MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • Justin Gaethje Claims UFC Tried To Push Him Out Before White House Showdown

    Justin Gaethje has built a reputation on chaos inside the cage, but heading into the biggest fight of his career, his mindset is rooted in something much simpler — survival at the top.

    Set to face Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title unification bout at the UFC’s historic White House event on June 14, Gaethje knows exactly what’s at stake. Despite multiple runs with interim gold and years spent among the elite, undisputed championship status has remained just out of reach.

    Speaking to Grind City Media, “The Highlight” reflected on how he’s managed to stay in the title picture for so long, even as a new generation continues to rise.

    “Honestly, I just stayed the course and I win when I need to win,” Gaethje said. “I’ve only lost to past champions or in championship fights… then I come back, I get back to work.”

    The road hasn’t been easy. Gaethje believes the UFC has consistently matched him against dangerous, hungry contenders looking to take his spot.

    “They’ve tried to get rid of me… I’ve held off these young up-and-comers… these guys are so hungry,” he said, referencing names like Paddy Pimblett and Rafael Fiziev.

    Rather than shy away from that pressure, “The Highlight” has embraced it. In fact, he claims setbacks have only made him more dangerous.

    “Coming off losses, I’m much more dangerous than I am coming off wins,” he explained, pointing to his knockout defeat to Max Holloway as a constant motivator in training.

    Now 32 fights into his career, the interim UFC lightweight champion has also started thinking about the endgame. But his criteria for walking away is clear.

    “When I think my younger self would beat myself now, then it would be time to call it quits,” he said.

    For now, though, retirement is the last thing on his mind. Standing across from an undefeated champion in Topuria, Gaethje is preparing for yet another test against a fighter many see as the future of the division.

    “I’m fighting a guy that is absolutely incredible… but I have a great coach, we’re going to have a great plan, and I’m going to change his face just like I always do,” he said.

  • Matt Brown Laid Out The Full Stakes Of Conor McGregor’s UFC 329 Return And It Is Lot Of Pressure

    Matt Brown says simply making it to the cage for his UFC 329 fight against Max Holloway may matter as much as winning for Conor McGregor, and that a loss would effectively end his relevance as a world-class competitor.

    Brown addressed McGregor’s comeback on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast, laying out the stakes plainly.

    “If he doesn’t make this walk, I think it’s going to be unanimous agreement he’s done and he’s never fighting again. If he doesn’t go in there and win, I think it’s going to be a unanimous agreement that no one wants to see him fight again either. Even if he looks good. He goes in, he actually fights Max Holloway, he loses, I don’t see anybody really interested in seeing him fight again. Of course, everybody will watch. He’s a big enough star, he could fight and lose the next five or 10 times and people will still watch. He’s a big enough star, that’s what’s going to happen, but the interest will wane hugely if he doesn’t make this walk and find a way to win. It’s a lot of pressure on his side.”

    Brown said a win over Holloway specifically would be significant given who Holloway has become since their first meeting.

    “Whether he wins or loses, I have to have some respect for Conor for taking the fight against Max Holloway. A known killer who has had a ton of success since last time they fought. If he goes in and makes that walk, that’s a gigantic risk for him. If he loses this fight, his relevance as a fighter drops dramatically. We’ll watch, he could fight another 10 times, I’m sure everyone would watch. But his relevance as a world-class competitor, pretty much drops off the map. Any fights he does after that is kind of like influencer fights or something along those lines.”

    Brown did acknowledge McGregor has a path to victory.

    “I can see the argument where you think Conor would have a good chance. For one, it’s at 170 and Conor has good power at 170. Max is hittable. He’s certainly a hittable guy. Conor has a win over him in the past. Max has been through the ringer. He’s got a lot of miles on those tires. I can see where you can make that argument where it’s not the worst matchup.”

    McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021. Holloway has competed eight times since then, all in main events or title fights.

  • Sean Strickland Has Blunt Take On Fantasy Matchup With Anderson Silva

    Sean Strickland Has Blunt Take On Fantasy Matchup With Anderson Silva

    Sean Strickland says he would beat a prime Anderson Silva, arguing that the sport has evolved to a level where Silva’s game from his era would not hold up today.

    Strickland reclaimed the UFC middleweight title by upsetting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 earlier this month. Speaking to Nina Drama, he was asked about a fantasy matchup with Silva, who holds the record for most consecutive UFC middleweight title defenses at 10.

    “I’d f*ck him up. I think there’s a big level difference now. If you could take Anderson Silva and bring him into modern time, you know what I’m saying? Every generation gets better and better and better. So it’s kind of one of those hard fights to say, ‘Would I beat this guy up?’ Well, yeah, like naturally the sport is getting better.”

