Max Holloway, current BMF titleholder, is designing custom UFC gloves for the launch of the UFC’s ’Gloves for Good’ program on March 7, 2026, at UFC 326. The event will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The program aims to raise funds for underprivileged youth in Hawaii.
Holloway will defend his BMF title against Charles Oliveira at UFC 326. The former featherweight champion’s custom gloves, designed with artist Ant Kai, will be the program’s debut piece. Fans can donate between $10 and $500 through AllTroo for a chance to win the gloves and an all-expenses-paid trip to Holloway’s next fight.
“It’s an honor to be the first UFC athlete to design a pair of custom gloves as part of the Gloves for Good program,” Holloway said in a press release obtained by MMA News. “The funds raised from this campaign will help underprivileged youth in Hawaii via my new foundation.”
Less than 24 hours after it was first announced, Georgio Poullas has bowed out of a submission grappling match that was scheduled against Arman Tsarukyan.
Poullas, instead, is pushing for a wrestling rematch with Tsarukyan at an upcoming RAF event.
Georgio Poullas is withdrawing from next week’s submission match versus Arman Tsarukyan, per RAF co-founder Chad Bronstein. His preference is the rematch happens under the RAF banner.
During an interview with Helwani earlier in the day, Poullas noted that a contract had not been formally signed for the grappling match with Hype FC Brazil.
Tsarukyan won the contest at RAF 6 on February 28, scoring a 5-3 win. But the story from that event took place immediately after the match, when an altercation between the two broke out.
Tsarukyan shoved Poullas down and looked to throw down punches before RAF officials intervened to separate the pair. Tsarukyan has claimed that it was in retaliation to dirty tactics employed by Poullas during the bout, including punches and slaps while in close.
Video footage showed Tsarukyan’s corner crying foul at Poullas’ actions.
RAF officials have expressed disappointment that the brawl occrued; however, the promotion has not handed down any punishment toward Tsarukyan or Poullas as of press time.
Conor McGregor has confirmed he is in active negotiations with the UFC for a summer return, telling fans on Instagram that a deal is in the works — though the exact venue remains up in the air.
“I am in negotiations with the UFC about the bout, either the White House or thereabouts,” McGregor said in a short interview on his LITT drink brand’s Instagram account. “Sometime in the summer, McGregor will return.”
Despite McGregor previously insisting his return at UFC’s June 14 White House event was a “done deal, signed, delivered,” Uncrowned’s Ariel Helwani has reported that McGregor is not expected to appear on that card.
The UFC White House event carries no gate revenue for the promotion — with UFC projecting losses of up to $60 million on the invite-only show — making it a poor financial match for a fighter of McGregor’s earning power.
International Fight Week the Target
UFC’s International Fight Week card on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas has emerged as the most likely landing spot for McGregor’s comeback, per Helwani. The annual marquee week is among the most lucrative on the UFC calendar and would give the promotion the blockbuster gate and PPV numbers a McGregor fight demands.
Contract Dispute Still a Factor
A significant hurdle remains in finalizing the deal. McGregor has argued that the UFC’s new $7.7 billion Paramount+ broadcast agreement voids his existing contract, which was built around a PPV revenue-sharing structure. UFC President Dana White has not confirmed any agreement is imminent, stating bluntly: “If it was done and he accepted it, I would announce it.”
Opponent TBD
No opponent has been confirmed or officially targeted. McGregor recently said he would accept a “no-name” opponent to simply get back into competition, posting “Day 15 of ‘I accept, send the contract’” on social media.
Max Holloway has publicly expressed interest in a rematch, while Colby Covington has also lobbied for the fight, though White has shot down that pairing.
McGregor’s last official bout ended in a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Poirier after he snapped his tibia in the first round. He has not competed since.
Stay tuned to MMA News for updates as McGregor’s return negotiations develop.
Here is everything you need to know about UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2, going down this Saturday night.
Event Details
UFC 326 takes place this Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card kicks off at 9 p.m. ET, with prelims starting at 7 p.m. ET and early prelims at 5 p.m. ET.
How to Watch
The entire event streams live on Paramount+ (plans start at $8.99/month) with no pay-per-view cost. CBS will simulcast a two-hour window from 8–10 p.m. ET, covering the final hour of prelims and the first hour of the main card — making it accessible without a cable subscription or streaming plan. Early prelims also stream on UFC Fight Pass.
UFC 326: Holloway vs. Oliveira 2 Main Event Preview
This is a rematch over a decade in the making. Holloway and Oliveira first met in August 2015 at UFC Fight Night, where Holloway won via first-round TKO after Oliveira suffered a neck/shoulder injury on a takedown attempt. Now, Holloway puts his symbolic BMF championship on the line against “Do Bronx” in a lightweight contest that is one of the most anticipated rematches in recent UFC history.
Co-Main Event: Borralho vs. de Ridder
Caio Borralho, a former UFC Middleweight title challenger, squares off against Dutch striker Reinier de Ridder in a high-stakes middleweight bout. Both men are ranked in the top of the division, making this a potential title eliminator fight.
