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Category: UFC

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

  • Michael Chiesa Ends Career With Quick Submission Win

    Michael Chiesa Ends Career With Quick Submission Win

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Lerryan Douglas Scores Brutal Finish Of Julian Erosa At UFC Seattle

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

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

  • Demetrious Johnson Joins UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Class

    Demetrious Johnson Joins UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Class

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

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

    Demetrious Johnson To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Terrance McKinney Quickly Puts Away Kyle Nelson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Lance Gibson Jr. Brutally Finishes Chase Hooper at UFC Seattle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Winning Announcement for Tybura vs. Fortune Botched

    Winning Announcement for Tybura vs. Fortune Botched

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Casey O’Neill Stops Gabriella Fernandes In 3 Minutes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    UFC Seattle Results: Adesanya vs Pyfer Live Updates & Highlights

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

    Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer – Middleweight Main Event

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

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

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

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

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

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

    How to Watch UFC Seattle

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

    UFC Seattle Quick Results

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

    UFC Seattle Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Women’s Strawweight: Alexia Thainara vs. Bruna Brasil

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

    Bantamweight: Ricky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez

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

    Light Heavyweight: Navajo Stirling vs. Bruno Lopes

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

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

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

    Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune

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

    Lightweight: Chase Hooper vs. Lance Gibson Jr.

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

    Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Tofiq Musayev

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

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson

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

    Middleweight: Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui

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

    Featherweight: Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas

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

    Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price

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

    Women’s Flyweight: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber

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

    Middleweight: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer

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

  • Michael Chiesa Reveals One Career Regret Ahead of Final UFC Fight

    Michael Chiesa Reveals One Career Regret Ahead of Final UFC Fight

    Michael Chiesa has one major regret as he is gearing up for his final UFC appearance at UFC Seattle on Saturday night. The veteran welterweight recently revealed that a simple seating change cost him a potential title shot against Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.

    Chiesa is set to face Niko Price at the Climate Pledge Arena in what marks his retirement bout after more than a decade in the octagon. The Washington native gets a fitting homecoming as he looks to end his career on his own terms.

    The Seat Swap That Changed Everything

    The regret stems from the chaotic UFC 223 fight week in April 2018. Chiesa was originally scheduled to face Anthony Pettis on that card, but the event became one of the most turbulent in UFC history.

    Max Holloway was initially set to challenge Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title after stepping in for an injured Tony Ferguson. However, Holloway was later pulled from the fight, forcing the UFC to scramble for alternatives.

    As per Chiesa, he had an opportunity to face Nurmagomedov for the title but made a decision that ultimately cost him. Chiesa says swapping seats with Calvin Kattar prevented him from getting the late-notice title fight against “The Eagle.”

    “If there’s one thing I could change, I wish that I would have given Calvin Kattar that front seat because I would have fought Khabib and that’s literally what it boiled down to,” he told Full Send MMA. “Calvin Kattar was sitting in the front and I was getting on the bus looking kind of rough.

    “I was like five pounds over when I was cutting to 155 and Calvin’s like, ‘Oh, you can take my seat’ and I sat in the window and my coach sat next to me and then everything happened.”

    The UFC eventually settled on Al Iaquinta as Nurmagomedov’s opponent, with Iaquinta losing via unanimous decision. Nurmagomedov would go on to successfully defend the lightweight title multiple times before retiring undefeated.

    Final Fight Preparations

    Chiesa’s original opponent for UFC Seattle withdrew due to visa issues, putting his retirement fight in jeopardy. Price stepped in as a replacement, allowing Chiesa to compete in front of his hometown crowd.

    “I knew but I just wasn’t sure. I kind of wanted to wait for the UFC to announce it,” Chiesa told reporters on Wednesday. “With everything that we talked about with the Seattle curse for me, I’m just going to wait until they announce it so I don’t get ahead of myself.”

    The card carries additional significance as fellow UFC lightweight Terrance McKinney is also competing. Chiesa noted it had been eight days from when he learned Carlston Harris was out until Price was confirmed as his opponent.

