MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Mike Perry Hypes Next BKFC Opponent: “He’s Done Legendary Sh*t”

    Mike Perry Hypes Next BKFC Opponent: “He’s Done Legendary Sh*t”

    BKFC “King of Violence” champion Mike Perry is dropping hints about a blockbuster opponent for his next fight, and by his telling, it could be the biggest bout in bare-knuckle boxing history.

    Feldman Set the Stage With a Cryptic Tease

    BKFC president David Feldman lit the fuse earlier this week when he told MMA Fighting that Perry’s next fight would be against a name that would shock fans.

    “It will be the biggest name that he ever fought times five. Huge name. It’s going to be unbelievable,” Feldman said. “Everybody’s going to be a little surprised by it. But it’s a big name and it’s going to be a big event down here.”

    Feldman indicated the fight is being targeted for May in the Orlando area, giving Perry a homecoming event in his native Florida. Perry has not competed since his stoppage win over Jeremy Stephens in the main event of BKFC 82 last October.

    Perry Confirms: “He’s Definitely a Legend”

    When asked to provide context on Feldman’s tease, Perry kept his cards close but confirmed the hype is warranted.

    “I am excited and I hope it does come together, it would be an honor,” Perry told MMA Fighting. “The athlete is definitely a dangerous one and I’m going to do whatever I have to do to be my best self in the ring and give the people the bloodiest, most violent mess that I can cause.”

    Perry agreed with Feldman’s “times five” claim about the opponent’s stature:

    “Yeah, I think so. He’s definitely a legend. He’s done some legendary sh*t, and we’re gonna probably get mean.”

    Who Could the Mystery Opponent Be?

    Perry’s BKFC resume already includes wins over former UFC and Bellator veterans Michael Page, Luke Rockhold, Eddie Alvarez, and Thiago Alves. For an opponent to be “five times bigger” than those names, the speculation points toward a major crossover star.

    The Orlando setting and Perry’s description of the opponent as a “legend” and “dangerous athlete” have fans guessing, but neither party is ready to reveal more just yet.

    Perry’s BKFC Reign Continues

    Since leaving the UFC, the 34-year-old has become the face of BKFC and arguably the biggest draw in bare-knuckle boxing. A hometown fight in Orlando in May would mark Perry’s return to competing in Florida for the first time since his early MMA career, adding another layer of intrigue to an already buzzy announcement.

    Stay tuned for the official reveal, which Feldman suggested could come “soon.”

  • Dana White ‘Fully Convinced’ Maxx Crosby Will Be UFC Heavyweight Champion

    Dana White ‘Fully Convinced’ Maxx Crosby Will Be UFC Heavyweight Champion

    Could an NFL superstar trade the gridiron for the Octagon? Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby says Dana White and Hunter Campbell are believers.

    Crosby: White and Campbell Are “Fully Convinced”

    In a recent interview with CBS Sports, Crosby revealed that the UFC brass have been vocal about their belief in his potential as a heavyweight fighter.

    “Hunter Campbell and Dana, they’re hilarious, and they’re fully convinced that by the year 2030 or 2031, I’m gonna be the heavyweight champion,” Crosby said. “And I’m not the type of person who’s gonna put a limit on what I’m gonna do and I definitely have certain things I want to do.”

    The three-time Pro Bowler, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs around 255 pounds, did not dismiss the idea outright:

    “I’m never gonna close the door on opportunities so I truly don’t know. My body has been through a lot but if it makes sense at the time and if it’s in my heart and my soul, then I wanna go out there and compete, it might just happen, you never know. I love fighting. I have the power and speed.”

    A Regular in the UFC Scene

    Crosby is no casual observer of the sport. The Raiders star is regularly in attendance at UFC events and has built a strong relationship with White and the rest of the TKO Group brass. His comments come at a time when he is experiencing tension with his NFL team, fueling speculation about what his post-football future could look like.

    NFL-to-UFC Crossovers Have Worked Before

    The idea of a football player transitioning to MMA is not without precedent. Brock Lesnar famously crossed over from the NFL and won the UFC heavyweight championship, while current undefeated heavyweight Josh Hokit played for the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers before building an 8-0 MMA record with two UFC knockouts. Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson, who signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2024, is also making waves in MMA.

    That said, Crosby does not have a combat sports background, which would make the transition significantly more challenging than it was for Lesnar, who was an elite NCAA wrestler.

    Could It Actually Happen?

    At 28 years old, Crosby would still have time to develop MMA skills if he eventually leaves the NFL. His combination of elite athleticism, size, and explosiveness would give him physical tools that translate well to the heavyweight division. However, the gap between NFL physicality and high-level MMA technique remains enormous, and no pure football player without a wrestling or combat sports base has ever contended for a UFC title.

    Whether White’s conviction is genuine belief or good-natured ribbing between friends remains unclear, but the fact that Crosby is entertaining the idea at all will keep this conversation alive.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Fires Back at Saint-Denis: “He Can Never Beat Me”

    Arman Tsarukyan Fires Back at Saint-Denis: “He Can Never Beat Me”

    Arman Tsarukyan has responded to Benoit Saint-Denis’ bold call-out following the Frenchman’s second-round TKO of Dan Hooker at UFC 325, and the Armenian contender was not impressed.

    Saint-Denis Called His Shot After UFC 325

    Saint-Denis rode a wave of momentum after demolishing Dan Hooker in Sydney, immediately setting his sights on the top of the lightweight division. The Frenchman declared he wanted “the BMF or the undisputed belt” and called out Max Holloway, Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, and Ilia Topuria.

    But ‘God of War’ saved his most pointed remarks for Tsarukyan: “Arman as well. You say you’re the number one contender. I’m going to take your f***ing spot. I’m here to be the champion.”

    Tsarukyan’s Response Was Decisive

    When informed of Saint-Denis’ comments, Tsarukyan delivered a blunt dismissal via his Telegram channel, per Home of Fight:

    “For him to take my spot, he needs to beat me. But he can never beat me.”

    Tsarukyan has yet to have his next fight announced but remains hopeful of competing for the UFC lightweight title soon. The 29-year-old recently apologized publicly to Dana White and Hunter Campbell in an effort to secure a championship opportunity.

    Rankings Shake-Up Adds Fuel to the Fire

    Adding another layer to the situation, Gaethje’s interim title win at UFC 324 has pushed him to the front of the contender queue at lightweight, with Tsarukyan now positioned behind the interim champion in the title hierarchy.

    Saint-Denis, meanwhile, is riding a four-fight UFC win streak, with all of those victories coming by finish, and has now broken into the lightweight top ten. While he may not be next in line for a title shot, his surge through the rankings has made him a legitimate threat at 155 pounds.

    What’s Next at Lightweight?

    The UFC lightweight division is stacked with potential matchups. Ilia Topuria currently holds undisputed lightweight gold, while Justin Gaethje has claimed the interim title, setting the stage for a likely unification bout.

    Where Tsarukyan and Saint-Denis land on the board remains to be seen, but a matchup between the two could serve as a de facto No. 1 contender eliminator if the timing aligns.

