MMA News

Category: UFC

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

  • ‘Heavyweight…Needs New Talent’ – Volkov Defeats Cortes-Acosta

    ‘Heavyweight…Needs New Talent’ – Volkov Defeats Cortes-Acosta

    In a battle of top heavyweight contenders that went down at UFC 328, Alexander Volkov managed to score a victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta.

    Volkov used leg kicks to his advantage in the opening round, landing a number of them on Cortes-Acosta. Cortes-Acosta landed some powerful shots, but Volkov’s volume and reach advantage helped him gain an early edge.

    Volkov did some damage in the second round as well, landing a solid right jab that pushed Cortes-Acosta back and a leg kick that gave a negative reaction from WCA. WCA, however, brought some power and pressure in the third round, giving it right back to Volkov.

    Volkov, however, did enough to earn the decision on the scorecards.

    Alexander Volkov Gets Decision Over Waldo Cortes-Acosta At UFC 328

    Volkov has now won six of his last seven fights. He came into this bout off a split decision victory over Jailton Almeida in another contender’s bout at UFC 321.

    This snaps a three-fight win streak for WCA. He went 5-1 in 2025, including a pair of knockout wins over Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev in November.

  • ‘Schooled’ – Sean Brady Dominates Joaquin Buckley On Ground

    ‘Schooled’ – Sean Brady Dominates Joaquin Buckley On Ground

    The ground game of Sean Brady seemed untouchable at UFC 328, as he put on an absolute clinic in a win over Joaquin Buckley.

    Brady scored four takedowns over the course of the 15-minute fight, gaining just over 12 minutes of control time. Buckley was able to get up at times, but Brady’s pressure just proved to be too much.

    Brady, in fact, landed 71 significant ground strikes and landed a total of 245 strikes during the bout. Brady swept the judges’ scorecards, with two judges giving Brady two 10-8 rounds for near finishes — both via TKO and submission.

    Sean Brady Shuts Out Joaquin Buckley At UFC 328

    Brady rebounds from his loss to Michael Morales at UFC 322. That loss had snapped a three-fight losing streak. The only other fighter to defeat Brady is former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

    Buckley has now dropped two fights, coming into this bout off a loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta in June 2025. That loss snapped a six-fight win streak Buckley was previously on.

  • Paulo Costa, Josh Hokit Forced To Be Separated At UFC 328

    Paulo Costa, Josh Hokit Forced To Be Separated At UFC 328

    After causing a stir at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference one day earlier, Josh Hokit was involved in a mid-crowd confrontation with Paulo Costa at UFC 328.

    Costa and Hokit got into a verbal confrontation while sitting in the crowd at the Prudential Center, with the two getting close to one another. Hokit appeared to try and take Costa’s drink from out of his hand, with security quickly stepping in to separate the pair.

    Costa had teased something happening between the two of them earlier in the day on social media.

    One day before UFC 328, Hokit was present for a press conference for UFC Freedom 250, hyping up his bout at the event with Derrick Lewis.

    Hokit called out Alex Pereira, mocking the idea of Pereira being the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” Pereira appeared to ignore Hokit’s tirade, with Ilia Topuria stepping in to fire expletives at Hokit, with Hokit giving them right back.

    Topuria then threw an object at Hokit, who was quickly escorted off the stage.

    Hokit, who has been divisive in the eyes of the MMA community since his arrival to the UFC, earned the opportunity to compete at UFC Freedom 250 after his win over Curtis Blaydes last month.

    UFC Freedom 250, which takes place on the lawn of the UFC White House, will occur on Sunday, June 14.

    Costa made a jump to light heavyweight last month, knocking out the previously undefeated Azamat Murzakanov.

  • Chris Weidman To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame Class of 2026

    Chris Weidman To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame Class of 2026

    Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, praised for his wrestling and responsible for one of the UFC’s biggest upsets, has been announced as the next inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame.

    Weidman’s induction into the Hall’s 2026 class was announced during UFC 328.

    Chris Weidman Joins UFC Hall Of Fame Class Of 2026

    Weidman was a standout wrestler at Hofstra University, earning the All-American status that served as the basis of his nickname. Weidman made his MMA debut in 2009, winning his first four bouts with Ring of Combat before joining the UFC.

    Weidman won five straight, including wins over Demian Maia and Mark Munoz, before challenging then-longtime reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 163.

    At that event, Weidman produced one of the UFC’s most memorable moments, knocking out a taunting Silva in the second round to become the new champion. Weidman then won the UFC 168 rematch after Silva broke his leg during the second round.

    Weidman then defended the gold against Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida before losing to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194. Weidman would only win three more times in his MMA career.