    At 19-7 in his professional career, Chiesa has established himself as a consistent presence in the welterweight division. His retirement bout represents the end of an era for the “Maverick,” who has been a fixture in the UFC since his days on The Ultimate Fighter.

  • Israel Adesanya Says Coaches Have Ruined His Question Mark Kick

    Israel Adesanya Says Coaches Have Ruined His Question Mark Kick

    Israel Adesanya believes coaches have helped take away one of his best weapons ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC Seattle.

    The former two-time middleweight champion headlines Saturday night’s card against rising contender Joe Pyfer at the Climate Pledge Arena in his first fight in over a year. Adesanya is coming off a three-fight losing streak, but he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the UFC.

    However, ‘The Last Stylebender’ admits he’s been forced to rearrange his striking arsenal due to opponents and their coaches studying his signature technique.

    Question Mark Kick No Longer Surprising Opponents

    Adesanya revealed that his question mark kick, once a devastating weapon in his arsenal, has lost its effectiveness as coaches have learned to prepare their fighters for the technique.

    “I do my thing but I also have to switch it up because my question mark kick isn’t landing the way it used to because all these c—- know when it’s coming. Their coaches warn them outside the cage,” Adesanya told UFC.com during fight week while doing a frustrated impression of his reaction to the coaches’ instructions.

    “I’ve switched up my game. I’ve tweaked things up and revised old moves.”

    The question mark kick has been a staple of Adesanya’s striking game throughout his UFC career, helping him become one of the most feared middleweights in the division. The deceptive technique starts as a leg kick before transitioning into a head kick, often catching opponents off guard.

    Adapting Game Plan for UFC Seattle

    Despite needing to adapt his approach, Adesanya has promised an aggressive performance against Pyfer. The former champion successfully made weight on Friday and appears confident that his recent losses won’t impact his mindset entering the fight.

    Adesanya has been honest about needing to tweak elements of his game following his championship losses. The Nigerian-born fighter last competed in September 2023, giving him over a year to analyze and adjust his fighting style.

    Pyfer enters the bout ranked No. 14 in the middleweight division with a 15-3 record, representing a significant step up in competition for the rising contender. A victory over the former champion would immediately thrust him into title contention.

    UFC Seattle takes place Saturday night at the Climate Pledge Arena, with Adesanya looking to halt his losing streak and re-establish himself as a force in the middleweight division.

  • Francis Ngannou Accuses UFC of Trying to ‘Destroy’ Him

    Francis Ngannou Accuses UFC of Trying to ‘Destroy’ Him

    Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou believes the UFC has actively worked to undermine him since he departed from the promotion in January 2023. ‘The Predator’ left the promotion after failed contract negotiations, walking away as the reigning titleholder.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Ngannou addressed why more fighters don’t follow his path of leaving the UFC to pursue opportunities elsewhere. He pointed to the treatment he’s received since his exit as a cautionary tale.

    “Since I left, don’t you see what they try to do?” Ngannou said. “All this, blah, blah, blah. All the things, all the narratives they try to drive.”

    “The mission has always been to destroy Francis, to damage Francis,” he added. “Tell me about somebody who left, went out, and (could be) something. Basically as a champion. Nobody has left as a champion, so they want to close that door.”

    Ngannou’s Post-UFC Journey

    After leaving the UFC, Ngannou signed with the PFL in May 2023. He competed once under the PFL banner, defeating Renan Ferreira via TKO in October 2024 to win the PFL Super Fights heavyweight title.

    During his time with PFL, Ngannou also pursued boxing matches against Tyson Fury in October 2023 and Anthony Joshua in March 2024. He parted ways with PFL in early 2026.

    Ngannou has since signed with Most Valuable Promotions and is scheduled to face Philipe Lins in the co-main event of MVP’s debut MMA card on Netflix on May 16th, 2026, at Intuit Dome in California. The event is headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

    The Cameroonian fighter enters the bout on a seven-fight MMA winning streak with a professional record of 18-3.

  • Brock Lesnar: Dana White Refused My Calls Before I Crashed a UFC Event

    Before former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar ever threw a punch in the UFC, he was buying nosebleed seats and scaling security barriers just to get a meeting with UFC CEO Dana White.

