MMA News

Category: MMA

  • Conor McGregor Hints At Massive New UFC Deal Ahead Of July 11 Comeback – ‘They Honored Me, Finally’

    Conor McGregor is finally set to make his long-awaited return, and it’s not just the fight that has him fired up — it’s the deal behind it.

    After nearly five years away from the Octagon, the former two-division champion is scheduled to headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas. But behind the scenes, McGregor’s comeback hinged on something much bigger than just an opponent.

    Earlier this year, “The Notorious” publicly stated that his previous contract had effectively become worthless following the UFC’s shift away from the traditional pay-per-view model in favor of a streaming deal with Paramount+. That change meant a renegotiation was inevitable for the promotion’s biggest draw.

    Now, with the fight officially booked, McGregor has made it clear he’s satisfied with how things played out.

    “The big fight is coming,” McGregor said in an interview with former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill. “Let’s cheers to that. ‘The Mac’ is back, baby. Let’s go.”

    Beyond the excitement of competing again, McGregor emphasized that the UFC delivered what he was looking for financially.

    “I’ve got a great deal off the UFC. I’m very, very happy. They honored me, finally,” he added.

    The Irishman hasn’t fought since suffering a leg injury in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021, and he hasn’t recorded a victory since his quick finish of Donald Cerrone in early 2020. Despite the long layoff, McGregor insists he’s returning in peak condition.

    “I’m out so long, five years. My body’s fresh, my mind is sharp. I’m ready to come back,” he said. “Preparation has gone very well. We’re living, breathing, and sleeping in the gym.”

    As for the matchup itself, McGregor is confident heading into a rematch with a familiar opponent.

    “And the opponent is a man that I’ve beaten before in Max Holloway,” he said. “He is an established fighter, an accomplished fighter… This is a quality opponent. Our last bout was martial arts mastery by yours truly, so I plan on doing it again.”

  • ‘I Hate Myself’ – UFC Champ Sean Strickland Blasts Adin Ross’ Brand Risk 14 Event After ‘Shameful’ Experience

    Sean Strickland didn’t mince words after his brief appearance at the influencer-driven Brand Risk 14 event, making it clear he regretted showing up almost immediately after it ended.

    The reigning UFC middleweight champion was present at the show, even stepping in on commentary for one of the bouts. But what he witnessed inside the venue clearly didn’t sit well with him.

    Taking to Instagram shortly after leaving, Strickland delivered a brutally honest reaction.

    “I’ve never been a part of anything so shameful in my life, and I hate myself,” Strickland said on his Instagram Stories. “And I feel like less of a man after being here. Oh God, why did I agree to this?”

    The event, which featured a mix of influencer fights and unconventional matchups, left Strickland visibly disturbed. While he initially appeared to be going along with the spectacle during the broadcast, his tone shifted completely once he exited the arena.

    “I had to get the f— out of there,” he added. “I like Adin, but I’m sick to my stomach. That is the most f—ed up thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life.”

    According to Strickland, his appearance wasn’t about the event itself but rather supporting people he knows, including content creator Adin Ross. Still, the experience quickly turned into something he wanted no part of.

    “I was just trying to say hi to a friend, next thing you know, your dignity is gone,” he said. “I’m ready to go home and look myself in the mirror. I’ve never done anything so shameful in my life being a part of this.”

    Beyond just the event, Strickland also voiced concerns about the broader direction of entertainment culture, particularly the influence of streaming personalities.

    “You take these streamers and they have this massive following,” he said. “You just know they’re the next generation… It’s so bad. I just want it all to stop.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev is no longer staying quiet about his first loss inside the Octagon, and he’s pointing toward more than just the action inside the cage as the reason behind it.

    The former middleweight champion suffered a narrow split decision defeat to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, a result that saw Strickland reclaim the 185-pound title. While the fight was widely viewed as competitive, the scorecards immediately sparked debate among fans, media, and fighters alike.

    Now, weeks removed from the bout, Chimaev has voiced his own concerns — and they go beyond simple judging criteria.

    In a now-deleted post on X, later shared via Championship Rounds, Chimaev suggested that nationality may have played a role in how the fight was scored.

    “All judges are American, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen,” he wrote. “It’s a close fight. Who do you think will win?”

    Despite the implication, “Borz” was quick to shut down the idea that he was making excuses for the loss. In a follow-up message on X, he made his intentions clear.

    “No excuses I just wanna f— him up, this s— trying to run away,” he added.

    “Borz” has also continued to push for a rematch with Strickland, doubling down on his desire to run things back after what many viewed as a razor-close contest. Even among media members, scoring was split, with a notable portion favoring the 32-year-old Chechen’s performance on the night.

    The loss marked the first blemish on Chimaev’s previously perfect professional record and ended his reign as middleweight champion.

  • PFL MENA 9: Yahya vs. Saadi Live Updates & Highlights

    PFL MENA results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The main event will feature a featherweight bout between Mohammad Yahya and Mehdi Saadi. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Mohammad Yahya vs. Mehdi Saadi – Featherweight Main Event

    This marks the first PFL MENA event to be held outside Saudi Arabia. This card was originally planned to take place in Saudi Arabia on May 8; however, the event was relocated and rescheduled to today due to the ongoing tension and conflicts in the Middle East.

