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Category: UFC

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

  • Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira Makes Surprise Pick For Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Alex Pereira is backing Sean Strickland to shock the MMA world this weekend at UFC 328.

    Strickland enters Saturday’s main event in Newark as a sizable underdog against undefeated middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev, but Pereira believes his former opponent and training partner has the tools to make things extremely difficult for “Borz.”

    During the UFC 328 Countdown, “Poatan” reflected on how his perception of Strickland changed after sharing the Octagon and later training with him.

    “Before our fight, I saw him differently,” Pereira said. “But once he stepped into the octagon, you could see it on his face. He was a different guy. He’s a warrior.”

    The Brazilian knockout artist famously stopped Strickland at UFC 276 to earn his shot at the middleweight title. But after the fight, the two eventually developed mutual respect and spent time training together at the UFC Performance Institute.

    “The first time we trained together was after our fight,” Pereira explained. “I learned a lot from those sessions. He’s got a lot of experience. He knows his craft.”

    Alex Pereira Believes Sean Strickland’s Jab Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev

    Pereira specifically pointed to Strickland’s relentless pressure and jab-heavy style as key weapons heading into the title fight.

    “He’s always moving forward, firing that jab,” Pereira said. “That’s a great weapon he has.”

    The former two-division UFC champion also offered strategic advice for how Strickland can potentially neutralize Chimaev’s wrestling-heavy attack.

    “He’s got to stay composed, keep pressing forward, stay alert, watch out for the takedowns, and use his jab and front kick,” Pereira said. “I’m really excited and motivated for this fight, and I hope he gets the win.”

    While “Poatan” is focused on supporting Strickland this weekend, he also has a historic opportunity looming next month.

    On June 14, Pereira is scheduled to face Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title at UFC Freedom 250 in Washington, D.C. A victory would make Pereira the first fighter in UFC history to capture championships across three different divisions since joining the promotion in 2021.


  • UFC 328’s Jeremy Stephens Questions Why Promotion Isn’t Giving Fighters $500,000 Bonuses

    UFC 328’s Jeremy Stephens Questions Why Promotion Isn’t Giving Fighters $500,000 Bonuses

    Jeremy Stephens isn’t convinced the UFC’s newly increased bonus payouts are nearly enough, especially considering how much bigger the company has become since the start of his career.

    Ahead of his UFC 328 showdown against King Green this weekend in Newark, Stephens spoke candidly about fighter compensation during an interview with Full Send MMA.

    The longtime UFC veteran, who made his promotional debut back in 2007, argued that the promotion’s current $100,000 post-fight bonuses still fail to reflect the UFC’s financial growth over the years.

    “Now it is just corporations,” Stephens said. “They are like, here you go, $50 gs here, $50 gs here, and now it is $100 gs, but they were already doing that in 2007 at UFC 71 when I started my UFC career.”

    “Lil’ Heathen” questioned why bonus money has not scaled more dramatically despite the UFC becoming a multi-billion-dollar business.

    “So what the fu*k happened to the money?” Stephens asked. “Where is the budget guy on this, because the UFC is making all this money? Why aren’t we getting $500,000 bonuses?”

    Jeremy Stephens Misses Old “Dana Duffle Bag” Era

    While the UFC recently doubled its standard performance bonuses under the Paramount era, Stephens suggested fighters were often rewarded more generously behind the scenes in previous years.

    “You are basically giving out what you gave out thirty years ago,” Stephens said. “For me, that doesn’t make sense; it is just really corporate. Back in the day, it was the ‘Dana duffle bag,’ bring back the good old days.”

    The 39-year-old Iowa native also reflected on how sponsorship changes altered relationships between fighters and brands. Before exclusive outfitting deals with companies like Reebok and later Venum, fighters were allowed to secure and display their own sponsors inside the Octagon.

    “Before the UFC sponsors took over, I had my own sponsors,” Stephens explained. “I had relationships, communication, and networking. There was so much more availability that opened up bigger platforms.”

    “Now I get a check from someone I don’t even know,” he continued. “I kinda miss that intimate relationship you have with the sponsors and their families.”

  • Tatsuro Taira Plans To End Japan’s Long Wait For UFC Champion With Potential Win At UFC 328

    Tatsuro Taira Plans To End Japan’s Long Wait For UFC Champion With Potential Win At UFC 328

    Tatsuro Taira believes he has the opportunity to accomplish something no Japanese fighter has ever achieved inside the UFC.

    This Saturday at UFC 328, Taira will challenge Joshua Van for the flyweight title in the co-main event at the Prudential Center in Newark. Despite entering as the challenger, oddsmakers currently favor “The Best” to leave New Jersey with championship gold.

    For the 25-year-old contender, the fight represents far more than a personal milestone.

    “It’s my dream and also Japanese fans’,” Taira said during UFC 328 media day. “Japanese fans have been waiting for the UFC belt. I will win and bring the UFC belt back to Japan. I’m ready to seize this opportunity.”

    Tatsuro Taira Looking To Make UFC History For Japan

    Japan has produced some of the most influential fighters in MMA history, but the country has never crowned an undisputed UFC champion despite several close attempts over the years.

    Seasoned veterans such as Kyoji Horiguchi, Kai Asakura, and Yushin Okami all came close to reaching the top of the UFC mountain, but none were ultimately able to capture a title.

    “The Best” now has the chance to change that.

    The Japanese standout enters UFC 328 with an impressive 18-1 professional record and an 8-1 mark inside the UFC. His lone career defeat came in a narrow decision loss to Brandon Royval in 2024

    Since then, Taira has continued building momentum and most recently earned a statement victory to secure his title shot against Van.

    Beyond winning the championship, Taira also hopes his success could help bring the UFC back to Japan for the first time in nearly a decade.

    “I must be the person,” Taira said. “After I win the belt, I want to help bring a big, big UFC event to Japan.”

    The UFC last held an event in Japan back in 2017, and Taira believes becoming champion could reignite the promotion’s presence in one of MMA’s most historic markets.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev Reveals Big Plans Beyond Sean Strickland At UFC 328

    Khamzat Chimaev may already be looking beyond the middleweight division before even making his first title defense.