    Lesnar revealed the full story on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, detailing how his path to the UFC was anything but straightforward. After parting ways with WWE (despite a 10-year deal worth $20 million guaranteed) he got cut from the Minnesota Vikings, found the IRS at his door, fought a custody battle for his daughter, and got sued by Vince McMahon for violating a non-compete clause.

    “It was a tough time in my life from 2004 to 2006,” Lesnar said.

    He eventually found work in Japan, where a K-1 promoter introduced him to MMA. After a quick stoppage win in Los Angeles, Lesnar set his sights on the UFC but couldn’t get anyone to pick up the phone.

    “Dana White wanted nothing to do with me,” he said. “He wouldn’t return my phone calls.”

    So Lesnar took matters into his own hands. He bought four nosebleed tickets to a UFC event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, watched Randy Couture win the heavyweight title, then vaulted the security barrier and introduced himself ringside.

    “I grabbed Dana and I introduced myself: ‘I’m Brock Lesnar,’” he said. “We went to the back and he said ‘I’ll give you a shot.’ He gave me a one-fight deal.”

    That fight was against Frank Mir, and Lesnar tapped out in 90 seconds. He assumed it was over. Then White walked into his locker room with news about the pay-per-view numbers.

    “Dana comes in: ‘you’re not done.’ And the next day we negotiated a real contract.”

    Lesnar went on to steamroll Heath Herring and defeat Couture for the UFC heavyweight title. He defended it twice before diverticulitis nearly killed him. ‘The Beast’ then made a dramatic comeback against Shane Carwin before eventually losing the belt to Cain Velasquez. His final UFC appearance, a win over Mark Hunt at UFC 200, was later overturned due to a failed drug test.

    “I look back now and I can’t believe I did it,” Lesnar said. “I want nothing to do with it now.”

    Brock Lesnar is currently involved in a feud with Oba Femi and they will lock horns at the upcoming WWE WrestleMania 42 Premium Live Event.

  • Dana White Corrects Islam Makhachev Return Date After July Claim

    Dana White Corrects Islam Makhachev Return Date After July Claim

    UFC CEO Dana White recently clarified the timeline for Islam Makhachev’s next fight after his manager claimed the welterweight champion would compete during International Fight Week in July. White confirmed Makhachev will return to the Octagon in August instead.

    Ali Abdelaziz recently told TMZ that Makhachev’s next fight was set for July, potentially on the same card as Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated comeback on July 11.

    “Islam got offered a different fight at welterweight to be the main event and Islam said, ‘Hey, let’s do this in July’,” Abdelaziz stated.

    “He had some stuff going on, you know, Dana spoke about it, he had some stuff going on, but I can tell you this, if (the Ilia Topuria) fight was offered in June, and Islam even only had one leg, he would’ve took the fight.

    The MMA manager added that the bout is “a done deal already” and involves a welterweight number one contender match. “The UFC will probably announce it soon,” Abdelaziz said.

    Dana White Clarifies August Timeline

    White quickly addressed the confusion on social media.

    “Not true……. It’s August.”

    The correction rules out any possibility of Makhachev appearing during International Fight Week alongside McGregor’s return. Makhachev fought twice in 2025 before capturing the welterweight championship.

    Potential Opponents Remain Unclear

    Makhachev’s opponent for his first welterweight title defense has not been officially announced. Abdelaziz indicated the Russian accepted a bout against the top-ranked contender despite dealing with a minor hand issue.

    Makhachev and his team have previously campaigned to face Kamaru Usman, though the former champion’s 1-3 record in his past four UFC appearances makes that matchup unlikely.

    Ian Machado Garry appears to be the most deserving option with a 17-1 record, his lone loss coming against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December 2024.

    Michael Morales represents another possibility after the 19-0 Ecuadorian stopped Sean Brady inside one round at UFC 322 in November. However, Morales lacks the high-level wins that Machado Garry has accumulated, making it unlikely he jumps the queue for a title shot.