  • Ilia Topuria Returns, Teases Gaethje Title Bout

    Ilia Topuria Returns, Teases Gaethje Title Bout

    Ilia Topuria is officially back and ready to reclaim his spot in the UFC, signaling his return through a powerful Instagram post on Tuesday.

    โ€œThe Champ is back!!!โ€ Topuria declared on Thursday, marking his anticipated comeback after taking time away to handle personal matters.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DUXtRthDDdi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

    With Justin Gaethje recently defeating Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, fans are eagerly anticipating a potential unification bout against El Matador, who holds the undisputed lightweight championship.

    Topuriaโ€™s return comes after maintaining an undefeated 17โ€“0 record, including his knockout victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. His dominant performances and championship pedigree position him as a formidable opponent for Gaethje.

  • UFC Vegas 113 Weigh-Ins: Oliveira Hits Mark Amid Scrutiny

    UFC Vegas 113 Weigh-Ins: Oliveira Hits Mark Amid Scrutiny

    The UFC Vegas 113 weigh-ins concluded with multiple fighters missing weight ahead of Saturday’s event. The bantamweight main event between Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira is officially set, though both fighters came in over the championship weight limit.

    Bautista weighed 135.5 pounds while Oliveira, known for dramatic weight cuts (see below), hit 136 pounds. Both are within the one-pound allowance for non-title bantamweight bouts.

    The event saw four fighters officially miss weight. Gianni Vazquez weighed 141 pounds for his bantamweight bout against Javid Basharat, six pounds over the 135-pound limit. Muin Gafurov also came in at 141 pounds against Jakub Wiklacz. Both fighters forfeit 25% of their purse to their opponents.

    In the women’s flyweight division, both Wang Cong (127.5 pounds) and Eduarda Moura (127) missed the 126-pound limit for their bout. The co-main event flyweight matchup between Amir Albazi (125.5) and Kyoji Horiguchi (126) is official, as is the heavyweight clash between Jailton Almeida (241) and Rizvan Kuniev (264).

    The event streams on Paramount+ with prelims beginning at 5pm ET and the main card at 8pm ET on Saturday, February 7.

  • Aaron Tau Released by UFC After Weigh-In Incident

    Aaron Tau Released by UFC After Weigh-In Incident

    The UFC has officially cut ties with Aaron Tau following a weigh-in manipulation incident ahead of UFC 325 in Sydney, Australia. MMA Ecosystem was the first to report the news, which was later confirmed by MMA Fighting.

    What Happened at the UFC 325 Weigh-Ins

    Tau, a Road to UFC Season 4 flyweight finalist, was scheduled to face Namsrai Batbayar in the tournament final on the UFC 325 undercard on January 31. The winner would have earned a UFC contract.

    During the official weigh-ins at Qudos Bank Arena on January 30, Tau weighed in behind a privacy box and initially registered at 122.5 pounds โ€” well below the 126-pound flyweight non-title limit. The unusually low number raised immediate suspicion from officials, who ordered a re-weigh without the box. Tau then tipped the scales at 129 pounds, three pounds over the limit and a seven-pound discrepancy from the first reading.

    Officials and broadcast analysts concluded that Tau had been resting his arms on the privacy box to reduce the weight registered on the scale โ€” a tactic reminiscent of the “towel trick” famously used by former champion Daniel Cormier at UFC 210. The fight was promptly canceled.

    UFC Initially Planned to Rebook the Fight

    Notably, the UFC did not immediately release Tau. During the UFC 325 broadcast, commentator John Gooden stated that the Tau vs. Batbayar bout would be rescheduled for a future date. However, the promotion reversed course and has now cut Tau from its roster entirely.

    In a related development, Yin Shuai โ€” who lost to Tau in the Road to UFC semifinals โ€” is expected to receive a second chance and face Batbayar for a UFC contract later this year.

    Tau’s Path to UFC 325

    The 32-year-old New Zealander, who trains at City Kickboxing in Auckland, held an 11-1 professional record entering the tournament final. Tau first attempted to reach the UFC through Season 8 of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2024, where he lost a unanimous decision to Elijah Smith at bantamweight.

    Tau later dropped to flyweight and earned a spot on Road to UFC Season 4, picking up wins over Rio Tirto and Shuai Yin to advance to the final. The weigh-in incident ended what was his closest opportunity to securing a UFC contract.

    Tau’s Apology

    Following the weigh-in debacle, Tau posted an apology on Instagram, though he did not directly address the scale manipulation. “I need to apologize to my opponent, the UFC, my team, and my fans,” Tau wrote. “Though I pushed to the end, I have one job, to make weight and fight. I didn’t do that. I’m sorry.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DUJ7uOEE33g

  • UFC Vegas 113 Betting Odds: Bautista vs Oliveira, Horiguchi Return, Full Main Card Lines

    UFC Vegas 113 Betting Odds: Bautista vs Oliveira, Horiguchi Return, Full Main Card Lines

    Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira headline UFC Fight Night on Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 (Paramount+, main card 8PM ET). Bautista is the favorite; Oliveira brings power and finishing ability.

    Bautista’s last loss came to Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321; he’s looking to get back on track. Both prefer to strike; Bautista’s pace and volume can wear on Oliveira if the fight goes long.

    For the full UFC Fight Night Bautista vs Oliveira card and fight previews, see our preview. Here are the betting odds as of Friday, noon (Eastern) courtesy of BetOnline.ag.

    Main Card Betting Odds

    Main Event: Bautista vs Oliveira

    Moneyline: Mario Bautista -140 | Vinicius Oliveira +120

    Total rounds 4.5: Over +105 | Under -125

    The -140 line suggests a competitive bantamweight main event with Bautista’s volume and cardio expected to be the difference-maker over five rounds.

    Amir Albazi vs Kyoji Horiguchi

    Moneyline: Amir Albazi +288 | Kyoji Horiguchi -353

    Total rounds 2.5: Over -245 | Under +203

    Former Rizin champion Horiguchi is a massive favorite in his UFC return. The odds favor a decision or late finish given the over/under placement.

    Rizvan Kuniev vs Jailton Almeida

    Moneyline: Rizvan Kuniev +140 | Jailton Almeida -160

    Total rounds 1.5: Over +140 | Under +120

    Almeida favored with a low round total suggesting an early finish is expected. Kuniev enters as a live underdog.

    Marc-Andre Barriault vs Michal Oleksiejczuk

    Moneyline: Marc-Andre Barriault +375 | Michal Oleksiejczuk -500

    Total rounds 1.5: Over +148 | Under -168

    Oleksiejczuk is heavily favored with the under suggesting a first-round finish is anticipated.

    Jean Matsumoto vs Farid Basharat

    Moneyline: Jean Matsumoto +270 | Farid Basharat -320

    Total rounds 2.5: Over -400 | Under +316

    Basharat is a significant favorite with the odds heavily favoring a decision finish.

    Julius Walker vs Dustin Jacoby

    Moneyline: Julius Walker +142 | Dustin Jacoby -162

    Total rounds 2.5: Over +105 | Under -125

    Jacoby favored in what projects as a competitive light heavyweight clash.