    Strickland has built a resume that includes wins over Chimaev, Israel Adesanya, Nassourdine Imavov, Brendan Allen, Paulo Costa, and Anthony Hernandez.

  • Michael Bisping Watched Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Sparring And Was Not Reassured By What He Saw

    Michael Bisping Watched Alex Pereira’s Heavyweight Sparring And Was Not Reassured By What He Saw

    Michael Bisping says sparring footage of Alex Pereira working with UFC heavyweight Tallison Teixeira looks concerning ahead of his move up to the heavyweight division at UFC Freedom 250.

    Pereira faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title on June 14 at the White House. Bisping addressed the training footage on his YouTube channel.

    “He is going to put on 30 pounds, something like that. So that means he’s going to be slower. It means he’s going to be fighting bigger guys, and it means he’s probably going to be fighting people that can punch harder. What do you do to prepare for such a thing? You spar other heavyweights, and lately some footage has come out. I’ve got to say, it looks a little concerning for Alex Pereira.”

    Bisping walked through a specific sequence from the footage.

    “For Alex Pereira going up against Ciryl Gane, you would think that he would be having his way. We see here, he’s backing him up against the fence, he’s about to go on the attack, nice 1-2, but Tallison fires back with some heavy firepower — cracks him with the right hand. And you know that Ciryl Gane is going to have the speed advantage. He’s also going to be lighter on the feet. Now granted, this is sparring, and we don’t know. Maybe Pereira wasn’t feeling it that day.”

    A win over Gane would make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to claim a version of the title in three separate weight classes.

  • Justin Gaethje’s Mindset Going Into His Ilia Topuria Fight Is Built Around A Painful Memory From UFC 300

    Justin Gaethje says he is training for his UFC Freedom 250 fight against Ilia Topuria with the mindset of a man who just got knocked out, using his UFC 300 loss to Max Holloway as daily motivation.

    Speaking to Grind City Media ahead of the June 14 title unification bout at the White House, Gaethje described how he approaches fight camp.

    “Coming off of losses, I’m much more dangerous than I am coming off wins. That’s the human mind, and it’s just a tricky, tricky situation to be in when you’re being successful, to stay as committed to the process as you need to. But there’s always a UFC 300 quick reminder — nice knockout. So again, I’m training with the thought of I just got knocked out by Max Holloway. I have had two wins since then, and yeah, it’s been awesome. They tried to get rid of me. They don’t want to get rid of me — obviously I’m a great fighter for the company. But I have held off these young, up-and-coming fighters.”

    Gaethje was direct about his intentions for fight night.

    “These guys are all up-and-comers, and they’re all coming for me. Every time I’ve got the opportunity, I have held them off. I am here for a reason. I’m here because I’m one of the best in the world. I am fighting a guy that is absolutely incredible, but I have a great coach and we’re going to have a great plan. I’m going to change his face, just like I always do to all my opponents.”

  • The Number Paddy Pimblett Is Sitting At Seven Weeks Before His UFC 329 Fight Is Turning Heads Again

    The Number Paddy Pimblett Is Sitting At Seven Weeks Before His UFC 329 Fight Is Turning Heads Again

    Paddy Pimblett revealed he is sitting at 191 pounds seven weeks out from his UFC 329 fight against Benoit Saint Denis, meaning he is preparing for a 35-pound cut to make the 156-pound non-title lightweight limit.

    Pimblett shared the number on his vlog ahead of the July 11 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    “It’s nice obviously having an opponent, date set, everything’s ready to go when we’re fighting, know how long I’ve got. It’s all about making weight and being ready for the fight.”

    Despite regularly ballooning between fights, Pimblett has never missed weight in eight UFC appearances. He came in under championship weight at 154 pounds for his interim lightweight title fight against Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January, a fight he lost by unanimous decision to break his undefeated UFC record.

  • UFC Boss Dana White Lands TIME Cover Ahead Of Historic White House Event

    Dana White has added another milestone to his long list of achievements, landing on the cover of TIME as the UFC prepares for one of its most ambitious events yet.

    The feature arrives just weeks before the promotion stages its historic card on the White House grounds on June 14, a moment that reflects how far the organization has come under White’s leadership.

    The magazine piece focuses on the UFC’s journey from a fringe spectacle to a mainstream powerhouse, while also highlighting White’s longstanding connection with former U.S. President Donald Trump.

    While much of the story revisits familiar ground for longtime fans, it underscores the significance of the upcoming event in Washington, D.C., which will mark the first time the UFC hosts a fight card at such a high-profile location.

    The card itself is expected to feature a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje in the main event. In the co-main, Alex Pereira is set to move up in weight to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title.

    The TIME cover serves as another sign of the UFC’s growing cultural footprint, with the promotion now preparing to deliver one of the most unique events in combat sports history.