  • UFC Fight Night 271 Preview: Adesanya vs. Pyfer, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Fight Night 271 Preview: Adesanya vs. Pyfer, Full Card, How to Watch

    UFC Fight Night Seattle Poster

    UFC Fight Night 271 lands at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle this Saturday, March 28, with a main event that could mark the end of an era or the start of a comeback. Former two-time middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (24-5) takes on Joe Pyfer (15-3) in a five-round headliner that carries career-altering stakes for both men.

    Main Event: Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer (Middleweight)

    The numbers tell a brutal story for Adesanya. Losses to Sean Strickland, Dricus Du Plessis (submission), and Nassourdine Imavov (second-round TKO) have left the former champion at 0-3 since regaining the belt from Alex Pereira in April 2023. At 36 years old, the margin for error is gone. Another loss, especially to a fighter ranked 14th, would make any conversation about title contention impossible.

    Pyfer is seven years younger, riding a three-fight win streak, and carries legitimate finishing power. Thirteen of his 15 career victories have come by stoppage. Since his only UFC loss to Jack Hermansson in February 2024, he knocked out Marc-Andre Barriault in the first round, decisioned Kelvin Gastelum with two knockdowns, and submitted Abusupiyan Magomedov in the second round. He’s ascending while Adesanya is sliding.

    The physical matchup still favors the former champion. Adesanya holds a five-to-six-inch reach advantage at 80 inches and stands 6’4″ to Pyfer’s 6’2″. When Adesanya is moving well and using his jab, teep kicks, and distance management, shorter pressure fighters struggle to close the gap. The question is whether the Adesanya who made that style look effortless still exists.

    Pyfer’s path to victory is straightforward: close distance, cut the cage, and force Adesanya into exchanges. His major weakness is cardio in championship rounds, which is how Hermansson beat him. But that vulnerability matters less if Pyfer can land the overhand right that Imavov used to drop Adesanya in their February fight. The betting line has been volatile. Adesanya opened as an underdog before settling as a slight -140 favorite, reflecting genuine uncertainty about where he is as a fighter.

    Co-Main Event: Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber (Women’s Flyweight)

    Grasso (16-5-1) won their first meeting clearly at UFC 258, outboxing Barber and controlling the striking. Since then, their careers have moved in opposite directions. Grasso won the flyweight title and lost it, going 0-2-1 in her last three with a draw against Shevchenko followed by losses to Shevchenko and Natalia Silva. Barber (15-2) has rattled off seven consecutive wins since that 2021 loss.

    Barber enters as the -180 favorite, a reflection of momentum more than anything. Grasso’s losses came against elite competition, and her technical striking looked sharp even in defeat. Whether Barber has improved enough to reverse the result from five years ago is the central question. A win for either fighter likely positions them for a title shot at 125 pounds.

    UFC Seattle Fight Card

    Main Card Fights to Watch

    Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price (Welterweight) — This is expected to be Chiesa’s retirement fight, and Seattle is home turf for the TUF: Live winner. Price stepped in after Carlston Harris withdrew due to visa issues. Chiesa has talked about this being a full-circle moment tied to his late grandfather, who inspired him to start fighting.

    Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas (Featherweight) — Erosa is fighting in his home state at the tail end of his career against Douglas, a promotional newcomer with knockout power. Douglas is the heavy favorite, but Erosa has a history of pulling off the improbable.

    Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui (Middleweight) — The closest line on the card, essentially a pick’em. Abdul-Malik is 3-0-1 in the UFC with a 100% KO/TKO rate and elite wrestling credentials. Belgaroui is a world-class kickboxer who trains with Alex Pereira and Glover Teixeira, coming off a third-round TKO in his UFC debut.

    Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson (Lightweight) — McKinney is the definition of first-round chaos. If you’re tuning in, don’t blink.

    Preliminary Card

    The prelims carry some solid matchups. Chase Hooper vs. Lance Gibson Jr. features a heavy favorite in Hooper (-280) against a UFC newcomer. Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune is heavyweight action between a veteran gatekeeper and an ascending prospect. Ricky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez should produce fireworks, and Casey O’Neill vs. Gabriella Fernandes rounds out the women’s flyweight action. The card opens with Bruna Brasil vs. Alexia Thainara at strawweight.