    Featured Prelim Fights

    Alex Morono vs Daniil Donchenko

    Moneyline: Alex Morono +525 | Daniil Donchenko -700

    Total rounds 1.5: Over +110 | Under -130

    Nikolay Veretennikov vs Niko Price

    Moneyline: Nikolay Veretennikov -300 | Niko Price +250

    Total rounds 1.5: Over -190 | Under +165

    Ketlen Souza vs Bruna Brasil

    Moneyline: Ketlen Souza -148 | Bruna Brasil +128

    Total rounds 2.5: Over -350 | Under +280

    Stream the full card on Paramount+ โ€” main card 8PM ET, prelims 5PM ET. UFC’s move to Paramount+ continues with this Fight Night.

  • UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira Preview, How to Watch

    UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira Preview, How to Watch

    The UFC kicks off its Paramount+ era of Fight Night events this Saturday with UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira (also known as UFC Vegas 113 and UFC Fight Night 266), live from the newly renamed Meta APEX in Las Vegas on February 7, 2026.

    • High-Stakes Main Event: No. 9-ranked Mario Bautista faces No. 11-ranked Vinicius Oliveira in a five-round bantamweight headliner with Top 10 implications.
    • Flyweight Title Eliminator: Former multi-promotion champion Kyoji Horiguchi takes on No. 6-ranked Amir Albazi in a pivotal co-main event at 125 pounds.
    • How to Watch: The full card streams exclusively on Paramount+ starting at 5:00 PM ET.

    Paramount+ Debut Card Sets the Tone for 2026

    This card marks a new chapter for the UFC as Fight Night events move to Paramount+ after the promotion’s long-standing relationship with ESPN. Following two numbered events to open 2026, the promotion returns to the Apex for a well-rounded card headlined by a meaningful bantamweight clash. With multiple ranked fighters in action and divisional stakes on the line across several weight classes, this is an important evening for several contenders looking to establish themselves early in the year.

    Full Fight Card

    MatchWeight Class
    Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius OliveiraBantamweight (Main Event โ€“ 5 Rounds)
    Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji HoriguchiFlyweight (Co-Main Event)
    Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan KunievHeavyweight
    Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Marc-Andre BarriaultMiddleweight
    Jean Matsumoto vs. Farid BasharatBantamweight
    Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius WalkerLight Heavyweight
    Alex Morono vs. Daniil DonchenkoWelterweight
    Nikolay Veretennikov vs. Niko PriceWelterweight
    Bruna Brasil vs. Ketlen SouzaWomen’s Strawweight
    Said Nurmagomedov vs. Javid BasharatBantamweight
    Wang Cong vs. Eduarda MouraWomen’s Flyweight
    Muin Gafurov vs. Jakub WiklaczBantamweight
    Priscila Cachoeira vs. Klaudia SygulaWomen’s Bantamweight

    Match Previews

    Main Event โ€“ Bantamweight: Mario Bautista vs. Vinicius Oliveira

    UFC Vegas 113 (Fight Night: Bautista vs Oliveira)

    Mario Bautista (16-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) receives his first UFC main event assignment at a critical juncture in his career. The 32-year-old MMA Lab product had an eight-fight winning streak snapped by Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 321 this past October. Before that setback, Bautista had built an impressive resume that included wins over former UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 307 and former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix at UFC 316.

    Bautista is a well-rounded fighter who excels in the clinch and with his grappling, though his methodical style has drawn criticism from fans and UFC President Dana White alike. He has said he is looking to get back on track and has already called for a rematch with Cory Sandhagen if he can earn a convincing victory here.

    Vinicius Oliveira (23-3 MMA, 4-0 UFC) has looked like a legitimate contender since arriving in the promotion. The 25-year-old Brazilian debuted with a spectacular flying knee knockout on the Contender Series, then went on to compile decision wins over Said Nurmagomedov and Kyler Phillips in 2025 to climb to No. 11 in the rankings. He has won six straight and 12 of his last 13 overall. Aggressive and powerful, “Lok Dog” has the tools to break into the Top 10 with a fifth consecutive UFC victory.

    This is a classic matchup of Bautista’s calculated pressure and chaining grappling against Oliveira’s explosiveness and finishing ability. The five-round format benefits Bautista if he can grind the pace, but Oliveira’s youth and momentum make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. With both Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov already logging victories to start the year, neither man can afford a loss if they want to remain in the bantamweight title conversation.

    Co-Main Event โ€“ Flyweight: Amir Albazi vs. Kyoji Horiguchi

    Amir Albazi (17-2 MMA) returns to action for the first time since a November 2024 decision loss to Brandon Moreno at UFC Edmonton that snapped his six-fight winning streak. The 32-year-old Iraqi-Swedish fighter has dealt with a series of health issues in recent years, including heart surgery and a neck injury that could have left him paralyzed if untreated. Despite those setbacks, “The Prince” remains No. 6 in the flyweight rankings and believes he has what it takes to contend for the title.

    Kyoji Horiguchi (35-5 MMA) made an emphatic statement in his UFC return at UFC Qatar last November, submitting Tagir Ulanbekov with a rear-naked choke to earn a Performance of the Night bonus. The 35-year-old Japanese legend holds championship pedigree across three promotions โ€” a former RIZIN Flyweight and two-time Bantamweight champion and a former Bellator Bantamweight champion. He is currently on a six-fight winning streak and sits at No. 8 in the flyweight rankings.

    This fight carries major title implications at 125 pounds. With the flyweight division in flux and contenders like Tatsuro Taira and Manel Kape also in the mix, the winner here could stake a strong claim for a title shot later in the year. The stylistic contrast is compelling: Albazi’s wrestling-first approach and improving striking against Horiguchi’s speed, angles, and veteran savvy. It should come down to whether Albazi can close the distance and impose his grappling or whether Horiguchi keeps the fight at range.

    Heavyweight: Jailton Almeida vs. Rizvan Kuniev

    No. 6-ranked Jailton Almeida (22-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC) stepped in on three weeks’ notice to replace Ryan Spann for this bout. “Malhadinho” dropped a controversial split decision to Alexander Volkov at UFC 321 in his last outing but remains one of the most dangerous grapplers in the heavyweight division. He has seven finishes in eight UFC wins, six of which came in the first round.

    Rizvan Kuniev (12-3-1 MMA) earned his UFC contract through the Contender Series and lost a competitive split decision to Curtis Blaydes in his Octagon debut at UFC Baku. The Russian brings a dangerous striking arsenal and has nothing to lose against a ranked opponent. For Almeida, this is a chance to get back in the win column and remind the division why he was knocking on the door of a title shot just months ago.

    Bantamweight: Jean Matsumoto vs. Farid Basharat

    Two rising bantamweight prospects collide in what could be one of the most competitive fights on the card. Jean Matsumoto has gone 3-1 in his UFC career and is coming off a solid win, while Farid Basharat has compiled a 3-1 UFC record of his own after graduating from the Contender Series. The winner could push toward the Top 15 by year’s end, making this an important stepping stone for both fighters.