    Weidman also suffered a nasty leg break, as Silva did before him, suffering the injury against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. He’d successfully come back two years later, showcasing a major display of heart and determination to compete again.

    Weidman’s last fight came at UFC 310, losing to Eryk Anders.

    Weidman joins a Hall of Fame Class of 2026 that also includes Thomas Gerbasi, Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk I, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, Dominick Cruz, and Forrest Griffin Community Service Award winner Alex Pereira.

  • “One-Way Traffic” – King Green Dominates At UFC 328

    “One-Way Traffic” – King Green Dominates At UFC 328

    King Green continues to perform impressively at his age, needing just one round to defeat Jeremy Stephens at UFC 328.

    Green and Stephens looked to trade early, with Green getting the clear upper hand in strikes. After a pause for a low blow, Green scored a takedown, and the end seemed near at that point as Green got to work with strikes.

    After Stephens unsuccessfully attempted a kimura from the bottom, Green rained down heavy ground-and-pound before getting to Stephens’ back, scoring the first-round submission.

    King Green Runs Through Jeremy Stephens At UFC 328

    Green has now won three straight and improves to 35-17 (1 NC).

    Stephens has now lost three straight and has won just one MMA fight since mid-2018.

  • Ateba Gautier Puts Ozzy Diaz’s Lights Out At UFC 328

    Ateba Gautier Puts Ozzy Diaz’s Lights Out At UFC 328

    Mark off another win and another strong outing for Ateba Gautier, as he put Ozzy Diaz to sleep with a knockout win in the featured prelim of UFC 328.

    Diaz tried to test Gautier early, trying to defend Gautier’s power shots early by trying to work his grappling. Gautier continued to search for the perfect punch, finding success with the effective utilization of his jab.

    Finally, Gautier landed the shot he was looking for in round two, landing a right hand that dropped Diaz, prompting the referee to step in almost right away.

    Ateba Gautier KOs Ozzy Diaz At UFC 328

    Gautier has now won 10 straight, moving to 11-0 as a pro. He’s won all five fights he’s had in the UFC since making his promotional debut last year.

    Diaz is now 1-2 in the UFC, arriving after a pair of wins in the LFA. Diaz fought Joe Pyfer in the fight that earned Pyfer a UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

  • UFC Inducting Thomas Gerbasi Into Hall Of Fame Contributor Wing

    UFC Inducting Thomas Gerbasi Into Hall Of Fame Contributor Wing

    Thomas Gerbasi, the former longtime UFC Editorial Director who passed away in 2025, will be honored posthumously as the next inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

    Gerbasi was on the UFC’s editorial team for over 20 years, serving as an essential historian and record-keeper for everything that is the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    Gerbasi also contributed to several publications, including The Ring Magazine, ESPN, and the Boston Globe.

    “Tom was a close member of the UFC family and a very talented writer,” UFC CEO and President Dana White said in a statement.

    A New Yorker, Gerbasi graduated from St. John’s University before making a name for himself in the world of boxing content. Gerbasi eventually joined the UFC team and oversaw the official UFC website.

    Gerbasi’s boxing writing landed him a 2022 induction into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and the 2024 Nat Fleischer Award.

    Gerbasi also authored a number of works, including UFC: A Visual History,The UFC Encyclopedia,The Official UFC Fan Guide, and Boxing: The 100 Greatest Fighters.

    Gerbasi joins a 2026 Hall of Fame class that includes Dominick Cruz, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk I, and Forrest Griffin Community Award winner Alex Pereira.

  • Slam, Submission, Break Dancing: Amosov Celebrates 2nd UFC Win

    Slam, Submission, Break Dancing: Amosov Celebrates 2nd UFC Win

    Yaroslav Amosov’s encore UFC performance saw another impressive outing, as the former Bellator welterweight champion submitted Joel Alvarez during the UFC 328 prelims.

    Amosov was dominant with his wrestling throughout the fight. Even as Alvarez tried to keep distance and work Amosov into exchanges, he was continuously taken down by Amosov, who dominated with positioning and strikes on the ground and against the fence.

    This led to the highlight finishing sequence in round two, where Amosov landed a slam before immediately jumping into a head-and-arm choke submission position. Amosov scored the submission win and promptly celebrated with break dancing.

    Yaroslav Amosov Lands Slam And Submission At UFC 328

    Amosov made his UFC debut in December, scoring a first-round submission of Neil Magny. Amosov is now 30-1 as a pro MMA fighter, with his sole loss coming when he dropped the Bellator title to Jason Jackson at Bellator 301.

    Alvarez sees a four-fight win streak snapped.

  • ‘Legendary’ – Jim Miller Extends UFC Wins Record At UFC 328

    ‘Legendary’ – Jim Miller Extends UFC Wins Record At UFC 328

    At 42 years old, Jim Miller continues to raise his legacy, adding to his UFC win record with a first-round submission of Jared Gordon during the UFC 328 prelims.

