MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Nate Diaz Turned Down Conor McGregor Trilogy Fight

    Nate Diaz has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to complete a trilogy with Conor McGregor, revealing he had no interest in facing the former UFC champion for a third time. The Stockton native made it clear he saw no benefit in another matchup.

    During an appearance on “This Past Weekend,” Diaz explained why he didn’t want to lock horns with McGregor at this stage in their lives:

    “I want to fight the best of the best when they are the best of the best. Conor’s great, but I’m not trying to go kill off Conor when he’s on his last dying f*cking leg, literally. That’s f*cked up. I’m not trying to be the ending to some f*cker’s story like that. We ain’t friends, we ain’t none of that, but I ain’t trying to finish this dude off. That’s what I plan on doing if we’re fighting. At the same time, I ain’t trying to get f*cked up by nobody who just got knocked out on his ass and broke his leg, this guy’s down and out, now he’s nothing but motivated to fight me because who else are you going to fight in there? They’re probably going to give him a f*cking BMF belt, f*cking bitch-ass Oliveira, who I believe I’ll beat the f*cking shit out of.”

    Diaz-McGregor History

    The rivalry between Diaz and McGregor produced two of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view events. Diaz submitted McGregor at UFC 196 in March 2016, handing the Irish star his first UFC loss.

    McGregor won the rematch five months later at UFC 202 via majority decision. A trilogy fight has been discussed for years but never materialized while both fighters were under UFC contract.

    No Interest in Third Fight

    Diaz’s comments indicate he viewed a trilogy as unnecessary. With the series split at one win apiece, the fighter apparently felt no need to settle the score definitively.

    Both fighters have since moved on to other ventures. McGregor has been sidelined with injuries and business pursuits, while Diaz departed the UFC in 2022 to pursue boxing and other combat sports opportunities.

  • Sean O’Malley Admits Jealousy Over Ilia Topuria’s Richard Mille Deal

    Sean O’Malley Admits Jealousy Over Ilia Topuria’s Richard Mille Deal

    Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley recently made a rare public admission of jealousy after learning about Ilia Topuria’s new partnership with luxury watch brand Richard Mille. He described the Richard Mille deal as the type of ultra-luxury sponsorship that signals a fighter has crossed over from star athlete to global A-list status.

    O’Malley’s Honest Reaction

    O’Malley discussed his reaction on his own show after receiving news of Topuria’s announcement. His longtime coach and friend Tim Welch sent him a screenshot of Topuria’s Richard Mille signing, prompting an unusually candid response from the champion.

    “I am jealous. I haven’t felt the jealousy emotion in a long time,” O’Malley said. “I felt it when Tim sent me a screenshot: Ilia signs with Richard Mille. I was like, ‘Oh!’”

    The Significance of Richard Mille

    For a bantamweight champion who has built a strong personal brand and social following, O’Malley’s reaction highlights the prestige associated with Richard Mille partnerships. The luxury Swiss watch manufacturer is known for extremely high-profile athlete endorsements that often represent a fighter’s arrival at the highest levels of mainstream recognition.

    O’Malley’s honest assessment of his emotional response shows how even established champions view certain sponsorship deals as benchmarks of crossover success. His willingness to openly discuss feeling jealous demonstrates the competitive nature that extends beyond the octagon into business opportunities.

    Topuria’s Growing Profile

    Topuria’s Richard Mille partnership represents another step in the featherweight contender’s rising profile. The deal positions him among elite athletes across multiple sports who represent the luxury brand, suggesting his marketability has reached significant levels despite being relatively early in his UFC career compared to established champions like O’Malley.

  • Adesanya Drops From Middleweight Top 5 After Fourth Straight Loss

    Adesanya Drops From Middleweight Top 5 After Fourth Straight Loss

    The former two-time UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya has been removed from the UFC’s middleweight top five rankings following his second-round TKO loss to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle, ending a seven-year streak in the division’s elite tier.

    ‘The Last Stylebender’ suffered his fourth consecutive defeat this past weekend, marking a significant turning point in his career trajectory. Unlike his previous three losses, which came against fellow top contenders, Adesanya’s latest setback was against rising prospect Pyfer.

    Ranking Implications

    Adesanya hasn’t won a fight since April 2023. Despite his recent losses to elite competition, he maintained his top-five status in the 185-pound division. However, the defeat to Pyfer carried different weight as it came against an unranked opponent looking to break into title contention.

    The ranking drop represents the most significant impact on Adesanya’s standing since his championship reign ended. Despite many observers feeling he was performing well in the early stages of the fight, the second-round finish ultimately sealed his fate in the updated rankings.

    Career Context

    Adesanya has already established himself as one of the greatest middleweights in UFC history, with memorable performances throughout his championship runs. The former titleholder produced numerous highlight-reel moments during his peak years in the division.

    Following the tough result at UFC Seattle, Adesanya has indicated he has no plans to step away from competition despite the recent struggles. The loss to Pyfer marks a clear inflection point where the former champion now faces rising contenders rather than established elite fighters.

    The ranking adjustment reflects the UFC’s assessment that Adesanya’s position among the division’s top tier can no longer be maintained following the loss to an unranked opponent, regardless of his previous accomplishments in the middleweight division.

