MMA News

Category: UFC

Latest UFC news articles, interviews and more covering the world’s top Mixed Martial Arts promotion.

  • Dana White Shares Account At White House Dinner Shooting

    Dana White Shares Account At White House Dinner Shooting

    UFC CEO and President Dana White was at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton hotel on April 25, where shots were fired.

    According to multiple reports, a 31-year-old California man — who is now in custody — rushed a security checkpoint at the dinner before opening fire. The gunshots took place either near or inside the hotel’s ballroom.

    U.S. President Donald Trump was evacuated from the stage, as well as his wife, Melania. Both of them and all members of the Trump Cabinet are safe.

    Law enforcement officials quickly evacuated those present at the dinner, which was quickly canceled following the incident.

    One officer was shot in the incident but was saved by his bulletproof vest, according to President Trump.

    Dana White Says Shooting At White House Correspondents’ Dinner Was “Crazy, Unique Experience”

    White was one of those whom the media asked about his experience as events unfolded at the dinner. While other attendees talked about a scary scene, White seemed more upbeat.

    “All of a sudden, it started getting noisy,” White recalled. “Tables getting flipped over, guys running in with guns. They were screaming, ‘Get down!’ I didn’t get down. It was f****** awesome.

    “I literally took every minute of it in. It was a pretty crazy, unique experience. I was sitting right in front of the table — where the president was. Nobody got tackled, but guys came in looking for shooters. They came toward our table; I thought the shooter was over by us or something.”

    White has been a longtime close friend of President Trump, who is in his second term as U.S. President, following his 2017-2021 term.

    This incident occurred just under two months before the UFC hosts UFC Freedom 250 on the White House lawn — an event that will be part of multiple events for the 250th anniversary of the United States declaring independence.

    UFC Freedom 250 will be headlined by Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje battling to unify the UFC featherweight championship, and Alex Pereira taking on Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight championship.

  • “Incredible Run” – Edwards Gets Decision Over Dumont

    “Incredible Run” – Edwards Gets Decision Over Dumont

    Joselyne Edwards has taken full advantage of a huge opportunity that came her way, defeating Norma Dumont in a women’s bantamweight contender battle that served as the UFC Vegas 116 co-main event.

    Edwards looked to press the action in round one, but was taken down by Dumont. Edwards managed to get back up, and the round saw plenty of grappling exchanges. Edwards seemed to get the better of them, though one late exchange saw her end up on bottom through fault of her own — needing to fight back to get on top.

    Edwards looked to keep some distance and focus on making the fight a striking battle in rounds two and three. Both women had their fair share in the second round, but round three was Edwards’ best, landing a solid volume of striking on Dumont.

    Edwards took the decision on all three judges’ cards, with two 29-28 totals and a 30-27.

    Joselyne Edwards Edges Out Norma Dumont At UFC Vegas 116

    Edwards took this fight on short notice, replacing Yana Santos. She has now won five fights in a row. Edwards just fought a couple of months ago, submitting Nora Cornolle at UFC Houston.

    This is Dumont’s first loss since losing to Macy Chiasson at UFC 274, snapping a six-fight winning streak. She came into this bout off a victory over Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 110.

  • Ryan Spann Knocks Marcus Buchecha Out Stiff At UFC Vegas 116

    Ryan Spann Knocks Marcus Buchecha Out Stiff At UFC Vegas 116

    Ryan Spann has had several highlights throughout his UFC career, and he added a violent one to the mix with his knockout of Marcus Buchecha at UFC Vegas 116.

    Buchecha looked to use his grappling expertise in the first round, looking for a number of takedowns and submissions on Spann. Spann, meanwhile, looked to land with power early and did so. He also managed to fend off an arm-triangle attempt and guillotines while looking to pressure Buechecha.

    The two slowed their pace in the second round, but Spann brought a quick end to things with a right hand. That punch dropped Buchecha on his side, not moving for several seconds as the referee stepped in to wave the fight off.

    Ryan Spann KOs Marcus Buchecha At UFC Vegas 116

    Spann has now won three of his last four and is 2-1 since moving up to heavyweight. He entered this fight off a submission of Lukasz Brzeski at UFC 318 last July.

    Buchecha is now 0-2-1 since debuting in the UFC last year, with both losses coming by stoppage.

  • Jackson McVey Locks Up D’Arce And Submits Sedriques Dumas

    Jackson McVey Locks Up D’Arce And Submits Sedriques Dumas

    The third time is the charm for Jackson McVey, as he finally captured his first UFC victory with a submission of Sedriques Dumas during the UFC Vegas 116 prelims.

    McVey brought the pressure right away, looking to score a takedown on Dumas. When that didn’t work, he maintained control of the clinch until a low blow forced a separation.

    Upon the fight resuming, McVey pressed Dumas to the fence again, this time dropping him with an uppercut. McVey swarmed Dumas with ground-and-pound.

    When the fight wasn’t stopped, McVey locked up a D’Arce choke, scoring the submission just over two minutes into the bout.