    Miller came right after Gordon with his striking, landing with quite a few heavy punches early. Gordon tried to pick up momentum by catching a kick from Miller, using it to execute a takedown.

    Miller, however, was ready, and he quickly locked up a guillotine choke, scoring the first-round submission.

    Jim Miller Submits Jared Gordon At UFC 329

    The win was Miller’s 39th of his MMA career and 28th in the UFC, extending the UFC record for most career wins.

    The New Jersey native is now 2-2 in his last four and 4-2 in his last six.

    Gordon, meanwhile, is now winless in four of his last six.

  • Ariel Helwani Predicts Imminent Conor McGregor Fight Announcement

    Ariel Helwani Predicts Imminent Conor McGregor Fight Announcement

    Ariel Helwani believes the UFC will announce Conor McGregor’s return to the octagon within the next 24 hours, potentially during or after UFC 328. The MMA journalist expressed confidence in his earlier reporting about the former two-division champion’s comeback.

    Helwani addressed skeptics of his previous McGregor report Friday night at a special live show he hosted in New York City.

    “He didn’t believe my report about Conor McGregor, and I’m about to rub it in his face when they announce it in the next 24 or so hours,” Helwani stated.

    UFC CEO Dana White recently fueled speculation about McGregor’s return. Earlier this week, White said he was “extremely confident” the fighter would compete this summer, citing “a lot of great things going on behind-the-scenes.”

    McGregor Training Footage Builds Anticipation

    McGregor has been inactive for nearly five years but continues to generate buzz with training footage on social media. At 37 years old, “The Notorious” posted recent clips showcasing his preparation.

    The former UFC double champion is rumored to face Max Holloway on the International Fight Week card. McGregor has also been the most tested fighter on the roster this year, suggesting an imminent return to competition.

    If Helwani’s prediction proves accurate, the announcement could come as early as this weekend during UFC 328 festivities.

  • UFC 328: Abnormal Betting Patterns Reported on Welterweight Fight

    UFC 328: Abnormal Betting Patterns Reported on Welterweight Fight

    Unusual betting activity has been flagged ahead of tonight’s UFC 328 welterweight bout between Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. According to sports betting analyst Dave Mason of Betag, abnormal patterns from highly monitored accounts have prompted sportsbooks to close prop markets and reduce limits on the main betting line.

    The betting movement has been significant. Buckley, who opened as an underdog, has surged to a -205 favorite after the suspicious activity was detected. Mason reported the shift on social media, noting that the patterns originated from accounts flagged for previous sharp betting behavior.

    Market Restrictions Implemented

    Sportsbooks have responded by closing all prop betting markets for the fight and implementing low limits on the main moneyline. These measures are typically reserved for contests where operators suspect insider information or coordinated betting activity that could indicate advance knowledge of a fighter’s condition or strategy.

    The Brady vs. Buckley matchup serves as a key welterweight eliminator on the UFC 328 card. Brady enters with a professional record built on his grappling credentials, while Buckley has established himself as a knockout artist with highlight-reel finishes throughout his UFC tenure.

    Neither the UFC nor the Nevada State Athletic Commission has commented on the betting irregularities. The fight remains scheduled to proceed as planned on tonight’s card.

  • UFC 328 Results: Chimaev vs Strickland Live Updates & Highlights

    MMA News updates UFC 328 results and highlights live as the action unfolds from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event will feature Khamzat Chimaev defending the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!

    Chimaev vs Strickland: Middleweight Title Fight

    The undefeated Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable in the sport, especially since his 2020 UFC debut. Tonight marks Chimaev’s first UFC title defense after defeating Dricus Du Plessis to become the middleweight champion at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland enters this fight with five wins in his last seven fights, including a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston. This marks his fourth middleweight title fight in his last six bouts. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the belt at UFC 293 but dropped the title to Du Plessis at UFC 297. He then lost a rematch with DDP at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also feature gold at stake, as Joshua Van puts the UFC flyweight championship on the line against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van has won six straight and is 9-1 in the UFC. This is his first title defense since winning the title from Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 323. On that same card, Taira, who is 18-1 in his MMA career, scored a finish of former champion Brandon Moreno.

    If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC 328!