Notable Fight: Font vs. Rosas Jr.
The Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr. bantamweight bout was originally scheduled for UFC Fight Night in September 2025 but was delayed after Rosas Jr. suffered a rib injury. It’s one of the more intriguing matchups on the card, pitting the crafty veteran Font against the young prospect Rosas Jr.
Full Fight Card
Main Card (Paramount+ / CBS)
Bout
Weight Class
Notes
Max Holloway (c) vs. Charles Oliveira
Lightweight
BMF Title on the line
Caio Borralho vs. Reinier de Ridder
Middleweight
Co-main event
Rob Font vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
Bantamweight
Drew Dober vs. Michael Johnson
Lightweight
Gregory Rodrigues vs. Brunno Ferreira
Middleweight
Prelims (Paramount+ / CBS)
Bout
Weight Class
Cody Garbrandt vs. Xiao Long
Bantamweight
Donte Johnson vs. Cody Brundage
Middleweight
Ricky Turcios vs. Alberto Montes
Featherweight
Cody Durden vs. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel
Flyweight
Early Prelims (Paramount+ / UFC Fight Pass)
Bout
Weight Class
Su Mudaerji vs. Jesús Santos Aguilar
Flyweight
Rafael Tobias vs. Diyar Nurgozhay
Light Heavyweight
Lee Jeong-yeong vs. Gaston Bolaños
Featherweight
Luke Fernandez vs. Rodolfo Bellato
Light Heavyweight
Watch the UFC 326 Embedded Vlog Series
This playlist will update with each episode of UFC 326 Embedded.
BMF stands for “Baddest Motherf***er” — and if that sounds less like a championship and more like a barroom dare, that’s kind of the point.
The UFC’s BMF title is unlike any other belt in the promotion. It has no weight class. It doesn’t follow the traditional rankings system. You can’t earn a shot at it by winning three straight fights and climbing a divisional ladder. The BMF belt exists in a category of one: it’s awarded to the fighter who best embodies raw toughness, aggression, and the kind of reckless confidence that makes fans lose their minds.
How the BMF Belt Was Created
The title was born in 2019, dreamed up in real time around one of the most electric matchups the UFC had seen in years.
Nate Diaz had just come off a long absence and was itching for a big fight. Jorge Masvidal had just knocked out Ben Askren in five seconds — the fastest finish in UFC history — and was riding the kind of momentum that doesn’t come around often. The two were friends-turned-rivals, both with massive fanbases and a mutual willingness to fight anyone, anywhere.
Dana White decided the moment was too big for a regular main event. He created the BMF title on the spot for UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden, and to make it official, had Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson present the belt in person.
Masvidal won by third-round TKO when a doctor stopped the fight due to cuts on Diaz’s face — a controversial but definitive result. The first BMF champion had been crowned.
BMF Title History
The belt has only changed hands a handful of times, and each transition has come with its own memorable moment:
Jorge Masvidal — First champion, won at UFC 244 (November 2019) via doctor’s stoppage over Nate Diaz
Justin Gaethje — Won the vacated title at UFC 291 (July 2023) after Masvidal retired, defeating Dustin Poirier
Max Holloway — Became champion at UFC 300 (April 2024) with one of the most jaw-dropping finishes in recent memory, knocking out Gaethje in the final seconds of the fifth round
Max Holloway (def.) — Successfully defended against Dustin Poirier at UFC 318 (2025) via unanimous decision
Holloway’s knockout of Gaethje may be the defining moment in BMF history so far. Down on the scorecards, he waved Gaethje forward in the closing seconds and then dropped him with a right hand at the buzzer. It was the kind of moment the belt was literally invented to reward.
What Makes the BMF Belt Different
UFC’s BMF Championship Belt (Rendering)
The BMF title fills a gap that the traditional UFC belt structure can’t. A fighter can be a great champion — technically sound, smart, efficient — without ever being the kind of guy who makes 20,000 people in an arena collectively hold their breath. The BMF belt is for the guys who do.
It’s also worth noting what the belt is not: it doesn’t guarantee a divisional title shot, it doesn’t affect the official rankings, and holding it doesn’t make you the top contender at any weight class. It’s purely symbolic — which, in its own way, makes it mean more. Nobody fights for the BMF title for positioning. They fight for it because they want to be called the baddest.
Who Holds the BMF Belt Now
Max Holloway is the current BMF champion and has a defense coming up at UFC 326 this Saturday, March 7, against former UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira. Check out our full UFC 326 preview for everything you need to know about fight night.
Just days after their heated encounter at RAF 6, Arman Tsarukyan and Georgio Poullas are set to run it back. The rematch has been officially announced for Hype FC’s event on March 11 at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The two will meet in a 10-minute, submission-only grappling match — a format that raises the stakes considerably from their decision-based wrestling bout earlier this week.
Tsarukyan defeated Poullas by decision at RAF 6 on February 28 at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. The match ended in chaos, however, when Tsarukyan tackled Poullas after the final buzzer, igniting a backstage brawl that had to be broken up by security and both fighters’ teams. Poullas later claimed he was jumped “by like 12 Armenians” in the aftermath.