    Jackson McVey Submits Sedriques Dumas At UFC Vegas 116

    McVey, an LFA veteran, now improves to 7-2 after arriving in the UFC at 6-0. He dropped his first two Octagon bouts to Brunno Ferreira and Zach Reese last year.

    Dumas is now winless in his last four. He is 1-4 (1 NC) in his last six fights.

  • Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry Targeted For UFC 330

    Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry Targeted For UFC 330

    The first UFC welterweight title defense for Islam Makhachev is nearly set, and it appears that Philadelphia will be getting a noteworthy title fight in the division.

    Per a report from Alvaro Colmenero, Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry is being targeted to headline UFC 330.

    Colmenero reports that Michael Morales is out of the running for the next title shot.

    Colmenero also added that Makhachev has asked for UFC 329 in July, during the UFC’s International Fight Week, but UFC 330 in August is more likely.

    Makhachev surrendered the UFC lightweight championship last year to move up to welterweight. At UFC 322 in November, Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become the new welterweight champion.

    Garry, the Cage Warriors and UFC veteran, will enter this title shot off a pair of wins over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad in 2025.

    UFC 330 will take place on August 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It will be the UFC’s first visit to Philadelphia since 2019.

  • UFC Vegas 116 Results: Sterling vs. Zalal Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Vegas 116 Results: Sterling vs. Zalal Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Vegas 116 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main event will feature a featherweight bout between Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal – Featherweight Main Event

    Sterling moved up to featherweight after the end of his bantamweight title run. Sterling defeated Calvin Kattar at UFC 300 in his first bout at 135, but he was defeated by Movsar Evloev at UFC 310. Sterling last fought at UFC Shanghai this past August, defeating Brian Ortega.

    Zalal has won eight straight and is currently 5-0 in his second stint with the UFC. He comes into this bout off a submission of Josh Emmett at UFC 320.

    The co-main event will feature Norma Dumont taking on Joselyne Edwards. Dumont has won six straight, most recently scoring a split decision over Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 110 in November. Edwards has won four straight, most recently submitting Nora Cornolle at UFC Houston in February.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Vegas 116!

    How to Watch UFC Vegas 116

    • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
    • Venue: Meta Apex, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2 PM PT
    • Main Card: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT

    UFC Vegas 116 Quick Results

    • Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal — Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45 x3)
    • Co-Main Event: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards — Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
    • Rafa Garcia vs. Alexander Hernandez — Rafa Garcia def. Alexander Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)
    • Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti — Davey Grant def. Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos — Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
    • Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann — Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via KO (Rd. 2, 2:10)

    UFC Vegas 116 Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Strawweight: Talita Alencar vs. Julia Polastri

    Results: Talita Alencar def. Julia Polastri via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Welterweight: Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela

    Results: Victor Valenzuela def. Max Griffin via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan

    Results: Francis Marshall def. Lucas Brennan via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Bantamweight: Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden

    Results: Cody Durden def. Jafel Filho via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague

    Results: Michelle Montague def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Middleweight: Jackson McVey vs. Sedriques Dumas

    Results: Jackson McVey def. Sedriques Dumas via submission (D’Arce choke) (Rd. 1, 2:14)

    Middleweight: Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico

    Results: Eric McConico def. Rodolfo Vieira via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Heavyweight: Marcus Buchecha vs. Ryan Spann

    Results: Ryan Spann def. Marcus Buchecha via KO (Rd. 2, 2:10)

    Bantamweight: Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos

    Results: Raoni Barcelos def. Montel Jackson via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Bantamweight: Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti

    Results: Davey Grant def. Adrian Luna Martinetti via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Rafa Garcia vs. Alexander Hernandez

    Results: Rafa Garcia def. Alexander Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards

    Results: Joselyne Edwards def. Norma Dumont via unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27)

    Featherweight: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal

    Results: Aljamain Sterling def. Youssef Zalal via unanimous decision (49-45 x3)

  • UFC Veteran Tim Means Arrested on Felony Child Abuse Charge

    UFC Veteran Tim Means Arrested on Felony Child Abuse Charge

    UFC veteran Tim Means was arrested on a felony child abuse charge on April 21 and appeared in court on Friday before being released, according to MMA Fighting.

    Online records show Means was booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday. He was released on Friday with his next court date not yet scheduled.

    According to the Albuquerque Journal, police received a call on April 10 that two people had gotten into a physical altercation. The caller, identified as Means’ daughter, told officers she and her father got into an argument over household chores.

    The criminal complaint states that Means allegedly head-butted her in the nose during the dispute, grabbed her by the neck in what police described as a strangulation manner and held her against a kitchen counter, threw a potato that hit her in the face, and punched her on the right side of her face with a closed fist when she pushed back.

    Police noted in the complaint that there were visible marks on the teenager’s neck consistent with strangulation, blood on her nose from the alleged head-butt, and red marks on her face and cheek.

    Means, 42, has spent the past 12 years on the UFC roster, competing primarily at welterweight. His most recent UFC appearance came in 2024 when he was submitted by Court McGee in the first round, his second consecutive loss in the promotion.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Ronda Rousey’s UFC Pay Complaints

    Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Ronda Rousey’s UFC Pay Complaints

    Khamzat Chimaev has pushed back against Ronda Rousey’s criticism of UFC fighter pay, arguing that the promotion was fundamental to making her career possible in the first place.