    This main event will serve as one of two featherweight quarterfinal bouts on this card.

    This is Yahya’s first fight in the PFL and first fight since parting ways with the UFC last year after an 0-3 stint. He was the lightweight champion in UAE Warriors and has also fought for Bellator and Desert Force.

    Saadi also makes his PFL debut today, competing for the first time since January 2024. The 6-2 fighter comes into this bout off a finish of Jalal Al Daaja in UAE Warriors.

    The co-main event will feature one of four lightweight tournament quarterfinal matchups tonight, as Salah Eddine Hamli takes on Ylies Djiroun.

    The undefeated Hamli is the defending PFL MENA lightweight champion. He claimed last year’s tournament title with submission victories over Abbas Khan, Souhil Tairi, and Mohammad Fahmi.

    Djiroun competed in the 2019 PFL season, as well as having fought for promotions like BRAVE CF and ARES FC. Djiroun has won six of his last seven bouts, most recently submitting Antonio Roberto in 45 seconds in January.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from PFL MENA 9!

    How to Watch PFL MENA 9

    • Date: Sunday, May 24, 2026
    • Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    • Streaming: YouTube
    • Prelims: 9 AM ET / 6 AM PT
    • Main Card: 11:30 AM ET / 8:30 AM PT

    PFL MENA 9 Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (YouTube, 9 AM ET)

    Amateur Featherweight: Butti Alameri vs. Hamada Mohamed Osman

    Result:Butti Alameei def. Hamada Mohamed Osman via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Welterweight: Ahmed Albrahim vs. Khaled Mahmoud

    Result: Ahmed Albarahim def. Khaled Mahmoud via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:47)

    Flyweight: Hamad Marhoon vs. Saher Qasmieh

    Result: Saher Qasmieh def. Hamad Marhoon via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

    Lightweight Quarterfinal: Ahmed El Sisy vs. Harda Karim

    Result: Ahmed El Sisy def. Harda Karim via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Lightweight Quarterfinal: Abdullah Saleem vs. Basel Shalaan

    Result: Basel Shalaan def. Abdullah Saleem via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x3)

    Main Card (YouTube, 11:30 AM ET)

    Amateur Women’s Strawweight: Zamzam Al Hammadi vs. Abeer Mansour

    Result: Zamzam Al Hammadi def. Abeer Mansour via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight Quarterfinal: Mohammad Fahmi vs. Assem Ghanem

    Result: BOUT CANCELED DUE TO GHANEM INJURY PRIOR TO FIGHT; FAHMI ADVANCES IN THE TOURNAMENT BY DEFAULT

    Featherweight Quarterfinal: Hamza Kooheji vs. Taha Bendaoud

    Result: Hamza Kooheji def. Taha Bendaoud via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight Quarterfinal: Salah Eddine Hamli vs. Ylies Djiroun

    Result: Ylies Djiroun def. Salah Eddine Hamli via TKO (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    Featherweight Quarterfinal: Mohammad Yahya vs. Mehdi Saadi

    Result: Mehdi Saadi def. Mohammad Yahya via split decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)

  • Patrick Habirora Puts Away Benson Henderson In Just 20 Seconds

    For Patrick Habirora, it was the statement win over an MMA legend that gave a notable name on his resume. For Benson Henderson, it was a disastrous return to MMA after his retirement three years earlier.

    Habirora defeated Henderson by knockout in just 20 seconds in the main event of PFL Brussels.

    Habirora started to get things going, feeling things out with Henderson while landing a big body kick.

    But Habirora brought things to an end quickly when he connected with a left hand that slumped Henderson face-first in the center of the cage.

    Patrick Habirora KOs Benson Henderson In Mere Seconds At PFL Brussels

    Habirora is now 9-0 as a pro, including a 4-0 PFL record. He came into this bout off first-round knockouts of Danny Roberts and Kevin Jousset in 2025.

    This marked Henderson’s first MMA fight since 2023. While the former UFC and WEC champion has fought in boxing, Karate Combat, and RAF since, Henderson last fought MMA at Bellator 292, retiring after unsuccessfully challenging Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title.

  • Taylor Lapilus Gets One-Sided Decision Over Jake Hadley

    Taylor Lapilus continues to rack up victories on the world’s biggest MMA stages, as he scores a decision win over Jake Hadley in the PFL Brussels co-main event.

    Hadley’s key to success in this fight would have been to use his wrestling and score takedowns. Lapilus, however, was ready, consistently stuffing his opponent’s attempts.

    Lapilus followed that up by landing a number of combinations over the 15-minute contest, knocking Hadley down more than once. Hadley showed little in the way of offense as Lapilus continuously shut him down.

    Taylor Lapilus Defeats Jake Hadley In Uncompetitive Co-Main Event

    Lapilus went on to sweep the scorecards.

    Lapilus has now won six straight and is 4-0 in the PFL since jumping over from the UFC. He entered this fight off a finish of Kasum Kasumov in February.