The Hype FC Brazil card is shaping up to be a major event. Jorge Masvidal is also set to make his return on the same night, and Jean Silva is additionally booked for a submission-only match on the card, though his opponent has yet to be announced.
Despite the post-match fireworks, Tsarukyan remains in good standing with UFC brass. The Armenian lightweight has reportedly had encouraging conversations with UFC executive Hunter Campbell, with a potential lightweight title shot — or a matchup against the winner of the Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira BMF bout — possibly on the horizon in 2026.
Here is the confirmed UFC Rankings Report for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, following UFC Fight Night 268: Moreno vs. Kavanagh this past weekend from Arena CDMX, Mexico City.
Flyweight
Lone’er Kavanagh enters at No. 6. The 26-year-old Englishman entered the fight unranked and on short notice — replacing Asu Almabayev (hand injury) — and defeated former two-time champion Brandon Moreno via unanimous decision (49–46, 48–47, 48–47) over five rounds. Kavanagh battered Moreno’s lead calf and bloodied his face, controlling distance with clean counters throughout.
Brandon Moreno holds at No. 6. Despite the loss, Moreno retains his ranking position. He is now 23–10–2 and has lost three of his last five fights.
Bantamweight
David Martínez rises to No. 9. The undefeated UFC prospect (3–0 in the promotion) defeated Marlon Vera via unanimous decision (29–28 across all three cards) in the co-main event. Martínez previously sat at No. 10 entering the fight and moved up one spot following the win over a ranked opponen.
Marlon “Chito” Vera drops from No. 8. The one-time title challenger now sits on a career-worst four-fight losing streak and loses ground in the 135 lb rankings.
Lightweight
King Green earns a ranking bump after knocking out Daniel Zellhuber in Round 2 at UFC Fight Night 268. Green’s finish of the ranked Mexican prospect consolidates his position in the 155 lb division.
Flyweight (Prelim Movers)
Imanol Rodríguez enters the rankings after a TKO finish of Kevin Borjas in his UFC debut on the prelims, earning a Performance of the Night bonus. Rodríguez’s finish was enough for the panel to slot him into the flyweight top 15.
Visit UFC.com to see the full rankings for every division.
Arman Tsarukyan has no regrets about the events of his wrestling match and brawl with Georgio Poullas at RAF 6, and he feels many, including the UFC, are on his side.
Tsarukyan won the contest 5-3 at the event on February 28 at the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. But the bigger story at hand came in the aftermath, with Tsarukyan and Poullas needing to be separated after a physical altercation following the final whistle.
Though Tsarukyan started the post-fight kerfuffle with a shove, it was in response to dirty tactics implemented by Poullas during the bout.
Now, in an interview with Ariel Helwani, Tsarukyan opened up about the experience, feeling he was patient during the match as much as possible — but that no one could stand for what Poullas did.
“This is not my fault,” Tsarukyan said. “Everybody is on my side now. I was waiting like six minutes. He was like punching me for six minutes. What do you want me to wait for me? Bro, if someone punches you — everybody is different, what are you going to do if somebody punches you 20 times? You’re not going to let him do that.”
Video footage from the matchup saw Poullas landing punches and slaps on Tsarukyan, prompting cries of foul play from Tsarukyan’s team but no true intervention from the match’s referee.
Tsarukyan shoved Poullas to the mat and appeared to be ready to employ some MMA ground-and-pound before the corners and officials intervened.
“Maybe 20 times, he’s trying to poke eyes, break my fingers,” Tsarukyan said. “I thought he was going to wrestle, but when he started punching, I said, ‘Okay, this guy wants to fight, and cancel the fight, do dirty wrestling. I was waiting on wrestling [to be] done, and [at] that moment, I wanted to punch him right away.
“I won the wrestling and I heard the whistle, and I said, ‘Okay, now it’s time’ because I got the victory.”
This controversy is not the first that Tsarukyan has been involved in over the past couple of years, and the result has seemed to be ire from the UFC directed at him.
Tsarukyan was suspended following an altercation with a fan during his walkout at UFC 300, which saw him defeat Charles Oliveira. Tsarukyan withdrew from a lightweight title fight with Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 just one day before the event. He then irked many in the MMA community by headbutting Dan Hooker in the ceremonial weigh-ins before their UFC Qatar headliner.
Some feel that Tsarukyan is digging a deeper hole for himself and his UFC career with this latest spotlight, and they feel he may have solidified never getting another title opportunity.
But Tsarukyan feels the UFC will be pleased with him not letting a wrestler, someone who is not a UFC fighter, get the better of him.
“It’s the opposite. They are going to be happy that a UFC fighter don’t let somebody to beat up a UFC fighter. UFC fighter goes to freestyle wrestling and beat the freestyle wrestler and to show what’s the level of UFC.”
RAF officials have expressed disappointment in the brawl, but the promotion has not disciplined either man as of press time.