    Chimaev posted a video ahead of his UFC 328 middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland on May 9, taking direct aim at Rousey’s ongoing complaints about compensation during her time with the UFC.

    “There would never have been Ronda Rousey without UFC,” Chimaev stated in the video.

    The comment frames Chimaev’s position clearly: whatever frustrations Rousey has expressed about pay, the platform the UFC provided was the foundation for everything that followed, including her Hollywood career, her WWE run, and her status as the most recognizable name in the history of women’s MMA.

    Rousey has been a consistent critic of the UFC’s pay structure since retiring from competition, and her comments have continued ahead of her May 16 return against Gina Carano at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood on Netflix. Chimaev’s response adds the voice of the promotion’s current middleweight champion to a debate that has included fighters on both sides.

    Chimaev enters his first title defense with a perfect 15-0 record. UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Training Footage Goes Viral

    Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Training Footage Goes Viral

    Alex Pereira is heading to heavyweight, and new training footage is generating significant buzz ahead of his June 14 interim title fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250.

    A recent clip shows Pereira working on the pads with longtime coach Glover Teixeira, displaying the same finishing power that has defined his career across two weight classes. The footage suggests the move up to heavyweight has done nothing to diminish the striking ability that made him a two-division UFC champion.

    Pereira previously held the middleweight and light heavyweight titles during his UFC run. A win over Gane at the White House event would make him the first fighter in UFC history to hold championship gold in three different weight classes, a milestone that analysts, including Michael Chiesa, have cited as potentially the strongest argument for calling Pereira the greatest UFC fighter of all time.

    Gane represents a technically demanding opponent for Pereira’s heavyweight debut. The French striker brings elite movement and technical precision to the matchup, and his team has been preparing specifically for Pereira’s power, including sparring sessions with the last man to defeat Pereira in kickboxing.

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

  • Mike Winkeljohn Says Alex Pereira’s Left Hook Could Be the Difference Against Gane at UFC White House

    Mike Winkeljohn Says Alex Pereira’s Left Hook Could Be the Difference Against Gane at UFC White House

    Mike Winkeljohn, the coach who helped shape Jon Jones into a champion, is picking Alex Pereira to defeat Ciryl Gane when the two meet for the interim UFC heavyweight title at the White House on June 14, and he has a specific reason for his prediction.

    Speaking to Submission Radio, Winkeljohn acknowledged the technical quality Gane brings to the matchup before explaining where he sees the fight being decided.

    “It’s a tough one. Alex has the power. He has some scary power,” Winkeljohn said. “That is one big man. I think Ciryl has a lot of finesse type of things that are out there. I’m leaning towards Alex in this one a little bit, I really am. It’s kind of a tossup, there’s no doubt about it. I think at the end of the day, there’s something about the left hook that Alex has that might catch Ciryl.”

    Winkeljohn’s belief comes as Gane has been taking specific preparation steps for Pereira’s striking, including sparring with the last man to defeat Pereira in kickboxing. Despite the strategic approach Gane’s camp has taken, Winkeljohn does not believe it will be enough to neutralize Pereira’s power advantage.

    The fight was set after negotiations for a Jon Jones vs. Pereira superfight collapsed. Jones confirmed he had been offered $15 million to face Pereira but the UFC declined to increase the figure, leading the promotion to book Pereira against Gane for the interim belt instead.

    Winkeljohn parted ways with Jones in 2021 after telling the former champion he was not permitted to train at Jackson Wink MMA until he addressed his drinking. Jones had already vacated the light heavyweight title in 2020 and returned to the Octagon in 2023 without his longtime coaching staff.

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

  • Joe Rogan Names Paulo Costa as Future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

    Joe Rogan Names Paulo Costa as Future UFC Light Heavyweight Champion

    Joe Rogan has made a prediction about the UFC light heavyweight division’s future, naming Paulo Costa as the man who will eventually hold the title following Carlos Ulberg’s ACL injury.

    Rogan made the prediction on his podcast, pointing to the combination of Ulberg’s extended absence and Costa’s recent move to 205 pounds as the circumstances that could propel the Brazilian to championship gold. Costa made his light heavyweight debut at UFC 327, finishing the previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov with a head kick in the third round of the co-main event.

    Ulberg suffered a torn ACL during his first-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka at the same event, with surgery already completed and a recovery timeline that could keep him out until 2027. The vacancy at the top of the division creates a clear path for contenders to position themselves for a title shot.

    Costa has spent the bulk of his UFC career at middleweight, where he challenged for the championship against Israel Adesanya. He has been open about the physical toll of cutting to 185 pounds and has discussed a potential move to light heavyweight on multiple occasions. His UFC 327 performance made the move official and gave him immediate credibility in the new division.

    No timeline has been confirmed for Costa’s next fight, though he has already called out Khamzat Chimaev for a cross-divisional matchup.

