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Category: UFC

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

  • “Wild” – Jai Herbert Gets Rocked, Ends Up TKOing Mandel Nallo

    “Wild” – Jai Herbert Gets Rocked, Ends Up TKOing Mandel Nallo

    Despite getting stunned during the bout, Jai Herbert managed to regain composure and battle back, eventually putting out Mandel Nallo at UFC Winnipeg.

    The power was on display from just about the very beginning, as Nallo landed a high kick that stumbled Herbert. Nallo landed another, followed by a right hand, and Herbert seemed on the ropes.

    But Herbert landed a right hand, and the momentum completely shifted as he knocked Nallo down. Nallo looked for a desperation leg lock, and back on the feet he tried to aim for the body.

    Herbert landed a three-punch combination and follow-up shots that put Nallo away.

    Jai Herbert Goes From Stunned To Stunning Mandel Nallo At UFC Winnipeg

    Herbert is now 2-2-1 in his last five. He entered this fight off a split decision loss to Chris Padilla at UFC London in March 2025.

    This snaps a five-fight win streak for Nallo, who earned a contract off a first-round finish of Samuel Silva on Dana White’s Contender Series.

  • Jasmine Jasudavicius Scores Decision Win At UFC Winnipeg

    Jasmine Jasudavicius Scores Decision Win At UFC Winnipeg

    Though it wasn’t the most popular fight, Jasmine Jasudavicius has rebounded from a tough loss and proved she’s still relevant in the women’s flyweight title picture, holding off Karine Silva in a decision win at UFC Winnipeg.

    The fight got off to a slow start, but Silva scored noteworthy submission attempts, trying to battle against Jasudavicius in the grappling department. Jasudavicius, however, scored continuous takedowns during the fight’s 15 minutes, showcasing her top control ability.

    Jasudavicius landed some ground strikes, though Silva tried to battle from the bottom. All three judges scored the bout for Jasudavicius.

    Jasmine Jasudavicius Takes Decision Over Karine Silva At UFC Winnipeg

    Jasudavicius had won five straight before her last fight, which saw her lose to Manon Fiorot at UFC Vancouver in October.

    Silva has now lost three of her last four. She once had a nine-fight win streak, including wins in her first four UFC bouts. Before tonight, Silva last fought at UFC 323, losing to Maycee Barber.

  • “Night Night” – Marcio Barbosa Sleeps Dennis Buzukja

    “Night Night” – Marcio Barbosa Sleeps Dennis Buzukja

    Talk about delivering the violence in your UFC debut? Marcio Barbosa did just that, needing just 80 seconds to put away Dennis Buzukja in the featured UFC Winnipeg prelim.

    Buzukja tried to bring the pressure right away, working his jab as he took the center, mixing low kicks. Buzukja continued to come forward, but Barbosa didn’t appear to be backing down.

    As Buzukja looked to come forward with his boxing, he left himself wide open on a miss. Barbosa took advantage, landing a left hand from hell that slept Buzukja for the quick and impressive victory.

    Marcio Barbosa Sends Dennis Buzukja To Shadow Realm At UFC Winnipeg

    Barbosa improves to 18-2, having now won six straight and eight of his last nine. Barbosa earned a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, knocking out Damon Wilson.

    Buzukja is now just 1-4 in the UFC. This was his first fight back since serving a suspension for an altercation with a fan at UFC 310.

  • Robert Valentin Downs, Submits Julien Leblanc For First UFC Win

    Robert Valentin Downs, Submits Julien Leblanc For First UFC Win

    In what could have been a must-win bout for the sake of his UFC run, Robert Valentin delivered with the kind of performance needed, scoring a first-round submission of Julien Leblanc during the UFC Winnipeg prelims.

    Valentin worked Leblanc over with kicks, landing to the body and head. An overhand right dropped Leblanc, and Valentin dominated on the ground.

    Valentin got to the back and worked a face crank, which then evolved into a rear-naked choke for a submission win.

    Robert Valentin Submits Julien Leblanc At UFC Winnipeg

    Valentin was a popular figure on season 32 of The Ultimate Fighter, defeating Giannis Bachar and Paddy McCory before losing the middleweight final to Ryan Loder. Last year, he suffered a decision loss to Torrez Finney and was finished by Ateba Gautier.

    Leblanc was making his UFC debut tonight. He entered tonight on a five-fight win streak, most recently submitting Ryan Rohovich in November.

  • John Yannis Gets Quick Finish To Start UFC Winnipeg

    John Yannis Gets Quick Finish To Start UFC Winnipeg

    John Yannis got the UFC Winnipeg card off in an impactful way — albeit not in the way the Canadian crowd hoped.

    Yannis needed just a couple of minutes to put away Jamie Siraj in the opening bout of the prelims.

    After some moving in and out and feeling out his opponent, Yannis landed a three-punch combination that troubled Siraj. Yannis kept the pressure on his opponent, landing a damaging knee and dropping Siraj once again.

    A series of elbow shots on the ground forced the referee to step in, giving Yannis the win in just over two minutes.

    John Yannis Stops Jamie Siraq To Open UFC Winnipeg

    This is the first UFC victory for the former Fury FC champion. Yannis made his UFC debut in August, getting choked out by Austin Bashi.

    Siraj made his UFC debut tonight. He last fought in February, submitting Donny Matos.

  • UFC Winnipeg Results: Burns vs. Malott Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Winnipeg Results: Burns vs. Malott Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC Winnipeg results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The main event will feature a welterweight bout between Gilbert Burns and Mike Malott. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott – Welterweight Main Event

    Burns at one point was a title challenger, but he’s struggled since then. Not only is he just 3-6 since challenging then-champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 258, but he enters this fight on a four-fight losing streak. Burns most recently fought 11 months ago at UFC Vegas 106, getting stopped in the first round by Michael Morales.

    The rising Malott is 6-1 in the UFC since earning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. Malott has won three straight, most recently scoring a decision win over Kevin Holland at UFC Vancouver in October.