UFC Fight Night 268 drew an announced attendance of 16,454 at Arena CDMX on Saturday, February 28, making it the first UFC event held in Mexico in three years to fail to sell out. Roughly 3,500 seats were left empty, and the UFC declined to announce a live gate figure — an unusual omission that further underscored the shortfall.
Chilean MMA reporter Rodrigo Del Campo González was among the first to report the streak’s end, noting that previous UFC Mexico events had sold out consistently since at least 2023.
The non-sellout came despite the card being headlined by Mexico’s own Brandon Moreno, a two-time UFC Flyweight Champion fighting in front of his home crowd. Moreno’s original opponent, top-ranked contender Asu Almabayev, withdrew with an injury weeks before the event, forcing the UFC to slot in unranked Englishman Lone’er Kavanagh as a late replacement.
Kavanagh ultimately delivered one of the night’s biggest storylines, defeating Moreno via unanimous decision in the five-round main event and claiming the biggest win of his career, per the BBC. Moreno falls to 23-10-2 with the loss.
A contributin factors to the attendance dip could be the civil unrest in Mexico in the days preceding the event, stemming from cartel-related violence in the Jalisco region following the death of cartel leader El Mencho.
After a whole saga, if both new reports and Jon Jones’ word hold, Jones will get his wish of competing at the UFC White House event.
A report from Ariel Helwani approximately 24 hours ago claimed that Alex Pereira’s vacating of the UFC light heavyweight championship is due to him moving up to heavyweight. And with that, talks of a bout between him and Jones to serve as the UFC White House main event have been held.
Hours following Helwani’s report, at a meet and greet at The Brook Casino in New Hampshire, Jones confirmed that he and the UFC have had discussions about competing at the White House.
🚨 Jon Jones reveals he's in talks to fight on the UFC White House card 👀
"I'm in negotiations with the UFC about this White House [fight] as well. I'm a very proud American, and I cannot wait to represent one more time." pic.twitter.com/5dySHjvDc4
“I’m in negotiations with the UFC about this White House [fight] as well,” said Jones. “I’m a very proud American, and I cannot wait to represent one more time.”
It had been just two weeks since Jones retired from the UFC, vacating the UFC heavyweight championship, which was then given to then-interim champion Tom Aspinall. Before the White House card announcement, it appeared to be the end of a year-plus-long saga of negotiations between Jones, Aspinall, and the UFC.
Jones returned to the UFC after a three-year layoff at UFC 285, defeating Ciryl Gane for the then-vacant heavyweight championship. He’s fought just once since, retaining the belt against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.
White has promised recently that fights for the White House card will be revealed in the coming days.
Colby Covington has always been one to ruffle feathers and stir up drama, but his mic time at RAF 6 has left some of his fellow competitors unimpressed.
Covington was at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, for the RAF 6 event and took to the mic to ask the crowd who they’d like to see him face off with next.
Covington polled the crowd on three potential names — Arman Tsarukyan, Kamaru Usman, and Georges St Pierre.
Colby Covington calls out Arman Tsarukyan, Kamaru Usman, and Georges St-Pierre for wrestling matches at RAF 06 pic.twitter.com/CHWXO0EpFE
“I’ve got a couple of names in mind,” Covington said. “How about that little spoiled brat from Armenia, Arman Tsarukyan? What about the trilogy with Marty FakeNewsman? I beat him last time we were in Madison Square Garden. Come to the Real American Freestyle mat, I’m going to beat you here, Marty.
“And then I got one more name, because there’s nothing more like as an American than beating those Canadians’ a**. Georges St Pierre, where you at?”
Colby Covington Makes RAF Callouts, Bo Nickal and Khamzat Chimaev Call Him Out
Even though Covington did not refer to competing next in the Octagon, his comments at the RAF event sparked responses from some of his fellow UFC stars.
One of those names is Bo Nickal, who has expressed a desire to compete against Covington on the UFC White House card in June.
Nickal claims the former interim welterweight champion is using RAF to avoid facing off with him in a battle of former NCAA Division-I All-Americans in the Octagon.
Colby the clown running scared. He doesn’t want me to embarrass him at the White House. Man up brother let’s do it. https://t.co/JiqK1KpY6k
“Colby the clown running scared,” Nickal posted on social media. “He doesn’t want me to embarrass him at the White House. Man up, brother, let’s do it.”
The promo from Covington also brought out a response from UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, who expressed openness in having a showdown with Covington on the wrestling mats.
Next RAF I will make American boy humble again colbiclown let’s go 🦾😂
“Next RAF, I will make American boy humble again,” Chimaev posted. “Colbiclown let’s go.”
When asked if he is injured, Chimaev clarified that he is just waiting to figure out a date for a UFC middleweight title defense against Sean Strickland.
Covington made his RAF debut at RAF 5 in January, defeating Luke Rockhold.
After a reported plan to be the main event of the UFC White House card fell through, Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship could still get a big stage.
Per a report from Álvaro Colmenero, a UFC analyst for Eurosport and a Team Topuria insider, there is a growing possibility that the bout between the undisputed and interim 155-pound champions of the UFC may take place at this year’s UFC International Fight Week.