    The undefeated champion is set to headline UFC 328 this weekend against bitter rival Sean Strickland in Newark, New Jersey. But during fight week, Chimaev hinted that Saturday night could potentially mark his final appearance at 185 pounds.

    When asked by reporters whether the Strickland fight might be his last middleweight bout, Chimaev gave a humorous but revealing answer.

    “I hope so,” Chimaev said. “I like to eat pizza. We will see.”

    Khamzat Chimaev Targeting Bigger Fights After UFC 328

    While Chimaev remains focused on settling his grudge with Strickland, he made it clear that future plans already include possible moves to light heavyweight — or even heavyweight.

    The undefeated Chechen specifically mentioned Alex Pereira as one of the names he’s interested in fighting if “Poatan” returns to 205 pounds following his upcoming interim heavyweight title clash with Ciryl Gane at the White House event in June.

    “I just want big fights,” Chimaev explained. “Alex Pereira, if he gonna lose to Ciryl Gane, he gonna come back down. He’s big fight too, big name. If not, I’m gonna go to heavyweight.”

    “I need big names, big money,” he added.

    Chimaev also suggested he no longer sees many compelling challenges remaining at middleweight. With contenders like Nassourdine Imavov already holding losses to Strickland, the champion questioned whether continuing to defend the belt against the same cycle of contenders would truly add to his legacy.

    “Even Sean is not a big thing for me because the guy I beat before him for all five rounds — Dricus du Plessis beat him twice,” Chimaev said. “If I stay here, I beat Sean, and then I beat Nassourdine Imavov — Imavov got beat by Sean — what’s the point? Are we just going around in circles playing Russian Roulette?”

  • UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    UFC 328 Fighter Says He Couldn’t Sleep For Days After Ex-Girlfriend Allegedly Stole $300,000 Worth Of Jewelry

    King Green says he’s entering UFC 328 carrying far more frustration than usual after allegedly losing $300,000 worth of jewelry in what he described as a betrayal by an ex-girlfriend.

    Speaking during Wednesday’s UFC 328 media day in Newark, Green unexpectedly opened up about the situation while discussing his motivation heading into Saturday’s lightweight matchup against Jeremy Stephens.

    “I just lost $300,000 in jewelry,” Green revealed. “So I got to make up and get some more monies. I’m hot right now, bro. I’ve really been through a lot right now lately. It’s been a real dark path.”

    The veteran fighter later explained that the alleged theft happened shortly after moving into a new home. According to Green, an ex-girlfriend contacted him asking for financial help due to a family emergency.

    “I had an ex-girlfriend, she was basically hitting me up saying, somebody died and she needed some money to help her and stuff,” Green said. “I help people, I take care of people.”

    King Green Says Alleged Theft Left Him Unable To Sleep

    The 39-year-old Californian claimed he allowed her to stop by the house while he headed out for training, unaware that his jewelry collection had been left inside instead of his vehicle, where he normally keeps it.

    “So, I let her come by, gave her a little money and stuff, trying to help her out,” Green said. “I left to go to practice. I left my jewelry in the house. I just bought a new house, I’m in the house maybe a week.”

    “I normally keep it in my car because I know I’m with some crazy motherfu*ker, and she took everything.”

    The incident appears to have deeply affected the longtime UFC veteran emotionally as well as financially.

    “Bro, I couldn’t sleep for like five days, driving around looking for my sh*t,” Green said. “It’s been fu*king dark, bro, it’s been real dark.”

    Despite the turmoil outside the cage, Green enters UFC 328 riding a two-fight winning streak and remains a betting favorite against Stephens. He also made it clear that the financial loss has added extra urgency to his fighting schedule moving forward.

    “I need all that and some more,” Green said while discussing potential bonus money at UFC 328. “I’m that mad, I’m that pissed. I need that and more, so I plan on coming right back to work after this and do another one.”

  • Dana White Provides Most Definitive Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Update Yet

    Dana White Provides Most Definitive Conor McGregor’s UFC Return Update Yet

    Dana White appears more optimistic than ever about Conor McGregor finally making his long-awaited UFC return later this year.

    After years of uncertainty surrounding the former UFC two-division champion’s comeback timeline, White delivered one of his strongest public statements yet during a recent appearance on The Jim Rome Show, insisting that the Irish superstar is on track to fight this summer.

    “Conor will fight this summer,” White said definitively.

    The statement marks a significant shift in tone compared to previous updates from the UFC boss, who had often stopped short of offering firm timelines regarding McGregor’s future. This time, White repeatedly emphasized his confidence that the Irishman is actively preparing for a return.

    “We’re in a great place with Conor,” White said. “I’m extremely confident that Conor will fight this year. I’m extremely confident that we’ll get him dialed in and ready to roll. He’s training. There’s footage out there of him training right now.”

    UFC 329 Increasingly Linked To Conor McGregor Return

    While White did not officially announce an opponent or event, speculation continues to intensify around a possible showdown between McGregor and Max Holloway at UFC 329 during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on July 11.

    “Blessed” recently acknowledged the rumors himself, admitting he has been preparing for the possibility of facing “The Notorious”, though he also noted that no contract had been finalized.

    McGregor has not fought since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier back in 2021. Since then, repeated comeback discussions have failed to materialize into an actual booking.

    White admitted he believed a return would happen last year before plans ultimately fell apart.

    “I thought it would happen last year. It didn’t,” White said. “I’m extremely confident it will happen this summer.

    “He seems motivated, he’s training. There are a lot of other great things going on behind the scenes that make me very confident he’ll fight this summer.”

  • Dana White Confirms Arman Tsarukyan As Official Backup Fighter For Historic UFC Freedom 250 Headliner

    Dana White Confirms Arman Tsarukyan As Official Backup Fighter For Historic UFC Freedom 250 Headliner

    Arman Tsarukyan officially has a major assignment lined up for the UFC’s historic White House card.

    During a recent appearance on Nina Marie Daniele’s stream, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Tsarukyan will serve as the official backup fighter for the lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14.

    The event, scheduled to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., is expected to be one of the most ambitious productions in UFC history. The card will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States and is set to feature a custom-built outdoor arena with thousands of attendees on site, including military personnel and invited guests.

    With the main event carrying massive stakes, the UFC appears determined to avoid any last-minute complications by securing one of the division’s top contenders as a replacement option.