  • Francis Ngannou ‘Heartbroken’ Watching Israel Adesanya Lose to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle

    Francis Ngannou ‘Heartbroken’ Watching Israel Adesanya Lose to Joe Pyfer at UFC Seattle

    Francis Ngannou was visibly distraught after watching his longtime friend Israel Adesanya suffer a second-round knockout defeat to Joe Pyfer in the UFC Seattle main event. The former heavyweight champion took to Instagram to share his emotional reaction to Adesanya’s fourth consecutive defeat.

    “Watching Izzy’s fight last night, [I] was heartbroken,” Ngannou posted on Instagram. “It reminds you how ungrateful this sport is.”

    Adesanya Started Strong Before Knockout Loss

    The former middleweight champion seemed to be finding his rhythm early in the fight against Pyfer. He showcased his trademark accuracy and power, landing clean shots on his opponent during the striking exchanges.

    However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Pyfer managed to drag the fight to the ground. After initially looking for a submission, Pyfer transitioned to ground-and-pound, flattening out Adesanya and unleashing a barrage of punches that forced the referee to stop the fight in the second round.

    Ngannou Reflects on Sport’s Unforgiving Nature

    Ngannou’s reaction highlights the harsh reality of mixed martial arts, where even former champions can quickly fall from grace. The Cameroonian fighter, who has experienced his own ups and downs in combat sports, understands the mental toll such losses can take.

    “He looked sharp. He looked very sharp,” Ngannou said afterwards. “After the first round, I’m like oh we get this, this is good, he’s back. But man, sometimes we plan but God has other plans. I can only imagine how tough Izzy is to come back out of it. To rebound.”

    Adesanya made no excuses following the defeat, but Ngannou admitted it was difficult to process his friend’s continued struggles. The loss marked Adesanya’s fourth straight defeat, a stark contrast from his days as the dominant middleweight king.

    The friendship between Ngannou and Adesanya has been well-documented, with both fighters supporting each other throughout their respective careers. Ngannou’s emotional response demonstrates the genuine bonds among fighters who understand the unique pressures of competing at the highest level.

  • Ilia Topuria Opens Up About Bullying, Tough Childhood That Made Him UFC Champion

    Ilia Topuria Opens Up About Bullying, Tough Childhood That Made Him UFC Champion

    UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria’s journey to UFC championship glory was forged through adversity, bullying, and the harsh realities of growing up in Georgia.

    ‘El Matador’ recently opened up about his difficult childhood and how it shaped him into one of the sport’s elite competitors. Topuria is one of only 11 fighters ever to win titles in two UFC weight classes.

    From Germany to Georgia: A Tough Transition

    Born in Germany to parents who were refugees from Georgia, Topuria moved back to his family’s home country when he was seven years old. The transition proved challenging for the future champion.

    “We lived in Georgia,” Topuria told Charlas Adictivas. “We studied at a school there, and anyone who knows the culture of our country knows that it’s tough. There’s a constant confrontation with the kids at school, and you have to stand up for yourself a lot of the time.”

    Learning to Fight Back

    The young Topuria faced regular bullying and confrontations at school, experiences that would prove formative in his development as both a fighter and a person.

    “When you’re little, you don’t know what’s right, what’s wrong, how to defend yourself, who to turn to, because since I was always a kid who didn’t like confrontation,” Topuria explained.

    These early struggles with bullying and the need to defend himself laid the groundwork for his future success in mixed martial arts. The constant need to stand up for himself in Georgia’s tough school environment taught him resilience and fighting spirit that would later translate to the octagon.

    From Bullied Kid to UFC Champion

    Topuria has transformed those difficult early experiences into championship success. His rise through the UFC ranks has been meteoric, establishing himself as one of the best fighters of his generation.

    The Georgian-born champion’s story serves as a powerful example of how adversity can forge champions. What began as a struggle to survive school confrontations eventually became the foundation for one of MMA’s most promising careers.

    Topuria’s willingness to share these personal struggles offers insight into the mindset that drives elite fighters and shows how childhood hardships can become the catalyst for greatness in professional sports.

    Topuria is set to make his return to the octagon on June 14th at UFC White House, where he defends his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje in the main event.

  • Kevin Holland Reveals Recovery Time From Brutal Low Blow Loss

    Kevin Holland Reveals Recovery Time From Brutal Low Blow Loss

    Kevin Holland knew he was severely injured after absorbing brutal low blows from Mike Malott at UFC Vancouver, and the welterweight has now revealed just how much the illegal strikes affected his performance in the unanimous decision loss.

    Holland was hit with a pair of low blows in the opening round against Malott, with the second shot putting him down on the canvas and requiring a full five-minute recovery period. Despite appearing momentarily unable to continue, Holland eventually got back to his feet and gave the go-ahead to restart the fight.

    Holland Details Lasting Impact

    Speaking to MMA Fighting, Holland acknowledged that the low blow had lingering effects throughout the remainder of the bout.

    “I mean it sucked,” Holland said. “In the moment, it sucked. I didn’t want to continue at all but I’m happy I did. A better man for it. Now in the gym, somebody gets kicked in the nuts, and I’m like we’re not deducting a point, get your ass up, keep sparring. I mean I guess you could say everyone has iron nuts now.”