Colmenero took to social media to suggest this was part of the reason Topuria vs. Gaethje fell through for that June 14 special event in Washington, D.C.
This is why Topuria vs. Gaethje has moved away from the White House, with a good chance of entering the IFW. https://t.co/JIRtWDoyZM
Earlier this week, Colmenero reported (report via Yahoo!) that there have been concerns that Topuria vs. Gaethje might not be selected for the UFC White House card based on the theory that the fight wouldn’t be considered “American” enough for such a special occasion.
In a stream with Adin Ross (video courtesy of Red Corner MMA), Topuria seemed to dismiss Colmenero’s initial report. Topuria claimed he “hasn’t received the call” for a UFC White House card due to the logistical challenges the UFC has of putting on such a complex spectacle of an event.
Ilia Topuria is surprised to see fake news saying the chances of him vs Justin Gaethje at the White House have decreased 😂💀
The idea of Pereira competing in the main event of the White House card, however, gained more fuel when the UFC announced that he was vacating the light heavyweight championship. Pereira has entertained the idea of moving up to heavyweight. As mentioned, Pereira’s heavyweight debut in a heavyweight title fight could play a role, Colmenero said, as to why Topuria vs. Gaethje might not happen in June.
In addition, Helwani’s reporting claimed that there could be a better chance that Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC return could take place at International Fight Week instead of UFC White House. If Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines International Fight Week, however, it leaves the scheduling of a potential return fight for McGregor in the air once again.
Flyweight division, beware: Lone’er Kavanagh is now in the mix of the flyweight title picture following his upset victory over Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico.
The two looked to get on a quick start at the beginning of the fight, with Kavanagh looking to bring speed and volume in his striking, including his jabs and leg kicks. Moreno reached on a number of his strikes, resulting in Kavanagh tagging him with counterstrikes.
Kavanagh landed a combination late in the second round that wobbled Moreno. Kavanagh stayed patient but kept pressure, and while Moreno fought back and survived, Kavanagh solidified himself as firmly in control.
Moreno started to swing with the left hook, attempting to take momentum from a tired Kavanagh. About halfway through the third round, Moreno got a hold of Kavanagh, controlling him throughout the remainder of the round — a strategy that continued in the fourth. Moreno landed small shots inside the clinch, attempting to drain Kavanagh more.
Lone’er Kavanagh Gets Decision Over Brandon Moreno At UFC Mexico
Kavanagh, however, was remaining in the fight, stopping all six of Moreno’s takedown attempts through the first 20 minutes. He continued to fight smartly, with his leg kicks doing damage. Moreno was noticeably limping during the fourth round.
Moreno continued to try and continue to clinch up and control the pace in the fifth round, but it wasn’t enough, as Kavanagh took the decision.
All jokes aside Kavanagh striking is nasty never seen Moreno get pieced up on the feet like this sheesh Moreno is tough my skinny calf’s ain’t taking that lol
Insane performance from Lone'er Kavanagh, who wasn't even supposed to be in this fight in any sense of the phrase. Overperforming is an understatement.
So happy they didn’t try to rob Kavanagh there, he deserved the win and looked incredible tonight. So awesome to see Kavanagh get the win, so many people talked shit about how he didn’t deserve the fight. To go out there and win is so massive for his career, super happy for him.…
Kavanagh gets the unanimous decision win over Moreno (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
Fantastic performance and it shows the parity in the flyweight division with an unranked fighter coming off of a loss defeating the former champion. He has an incredibly bright future.
Kavanagh, who took this fight with just under a month’s notice, rebounds from his loss to Charles Johnson at UFC Shanghai in August — the first loss of his professional MMA career. Prior to that, Kavanagh earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series and scored wins over Jose Ochoa and Felipe dos Santos.
Moreno has now lost four of his last six since dropping the UFC flyweight title to Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 290. He entered this fight off getting finished for the first time in his career when he lost to Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323.
“Topuria’s a dumba**,” Diaz said on his X (formerly Twitter) page.
The post comes not long after King Green, a fellow UFC veteran, used part of his UFC Mexico post-fight interview to encourage the promotion to re-sign Diaz — so that he can fight him.
“Hey Dana, bring my boy Nate Diaz back to the UFC and let him retire where he belongs,” Green said following his win over Daniel Zellhuber.
Who Could Face Nate Diaz In A Potential UFC Return?
For several months now, ideas about Diaz returning to MMA have been floated, with the talks intensifying over the last couple of weeks.
Diaz vs. Poirier was notably scheduled to take place at UFC 230, but the fight ultimately fell through. Perry and Diaz have each had call-outs with one another for a bare-knuckle boxing bout.
Diaz last fought in the UFC at UFC 279, submitting Tony Ferguson. Since then, he’s competed in a pair of boxing matches, losing to Jake Paul in 2023 and defeating Jorge Masvidal in 2024.
David Martinez has made a statement that he is a true bantamweight contender, and the future of Marlon “Chito” Vera might be uncertain, as Martinez scored the win in their UFC Mexico co-main event bout.