    Arman Tsarukyan Remains Ready While Waiting For UFC Return

    Although Tsarukyan has not competed inside the Octagon since defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar in November, the Armenian contender has remained highly active outside traditional MMA competition.

    The No. 2-ranked lightweight has recently focused on grappling and wrestling, competing at multiple RAF events while staying in fighting shape. Most recently, he picked up a technical fall victory over former UFC champion Urijah Faber at RAF 08.

    Tsarukyan is also scheduled to compete again later this month against influencer wrestler Mugzy at RAF 09 before appearing at another RAF event in June featuring Tony Ferguson.

    Despite the outside commitments, Tsarukyan has consistently made it clear that his priority remains the UFC lightweight title picture. He had previously volunteered to serve as a backup for major championship fights, including last year’s UFC 317 main event.


  • VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    VIDEO: Khamzat Chimaev Kicks Sean Strickland During Heated UFC 328 Staredown, Security Swarms Stage

    Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland nearly turned the UFC 328 press conference into complete chaos on Thursday evening after a heated faceoff ended with the reigning middleweight champion kicking his upcoming opponent in front of a packed crowd in Newark.

    The two middleweights finally came face-to-face publicly for the first time since their long-discussed sparring sessions became a major talking point in MMA circles. But any hopes of a calm press conference quickly disappeared once both fighters walked onto the stage at the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House inside the Prudential Center complex.

    Even before taking their seats, “Borz” and Strickland immediately began verbally firing at each other while security personnel positioned themselves closely between the two men.

    The UFC had already increased security measures for the event following days of escalating threats and hostile exchanges between the rivals, with multiple police officers visible throughout the venue.

    Heavy Security Struggles To Contain Chaotic UFC 328 Faceoff

    The tension inside the building continued to rise throughout the press conference as Strickland launched into several profanity-filled tirades directed at “Borz”. The champion repeatedly responded from across the stage while security remained on high alert during the entire presser.

    The atmosphere reached another level once the official faceoffs began.

    As the two fighters squared up for photos following the press conference, Chimaev suddenly kicked Strickland, instantly triggering a swarm of security officers and police who rushed in to separate the pair before the situation escalated further.

    The chaotic scene only added to what has already become one of the UFC’s most volatile fight-week buildups in recent memory. UFC CEO Dana White compared the hostility surrounding the matchup to some of the biggest grudge fights in promotional history.

    Saturday’s UFC 328 main event will see the undefeated Chechen attempt to make the first defense of his middleweight title against the outspoken former champion.

  • WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    WATCH: Heavy Police Presence Seen Ahead of UFC 328 Press Conference Amid Khamzat Chimaev-Sean Strickland Tensions

    Heightened security measures are already visible ahead of the UFC 328 pre-fight press conference as tensions continue to escalate between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

    Videos circulating on social media from the RWJBarnabas Health Hockey House at the Prudential Center showed an unusually large police presence before Thursday’s press conference even began.

    Additional footage also revealed the UFC seating Chimaev and Strickland noticeably far apart on stage, a clear sign the promotion is taking extra precautions before Saturday’s middleweight title fight in Newark, New Jersey.

    The UFC 328 press conference is expected to feature all four championship fighters from this weekend’s pay-per-view card, including flyweight champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira. But much of the attention has centered on the increasingly hostile feud between Chimaev and Strickland.

    UFC Ramps Up Security Amid Escalating Threats

    The buildup to the fight has taken a darker tone in recent days after both men made alarming comments regarding potential confrontations outside the cage.

    “Borz” previously suggested that he and members of his team could confront Strickland during fight week, while Strickland responded by referencing “stand your ground” laws and implying he would defend himself with a firearm if necessary.

    That exchange appears to have prompted the UFC to significantly tighten security around both fighters throughout the week.

    According to reports from Newark, several uniformed Morristown police officers have been assigned to the event in an effort to prevent any physical altercations before fight night. Extra coordination has also reportedly been implemented whenever Strickland moves through media areas or backstage sections of the venue.

    Strickland recently claimed that his primary concern is not Chimaev himself, but the possibility of being confronted by the champion’s large entourage during fight week.

    Meanwhile, Chimaev hinted that Strickland is staying separately from the rest of the UFC roster, further fueling speculation about how seriously the promotion is treating the situation behind the scenes.

  • Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Ex-Champ Who Went The Distance With Both Men Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Trouble Khamzat Chimaev At UFC 328

    Dricus du Plessis believes a lot of people may be underestimating Sean Strickland heading into his title clash with Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328.

    Chimaev enters Saturday’s main event at the Prudential Center in Newark as a sizable betting favorite while preparing for the first defense of the middleweight belt he captured from Du Plessis at UFC 319 last year.

    But despite losing his title to “Borz”, Du Plessis isn’t convinced the matchup is as one-sided as many expect.

    Speaking during an appearance on Fight Forecast, “Stillknocks” explained why he believes the opening round could determine everything.

    “The first round is going to tell us so much about this fight,” Du Plessis said. “I know Khamzat is going to get him down. I’ve taken Strickland down so many times. I know Khamzat is going to get him down, but to keep him there? That’s going to be the big question.”

    Du Plessis Gives Strickland Surprising Edge Over Chimaev At UFC 328

    Having spent extended time inside the cage with both men, Du Plessis offered an unexpected assessment when comparing their physicality.

    “Because Strickland’s ability to get up, the technique he uses, the strength he has. He’s a strong guy, a lot stronger than Khamzat on a physical level,” Du Plessis said. “I think he’s going to surprise some people.”

    The South African believes Strickland’s cardio and defensive style could become major factors if the fight extends beyond the early grappling exchanges.

    “If Strickland gets up two or three times in the first round, it’s not going to get easier with the sweat and the fatigue, trying to keep a guy down that gets up,” he said. “It uses a lot more energy than the guy getting up.”

  • Alexander Volkov Calls Out UFC Over His Own Treatment

    Alexander Volkov Calls Out UFC Over His Own Treatment

    Alexander Volkov is not buying the UFC White House interim heavyweight title fight as a legitimate championship matchup, and he is equally confused about where his own career stands within the promotion despite a winning streak he views as one of the most overlooked in the division.