    How to Watch UFC 328

    • Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
    • Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
    • Streaming: Paramount+
    • Prelims: 5 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT
    • Late Prelims: 7 PM ET / 4 PM PT
    • Main Card: 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT

    UFC 328 Quick Results

    • Main: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland — Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)
    • Co-Main: Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira — Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)
    • Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta — Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
    • Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley — Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)
    • King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens — King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    UFC 328 Results & Highlights

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    Flyweight: Jose Ochoa def. Clayton Carpenter via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

    Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev def. Djorden Santos via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:12)

    Featherweight: Pat Sabatini def. William Gomis via unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 29-28)

    Middleweight: Roman Kopylov def. Marco Tulio via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    Lightweight: Jim Miller def. Jared Gordon via submission (guillotine choke) (Rd. 1, 3:29)

    Lightweight: Grant Dawson def. Mateusz Rebecki via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 3, 4:42)

    Welterweight: Yaroslav Amosov def. Joel Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle choke) (Rd. 2, 1:13)

    Middleweight: Ateba Gautier def. Ozzy Diaz via KO (Rd. 2, 1:10)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    Lightweight: King Green def. Jeremy Stephens via submission (rear-naked choke) (Rd. 1, 4:20)

    Welterweight: Sean Brady def. Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision (30-25 x2, 30-27)

    Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

    Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van def. Tatsuro Taira via TKO (Rd. 5, 1:32)

    Middleweight Championship: Sean Strickland def. Khamzat Chimaev via split decision (48-47 x2, 47-48)

  • UFC Freedom 250 Face-Offs

    UFC Freedom 250 Face-Offs

    The UFC held its first press conference for UFC Freedom 250 on Friday in Newark, New Jersey, with all 14 fighters on the June 14 White House card in attendance and face-offs between the main and co-main event competitors taking center stage.

    Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria and interim titleholder Justin Gaethje headlined the staredowns as they prepare for their title unification bout, which will determine the undisputed lightweight champion. Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane also faced off ahead of their interim heavyweight title fight in the co-main event.

    Twelve of the 14 fighters participated in staredowns at the press conference itself. The main and co-main event fighters had previously faced off earlier in the week during a promotional appearance on the White House lawn, making Friday’s event a second look at the matchups that will headline the historic card.

    You can watch the full press conference on the UFC’s YouTube channel.

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C., streaming on Paramount+.

  • Ilia Topuria Says Tsarukyan’s Words Mean Nothing: ‘You Don’t Take the Words of a Child Personally’

    Ilia Topuria Says Tsarukyan’s Words Mean Nothing: ‘You Don’t Take the Words of a Child Personally’

    Ilia Topuria is not losing any sleep over Arman Tsarukyan’s role as the official backup fighter for UFC Freedom 250, and he made his feelings about the situation abundantly clear at Friday’s press conference in Newark.

    Speaking during a media scrum, Topuria was asked about Tsarukyan’s presence and whether the rivalry between the two makes things feel more personal heading into fight week.

    “It absolutely doesn’t matter to me. The only thing that’s important to me is that everything goes smoothly. No matter what, I’ll be in that cage. Whether they put Justin, Arman, or you in front of me, it doesn’t matter. I’ll be there, and the outcome will be the same for everyone.”

    When a follow-up question suggested Tsarukyan had made things personal, Topuria dismissed the premise entirely.

    “Personal? You don’t take the words of a child personally. Arman can say whatever he wants, he can dedicate his whole day to me. What can I say? I don’t take anything personally. You have to be a little stupid to take things personally.”

    Dana White confirmed Tsarukyan’s backup role earlier this week, meaning the Armenian contender will step in to face either Topuria or Gaethje if either man is forced to withdraw from the card before fight night.

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C.

  • Fighter Removed From UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference After Topuria Incident

    Fighter Removed From UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference After Topuria Incident

    Josh Hokit turned the UFC Freedom 250 press conference into something nobody in attendance was expecting on Friday, getting ejected from the event after a confrontation with lightweight champion Ilia Topuria that required security intervention and ended with Hokit being escorted out of the building.

    Hokit, a late addition to the card facing Derrick Lewis in a preliminary heavyweight bout, entered the press conference in character and began directing rhymes and insults at Lewis in his usual style. Lewis showed no reaction. Hokit then turned his attention to Alex Pereira, who was similarly unbothered. That is when Topuria, seated next to Pereira, decided he had heard enough.

    As Hokit continued targeting Pereira with insults, Topuria spoke out against the behavior. That prompted Hokit to redirect at the lightweight champion directly.

    “Fk you, you fing little bh! I’m the real BMF belt! Little short midget! Come up to a real weight class! I’ll give it to anybody! I don’t give a fk!”

    Topuria rose from his seat as though prepared to get physical with the heavyweight. Security stepped in before the two could reach each other, and the situation appeared to settle momentarily. It reignited when Topuria threw an object toward Hokit, prompting security to escort Hokit out of the event entirely.

    After Hokit left, Pereira and Topuria shook hands, and Dana White brought the press conference to a close. Derrick Lewis got one final word in before the stage cleared for faceoffs.

    “I got him.”