Martinez got off to a strong start, working over Vera with his striking on the front foot and making Vera miss. Vera brought the fight to the ground, but Martinez stayed in control of the fight.
Vera looked to build momentum again early in the second round, but Martinez kept distance and used his speed to land and cut Vera off. Martinez landed a pair of solid punches midway through the round, and while Martinez ate a head kick from “Chito,” he stayed on his feet and scored a sweep to control the action on the ground again.
Vera looked to land power in the third round, but Martinez’s speed proved to be the difference again. Vera landed a pair of strong left hands in the closing seconds, but it wasn’t enough.
David Martinez Defeats Marlon Vera At UFC Mexico
Just feels like Chito’s past six fights have been the same thing on repeat, no change in style or sense of urgency. Martinez should be up 20-18 here. #UFCMexico
Chito makes me want to blow my brains out as a fan. Like wtf. You have the capability and offensive pressure to take rounds off almost everyone.. even if it’s ugly. Just throw shit man. A jab. A front kick. Just make it look good for the judges. An exhausting practice to watch.
Martinez extends his win streak to 10 and is now 3-0 in the UFC since coming in from Dana White’s Contender Series. Martinez entered tonight’s bout with a finish of Saimon Oliveira and a decision win over Rob Font.
Vera has now lost four straight and five of his last six, with defeats to the likes of Sean O’Malley, Deiveson Figueiredo, Cory Sandhagen, and Aiemann Zahabi.
Herb Dean has irked ire from many MMA fans for decisions and stoppages over the last several years, and another such controversy — a late stoppage — occurred during King Green’s victory over Daniel Zellhuber at UFC Mexico.
Green showed slick movement for a fighter of his age, 39, as he slipped away from Zellhuber’s striking, pelting him with jabs and counterpunches. Zellhuber looked to steal momentum back with a tight buggy choke attempt in the second round, but Green survived and worked his way out of it.
Late in round two, Green clocked Zellhuber with a combination, continuing to throw a barrage of shots as Zellhuber collapsed to the mat, seemingly unconscious.
Referee Herb Dean, however, gave what has universally been considered excessive attempts, making Zellhuber take unnecessary damage before the stoppage.
Herb Dean Takes Heat For Late Stoppage As King Green Defeats Daniel Zellhuber At UFC Mexico City
King Green knocks Daniel Zellhuber out in the second round. He rocked Zellhuber and then a left hand looked to put Zellhuber out on his feet, and Zellhuber felldown and lots of punches by Green saw Herb Dean step in too late as Zellhuber was done. #UFCMexico
Herb Dean just letting guys get brain damage. How the hell do you suck so bad at your job and just never have to worry about, this is sports not politics. Fire that man. #UFCMexico
— A Tree grows in Cleveland (@ThePhantomPoopR) March 1, 2026
Someone should let Herb Dean know it’s ok to retire. Dude is a liability as a UFC ref
The 39-year-old Green has now won three of his last five. He entered tonight off a split decision win over Lance Gibson Jr. Green’s losses in this span came against notable names Paddy Pimblett and Mauricio Ruffy.
Zellhuber has now lost three straight, coming in off losses to Michael Johnson and Esteban Ribovics.
Imanol Rodriguez continued his finish streak as he made a statement in his UFC debut, earning a stoppage win over Kevin Borjas at UFC Mexico.
Rodriguez tried to get things started with low kicks and working his left hand. But Borjas pulled off a stunner by landing a counter left that wobbled Rodriguez, putting him on the ropes and on the back foot. Borjas looked to finish the fight, landing a number of knees in close, but Rodriguez gained back some control with a takedown.
Kevin Borjas stuns Imanol Rodriguez… but somehow he survives 🤯
After some chatter between the two to end round one, Rodriguez began to take over in the second round, overwhelming Borjas with his pressure. Rodriguez landed a left hand that seemed to wobble Borjas. Borjas attempted to fight back, but a right hook caused a delayed drop on Borjas, leading to a TKO win for Rodriguez.
Massive comeback by Imanol Rodriguez to get the Round 2 TKO on Kevin Borjas after being hurt bad and dropped in Round 1. Rodriguez is a fun prospect man, great recoverability and very well rounded. What a massive overhand to get the win. #UFCMexico
Rodriguez improves to 7-0. He competed on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter, losing to Joseph Morales via a controversial decision in the flyweight semifinals. Rodriguez rebounded and earned a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, scoring a knockout of Roque Conceição.
Borjas has now lost four of his last five, including a loss to current flyweight champion Joshua Van.
At least part, if not more, of the UFC White House card is expected to air on broadcast television via CBS and its local affiliates.
Per a new report from Front Office Sports, there is an expectation that the UFC White House card will have some sort of airing on the main CBS network.
How much of the card airs on CBS is unknown.
This report comes just one week before UFC 326, which will air on CBS from 8-10pm ET. This means the final hour of the UFC 326 prelims and the first hour of its main card will air on the channel. The rest of UFC 326 will be exclusive to Paramount+.