    Speaking with MMA Fighting, Volkov addressed both the Pereira and Gane booking and his own frustrations with UFC policy in the same breath.

    “It doesn’t matter who wins. UFC won with this fight. And it will be for sure not like a boring fight, but it’s not true title fight. It’s more like a promotional or media fight. Alex Pereira, he just lost to the guy, then he beats him with just broken rib, and now he want to go one category up, where he never fought, and they give him title shot? Like, in logic, it doesn’t have any sense. It’s just marketing. It’s nothing more about how many followers and how many fans he have. Maybe it’s good for UFC, maybe more people will watching this fight, maybe this they will do this White House card more loud, but it’s nothing about like a real champ.”

    The frustration extends to how Volkov’s own situation has been handled. He fought Jailton Almeida while Gane received an Aspinall title shot, and a subsequent no-contest resulted from eye pokes that sent the champion to double eye surgery.

    Many observers believe Volkov was also robbed in his split-decision loss to Gane at UFC 310 in December 2024, a view Dana White has reportedly shared. Despite that, Gane remains in the picture, and Volkov finds himself fighting Waldo Cortes-Acosta on the UFC 328 main card this Saturday without clarity on what a win would mean for his future.

    “Honestly, I don’t understand at all policy in the UFC about me because sometimes I hear different things about my future in UFC.”

    A victory over Cortes-Acosta this weekend would extend what Volkov considers a six-fight winning streak, given his dispute over the Gane result.

  • Ilia Topuria Sets Timeframe for When he Wants to Fight Islam Makhachev

    Ilia Topuria Sets Timeframe for When he Wants to Fight Islam Makhachev

    Ilia Topuria has one eye on Justin Gaethje and another on Islam Makhachev, and he is not hiding which fight excites him more in the long run.

    Speaking with ESPN ahead of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, Topuria explained that the Gaethje matchup was not his first preference when the interim title picture was being sorted out. He had expected to face either a victorious Paddy Pimblett or be given the opportunity to jump to welterweight to challenge Makhachev if Gaethje won at UFC 324. The unification bout against Gaethje is what materialized instead, and Topuria is fully locked in. But the Makhachev fight is where his ambitions ultimately point.

    “If it would be my choice, I would fight him on this card or by the end of the year. I’m excited, too. I’m a fighter. This is what I do every day of my life, so why not test my skills against someone like him? He is a very skillful fighter, I respect him as a fighter, he dominated the whole division for I don’t know how many years. He fought for the title I don’t know how many times, so what better than to test yourself against someone like him and at the same time everyone’s going to be freaking out. Everyone’s going to be very excited about the fight and I love that, I love people to be excited to go to an event. We’ll see, hopefully it’s going to happen.”

    All current signs point to Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense against top contender Ian Machado Garry this summer, though the matchup has yet to be officially announced. If Garry were to score the upset, Topuria’s dream fight would be considerably complicated. He is not treating that as a concern.

    “It’s a fight business, everyone has a chance, especially someone like Ian. He’s been able to collect a lot of experience during his run in the UFC and why not? I see him with a lot of chances. And Islam, we already saw him getting knocked out in a fight. Why not for the second time?”

    On the broader question of how a Garry win would affect his own plans, Topuria offered the simplest possible answer.

    “I’m the type of person that at the end, whatever happens, mindset is like, it’s good for me. Whoever wins, it’s good for me. Everything happens for a reason.”

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

  • Dana White Explains Every Detail of UFC Freedom 250’s White House Setup

    Dana White Explains Every Detail of UFC Freedom 250’s White House Setup

    Dana White has laid out the full scope of UFC Freedom 250 on June 14, and the event extends well beyond the intimate White House South Lawn setup most fans have been picturing.

    Speaking with Lara Trump on Fox News, White explained that while the arena beside the White House will hold only 4,300 people with most of those seats going to military members, the surrounding public event at the Ellipse is designed to accommodate approximately 85,000 fans for free.

    “Across the street is the Ellipse. And for those who don’t know, the Ellipse is a massive park. That’s literally, you will be able to see the fight from the Ellipse. But we have screens, we got stages, we have music, we have activations over there. If you are a fan of the UFC and especially if you have never been to Washington D.C., we’re going to give away about 85,000 tickets. And you have to, there’s a process, you have to register for tickets, and they’re free.”

    The Ellipse, formally known as President’s Park South, is a 52-acre public park south of the White House fence that has hosted major public events for decades, including the National Christmas Tree tradition. Its size makes it a natural fit for the kind of large-scale fan experience the UFC is building around the card.

    The military-first approach to the White House arena seating is something White tied directly to the event’s broader patriotic theme and to Trump’s personal direction for the card.

    “He wants this to be mostly for the military. So there’s going to be 4,300 people there. I just literally went over it right now, 4,300 people. And most of them will be military.”

    When Lara Trump framed the allocation as a thank-you to service members, White was unequivocal.

    “100%. I mean, this is America’s 250th birthday. This is the event.”

    White also revealed that Trump has been fielding more ticket requests for this event than anything he has previously hosted, a detail that has come up in White’s conversations with the president during the planning process.

    “I’m meeting with the president. And he keeps telling me that he’s never had an event where people have asked him for more tickets. So I’m trying to figure out how to give him more tickets.”

    The concept originated in a casual conversation at a fight, according to White.

    “We were at a fight and he leans over to me and he says, we should do a fight at the White House. I was like, yes, yes, we should. And if he says it, consider it done. It starts blowing me up the whole next week to get this thing rolling. And we went in and we pitched him on the plan and he loved everything that we pitched to him.”

    Production preparations are already underway, with White describing UFC head of production Craig Borsari as having visited the White House repeatedly to map out the logistics of what is the most operationally complex event the promotion has ever attempted.

    “My head of production, Craig Borsari, is the best in the business. And it’s literally all he’s working on right now, 24-7. He’s been to the White House a million times. We’re already starting to move stuff in. We’ll start loading in, like really loading in a month before the show.”

    Weather remains the primary operational variable. White has already made clear the event will proceed through rain, wind, or snow, but lightning represents the one genuine threat to the schedule. He outlined the contingency planning in detail.