  • Jorge Masvidal Fires Back at Chael Sonnen Over UFC Return Claims

    Jorge Masvidal Fires Back at Chael Sonnen Over UFC Return Claims

    Jorge Masvidal has delivered a response to Chael Sonnen after the analyst accused him of fabricating claims about a potential UFC return, hitting back with a stream of personal attacks and a clarification of what he actually said.

    Sonnen had taken aim at Masvidal on his YouTube channel, suggesting the former BMF titleholder was lying about being in discussions with the UFC to generate headlines. 

    “I have no problem with Masvidal lying, trying to get headlines. As a matter of fact, I support it. You don’t want to contradict your own lie; that’s where the problem comes. If you’re lying to get headlines, you’re not a liar, you’re a performer, and you’re entertaining,” Sonnen said.

    Masvidal’s response was considerably less measured. He opened with a series of personal attacks before getting to the substance of his rebuttal.

    “For starters, this motherfker has some nerve. You lesbian ass motherfer, and no disrespect to the lesbians, this motherfker needs to chill. Now that he’s a lesbian, he thinks I can’t slap him? I’ll still slap the fk out of you, Chael,” Masvidal said, also referencing Sonnen’s past performance-enhancing drug violations and his loss to Anderson Silva. “The only serious thing this guy did was fighting Anderson Silva, lost, got triangle tapped, and he was on seven different PEDs. Dude, you can never talk to me. I’ve never had a positive exam for steroids in my life, shut the f**k up, Chael, you’re talking to a real fighter.”

    On the substance of the dispute, Masvidal denied ever claiming to be officially booked for the UFC White House event.

    “I never said I’m ‘officially’ fighting at the White House, you f**king lying piece of sh*t. There was a lot of interest in that fight, at first, and there was a big chance I’d be on that card. They asked me for a few things, and then the date changed. Not contradicting anything, it’s called rolling with the punches. Now, the UFC has offered me something else,” Masvidal said.

    Masvidal maintains he is in active discussions with the UFC about a return opportunity.

  • Tai Tuivasa Gets New Opponent for UFC Perth After Late Withdrawal

    Tai Tuivasa Gets New Opponent for UFC Perth After Late Withdrawal

    Tai Tuivasa has a new opponent for UFC Perth on May 2, with Louie Sutherland stepping in after Sean Sharaf withdrew due to a broken nose.

    The UFC’s Australia and New Zealand social media account announced the change on Friday. Sutherland, an English heavyweight known as Vanilla Gorilla, is also 0-2 inside the Octagon, having suffered first-round knockout losses to Valter Walker and Brando Pericic since signing with the promotion as a former Levels Fight League champion in 2025. Despite his current skid, he now has the chance to face a former top-five contender on short notice.

    The matchup gives both fighters a path to their first UFC victory, though the stakes are considerably higher for Tuivasa. The Australian is currently on a six-fight losing streak, having last won inside the Octagon with a knockout of Derrick Lewis four years ago.

    Since that victory, he has fallen to Sergei Pavlovich, Ciryl Gane, Alexander Volkov, Marcin Tybura, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and, most recently, Tallison Teixeira at UFC 325 in Sydney in February. He had previously climbed as high as number three in the heavyweight rankings before his current run began.

    Australian fans will still see Tuivasa compete at home at RAC Arena, and the Perth crowd will be firmly behind him as he looks to end the losing run on familiar ground.

  • Jon Jones Fires Back at Kamaru Usman Over Brock Lesnar Prediction

    Jon Jones Fires Back at Kamaru Usman Over Brock Lesnar Prediction

    Jon Jones has fired back after Kamaru Usman predicted Brock Lesnar would beat him in a hypothetical wrestling match, and his response left no room for ambiguity.

    The exchange started on Usman’s Pound 4 Pound podcast, where the former welterweight champion gave Lesnar the edge in a fantasy wrestling matchup against Jones based on size and pedigree. Lesnar is a former NCAA Division I national champion from 2000 and spent time as UFC heavyweight champion before his brief MMA career wound down.

    “This is an outrageous question. Who would win? Hypothetically, I would say the sheer size of Brock Lesnar and the way he wrestled,” Usman said. “Brock Lesnar wasn’t necessarily a guy ripping shots all the time, but he could wear guys down. Brock would be a bit more offensive, and trying to get a guy of that size down multiple times? I just don’t see it.”

    Jones caught the clip and responded on Instagram Stories with a statement that expanded the challenge well beyond the original premise.

    “@Usman84KG I’m getting my hand raised against you and Brock in the same night,” Jones wrote.

    The response comes as Jones has already turned down one wrestling match proposal. Daniel Cormier recently pitched a $100,000 bet for a wrestling showdown to settle their trilogy after the two rekindled their rivalry as opposing coaches on the ALF Reality show. Jones rejected it publicly, stating Cormier has already had his chance.

    Jones’ future in combat sports remains uncertain following his recent walkback of a retirement announcement. Lesnar appeared to retire from professional wrestling at WrestleMania 42, though insiders at WWE believe his in-ring career may not be fully over.

  • UFC Vegas 116 Preview: Sterling vs. Zalal, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 116 Preview: Sterling vs. Zalal, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Vegas 116

    UFC Fight Night: Sterling vs. Zalal goes down this Saturday, April 25, 2026, from the Meta APEX in Las Vegas, streaming live on Paramount+ with prelims at 5 PM ET and the main card at 8 PM ET.