    Hadley has now lost three of his last four and five of his last seven.

  • Boris Mbarga Atangana Scores 65-Second Win In Brussels

    In front of a native crowd in Belgium, Boris Mbarga Atangana delivered a highlight, starching Jared Gooden in just over a minute at PFL Brussels.

    Atangana had the upper hand from the start, using pressure and striking to keep Gooden on the back foot. Atangana then quickly stumbled Gooden with a high kick.

    Pressing Gooden against the fence, Atangana fired off combinations that started with a strong right hand. A couple of solid hooks — one from the left and three from the right — cracked Gooden, seemingly knocking him out on his feet, bringing a quick end to the fight.

    Boris Mbraga Atangana Stops Jared Gooden Quickly At PFL Brussels

    Atangana is now 9-0 in MMA, including a 4-0 PFL record. He came into this bout off a second-round submission of Guilherme Soares at PFL Lyon in December.

    Gooden, who was making his PFL debut tonight, has now lost three straight and four of his last five.

  • Donegi Abena Wins MMA Debut with Bizarre Retirement

    One of the more interesting bouts on the PFL Brussels card was the debut of Donegi Abena, as he took on the returning Joe Schilling. And that fight ended up producing one of the most bizarre finishes in PFL history.

    Abena ended up getting the win after committing a foul, with his opponent refusing to continue.

    The fight quickly went to the ground with Abena on top. While there, Abena headbutt Schilling, resulting in referee Mike Beltran calling a timeout and deducting a point from Abena.

    Schilling was furious with his opponent, walking around the cage and refusing to stay in his corner.

    Donegi Abena Gets Win After Joe Schilling Refuses To Continue After Foul

    When Beltran checked in on Schilling, Schilling told him, “I’m done,” prompting the fight to be waved off.

    Abena found success in the world of kickboxing, competing for GLORY Kickboxing from 2019 to 2024. Abena is a one-time former GLORY light heavyweight champion and a former GLORY Light Heavyweight Grand Prix winner.

    Schilling, also a kickboxer, was fighting for the first time since 2019. He was knocked out by Tony Johnson in his last fight at Bellator 229.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Coker Targets January 2027 Launch

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

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

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

  • Ilia Topuria Trashes UFC 329 Main Event As ‘Sh*t Fight’ But Wants Conor McGregor To Win For One Big Reason

    Ilia Topuria may not be impressed by the matchup itself, but he knows exactly what’s at stake when Conor McGregor returns to face Max Holloway at UFC 329.

    Set for July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the highly anticipated rematch marks McGregor’s first appearance in the Octagon since 2021.

    While the bout has generated massive buzz, the reigning lightweight champion isn’t sold on its competitive appeal.

    “Wow, it’s a sh*t fight,” Topuria said in an interview with ESPN Deportes. “Conor, I think this is good for the sport. I personally think that he’s good for the sport because many people want to see him fight, and want to see one of the real stars of the UFC.”

    Topuria acknowledged McGregor’s drawing power but questioned where the real benefit lies.

    “I consider Conor one of the biggest stars in the UFC, but it’s one of those things that has its pros and cons,” he explained. “He’s on a downward slide, and the only one who really stands to gain anything from this fight isn’t UFC anymore, it’s him.”

    From a stylistic standpoint, Topuria expects a striking-heavy affair between the two former featherweight standouts.

    “It’s going to be a stand-up fight, I think, purely striking,” he said. “We’re not going to see any wrestling or ground game. Don’t think Conor’s much worse than Max. They’ll probably just go at it like two kittens, just touching hands and feeling each other out.”

    Despite his criticism, Topuria is backing McGregor to come out on top, pointing to their first meeting back in 2013, where the Irishman secured a unanimous decision victory.

    “I think Conor is going to win. They already fought once and Conor won,” Topuria said. “This time around, he could beat him, he should beat him.”

    His reasoning, however, isn’t entirely neutral.

    “In fact, if you ask me who I want to win, and what winner is best for me, it’s Conor,” Topuria admitted. “Because if he wins, and he takes one more fight, maybe we could end up fighting each other.”

    For now, Topuria remains focused on his own upcoming clash with Justin Gaethje, but he’s clearly keeping one eye on UFC 329 and what it could mean for his future.

  • Justin Gaethje Admits He Is ‘Much More Dangerous Coming Off Losses’ Than Wins

    Justin Gaethje says he is more dangerous coming off losses than wins, and admits that learning to stay committed to the process during successful stretches has been one of the hardest challenges of his career.

    Gaethje faces Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House. Speaking to Grind City Media ahead of the fight, he reflected on the mental challenge of maintaining edge after victories.

    “Coming off of losses, I’m much more dangerous than I am coming off wins. That’s the human mind and it’s just a tricky, tricky situation to be in when you’re being successful, to stay as committed to the process as you need to.”

    Gaethje pointed to his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 as a reset that sharpened him for the two wins that followed, including his interim lightweight title victory over Paddy Pimblett. He has previously said he is glad the Holloway loss happened because of what it unlocked in him.