    “Outdoors is just way too unpredictable. And we’ve gone over this, if it rains, we’re going. If it snows, we’re going. The only thing that will stop us is lightning. But we’re working with the military. So the military knows the weather 10 days out. And they’ll notify us every two hours, 10 days out. Seven days out, they’ll notify us every hour. We also, there’s another company that does it for concerts and things like that. They’re very good, too. So what could happen is the only thing that kills us is lightning. So we could move the event two hours earlier, two hours after. So these are all things that we’ll be playing with the week of the event on top of all the other things that we’ll have going on. Which we never had to deal with.”

    White pointed to UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi on April 10, 2010, as the only previous outdoor UFC event he agreed to, noting the Middle Eastern weather made that decision straightforward. Washington D.C. in June is a very different proposition.

    UFC Freedom 250 is headlined by Ilia Topuria defending the undisputed lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje, with Alex Pereira challenging Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Conor McGregor’s Middleweight Title Claim

    Khamzat Chimaev Fires Back at Conor McGregor’s Middleweight Title Claim

    Khamzat Chimaev had a quick and pointed response when asked at UFC 328 media day about Conor McGregor’s since-deleted post claiming the middleweight championship being contested on Saturday was his title.

    McGregor had posted on X that Chimaev and Strickland were competing with “my 185lb title on the line,” despite never having competed at middleweight and being absent from the Octagon since July 2021. Chimaev was shown the comment and offered an assessment that covered both McGregor’s claim and his current lifestyle.

    “His belt? He lost his belt 10 years ago, so I don’t know, this guy comes off a little bit drunk or is it Proper something he’s drinking all the time? Come back to normal and work and let’s fight. I don’t care, boxing. I told Zuffa Boxing people think I’m just a wrestler, I don’t need to use my just boxing, I’m an MMA fighter. If I go to the boxing, I’m going to show my boxing, too.”

    McGregor was stripped of his lightweight title in 2018 due to inactivity following his professional boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in August 2017. He awaits an official booking for his return, with a lightweight matchup against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 the most heavily discussed option.

    Chimaev also addressed the possibility of his own future weight class moves when asked about challenging himself at higher divisions. He described a training history that has always included heavyweights and said he has never found the size step to be an issue.

    “Of course, for sure. I’ve always been training with heavyweight guys. I’ve trained most of my time with Alexander Gustafsson, Jimi Manuwa, Gokhan Saki from the beginning of my career and I was fighting 170. I trained with them, sparred with them, never been a problem with weight. I like to eat, have fun in the cage.”

    He also offered an unprompted endorsement of his friend Arman Tsarukyan as someone capable of beating Strickland, should the lightweight contender ever move up to middleweight.

    “Yeah, of course, he can beat him now.”

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

  • Sean Strickland Calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘Little Rat’ for Releasing Sparring Footage

    Sean Strickland Calls Khamzat Chimaev ‘Little Rat’ for Releasing Sparring Footage

    Sean Strickland had plenty to say about Khamzat Chimaev’s decision to post a 25-second sparring clip on social media, and none of it was particularly flattering toward the man he will face for the middleweight title on Saturday.

    The clip, which showed the two exchanging jabs in what Strickland described as warmup rounds, was captioned by Chimaev with “I am bullying weak people.” Strickland addressed it directly at UFC 328 media day and made clear the context behind the footage matters significantly.

    “That’s what I’m talking about. The guy’s just a little f***ing rat. One, I didn’t know we were filming. Those are our warmup rounds. You’re just a weak man. You’re just a weak, weak man. It’s like what is the point? We’re light sparring. I mean those shorts are a little questionable on my part. They were Amazon. It was a bad angle.”

    Beyond the clip itself, Strickland pushed back on any suggestion the footage reflects what actually happened between them in the gym. He claimed the two only shared one genuine sparring session and that he repeatedly tried to get more time with Chimaev afterward, only to be turned down.

    “We’ve only sparred once and we did like a three-round spar. We sparred once. I kept telling you this. When I got to a gym, I want to spar the best guy. I want to spar him but he would always just go beat up the lower level guys.”

    Despite the grievances, Strickland acknowledged the fight makes sense given the current state of the middleweight division and described it as a welcome matchup for both parties.

    “I think it’s also a good fight, it’s a fun fight. There’s so many people in the division where it’s like what are the top five? Brendan Allen? He’s his f***ing punching bag. His meat. What else in the top five in the division do you have right now? It’s kind of nice just to get a fresh look, new blood. I think the fight just kind of made sense.”

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

  • Tom Aspinall Breaks Down Chimaev vs. Strickland and Gives His Verdict on the Title Fight

    Tom Aspinall Breaks Down Chimaev vs. Strickland and Gives His Verdict on the Title Fight

    Tom Aspinall has weighed in on the UFC 328 main event and the undisputed heavyweight champion is leaning toward Khamzat Chimaev, though he made clear he sees a genuine path for Sean Strickland to pull off the upset.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aspinall broke down both fighters before arriving at his prediction.

    “I think this is going to be a good fight, first of all. I think Khamzat, to me, looks pretty unstoppable at the moment with his takedowns and stuff. His striking, obviously he’s very dangerous with his striking as well. I think Sean Strickland probably has a little bit of an edge in the striking department, but Khamzat’s grappling. I don’t know if Sean Strickland will be able to get up off the bottom enough times.”

    He acknowledged the reports about Strickland’s bottom game before identifying the question he believes will define the fight.

    “That being said, I know Sean’s coach. I’ve actually trained with Sean a little bit as well, only a tiny bit, though. But I know a lot of people who are close to him and everyone keeps saying how good he is at getting up off the bottom. So, I think it’s going to be real interesting. The big question for me is like, how many times can he get up off the bottom without getting caught in a submission without getting tired. Khamzat will just rinse and repeat for the full five rounds. If Strickland can come through that, not be exhausted, which he’s never shown any signs of that before in my opinion, and put him on the end of that awkward style that he’s got with striking and really unorthodox stand up, I think there’s definitely a chance for Strickland. But in my opinion I’m leaning a little bit toward Khamzat.”

    When pushed to commit to a pick, Aspinall landed on the champion winning a competitive contest.