  • Wang Cong Rips UFC Champ Valentina Shevchenko For Skipping Q&A Appearance With Her

    Wang Cong has reignited her rivalry with Valentina Shevchenko — and this time, it’s happening outside the cage.

    The Chinese contender took to social media ahead of UFC Macau, claiming the reigning flyweight champion pulled out of a planned joint fan Q&A appearance to avoid sharing the stage with her. The two were expected to appear together during fight week festivities, but according to Cong, those plans changed at the last minute.

    “Valentina and I were originally scheduled to appear together at the UFC Macau fan Q&A,” Cong wrote on Instagram. “However, she submitted a request to UFC to opt out of the joint appearance, refusing to share the stage with me.”

    “The Joker” didn’t stop there, launching into a sharp critique of Shevchenko’s character and fighting style while referencing their past encounter.

    “As my defeated opponent, it’s clear she’s afraid I’ll expose the truth behind her lies,” Cong added. “She’s a sore loser with no class—nothing more than a compulsive liar who can’t handle defeat.”

    “Oh, and one more thing. I call her ‘Box Office Poison,’ because boring fights are exactly what she’s good at.”

    The tension between the two dates back to 2015, when Cong defeated “Bullet” by decision in a kickboxing bout — a result that still stands as one of the few losses on the champion’s striking résumé. While Shevchenko’s team has long disputed the outcome, Cong has continued to lean on that victory as leverage in her pursuit of a UFC showdown.

    Currently riding a three-fight win streak, “The Joker” is working her way back into contention after a setback in 2024. She’s now scheduled to face Tracy Cortez at UFC 329 in July, a fight that could bring her closer to a long-awaited clash with Shevchenko.

  • Sean Strickland Wants UFC Exit To Fight Jake Paul After Influencer Boxer Lands Spot On Forbes’ Highest-Paid Athletes List

    Sean Strickland isn’t shy about speaking his mind, and his latest comments make it clear he’s seriously tempted by the kind of money being made outside the UFC.

    The reigning middleweight champion reacted to Jake Paul landing on Forbes’ highest-paid athletes list after reportedly earning around $70 million, and the numbers clearly caught his attention.

    Speaking during a livestream with Nina Drama, the outspoken MMA star openly floated the idea of leaving the UFC altogether to chase a payday against “The Problem Child”.

    “I gotta leave the UFC and go beat up Jake Paul. That’s it. Cut my contract, UFC. It’s time for me to leave,” Strickland said on Nina Drama’s livestream.

    The comments weren’t just made in passing. Strickland doubled down on the financial disparity between MMA and boxing, suggesting that even a partial payday from a Jake Paul fight would eclipse his UFC earnings.

    “If I made even a fraction of that, I’d be making more than the UFC is paying me,” he said. “I’d f—ing beat the s— out of Jake Paul.”

    Strickland also took aim at “The Problem Child’s” in-ring credentials, pointing to his loss against Tommy Fury as evidence that the YouTuber-turned-boxer isn’t operating at a high level.

    “Jake Paul lost against pretty much a reality star named Tommy… He’s not a real boxer,” Strickland added.

    Despite the bravado, Strickland acknowledged that the financial upside is the real driving factor behind his interest. He even claimed a single fight with Paul could surpass what he’s earned throughout his entire UFC career.

    “I’ll make more money f—ing up Jake Paul than I would my entire UFC career. How f—ed up is that?” he said.

  • UFC White House Event Takes Shape As First Construction Image Surfaces Online Ahead Of June 14

    Early signs of history in the making are now visible at the White House.

    MMA journalist Luke Thomas recently shared a birds-eye image on X showing heavy construction activity on the South Lawn, where preparations appear to be underway for the UFC’s unprecedented event.

    While massive cranes can be seen dominating the backdrop, with ongoing work tied to a new State Ballroom and a multi-level underground security complex, a section of the lawn shows clear signs of staging development.

    All of it points toward UFC Freedom 250, scheduled for June 14, which will mark the first time a professional fight card takes place on White House grounds.

    The UFC is reportedly preparing to move in around 350 truckloads of equipment, with each delivery potentially taking hours due to strict White House security protocols. With no existing arena infrastructure on the South Lawn, the promotion is expected to build everything from the ground up, including power supply, broadcast facilities, locker rooms, and operational areas.

    The terrain is also considered a major challenge. The South Lawn has a noticeable slope, and engineers are said to have used detailed measurements to design a raised platform system. This is expected to include large structural support, possibly even a wall on one side, to ensure a completely level surface for the Octagon.

    From a visual standpoint, the setup is expected to be unlike anything the UFC has done before. Plans suggest an open-air Octagon, positioned to keep the White House as a constant backdrop, with a large “claw” lighting rig, developed with assistance from live production specialists at Tait Towers, suspended above to handle lighting and broadcast needs.