    June 14 will be Gaethje’s third attempt at winning the undisputed lightweight title. He also noted a pattern in his UFC losses that he has not been able to shake.

    “I’ve only lost to past champions or in championship fights and obviously, that’s not nice. I don’t like that part about my career.”

  • Dana White Compares Jon Jones To Michael Jordan Despite Contract Dispute

    Dana White Compares Jon Jones To Michael Jordan Despite Contract Dispute

    Dana White is still calling Jon Jones the greatest fighter in UFC history despite their public falling out over the UFC White House card, comparing Jones to Michael Jordan in a recent interview.

    Speaking to The New Yorker, White made his position on Jones’ legacy clear.

    “If you’re looking for your Michael Jordan, it would be Jon Jones, who is the greatest. Jon Jones is in his forties now. He’s undefeated still, never been beat. And he’s moved up and down weight classes. It is very, very unique and hard to be undefeated in the UFC.”

    The praise comes despite an increasingly hostile relationship between the two sides. Jones requested his UFC release after claiming to have been lowballed on an offer to fight at UFC White House on June 14, while White denied ever entertaining Jones for that card. Jones has since been publicly pursuing a contract exit, most recently requesting the contact details of Tyron Woodley’s lawyer Sam Spira, who believes a legal route out may exist.

    Jones has also expressed interest in fighting Francis Ngannou outside the UFC and has teased a potential boxing venture, revealing he expects talks with IBA president Umar Kremlev about entering the ring if he can secure his release.

  • Chael Sonnen Lays Out Exact Steps Gina Carano Needs To Take To Get Another Big Fight

    Chael Sonnen Lays Out Exact Steps Gina Carano Needs To Take To Get Another Big Fight

    Chael Sonnen says Gina Carano’s coach coming out to reveal she was “gutted” by her 17-second loss to Ronda Rousey was exactly the right move to keep her fighting career alive, and believes the only logical next opponent is Holly Holm.

    Sonnen had previously criticized Carano’s seemingly indifferent demeanor after the loss at MVP MMA 1. When coach John Wood revealed this week that Carano was devastated and considering another fight, Sonnen welcomed the update on his podcast.

    “This was very helpful. This was great that coach Wood came out and did this, because that was the part that was missing. I don’t know if Gina can get another walk. I don’t know if she can get another contract. It would be tough, and you’d need a lot of really perfect things to happen to get Gina, particularly in a headlining role. But that’s what happened with the Ronda fight. Nobody thought 240-pound, ex-fighter, 17 years removed, was going to get a headlining role, that sets records, that pays millions of dollars. Nobody thought that would happen, but everything lined up just right. So, it can be done, as long as the ingredient that she cares is part of this. And that’s why it was so helpful that coach Wood came out and said she’s gutted.”

    Sonnen explained why Carano’s post-fight demeanor was damaging and what needed to happen to course-correct.

    “This is great, because when Gina got up and smiled, and talked about how wonderful this was, and how proud she was for this moment, how grateful, it does break the deal with the audience. It literally could end her career that she got up and smiled and hugged it out, because now she’s letting everyone know, ‘I don’t care.’ And if you don’t care, then we can’t care. It’s not possible.”

    He laid out the formula Carano would need to follow to earn another opportunity.

    “Now what does she need? She needs to get back to the gym. Again, it’s just a story, guys. We don’t know if she didn’t care just because she looked like she didn’t. We don’t know if she’s gutted, just because her coach said she was. We don’t know if she’s back in the gym. It’s a story. But the story has to be told this way. If she truly cares and this is a passion of hers, she’d be back in the gym. Then, once you set the table in this way — she cares, she’s back, she’s in shape, she’s embarrassed, she’s coming back — then the fourth and final ingredient, which comes about a week from now, then you tell us the proposed opponent.”

    On who that opponent should be, Sonnen pointed to one name.

    “Gina’s putting pieces, but the final one is who? And then you’ve got to sit back and react. I don’t know what the community is going to do to the idea of Gina vs. Holly Holm. I just know that’s the direction. That’s the only possible direction. So you’ve got to build it, you’ve got to set it out there, and the community is going to jump on it. They’re either going to like it, or they’re not. But that’s still the way the game is played.”

    A rematch with Rousey is off the table following her retirement. Holm is the woman who handed Rousey her first career loss in 2015.

  • VIDEO: Bodybuilder Larry Wheels Gets Reality Check As Undersized UFC Star Merab Dvalishvili Submits Him Multiple Times In Seconds

    A recent livestream crossover between MMA and the fitness world delivered a quick reality check.

    Merab Dvalishvili shared the mat with bodybuilding influencer Larry Wheels during a livestream on Kick, and the result was as decisive as it was fast.

    Wheels, who had previously rolled with the former UFC bantamweight champion in an earlier clip, appeared better prepared this time around after putting in some wrestling work. That added preparation showed early, as he managed to hold his ground for a brief stretch once the exchange began.

    But against a fighter known for relentless pace and suffocating grappling, that window didn’t last long.

    Once “The Machine” secured control, the gap in experience became obvious. Wheels’ resistance faded quickly as the pressure mounted, and within moments, the sequence ended with a submission.