    He added:

    “I went home, I couldn’t drive my tractor, I couldn’t ride the horse. Hell, the only thing that felt good was good old chewy from the fcking chew monster, other than that, that thing was hurting. It was one of those situations where it’s like I’m blessed I’ve already got two kids. Those type of things affect you. F** Malott but other than that, good to go.”

    Kevin Holland’s Recovery

    He was able to finish the fight, but Holland admitted that it actually took several weeks before he finally started feeling good again.

    “After like two weeks, I was back on the horse, rode real slow,” Holland said. “I was able to drive the tractor again. It hurt to do it but had to man up and do it because we had shit to do. By the time the fourth and sixth week came around, they felt about natural.

    “The trauma from getting hit in the nuts is still there. Any time anybody aims in that area, I’m like whoa, chill out! You guys remember back in the day in the [Joaquin] Buckley fight, he hit me in the nuts a couple of times, and I’m like bro, I’m trying to smack something after this. It never really affected me that much but for some reason that day, they were racking up.”

    The welterweight’s candid admission sheds light on how the illegal strikes may have contributed to his loss at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. Holland was visibly compromised after the second low blow and spent the full recovery time on the ground before deciding to continue.

    Moving Forward After Setback

    Despite the disappointing result and circumstances, Holland appears to be taking a philosophical approach to the experience. His comments suggest he’s using the incident as motivation in training, pushing his sparring partners to show the same toughness he displayed in Vancouver.

    The loss marked another setback for Holland, who has experienced mixed results in recent outings. The veteran fighter’s willingness to continue despite being clearly compromised by the low blows demonstrated his warrior mentality, even as it may have cost him the fight.

  • Israel Adesanya Shuts Down Retirement Talk After Brutal TKO Loss To Joe Pyfer At UFC Seattle – ‘I’ll Always Remain Undefeated’

    Israel Adesanya Shuts Down Retirement Talk After Brutal TKO Loss To Joe Pyfer At UFC Seattle – ‘I’ll Always Remain Undefeated’

    Israel Adesanya has firmly brushed aside any retirement speculation after suffering another emphatic stoppage defeat.

    Last Saturday, Adesanya returned from a year-long layoff to headline UFC Seattle against No. 14-ranked Joe Pyfer at Climate Pledge Arena in Washington.

    While “The Last Stylebender” showed flashes of sharpness early on, Pyfer’s relentless pressure gradually took over, leading to a TKO loss in the second round.

    The loss extends Adesanya’s skid to four straight defeats, with his last three coming by way of stoppage, including setbacks to Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia in February 2025 and Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 in August 2024. Despite the rough run, the former middleweight champion remains in good spirits and has no intention of stepping away from the sport.

    Israel Adesanya’s Response to Retirement Questions

    During his Octagon interview with Daniel Cormier at UFC Seattle, Israel Adesanya was pressed on the possibility of retirement amid the most challenging stretch of his career.

    The Nigerian-born Kiwi swiftly brushed aside the notion, exuding confidence as he vowed to keep pushing forward and emerge stronger from adversity.

    “You keep going. Again, and again, and again, and again, and again,” Adesanya said. “I’m not f*king leaving. You’ll never stop me. I might get beat, but I’ll always remain undefeated.”

    Adesanya, once the architect of a nine-fight winning streak and a two-time UFC middleweight titleholder, with notable victories over Robert Whittaker, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori, now finds himself 1-5 in his last six Octagon outings.

    The 36-year-old carries a professional record of 24-6, including a 13-6 run inside the UFC.

  • Maycee Barber Update After Hospitalization from UFC Seattle KO

    Maycee Barber Update After Hospitalization from UFC Seattle KO

    Maycee Barber was transported to a local hospital following her devastating knockout loss to Alexa Grasso at UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer on March 28, 2026 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Her team has confirmed the flyweight fighter is recovering well after a terrifying finish that left her unconscious on the canvas.

    The end came at 2:42 of the opening round with the fighters exchanging strikes on the feet. Grasso blasted Barber with a vicious punch that twisted her entire body around and sent the 27-year-old flyweight down to the canvas. Grasso followed with another punch before grabbing a rear-naked choke, but Barber was already unconscious as referee Mike Beltran rushed in to stop the fight.

    Following the finish, Barber grabbed onto the referee out of instinct but then rolled over to the mat where she laid motionless for several minutes as medical personnel tended to her. Barber eventually sat up and left the cage under her own power before she left the arena for treatment.

    Team Provides Update From Hospital

    Late Saturday night, Barber reposted a message from her boyfriend Oscar Herrera, who posted from the hospital on Instagram.

    “Part of the game,” Herrera wrote. “Congrats to Alexa, we got caught but are OK. Will be back soon, thanks for everyone checking in.”

    Barber’s striking coach Guilherme Faria also posted an update after the fight was finished.

    “Not our night,” Faria wrote. “This is the fight game and sometimes things don’t go our way. No blame, no excuses, just lessons. We learn, we grow and we come back stronger. God is good all the time.”

    Barber has not released her own statement on the fight yet.