    Seating is expected to be limited to around 4,000 invited guests, likely including military personnel and select VIPs, while a nearby fan zone at the Ellipse could accommodate tens of thousands of spectators for a live viewing experience.

    With Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje set for a lightweight title unification bout and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane expected to clash for the interim heavyweight title, the historic card is no longer just a concept and is rapidly taking shape.

  • Conor McGregor’s Manager Says UFC 329 Is The Start Of A Season: ‘He’s Looking To Stay Active’

    Conor McGregor’s Manager Says UFC 329 Is The Start Of A Season: ‘He’s Looking To Stay Active’

    Conor McGregor’s manager, Audie Attar, says UFC 329 is not a one-fight comeback and that McGregor intends to stay active following his July 11 return against Max Holloway.

    Attar spoke to MMA Junkie ahead of the welterweight main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    “I could tell you he’s looking to stay active. I could tell you that we had planned for a season during the COVID period, and that never got going, unfortunately. But this is the new season, and he’s definitely looking to stay active. We’re definitely looking forward to not only this fight, Max Holloway, July 11, and then that next fight — and we’re not going to wait a year, that’s for sure. And then we’ll see. We’ll see kind of what happens from there. I don’t think we’re looking too far ahead of things. We’re just taking it one step at a time as we should because Max Holloway is a formidable opponent, and we’ve got to go and handle business come July 11.”

    Attar acknowledged the challenge the fight presents after a five-year layoff but expressed confidence in McGregor’s preparation.

    “I think it’s a tough matchup. I think when you’re out as long as Conor’s been out for, you’re taking on a formidable opponent, same age, same experience, but one guy has been very active. But I’m also confident in the preparation Conor’s putting in. I’m confident in where his head and his heart is, and I’m confident that come fight night, that the fans are going to be very happy with that fight.”

    McGregor’s original comeback was scheduled against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in June 2024 before he withdrew due to injury. A Nate Diaz trilogy was discussed before the Holloway rematch was finalized.

  • Dana White Has Direct Response To Anyone Who Thinks Conor McGregor Announcement Was Shot At MVP

    Dana White Has Direct Response To Anyone Who Thinks Conor McGregor Announcement Was Shot At MVP

    Dana White says the announcement of Conor McGregor’s return during the MVP MMA 1 broadcast had nothing to do with stealing attention from the Netflix event, insisting the deal was simply announced the moment it was finalized.

    White addressed the timing directly in an interview with Fred Talks Fighting.

    “Not a coincidence. I had a fcking fight here that night. Anybody who thinks that I gave a sht what was going on anywhere else is out of their fcking minds. We announced it as soon as we got it done, and we were in the middle of our event. I don’t give a fck what those guys are doing. You kidding me?”

    The announcement came as Francis Ngannou made his walkout to fight Philipe Lins on the Netflix card. Ngannou was asked about the timing after his knockout victory and echoed White’s indifference.

    “And what the f*ck do I have to do with that? So, I should stop my walkout and look at what’s going on? I don’t care, bro. Let’s move on. Life goes on. I’m doing my stuff here, I’m doing good. I have no problem. Everybody can do whatever he wants.”

    The announcement also coincided with the UFC Fight Night 276 broadcast in Las Vegas that same night.

  • UFC Macau: How To Watch, Full Card

    UFC returns to Macau for the first time in 18 months, headlined by a bantamweight clash between Yadong Song and Deiveson Figueiredo on Paramount+.

    Song, 28, enters looking to rebound from a decision loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 324 in January. Figueiredo, the two-time flyweight champion, is also coming off a loss — a Fight of the Night decision to Umar Nurmagomedov at the same event, his third setback in four fights.

    The co-main event features light heavyweights Alonzo Menifield and Mingyang Zhang, both in need of bounce-back wins. Menifield was knocked out by Volkan Oezdemir in November after two straight decision wins. Zhang, who opened his UFC tenure with three consecutive first-round knockout wins, suffered a shock loss to Johnny Walker on home soil in Shanghai last August.

    Main card (Paramount+, 7 a.m. ET): Yadong Song vs. Deiveson Figueiredo, Alonzo Menifield vs. Mingyang Zhang, Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison Teixeira, Kai Asakura vs. Cameron Smotherman, Carlston Harris vs. Jake Matthews, Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji.

    Preliminary card (Paramount+, 4 a.m. ET): Luis Felipe Dias vs. Yi Sak Lee, Meng Ding vs. José Henrique, Aoriqileng vs. Cody Haddon, Luis Gurule vs. Rei Tsuruya, Angela Hill vs. Jingnan Xiong, Rodrigo Vera vs. Kangjie Zhu, Jaqueline Amorim vs. Loma Lookboonme.