    The entire exchange lasted under a minute, with Wheels forced to tap multiple times despite his significant size and strength advantage.

    Check out the video below:

  • PFL Brussels Results: Habirora vs. Henderson Live Updates And Highlights

    PFL Brussels results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the ING Arena in Brussels, Belgium. The main event will feature a welterweight bout between Patrick Habirora and Benson Henderson. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Patrick Habirora vs. Benson Henderson – Welterweight Main Event

    Patrick Habirora is one of Europe’s hottest MMA prospects, let alone perhaps PFL’s. Habirora is 8-0 in professional MMA, including a 4-0 PFL record so far, with seven finishes to his name. He comes into this bout off back-to-back first-round finishes of Danny Roberts and Kevin Jousset.

    Henderson, the former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, comes out of retirement for his first professional MMA bout in three years. Henderson’s last MMA fight came at Bellator 292, when he unsuccessfully challenged Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title during the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix.

    Henderson has since kept busy in other disciplines, defeating Chris Avila and losing to Idris Virgo in boxing, losing to Anthony Pettis in Karate Combat, and losing to Aljamain Sterling in RAF.

    The co-main event will be a bantamweight contest featuring Taylor Lapilus and Jake Hadley.

    Lapilus has won five straight and 11 of his last 12, which includes a 3-1 stint with the UFC. Lapilus is 3-0 since moving from the UFC to the PFL, most recently finishing Kasum Kasumov at PFL Lyon in December.

    Hadley, the former Cage Warriors champion, had his own stint in the UFC after winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. After going 3-4 with the UFC between 2022 and 2024, Hadley arrived at the PFL last year. He scored a Scottish twister submission of Matheus Mattos before losing to eventual Bantamweight World Tournament champion Marcirley Alves.

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

    How to Watch PFL Brussels

    • Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
    • Venue: ING Arena, Brussels, Belgium
    • Streaming: ESPN Unlimited (full card), ESPN2 (main card), ESPN+ (prelims)
    • Prelims: 12:30 PM ET / 9:30 AM PT
    • Main Card: 3 PM ET / 12 PM PT

    PFL Brussels Quick Results

    • Main Event: Patrick Habirora vs. Benson Henderson – Patrick Habirora def. Benson Henderson via KO (Rd. 1, 0:20)
    • Co-Main: Taylor Lapilus vs. Jake Hadley – Taylor Lapilus def. Jake Hadley via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
    • Boris Mbarga Atangana vs. Jared Gooden – Boris Mbarga Atangana def. Jared Gooden via TKO (Rd. 1, 1:05)
    • Marcirley Alves vs. Naoki Inoue – Naoki Inoue def. Marcirley Alves via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
    • Asael Adjoudj vs. Keisuke Sasu – Asael Adjoudj def. Keisuke Sasu via KO (Rd. 2, 2:22)

    PFL Brussels Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 12:30 PM ET)

    Welterweight: Rustam Serbiev vs Ashley Reece

    Result: Ashley Reece def. Rustam Serbiev via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Featherweight: Adam Meskini vs Keweny Lopes

    Result: Adam Meskini def. Keweny Lopes via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Welterweight: Khamzat Abaev vs Luca Poclit

    Result: Khamzat Abaev def. Luca Poclit via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:56)

    Bantamweight: Movsar Ibragimov vs Youssouf Binate

    Result: Movsar Ibragimov def. Youssouf Binate via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 3:28)

    Light Heavyweight: Joe Schilling vs. Donegi Abena

    Result: Donegi Abena def. Joe Schilling via TKO (retirement) (Rd. 1, 0:37)

    Bantamweight: Baris Adiguzel vs Gustavo Oliveira

    Result: Gustavo Oliveira def. Baris Adiguzel via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 2, 1:10)

    Main Card (ESPN+, 3 PM ET)

    Featherweight: Asael Adjoudj vs Keisuke Sasu

    Result: Asael Adjoudj def. Keisuke Sasu via KO (Rd. 2, 2:22)

    Bantamweight: Marcirley Alves vs Naoki Inoue

    Result: Naoki Inoue def. Marcirley Alves via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Middleweight: Boris Mbarga Atangana vs Jared Gooden

    Result: Boris Mbarga Atangana def. Jared Gooden via TKO (Rd. 1, 1:05)

    Bantamweight: Taylor Lapilus vs Jake Hadley

    Result: Taylor Lapilus def. Jake Hadley via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Welterweight: Patrick Habirora vs. Benson Henderson

    Result: Patrick Habirora def. Benson Henderson via KO (Rd. 1, 0:20)

  • WATCH: PFL Brussels Faceoff Turns Ugly As Fighters And Teams Brawl While Dan Hardy Gets Caught In Wild Crossfire

    Tensions boiled over ahead of PFL Brussels as a scheduled bout nearly erupted a day early during the ceremonial weigh-ins.

    What was supposed to be a routine faceoff between Khamzat Abaev and Luca Poclit quickly spiraled into chaos when both fighters brought unexpected intensity to the stage. Poclit stepped forward aggressively with his guard raised, prompting an immediate reaction from Abaev.