    Because of his ejection, Hokit and Lewis did not face off at the event. You can watch the confrontation below: 

    UFC Freedom 250 takes place June 14 at the White House South Lawn in Washington D.C., streaming on Paramount+.

  • WATCH: Ilia Topuria And Josh Hokit Nearly Throw Down Before Security Intervention At UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference

    WATCH: Ilia Topuria And Josh Hokit Nearly Throw Down Before Security Intervention At UFC Freedom 250 Press Conference

    UFC Freedom 250’s press conference in Newark completely descended into chaos after heavyweight contender Josh Hokit launched into an explosive tirade aimed at multiple fighters on stage before security was forced to remove him from the event.

    The press conference, held Friday at the Prudential Center ahead of the historic White House card on June 14, initially followed the usual format as fighters answered questions. But things spiraled once Hokit grabbed the microphone.

    The outspoken heavyweight, who is scheduled to face Derrick Lewis at UFC Freedom 250, first began directing trash talk toward Alex Pereira. “Poatan”, however, appeared largely unfazed by the comments and barely reacted as Hokit attempted to provoke him.

    As Hokit continued ranting, Ilia Topuria interrupted from his seat, which immediately sent the situation into chaos.

    “I’m gonna Chama on yo mama,” Hokit shouted while pointing toward Pereira. “Look how I speak to him, like my dog, like my b*tch. F*uck you.”

    “El Matador” immediately fired back from his seat.

    “F*ck you, little b*tch. Sit down,” the reiging lightweight champion responded.

    Security Forced To Intervene After Josh Hokit And Ilia Topuria Nearly Clash

    Instead of backing down, Hokit continued jawing at Topuria and pushed the confrontation even further.

    “Ilia Topuria you shouldn’t find your wife in Miami,” Hokit yelled, triggering an immediate reaction inside the room.

    The two fighters quickly rose from their seats and came face-to-face before security rushed in to separate them. Multiple guards surrounded the stage as tensions escalated, eventually escorting Hokit out before the press conference could completely unravel.

    The heavyweight contender was removed so abruptly that he never even got the opportunity to face off with Lewis afterward.

    UFC Freedom 250 is scheduled to take place on June 14 in Washington, D.C., with Topuria set to headline the event against Justin Gaethje while Pereira faces Ciryl Gane in the co-main event for the interim heavyweight championship.

  • Dana White Puts Chimaev vs. Strickland in His Top Three All-Time UFC Feuds

    Dana White Puts Chimaev vs. Strickland in His Top Three All-Time UFC Feuds

    Dana White has placed the Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland rivalry among the worst cases of bad blood in UFC history, ranking it third on his all-time list after an extraordinary press conference on Thursday in Newark that ended with Chimaev kicking Strickland during their faceoff.

    Speaking on Nina Drama’s Kick stream following the press conference, White gave his full take on where the feud sits historically.

    “It was what I expected. It was great. Highly anticipated fight, finally going to happen on Saturday. All that really matters is that the fight is a good fight. But sometimes, guys are very respectful, and they’re chill and whatever. And sometimes they’re today. The great thing about press conferences is there’s a wide range. It’s not all the same sh*t all the time. But for this one, this is one of the worst cases of bad blood ever. I put it No. 2 on the all-time list.”

    He then reconsidered when prompted to recall the full history between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier, which included a legitimate fistfight in the lobby of the MGM Grand while guests were checking in.

    “Jones and Cormier is a good one. That’s a good point. Complete fistfight in the middle of the MGM Grand. Actually, you’re right. That’s probably No. 2. I forgot there was a fist fight in the lobby of the MGM while people were checking into their hotel. I would put Chimaev vs. Strickland at 3.”

    The number one spot belongs to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, a rivalry that produced the bus window incident in Brooklyn and the post-fight brawl at UFC 229 when Nurmagomedov jumped out of the cage. White was clear about why nothing else tops that.

    “Conor-Khabib No. 1. And the only reason Conor-Khabib is No. 1 is Brooklyn, and then what happened after the fight. We made some mistakes, obviously, leading up to that fight and after that fight. And we won’t do that again.”

    White also mentioned Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans as well as Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock as rivalries worthy of inclusion in any extended top five conversation. On the faceoff incident itself, White acknowledged he did not anticipate Chimaev going that far while holding the champion back.

    “I had his arm, Khamzat’s arms, and I didn’t think he’d kick him. I didn’t think he was going to do anything. I thought it was going to be a lot of yelling and back-and-forth. That’s the most we will fail this weekend. That’s the most we will fail.”