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (25-5) meets surging contender Youssef Zalal (18-5-1) in a five-round featherweight main event that pits top-ranked 145-pounders against each other with real title implications. Here is the full breakdown.

    Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal (Featherweight)

    Sterling enters as a slight underdog at +105 to +120 depending on the book, which is striking for a former champion still ranked fifth at featherweight. The 36-year-old Long Island native held the 135-pound belt from 2021 to 2023 with three successful defenses, and he’s 2-1 since moving up, including a five-round decision over Brian Ortega at UFC Shanghai last August. His only featherweight loss came to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310, though Sterling still landed six takedowns in that fight.

    Zalal is the seventh-ranked featherweight and riding a five-fight win streak, with four submission finishes in his last five. The most eye-catching was a first-round armbar of Josh Emmett. The 29-year-old Moroccan switch-stance fighter holds real physical advantages: 5’10” to Sterling’s 5’7″, with a 72-inch reach and sharper striking numbers across the board.

    The style matchup breaks down cleanly. Sterling’s path is wrestling: chain takedowns, back control, positional dominance. He averages 2.45 takedowns per 15 minutes and has never been submitted in 30 pro fights. Zalal’s path is distance striking and scrambling off his back. His 59 percent takedown defense isn’t elite, but his submission rate of 1.41 attempts per 15 minutes means Sterling won’t be able to sit heavy without risk.

    This fight was not the original main event. The card was supposed to be headlined by Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley before that pairing was moved to UFC 328. Whoever wins Saturday makes a serious case for a top-three featherweight slot, with Evloev already booked for the next title shot.

    Co-Main Event: Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards (Women’s Bantamweight)

    The co-main pairs third-ranked Norma Dumont against 11th-ranked Joselyne Edwards in a women’s bantamweight fight with clear title picture implications. Dumont has been campaigning for a shot at the belt, and a win here keeps her near the front of the contender line. Edwards gets the biggest opportunity of her career against a top-five opponent.

    Main Card Fights to Watch

    Rafa García vs. Alexander Hernandez (Lightweight) — This is the closest line on the card, a genuine pick’em between two top-25 155-pounders. García comes in on a two-fight winning streak with a knockout of Jared Gordon in September. Hernandez is the sharper striker at range, but García’s 3.13 takedowns per 15 minutes and pressure-forward style against Hernandez’s 73 percent takedown defense will decide it.

    Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti (Bantamweight) — Grant is a 39-year-old British veteran with heavy hands; Luna Martinetti is a short-notice prospect making his UFC debut. Expect fireworks early.

    Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos (Bantamweight) — Jackson, ranked in the 135-pound top 15, is in a must-win spot against the Brazilian grappler. Barcelos has the jiu-jitsu pedigree to exploit any mistake.

    Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida vs. Ryan Spann (Heavyweight) — Buchecha is one of the most decorated grapplers in the sport’s history transitioning to heavyweight MMA. Spann is a veteran striker with knockout power. A classic strike-vs-grapple matchup.

    Preliminary Card

    The prelims feature Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico at middleweight, with Vieira another elite grappler looking for a finish. Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey is another middleweight bout with finish potential. Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague rounds out the women’s 135-pound action, with Bueno Silva a former title challenger looking to rebuild. Additional bouts include Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden, Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan, and Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela.

    Full Fight Card

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    • Aljamain Sterling vs. Youssef Zalal — Featherweight (5 rounds)
    • Norma Dumont vs. Joselyne Edwards — Women’s Bantamweight
    • Rafa García vs. Alexander Hernandez — Lightweight
    • Davey Grant vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti — Bantamweight
    • Montel Jackson vs. Raoni Barcelos — Bantamweight
    • Marcus Almeida vs. Ryan Spann — Heavyweight

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Rodolfo Vieira vs. Eric McConico — Middleweight
    • Sedriques Dumas vs. Jackson McVey — Middleweight
    • Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Michelle Montague — Women’s Bantamweight
    • Jafel Filho vs. Cody Durden — Flyweight
    • Francis Marshall vs. Lucas Brennan — Featherweight
    • Max Griffin vs. Victor Valenzuela — Welterweight

    How to Watch

    • Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
    • Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Prelims: 5:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • Main Card: 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • UK: TNT Sports (main card) / UFC Fight Pass (prelims)

  • Joe Rogan Criticizes Jiri Prochazka’s UFC 327 ‘Mercy’ Excuse

    Joe Rogan has rejected Jiri Prochazka’s explanation for his UFC 327 knockout loss to Carlos Ulberg, arguing that while he understands the former champion’s perspective, the excuse does not hold up.

    Prochazka lost the vacant light heavyweight title to Ulberg at UFC 327 in Miami after being knocked out by a left hook from his injured opponent. Ulberg had suffered a torn ACL during the fight but still managed to land the finishing blow. Prochazka initially attributed the loss to showing mercy, but later clarified that he believed the referee was about to stop the fight due to Ulberg’s knee injury.