    The co-main event will be a bantamweight battle between Kyler Phillips and Charles Jourdain. Phillips is 6-3 in the UFC but enters tonight on a two-fight losing skid, most recently dropping a decision against Vinicius Oliveira at UFC 318. Jourdain, meanwhile, has won two straight and four of his last six, most recently submitting Davey Grant at UFC Vancouver.

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

    How to Watch UFC Winnipeg

    • Date: Saturday, April 18, 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 Winnipeg Quick Results

    • Main Event: Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott — Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:08)
    • Co-Main Event: Kyler Phillips vs. Charles Jourdain — Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Mandel Nallo vs. Jai Herbert — Jai Herbert def. Mandel Nallo via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:05)
    • Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Karine Silva — Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
    • Thiago Moises vs. Gauge Young — Gauge Young def. Thiago Moises via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    UFC Winnipeg Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Bantamweight: Jamie Siraj vs. John Yannis

    Result: John Yannis def. Jamie Siraj via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:43)

    Catchweight (139 lbs): John Castaneda vs. Mark Vologdin

    Result: John Castaneda vs. Mark Vologdin goes to a majority draw (29-27, 28-28 x2)

    Women’s Flyweight: JJ Aldrich vs. Jamey-Lyn Horth

    Result: JJ Aldrich def. Jamey-Lyn Horth via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Women’s Bantamweight: Melissa Croden vs. Darya Zheleznyakova

    Result: Melissa Croden def. Darya Zheleznyakova via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Heavyweight: Tanner Boser vs. Gokhan Saricam

    Result: Gokhan Saricam def. Tanner Boser via KO (Rd. 2, 4:43)

    Middleweight: Robert Valentin vs. Julien Leblanc

    Result: Robert Valentin def. Julien Leblanc via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 2:22)

    Featherweight: Dennis Buzukja vs. Marcio Barbosa

    Result: Marcio Barbosa def. Dennis Buzukja via KO (Rd. 1, 1:20)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Thiago Moises vs. Gauge Young

    Result: Gauge Young def. Thiago Moises via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Women’s Flyweight: Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. Karine Silva

    Result: Jasmine Jasudavicius def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Mandel Nallo vs. Jai Herbert

    Result: Jai Herbert def. Mandel Nallo via TKO (Rd. 1, 2:05)

    Bantamweight: Kyler Phillips vs. Charles Jourdain

    Result: Charles Jourdain def. Kyler Phillips via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Welterweight: Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott

    Result: Mike Malott def. Gilbert Burns via TKO (Rd. 3, 2:08)

  • Daniel Cormier Warns Arman Tsarukyan Before He Ruins His UFC Title Shot

    Daniel Cormier Warns Arman Tsarukyan Before He Ruins His UFC Title Shot

    Daniel Cormier is urging Arman Tsarukyan to get out of his own way before he costs himself the UFC lightweight title shot he has been chasing for years.

    The former two-division champion addressed Tsarukyan’s recent pattern of incidents outside the Octagon in a video on his YouTube channel, telling the Armenian contender that he is finally close to getting what he wants but that one wrong move could send him back to square one.

    “Arman was in purgatory,” Cormier said. “It’s almost like the trust was gone. But you can start to rebuild that trust through competition. But it’s what he’s doing outside of the Octagon that is now making Arman Tsarukyan a guy — I’m telling you, I know this, I really know, Arman Tsarukyan is now starting to make himself undeniable through all the stuff he’s doing outside of the UFC.”

    Cormier said the window is open right now in a way it has not been since Tsarukyan was passed over for the interim title fight at UFC 311 in January, and that the priority has to be keeping it that way.

    “This is as close as he’s been since UFC 311. Everything is going great. I told his manager the other day, I said, ‘Just don’t f— this up. Don’t do one thing that kicks you backwards. He’s gotta be very careful. The thing the other day with American Airlines, for us that’s funny. But we need to make sure — Arman told me himself, ‘I’ll be a good boy.’ It’s funny to us, but he’s right at that point now where he’s gotta peel back a little bit and he’s gonna get exactly what he wants.”

    Tsarukyan’s track record of incidents outside the cage has been a recurring obstacle in his path to a title shot. He punched a fan at UFC 300, pulled out of UFC 311 on late notice, headbutted Dan Hooker at the UFC Qatar ceremonial weigh-ins last November, and was most recently removed from an American Airlines flight in Los Angeles after he and members of his team refused to take their seats while the aircraft was taxiing.

  • Jan Blachowicz Withdraws From UFC 328 With Injury

    Jan Blachowicz Withdraws From UFC 328 With Injury

    Jan Blachowicz will not be competing at UFC 328, withdrawing from his rematch with Bogdan Guskov after suffering a torn meniscus during sparring.

    The former light heavyweight champion announced the injury on Saturday, expressing his frustration in a direct and candid statement.

    “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” Blachowicz wrote. “I was supposed to be in the States next week, but plans had to change. I’m beyond pissed. Last round of sparring, wrong position and a kick to the knee. Torn meniscus. The plan and goal were clear, so the disappointment is huge. But this isn’t the end! I’m already working on getting back as soon as possible. Coming back to finish things on my own terms. See you soon!”

    Blachowicz and Guskov were set to meet for the second time after their first fight at UFC 323 in December ended in a majority draw. Guskov appeared to have the victory secured after battering Blachowicz in the second round, but Blachowicz scored a late knockdown that forced the stalemate on the scorecards. The rematch was announced for UFC 328 to settle the unfinished business between the two.

    Whether the UFC will rebook the Blachowicz and Guskov matchup once Blachowicz has recovered, or find a new opponent for Guskov in the interim, has not been announced.

    The withdrawal adds another difficult chapter to what has been a rough stretch for the 43-year-old. Blachowicz has not won a fight since defeating Aleksandar Rakic in May 2022. Since then he has dropped decisions to Carlos Pereira and Alex Pereira and fought to draws against both Guskov and Magomed Ankalaev.

    UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, headlined by Khamzat Chimaev defending the middleweight championship against Sean Strickland in the main event and flyweight champion Joshua Van defending against Tatsuroa Taira in the co-main event.

  • Mike Perry Responds To Jake Paul’s Prediction About Nate Diaz Fight

    Mike Perry Responds To Jake Paul’s Prediction About Nate Diaz Fight

    Mike Perry is not spending much time worrying about Jake Paul’s prediction that Nate Diaz will submit him on May 16, but he does have some thoughts on what comes next depending on how things go.

    Perry and Diaz are set to clash on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card in Los Angeles, with Paul having gone on record to say he expects Diaz to finish Perry quickly and then focus on an MMA fight with Paul himself. Perry was asked to respond to all of it.

    “Well, I guess I was mentioned in the conversation,” Perry told MMA Fighting. “May 16, we’re going to find out. I’m training really sharp, really hard. I’m killing it every single day. I’m feeling great.”

    He outlined what he sees as the possible paths forward after the fight, referencing conversations that have already taken place with Dana White.

    “Other guys have made their return to the UFC. Maybe that’s something, or yeah, we get the most views on Netflix that an MMA fight’s ever had, then me and Jake fight. What weight is Jake going to fight at? 200 or 185? MMA, it’s different. I threw him on his head in the boxing ring. I threw him on his face, and if that was MMA, it’s a little different how that’s going to go.”

    Perry said he respects Diaz and appreciates the positive words his opponent has been sending his way in the lead-up to the fight, while making clear that respect does not mean he is dropping his guard.

    “I don’t know, Nate’s an interesting character. They could jump me with 20 people. We’re going to be nice for a second and then maybe something happens. Are we going to talk shit? Because I don’t have any ill things to say about him because he has been talking me up, man, and I’m grateful.”

    He closed with a reminder that the pleasantries end when the fight starts. “Doesn’t matter if you say f*** you, or if you say good shit, bro, we’re going to clash when they say fight.”

  • Sean O’Malley Teases New Details About UFC White House Event

    Sean O’Malley Teases New Details About UFC White House Event

    Sean O’Malley has heard enough from UFC insiders to believe the White House card on June 14 is going to be something unlike anything the promotion has ever produced.

    The former UFC bantamweight champion is scheduled to fight Aiemann Zahabi on the undercard of UFC Freedom 250, the event taking place on the White House lawn to mark 250 years of American Independence. O’Malley shared what he has been hearing from people within the organization on his YouTube channel.

    “The White House card, I was in Vegas this weekend, talked to a lot of UFC people, a lot of UFC staff,” O’Malley said. “They were like, ‘This is going to be insane.’ They were kind of giving me a little rundown, nothing really that I could share, but just their excitement is what I was taking away. They were like, ‘We walked it, it’s crazy.’”

    He acknowledged that significant logistical questions remain unanswered, including who will be permitted to attend given the security requirements surrounding the venue. “

    The Secret Service alone is going to be insane. I still don’t know who’s going to be allowed in. I don’t know if family is going to be allowed. I have no idea.”

    O’Malley framed the event as a potential turning point for how the UFC approaches large-scale outdoor productions.

    “A lot of moving pieces. If they can pull this off, then the opportunities are endless. Where do you go next? The colosseum? If they can perfect an outdoor show, that could change things.”

    This will not be O’Malley’s first experience with a landmark UFC setting. He headlined the UFC card at the Sphere in September 2024 before losing the bantamweight championship to Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC 306.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Gets Kicked Off American Airlines Flight

    Arman Tsarukyan Gets Kicked Off American Airlines Flight

    Arman Tsarukyan was removed from an American Airlines flight at Los Angeles International Airport on Wednesday after he and members of his team refused to take their seats while the aircraft was taxiing.

    Video of the incident surfaced on Thursday, with initial reports suggesting Tsarukyan had been on his phone prior to takeoff. American Airlines subsequently clarified what actually happened.

    “On April 16, American Airlines flight 513 returned to the gate at Los Angeles International Airport for customers who refused to follow federal regulations,” the airline said in a statement to MMA Fighting. “Safety is our top priority and we expect our customers to comply with crew member instructions while on board our aircraft, which include staying seated while the aircraft is taxiing.”

    According to the airline, Tsarukyan and his friends were standing in the aisle while the plane was moving and refused to return to their assigned seats despite repeated instructions from crew members. Four people including Tsarukyan were removed from the flight before it departed for Philadelphia.

    Tsarukyan responded with characteristic brevity on Instagram. “Kicked off commercial, I guess private it is,” he posted as he boarded a separate flight. He added a brief video message as he settled in. “I hope they’re not going to kick me out from this plane. OK guys, I’ll be five hours in Philadelphia.”

    Tsarukyan was traveling to Philadelphia for his appearance at RAF 8, where he faces Urijah Faber in the co-main event. It is his fourth appearance for the promotion following previous matchups against Lance Palmer and Georgio Poullas.

  • Ronda Rousey Blasts Kayla Harrison At NYC Presser: “Eat Your Groceries”

    Ronda Rousey Blasts Kayla Harrison At NYC Presser: “Eat Your Groceries”

    Ronda Rousey turned a question about Kayla Harrison’s “irrelevant” comments into a nearly four-minute demolition at the MVP MMA press conference in New York City on Wednesday, torching the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion over her legacy, charisma, pay, and even her recent neck surgery.

    The press conference at Palladium Times Square was held to promote the May 16 Rousey vs. Gina Carano showdown at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, which streams live on Netflix. Host Ariel Helwani relayed Harrison’s recent remark labeling Rousey and Carano irrelevant, and Rousey did the rest.

    Rousey Frames Harrison As A Product Of Her Own Legacy

    Rousey’s opening salvo built a legacy case before it threw a punch. She argued Carano is the reason the UFC’s 145-pound women’s division ever existed, and that Harrison only has a UFC job because of the foundation Rousey built.