  • Conor McGregor Wanted Michael Chandler For Comeback But UFC Didn’t Approve It

    Conor McGregor Wanted Michael Chandler For Comeback But UFC Didn’t Approve It

    Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return could have looked very different.

    While the former two-division champion is now set to face Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, new details reveal that wasn’t the original plan from his side.

    According to his longtime manager Audie Attar, McGregor had his sights set on settling unfinished business with Michael Chandler.

    Speaking to MMA Junkie, Attar explained that McGregor pushed hard to make the Chandler fight happen, especially given their history as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 and the previously canceled bout at UFC 303 in June 2024.

    “Conor really wanted to give that to Michael Chandler,” Attar said. “He just felt Michael deserved it, having gone through the show and experienced that camp, the unfortunate injury, and the cancellation of the bout. Conor really, really wanted that to happen, and we did everything to try to push it.”

    Despite those efforts, the matchup never materialized — not because of a lack of interest from McGregor’s team, but due to the promotion’s direction at the time.

    “At the time, it just didn’t make sense for the UFC,” Attar added. “But it doesn’t mean that it might not happen in the future… It can become a reality.”

    Instead, negotiations shifted toward a different high-profile option, ultimately leading to the Holloway rematch. The two first met back in 2013, with McGregor earning a decision win, and the sequel now offers both familiarity and intrigue.

    “Like I said, we pushed for Chandler. That was our main focus initially,” Attar continued. “Different names surfaced in the conversations, and in the negotiations… from a Max Holloway perspective, we know we got one on Max, and he wants to get that back.”

    The weight class also played a role in shaping the final decision.

    “With the time Conor has been out, it just made sense to do it at 170,” Attar said. “Max was game right away and willing to step up and take the matchup.”

    For Chandler, the wait for a showdown with “The Notorious” continues, though Attar made it clear the door isn’t closed. Meanwhile, both fighters move forward with separate fights scheduled this summer, leaving fans to wonder if the long-teased clash could still happen down the line.

  • Conor McGregor Hints At Massive New UFC Deal Ahead Of July 11 Comeback – ‘They Honored Me, Finally’

    Conor McGregor is finally set to make his long-awaited return, and it’s not just the fight that has him fired up — it’s the deal behind it.

    After nearly five years away from the Octagon, the former two-division champion is scheduled to headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas. But behind the scenes, McGregor’s comeback hinged on something much bigger than just an opponent.

    Earlier this year, “The Notorious” publicly stated that his previous contract had effectively become worthless following the UFC’s shift away from the traditional pay-per-view model in favor of a streaming deal with Paramount+. That change meant a renegotiation was inevitable for the promotion’s biggest draw.

    Now, with the fight officially booked, McGregor has made it clear he’s satisfied with how things played out.

    “The big fight is coming,” McGregor said in an interview with former Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill. “Let’s cheers to that. ‘The Mac’ is back, baby. Let’s go.”

    Beyond the excitement of competing again, McGregor emphasized that the UFC delivered what he was looking for financially.

    “I’ve got a great deal off the UFC. I’m very, very happy. They honored me, finally,” he added.

    The Irishman hasn’t fought since suffering a leg injury in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021, and he hasn’t recorded a victory since his quick finish of Donald Cerrone in early 2020. Despite the long layoff, McGregor insists he’s returning in peak condition.

    “I’m out so long, five years. My body’s fresh, my mind is sharp. I’m ready to come back,” he said. “Preparation has gone very well. We’re living, breathing, and sleeping in the gym.”

    As for the matchup itself, McGregor is confident heading into a rematch with a familiar opponent.

    “And the opponent is a man that I’ve beaten before in Max Holloway,” he said. “He is an established fighter, an accomplished fighter… This is a quality opponent. Our last bout was martial arts mastery by yours truly, so I plan on doing it again.”

  • Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Points Finger At ‘American Judges’ For UFC Title Loss To Sean Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev is no longer staying quiet about his first loss inside the Octagon, and he’s pointing toward more than just the action inside the cage as the reason behind it.

    The former middleweight champion suffered a narrow split decision defeat to Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, a result that saw Strickland reclaim the 185-pound title. While the fight was widely viewed as competitive, the scorecards immediately sparked debate among fans, media, and fighters alike.

    Now, weeks removed from the bout, Chimaev has voiced his own concerns — and they go beyond simple judging criteria.

    In a now-deleted post on X, later shared via Championship Rounds, Chimaev suggested that nationality may have played a role in how the fight was scored.

    “All judges are American, the organization is American, the opponent is American, and one is Chechen,” he wrote. “It’s a close fight. Who do you think will win?”

    Despite the implication, “Borz” was quick to shut down the idea that he was making excuses for the loss. In a follow-up message on X, he made his intentions clear.

    “No excuses I just wanna f— him up, this s— trying to run away,” he added.