    On his podcast, Rogan addressed both sides of the situation and ultimately reached the same conclusion as other analysts who have weighed in.

    “You’ve got to look at it two ways, one you’ve got to look at it from Jiri’s perspective, he had it there, the fight was over, he was hurt,” Rogan said. “But you look at it from Carlos’ perspective. Carlos Ulberg was hurt, he can’t move his leg, they’re probably gonna stop it in between rounds. Then boom, he clips him with a left hook.”

    He was direct about where the responsibility lies.

    “He clearly did get upset, I really do think that he got upset. It doesn’t matter, Carlos got him, he f—ed up, it’s part of fighting, you have to be ruthless.”

    Rogan also acknowledged the emotional complexity of the result without letting it change his verdict.

    “Yeah, I felt bad for Jiri but I felt great for Carlos at the same time. It’s like, I get it, it’s a hard pill to swallow, I get it, you did back off but he found a way to win in the most spectacular way possible. I understand his perspective that he did f— up and he could’ve attacked and been smarter but you can’t have that excuse.”

    Ulberg is currently recovering from knee surgery in Las Vegas and is not expected to return to competition until 2027.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Confirms UFC BJJ Match

    Arman Tsarukyan Confirms UFC BJJ Match

    Arman Tsarukyan has confirmed that his grappling match against UFC BJJ champion Mikey Musumeci is set for August or September, adding another competition to his already packed schedule outside the Octagon.

    Tsarukyan revealed the timeline during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, noting that the rules of UFC BJJ require him to compete in one match before he can challenge for the championship, which he plans to do ahead of the Musumeci bout.

    “Yeah, it’s a real thing, it’s probably gonna be in August or September, so, I wanna do that, I gotta do one grappling before him because it’s new rules, I’ve gotta see how it works,” Tsarukyan said.

    UFC BJJ matchmaker Claudia Gadelha expressed interest in making the match after Musumeci publicly called out Tsarukyan earlier this year. Tsarukyan is likely to fulfill his prerequisite match on May 30, potentially on the Real American Freestyle card headlined by Gable Steveson.

    The Musumeci announcement comes as Tsarukyan continues to wait for his next UFC booking despite holding the number one contender spot in the lightweight division.

    Rumors of a BMF title rematch against Charles Oliveira have come out without confirmation. Tsarukyan has competed seven times outside the Octagon since his last UFC appearance, recording wins in wrestling, submission grappling, and most recently defeating Urijah Faber at RAF08.

  • Ilia Topuria Refuses to Call Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Because of One Reason

    Ilia Topuria Refuses to Call Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway Because of One Reason

    Ilia Topuria says the results of both Conor McGregor and Max Holloway in their most recent fights make it genuinely impossible for him to predict a winner in their rumored UFC 329 matchup.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Topuria cited Holloway’s lopsided unanimous-decision loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 as a result that caught him completely off guard, undermining his ability to break down what Holloway brings to the table against McGregor.

    “I thought that Max was going to beat Charles and he lost by complete domination. So I don’t know,” Topuria said.

    He also pointed to McGregor’s surprise submission loss to Nate Diaz at UFC 196 as evidence that the Irishman’s performances are simply too unpredictable to analyze with any confidence.

    “With Conor, you never know. Sometimes he goes in, he makes it look easy. Sometimes he lost to Nate Diaz. When you lose to Nate Diaz, it’s very difficult to make predictions about someone like him.”

    Topuria knocked out Holloway in 2024 during his featherweight title defense before both fighters moved up to lightweight. His inability to call the McGregor and Holloway fight reflects how much the recent Oliveira result shifted his understanding of where Holloway stands.

    McGregor’s return to the Octagon at UFC 329 on July 11 would be his first fight since his broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. Topuria, meanwhile, prepares to defend the undisputed lightweight title against Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House event on June 14.

  • Luke Rockhold Calls Sean Strickland ‘A Piece of S**t’ While Predicting UFC 328 Title Fight

    Luke Rockhold Calls Sean Strickland ‘A Piece of S**t’ While Predicting UFC 328 Title Fight

    Luke Rockhold is backing Khamzat Chimaev to dominate Sean Strickland at UFC 328, and his reasoning goes well beyond fight analysis.

    The former UFC middleweight champion recently trained with Chimaev and spoke to Adam Zubayraev about the May 9 title fight in Newark, New Jersey, offering his take on both competitors, making his allegiances clear.

    “Sean is effective and he’s scrappy and he hangs in there,” Rockhold said. “Khamzat is so much more talented, it’s about who can relax and implement their game plan the best and Khamzat’s doing everything he needs to and I think he can really have a masterclass.”

    Rockhold then went further, framing the fight not just as a matchup between two fighters but as a contest between two people of very different character in his view.

    “I would love to see him put this f***ing American away,” Rockhold said. “I’m American, but I like good people. Khamzat is a great person, through and through. Sean Strickland, he’s a piece of s**t.”

    Strickland’s popularity has surged on the back of his upset knockout of Israel Adesanya at UFC 293 and his unfiltered public persona, though that same persona has also drawn significant criticism. His social media activity has included offensive posts targeting various groups, including a photoshopped image of himself as an ICE agent ahead of his February win over Anthony Hernandez.