    Full Fight Card

    Main Card (Paramount+, 8 PM ET)

    • Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer — Middleweight
    • Alexa Grasso vs. Maycee Barber — Women’s Flyweight
    • Michael Chiesa vs. Niko Price — Welterweight
    • Julian Erosa vs. Lerryan Douglas — Featherweight
    • Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Yousri Belgaroui — Middleweight
    • Terrance McKinney vs. Kyle Nelson — Lightweight

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Tofiq Musayev — Lightweight
    • Chase Hooper vs. Lance Gibson Jr. — Lightweight
    • Marcin Tybura vs. Tyrell Fortune — Heavyweight
    • Casey O’Neill vs. Gabriella Fernandes — Women’s Flyweight
    • Navajo Stirling vs. Bruno Lopes — Light Heavyweight
    • Ricky Simon vs. Adrian Yanez — Bantamweight
    • Alexia Thainara vs. Bruna Brasil — Women’s Strawweight

    How to Watch

    • Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
    • Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
    • Prelims: 5:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • Main Card: 8:00 PM ET on Paramount+
    • UK: Main card on TNT Sports; prelims on UFC Fight Pass
  • Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Confirmed: ‘Rumors Are True’

    Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Confirmed: ‘Rumors Are True’

    Former two-division champion Conor McGregor has reignited speculation about his UFC return, expressing interest in competing again in 2026. ‘The Notorious’ who holds a 22-6 record, has been inactive since suffering a broken leg in his TKO loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

    As per Ariel Helwani, McGregor’s return is being targeted for July 11th during UFC International Fight Week. Helwani also reported that Max Holloway is being considered as a potential opponent for the Irishman’s comeback fight.

    Conor McGregor Teases Return

    In a recent Instagram post, ‘The Notorious’ seemed to confirm recent rumors surrounding a potential comeback at the UFC’s International Fight Week event in July.

    McGregor has been active on social media regarding his return plans. He posted and then deleted a message stating he had been offered an opponent and a date, which he accepted. More recently, McGregor indicated he is open to facing a “no name” opponent and urged the UFC to send him a contract.

    “The rumours are true! Mr. Confidence returns to save fighting again! Call your grandma! Nanny we did it! Watch and pay me. F— you pay me. You fat Irish prick you don’t have my money I put your brain to sleep,” McGregor began.

    “See ya’s in the Casinos after, the Mac loves yas all, I got love for yas all it’s an honor it’s light work it’s easy. FOR LIFE AND ETERNITY ITS MCGREGOR! BIG MONEY MAC DADDY MCGREGOR I EXPECT FAWNING OF THE HIGHEST FOR LIFE. I DO THIS FIGHT GAME EASY PEEZY. THE SOUND OF MY SHOTS OFF THE HEAD GO “BING” in green dot laser form. Go BHB!

    Conor McGregor’s Impending Return

    The 38-year-old fighter was scheduled to return at UFC 303 against Michael Chandler in June 2024, but withdrew from that bout due to a toe injury. His last appearance in the octagon ended with the gruesome leg break against Poirier nearly five years ago.

    UFC CEO Dana White has publicly welcomed McGregor’s potential comeback, though he has stated he is not interested in booking the previously planned matchup with Chandler.

    White’s comments suggest the promotion is open to McGregor’s return but may be exploring different opponent options.

    While McGregor has expressed his desire to compete in 2026, no official fight announcement has been made by the UFC. The promotion has not confirmed the July 11 date or any specific opponent for McGregor’s return.

  • Gable Steveson Signs With RAF Wrestling, Debuts May 30 in Dallas

    Gable Steveson Signs With RAF Wrestling, Debuts May 30 in Dallas

    Gable Steveson is heading back to the mat. The Olympic gold medalist and undefeated MMA prospect has signed a multi-match deal with Real American Freestyle (RAF), with his debut set for RAF09 on May 30 in Dallas, Texas. The event streams exclusively on Fox Nation.The announcement came via Ariel Helwani on Wednesday.