    “Gina is so relevant that she’s the whole reason the 145-pound division even exists,” Rousey said. “And I am so relevant that the only reason she has a job at the UFC is because of me. And Kayla is so irrelevant that she couldn’t even keep the 145-pound division around.”

    From there, Rousey pivoted to a charisma attack that doubled as a shot at Harrison’s drawing power. “She’s just sour because no matter what she does or what she accomplishes, she can’t change the fact that she has the charisma of a wet towel and will always be in me and Gina’s shadow,” Rousey said.

    The “Neck Brace” Shot And The Groceries Line

    Ronda Rousey blasts Kayla Harrison

    Rousey didn’t spare Harrison’s recent medical issues. Harrison withdrew from her scheduled UFC 324 title defense against Amanda Nunes in January after being diagnosed with herniated discs in her neck, which required surgery.

    “She can’t look down at her feet because she’s too busy holding on to the belt and a neck brace,” Rousey said.

    The loudest moment came when Rousey weaponized a past act of kindness. Harrison had publicly credited Rousey in the past for buying her groceries when she was broke training in Japan.

    “What did she say after she won the belt? ‘Oh, I’m never going to say anything bad about Ronda. She took care of me when I was broke in Japan and bought me groceries,’” Rousey recounted. “How about you shut the f**k up and eat your groceries?”

    Rousey also pushed back on reports that Harrison questioned her judo training history in Canada. “Over the last decade and a half of being a public figure, I have cultivated a reputation for being unabashedly truthful,” Rousey said. “This b**ch just got here and was already caught in a lie.”

    The Pay Shot And A Paddy Pimblett Pitch

    Rousey then moved the argument to money, questioning how Harrison’s upcoming fight can be labeled the biggest in women’s MMA history when the UFC is booking it beneath a men’s interim title fight. Harrison’s planned title defense against Nunes has been rumored as a potential co-main to a Paddy Pimblett interim lightweight title bout.

    “Her and Hunter trying to act like her next upcoming fight is the biggest women’s fight of all time, then why is it being booked as a co-main to a men’s interim title fight?” Rousey said. “The fight isn’t even bigger than Patty the Baddy. No offense to Patty, I think he’s got more potential than anybody in the UFC, and he should call me when his contract runs out.”

    Rousey also claimed a pay disparity. “If she thinks her fight is the biggest women’s fight of all time, why is she getting paid less now than I was 10 years ago? So, is this b**ch overvalued or is she underpaid?”

    “The Biggest MMA Fight Of All Time”

    Rousey closed by reframing Rousey vs. Carano as an industry moment, not just a personal grudge. She pointed to Netflix’s global footprint and MVP’s fighter-first pitch as the reason the May 16 card matters.

    “This is the biggest MMA fight of all time. It’s going to get the most views on the biggest platform on a card with the biggest stars,” Rousey said. “And it was all assembled by and will be headlined by two women who dare to dream big. This dream is going to bring more opportunities and greater revenue share to fighters than they’ve ever had before, because this fight is bigger than just me and Gina.”

    Harrison, 35, captured the UFC women’s bantamweight title via second-round kimura submission of Julianna Peña at UFC 316 in June 2025. Rousey opened as a heavy favorite over Carano, who has not competed since 2009.

  • Conor McGregor Settles Multi-Million Proper No. Twelve Dispute With Artem Lobov Ahead Of Potential UFC Return

    Conor McGregor Settles Multi-Million Proper No. Twelve Dispute With Artem Lobov Ahead Of Potential UFC Return

    Conor McGregor has reached a settlement with former teammate and sparring partner Artem Lobov, bringing an end to a long-running multi-million euro legal dispute tied to the creation of the Proper No. Twelve whiskey brand.

    The case, which was scheduled to begin trial at the High Court in Dublin, was resolved at the last minute following discussions between both parties on Wednesday. While the exact financial terms of the settlement were not disclosed, the agreement closes a contentious chapter between two former close allies.

    Lobov had filed the lawsuit in November 2022, claiming he played a key role in the creation of Proper No. Twelve and was promised a 5 percent stake in the business.

    The dispute centered on an alleged verbal agreement made in 2017, in which the 39-year-old Russian said he helped develop the concept, connect with distillers, and lay the groundwork for what would become a massively successful brand.

    The former UFC two-division champion, however, denied the existence of any such agreement. McGregor maintained that, while Lobov had limited involvement in early discussions, the final product differed significantly in branding, structure, partnerships, and execution.

    The financial stakes were substantial. “The Notorious” and his business partners sold their majority stake in Proper No. Twelve to Proximo Spirits in 2021 in a deal reportedly worth around $600 million, with McGregor himself believed to have earned approximately $130 million from the sale.

    During the legal proceedings, it also emerged that the Irishman had previously offered Lobov an ex gratia payment of $1 million in recognition of his limited contribution, an offer that was ultimately rejected.

    As part of the settlement, a brief statement from the 37-year-old Dubliner was read in court:

    “I am satisfied that this matter has been resolved and I can focus on my training and this summer’s fight. I want to thank Artem for his hard work for my whiskey business.”

    Lobov, who was present in court, later confirmed he was content with the outcome, describing himself as “happy” with the resolution.

  • Merab Dvalishvili Admits Overtraining Cost Him UFC Title

    Merab Dvalishvili Admits Overtraining Cost Him UFC Title

    Merab Dvalishvili believes he handed himself the defeat in his December bantamweight title loss to Petr Yan, and the explanation centers on a training camp that pushed his body well past its limits.

    Speaking with Demetrious Johnson, the former champion acknowledged that fighting just two months after his bout with Cory Sandhagen left him overtrained and physically depleted heading into what would have been a historic fourth title defense in a single calendar year. He also revealed he sparred five rounds with two top training partners on fight day itself.

    “I think I did over-training, too much training. And even fight day, I did sparring, and this time I sparred two top sparring partners,” Dvalishvili said. “Five rounds I already sparring, and I warmed up in the locker room, and when I go to the cage, maybe I was a little over-tired. My nickname is ‘Machine,’ but I’m human against Petr Yan.”