The deal officially began with January’s UFC 324. Reports indicate approximately five million people watched UFC 324, with the streaming service gaining approximately one million subscribers.
UFC CEO and President Dana White is expected to announce fight information for the White House card in the coming days.
Though Conor McGregor is unlikely to compete on the card and Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje negotiations have reportedly fallen through, there is a chance Alex Pereira makes his heavyweight debut, fighting for gold, as part of the event.
Another up-and-coming fighter earned a highlight performance in his UFC debut at UFC Mexico, as Ryan Gandra had an easy night at the office against Jose Medina.
Gandra came out firing with strikes from the opening minute, using his pressure to back Medina up toward the fence.
Gandra landed a flurry that did damage and brought Medina down forward, prompting a referee stoppage less than a minute into the bout.
Ryan Gandra Blasts Jose Medina Into TKO At UFC Mexico
Gandra improves to 9-1 and has won eight straight. He won a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series last season, scoring a first-round finish of Trent Miller.
Medina has now lost five straight, including a loss to Magomed Gadzhiyasulov that saw White still give Medina a contract.
In a top-10 women’s bantamweight contenders’ battle, Ailin Perez extended her win streak by scoring a victory over Macy Chiasson at UFC Mexico.
Perez scored a takedown in the fight’s opening minute, but Chiasson controlled the action on the mat, looking to lock up a leg lock and a choke while maintaining top position. Perez would get another takedown before the round’s end but didn’t have enough time to do major damage.
Perez scored another takedown during round two and fared better on top. The referee, however, elected a controversial stand up, which would result in Chiasson gaining control with her strikes in the clinch. Perez answered back with another pair of takedowns in the later stage of the round.
Perez worked over Chiasson well with her grappling again in the third round, going on to score the decision.
Ailin Perez Scores Decision Over Macy Chiasson At UFC Mexico
Ailin Perez is building lore for the bantamweight division. Finally, something for it.#UFCMexico
Perez, who entered this fight ranked No. 7, has now won six in a row since dropping her UFC debut. Only Natalia Silva and Maycee Barber have bigger active win streaks among UFC female athletes.
In a chaotic back-and-forth brawl, Javier Reyes survived early danger to score a dramatic late stoppage over Douglas Silva de Andrade at UFC Mexico.
Silva de Andrade hurt Reyes first with some crushing hooks, nearly finishing the fight there. But Reyes roared back and connected with a right hand to score a knockdown and change the fight’s trajectory.
Reyes landed some crushing ground-and-pound during the final minute of round one, and that offense went unanswered from Silva de Andrade. Referee Herb Dean stopped the fight with a second remaining in the first round in Reyes’ favor.
Douglas Silva de Andrade reminding everyone that power is the last thing to go, but not the chin. What a comeback for Javier Reyes at the buzzer! #UFCMexico
I know Herb Dean deserves the flak at times but Douglas Silva de Andrade let himself get pelted and thought it being 5 seconds left would save him. Herb is like that's not how it works and ya gotta intelligently defend yourself. Fight is over. #UFCMexico
I feel sad for Douglas Silva de Andrade because the fight was stopped two seconds before the end of the round, but he wasn’t defending himself at all…#UFCMexico
Herb Dean should have given Douglas Silva de Andrade the extra quarter of a second to let the guy get to the end of the round, like that was literally probably a quarter of a second if Herb had let that go a little longer. That's pretty ridiculous. Like, I'm sure he probably…
Francis Marshall impressed in his latest UFC outing and hopes it’s the start of consistent upward momentum, as he quickly put away Erik Silva at UFC Mexico.
Things looked scary for Marshall early, as a wheel kick from Silva in the fight’s opening minute saw him barely get his guard up. Marshall, however, put his grappling into motion and took over the fight’s control from there.
Marshall scored a takedown, but Silva threatened a guillotine. Marshall, however, easily got out of it and worked his way into full mount. From there, Marshall got to Silva’s back and locked in a rear-naked choke to score the submission in just half a round.
Francis Marshall Submits Erik Silva at UFC Mexico
Get Francis Marshall a quick turnaround next couple weeks. That was a washing.
Francis Marshall is actually kinda good. Erik Silva is, uh, not.
— Jeff McCrum (I Watch MMA Sometimes) (@goldberg_ebooks) February 28, 2026
Francis Marshall is a super talented kid to watch if you aren't watching already. He got robbed in a terrible split decision his last fight. Good to see him take the win here. pic.twitter.com/lOIgvJ1vy6
shout out to Francis Marshall with a great performance. Ball don’t lie.. especially after coming off one of the worst robberies in UFC history#UFCMexicoCity
Marshall is 3-3 in the Octagon since winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022. He came into this fight off a highly controversial split decision loss to Mairon Santos at UFC 313.
Silva falls to 9-4 overall, and he is now 0-3 in the Octagon since his own DWCS win in 2022.