    The signing puts one of the most prominent names in amateur wrestling history into RAF, which was co-founded by Eric Bischoff and features active UFC fighters like Arman Tsarukyan and Colby Covington on its roster.

    The promotion runs real freestyle wrestling — not pro wrestling — and has been building toward a rematch between Steveson and current RAF heavyweight champion Wyatt Hendrickson, who handed Steveson the only loss of his wrestling career with a dramatic last-second takedown in the 2025 NCAA Division I championship match.

    Steveson, 25, is currently 4-0 as a professional MMA fighter with four stoppages. He trains under Jon Jones and has been vocal about wanting to reach the UFC. Dana White confirmed the promotion is “very much” interested in signing him once he builds enough experience. The RAF deal is not expected to interfere with his MMA trajectory — several active UFC fighters compete in the promotion simultaneously.

    His combat sports résumé coming in is hard to match: 2020 Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA Division I champion, two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner, and five-time All-American. He had brief stints with WWE (released May 2024) and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills (released August 2024) before committing full-time to MMA last fall.

    RAF09 takes place May 30 in Dallas on Fox Nation.

  • UFC Legend Georges St-Pierre Biopic In Development With Director Thomas Soto

    UFC Legend Georges St-Pierre Biopic In Development With Director Thomas Soto

    Georges St-Pierre is getting the Hollywood spotlight. A biopic chronicling the UFC Hall of Famer’s journey from Saint-Isidore, Quebec, to becoming a two-division champion is officially in development with director Thomas Soto at the helm.

    The project will cover St-Pierre’s rise through the UFC ranks, his championship setbacks, and the historic comeback that saw him capture titles in two weight classes. Casting is currently underway for the film.

    “We have been considering telling my story for a moment now, and when we found this team, it was clear to us that we wanted this to be told in a new creative way,” St-Pierre stated.

    The production is being spearheaded by executive producers Brandon St-Jacques and Jean-Christophe Pelchat, with Bruno Rosato and Vito Balenzano attached as producers, while casting details are set to be revealed in due course.

    Director’s Vision For ‘GSP’ Story

    Thomas Soto emphasized that his approach to the material will focus on the man behind the legend.

    “I want to tell the story of Georges behind ‘GSP’ in a way that feels intimate, honest, and deeply human,” the director stated.

    The biopic will trace the former UFC two division champion’s journey from his formative years in Quebec through both the triumphs and adversities that defined his career. No release date has been announced for the film.

    Two-Division Champion Legacy

    Following his retirement, Georges St-Pierre made a stunning comeback at UFC 217 in November 2017 to defeat fellow Hall of Famer Michael Bisping and capture the middleweight championship. The victory made him one of the few fighters to hold UFC titles in two different weight classes.

    “Rush” began his journey in the Octagon in 2004 and went on to win the welterweight title in a rematch against Matt Hughes at UFC 65 in November 2006. After losing the belt to Matt Serra at UFC 69 in April 2007, he returned for a dominant run that cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest welterweights.

    St-Pierre announced his retirement in February 2019, closing out a decorated career with a 26-2 record, including an impressive 20-2 run in the UFC, highlighted by wins over the likes of Nate Diaz, Carlos Condit, B.J. Penn, and others.

  • Michael Bisping Believes Lerone Murphy Deserved the Win at UFC London

    Michael Bisping Believes Lerone Murphy Deserved the Win at UFC London

    Michael Bisping believes Lerone Murphy should have defeated Movsar Evloev at UFC London. The featherweight bout ended in a majority decision for Evloev (20-0), but Bisping disagreed with the judges’ scorecards.

    The UFC London main event saw two judges score the fight 48-46 for Evloev, while the third judge scored it 47-47. Evloev also had a point deducted in Round 4 for low blows. Murphy’s record now stands at 17-1-1.