  • Joaquin Buckley Calls His UFC 328 Fight Against Sean Brady ‘Match Made in Heaven’

    Joaquin Buckley Calls His UFC 328 Fight Against Sean Brady ‘Match Made in Heaven’

    Joaquin Buckley has spent 11 months away from the Octagon, reflecting, growing, and preparing for what he views as a statement moment, and he is arriving at UFC 328 with the conviction that Saturday night’s bout against Sean Brady marks the beginning of a world title run.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of the Newark card, Buckley addressed the lengthy absence with characteristic positivity, framing everything that happened in the gap, including the loss to Kamaru Usman at UFC Atlanta last June, as part of a larger process.

    “Everything a blessing in disguise, brother. Everything’s a blessing in disguise. I like how you put that. It’s been busy. I’ve been keeping myself busy when it comes to just the small things, man. I had some losses in my career. Even though I took an L, man, I went to RAF and did that as well, man, going up against Pat Downey, just being able to do some random stuff, man. But things that I think really, kind of, applied great experience, that I could take with me into the octagon. So there’s been a lot of great things that happened in this past 10, 11 months now.”

    Buckley’s 2024 campaign was one of the year’s best stories in MMA, culminating in back-to-back finishes of Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. The Usman loss interrupted that momentum, but did not derail his belief in where he is headed.

    He described the Brady matchup as ideal for both fighters at this stage of their respective trajectories, with both men looking to reassert themselves in a loaded welterweight division after suffering setbacks.

    “To be honest with you, man, this is going to be one of those good type of fights that I’ll get everything just flowing. But Sean Brady, I know that he’s not going to be no scrub. I know that he’s not going to be no punk. He’s going to go out there and make it a fight, and he’s going to try to look for his takedowns and look for his clinch opportunities, and that’s what we’re looking for. We want to get close. No rush, no picking of the fighters or my own willing to fight somebody different. I think Sean Brady and myself is a match made in heaven. That’s all I’m going to say: It’s a match made in heaven. After this fight, he definitely got to unblock me on social media, man. He blocked me. He still got me blocked. But I respect him because at the end of the day, I can’t do what I want to do without an opponent, and obviously, he signed that contract, so I have nothing but respect for that man once we step in there.”

    Buckley was equally clear about what he believes Saturday night ultimately represents, both for his career and for the fans watching.

    “I feel like the headline is going to be a reintroduction of Joaquin Buckley for the UFC and Paramount. I’m being reintroduced to a new fan base since being out for 11 months, and I truly believe that this is the time that I really get to prove to the world who I am and what I’m capable of doing, and truthfully, why I will be the next world champion in the welterweight division. So it’s a reintroduction to Joaquin Buckley in the UFC.”

    UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Cody Garbrandt Returns at UFC 329

    Cody Garbrandt Returns at UFC 329

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is returning at International Fight Week, with multiple sources confirming to MMA Fighting that he will face Adrian Yanez at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

    Garbrandt most recently defeated Xiao Long by unanimous decision at UFC 326 in March, getting back in the win column after a submission loss to former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300 in April 2024 and a decision defeat to Raoni Barcelos at UFC Atlanta last June. Since winning the bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz at UFC 207 in December 2016, Garbrandt has gone 4-7 inside the Octagon.

    Yanez had one of the most impressive starts to a UFC career in recent memory after earning his contract on Dana White’s Contender Series, winning his first five promotional bouts and collecting performance bonuses in all five. Since then his results have been inconsistent, with one win in his last five appearances. His most recent outing ended in a controversial majority draw against Ricky Simon at UFC Seattle.

    UFC 329 takes place July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is expected to be headlined by Conor McGregor’s return against Max Holloway.

  • UFC Boss Dana White Says Men Shouldn’t Publicly Share Their Emotional Struggles Online

    UFC Boss Dana White Says Men Shouldn’t Publicly Share Their Emotional Struggles Online

    Dana White is drawing heavy backlash online after making controversial comments about men’s mental health and modern masculinity during a recent podcast appearance.

    Speaking on The Katie Miller Podcast, White criticized what he described as the growing culture of men publicly discussing emotional struggles on social media.

    The longtime UFC boss argued that men are expected to serve as providers and leaders for their families, suggesting that openly sharing personal hardships online projects weakness. Dana White also weighed in on the ” toxic masculinity ” debate.

    “I hate this whole men’s mental health stuff that they talk about,” White said. “Unfortunately, when you’re a man, you are the provider, you can’t be that guy posting on social media, ‘Oh I had a bad day and I’m so sad.’ It’s unattractive to other males, let alone women.”

    The comments quickly sparked debate across social media, with many criticizing White for discouraging men from speaking openly about mental health issues. Others defended the UFC CEO, arguing he was emphasizing personal responsibility and traditional masculinity rather than dismissing mental health entirely.

    Dana White Also Weighed In On “Toxic Masculinity” Debate

    The conversation expanded beyond mental health as White discussed what he sees as the changing role of young men in modern society. Referencing the COVID era and broader cultural shifts, he claimed many men have felt “displaced” in recent years.