    “The verdict is for me Khamzat by decision. I think it will be a little more competitive than the DDP fight, but I think Khamzat by decision.”

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

  • UFC Selling $1.5M White House Tickets with UFC 329 Access

    UFC Selling $1.5M White House Tickets with UFC 329 Access

    The UFC is marketing premium ticket packages for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House at $1.5 million per seat, with the offering extending well beyond the June 14 event itself and into Conor McGregor’s anticipated UFC 329 return.

    MMA reporter Ariel Helwani revealed the details on Wednesday, describing a deck being sent to influential figures and high-profile buyers under the label of a Partner Investment.

    “There are opportunities to buy tickets. Partner Investment is what it’s being called. It’s a deck being sent out to a lot of influential people, high rollers.”

    The package includes access to UFC Freedom 250 at the White House alongside a partner welcome reception, reserved seating at the press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins, general admission access, and entry to a Zac Brown concert. It also covers floor tickets to UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas, where McGregor is expected to return to the Octagon, as well as WWE event integration with ring signage.

    Dana White previously confirmed that 4,300 people will attend the White House event itself, with most seats reserved for military personnel.

    The card features seven fights, a leaner lineup than a standard UFC numbered event, headlined by Ilia Topuria defending the undisputed lightweight championship against Justin Gaethje. Alex Pereira challenges Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight title in the co-main event, with Sean O’Malley vs. Aiemann Zahabi, Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, Bo Nickal vs. Kyle Daukaus, Diego Lopes vs. Steve Garcia, and Josh Hokit vs. Derrick Lewis rounding out the card.

  • UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 Odds, Picks & Best Bets: Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

    UFC 328 is this week, and we’re that much closer to two title fights, including a heated championship main event. Get the latest betting odds and best bets from MMANews!

    In the main event of UFC 328, the UFC middleweight championship will be on the line as Khamzat Chimaev defends against former champion Sean Strickland.

    Despite some inactivity due to illness during his tenure, Chimaev has been seemingly unstoppable since his memorable 2020 arrival to the Octagon. This is Chimaev’s first defense since winning the championship by defeating Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.

    Strickland is 2-2 in his last four but has won five of his last seven, including his finish of Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland scored a major upset when he defeated Israel Adesanya for the middleweight title at UFC 293. Strickland, however, dropped the championship to Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost a rematch at UFC 312.

    The co-main event will see Joshua Van defend the UFC flyweight championship against Tatsuro Taira. This was the planned co-main event for UFC 327 last month, but the bout was delayed to this event after a minor injury to Van.

    Van enters this fight on a six-fight win streak, having an incredible stretch since the middle of 2024. Last year, in fact, saw Van defeat Rei Tsuruya in March, finish Bruno Silva at UFC 316, and take a short-notice bout with Brandon Royval at UFC 317, winning in that card’s Fight of the Night. Van won the title at UFC 323 after Alexandre Pantoja suffered an arm injury 26 seconds into the fight.

    Taira comes into this fight with an 18-1 record. He has rebounded since suffering his first loss by Park Hyun-sung in August and stopping former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

    Other UFC 328 main card bouts include Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, and King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens.

    UFC 328 Betting Odds

    Here are the latest betting odds for UFC 328, as of 12 am ET on May 6, courtesy of DraftKings:

    Early Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 5 PM ET)

    • Flyweight: Clayton Carpenter (+145) vs. Jose Ochoa (-175)
    • Middleweight: Baisangur Susurkaev (-675) vs. Djorden Santos (+490)
    • Featherweight: Pat Sabatini (-218) vs. William Gomis (+180)
    • Middleweight: Roman Kopylov (+154) vs. Marco Tulio (-185)

    Preliminary Card (Paramount+, 7 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: Jim Miller (+250) vs. Jared Gordon (-310)
    • Lightweight: Grant Dawson (-176) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (+140)
    • Welterweight: Joel Alvarez (+160) vs. Yaroslav Amosov (-192)
    • Middleweight: Ateba Gautier (-1350) vs. Ozzy Diaz (+800)

    Main Card (Paramount+, 9 PM ET)

    • Lightweight: King Green (-360) vs. Jeremy Stephens (+285)
    • Welterweight: Sean Brady (-175) vs. Joaquin Buckley (+145)
    • Heavyweight: Alexander Volkov (-166) vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta (+140)
    • Flyweight Championship: Joshua Van (+140) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-166)
    • Middleweight Championship: Khamzat Chimaev (-575) vs. Sean Strickland (+425)

    UFC 328 Predictions & Best Bets

    Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland: There is a lot of anticipation around this fight, given the heat between the two. Chimaev is trying to get his first successful defense, and Strickland is looking to pull off another upset to become a two-time champ. Strickland may have a 76 percent takedown defense, per UFC Stats, but the numbers in Chimaev’s grappling statistics are beyond those of the normal UFC fighter. And while Strickland has his own grappling abilities, the wrestling style of Chimaev is a whole other level. For all the hype this fight has on it, it’s probably going to be another one-sided bout in Chimaev’s favor; so far, no one has shown they can be a true, credible threat, to be honest. (Prediction: Chimaev) (Best Bet: Chimaev via decision [+300])

    Joshua Van vs. Tatsuro Taira: Van is the champion and has an amazing 2025; however, he’s the underdog given the circumstances of how he defeated Alexandre Pantoja for the flyweight title at UFC 323. Regardless, he won the fight and has shown skills in the Octagon that state he is one of the best flyweights in the world. Yet, people have been hoping for a Taira title shot for some time, and he got that by finishing Brandon Moreno (not an easy feat) at UFC 323. This is probably a striking vs. grappling matchup, and while Van isn’t popular in fans’ books, I’m leaning to his 81 percent takedown defense being the key difference. He may not stop all of Taira’s attempts, but it’ll be enough to control the fight through most of its duration. The real question is if the winner of this fight will have a chance against a returning, healthy Pantoja… (Prediction: Van) (Best Bet: Van ML [+140])

    Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta: A major heavyweight contender’s battle here. It’s unfortunate for Volkov that he didn’t get a title shot after his title eliminator win over Jailton Almeida, but that’s par for the course with the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division. And now he has to deal with Waldo Cortes-Acosta, one of the only other positive names in the heavyweight division, coming off a 2025 where he went 5-1 and was one of the top fighters of the year. This is one of the fights on this card that can be a coin flip, but the edge will go to Volkov based on his technical striking. That said, don’t be surprised if WCA lands one of his major power shots that turns the fight’s tide in his favor. (Prediction: Volkov) (Best Bet: Volkov via decision [+140])

    Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley: Major top-10 welterweight matchup here, with the winner finding themselves a fight or two away from earning a shot at the gold. Brady may have had a loss to Michael Morales, but Morales is one fight away from a title shot himself — and Brady had previously rebounded from his first loss with three straight wins and two post-fight bonuses. Buckley comes in off his loss to Kamaru Usman, but he had won six consecutive fights before that. This fight comes down to who can control the action first and best. If it’s Brady, he uses his wrestling for the win. If it’s Buckley, it’s a third loss via KO/TKO for Brady. (Prediction: Brady) (Best Bet: Brady via decision [+150])

    King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens: Jeremy Stephens has made a name for himself post-UFC with his work in BKFC. Even then, he and Mason Jones provided a fun bout last year. But Stephens’ record in his last 10 fights is 1-8 (1 NC)! Green, meanwhile, continues to find ways to win at his age and in the state of his career. While this will be a fun battle, I don’t see a way Stephens gets his hand raised. (Prediction: Green) (Best Bet: Green via decision [+110])

    Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz: Ateba Gautier’s power has been his calling card, but his last fight showed him facing some adversity. He was able to rock Andrey Pulyaev, but Pulayev gave him some struggle as the fight went the full 15 minutes. While Diaz can be seen as another test, his only UFC performances have seen him get stopped in one round by Zhang Mingyang and earn a decision over Djorden Santos. It’s pretty doubtful Gautier goes two fights in a row without a finish. But given the odds, honestly, stay away from betting this fight. (Prediction: Gautier) (Best Bet: Gautier via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Joel Alvarez vs. Yaroslav Amosov: Yaroslav Amosov had a decent UFC debut at the end of 2025, fending off early pressure from Neil Magny to score a first-round submission. Now the former Bellator champ gets a tougher test in Joel Alvarez, who has won four straight and eight of his last nine fights (though he has just made his welterweight debut in his last bout). This bout probably spends a lot of time on the floor and comes down to who the better wrestler is — and the lean here will be to Amosov. (Prediction: Amosov) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-105])

    Grant Dawson vs. Mateusz Rebecki: From teammates to opponents — Dawson and Rebecki go at it in a Fight of the Night sleeper nominee. Both men don’t have many losses in competition, but Dawson has been stopped twice in his last five fights, and Rebecki has three losses in his last four. Rebecki has power in his fists, but Dawson has the wrestling to counter that — and go toe-to-toe with Rebecki and his jiu-jitsu. This one’s probably going the distance, and the slight edge should go to Dawson, as the odds suggest. (Prediction: Dawson) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-135])

    Jim Miller vs. Jared Gordon: Jim Miller is an absolute legend who can still pull off big finishes, and people would love to see in a firefight. Jared Gordon has the potential to be that kind of fun opponent — but potential has been a word that has kind of plagued Gordon’s career. Gordon has been the victim of bad luck, bad strategy, and getting finished (namely KO/TKOs) in his career. The 37-year-old hasn’t found consistent success in the Octagon since the pandemic era. Many may expect Gordon to have the edge in this one, but don’t be surprised if Miller pressures his way to a win here. This fight might be in the “too close to call” category. (Prediction: Miller) (Best Bet: Fight goes the distance [-160])

    Roman Kopylov vs. Marco Tulio: A Combat Sambo specialist, Roman Kopylov has had his share of highlights in the Octagon, as seen with his last-second knockout of Chris Curtis and his finish of Josh Fremd. Losses to the likes of Paulo Costa and Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues aren’t bad losses. The 35-year-old Kopylov, however, needs to show he can hang with the better middleweight contenders. Tulio scored a finish of Matthieu Duclos on DWCS, then finished Ihor Potieria and Tresean Gore before running into Christian Leroy Duncan. Perhaps a case of too much, too soon for Tulio? (Prediction: Kopylov) (Best Bet: Kopylov ML {+154])

    Pat Sabatini vs. William Gomis: Pat Sabatini has great wrestling and grappling abilities, and that should give him an edge against William Gomis. It helps that Sabatini has been on a roll between his UFC and grappling competitions, with his last two losses coming in 2022 and 2023 against, respectively, Damon Jackson and Diego Lopes. Sabatini has faced stronger competition, is more experienced, and will have the New Jersey crowd behind him (shout-out to Rider University). The only thing in Gomis’s favor here is that he tends to go the distance; his only submission loss was early in his career, in 2016. (Prediction: Sabatini) (Best Bet: Sabatini via decision [+175])

    Baisangur Susurkaev vs. Djorden Santos: This isn’t to say that Baisangur Susurkaev isn’t deserving of being the favorite here. The problem is, the odds reflect this idea of him being the “Next Big Thing” when he didn’t show the greatest offense (albeit still getting finishes) against Eric Nolan and Eric McConico. Djorden Santos has as much experience, but the fight probably plays out the same — Susurkaev either goes too grapple-heavy to the crowd’s dismay or gets himself in trouble, only for him to find the finish later in the fight. The hope here is to see if Susurkaev can show he’s making progress. (Prediction: Susurkaev) (Best Bet: Susurkaev via KO/TKO/DQ in Round 2 [+450])

    Clayton Carpenter vs. Jose Ochoa: Both men need a win here. Carpenter looked good in his first two outings but went 0-2 in 2025, dropping a decision to Tagir Ulanbekov and getting submitted by Jafel Filho. Ochoa is 1-2, but he’s younger, and he’s faced three talented names in Lone’er Kavanagh, Cody Durden, and Asu Almabayev (with the Almabayev fight coming on short notice). No particular strong edge in this fight, but Ochoa is the more (fairly) well-rounded fighter. (Prediction: Ochoa) (Best Bet: Ochoa via decision [+150])

  • WATCH: Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane Face Off At South Lawn Ahead Of Historic UFC White House Event

    WATCH: Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane Face Off At South Lawn Ahead Of Historic UFC White House Event

    Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane came face-to-face for the first time at the White House ahead of their upcoming clash at UFC Freedom 250.