    Second UFC Appearance After Medical Issues

    The fight served as Barber’s second appearance in the UFC after medical issues kept her sidelined for over a year and a half. That included another scary situation when she passed out backstage just moments before she was scheduled to walk to the octagon for a fight against Erin Blanchfield in May 2025.

    Barber got the help she needed and finally returned this past December where she earned a unanimous decision over Karine Silva at UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 to extend her overall winning streak to seven in a row. She then booked the rematch against Grasso, who defeated her via decision in their first encounter over five years ago.

    The knockout loss on Saturday ended that run and dropped Barber’s professional record to 15-3. She now looks to recover from this fight before looking towards her future in the UFC flyweight division.

  • Johnny Eblen Ragdolls Bryan Battle In Submission Win

    Johnny Eblen Ragdolls Bryan Battle In Submission Win

    Johnny Eblen has made a statement — he wants a shot to get the PFL middleweight title back from Costello Van Steenis. He made that statement emphatically with a one-sided victory over Bryan Battle in the main event of PFL Pittsburgh.

    Eblen landed an early takedown on Battle. Battle attempted to stand up, only to get brought back down slam style two more times by the former champ. Eblen continued this strategy, landing shots where he could, including a knee while standing and some ground-and-pound.

    Eblen, in fact, landed eight takedowns on Battle during a dominant first-round. Eblen then put a bow on the bout by getting to Battle’s back and locking up a rear-naked choke, scoring the first-round submission win.

    Johnny Eblen Dominates, Submits Bryan Battle At PFL Pittsburgh

    Eblen rebounds from his title run and undefeated record ending at the hands of Van Steenis with a literal last-minute submission at PFL Cape Town this past summer. Eblen was 16-0 prior to that loss and is a former Bellator middleweight champion.

    This was Battle’s first MMA bout since his release from the UFC due to weight issues. Battle’s last MMA bout prior to tonight was a split decision win over Randy Brown at UFC 310. The Ultimate Fighter season 29 winner fought in a pair of Dirty Boxing bouts last year following his UFC release.

  • Impa Kasaganay Spoils Dalton Rosta Homecoming With First-Round KO

    Impa Kasaganay Spoils Dalton Rosta Homecoming With First-Round KO

    Dalton Rosta’s Pittsburgh homecoming ended in disaster, as Impa Kasaganay took his best shots and fired back with his own best. The former PFL champion pounded Rosta en route to a first-round victory in the PFL Pittsburgh co-main event.

    Rosta came out aggressively right from the gun, looking to lure Kasaganay into a brawl. Kasaganay stayed patient, landing a couple of strong combinations on Rosta, who adjusted to a tactical approach himself.

    Rosta appeared to land a strong shot on Kasaganay, and he looked to swing for power. But Kasaganay landed a powerful right-left combination that caught Rosta, faceplanting Rosta and scoring the stoppage win.

    Impa Kasaganay Knocks Out Dalton Rosta At PFL Pittsburgh

    Kasaganay won the 2023 PFL light heavyweight tournament and was a finalist in 2024, losing to Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov. After falling to eventual 2025 Middleweight World Tournament champ Fabian Edwards, Kasaganay rebounded with a finish of Andrew Sanchez in August.

    Rosta made his PFL debut last year in the Middleweight World Tournament, reaching the final before getting knocked out by Edwards.

  • Joe Pyfer Takes Down, Finishes Israel Adesanya At UFC Seattle

    Joe Pyfer may have elevated himself into the UFC middleweight title picture, scoring the biggest win of his career by defeating former champion Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle.

    Pyfer appeared to get off to a head start, scoring a body lock on Adesanya, and holding him for a little bit, before landing a quick combination that snapped Adesanya’s head back. The two traded hard shots, with Adesanya landing a knee and Pyfer landing a hook and a takedown late in the round.

    Adesanya did a strong job with leg kicks, but Pyfer continued to pursue the takedowns, locking up Adesanya a couple of times. The two traded with bad intentions, and Pyfer appeared to trouble Adesanya near the fence before scoring a takedown.

    Pyfer managed to get into mount and locked Adesanya up in a body triangle, searching for a choke. While he didn’t get that, Pyfer was able to flatten Adesanya out and land ground-and-pound for the TKO win.

    Joe Pyfer Finishes Israel Adesanya At UFC Seattle

    Pyfer has now won four straight and is 7-1 in the UFC since famously earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Adesanya has now lost four straight and five of his last six since dropping the middleweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 281, getting finished in three of these bouts.

  • Alexa Grasso Puts Out Maycee Barber With KO Of The Year Nominee

    Alexa Grasso Puts Out Maycee Barber With KO Of The Year Nominee

    There were plenty of people placing doubt on Alexa Grasso in her UFC Seattle co-main event against Maycee Barber; however, Grasso put those doubts, and her opponent, to bed.

    With one single strike, Grasso had one of the most brutal knockouts in women’s MMA, scoring a first-round finish.

    The two traded for the first couple of minutes, attempting to find each others range while exchanging kicks. The two appeared to be even, as Barber tried to press the pace, but Grasso was more than ready to battle back.

    Then, Grasso flashed a right hand, only to crack Barber with a left. Barber was out from the second the punch landed, even as Grasso took the back and looked for a choke.