    The situation escalated within seconds. Abaev responded with a shove and even swung a kick in close quarters, forcing officials to step in. However, attempts to calm things down only made matters worse, as members of both camps got involved and punches began flying behind them.

    In the middle of it all was Dan Hardy, who was overseeing the faceoffs. The former UFC fighter found himself caught in the chaos, nearly getting struck during the exchange as he tried to keep the fighters separated.

    Despite Hardy’s efforts, the situation briefly spiraled out of control before security intervened and restored order. No serious injuries were reported, but the incident added unexpected drama to the event’s buildup.

    Ironically, the altercation came ahead of a preliminary card welterweight bout, not the main event. The card itself is set to take place at ING Arena in Brussels, with Benson Henderson headlining against Patrick Habirora.

    After Friday’s explosive scenes, all eyes will now be on Abaev and Poclit to see if they carry that same intensity into the cage when they officially meet on Saturday night.

  • Tyron Woodley Delivers Brutal Assessment Of Colby Covington’s Legacy

    Tyron Woodley Delivers Brutal Assessment Of Colby Covington’s Legacy

    Tyron Woodley delivered a scathing assessment of Colby Covington following news of his retirement, saying Covington was an opportunist who manufactured a persona and talked himself into positions his record never justified.

    Woodley fought Covington in September 2020, losing by TKO due to a rib injury in the fifth round. The two were former training partners at American Top Team before their relationship soured. Speaking to New Betting Sites U.K., Woodley did not hold back.

    “His whole brand was modeled around an act that he was such a Trump supporter, America this and that, when really he was just a Drake-listening, Beats headphones-wearing, hanging out in Miami, thinking he’s a gangster guy, who put on an act and a character. Your whole thing was baiting. Colby was piggybacking that because it was causing controversy. He wanted to create his own version of being a heel but in MMA. I paid Colby weekly to be a training partner for Rory just to torture him. He was an opportunist who took advantage of a quiet moment in MMA.”

    Woodley acknowledged Covington’s physical attributes while dismissing his work ethic.

    “I would say he’s tough. I would say he’s durable. I would say he’s a person that doesn’t work very hard, but he has crazy cardio. People hated him in the gym because he wouldn’t work very hard, but he had a gas tank, and he knew staying close to you was the best for him. He found a way to do that. He talked himself into positions that his record and ranking weren’t ever in. The sport was quiet. Ronda was gone. Jon was chilling out. Conor was out, and nobody was there, so we were willing to listen to him. He’s an opportunist that took advantage of a moment where the sport was quiet with stars, and we were just willing to listen to WWE and go on the ride with him. That’s his legacy.”

    Covington’s UFC status was changed to retired earlier this week. He has not competed in the organization since a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024. He remains active in Real American Freestyle wrestling and meets Chris Weidman at RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas.

  • Jon Jones Is Taking Serious Steps To Get Out Of His UFC Contract

    Jon Jones Is Taking Serious Steps To Get Out Of His UFC Contract

    Tyron Woodley says Jon Jones texted him after the MVP MMA 1 broadcast, asking for the lawyer who could potentially help him pursue a Francis Ngannou fight outside the UFC.

    Jones said during the Netflix broadcast that getting out of his UFC contract would be the primary obstacle to making a Ngannou fight happen. Woodley, who was on the broadcast alongside Jones, told NewBettingSites.uk that his attorney Sam Spira was involved in the legal framework explored before Conor McGregor’s 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather — and that a similar route could be available to Jones.

    “Conor McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather. My lawyer is the lawyer that actually gave Audie Attar and Conor the play and the manoeuvre to do it through the Ali Act. His name is Sam Spira. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for it. If Jon wanted to fight Francis Ngannou, there is a legal way where he can do it. It’s not going to be a cakewalk, but have the legal team deal with it.”

    Woodley said Jones reached out to him directly after the broadcast.

    “Jon texted me afterwards, because Jon knows me. He knows if I say something, I’m not going to be sugarcoating it. As I was saying it on air, my lawyer was watching it, so he sent me a text message of exactly the injunction he would have to do, how he would have to file it, and the process. It’s going to be a battle, but this is the way you can do it. Jon asked me himself, he said, ‘Tyron, send me that lawyer’s number that knows that play.’ I said fine, and I forwarded him my lawyer’s info.”

    The Ali Act is a federal boxing law covering anti-competitive practices in professional boxing. It was not written for MMA, meaning any legal strategy would require Jones’ team to find an applicable angle rather than directly invoking the act.

    Woodley also noted that Jones may not feel urgency to pursue a legal battle, given his current business ventures including mentoring Gable Steveson, working with Dirty Boxing, and staying active through appearances and seminars.

    “I would say he has the information he needs, if he legally wants to pursue that. But he is doing well business-wise. He’s got a lot of things keeping him busy. So if he wants to fight, he’s got the information to do it. The ball’s in his court.”

  • MVP Confirms Their MMA Plans Go Way Beyond A One-Off Netflix Event

    MVP Confirms Their MMA Plans Go Way Beyond A One-Off Netflix Event

    MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian says the promotion is fully committed to staying in MMA following the success of their Netflix debut, and believes there is a real opportunity to become the sport’s number two promotion.