    “Borz” has also continued to push for a rematch with Strickland, doubling down on his desire to run things back after what many viewed as a razor-close contest. Even among media members, scoring was split, with a notable portion favoring the 32-year-old Chechen’s performance on the night.

    The loss marked the first blemish on Chimaev’s previously perfect professional record and ended his reign as middleweight champion.

  • Ilia Topuria Trashes UFC 329 Main Event As ‘Sh*t Fight’ But Wants Conor McGregor To Win For One Big Reason

    Ilia Topuria may not be impressed by the matchup itself, but he knows exactly what’s at stake when Conor McGregor returns to face Max Holloway at UFC 329.

    Set for July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the highly anticipated rematch marks McGregor’s first appearance in the Octagon since 2021.

    While the bout has generated massive buzz, the reigning lightweight champion isn’t sold on its competitive appeal.

    “Wow, it’s a sh*t fight,” Topuria said in an interview with ESPN Deportes. “Conor, I think this is good for the sport. I personally think that he’s good for the sport because many people want to see him fight, and want to see one of the real stars of the UFC.”

    Topuria acknowledged McGregor’s drawing power but questioned where the real benefit lies.

    “I consider Conor one of the biggest stars in the UFC, but it’s one of those things that has its pros and cons,” he explained. “He’s on a downward slide, and the only one who really stands to gain anything from this fight isn’t UFC anymore, it’s him.”

    From a stylistic standpoint, Topuria expects a striking-heavy affair between the two former featherweight standouts.

    “It’s going to be a stand-up fight, I think, purely striking,” he said. “We’re not going to see any wrestling or ground game. Don’t think Conor’s much worse than Max. They’ll probably just go at it like two kittens, just touching hands and feeling each other out.”

    Despite his criticism, Topuria is backing McGregor to come out on top, pointing to their first meeting back in 2013, where the Irishman secured a unanimous decision victory.

    “I think Conor is going to win. They already fought once and Conor won,” Topuria said. “This time around, he could beat him, he should beat him.”

    His reasoning, however, isn’t entirely neutral.

    “In fact, if you ask me who I want to win, and what winner is best for me, it’s Conor,” Topuria admitted. “Because if he wins, and he takes one more fight, maybe we could end up fighting each other.”

    For now, Topuria remains focused on his own upcoming clash with Justin Gaethje, but he’s clearly keeping one eye on UFC 329 and what it could mean for his future.

  • Justin Gaethje Admits He Is ‘Much More Dangerous Coming Off Losses’ Than Wins

    Justin Gaethje says he is more dangerous coming off losses than wins, and admits that learning to stay committed to the process during successful stretches has been one of the hardest challenges of his career.

    Gaethje faces Ilia Topuria in a lightweight title unification bout at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House. Speaking to Grind City Media ahead of the fight, he reflected on the mental challenge of maintaining edge after victories.

    “Coming off of losses, I’m much more dangerous than I am coming off wins. That’s the human mind and it’s just a tricky, tricky situation to be in when you’re being successful, to stay as committed to the process as you need to.”

    Gaethje pointed to his knockout loss to Max Holloway at UFC 300 as a reset that sharpened him for the two wins that followed, including his interim lightweight title victory over Paddy Pimblett. He has previously said he is glad the Holloway loss happened because of what it unlocked in him.

    June 14 will be Gaethje’s third attempt at winning the undisputed lightweight title. He also noted a pattern in his UFC losses that he has not been able to shake.

    “I’ve only lost to past champions or in championship fights and obviously, that’s not nice. I don’t like that part about my career.”

  • Dana White Compares Jon Jones To Michael Jordan Despite Contract Dispute

    Dana White Compares Jon Jones To Michael Jordan Despite Contract Dispute

    Dana White is still calling Jon Jones the greatest fighter in UFC history despite their public falling out over the UFC White House card, comparing Jones to Michael Jordan in a recent interview.

    Speaking to The New Yorker, White made his position on Jones’ legacy clear.

    “If you’re looking for your Michael Jordan, it would be Jon Jones, who is the greatest. Jon Jones is in his forties now. He’s undefeated still, never been beat. And he’s moved up and down weight classes. It is very, very unique and hard to be undefeated in the UFC.”

    The praise comes despite an increasingly hostile relationship between the two sides. Jones requested his UFC release after claiming to have been lowballed on an offer to fight at UFC White House on June 14, while White denied ever entertaining Jones for that card. Jones has since been publicly pursuing a contract exit, most recently requesting the contact details of Tyron Woodley’s lawyer Sam Spira, who believes a legal route out may exist.

    Jones has also expressed interest in fighting Francis Ngannou outside the UFC and has teased a potential boxing venture, revealing he expects talks with IBA president Umar Kremlev about entering the ring if he can secure his release.