    Alexa Grasso Scores Scary KO Of Maycee Barber At UFC Seattle

    https://twitter.com/JFlashGordonMMA/status/2038075602989625459?s=20

    This was a rematch from UFC 258, which saw Grasso score a decision win over Barber.

    This was Grasso’s first win since upsetting Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC women’s flyweight title at UFC 285. Grasso entered this fight off a loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 315.

    Barber had won seven straight before tonight’s loss.

  • Michael Chiesa Ends Career With Quick Submission Win

    Michael Chiesa Ends Career With Quick Submission Win

    The professional MMA career of Michael Chiesa ended in front of family and friends in Seattle, needing just over a minute to score a submission win and end his career victoriously.

    Price attempted to get the upper hand early, scoring a takedown on Chiesa in the opening minute. Chiesa, however, managed to reverse things and got to Price’s back quickly.

    After a little struggle, Chiesa locked up a rear-naked choke and scored the tap in just 62 seconds.

    Michael Chiesa Retires After Submitting Niko Price In Hometown At UFC Seattle

    Chiesa has stepped in the Octagon from time to time while being a color commentator and studio analyst for UFC broadcasts. He ends his career on a four-fight win streak.

    Price, who took this fight on short notice, also retired following this fight. He lost four straight and six of his last seven.

  • Lerryan Douglas Lands Big KO Of Julian Erosa In UFC Debut

    Lerryan Douglas racked up finishes while working his way up to the UFC, and his UFC debut went in a similar fashion, quickly putting away Julian Erosa at UFC Seattle.

    Douglas landed some brutal shots early, putting his power on display right away. The hearty Erosa, however, looked to fight fire with fire. Doulgas was quicker with his strikes, however, and was able to avoid most of the damage Erosa was trying to bring.

    Erosa was dropped more than once during the first round, and Douglas dropped him a couple of times near the fence, ending things with a dramatic and emphatic left hook, to score the KO.

    Lerryan Douglas Scores Brutal Finish Of Julian Erosa At UFC Seattle

    Douglas has now won six straight. This marked the UFC debut of Douglas, the former LFA champion, after a quick finish of Cam Teague on Dana White’s Contender Series.

    Erosa has now lost two straight and is 3-3 in his last six.

  • Demetrious Johnson Joins UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Class

    Demetrious Johnson Joins UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Class

    One of the greatest MMA fighters ever, let alone the man who innovated the flyweight division, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will now officially be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

    The announcement was made during the main card broadcast of UFC Seattle, with “Mighty Mouse” in attendance. Johnson will be a part of the Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing.

    Demetrious Johnson To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame

    Johnson made his professional MMA debut in 2009, going 5-1 before being brought into the UFC after its acquisition of the WEC.

    Johnson won his first two UFC fights before falling to Dominick Cruz in an attempt to capture the UFC bantamweight title in October 2011.

    In 2012, Johnson dropped in weight and entered the UFC’s new flyweight division. After battling Ian McCall to a draw, he defeated McCall in a rematch before a controversial decision over Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 to become the inaugural champion.

    That started a legendary run for “Mighty Mouse,” where he placed his name into the UFC’s record books. During his run between 2012 and 2018, he made 11 consecutive successful defenses, the most in UFC history. It’s also the second-most successful defenses in promotion history, only behind Jon Jones.

    He’s not only been in the most UFC flyweight title fights, but Johnson also has the most victories via submission in UFC title fights with five. Johnson’s highlights in his title run include a literal last-second submission of Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186, a finish of Henry Cejudo at UFC 197, and his flying armbar win over Ray Borg at UFC 217.

    Johnson lost the title against Cejudo at UFC 227 via split decision before being “traded” to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. After winning the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix, Johnson was finished by Adriano Moraes at ONE on TNT 1 in April 2021.

    Johnson won the ONE flyweight title in a rematch with Moraes in August 2022. He then won their trilogy bout in May 2023 in what ended up being the final fight in Johnson’s career, retiring as ONE flyweight champion.

    Johnson joins a 2026 UFC Hall of Fame class that includes Dominick Cruz and the UFC 248 bout between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

  • “The Hype Is Real” – Dakota Bush Lands One-Punch KO

    “The Hype Is Real” – Dakota Bush Lands One-Punch KO

    The power of Dakota Bush was on full display at PFL Pittsburgh, as he landed a big knockout of Robert Watley in under a minute.

    Just a few punches into the fight, Bush landed a low kick before landing a hook that hit right on the button, dropping Watley out in the middle of the cage.

    Dakota Bush Stops Robert Watley In Just Over 30 Seconds At PFL Pittsburgh

    Bush was making his PFL debut tonight. He has now won eight straight since departing the UFC in early 2022.

    This loss snaps a five-fight win streak for Watley. The former CFFC champion made his PFL debut in August, scoring a third-round finish of Mads Burnell.

  • Terrance McKinney Quickly Puts Away Kyle Nelson

    Terrance McKinney loves to get his matchups over in fast fashion, and that happened in the first main card fight of UFC Seattle, needing just 24 seconds to defeat Kyle Nelson.

    Right away, McKinney pressured Nelson, bringing him to the fence. A high kick dropped Nelson, and McKinney swarmed him with a series of shots on the ground until referee Herb Dean ended the fight.