    Speaking to Uncrowned, Bidarian laid out the vision for what comes next.

    “One hundred percent, MVP is in the MMA business. There is a clear opportunity to create an alternative avenue for fighters that truly represents the best of the sport and is fighters first. Our hope is that’s with our partners at Netflix. We’ve been very fortunate with the outreach we’ve gotten around what we did and what we accomplished and what we delivered.”

    Bidarian explained why he sees MMA as a better space to compete in than boxing.

    “Boxing is more difficult to own than MMA. UFC is obviously the reference brand. They’re going to be that for many years to come. But there’s no true No. 2 player. Boxing, there’s six or seven of us putting on premium big events every single week. So, do I think we can come and take a real share within the MMA sphere? Yes. Do I believe we can convince Netflix to do it on a more regular basis than they’ve shown to do so with boxing? If we have the product and we show them the path of how this can work and set expectations appropriately, and ask for the right amount of rights fees that are appropriate for that, my hope is that the answer is yes. But I will say that there’s Amazon, Fox, ESPN. There’s definitely other outlets that, once we present them this whole package, will have interest in what we’re doing.”

    MVP MMA 1 peaked at 17 million viewers on Netflix and drew a live attendance of 15,795 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

  • Chael Sonnen’s Breakdown Of Gina Carano’s MVP MMA 1 Failure Puts The Blame On A Specific Group

    Chael Sonnen’s Breakdown Of Gina Carano’s MVP MMA 1 Failure Puts The Blame On A Specific Group

    Chael Sonnen says Gina Carano’s team failed her at MVP MMA 1, pointing to her showing up five pounds underweight at the weigh-ins as evidence of unprofessionalism that set her up for failure.

    Carano weighed in at 141 pounds for the 145-pound featherweight bout, well below the contracted limit. She was submitted by Ronda Rousey in 17 seconds. Sonnen addressed both issues on Smash Cast.

    “Gina Carano shows up to the weigh-in at 141 pounds. I spoke to Gina one time in my life, and it was very pleasant; she treated me very respectfully and kindly — but this is a reality: Gina weighed in five pounds less than she needed to. Contracted weight of 145 and she got a one-pound allowance. They ask her ‘Why?’, and that is beyond unprofessional by everybody on that team. Whoever the coach is, the strength and conditioning coach, to get their athlete five pounds underweight, failed at their job. You can teach that to a nine or ten-year-old. If you’re underweight, you don’t need to cut more weight.”

    Sonnen said Carano also showed no urgency once the fight started.

    “Then she comes into a fist fight and doesn’t throw any punches, and doesn’t care. She could’ve quickly spun that — her days in Hollywood got taken from her, very unfairly. But she could’ve used a paycheck like this, and a Gina Carano vs. Holly Holm fight would’ve been really compelling. But not when you do it like that. You had an opportunity, and her team failed her. Those women botched the spot.”

    Carano has not responded to Sonnen’s remarks.

  • UFC Owners Buy Into $9.9 Billion Las Vegas Raiders With Minority Ownership

    The influence of combat sports is stretching further into mainstream American sports, with key figures behind the UFC now securing a foothold in the NFL.

    TKO Group Holdings executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro have officially been approved as minority investors in the Las Vegas Raiders, marking a notable crossover between the UFC’s parent company and one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises.

    Emanuel, who serves as CEO of TKO, has acquired a 1.4% stake in the team, while Shapiro, the company’s president and COO, has taken a 0.6% share. Their entry comes as part of a broader ownership reshuffle that has significantly boosted the Raiders’ valuation to around $9.9 billion.

    Despite the influx of new investors, controlling owner Mark Davis retains authority over the franchise, holding roughly a third of the team, which is the minimum required by league rules for a primary owner.

    One of the biggest shifts within the ownership structure involves Silver Lake executive Egon Durban, who has increased his stake to 22%, making him a central figure in the team’s long-term future. Durban is already deeply connected to TKO and Endeavor, serving as a major investor and board member, and is widely viewed as the leading candidate to take control of the Raiders should Davis ever decide to sell.

    The move also reflects a broader strategy tying TKO closer to Las Vegas. The city has long served as the home base for the UFC, while recent large-scale events, including WWE’s WrestleMania and major boxing cards, have further strengthened the company’s footprint in the market.

  • Ilia Topuria Takes Brutal Shot at Arman Tsarukyan, Claims His Rich Lifestyle Is Fake – ‘He’s A Loser’

    Ilia Topuria is preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking aim at a top contender waiting in the wings.

    As “El Matador” gears up to face Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout at the UFC White House event on June 14, he has turned his attention toward Arman Tsarukyan, who is set to serve as the official backup for the main event.

    Tsarukyan has built an online reputation for showcasing a lavish lifestyle, frequently posting photos of luxury cars, expensive watches, and high-end experiences. But Topuria isn’t convinced any of it reflects reality.

    Speaking in an interview with Alvaro Colmenero, the reigning UFC lightweight champion didn’t hold back.