    Light Heavyweight: Dustin Jacoby vs. Julius Walker

    Dustin Jacoby opens the main card with back-to-back stoppage wins under his belt and is looking to re-enter the light heavyweight rankings. “The Hanyak” was originally scheduled to compete at UFC 325 last weekend but pivoted to this event, cornering teammate Cody Brundage in Sydney before flying to Las Vegas for his own fight. Julius Walker enters his sophomore year on the UFC roster looking for a second consecutive victory.

    How to Watch

    • Date/Time: Saturday, February 7, 2026 โ€” Prelims at 5:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM PT, Main Card at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
    • Venue: Meta APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (entire card)

    Don’t Miss MMA News Coverage

    Stay tuned to MMANews.com for live results, fight recaps, and post-event fallout from UFC Fight Night: Bautista vs. Oliveira.

  • Evloev vs Murphy Officially Announced as Main Event for UFC London

    Evloev vs Murphy Officially Announced as Main Event for UFC London

    The UFC confirmed on Monday that undefeated featherweight contenders Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy will headline UFC Fight Night 270 on March 21 at The O2 Arena in London. The winner of this matchup is expected to challenge Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight championship later this year.

    Movsar Evloev vs Lerone Murphy Officially Announced as Main Event for UFC London in March

    Evloev returns after a 14-month absence from competition. The Russian holds a perfect 19-0 record and is ranked number one in the division. His last appearance came in December 2024 at UFC 310, where he defeated former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling by unanimous decision. That performance extended his UFC record to 9-0, though he has failed to finish any opponent inside the octagon.

    The 31-year-old grappler missed all of 2025 after withdrawing from a scheduled bout with Aaron Pico at UFC Abu Dhabi in July due to an injury sustained during training camp in Thailand. His resume includes decision victories over Diego Lopes, Arnold Allen, and Dan Ige.

    Murphy carries a 17-0-1 professional record into the contest and will compete in front of his home crowd for the first time as a main event headliner. The Manchester native is ranked fourth at featherweight and has won nine consecutive fights since a draw with Zubaira Tukhugov in 2019.

    The 34-year-old secured his title shot credentials with a stunning spinning back elbow knockout of Pico at UFC 319 in August. That finish, which occurred in the first round, immediately positioned Murphy as a serious contender and earned widespread recognition as a knockout of the year candidate. Earlier in 2025, Murphy defeated former interim title challenger Josh Emmett by unanimous decision at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, matching Evloev for the longest active win streak in the featherweight division.

    Volkanovski recently defended his title for the second time against Lopes at UFC 325 in Sydney, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 49-45, 49-46, and 50-45. Following that victory, the Australian champion stated that either Evloev or Murphy would likely be his next challenger. The win tied Volkanovski with Jose Aldo for the most featherweight title defenses in UFC history at eight.

    The full main card features several British fighters competing at home. Michael “Venom” Page returns to welterweight to face Sam Patterson after recent success at middleweight, where he defeated Jared Cannonier in August. Roman Dolidze meets rising English prospect Christian Leroy Duncan in a middleweight bout. Duncan enters on a three-fight winning streak with two knockout finishes in 2025, while Dolidze seeks to rebound from a submission loss to Anthony Hernandez.

  • “Greatest Featherweight Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans React As Alexander Volkanovski Adds To His Legacy By Retaining Featherweight Title Over Diego Lopes At UFC 325

    “Greatest Featherweight Of All Time” – Fighters & Fans React As Alexander Volkanovski Adds To His Legacy By Retaining Featherweight Title Over Diego Lopes At UFC 325

    In front of a capacity crowd at the Qudos Bank Arena, Alexander Volkanovski delivered a championship-level performance and retained the UFC featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 325.

    With the win, Volkanovski now ties Jose Aldo for most featherweight title fight wins with eight total.

    Lopes looked to bring some forward pressure as the two feinted and felt each other out. Volkanovski made good use of his strikes, including from range, but Lopes landed plenty of kicks as he continuously came forward.

    Volkanovski landed a couple of cracking blows upstairs on Lopes during the second round. Lopes went for a takedown in the final minute. Volkanovski countered with a guillotine attempt, only to get grounded by Lopes, who went for a standing choke attempt before the horn.

    Volkanovski landed a strong pair of hands late in the third round, though Lopes appeared to recover quickly. Lopes got a shot of his own with a quick right hand in the last minute of the third round, dropping Volkanovski, but the champ was right back to his feet. Though Lopes landed well with the calf kick, Volkanovski seemed to be ahead of him on the exchanges in the fourth round.

    Lopes went for the finish anywhere that he could, threatening a choke at one point during the fifth round, and an armbar in the fight’s final minute. It was for naught, however, and Volkanovski nearly swept the scorecards for a decision win.

    Alexander Volkanovski Retains Featherweight Title Vs. Diego Lopes At UFC 325

    Volkanovski defeated Lopes to claim the then-featherweight championship in the main event of UFC 314 in April. Volkanovski’s first reign began with a win over Max Holloway at UFC 245, retaining the title against Holloway (twice), “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung-Jung, Brian Ortega, and Yair Rodriguez.

    Volkanovski, who also had two failed attempts to capture the lightweight title, lost the title to Ilia Topuria at UFC 298.

    Lopes rebounded from the initial loss to Volkanovski with a finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3 in September. Lopes’ three losses in the UFC have come against Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev.

  • “A Warrior” – Fighters & Fans React As Benoit Saint-Denis Brutally Smashes Dan Hooker En Route To TKO Win At UFC 325

    “A Warrior” – Fighters & Fans React As Benoit Saint-Denis Brutally Smashes Dan Hooker En Route To TKO Win At UFC 325

    The Australian crowd in Sydney was left in disappointed silence, as Benoit Saint-Denis brought the violence and left with a second-round finish in the co-main event of UFC 325.

    The two quickly got to striking, with Hooker even countering a takedown attempt into a brief guillotine attempt. Saint-Denis caught a kick and pressed Hooker into the fence, but Hooker did another guillotine counter. Hooker did damage with kicks to the body, but BSD managed to score a takedown late in the round, threatening a kimura, and busting Hooker open with a number of shots to the head.

    Hooker threatened a quick guillotine in a fast-paced start to the second round, but Saint-Denis continued to press forward. Hooker scored a takedown, but Saint-Denis smartly countered and quickly got into full mount, landing a strong series of elbows and threatening an arm-triangle choke. BSD got the choke locked in, but Hooker managed to defend it…only for Saint-Denis to land more ground-and-pound and bust Hooker open.

    After about a minute of strong ground-and-pound, referee Herb Dean waved the fight off with about 15 seconds left, giving the win to BSD.

    Benoit Saint-Denis Finds Takedown And Reversal, Scores Violent Finish At UFC 325

    Saint-Denis has now won four straight, a win streak that goes back to UFC 315 this past May. He is now 9-3 in the Octagon. He knocked out Beneil Dariush at UFC 322 prior to tonight.

    Hooker has now lost back-to-back fights after a three-fight win streak. He lost to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar in November.