    Yan secured a unanimous decision victory to claim the bantamweight title at UFC 323, reversing the outcome of their first encounter two years earlier when Dvalishvili had dominated him. The Georgian fighter credited both Yan’s specific preparation for the rematch and his unique style as factors in the result.

    “I think that day I can beat everybody, maybe, except Petr,” Dvalishvili said. “That’s what showed, because Petr was really training for me, and then his style is different, and he’s a tough, tough fighter.”

    The former champion will not have to wait long for a chance at redemption. Dvalishvili revealed the UFC has already confirmed his next fight will be a trilogy bout with Yan, with both sides targeting a summer return. June, July, and August have all been mentioned as potential timeframes.

    “He was saying that he’s ready to fight in June. Which is good. If Petr is saying he’s ready for June, of course, he will be ready for either July or August. So, I’m fine. Whatever time the UFC wants. So now, I’m relaxing, because the UFC told me I’m fighting for the belt.”

  • Eddie Hearn Slams UFC For Treatment Of Tom Aspinall

    Eddie Hearn Slams UFC For Treatment Of Tom Aspinall

    Tom Aspinall was not at UFC London in March, and his manager Eddie Hearn has explained why in terms that raise questions about how the UFC handled the situation.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Tuesday, Hearn revealed that Aspinall received a text message from UFC President Dana White at around 6pm on the day of the March 21 event asking if he wanted to attend. The problem was that Aspinall lives five hours away from London.

    “He was very surprised that he never got an invite,” Hearn said. “He got a text from Dana at about 6pm on the day of the fight saying, ‘Would you like to come tonight?’ And he lives five hours away. So, that wasn’t ideal.”

    Hearn expressed genuine bafflement at the decision to hold a UK event without properly inviting the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion, who is himself British.

    “I just find it baffling that you can do an event in the UK and not invite the heavyweight world champion, who is from the UK,” Hearn said. “Let’s be honest, it wasn’t exactly a card for the huge names, was it? Tom Aspinall being there would’ve been great for the event.”

    Aspinall has been sidelined since suffering a double eye poke during his fight against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in October, subsequently undergoing double eye surgery. He is still not fully cleared for contact training.

    “I’ve not had a lot going on, just been back in the gym doing a bit of light training. I’m still waiting to get fully cleared for contact on my eye, but we are back in the gym doing a little bit,” Aspinall said earlier this month.

    Due to his extended absence, the UFC has created an interim heavyweight title, with Gane and Alex Pereira scheduled to fight for the secondary championship on June 14.

  • Curtis Blaydes Believes He Won Josh Hokit Fight at UFC 327

    Curtis Blaydes Believes He Won Josh Hokit Fight at UFC 327

    Curtis Blaydes believes the judges got it wrong at UFC 327, and he made his case clearly in the aftermath of a war with Josh Hokit that left both men battered and sent to the hospital.

    Blaydes dropped a unanimous decision to Hokit via 29-28 scores across the board in their heavyweight contest in Miami on April 11, with both fighters combining for more than 390 strikes across three rounds. Despite the result, Blaydes is convinced he did enough to win.

    “I hate to be that guy, I’ve never had a fight like this, but I think I won,” Blaydes told MMA Fighting. “I felt like I won round one. Yeah, he rocked me, he got the damage but I also rocked him equally at the end of that round and I got the takedown.”

    He gave the second round to Hokit but argued he controlled the third and pointed to the clinch exchanges as the area where the judges failed him most consistently.

    “I feel like I won each of the clinch exchanges. Each one. We did those a few times. I won those. I think that was the difference.”

    Despite being rocked multiple times during the contest, Blaydes refused to go down, admitting the motivation to stay upright was partly personal.

    “This guy who’s been disrespectful to me all week — I was thinking in my head there were times like no, I’m not going to let this guy have that over me. It’s bad enough that he has the win over me.”

    For Blaydes, Hokit’s conduct throughout fight week and during the fight itself made any post-fight handshake impossible. Hokit repeatedly flipped off Blaydes during exchanges, and Blaydes said he simply could not bring himself to show respect when the final bell sounded.

    “It’s hard to respect a guy who flips you off five or six times during the fight. Do I regret that? Yeah, I wish I had been a lot more professional about that.”

    The two crossed paths one final time when both were loaded into the same ambulance for transport to a Miami hospital. When Blaydes heard Hokit’s voice, he immediately asked to be moved further away.

  • Carlos Ulberg Out One Year After UFC 327 ACL Tear

    Carlos Ulberg is facing approximately one year on the sidelines after suffering a torn ACL during his UFC 327 title victory, according to Paulo Costa, who says he heard it directly from the new champion.

    Costa disclosed the injury timeline during an appearance on The Helwani Show, revealing that a conversation with Ulberg in a hotel lobby confirmed what many had suspected after watching the fight footage.

    “Carlos is out for one year. I talked to him in the lobby yesterday. He told me he needed the surgery. He’s out,” Costa said.

    Ulberg sustained the knee injury during the first round of his main event bout against Jiri Prochazka in Miami at UFC 327. Despite being visibly compromised and struggling to bear weight on the injured leg at various points during the round, Ulberg still managed to knock out Prochazka and claim the vacant 205-pound championship in one of the more remarkable performances in recent light heavyweight history.

    Costa used his appearance at the Helwani Show to make his case for the next title shot, whether for a vacant or interim championship, citing his knockout of Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327 as justification.

    The light heavyweight division has dealt with repeated disruptions at the top in recent years due to injuries and inactivity, and Ulberg’s situation continues that pattern almost immediately after a new champion was crowned. 

  • Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return Talks, Calls Out Leon Edwards

    Jorge Masvidal Confirms UFC Return Talks, Calls Out Leon Edwards

    Jorge Masvidal has confirmed that he’s in active negotiations with the UFC for a return to the Octagon, with Leon Edwards at the top of his wish list.