    “He has the mind of a little kid,” Topuria said. “He’s a man-child who is playing a game. I think he’s playing the rich guy game. He’s neither rich nor is his father, I’m telling you. He’s just not.”

    Topuria doubled down by comparing Tsarukyan’s behavior to people he considers genuinely wealthy.

    “I know a huge amount of rich people, none of them, none, like not a single one of them is like that,” he said. “He’s playing a game of buying a car and sending it to Russia to resell it. And I think he’s not even rich, I’m telling you. He’s a loser.”

    Despite the harsh criticism, Tsarukyan’s performances inside the cage continue to speak for themselves. The 29-year-old Armenian has been on a strong run, stacking multiple wins and positioning himself near the top of the division.

    Still, “El Matador” appears skeptical that Tsarukyan is eager to face him if the opportunity arises, even with his role as the designated backup for the June 14 headliner.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Has A Clear Opinion On The Khamzat Chimaev Rematch Debate

    Dricus Du Plessis Has A Clear Opinion On The Khamzat Chimaev Rematch Debate

    Dricus Du Plessis says he is surprised the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland fight was even a split decision, calling the outcome clear and pushing back on the idea that Chimaev deserves an immediate rematch.

    Strickland dethroned Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 earlier this month. Media scores were nearly evenly divided, but Du Plessis told Fight Forecast he saw it differently.

    “Crazy thing is where people go, ‘Oh, it was a robbery.’ I can’t believe it was a split decision. It was a very clear three rounds for Strickland, two rounds for Khamzat. That was it, and it was a great fight. I think Strickland did what most people thought he couldn’t do, but I just had the feeling being in there with both of these guys, both of them are phenomenal at what they do. I just think that Strickland was better being able to be all around than Khamzat in that fight.”

    On the question of a Chimaev rematch, Du Plessis was firm.

    “I don’t think he deserves a rematch. He definitely doesn’t because he has no title defenses, zero. So, it doesn’t justify a rematch at all, but it’s going to be interesting to see what he does next.”

    Du Plessis also offered a broader take on what Chimaev’s first career loss means for him going forward.

    “People don’t necessarily enjoy that fighting style, but he’s so dominant, he has been. This fight is going to go one of two ways for him. Is this going to break him or is this going to motivate him to say, ‘Listen, I can’t just rely on my wrestling, I need to fight MMA,’ because that is at the end of the day where this sport is heading. The wrestling guys have been so dominant that everybody’s starting to catch up.”

    Du Plessis lost his middleweight title to Chimaev and will look to re-enter the title picture in his next fight.

  • Max Holloway Warns Doubters On Conor McGregor Ahead Of UFC 329

    Max Holloway Warns Doubters On Conor McGregor Ahead Of UFC 329

    Max Holloway says Conor McGregor is still dangerous heading into their UFC 329 rematch and warned that anyone writing off the Irishman is making a mistake.

    Holloway is a significant betting favorite for the July 11 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but speaking on his Kick stream, he made clear he is not taking McGregor lightly.

    “It’s a hard fight. Conor’s still dangerous. You’d be dumb as hell to think he’s not.”

    Holloway said he has known about the fight for several months and found it difficult to keep quiet. He also addressed fighting at welterweight for the first time in his career, noting one clear upside.

    “I’m excited. I get to eat good all of camp. I get to eat what I want to eat. Imagine I miss weight at 170? Holy sh*t.”

    On whether he expected McGregor to come out talking trash ahead of the fight, Holloway had a simple response.

    “Of course. Why wouldn’t his mic skills be the same? Why wouldn’t they be?”

    McGregor defeated Holloway in their first meeting at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021.

  • Tom Aspinall Reveals His UFC Return Has Been Pushed Back

    Tom Aspinall Reveals His UFC Return Has Been Pushed Back

    Tom Aspinall is picking Ciryl Gane to beat Alex Pereira on points at UFC Freedom 250, predicting that Pereira will struggle against a big, mobile heavyweight who moves well.

    Aspinall has already been told he will fight the winner of Pereira vs. Gane. He broke down the matchup for the first time on Fight Your Corner, expressing doubt about how Pereira’s game will translate to the heavyweight division.

    “Alex Pereira is very good when he fights light heavyweights or middleweights who don’t move a lot. Ciryl Gane is a massive heavyweight who moves a lot. Moves really well. So, stylistically, I think it’s a good matchup for Gane. That being said, Gane doesn’t like leg kicks. He doesn’t fare well against leg kicks. He’s a good kicker, but if someone kicks him, his leg kick defense isn’t great. I struggle to pick a winner at this stage to be honest. I would say Gane by points. I think he’s just going to move too much for him and beat him on points.”

    Aspinall also revealed that his own return has been pushed back after a recent scan of the eye injuries he sustained in his first undisputed title defense showed he needs more time.

    “I’ve just had my recent scan. I thought it was going to get cleared actually to spar and fight straight away but they actually said they’ve given me another couple of months so I’m just waiting.”

    Pereira faces Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship on June 14 at the White House. A win would make him the first fighter in UFC history to claim a version of the title in three separate weight classes.