  • “Stayed Calm And Delivered” – Fighters & Fans React As Mauricio Ruffy Rocks And Drops Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325

    “Stayed Calm And Delivered” – Fighters & Fans React As Mauricio Ruffy Rocks And Drops Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325

    After suffering just the second loss of his career last time out, Mauricio Ruffy has rebounded with a strong finish of Rafael Fiziev at UFC 325.

    After a feeling-out process for the first 90 seconds, Ruffy was able to pin Fiziev to the fence and look for a clinch. Fiziev worked his way off though, and the two started to look for their strong strikes, albeit a lot of single strikes.

    Fiziev looked to close angles and cut off the cage, using his footwork to try and control the action. Ruffy did not see to provide as much offense as he potentially could, though he was still noticeably landing on Fiziev.

    Things were taken to another level in the middle of the second round, with Ruffy landing a right hook that stunned Fiziev. Fiziev tried to regain his footing, but Ruffy did not let up, leading to the second-round TKO.

    Mauricio Ruffy Finishes Rafael Fiziev At UFC 325

    Ruffy is now 4-1, with three finishes, in his UFC career. The Dana White Contender Series alumnus rebounds from a loss to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC Paris this past September.

    Fiziev has now lost four of his last five fights. His losses include a pair of losses to Justin Gaethje and the injury he suffered against Mateusz Gamrot. He scored a victory over Ignacio Bahamondes at UFC Baku in June.

  • “Abolish The Heavyweight Division” – Fans Debate, Trash State Of Heavyweight MMA As Tallison Teixeira Goes The Distance In Win Over Tai Tuivasa

    “Abolish The Heavyweight Division” – Fans Debate, Trash State Of Heavyweight MMA As Tallison Teixeira Goes The Distance In Win Over Tai Tuivasa

    It wasn’t the way people expected, but Tallison Teixiera managed to defeat Tai Tuivasa in the Australian’s return to the Octagon at UFC 325.

    Tuivasa tried to bring pressure straight away, but he was taken down by Teixeira. Teixeira landed a number of punches and elbows to the head of Teixeira, defending against Tuivasa’s attempts to get back to his feet. Teixeira made his way into full mount, keeping Tuivasa there for minutes, but Tuivasa made his way back to the feet and pressing Teixeira into the fence to end the round.

    After some leg kick trading in the second round, Tuivasa landed a strong right hand that caught Teixeira’s attention. Teixeira responded with a combination and going for a takedown. Teixeira, after some struggle, worked his way into full mount, but he did no damage for a full minute-plus.

    The third round saw both men fatigued, with Tuivasa landing some strong strikes and controlling the action on the ground. Neither man was able to get a finish, however, and Teixeira took the decision win with three 29-28 totals.

    Tallison Teixeira Gets Decision Win Over Tai Tuivasa At UFC 325

    Teixeira moves to 2-1 in the UFC since winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series. He rebounds from a loss to Derrick Lewis at UFC Nashville this past July.

    Tuivasa has now lost six fights in a row. This was his first fight since a split decision loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 304. His last win came against Lewis at UFC 271.

  • “Salkilld Is A Problem” – Fans & Fighters React As Quillan Salkilld Nabs Another First-Round Finish At UFC 325

    “Salkilld Is A Problem” – Fans & Fighters React As Quillan Salkilld Nabs Another First-Round Finish At UFC 325

    Quillan Salkilld brought out another big performance to kick off the main card at UFC 325, submitting Jamie Mullarkey in about three minutes.

    Salkilld got to Mullarkey’s back early, but Mullarkey managed to get Salkilld’s back against the fence. Mullarkey scored a takedown, but Salkilld worked his way back up quickly.

    Mullarkey pressed Salkilld into the fence again, but it was Salkilld who got the action down with a slam, and he was right back on Mullarkey’s back. Salkilld then quickly locked up a choke to solidify the victory.

    Quillan Salkilld Submits Jamie Mullarkey At UFC 325

    Salkilld has now won 11 straight since dropping his professional MMA debut, and he brings his Octagon record to 4-0. The Dana White Contender’s Series alumnus was fighting for the first time since his highlight head kick knockout of Nasrat Haqparast at UFC 321.

    Mullarkey has now lost three of his last four fights. He is 6-7 since making his UFC debut.

  • VIDEO: Billy Elekana Survives Junior Tafa’s Power, Submits Him At UFC 325

    VIDEO: Billy Elekana Survives Junior Tafa’s Power, Submits Him At UFC 325

    Junior Tafa may have plenty of power in his fists, but Billy Elekana weathered the storm and used his grappling to score a submission victory in the featured prelim of UFC 325.

    Elekana attempted to back Tafa up to the fence, but Tafa rocked him with a strong overhand right. Elekana was able to use his grappling to recover, though he had to escape a standing kimura grip. Elekana would also show his pressure in a takedown attempt, but Tafa was able to defend against it.

    Tafa tried to keep the fight in the center of the Octagon and got to work with his powerful striking. Tafa landed a brutal combination at the end of round one; however, Elekana landed a strong left in the middle of the second — probably the hardest punch of the fight to that point.

    Billy Elekana Submits Junior Tafa At UFC 325

    Elekana then brought the fight to the ground and locked up a body triangle and a choke, scoring the submission victory.

    Elekana, an alumnus of PFL and LFA, has now won three straight since dropping his UFC debut to Bogdan Guskov at UFC 311.

    Tafa has now lost back-to-back fights and is 2-5 since his 2023 Octagon debut.

  • Dom Mar Fan Sweeps Scorecards, Defeats Kim Sang-wook For Road To UFC Season Four Lightweight Title

    Dom Mar Fan Sweeps Scorecards, Defeats Kim Sang-wook For Road To UFC Season Four Lightweight Title

    Dom Mar Fan put on a strong performance at UFC 325, defeating Kim Sang-wook to claim the Road to UFC season 4 lightweight tournament championship.

    The first round was a grappling-heavy battle, with Kim getting pressure and backing Mar Fan up to the fence. Kim got Mar Fan to the ground and got to his back, but a failure to get both hooks in resulted in Mar Fan gaining control on the ground. Kim, however, would retake the grappling edge in the round’s later stage, including when the two worked back to the feet.

    The two traded throughout the start of the second round, but Kim slowed down as the round went on. Mar Fan got the action to the ground, near the fence.

    Dom Mar Fan Wins Lightweight Portion Of Road To UFC Season 4

    Mar Fan landed a number of head strikes on Kim, who didn’t show the greatest defense there and was busted open around both sides of his face by the end of round two. Mar Fan brought out some good inside shots and prevented Kim’s takedown efforts in the final round, as he cruised to a unanimous decision win.

    Kim entered tonight’s final with a 13-3 record, including a loss to Rongzhu in last year’s Road to UFC tournament. He reached tonight’s final with finishes of Daichi Kamiya and Yawei Ren.

    Mar Fan only loss twice prior to tonight, with both losses coming against Quillan Salkilld. He reached the final with decision wins over Yuji Yannick Ephoeviga and Jae Hyun Park.