  • VIDEO: Bodybuilder Larry Wheels Gets Reality Check As Undersized UFC Star Merab Dvalishvili Submits Him Multiple Times In Seconds

    A recent livestream crossover between MMA and the fitness world delivered a quick reality check.

    Merab Dvalishvili shared the mat with bodybuilding influencer Larry Wheels during a livestream on Kick, and the result was as decisive as it was fast.

    Wheels, who had previously rolled with the former UFC bantamweight champion in an earlier clip, appeared better prepared this time around after putting in some wrestling work. That added preparation showed early, as he managed to hold his ground for a brief stretch once the exchange began.

    But against a fighter known for relentless pace and suffocating grappling, that window didn’t last long.

    Once “The Machine” secured control, the gap in experience became obvious. Wheels’ resistance faded quickly as the pressure mounted, and within moments, the sequence ended with a submission.

    The entire exchange lasted under a minute, with Wheels forced to tap multiple times despite his significant size and strength advantage.

    Check out the video below:

  • Tyron Woodley Delivers Brutal Assessment Of Colby Covington’s Legacy

    Tyron Woodley Delivers Brutal Assessment Of Colby Covington’s Legacy

    Tyron Woodley delivered a scathing assessment of Colby Covington following news of his retirement, saying Covington was an opportunist who manufactured a persona and talked himself into positions his record never justified.

    Woodley fought Covington in September 2020, losing by TKO due to a rib injury in the fifth round. The two were former training partners at American Top Team before their relationship soured. Speaking to New Betting Sites U.K., Woodley did not hold back.

    “His whole brand was modeled around an act that he was such a Trump supporter, America this and that, when really he was just a Drake-listening, Beats headphones-wearing, hanging out in Miami, thinking he’s a gangster guy, who put on an act and a character. Your whole thing was baiting. Colby was piggybacking that because it was causing controversy. He wanted to create his own version of being a heel but in MMA. I paid Colby weekly to be a training partner for Rory just to torture him. He was an opportunist who took advantage of a quiet moment in MMA.”

    Woodley acknowledged Covington’s physical attributes while dismissing his work ethic.

    “I would say he’s tough. I would say he’s durable. I would say he’s a person that doesn’t work very hard, but he has crazy cardio. People hated him in the gym because he wouldn’t work very hard, but he had a gas tank, and he knew staying close to you was the best for him. He found a way to do that. He talked himself into positions that his record and ranking weren’t ever in. The sport was quiet. Ronda was gone. Jon was chilling out. Conor was out, and nobody was there, so we were willing to listen to him. He’s an opportunist that took advantage of a moment where the sport was quiet with stars, and we were just willing to listen to WWE and go on the ride with him. That’s his legacy.”

    Covington’s UFC status was changed to retired earlier this week. He has not competed in the organization since a doctor’s stoppage TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024. He remains active in Real American Freestyle wrestling and meets Chris Weidman at RAF 09 on May 30 in Dallas.

  • Jon Jones Is Taking Serious Steps To Get Out Of His UFC Contract

    Jon Jones Is Taking Serious Steps To Get Out Of His UFC Contract

    Tyron Woodley says Jon Jones texted him after the MVP MMA 1 broadcast, asking for the lawyer who could potentially help him pursue a Francis Ngannou fight outside the UFC.

    Jones said during the Netflix broadcast that getting out of his UFC contract would be the primary obstacle to making a Ngannou fight happen. Woodley, who was on the broadcast alongside Jones, told NewBettingSites.uk that his attorney Sam Spira was involved in the legal framework explored before Conor McGregor’s 2017 boxing match with Floyd Mayweather — and that a similar route could be available to Jones.

    “Conor McGregor boxed Floyd Mayweather. My lawyer is the lawyer that actually gave Audie Attar and Conor the play and the manoeuvre to do it through the Ali Act. His name is Sam Spira. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for it. If Jon wanted to fight Francis Ngannou, there is a legal way where he can do it. It’s not going to be a cakewalk, but have the legal team deal with it.”

    Woodley said Jones reached out to him directly after the broadcast.

    “Jon texted me afterwards, because Jon knows me. He knows if I say something, I’m not going to be sugarcoating it. As I was saying it on air, my lawyer was watching it, so he sent me a text message of exactly the injunction he would have to do, how he would have to file it, and the process. It’s going to be a battle, but this is the way you can do it. Jon asked me himself, he said, ‘Tyron, send me that lawyer’s number that knows that play.’ I said fine, and I forwarded him my lawyer’s info.”

    The Ali Act is a federal boxing law covering anti-competitive practices in professional boxing. It was not written for MMA, meaning any legal strategy would require Jones’ team to find an applicable angle rather than directly invoking the act.

    Woodley also noted that Jones may not feel urgency to pursue a legal battle, given his current business ventures including mentoring Gable Steveson, working with Dirty Boxing, and staying active through appearances and seminars.