    Bisping’s Analysis

    Michael Bisping, who did commentary live, said right away that he saw the fight differently. On his YouTube channel, Bisping said:

    “I’ll just get to the point: I thought Lerone — and I’ve got nothing against Movsar, and this is not me being biased, for all the American fans — I thought Lerone should have won that fight.”

    “I thought he won the first three rounds. I thought Movsar didn’t pick it up and really start going for it until Rounds 4 and 5. And clearly Movsar won Rounds 4 and 5. He dominated those rounds. He busted him up. He damaged him. Lerone was talking about at the end of 4, he blew his hip out and whatnot.”

    He also pointed to the score math and deduction, saying:

    “But even still, that’s three rounds to two. And then, even if you give Movsar the third round, which was a close one, Movsar had a point deducted for the two groin shots. He had a point deducted in Round 4.”

    Bisping further stated that the deduction could have altered the final result to a draw. He said:

    “Now, maybe I’m wrong, but there was the point deduction. So, should it have been a draw? Because if it’s two rounds apiece, and let’s just say Movsar won three out of [five], well then, he’s essentially lost one of them because he loses the point. So, if anything, it should have been a draw, in my humble opinion.”

    Bisping scored the fight either a draw or in favor of Murphy. There is debate among commentators, including Michael Bisping, who scored rounds 1-3 for Murphy and cited the point deduction, according to TNT Fight Sports YouTube Review.

    Evloev is now positioned as next in line for a featherweight title shot.

  • Dana White Accidentally Leaks Conor-Garry Fight: ‘Won’t Be in Ireland’

    Dana White Accidentally Leaks Conor-Garry Fight: ‘Won’t Be in Ireland’

    Conor McGregor’s next opponent remains uncertain, but UFC CEO Dana White might have dropped a hint, suggesting a possible fight with Ian Machado Garry. Michael Chandler has long been expected to face McGregor, but White’s comments add a new twist to the situation.

    McGregor has not fought since his July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, where he suffered a broken tibia. Chandler last fought in November 2022, losing to Dustin Poirier. White previously stated that McGregor would not fight in 2024, with a return expected in early 2025.

    Dana White on UFC Ireland

    In an interview, Dana White responded to a question about the UFC’s rumored return to Ireland and whether McGregor and Garry would be fighting there. White said:

    “Yeah, that’s a great question. Definitely not with those fights. But, yes. I mean, I love Ireland, too. So, [I would] love to go back to Dublin, do a show there. And we’re definitely taking Zuffa Boxing to Ireland, too. “But the Conor/Garry fight won’t be in Ireland.

    The situation remains fluid, with McGregor’s return anticipated but the opponent and date still to be determined.

  • “No Idea How To Score Fights” – Movsar Evloev Wins Eliminator

    “No Idea How To Score Fights” – Movsar Evloev Wins Eliminator

    It appears Movsar Evloev will be next in line for Alexander Volkanovski and the UFC featherweight championship, as he defeated Lerone Murphy in a battle of undefeated contenders that headlined UFC London.

    In what was a bit of a surprise, Evloev did not go for any takedowns in the first 10 minutes of the fight. Instead, the two fighters, after some feeling out, both used their striking to try and get the upper hand.

    Evloev seemed to hold his own landing on the body during the first round. It appeared Murphy’s striking skillset was stronger, and he was landing the better attacks in round two.

    Evloev finally landed a takedown in the third round. Murphy, however, got up quickly, and his movement appeared to give Evloev some struggle. But Evloev found success with his striking, including some solid pressure near the fence, landing on the body again.

    Despite gaining some momentum, Evloev landed a pair of low blows on Murphy and was deducted one point. He then went back to his bread and butter during the fourth round, landing a pair of takedowns. Evloev then controlled the fifth round.

    In spite of the point deduction, Evloev managed to edge Murphy out in a majority decision.

    Movsar Evloev Narrowly Wins Title Eliminator Against Lerone Murphy In UFC London Main Event

    Evloev now improves to 20-0 in his MMA career. This marked Evloev’s first fight since defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310 in December 2024.

    This marked Murphy’s first loss in professional MMA. He entered this fight off a highlight knockout of Aaron Pico at UFC 319 — one of 2025’s top knockouts in the sport.