    Speaking on the Deep Waters panel show on UFC on Paramount+, the former BMF champion addressed Dana White’s public confirmation at UFC 327 that the two sides have been in talks.

    After initially playing coy with an “I’m retired, man” deflection, Masvidal dropped the act once the panel played White’s comments back to him.

    “We’re definitely talking. We’ve been talking for a minute. It’s just we haven’t landed on that thing,” Masvidal said.

    Masvidal on UFC Negotiations

    Masvidal was candid about the pace of negotiations, expressing loyalty to the promotion while acknowledging the reality of doing business with the UFC.

    “You guys know better than anybody how the UFC is. I love them to death, but man, they make you work for every single thing. It’s always like it’s not quite what you wanted it to be a lot of times. So we’re working. We’re going to get something done, though,” he said.

    The 40-year-old hasn’t competed in MMA since losing to Gilbert Burns at UFC 287 in April 2023, a defeat that prompted his retirement. He recently revealed that the UFC blocked him from competing on the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card because they had their own plans for his comeback.

    Leon Edwards: The Preferred Target

    While Masvidal said he’d prefer to fight at middleweight to avoid the weight cut, he made one thing clear: he’ll get back to 170 for the right name.

    “If they give me the Leon fight, I’ll get to 170 by the mall. No kidding. Quick. I would like that fight. The fans would like that fight,” Masvidal said.

    He then made his case by turning Edwards’ own previous reasoning against him.

    Edwards had reportedly declined a fight with Masvidal in the past because of his losing streak. The former welterweight champion is now on a three-fight skid of his own, dropping decisions to Belal Muhammad and finishes to Sean Brady and Carlos Prates.

    “He had said he wouldn’t fight me because I had like three or four losses in a row. I think he’s got like four losses in a row and like three by KO. So that’s the fight that makes sense,” Masvidal said, slightly overstating Edwards’ recent record but landing the broader point.

    He also made it clear that a tune-up fight holds no interest. “With your name, you just don’t show up and fight anybody. You’re not out there fighting Francisco Prado,” he said.

    The Timeline

    Masvidal pointed to International Fight Week in July as his ideal return window, requesting four to five months of preparation time. “The more time they give me to prepare, the better, obviously. A good 4 to 5 months from here, it’ll be perfect,” he said.

    Framing the matchup as an easy sell for the promotion, he closed with a simple pitch: “That’s low hanging fruit for the UFC. Just give me what I’m asking for and we’re good to go, man.”

    The Covington Dig

    In a lighter moment, the panel asked Masvidal about fighters he still has beef with. He said he gets along with virtually everyone he’s fought, but couldn’t resist one jab at his former American Top Team teammate.

    “For the most part I get along with everybody. If I see him I share a meal with him, hang out, talk. But just one rat-ass mother… I shouldn’t even say his name because he’s already suing me. But Colby Covington is the only one I really never mess with like that,” Masvidal said.

    Covington recently filed a civil lawsuit against Masvidal seeking damages related to the 2022 restaurant attack in Miami Beach.

    The rivalry between Masvidal and Edwards dates back to March 2019, when Masvidal attacked Edwards backstage at UFC London, coining the now-famous “three-piece and a soda” phrase that became part of his BMF-era identity. On the panel, he leaned into that legacy: “He already got a two-piece and a soda. Now it’s time for dessert. Now I’m going to hit this [guy] with the whole buffet, brother.”

  • Guy Fieri Issues Statement After Tate Brothers Encounter at UFC 327

    Guy Fieri Issues Statement After Tate Brothers Encounter at UFC 327

    Celebrity chef Guy Fieri posted a public statement on X Tuesday saying he was “devastated” by fan backlash after video of his brief greeting with Andrew and Tristan Tate at UFC 327 in Miami spread rapidly across social media.

    Fieri said he was walking through Kaseya Center on April 11 to watch the fights when the Tate brothers stood up from their seats and said hello. He said the exchange was the first time he had ever encountered them.

    “I was there to see the fights and when I was walking through the venue, the Tate brothers stood up and said hello and that’s when the exchange happened,” Fieri wrote. “I did not know them or about them before that moment. I do not know the Tate brothers nor do I support them in any way.”

    What the Video Showed

    Footage shared widely on X and Threads shows Fieri leaning over a railing to shake hands and exchange a shoulder bump with Andrew Tate, smiling as the brief interaction plays out. The clip spread quickly after the event, drawing thousands of critical replies and calls to boycott the Food Network.

    Andrew Tate replied to Fieri’s statement thread with a GIF, offering no written response. Reaction to Fieri’s clarification was sharply divided, with critics questioning whether someone of Fieri’s public profile could genuinely not recognize one of the most prominent figures on social media, while others defended him for simply returning a greeting from a stranger in a crowded arena.

    The Tate Brothers’ Legal Background

    Andrew and Tristan Tate have not been convicted of any crime. Romanian prosecutors have charged both brothers with forming an organized crime group to sexually exploit women, allegations they deny. Andrew also faces a civil trial in the United Kingdom on June 22 involving allegations of sexual violence and coercive control brought by four women, which he denies.

    A Romanian court lifted all travel restrictions on the brothers on April 6, just days before UFC 327, following years of legal proceedings that have repeatedly stalled.

    UFC Events as a Celebrity Flashpoint

    The incident adds to a growing list of off-cage storylines generated by the celebrity presence at major UFC pay-per-view events. UFC 327 also saw Jon Jones attend in person, fueling renewed conversation about his fighting future. President Donald Trump was also in attendance, continuing a pattern of high-profile appearances that began at UFC 314 last April.

    Fieri faced similar scrutiny in 2023 when photos surfaced of him greeting Trump ringside at UFC 290 in Las Vegas. As numbered cards continue to draw an increasingly prominent crowd, the sidebar stories they produce have become as reliable as the fights themselves.