  • VIDEO: Keiichiro Nakamura Wins Road To UFC Season 4 Featherweight Tournament With Comeback Finish Of Sebastian Szalay

    VIDEO: Keiichiro Nakamura Wins Road To UFC Season 4 Featherweight Tournament With Comeback Finish Of Sebastian Szalay

    Keiichiro Nakamura just earned a UFC contract in a memorable way, demonstrating resilience in the process.

    Seemingly down two rounds and minutes away from losing the Road to UFC Season 4 featherweight tournament final, Nakamura scored a finish of Sebastian Szalay in the third round of their fight at UFC 325.

    Szalay’s pressure and strikes were on display early on, utilizing reach to his advantage. Szalay worked Nakamura over well with combinations during the opening round, while Nakamura had a leg-kick focus.

    Szalay increased his output in the second round, but both men managed to rock one another at one point during the round. As the round went on, Nakamura’s offense came through and he took control of the round.

    Keiichiro Nakamura Wins Road To UFC Season 4 Featherweight Tournament

    Nakamura was completely aggressive in the third round, ultimately resulting in a knee that dropped Szalay for the victory.

    Nakamura has won eight straight fights since dropping his professional MMA debut. He reached the final with wins over Eoh Jin Park and Kaiwen Li.

    This was Szalay’s first loss since his second pro bout. He reached the final with wins over Baergeng Jieleyisi and Chang Min Yoon.

  • Lawrence Lui Claims Road To UFC Season 4 Bantamweight Tournament Title

    Lawrence Lui Claims Road To UFC Season 4 Bantamweight Tournament Title

    The Road to UFC season 4 has its first tournament winner, as Lawrence Lui claimed the bantamweight season title with a split-decision victory over Sulang Rangbo to start off UFC 325.

    Lui tried to establish pressure early on, but Rangbo countered and move around well. He even landed one hard shot during the round that stumbled Lui.

    Lui’s grappling pressure came to fruition in the second round, as he scored takedowns and pressed the action against the fence. Rangbo still worked his jab, however.

    Lawrence Lui Claims Season 4 Road To UFC Bantamweight Tournament Title

    Rangbo was still landing the cleaner shots in the third, but it didn’t do much to deter Lui’s pressure. Lui landed seven takedowns by the fight’s end, and his grappling helped to bring him control of the fight in its final minutes.

    All three judges scored the bout 29-28, with two giving the nod to Lui.

    Lui now moves to 7-1 in his professional MMA career. He reached this tournament final with wins over Qinghe Zhang and Van Y Nghiem.

    Rangbo started his professional MMA 1-3, but he entered tonight’s bout on a nine-fight win streak. He reached tonight’s final with wins over Peter Danesoe and Sim Kai Xiong.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Re-Injures Knee, Out For Most Of 2026

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Re-Injures Knee, Out For Most Of 2026

    Those who were hoping for a return of Shavkat Rakhmonov this year now have to face major disappointment.

    Footage of Rakhmonov at Naiza FC 80 surfaced on social media the morning of January 31. The social media video saw Rakhmonov appearing with a knee brace and crutches.

    Now, Ariel Helwani confirmed with Rakhmonov’s manager, Danny Rubenstein, that Rakhmonov has re-injured his knee.

    The welterweight will be out of action for 9-10 months.

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Re-Injures Knee, Out 9-10 Months

    Rakhmonov was originally pegged to main event UFC 310 in a welterweight title match with then-champion Belal Muhammad. Muhammad, however, was forced to withdraw due to a bone infection in his foot.

    Rakhmonov, who is 19-0, went on to defeat Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310.

    Rakhmonov’s knee injury prevented him from challenging Muhammad at UFC 315 — the event that saw Jack Della Maddalena upset Muhammad for the title.

    The welterweight championship is now held by Islam Makhachev, following his win over JDM at UFC 322 in November.

  • UFC 325 Results: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC 325 Results: Volkanovski vs Lopes 2 Live Updates & Highlights

    UFC 325 results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia. It’s the second consecutive week with a numbered UFC card, serving as part of the promotion’s launch on Paramount+. The main event will feature Alexander Volkanovski defending the featherweight championship against Diego Lopes. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Volkanovski vs Lopes 2: Featherweight Title Fight

    Volkanovski and Lopes first battled for the featherweight championship at UFC 314 last April, following the title being vacated by Ilia Topuria. Volkanovski won a hard-fought, five-round decision to capture the title. This fight will mark his first fight since the title win.

    This marks Volkanovski’s second run as UFC featherweight champion. Volkanovski originally won the title by defeating Max Holloway at UFC 245, going on to defend the title against Holloway (twice), Brian Ortega, “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung-Jung, and Yair Rodriguez. Volkanovski would unsuccessfully challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title twice before dropping the featherweight title to Topuria at UFC 298.

    Lopes is 6-2 in the UFC thus far, with his two losses coming against Volkanovski and his short-notice UFC debut against Movsar Evloev. Lopes rebounded from his unsuccessful title attempt with a finish of Jean Silva in the main event of Noche UFC 3.

    The co-main event will see lightweight action featuring Dan Hooker and Benoit Saint-Denis.

    Hooker comes into this bout off a loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC Qatar in November, a loss that snapped a three-fight win streak. BSD has won three straight, most recently knocking out Beneil Dariush at UFC 322.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 325!

    How to Watch UFC 325

    • Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
    • Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Streaming: Paramount+ (exclusive)
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 3 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 325 Quick Results

    • Main Event: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes โ€” Volkanovski def. Lopes via unanimous decision
    • Co-Main: Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint-Denis โ€” Saint-Denis def. Hooker via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:45)
    • Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy โ€” Ruffy def. Fiziev via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:30)
    • Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira โ€” Teixeira def. Tuivasa via unanimous decision
    • Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey โ€” Salkilld def. Mullarkey via submission (Rd. 1, 3:02)

    UFC 325 Results & Highlights

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Road to UFC Bantamweight Final: Sulang Rangbo vs. Lawrence Lui

    Result: Lawrence Lui def. Sulang Rangbo via split decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)

    Road to UFC Featherweight Final: Keiichiro Nakamura vs. Sebastian Szalay

    Result: Keiichiro Nakamura def. Sebastian Szalay via TKO (Rd. 3, 3:48)

    Road to UFC Lightweight Final: Kim Sang-wook vs. Dom Mar Fan

    Result: Dom Mar Fan def. Kim Sang-wook via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Featherweight: Kaan Ofli vs. Yi Zha

    Result: Kaan Ofli def. Yi Zha via majority decision (29-28 x2, 28-28)

    Late Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    Welterweight: Jonathan Micallef vs. Oban Elliott

    Result: Jonathan Micallef def. Oban Elliott via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 2, 3:31)

    Middleweight: Jacob Malkoun vs. Torrez Finney

    Result: Jacob Malkoun def. Torrez Finney via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26 x2)

    Middleweight: Cam Rowston vs. Cody Brundage

    Result: Cam Rowston def. Cody Brundage via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:08)

    Light Heavyweight: Junior Tafa vs. Billy Elekana

    Result: Billy Elekana def. Junior Tafa via submission (rear-naked choke, Rd. 2, 3:18)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Quillan Salkilld vs. Jamie Mullarkey