  • “Crispy Hands” – Luke Riley Strikes His Way To UFC London Win

    “Crispy Hands” – Luke Riley Strikes His Way To UFC London Win

    Luke Riley’s boxing was on full display, as the young prospect scored another victory in the UFC by defeating Michael Aswell Jr. in the UFC London co-main event.

    Aswell looked to bring pressure and take control right away. He landed a hard shot early on Riley and looked to press him by the fence to control the action there. Riley battled back, however, matching pressure and gaining momentum during the first round.

    Riley continued to bring pressure in the second round to his benefit, not letting off on the gas and forcing Aswell to fight on the back foot. Aswell landed a few good shots in the third and looked to tie up Riley with his grappling, but it was for naught.

    Luke Riley Bests Michael Aswell Jr. In UFC London Co-Main

    Riley, a Cage Warriors veteran, made his UFC debut in November at UFC Qatar, finishing Bogdan Grad.

    Aswell is now 1-2 in the UFC, entering tonight’s fight off a win over Lucas Almeida at UFC Rio last October.

  • “#1 Bad Fight” – Michael Page Wins Snoozefest with Sam Patterson

    “#1 Bad Fight” – Michael Page Wins Snoozefest with Sam Patterson

    Michael “Venom” Page made a statement with his walkout song choice, but his UFC London fight with Sam Patterson ended up being more like a lullaby.

    In a bout that received plenty of boos and criticism on social media from fight fans and pundits, MVP scored a decision win over Patterson.

    A tactical approach to round one saw Patterson get off to a better start, landing the few punches that were thrown during the frame. Page responded in the second round with pressure, landing countershots and tying up Patterson in the clinch.

    Page’s striking (whatever was thrown) and control in the third round helped him win the fight.

    Just 39 strikes were landed in the bout, with 27 of them coming from MVP.

    Michael “Venom” Page Gets Judges’ Nod Over Sam Patterson

    MVP has now won three straight and five of his last six. He is 4-1 since coming over to the UFC from Bellator.

    Patterson falls to 14-3-1, seeing a four-fight win streak get snapped in this outing.

  • “Future UFC Champion” – Iwo Baraniewski Sleeps Austen Lane

    “Future UFC Champion” – Iwo Baraniewski Sleeps Austen Lane

    Iwo Baraniewski had a quick night at the office at UFC London, providing one of the card’s highlights with a quick finish of Austen Lane.

    With just one left hand, Baraniewski dropped Lane a little more than 20 seconds into the bout. Baraniewski then got on top and rained down some ground-and-pound en route to a stoppage win.

    The fight lasted a whole 28 seconds. Baraniewski landed 10 of 13 significant strikes. Lane went 0 for 4.

    Iwo Baraniewski Puts Out Austen Lane At UFC London

    Baraniewski is now 8-0. He earned a UFC contract with a 20-second stoppage of Mahamed Aly on Dana White’s Contender Series, and made his UFC debut with an 89-second finish of Ibo Aslan at UFC 323.

    Lane has lost five of his last six fights.

  • Danny Silva Hands Kurtis Campbell First Loss At UFC London

    Danny Silva Hands Kurtis Campbell First Loss At UFC London

    One of the highly-touted English prospects on the UFC London card, Kurtis Campbell was given his first MMA loss in the event’s main card opener, courtesy of Danny Silva.

    Silva, trainee of Cub Swanson, found himself in trouble early, as Campbell scored an early takedown and nearly locked up a rear-naked choke. Silva, however, was able to work his way into top position and trouble Campbell some. Campbell continued with grappling pressure throughout the first round, but Silva did some damage at the end of the round.

    Silva then needed just three strong right hands to drop Campbell and end the contest.

    Danny Silva Stops Kurtis Campbell At UFC London

    Silva, a 2023 DWCS winner, rebounds from a loss to Kevin Vallejos. He is now 3-1 in the UFC.

    Campbell is the former FCC champion, entering this fight 8-0. He earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last September, stopping Demba Seck in 80 seconds.