With 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award

    Alex Pereira will be this year’s recipient of the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award, as announced by the UFC during the UFC 327 broadcast on CBS.

    Per UFC play-by-play Jon Anik, Pereira will receive the award for his dedication and time toward sick and underprivileged youth in his native Brazil.

    Alex Pereira To Receive Forrest Griffin Community Award At 2026 UFC Hall Of Fame Ceremony

    The Forrest Griffin Community Award is annually handed out to fighters who make impacts and special contributions to their communities. Past winners have included Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, and the Nogueira Brothers.

    Pereira will receive the award at this year’s UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony this July. He will be honored alongside new Hall of Fame inductees Dominick Cruz and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, as well as the UFC 248 bout between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

    Pereira will fight at UFC Freedom 250 in June, facing Ciryl Gane to determine the interim UFC heavyweight champion.

  • Omar El Dafrawy Quickly Starches James Vake At PFL Chicago

    Omar El Dafrawy Quickly Starches James Vake At PFL Chicago

    Omar El Dafrawy rebounded from his first PFL defeat in a big way, scoring a quick, first-round knockout of James Vake during the UFC Chicago preliminary card.

    El Dafrawy had the reach advantage in this one, and he used that well by connecting with several kicks to start things off. Vake got working with his hands early, but El Dafrawy’s reach and offense kept him at bay.

    Then, El Dafrawy landed a left hand that put Vake down to the mat immediately, leaving him unable to defend himself and continue. The fight ended in just 1:12.

    Omar El Dafrawy KOs James Vake At PFL Chicago

    El Dafrawy, a veteran of Brave CF and UAE Warriors, was the original PFL MENA welterweight champion in 2024. He won that tournament by going through Anthony Zeidan, Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi, and Mohammad Alaqraa. In 2025, El Dafrawy submitted Daniele Miceli but dropped a decision to Florim Zendeli.

    Vake entered this fight, his PFL debut, on a four-fight win streak and with a 7-1 professional MMA record. This was Vake’s first fight since his October 2024 win over Cameron Clatworthy.

  • “Robbed” – Padilla vs. Mederos Changed To Draw After Errors

    Another week, another major screw-up in the world of MMA officiating and judging, courtesy of a set of judges at UFC 327.

    The botch occurred during the preliminary card matchup between Chris Padilla and MarQuel Mederos. The fight was filled with plenty of striking volume, especially from Padilla, who brought plenty of pressure. Mederos had his own strong strikes, including bloodying Padilla up with an elbow. Mederos, however, was deducted a point for an eye poke during round three.

    Padilla was originally announced as the winner by majority decision, with two 29-27 scores and a 28-28 draw. Following the Tatiana Suarez vs. Loopy Godinez bout, however, the UFC broadcast announced that the score for Padilla vs. Mederos was corrected to be ruled a majority draw.

    The corrected scorecards were then revealed, with all three judges appearing to not count the point deduction Mederos received during the third round.

    Furthermore, under the original scorecards, Mederos was the one who would have been awarded a split decision win. The original scorecards’ totals had it two 29-28s in his favor, from judges Derek Cleary and Eliseo Rodriguez. Solimar Miranda originally had it 29-28 for Padilla, resulting in the lone 29-27 Padilla total on the corrections.

    Chris Padilla vs. MarQuel Mederos Ruled Majority Draw After Scoring Mix-Up At UFC 327

    The mix-up prompted another round of mockery and anger from the MMA community.

    Padilla stepped into this fight with a seven-fight win streak, including a 4-0 UFC record. Padilla had most recently fought Ismael Bonfim in November, scoring a second-round finish.

    Mederos entered this bout with a nine-fight win streak and an 11-1 professional MMA record. He was 3-0 in the UFC before tonight, most recently defeating Mark Choinski at UFC 316.

  • Biaggio Ali Walsh Gets Sub-Minute Finish At PFL Chicago

    Biaggio Ali Walsh Gets Sub-Minute Finish At PFL Chicago

    Biaggio Ali Walsh’s journey into combat sports continues, as the grandson of Muhammad Ali starched Dash Harris in under a minute during the PFL Chicago prelims.

    Ali Walsh targeted the body with shots in the opening seconds, and that did Harris in then and there. Ali Walsh continued with flurries, while also preventing Harris’ efforts to grapple.

    Ali Walsh overwhelmed Harris until he folded, prompting “Big” John McCarthy to step in 46 seconds into the fight.

    Biaggio Ali Walsh Stops Dash Harris In 46 Seconds At PFL Chicago

    Ali Walsh, who has been with PFL since his amateur days, is now 4-1 as a pro. He entered this fight off a win over Adryan Grundy in August.

    Harris, who made his PFL debut tonight, loses as a pro for the first time. Harris, who missed weight for this fight, fought in Elite Fight Night twice in 2025, defeating Michael Anderson and Devon Jackson.

  • “The D’Arce Knight Rises” – Vicente Luque Submits Kelvin Gastelum

    “The D’Arce Knight Rises” – Vicente Luque Submits Kelvin Gastelum

    Vicente Luque found himself in some early trouble, but he was able to gather himself up and battle back to drop and submit Kelvin Gastelum during the UFC 327 prelims.

    Gastelum came out on the front foot early, trying to pressure Luque with single shots. Gastelum brought Luque to the fence and pinned him there before scoring the takedown. Gastelum troubled Luque, holding him for a while and attempting a choke.

    Luque, however, was able to work his way out of Gastelum’s grasp. Despite Gastelum’s strong chin, Luque landed a strong right uppercut that dropped him. Luque then held Gastelum down on the ground for a bit before locking in a D’Arce choke to score the submission.

    Vicente Luque Submits Kelvin Gastelum At UFC 327

    Luque rebounds from back-to-back losses to Kevin Holland and Joel Alvarez, improving to 3-3 in his last six.

    Gastelum is now 3-5 in his last eight.

  • PFL Chicago Loses Co-Main Event Minutes Before Start Time

    PFL Chicago Loses Co-Main Event Minutes Before Start Time

    PFL Chicago’s planned co-main event bout between Jordan Newman and Josh Silveira will not take place as scheduled.

    The promotion announced the news in an update minutes before the PFL Chicago preliminary card began. According to the PFL, Newman made the last-minute withdrawal.

    It is currently unknown what prompted Newman’s withdrawal.

    Due to the last-minute nature of the circumstance, no replacement opponent has been named for Silveira. It is unknown if the promotion will attempt to re-book Newman vs. Silveira for a future PFL card.

    The bantamweight bout between former interim Bellator champion Raufeon Stots and Renat Khavalov will now serve as the evening’s co-main event.

    Additionally, the bout between Viviane Araujo and Shanna Young has been promoted from the prelims to the main card. The main card will go on with four fights.

    The main event of PFL Chicago sees former Bellator bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis face the unbeaten Mitch McKee.