    Result: Quillan Salkilld def. Jamie Mullarkey via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 3:02)

    Heavyweight: Tai Tuivasa vs. Tallison Teixeira

    Result: Tallison Teixeira def. Tai Tuivasa via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Lightweight: Rafael Fiziev vs. Mauricio Ruffy

    Result: Mauricio Ruffy def. Rafael Fiziev via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:30)

    Lightweight: Dan Hooker vs. Benoit Saint-Denis

    Result: Benoit Saint-Denis def. Dan Hooker via TKO (Rd. 2, 4:45)

    UFC Featherweight Championship: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Diego Lopes

    Result: Alexander Volkanovski def. Diego Lopes via unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 50-45)

  • Retirement? Alexander Volkanovski Eyes Quick Turnaround After UFC 325

    Retirement? Alexander Volkanovski Eyes Quick Turnaround After UFC 325

    Alexander Volkanovski is preparing to make history at UFC 325 this Saturday in Sydney, where the Australian featherweight champion will defend his title against Diego Lopes in a highly anticipated rematch.

    At the pre-fight press conference, Volkanovski sent a clear message about his intentions, signaling a shift in approach that could define the next phase of his career.

    Alexander Volkanovski Eyes History and Quick Return at UFC 325

    The 37-year-old champion faces Lopes on January 31 at Qudos Bank Arena, marking his first title defense since reclaiming the vacant belt with a unanimous decision victory over the same opponent at UFC 314 in April 2025.

    At the UFC 325 press conference, Volkanovski addressed questions about his longevity and announced a strategic evolution in his fighting approach.

    “There are always going to be people asking, ‘Is this the end? Is this the last run?’ Anyone can catch you, that’s just this game, but beating me is something different,” Volkanovski said. “I still feel sharp, I still feel dangerous, and I still feel like I can run through these guys. I’ve got a tough fight ahead of me, I’m going to get my hand raised, and then I want a quick turnaround. I’m not here talking about being done โ€“ I’m here to remind everyone why I’m still at the top.”

    The champion went on to detail a fundamental shift in his tactical approach.

    “I said it the other week โ€“ I’m not overthinking this anymore. Before, I was always like, ‘All right, let’s not waste energy here, let’s be calculated, let’s go here, let’s go there,’” Volkanovski explained.

    “Now I feel like I don’t need to be that calculated. I can just bully these guys. I’m not getting tired, so why am I not just bulldozing these guys when I actually can? I feel like I could have done this to all of my opponents, proper bulldoze them, go straight through them. That’s what I plan on doing this time. I’m going to go straight through this guy.”

    Known for his disciplined footwork, educated lead hand, and ability to neutralize taller opponents through feints and calculated aggression, Volkanovski has built a resume that includes victories over Max Holloway (three times), Jose Aldo, and Brian Ortega, among others.

    The shift appears to stem from Volkanovski’s belief that he can impose his will without compromising his cardio, one of his defining attributes. In additional media appearances, he elaborated on this new mindset, telling ESPN he plans to “capitalize on opportunities” and “really sit down” on his power shots.โ€‹

    The aggressive approach carries inherent risks. Lopes holds a 27-7 record with 22 stoppage wins, including 11 knockouts and 12 submissions. He demonstrated his finishing ability in September 2025 when he knocked out Jean Silva with a spinning back elbow at Noche UFC in San Antonio. That performance earned Lopes a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus and solidified his position as the number two-ranked featherweight contender.โ€‹

    During their first encounter, Lopes nearly changed the course of the fight with explosive moments. He landed a right hand that knocked Volkanovski down with 10 seconds remaining in the second round, then hurt the champion again in the fourth round with a punch that appeared to compromise his vision. UFC commentator Jon Anik later suggested Lopes should have capitalized more aggressively during that fourth-round exchange.

    Looking beyond UFC 325, Volkanovski has expressed interest in a quick turnaround. He told Ariel Helwani that he plans to take minimal damage against Lopes and return for another title defense soon after.

    Volkanovski identified undefeated contenders Movsar Evloev (19-0) and Lerone Murphy (17-0-1) as potential future opponents. Both fighters have voiced disappointment at being passed over for the immediate rematch with Lopes, though Volkanovski suggested the UFC may be planning an eliminator between them.

    At 37 years old, Volkanovski became the first fighter in UFC history to win an undisputed championship after experiencing consecutive knockout losses when he defeated Lopes at UFC 314. He also became the first fighter under 155 pounds to capture a title after turning 35.

  • Dan Hooker’s ready for Sydney: Why the ANZAC bond matters at UFC 325

    Dan Hooker’s ready for Sydney: Why the ANZAC bond matters at UFC 325

    Dan Hooker is treating his upcoming co-main event slot at UFC 325 like a hometown fight without the pressure that typically comes with it. The New Zealand lightweight faces Benoit Saint Denis at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on February 1, and he’s leaning into the regional support that bridges Australia and New Zealand.

    “When Australia and New Zealand go to war, they go to war together”: Dan Hooker embraces ANZAC support at UFC 325

    “I’m looking at this as a hometown fight without the hometown pressure,” Hooker told MMA Junkie during fight week. “The support here is incredible. When Australia and New Zealand go to war, they go to war together as the ANZACs, so it’s like that when we’re taking on the rest of the world.”โ€‹

    The ANZAC reference carries weight beyond sports. The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps was formed during World War I, with troops from both nations fighting together at Gallipoli in 1915. The term has since become shorthand for the bond between the two countries.

    The Auckland native jumped at the opportunity to fight in Sydney specifically because of the card’s main event. Alexander Volkanovski defends his featherweight title against Diego Lopes in what marks the first time the Australian champion has defended on home soil. Hooker wanted to be part of that moment.

    “I jumped on this fight because it is here in Sydney and it is close to home and I wanted to be a part of this card,” Hooker said. “I knew Volk was the main event and I wanted to jump on and just be a part of it, and it’s been incredible being here in Sydney. I’m really glad that I did this.”โ€‹

    The fight represents a quick turnaround for Hooker, who lost to Arman Tsarukyan via second-round submission at UFC Qatar on November 22, 2025. Just 69 days separate that loss from his bout with Saint Denis. Hooker made clear this wasn’t a panic move after a setback.

    “I had such a quick turnaround just because of this event,” he explained. “It wasn’t like a lot of other fighters where they panic after a loss and they’re like ‘I need to get it back.’ I jumped on this fight because it is here in Sydney and it is close to home.”โ€‹

    Saint Denis brings a dangerous finishing record into the contest. The French fighter holds a 16-3 professional record with four knockout wins and 10 submission victories. He’s coming off a 16-second knockout of Beneil Dariush in November 2025 and has won his last three fights.

    The lightweight clash sits second on a main card that features several Australian and New Zealand fighters competing in front of what’s expected to be a partisan crowd. For Hooker, the atmosphere provides motivation rather than nerves as he looks to bounce back from the Tsarukyan loss.