    Terrance McKinney Needs Just 24 Seconds To Defeat Kyle Nelson At UFC Seattle

    This marked McKinney’s seventh first-round finish in the UFC.

    McKinney has now won three of his last four fights. He entered tonight off a competitive loss to Chris Duncan at UFC 323.

    Nelson has now lost two of three, but he is still 4-2 in his last six. He entered tonight off a win over Matt Frevola at UFC Vancouver.

  • “Delivering The Violence” – Josh Fremd Nails Brutal KO

    “Delivering The Violence” – Josh Fremd Nails Brutal KO

    The PFL Pittsburgh night is young, but Josh Fremd chose violence and made the crowd loud early, courtesy of a hard-hitting knockout of Jarrah Al-Silawi.

    Al-Silawi showed flashes of strength early on, particularly with his grappling. On the feet, however, Fremd was at a clear advantage with his striking.

    Fremd added in takedowns, scoring some decent ground-and-pound. While Al-Silawi looked to score a late submission, particularly with an armbar threat, Fremd escaped and continued to pound away from the top.

    Then, back on the feet, Silawi attempted to come forward — only for Fremd to land a brutal counterpunch that faceplanted Silawi out cold for the win.

    Josh Fremd Defeats Jarrah Al-Silawi With Jaw-Dropping KO At PFL Pittsburgh

  • Lance Gibson Jr. Brutally Finishes Chase Hooper at UFC Seattle

    Lance Gibson Jr. Brutally Finishes Chase Hooper at UFC Seattle

    After being unable to find success in his UFC debut, the second go-around pays off dividends for Lance Gibson Jr., as he scored a first-round finish of Chase Hooper during the UFC Seattle prelims.

    Gibson had the upper hand early on Hooper, overwhelming the once top UFC prospect with his own grappling. But it was Gibson’s striking that helped to give him the win.

    In the midst of a clinch, a left hand from Gibson wobbled Hooper back. Gibson landed a pair of high kicks before landing a pair of knees that dropped Hooper, prompting the ref to wave off the action.

    Lance Gibson Jr. Knees His Way To Historic Win Over Chase Hooper At UFC Seattle

    With the win, Gibson and his father, Lance Gibson Sr., becomes the first father-son pair to each compete and hold at least one win in the UFC Octagon.

    Gibson Jr. made his UFC debut in December at UFC Vegas 112, losing to King Green.

    Hooper has now dropped a pair of fights after a three-fight win streak.

  • Winning Announcement for Tybura vs. Fortune Botched

    Winning Announcement for Tybura vs. Fortune Botched

    The post-fight events following Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune ended up being more relevant and noteworthy than the fight itself at UFC Seattle.

    The two ended up having a mostly uneventful bout, with the biggest moment coming when Fortune scored a pair of takedowns on Tybura in the first — nearly finishing the fight in that round. It was overall a fairly dominant performance for the Bellator veteran.

    But when the fight’s result was announced, the cards were said to be in the favor of Tybura, prompting mass confusion around the cage and a litany of boos raining down from the Seattle crowd.

    Bruce Buffer, Octagon announcer, however, had the fighters return to the cage, as the announcement was corrected, to everyone’s relief — especially Fortune’s.

    Screwed Up Winning Announcement Overshadows Tyrell Fortune Earning Victory In UFC Debut

    It’s unclear if Buffer read the wrong fighter when reading the scorecards or if the judges marked the wrong winner on the cards.

    Fortune has now won four straight since his brief stint with the PFL in 2024 following their acquisition of Bellator. This marked Fortune’s UFC debut.

    Tybura has now lost back-to-back fights and is 2-3 in his last five.

  • Casey O’Neill Stops Gabriella Fernandes In 3 Minutes

    Casey O’Neill scored her first finish in just under five years at UFC Seattle, needing just over three minutes to put away Gabriella Fernandes in their prelim bout.

    O’Neill came out aggressive from the get-go, bringing her offense in early. Fernandes looked for big shots herself as well, including a head kick that she landed, but she frequently struggled with range, as O’Neill worked distance well.

    A right hand wobbled Fernandes, and O’Neill swarmed her with striking flurries en route to scoring a TKO.

    Casey O’Neill Earns First Finish Since 2021 At UFC Seattle

    O’Neill has now won back-to-back fights after a pair of losses spoiled an undefeated run for her. This marked O’Neill’s first fight since scoring a decision over Luana Santos at UFC 305.

    This marked the first time Fernandes has been finished in her professional MMA career. Fernandes sees a three-fight win streak snapped tonight.

  • “Yanez Won That First Round” – Yanez vs. Simon Ends In Draw

    “Yanez Won That First Round” – Yanez vs. Simon Ends In Draw

    Adrian Yanez looked to be seconds away from scoring a TKO victory over Ricky Simon; however, the time ran out, and the UFC Seattle prelim bout was ultimately ruled a majority draw.

    Yanez seemed to be in control for most of the fight, working with sharp boxing and landing the quicker, more effective shots on Simon. Simon would find his own success, however, especially with takedowns and power punches landed in round two.

    Yanez had strong defensive work, and that helped him avoid more damage from Simon. And then, in a heavy-hitting round three, Yanez opened up a cut on Simon. Then, a series of right hands in the closing seconds could have helped Yanez score the finish.