Jack Della Maddalena vs. Carlos Prates is set for UFC Fight Night in Perth, Australia on May 2, per ESPN Brazil’s Higor Ciconello. The bout will take place at RAC Arena, marking Della Maddalena’s first octagon appearance since losing the welterweight title.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVUY4GjEkz1/
Della Maddalena (18-3) captured the UFC Welterweight Championship with a stunning upset over Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 last May, only to drop the belt in his first defense at UFC 322 in November 2025. Islam Makhachev earned a dominant unanimous decision that night, ending JDM’s reign. The Perth native now returns home looking to fight his way back into title contention.
Della Maddalena wasted no time accepting the challenge. During a livestream with internet personality N3on, the Australian said he was fully on board and made a bold prediction: “I’m in. He’s got pretty good striking. I reckon I’d finish him. It has to be a five-rounder for sure.”
Prates, currently ranked in the top six of the welterweight division, has made no secret of his intentions. He views a win over the former champion as his direct path to a title shot against Makhachev. With Michael Morales and Ian Machado Garry also jockeying for position at 170 pounds, a victory over Della Maddalena would make Prates nearly impossible to overlook.
Striker vs. Striker in Perth
On paper, this is one of the most compelling welterweight matchups the UFC could make. Della Maddalena is a crisp, technical boxer who has finished opponents at every level. Prates is a dangerous, unpredictable kickboxer who has finished all six of his UFC wins — with his only loss in the promotion coming via decision to Ian Machado Garry.
Both men have history in Perth. Della Maddalena last fought in Perth in 2023, submitting Randy Brown in the first round. Prates fought at UFC 305 in the city in 2024, knocking out Li Jingliang in the second. The RAC Arena crowd will be heavily in JDM’s corner.
UFC Fight Night: Perth is scheduled for May 2, 2026. The UFC has not yet made an official announcement.
Some felt that Damian Pinas would prove to be dominant in his UFC debut, and that proved to be true with a first-round finish of Wes Schultz that kicked off the UFC Mexico card.
Pinas came out firing from the opening minute, punishing Schultz with a series of leg kicks and working him over well with his boxing. After stuffing an early takedown attempt from Schultz, Pinas dropped him with a right hand, following up with some brutal ground-and-pound.
Back on the feet, Schultz continued to have no answer for Pinas. A solid one-two dropped Schultz and put the fight away.
Damian Pinas Quickly Stops Wes Schultz At UFC Mexico
Complete wash like we all knew. Damian Pinas is a problem #UFCMexico
Damian Pinas looked like a million bucks. A beautiful combination of power, shot selection and patience. This is a thoughtful young fighter #UFCMexicoCity
Damian Pinas looked GOOD tonight. I wasn't too high on him going into DWCS but he's clearly made some big improvements. Damian is a middleweight to watch out for.
What an absolutely violent start to #UFCMexico! Damian Pinas rocked Wes Schultz bad and put him out halfway through the first round. That’s 3 straight r1 KOs for him and a brilliant first impression inside the octagon. Hes finished all 9 of his mma victories. He asked Who’s next?
“The Baby Yaga” improves to 9-1. This marked his UFC debut after a similar quick finish over Vitor Costa on Dana White’s Contender Series this past fall.
Schultz also made his UFC debut in this fight. He, too, earned a contract on DWCS last season, submitting Mario Mingaj with the rare Suloev Stretch.
It appears that Alex Pereira’s next step will be seeking UFC gold at heavyweight, and that could come true in his next fight, which could be in the main event of the UFC White House card.
In a new video regarding Pereira vacating the light heavyweight title, Ariel Helwani claims, as many have assumed, the reason for Pereira vacating the championship is that he is being allowed to move up to heavyweight.
In addition, according to Helwani, there have been discussions about having Pereira vs. Jon Jones taking place as the featured bout of the UFC White House card — either for a would-be vacant heavyweight championship or an interim one.
Helwani says that this fight is not a guarantee, and there’s not a lot of positive momentum about this fight taking place. It has, however, at least been talked about as a potential idea.
“Alex Pereira is no longer the light heavyweight champion, and I can tell you right here and now that there have been some talks of him fighting Jon Jones,” Helwani said. “And there have been talks of him fighting Jon Jones on the White House card.
“Jon Jones on the White House card is not dead, but I could tell you I don’t feel as of right now a ton of positive momentum in that direction. But I’m not here to tell you that it’s dead. There have been talks of this.”
Helwani adds that if Pereira vs. Jones doesn’t get done, then there are discussions of Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, for what Helwani assumes would be an interim heavyweight championship.
Whether Pereira’s heavyweight debut features an undisputed or interim heavyweight title at stake will also depend on the status of champion Tom Aspinall. Aspinall has been sidelined with eye issues since he and Gane’s no-contest at UFC 321 in October.
Pereira is a former middleweight and light heavyweight champion. He regained the 205-pound title in his last fight, knocking out Magomed Ankalaev in just over a minute at UFC 320.
A heavyweight title win would make Pereira the first UFC fighter ever to win championships in three different weight classes.
Carlos Ulberg and Jiri Prochazka will fight for the vacated light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327, which takes place on April 11 in Miami.