    “These young men, I think, we went through COVID and the whole woke era and all the weird sh*t that went on during that period,” White said. “A lot of the young males felt displaced.”

    The UFC head honcho also mocked criticism surrounding so-called “toxic masculinity,” a term frequently associated with online debates about gender roles and modern male culture.

    “I grew up in the 80s when men were men,” White said. “Now it’s a whole other world out there.”

    During the discussion, podcast host Katie Miller suggested many women still ultimately want men who fulfill traditional protector and provider roles. White agreed strongly with that viewpoint.

    “It is never, ever going to change,” White said. “I don’t care how powerful a woman is, what she does. Women want to be taken care of, treated right, and they want to feel safe. It’s a man’s job to do all that.”

  • TKO President Says UFC Has “Never Been Stronger” Despite Fans Complaining About Recent Fight Cards Quality

    TKO President Says UFC Has “Never Been Stronger” Despite Fans Complaining About Recent Fight Cards Quality

    Mark Shapiro is dismissing growing criticism surrounding the UFC’s recent run of events, insisting the promotion remains stronger than ever despite increasing complaints from fans about card quality.

    Over the past several months, frustration has steadily built online regarding UFC matchmaking, particularly with smaller Fight Night cards and the growing number of relatively unknown fighters appearing on major events. The criticism has only intensified since the UFC began its new broadcast era with Paramount earlier this year.

    Still, Shapiro made it clear during a recent TKO financial call that the company does not believe the product has declined.

    “Look, bottom line is we don’t buy it,” Shapiro said. “Let’s just start with this premise. The product is great at the UFC, the brand has never been stronger, our reach has never been greater, so the foundational elements of UFC are in concrete.”

    TKO Believes UFC Is Simply Entering New Era Of Stars

    Shapiro pointed to recent events like UFC 327 and the UFC’s Perth card as examples of why the company remains confident in the direction of the promotion.

    “Anyone that came to our last numbered fight in Miami, which was UFC 327, was flat-out blown away,” Shapiro said. “Or anyone that went to our last Fight Night, which happened to be last week in Perth, Australia.”

    Rather than seeing the current roster transition as a weakness, Shapiro argued that the UFC is in the middle of building its next generation of stars.

    “We are always building in the UFC,” he said. “We find the best up-and-coming talent around the world and we match them continually in the best fights.”

    Shapiro specifically highlighted rising names such as Joshua Van, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales as examples of the promotion’s future direction.

    “There’s a huge movement right now with all these young fighters coming up in the ranks,” Shapiro said. “Many of them are taking over slots in the top 10 from guys that have been names in the rankings for years.”

    He also referenced the UFC’s upcoming White House event, UFC Freedom 250, which is expected to be one of the biggest cards of the year and will feature lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event.

    “It’s all very cyclical,” Shapiro added while addressing the criticism. “With any sport, there’s natural ebbs and flows.”

  • Henry Cejudo Shares Controversial Opinion On Alex Pereira’s Place In UFC History

    Henry Cejudo Shares Controversial Opinion On Alex Pereira’s Place In UFC History

    Henry Cejudo believes Alex Pereira is already building one of the greatest résumés in UFC history, but he still isn’t ready to place “Poatan” at the very top of the all-time list.

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Cejudo and Kamaru Usman discussed what the Brazilian’s legacy could look like if he defeats Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC White House on June 14.

    A victory would potentially make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships across three different weight classes after previously winning titles at middleweight and light heavyweight.

    Despite acknowledging the magnitude of that achievement, “Triple C” stopped short of calling Pereira the greatest fighter ever.

    “He’s in the top 5 greatest of all time,” Cejudo said.

    Henry Cejudo Questions Alex Pereira’s Path To UFC titles

    When Usman pushed back and suggested that becoming a three-division champion should automatically place Pereira at No. 1, Cejudo argued that Pereira’s road to championship opportunities differs from many of the sport’s legendary figures.

    “No, because there’s a big difference because he was kind of pushed to the title at 185,” Cejudo said. “He was pushed to the title at light heavyweight. And now he’s being pushed to the title.”

    “It’s different when you actually run through the weight class like you did, like Jon Jones did, that sh*t is f*cking hard,” he continued. “Now, if you’re able to do that, go up, run through the next one, go up, run through that next one, that’s a big difference. I’m not hating, I’m just telling the truth.”

    Still, Pereira’s accomplishments since joining the UFC have been remarkable.

    After arriving from kickboxing in 2021, “Poatan” rapidly climbed through the middleweight division before knocking out Israel Adesanya to win the 185-pound title. He later moved to light heavyweight, where he captured another championship and scored high-profile victories over fighters such as Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev, and Khalil Rountree Jr.