  • This UFC Fighter’s Weigh-In Cheat Attempt Just Cost Aaron Tau His Contract Shot

    This UFC Fighter’s Weigh-In Cheat Attempt Just Cost Aaron Tau His Contract Shot

    New Zealand flyweight Aaron Tau found himself at the center of a weigh-in controversy on Friday at UFC 325 in Sydney when officials caught him attempting to manipulate the scales.

    Aaron Tau’s Weigh-In Cheat Attempt Cancels UFC 325 Bout

    The 32-year-old fighter was the first to step on the scales during the official weigh-ins at Qudos Bank Arena. Tau initially weighed in behind a privacy curtain and registered at 122.5 pounds, which raised immediate suspicion among commentators as it was 3.5 pounds below the 126-pound flyweight non-title limit.

    Officials quickly ordered a second weigh-in without the privacy box. This time, Tau stepped on the scales at 129 pounds, three pounds over the divisional limit and a staggering seven pounds heavier than his first attempt. The dramatic weight swing led analysts on the live broadcast and those in the room to speculate that Tau had been resting his elbows on the curtain to reduce his measured weight.

    The tactic mirrors the infamous “Towel trick” from 2017, when former light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier admitted to placing his hands on a towel during his weigh-in for UFC 210 against Anthony Johnson. Cormier revealed during his UFC Hall of Fame induction speech that his nutritionist reminded him of the old wrestling trick when he initially missed weight by 1.2 pounds. Unlike Cormier’s successful attempt, Tau’s effort was immediately detected.

    UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard announced during the weigh-in show that the Road to UFC flyweight final between Tau and Namsrai Batbayar had been cancelled. The fight was scheduled to serve as both the tournament finale and an early prelim bout on the UFC 325 card, which is headlined by a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes.

    The cancellation represents a significant setback for Tau, who trains at City Kickboxing in Auckland and held an 11-1 professional record. He had advanced to the final after securing victories over Rio Tirto and Shuai Yin in earlier rounds of the Road to UFC Season 4 tournament. Tau’s only previous loss came on Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2024 against Elijah Smith.

    The incident leaves Batbayar, who successfully made weight at 126 pounds, without an opponent and uncertain about his future UFC contract opportunity. Road to UFC tournament winners typically receive multi-fight UFC contracts, making the stakes particularly high for both competitors.

  • Paramount+ Sees 1 Million New Subscribers Surge After First UFC Event

    Paramount+ Sees 1 Million New Subscribers Surge After First UFC Event

    Paramount+ saw a major boost after its first UFC event went to air, marking a significant milestone for the streaming platform’s sports strategy. Nearly one million new subscribers joined Paramount+ on the day UFC 324 took place, making it the second-biggest sign-up day in the platform’s history.

    Nearly 1 Million Join Paramount+ for UFC 324 as Streaming Era Begins

    Dane Glasgow, Paramount’s chief product officer, shared the news with employees during a Tuesday town hall meeting. The January 24 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas drew 4.96 million average viewers and reached 7.18 million households worldwide, with a peak of 5.93 million concurrent streams. The event featured Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision to claim the interim lightweight championship.

    The subscriber surge shows a strong start for Paramount’s seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting partnership with UFC, which began in 2026 after the organization ended its previous deal with ESPN. The agreement eliminates the traditional pay-per-view model for U.S. viewers, making all 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights available to Paramount+ subscribers at no extra cost. During the ESPN era, fans paid up to $79.99 per pay-per-view event plus a monthly ESPN+ subscription.

    UFC 324 Brings Paramount+ Its Biggest Subscriber Gain Since Super Bowl 2024

    The nearly one million sign-ups on UFC 324’s event day trail only the Super Bowl in 2024, which brought 3.2 million new subscribers to Paramount+ in a three-day window. The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match on Netflix drew an estimated 1.43 million new subscribers during a similar timeframe, providing context for where the UFC 324 performance sits among recent major live sports events.

    UFC 324 marked the platform‘s largest exclusive live event to date. The broadcast reached more homes than any live UFC event in nearly a decade across linear, broadcast, and streaming platforms combined. The event also generated 5.5 million social media interactions and trended on X for six consecutive hours worldwide, with 186,000 mentions representing a 123 percent increase from UFC 323 in December.

    The retention challenge ahead will test whether Paramount+ can maintain momentum. Industry data shows 63 percent of subscribers who join streaming services for sports events remain subscribed after the event ends. Paramount+ faces its next test with UFC 325 this weekend, featuring a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on January 31.

  • “Like Trash Talking a Boot” Dan Hooker on Why He Respects Benoit Saint Denis

    “Like Trash Talking a Boot” Dan Hooker on Why He Respects Benoit Saint Denis

    Dan Hooker entered UFC 325 fight week with an unusual problem, he couldn’t manufacture any animosity toward his opponent. In a candid interview with MMA Junkie, the New Zealand lightweight explained why his typically combative pre-fight demeanor fell flat against Benoit Saint Denis, a French fighter who accepted a quick turnaround and cross-continental travel to face him in Sydney.

    Dan Hooker Struggled to Trash Talk Benoit Saint Denis

    “Trying to trash talk this bloke is like trying to trash talk a boot,” Hooker said. “He’s the nicest bloke. He just said, ‘Thank you for taking the fight.’ And man, to be honest, thank him for coming all the way down there.”โ€‹

    The matchup represents a calculated risk for both fighters. Hooker, 35, returns just nine weeks after suffering a second-round submission loss to Arman Tsarukyan in November 2025, a defeat that halted his three-fight winning streak.

    The fight forced him to rebuild his standing at lightweight, where he currently ranks eighth. Saint Denis entered as a fighter climbing back from consecutive stoppage losses in 2024, first to Dustin Poirier, then to Renato Moicano, losses that questioned his ceiling in the division.

    The Frenchman’s trajectory shifted decisively in 2025. He claimed three consecutive victories, all by finish. His most recent performance came against Beneil Dariush at UFC 322, where Saint Denis landed a knockout punch in just 16 seconds. The performance marked his resurgence as a serious title contender.โ€‹

    For Hooker, the appeal of fighting Saint Denis extended beyond the rankings. Saint Denis demonstrated the professionalism Hooker respected. Most fighters reject short-notice fights overseas. Saint Denis accepted, traveled from France to Australia, and handled the pre-fight interaction with grace.

    “I knew I’d have to fight down in the rankings, but to get a guy that’s ranked a couple spots lower on a big win streak, coming off a big win, and to get him to travel to the other side of the worldโ€ฆ it’s very difficult to get fighters to accept the challenge of that and to travel that far. So yeah, just thankful that we get to share this opportunity together,” Hooker said.โ€‹

    Hooker has anticipated the tactical battle ahead: “Smart money would say he’s going to try and take me down.”โ€‹

    Both fighters pursue title opportunities with a victory. Saint Denis aims to establish himself permanently among the elite lightweight contenders, while Hooker channels his self-described role as a “dream destroyer” for opponents, having shifted his mentality away from chasing the championship himself.

    The bout takes place Saturday at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, on the co-main event card of UFC 325. Under the promotion’s new 2026 structure with Paramount, performance bonuses increased to $100,000.