    Rockhold also addressed Chimaev’s mental state heading into the defense compared to his previous run toward the title.

    “I think last time out there was a little bit of tension, he wanted to win the world title,” Rockhold said. “Now he can go out there and be his best and I expect the best from Khamzat.”

    The pre-fight tension between the two fighters has escalated publicly, with Chimaev suggesting a street encounter with Strickland could be dangerous and Strickland responding that Chimaev was the last person in America who should be making threats. Rockhold dismissed the idea that any of that would get inside Chimaev’s head.

    “Piss him off? I doubt that, no. Sean doesn’t roll as deep as my man here, so I think we’re in good hands and a fight’s a fight. You’ve got to play the game.”

  • Jorge Masvidal Defends Charles Oliveira’s BMF Title Win

    Jorge Masvidal Defends Charles Oliveira’s BMF Title Win

    Jorge Masvidal has come to Charles Oliveira’s defense over his BMF title victory at UFC 326, even after admitting the performance cost him a significant amount of money.

    Oliveira defeated Max Holloway via unanimous decision in their rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, retaining the BMF title with a grappling-heavy approach that frustrated fans who expected a striking showcase. The performance sparked debate over whether a control-based wrestling strategy was appropriate for a belt built on explosive, memorable fighting.

    Speaking on The Bohnfire podcast, Masvidal pushed back against that criticism from a position of unique authority as the inaugural BMF champion.

    “I think it’s still very BMF,” Masvidal said. “Maybe people don’t like the style, but Charles was trying to end him the whole time. It wasn’t like he was a crotch sniffer, where he was getting to halfway situations and just holding on for dear life. He was getting to good positions, either elbowing him or going for submissions. That’s not in any way a bad performance.”

    Masvidal also made the case that Oliveira’s motivation gave the performance a deeper meaning than the scorecards alone could capture.

    “People say that BMFs are supposed to just stand and strike. I see that point. But on Charles Oliveira’s part, Max had made him quit some years ago. To come back, full circle, and beat the guy that made you quit. That’s a BMF.”

    He then revealed the personal cost of his loyalty to Holloway in that fight.

    “Props to Charles, and I dumped the house on Max. Man, I lost a lot of money there.”

    The UFC prohibits active athletes from betting on the promotion’s events. Masvidal retired in 2023 but has been targeting a comeback in 2026 and still holds an active contract.

  • Francis Ngannou Says UFC Used Jon Jones as Bait in Talks

    Francis Ngannou Says UFC Used Jon Jones as Bait in Talks

    Francis Ngannou has revealed that the Jon Jones superfight that was dangled during his UFC contract negotiations was never a genuine offer, describing it as leverage rather than a real booking the promotion intended to make.

    Speaking about the circumstances of his 2023 departure from the UFC, Ngannou said the matchup that fans and analysts had been anticipating for years was used as a tool to keep him engaged in talks without any actual commitment behind it.

    “The fight was never really on the table,” Ngannou stated.

    The revelation adds new context to one of the most discussed exits in UFC history. At the time Ngannou left, many observers believed a Jones fight was imminent, making his departure feel particularly abrupt.

    Despite the frustration, Ngannou said he still wants the Jones matchup before his career ends and views it as unfinished business. Jones has remained with the UFC and continues to hold the heavyweight title, while Ngannou has since competed in boxing and signed with the PFL.

    Ngannou returns to the cage on May 16 at the Netflix card at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, facing Philipe Lins on the same night Ronda Rousey headlines against Gina Carano.

  • Francis Ngannou: Most UFC Fighters Lack Courage for Free Agency

    Francis Ngannou: Most UFC Fighters Lack Courage for Free Agency

    Francis Ngannou has a message for UFC fighters who are unhappy with their contracts but unwilling to walk away: most simply lack the courage to claim their freedom.

    The former heavyweight champion, who departed the UFC in 2023 following a contentious contractual dispute, made his position clear in an interview with ESPN ahead of the first live MMA event on Netflix, where he will face Philipe Lins on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

    Ngannou pointed to the Netflix card itself as evidence that opportunities outside the UFC exist for those who are positioned to take them. At the recent New York press conference, Nate Diaz described the event as one featuring free fighters. Ngannou backed that framing fully.

    “There’s always the opportunity,” Ngannou said. “I think you just have to be around and be free. Make sure you’re in the position to catch that opportunity when it comes. If you get yourself stuck in a contract because you’re afraid of being alone out there, when the opportunity comes, you might be stuck in some contract.”

    He argued that fear is the primary force keeping fighters in situations they are dissatisfied with, and that the same fear causes them to miss out when something significant materializes.

    “That’s what happened to a lot of fighters. They are just so scared of being free, being without promotion, without a promoter, or something that they can do. They will sign up for everything just to be in the promotion, and then the day that the opportunity, the real opportunity, comes around, they are not there,” Ngannou said.

    He did not romanticize free agency or pretend the path outside a major promotion is easy.