  • UFC Veteran Explains Why Alex Pereira Could Struggle in Heavyweight Debut Against Ciryl Gane

    UFC Veteran Explains Why Alex Pereira Could Struggle in Heavyweight Debut Against Ciryl Gane

    Alexander Volkov isn’t fully convinced that Alex Pereira’s highly anticipated move to heavyweight will go as smoothly as many fans expect.

    The former two-division champion is set to make his heavyweight debut on June 14 at UFC Freedom Fights 250, where he’ll face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight championship while undisputed titleholder Tom Aspinall continues recovering from an eye injury.

    While much of the MMA world has rallied behind the Brazilian’s pursuit of a third UFC title in a new division, Volkov believes Gane’s style could create serious problems for “Poatan.”

    Speaking during UFC 328 media day in Newark, “Drago” explained why he currently favors the French heavyweight in the matchup.

    “Honestly, Ciryl is more favorite right now,” Volkov said. “He has really great footwork. I respect Alex Pereira and his power, but I don’t know how he will show up in the heavyweight division, and I don’t know how he will do with Ciryl Gane’s style in the octagon

    Alexander Volkov Questions Whether Alex Pereira Can Solve Ciryl Gane’s Movement

    Volkov pointed specifically to Gane’s mobility and movement-heavy striking approach as a potential nightmare matchup for Pereira.

    “Because Pereira needs to pressure the guy and work on counterattacks, and Ciryl Gane don’t give him the opportunity,” Volkov said. “He just punches and kicks and moves a lot. It’s a hard thing for Alex Pereira to solve in the fight. I’m not sure he can do this.”

    Volkov’s opinion carries weight, given his own history with Gane. The Russian heavyweight fought the former interim champion back in 2024 and lost a razor-close split decision, many observers felt could have gone the other way.

    Outside of that defeat, Volkov has quietly built one of the strongest recent runs in the heavyweight division, winning five of his last six fights heading into his UFC 328 clash with Waldo Cortes-Acosta this weekend.

  • Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White Doesn’t Want Dillon Danis Anywhere Near UFC 328 Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Fight Week Chaos

    Dana White has once again made it clear that Dillon Danis is not welcome anywhere near the UFC, especially during one of the most volatile fight weeks the promotion has seen in years.

    Speaking during a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s KICK stream, White joked — while also sounding genuinely cautious — about the possibility of Danis showing up at UFC 328 in Newark this weekend amid the already explosive tensions surrounding Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    “Dillon, if you show up on Saturday, maybe the Muslim Brotherhood will be so focused on you they won’t be able to go after Sean,” White said.

    The comment comes as security has already been heavily increased throughout UFC 328 fight week following repeated hostile exchanges between Chimaev and Strickland.

    The two middleweights nearly erupted into a physical altercation during Thursday’s press conference, where “Borz” kicked Strickland during an intense faceoff that immediately triggered a massive security response.

    UFC 322 Crowd Brawl Still Hangs Over Dillon Danis

    White’s warning also ties directly back to the chaos that unfolded at UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden late last year.

    During the event, “El Jefe” became involved in a massive crowd brawl linked to members of Islam Makhachev’s entourage after allegedly provoking them cageside. Videos from the incident appeared to show multiple people throwing punches inside the packed arena.

    Several fighters connected to Team Makhachev were reportedly involved in the altercation, including Abubakar Nurmagomedov and Magomed Zaynukov, also known online as “John Pork.”

    The UFC CEO later publicly blamed Danis for the incident and announced that the polarizing fighter would never attend another UFC event again.

  • Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    Watch the UFC 328: Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland Weigh-Ins

    We are now just one day shy of UFC 328, which will see the highly intense middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. Get the latest from all of today’s weigh-ins in New Jersey here with MMANews!

    This will be the first title defense for Chimaev, who has been seemingly unstoppable since he arrived in the UFC in 2020. Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis to win the middleweight title at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland comes into this title fight off his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston three months ago. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293 but dropped the belt to Du Plessis at UFC 297. Strickland lost again to DDP in a championship rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will also have gold at stake when Joshua Van defends the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira.

    Van had a memorable 2025, culminating in him defeating Alexandre Pantoja via injury to become the champion at UFC 323 this past December. The one-loss Taira, meanwhile, earned this title shot by finishing former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    UFC 328 Official And Ceremonial Weigh-Ins

    You can find the YouTube video to view the UFC’s official UFC 328 Morning Weigh-In Show below.

    The Morning Weigh-In show begins at 8:50am ET/5:50am PT.

    You can watch the UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In in the video player below.

    The UFC 328 Ceremonial Weigh-In begins at 6pm ET/3pm PT.