    Simon, however, managed to survive and even take a 29-28 total on one scorecard. The other two judges, however, ruled a 10-8 round for Yanez in round three, bringing their totals to 28-28 for a controversial draw.

    Adrian Yanez Nearly Scores Finish, Ends Up With Controversial Draw Vs. Ricky Simon At UFC Seattle

    Simon entered this fight with four losses in his previous six fights. Prior to tonight, he had most recently fought at UFC Vegas 111 in November, losing to Raoni Barcelos.

    Yanez was at one point on a nine-fight win streak; however, he entered this fight with three losses in his previous four. This marked Yanez’s first fight since dropping a split decision to Daniel Marcos at UFC Tampa in December 2024.

  • UFC Seattle Results: Adesanya vs Pyfer Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Seattle Results: Adesanya vs Pyfer Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Seattle results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. The main event will feature a middleweight bout between Israel Adesanya and Joe Pyfer. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer – Middleweight Main Event

    Adesanya, the former two-time UFC middleweight champion, is competing for the first time since getting finished by Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Saudi Arabia last year. It was the second time Adesanya has been finished in MMA — and the first time he was knocked out before the fifth round.

    Adesanya, once undefeated in the sport, has lost four of five since dropping the middleweight title to Alex Pereira at UFC 281. Though Adesanya regained it at UFC 287, he dropped the title in upset fashion to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and failed to regain it against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.

    Pyfer has won three straight and eight of his last nine. He is 6-1 in the Octagon since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. He enters this fight off a submission of Abus Magomedov at UFC 320.

    The co-main event will also feature a former champion, as former women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso takes on Maycee Barber. This is a rematch from UFC 258 in 2021, a fight that saw Grasso take a decision over Barber.

    Grasso enters this fight off a loss to Natalia Silva at UFC 315 last year. It was Grasso’s first fight since her championship trilogy with Valentina Shevchenko. Barber, meanwhile, has won seven straight since the loss, most recently being a decision over Karine Silva at UFC 323.

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

    How to Watch UFC Seattle

    • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Seattle Quick Results

    • Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer — Joe Pyfer def. Israel Adesanya via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:18)
    • Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber — Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber via KO (Rd. 1, 2:42)
    • Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price — Michael Chiesa def. Niko Price via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 1:03)
    • Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas — Lerryan Douglas def. Julian Erosa via KO (Rd. 1, 3:33)
    • Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui — Yousri Belgaroui def. Mansur Abdul-Malik via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:39)
    • Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson — Terrance McKinney def. Kyle Nelson via KO (Rd. 1, 0:24)

    UFC Seattle Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Strawweight: Alexia Thainara vs. Bruna Brasil

    Result: Alexia Thainara def. Bruna Brasil via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Bantamweight: Ricky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez

    Result: Ricky Simon def. Adrian Yanez via majority draw (29-28, 28-28 x2)

    Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling vs. Bruno Lopes

    Result: Navajo Stirling def. Bruno Lopes via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:05)

    Women’s Flyweight: Casey O’Neill vs. Gabriella Fernandes

    Result: Casey O’Neill def. Gabriella Fernandes via TKO (Rd. 1, 3:11)

    Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune

    Result: Tyrell Fortune def. Marcin Tybura via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Lance Gibson Jr.

    Result: Lance Gibson Jr. def. Chase Hooper via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:56)

    Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Tofiq Musayev

    Result: Tofiq Musayev def. Ignacio Bahamondes via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson

    Result: Terrance McKinney def. Kyle Nelson via KO (Rd. 1, 0:24)

    Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui

    Result: Yousri Belgaroui def. Mansur Abdul-Malik via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:39)

    Featherweight: Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas

    Result: Lerryan Douglas def. Julian Erosa via KO (Rd. 1, 3:33)

    Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price

    Result: Michael Chiesa def. Niko Price via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 1:03)

    Women’s Flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber

    Result: Alexa Grasso def. Maycee Barber via KO (Rd. 1, 2:42)

    Middleweight: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer

    Result: Joe Pyfer def. Israel Adesanya via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:18)

  • PFL Pittsburgh Results: Eblen vs Battle Live Updates & Highlights

    PFL Pittsburgh Results: Eblen vs Battle Live Updates & Highlights

    PFL Madrid results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The main event will feature a middleweight bout between Johnny Eblen and Bryan Battle. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle – Middleweight Main Event

    This marks Eblen’s first fight since losing to Costello Van Steenis in dramatic fashion in their PFL middleweight title clash at PFL Cape Town this past July.

    Prior to that loss, Eblen was 16-0 in professional MMA, defeating Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator middleweight title at Bellator 282. He defended the gold against Anatoly Tokov and Fabian Edwards (twice), as well as earning a win over Impa Kasaganagy at the PFL vs. Bellator event in February 2024.

    This will be Battle’s first MMA bout since joining the PFL following his UFC release due to several weight misses. Battle last fought in MMA at UFC 310, defeating Randy Brown via split decision to move to 12-2 (1 NC).

    Battle, the middleweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter season 29, fought in Dirty Boxing twice after his UFC release, earning sub-minute stoppages of Derik de Freitas and Nick Kohring.