    The UFC 327 main event saw Carlos Ulberg claim the vacant light heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Jiri Prochazka.

  • Dana White Fires Back At Critics Of UFC Freedom 250 Event At White House – ‘It Has Nothing To Do With Politics’

    Dana White Fires Back At Critics Of UFC Freedom 250 Event At White House – ‘It Has Nothing To Do With Politics’

    Dana White has pushed back strongly against claims that the upcoming UFC Freedom 250 card carries any political agenda, insisting the historic event is meant to celebrate the United States rather than promote any ideology.

    The one-of-a-kind event is scheduled for June 14 on the South Lawn of the White House, marking a centerpiece attraction for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.

    While the involvement of US President Donald Trump has fueled speculation about political undertones, White has been clear about the promotion’s intent.

    Dana White Shuts Down Political Narrative Around UFC White House Card

    Speaking during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, the UFC CEO addressed the growing perception that the event is politically driven.

    “One of the myths that I would like to crush is I don’t care if you’re far right, far left, right down the middle… this isn’t about politics,” White said.

    “This is about the United States, what this country is about, how it was built, where we all came from.”

    White also emphasized that the UFC is fully funding the event, shutting down any concerns about public spending.

    “We’re paying the entire bill on all of this… Not one tax dollar will go into this. This is the UFC’s gift for the 250th birthday of America.”

    Despite the political figures expected to be in attendance, including Trump himself, the UFC head honcho maintains that the setting does not change the purpose of the event.

    “It has nothing to do with politics. We just happen to be on the White House lawn, and the President will be there.”

    Stacked Fight Lineup Set For Historic Night In Washington

    Beyond the controversy, UFC Freedom 250 is shaping up to be one of the most unique events in the promotion’s history. The card is expected to feature seven fights, headlined by a lightweight title unification bout, as reigning champion Ilia Topuria faces interim titleholder Justin Gaethje.

    Meanwhile, the co-main event will include an interim heavyweight title clash between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane.

    The event will take place inside a custom-built structure on the White House lawn, with the UFC investing heavily to ensure a unique viewing experience that incorporates the iconic backdrop.

  • Chael Sonnen Slams Jon Jones For Retirement U-Turns, Supports Dana White’s Freedom 250 Snub: ‘What Good Is Your Word?’

    Chael Sonnen Slams Jon Jones For Retirement U-Turns, Supports Dana White’s Freedom 250 Snub: ‘What Good Is Your Word?’

    Chael Sonnen has weighed in on the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Jon Jones, backing Dana White’s decision to keep the former two-division champion off the highly anticipated UFC Freedom 250 card.

    “Bones” once again stirred confusion over the weekend after indicating he would remain retired, before quickly reversing course a day later. The latest flip-flop has only added to a long pattern of indecision, and Sonnen made it clear he’s had enough.

    Chael Sonnen Questions Jon Jones’ Reliability Amid Retirement Flip-Flops

    Sonnen recently criticized Jones’ back-and-forth stance on social media, arguing that inconsistency at that level damages trust.

    “Jon Jones publicly retired on Friday, which is enough, per the rules, to have yourself removed from the testing pool,” Sonnen said. “Jon Jones, on Saturday, came back and said he is not officially retired, which, per the rules, is enough to reinsert yourself into the testing pool.”

    “The Bad Guy” didn’t stop there, raising a deeper concern about credibility.

    “When you put out a statement on Friday and the exact opposite statement on Saturday, there is a simple question… what good is your word?”

    Sonnen emphasized that being a champion requires more than just skill inside the cage.

    “If you’re the baddest dude in the world and you’re going to be the world champion, you’ve got to be a man. And nobody’s going to mistake you for a man… if they can’t trust you.”

    Chael Sonnen Backs Dana White’s Decision To Leave Jon Jones Off UFC White House Card

    The former title challenger also agreed with the UFC CEO’s stance on not booking “Bones” for the high-profile White House event set for June 14, pointing to his unpredictability as a major issue.

    “When we end up in a situation like this with Jon, where he’s in and he’s out… you can’t count on a guy like that,” Sonnen said on YouTube. “From what we’ve been told, the entire knock on Jon, and why he didn’t get on the White House card, is because they couldn’t count on him.”

    According to Sonnen, this inconsistency has followed Jones for years and continues to impact how the UFC does business with him.

    “It creates a very unusual and difficult position,” he added. “You can’t count on him. When he shows up, is it fun? Sure, but you know the result ahead of time. It’s very difficult.”

    Sonnen even contrasted Jones’ situation with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, highlighting the respect that comes with certainty.

    “That’s not how men talk,” Sonnen said. “There was never a doubt when Khabib said, ‘I’m done’… we knew that his word meant something.”

  • UFC 330 Officially Heads To Philadelphia On August 15 With Massive Title Fight Expected To Headline

    UFC 330 Officially Heads To Philadelphia On August 15 With Massive Title Fight Expected To Headline

    UFC is officially set to return to Philadelphia this summer, bringing a major numbered event back to the city after a lengthy absence.

    On Tuesday, the MMA promotion announced that UFC 330 will take place on August 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena, marking its first numbered card in Philly since 2011. The event will stream on Paramount+, with more details regarding the fight card and ticket sales to be announced in the coming weeks.

    While no bouts have been officially confirmed, early indications suggest the card will feature a championship fight at the top of the bill. If finalized, it would be the first title bout held in Philadelphia in over a decade, adding further significance to the event’s return.

    The UFC has maintained a sporadic presence in “City of Brotherly Love” over the years, hosting a handful of events in the city. Its most recent visit came in 2019, when Justin Gaethje delivered a standout knockout victory over Edson Barboza in the main event.

    However, the promotion has not hosted a pay-per-view event in the city since UFC 133, which was headlined by a light heavyweight clash between Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz.

    The return of a numbered event aligns with a broader surge of major sporting events scheduled across Pennsylvania in 2026, as part of nationwide celebrations tied to America’s 250th anniversary. Philadelphia, with its deep roots in combat sports, is once again positioned as a key destination on the UFC calendar.