    “I would say he has the information he needs, if he legally wants to pursue that. But he is doing well business-wise. He’s got a lot of things keeping him busy. So if he wants to fight, he’s got the information to do it. The ball’s in his court.”

  • Ilia Topuria Takes Brutal Shot at Arman Tsarukyan, Claims His Rich Lifestyle Is Fake – ‘He’s A Loser’

    Ilia Topuria is preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking aim at a top contender waiting in the wings.

    As “El Matador” gears up to face Justin Gaethje in a lightweight title unification bout at the UFC White House event on June 14, he has turned his attention toward Arman Tsarukyan, who is set to serve as the official backup for the main event.

    Tsarukyan has built an online reputation for showcasing a lavish lifestyle, frequently posting photos of luxury cars, expensive watches, and high-end experiences. But Topuria isn’t convinced any of it reflects reality.

    Speaking in an interview with Alvaro Colmenero, the reigning UFC lightweight champion didn’t hold back.

    “He has the mind of a little kid,” Topuria said. “He’s a man-child who is playing a game. I think he’s playing the rich guy game. He’s neither rich nor is his father, I’m telling you. He’s just not.”

    Topuria doubled down by comparing Tsarukyan’s behavior to people he considers genuinely wealthy.

    “I know a huge amount of rich people, none of them, none, like not a single one of them is like that,” he said. “He’s playing a game of buying a car and sending it to Russia to resell it. And I think he’s not even rich, I’m telling you. He’s a loser.”

    Despite the harsh criticism, Tsarukyan’s performances inside the cage continue to speak for themselves. The 29-year-old Armenian has been on a strong run, stacking multiple wins and positioning himself near the top of the division.

    Still, “El Matador” appears skeptical that Tsarukyan is eager to face him if the opportunity arises, even with his role as the designated backup for the June 14 headliner.

  • Dricus Du Plessis Has A Clear Opinion On The Khamzat Chimaev Rematch Debate

    Dricus Du Plessis Has A Clear Opinion On The Khamzat Chimaev Rematch Debate

    Dricus Du Plessis says he is surprised the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland fight was even a split decision, calling the outcome clear and pushing back on the idea that Chimaev deserves an immediate rematch.

    Strickland dethroned Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 earlier this month. Media scores were nearly evenly divided, but Du Plessis told Fight Forecast he saw it differently.

    “Crazy thing is where people go, ‘Oh, it was a robbery.’ I can’t believe it was a split decision. It was a very clear three rounds for Strickland, two rounds for Khamzat. That was it, and it was a great fight. I think Strickland did what most people thought he couldn’t do, but I just had the feeling being in there with both of these guys, both of them are phenomenal at what they do. I just think that Strickland was better being able to be all around than Khamzat in that fight.”

    On the question of a Chimaev rematch, Du Plessis was firm.

    “I don’t think he deserves a rematch. He definitely doesn’t because he has no title defenses, zero. So, it doesn’t justify a rematch at all, but it’s going to be interesting to see what he does next.”

    Du Plessis also offered a broader take on what Chimaev’s first career loss means for him going forward.

    “People don’t necessarily enjoy that fighting style, but he’s so dominant, he has been. This fight is going to go one of two ways for him. Is this going to break him or is this going to motivate him to say, ‘Listen, I can’t just rely on my wrestling, I need to fight MMA,’ because that is at the end of the day where this sport is heading. The wrestling guys have been so dominant that everybody’s starting to catch up.”

    Du Plessis lost his middleweight title to Chimaev and will look to re-enter the title picture in his next fight.

  • Max Holloway Warns Doubters On Conor McGregor Ahead Of UFC 329

    Max Holloway Warns Doubters On Conor McGregor Ahead Of UFC 329

    Max Holloway says Conor McGregor is still dangerous heading into their UFC 329 rematch and warned that anyone writing off the Irishman is making a mistake.

    Holloway is a significant betting favorite for the July 11 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but speaking on his Kick stream, he made clear he is not taking McGregor lightly.

    “It’s a hard fight. Conor’s still dangerous. You’d be dumb as hell to think he’s not.”

    Holloway said he has known about the fight for several months and found it difficult to keep quiet. He also addressed fighting at welterweight for the first time in his career, noting one clear upside.

    “I’m excited. I get to eat good all of camp. I get to eat what I want to eat. Imagine I miss weight at 170? Holy sh*t.”

    On whether he expected McGregor to come out talking trash ahead of the fight, Holloway had a simple response.

    “Of course. Why wouldn’t his mic skills be the same? Why wouldn’t they be?”

    McGregor defeated Holloway in their first meeting at UFC Fight Night 26 in August 2013. McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg at UFC 264 in July 2021.