    “We all talk about free agency, but it’s like it’s something that also demands you to be strong. You’re going to be out there on your own without having any idea about your future, not knowing if you’re going to fight, have a short notice in 10 days, or if you’re going to fight and go a year back without fighting,” he said.

    But he was blunt about what keeps fighters from taking that step.

    “This fight, this could have been an opportunity for so many people, but they are all locked somewhere in the contract that they are not very happy about, that is not helping them. But they don’t have the balls to stand on their own and claim that freedom.”

    Since leaving the UFC, Ngannou has competed in the PFL and pursued boxing, most recently fighting in October 2024. The Netflix card on May 16 also features Diaz, Mike Perry, Junior dos Santos, and Muhammad Mokaev, with Ronda Rousey headlining against Gina Carano.

  • Colby Covington Ousted From UFC Top 15 as New Blood Enters Welterweight Rankings

    Colby Covington Ousted From UFC Top 15 as New Blood Enters Welterweight Rankings

    Colby Covington has been removed from the UFC welterweight rankings for the first time since 2017, with the latest edition of the promotion’s 170-pound rankings dropping him from the top 15 as Mike Malott and Yaroslav Amosov entered the picture.

    The removal ends a prolonged debate about Covington’s continued presence in the rankings despite sustained inactivity. UFC CEO Dana White had acknowledged in January that it was odd to have Covington ranked given that he had fought only once per year between 2020 and 2024. His most recent result was a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024, and his last victory came against now-retired Jorge Masvidal in March 2022.

    Covington dismissed the criticism when it first surfaced. “It really doesn’t matter what Dana White thinks of me. I’m a world champion. I’m Donald Trump’s favorite fighter. I’m America’s champion. I’m the king of Miami. You can never take those titles away from me. Take me out of those rankings, but whatever, I’m still the biggest draw at welterweight. It makes no difference what number is next to my name. I know what I’m capable of, and I know I’m still the best fighter and wrestler on planet Earth,” he told reporters in January.

    Despite his stated connection to the President, Covington did not land a spot on the UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14, something he was reportedly disappointed about. No imminent plans for his return to the Octagon have been announced.

    Covington has remained active outside the UFC, competing in Real American Freestyle earlier this year and defeating Dillon Danis by technical fall. He is expected to headline RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas.

  • Jose Aldo Says His Relationship With Conor McGregor Has Completely Changed

    Jose Aldo Says His Relationship With Conor McGregor Has Completely Changed

    Jose Aldo and Conor McGregor were once bitter rivals, but the former featherweight champion says their relationship has been completely transformed and the two now exchange messages and share genuine goodwill.

    Speaking to Jackpot City Casino, Aldo explained how things have changed in the years since their 13-second UFC featherweight title fight at UFC 194 in December 2015, a bout that ended Aldo’s historic championship reign and one that Aldo has spoken openly about as a moment where his hatred for McGregor cost him.

    “What is my relationship with Conor like now? It’s very good,” Aldo said. “Not just with Conor, but with all my opponents, I’ve always had respect and a certain fondness for everyone. We exchange messages now and then. Recently I told him I was very happy he accepted Jesus as his saviour. I congratulated him and all that.”

    McGregor has been open in recent months about a significant personal and spiritual transformation, discussing his faith publicly following trauma treatment. Aldo’s acknowledgment of that journey reflects a warmth toward his former rival that would have seemed unthinkable during the intensity of their 2015 lead-up.

    “Brazilian fans feel strongly because of how our fight went and everything that happened. But I have a good relationship with him and I always wish him the best. I hope he continues on the right path and does great things in life,” Aldo continued.

    On the subject of McGregor’s expected return against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11, Aldo offered his view on why the matchup makes sense.

    “If it happened now, I think it would be a great fight for both Conor and Holloway. Both are stand-up fighters, similar in age, it’s a great matchup and a great comeback opportunity for Conor.”

    Aldo himself is expected to fight on the same UFC 329 card after being passed over for a spot on the UFC White House event.

  • Ilia Topuria Says He Would Fight Arman Tsarukyan If This Happens

    Ilia Topuria Says He Would Fight Arman Tsarukyan If This Happens

    Ilia Topuria has reversed course on his previous reluctance to fight Arman Tsarukyan, confirming he would have no issue accepting the matchup if Justin Gaethje were to withdraw from their UFC White House title fight on June 14.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Topuria made his position on opponent flexibility clear. “If they call me tomorrow and they tell me Justin is injured and I have to fight Arman, I will fight Arman, no problem. If they call me and they tell me that Arman is injured and I have to fight Ariel, I’m gonna fight Ariel, no problem. I go whoever, whenever, I’m ready.”

    Tsarukyan had been vocal about wanting to serve as backup fighter for the White House card and has advised Gaethje to pull out so he could take the spot.

    Despite the softer tone on accepting the fight, Topuria made equally clear that his opinion of Tsarukyan as a fighter has not changed.

    “He’s a kid. His mentality, he’s dumb as f—. Everything that I saw about him on the internet, it’s embarrassing. F— Arman, who cares about him. He’s not on my level. If we cross paths, I’m gonna break his jaw in the first round.”

    Topuria defends the lightweight championship against Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House in Washington D.C.