    The card could also spotlight local talent, with several fighters on the current roster connected to the region. Names such as Sean Brady and Joe Pyfer have strong ties to Philadelphia and could potentially feature on the lineup.

    With a championship fight expected and the promotion returning after years away, UFC 330 is shaping up to be one of the standout events of the summer schedule.

  • Ray Longo Blasts Jiri Prochazka for UFC 327 Loss

    Ray Longo has delivered a verdict on Jiri Prochazka’s performance at UFC 327, and he has no patience for the explanation the former champion offered afterward.

    Speaking on the Anik and Florian Podcast, the veteran coach tore into Prochazka’s decision to ease off Carlos Ulberg after the New Zealander suffered a leg injury during their light heavyweight title fight in Miami. Prochazka was knocked out despite his opponent being visibly compromised, and afterward admitted he had shown mercy rather than pressing his advantage. Longo was not sympathetic.

    “I think we first have to discuss mental illness in MMA because something is — You know, it’s all funny when the guy’s praying up on Mount Olympus and standing on his head drinking his own piss, but this is what happens,” Longo said. “This is what happens. That poor guy was confused. I mean, like, ‘Mercy. Mercy.’ Dude, you blew the f***ing fight.”

    Longo referenced the 1984 film The Karate Kid to illustrate his frustration with whoever first shaped Prochazka’s competitive philosophy. “First off, his first trainer needs to go back and watch the Karate Kid 1. You’ve got to be f***ing kidding me.”

    Despite crediting Prochazka for continuing to target Ulberg’s lead leg with kicks, Longo argued the approach was not effective if a finish was the goal, and that Prochazka failed to capitalize even when Ulberg’s other leg buckled.

    He reserved praise for Ulberg, who fought through the injury to claim the championship rather than taking the easier path of coasting through the round.

    “I feel bad for Carlos because it was a Hollywood movie-type script and he’s got to now think that this guy gave him a break because he had mercy on him,” Longo said. “But with that being said, hat’s off to Ulberg, he did what he had to do. He could have stopped. He could have quit. He could have hobbled around, but he was going to fight to the very end and he deserves what he got.”

    Longo also pushed back on Prochazka’s attempt to frame the mercy as something to be both proud of and upset about simultaneously.

    “If you gave the guy mercy, then be happy. You did what you wanted to do. You let him off the hook. Don’t be mad about it,” Longo said. “That should be a badge of honor for you, you didn’t want to hurt a guy that was injured. So leave it like that, but you can’t have it both ways.”

    He closed with a straightforward reminder about the nature of competition. “When that door closes, anything can happen and that’s it, period. When that door closes, s*** is on. I don’t care what the f*** happens.”

  • Matt Brown Doubts Nate Diaz Turned Down More UFC Money

    Matt Brown Doubts Nate Diaz Turned Down More UFC Money

    Matt Brown does not believe Nate Diaz’s explanation for turning down a UFC fight with Conor McGregor, and he laid out exactly why on The Fighter vs. The Writer.

    Diaz recently claimed he rejected a more lucrative offer from the UFC for a McGregor trilogy because he did not want to face the Irishman on what he described as his “last dying f***ing leg” after five years away from competition. Brown is skeptical, arguing that Diaz’s career history tells a different story about his decision-making.

    “Money talks,” Brown said. “He’s making more money with this Netflix fight than he would with the UFC. That’s why he’s not fighting Conor in the UFC. I lean towards believing Dana on this. He got an offer he couldn’t refuse.”

    Brown reinforced the point by noting that Diaz has always prioritized the biggest payday available. “I don’t believe it for a second that he’s not making more money with this Netflix deal, however that plays out, his bank account ends up with more money from this fight than it does in the UFC or he doesn’t take the fight. He’s going to pick the highest bidder. I don’t think that’s unique to him, but I think he understands this is prize fighting. He’s fighting for money. He’s going to take the highest pay.”

    Diaz is instead fighting Mike Perry on May 16 on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Netflix card under Most Valuable Promotions. Perry left the UFC on a 1-4 skid before becoming a star in bare-knuckle fighting.

    Brown acknowledged that, on paper, the McGregor fight carries far more cultural weight. “Whereas Conor, dude you already beat him twice, you know what to do. It’s a way, way bigger fight. Whether the viewership numbers reflect that or not, the actual fight and the media, the attention, the fight fans that care, even mainstream, Diaz and Conor is probably the biggest fight the UFC could even make right now.”

    He also suggested the UFC’s offer likely came with conditions such as a multi-fight deal, which may have made the single-fight MVP arrangement more attractive to Diaz, regardless of the headline number. The door for a future UFC return remains open, but Brown is firm that money drove the decision.

  • Carlos Ulberg Knee Injury Not as Serious as Feared, Coach Says

    Carlos Ulberg Knee Injury Not as Serious as Feared, Coach Says

    Carlos Ulberg’s head coach, Eugene Bareman, is not ready to accept the worst-case scenario for his champion’s knee, offering a considerably more optimistic read than the medical analysis circulating since UFC 327.

    Bareman appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday and shared his take after watching Ulberg at the post-fight celebration in Miami. His observations from the after-party gave him reason to believe the injury may not be as serious as feared.

    “It’s just a scratch, mate. He’ll be back as soon as he can,” Bareman said. “The way he was jumping around at the after-party in Miami, I reckon it was just a scratch. We’ll wait for a medical diagnosis because I’m the furthest person who can make that qualification. I’m not sure. It’s probably not as bad as everybody thinks.”

    That view stands in sharp contrast to the assessment offered by sports medicine physician Dr. Brian Sutterer, who analyzed slow-motion footage from the fight and delivered a far grimmer prognosis.

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

    Sutterer projected a recovery timeline of nine to twelve months if surgery is required, which would keep Ulberg out of action until mid-to-late 2026 at the earliest and potentially into 2027.