    The PFL Pittsburgh co-main event will be another middleweight battle, featuring the aforementioned Impa Kasaganay and Dalton Rosta.

    Kasanagy won the PFL Light Heavyweight Tournament in 2023 but fell to Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in the 2024 final. Kasaganay then competed in the 2025 Middleweight World Tournament, getting finished by Edwards, the eventual tournament champion. Kasaganay last fought in August, scoring a last-minute finish of Andrew Sanchez.

    Rosta, entering this fight 11-2, also competed in the Middleweight World Tournament. He submitted Sabidou Sy and earned a split decision over Aaron Jeffrey before being knocked out by Edwards in the final.

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

    How to Watch PFL Pittsburgh

    • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Venue: UPMC Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
    • Streaming: ESPN Unlimited (full card), ESPN2 (main card), ESPN+ (prelims)
    • Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 10 PM ET / 7 PM PT

    PFL Pittsburgh Quick Results

    • Main Event: Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle — Johnny Eblen def. Bryan Battle via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:10)
    • Co-Main Event: Impa Kasaganay vs. Dalton Rosta — Impa Kasaganay def. Dalton Rosta via KO (Rd. 1, 3:18)
    • Ariane da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba — Ariane da Silva def. Sumiko Inaba via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)
    • Julio Arce vs. Alexei Pergande — Alexei Pergande def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall — Lazaro Dayron def. Jacob Thrall via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    PFL Pittsburgh Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 7 PM ET)

    Featherweight: Ethan Goss vs. Frederik Dupras

    Result: Frederik Dupras def. Ethan Goss via technical submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 2:46)

    Welterweight: Josh Fremd vs. Jarrah Al-Silawi

    Result: Josh Fremd def. Jarrah Al-Silawi via KO (Rd. 3, 3:57)

    Women’s Flyweight: Tatiana Postarnakova vs. Elora Dana

    Result: Tatiana Postarnakova def. Elora Dana via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Welterweight: Ernesto Rodriguez vs. Masayuki Kikuiri

    Result: Ernesto Rodriguez def. Masayuki Kikiuri via majority decision (28-28, 29-28 x2)

    Lightweight: Robert Watley vs. Dakota Bush

    Result: Dakota Bush def. Robert Watley via KO (Rd. 1, 0:34)

    Lightweight: Natan Schulte vs. Jakub Kaszuba

    Result: Jakub Kaszuba def. Natan Schulte via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Catchweight (140 lbs): Allan Begosso vs. Jack Cartwright

    Result: Jack Cartwright def. Allan Begosso via split decision (29-28 x2, 27-29)

    Main Card (ESPN2, 10 PM ET)

    Bantamweight: Lazaro Dayron vs. Jacob Thrall

    Result: Lazaro Dayron def. Jacob Thrall via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Featherweight: Julio Arce vs. Alexei Pergande

    Result: Alexei Pergande def. Julio Arce via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Women’s Flyweight: Ariane da Silva vs. Sumiko Inaba

    Result: Ariane da Silva def. Sumiko Inaba via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Middleweight: Impa Kasaganay vs. Dalton Rosta

    Result: Impa Kasaganay def. Dalton Rosta via KO (Rd. 1, 3:18)

    Middleweight: Johnny Eblen vs. Bryan Battle

    Result: Johnny Eblen def. Bryan Battle via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:10)

  • Julio Arce Reflects on ‘Frustrating’ UFC Exit Ahead of PFL Debut

    Julio Arce Reflects on ‘Frustrating’ UFC Exit Ahead of PFL Debut

    Julio Arce is entering the PFL cage for the first time this Saturday in Pittsburgh to battle undefeated featherweight prospect Alexei Pergande, a challenge that comes almost exactly a couple of years after his tumultuous departure from the UFC.

    Arce finished his UFC contract with a second-round knockout over Herbert Burns after missing weight for a bout at UFC Atlantic City in March 2024. He then waited in uncertainty for many months, not knowing whether the promotion would offer him another deal.

    As it turns out, it didn’t.

    “It was like a seven to eight month wait so then you just don’t know what’s happening,” Arce told MMA Fighting. “I’m seeing fights play out and I’m like, ‘Alright, give me somebody.’ But again, you don’t really know. I don’t know how the negotiations go behind the scenes when your contract is up, if they want to give you a chance to match or whatever.”

    Mixed UFC Tenure Ends on Sour Note

    Arce won six of 10 bouts in the UFC against notable names such as Dan Ige and Julian Erosa. While he’s happy with his overall tenure in the promotion, he was left with a sour taste following his exit.

    “Honestly, that was the only little frustrating part because I know there’s, like, a whole wait period there,” Arce said. “If you could just be like, ‘Hey, we’re not going to re-sign you,’ then you could move on and start your next chapter.”

    Fresh Start with PFL

    Now, Arce gets that fresh start with the PFL, facing an undefeated prospect in Pergande at PFL Pittsburgh. The bout represents a new opportunity for the veteran fighter to showcase his skills on a different stage after nearly a decade competing at the sport’s highest level.

    The featherweight bout takes place this Saturday as part of the PFL’s latest event, giving Arce his first chance to compete under the organization’s unique tournament format and season structure.