    The staredown took place directly on the South Lawn on Wednesday, the same location where the two are expected to compete on June 14 in Washington, D.C. “Poatan” is set to challenge Gane for the interim heavyweight championship in a fight that could make him the first athlete in UFC history to capture titles across three different weight classes.

    Images and footage from the faceoff quickly spread online after Pereira’s longtime coach and former UFC champion Glover Teixeira shared clips from the meeting on social media.

    The White House appearance wasn’t limited to the co-main event fighters. Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, who are expected to headline the card in a lightweight title unification bout, were also present in Washington as part of the promotional activities surrounding the historic event.

    All four fighters later met with Donald Trump inside the Oval Office as preparations continues for the highly-anticipated fight card on White House grounds.

    The event itself is expected to transform the South Lawn into a temporary outdoor arena featuring a custom-built setup, large viewing screens, and seating for thousands of attendees. Additional fans are expected to gather at Ellipse Park nearby, where tens of thousands of free viewing tickets are planned to be distributed.

  • Donald Trump Hosts UFC Freedom 250 Headliners At White House, Reveals Special American-Themed Belt

    Donald Trump Hosts UFC Freedom 250 Headliners At White House, Reveals Special American-Themed Belt

    Donald Trump welcomed several of the UFC’s biggest stars to the Oval Office on Thursday as preparations continue for the unprecedented UFC Freedom 250 card set to take place on the South Lawn next month.

    Among the fighters present at the White House were Ilia Topuria, Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira, and Ciryl Gane, who are expected to headline the historic event on June 14 in Washington, D.C.

    During a media briefing inside the Oval Office, the US President unveiled fresh details about the event’s setup while showcasing concept visuals for the outdoor venue. The plans include a custom-built arena structure on the White House grounds featuring large-scale lighting rigs, giant screens, and a full Octagon setup directly on the South Lawn.

    Trump described the event as a first-of-its-kind spectacle, with thousands expected to attend in person and tens of thousands more watching from nearby viewing areas.

    The venue itself is expected to hold approximately 4,300 spectators cageside, with a strong emphasis on military guests. In addition, roughly 85,000 free tickets are expected to be distributed for fans attending the public viewing experience at Ellipse Park, located just outside the White House grounds.

    One of the biggest reveals from the meeting was a special championship belt created specifically for the occasion. The custom-designed UFC Freedom 250 title prominently features the colors and styling of the American flag, marking the event as a celebration tied to the country’s 250th anniversary.

    The card is expected to be headlined by Topuria defending the undisputed lightweight championship against Gaethje in a title unification bout. Pereira and Gane are also set to clash for the interim heavyweight championship in the co-main event.



  • Sean Strickland Unloads on Brendan Allen After he Reveals Camp’s Reaction to Pre-Fight Trash Talk

    Sean Strickland Unloads on Brendan Allen After he Reveals Camp’s Reaction to Pre-Fight Trash Talk

    Brendan Allen spent three weeks in Khamzat Chimaev’s training camp ahead of UFC 328 and offered a window into how the champion’s team is processing Sean Strickland’s ongoing campaign of verbal aggression. Strickland responded to what Allen said with a fury of his own.

    Speaking on Submission Radio, Allen described the general atmosphere in Chimaev’s camp as Strickland’s latest comments filtered in.

    “We just laugh. He just sounds so rtarded. All he wants to do is get an emotional reaction out of people and it’s just like, alright bro, y’all are going to fight on Saturday, see if you’re talking all that sht then because you wasn’t talking that sh*t when y’all trained.”

    Allen also revealed what the coaches told everyone around Chimaev about handling fight week.

    “I think it was more of trying to get through to the team, like it’s all talk. If you care about Khamzat, stay in your lane, don’t mess up this opportunity for Khamzat to go out there and handle it. Let Khamzat handle it. He signed the contract, Sean signed the contract, they’re going to fight, let him talk, let him do whatever he wants to do, let his antics do what it’s going to do, just walk away. Just laugh, walk away. If someone puts their hands on you that’s a different situation, but if it’s just talk, just let him talk. At the end of the day, Khamzat has 25 minutes to be in there with him and he’s going to do his best to make him feel it.”

    He also questioned whether Strickland would actually back up his more extreme statements. “Talk is talk. Sean’s that kind of guy. I’d kill him in a press conference, though. I’d make him freak out for sure.”

    Strickland was asked about Allen’s comments at a media scrum and delivered a pointed response that took aim at Allen’s ranking and his decision to train with the champion.

    “Brendan Allen, you are the definition of a cnt. You are ranked 5. My boy Edmen’s about to beat you. You are ranked No. 5, you were talking about a title fight and you go and you train with the current champion and the whole world just watched him fck you up over and over and over again. All we know of your training camp is you’re getting your ass kicked by fcking Chimaev. You will never fight for a belt. If you want to get some advice from me, stop training with the champion and if you’re going to train with him, don’t let him beat the fck out of you for f*cking weeks at a time.”

    Allen and Strickland previously fought at a UFC APEX event in November 2020, with Strickland winning by second-round knockout. Allen now faces Edmen Shahbazyan at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6. UFC 328 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Leaks Sparring Footage of Himself and Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev Leaks Sparring Footage of Himself and Strickland

    Khamzat Chimaev released a brief clip from his infamous sparring session with Sean Strickland ahead of UFC 328, apparently attempting to reinforce his dominance narrative. Fans had a different reaction.

    The video, posted on social media, shows around 26 seconds of striking exchanges between the two fighters. Chimaev captioned it with a laughing emoji and the message “I am bullying weak people,” a jab at Strickland’s previously reported claim that he prefers sparring with lower-level or younger fighters at the gym.

    The clip drew over 600,000 views but the comment section was not kind. Reactions included “You did absolutely nothing kid. You’re DEAD Saturday,” “You didn’t even land a shot sorry a– bum,” and “Bro you hardly landed one punch.”

    The sparring session between the two has been a major talking point throughout the build to UFC 328. Multiple sources have suggested the striking exchanges were relatively even, perhaps with a slight edge to Strickland, while Chimaev’s grappling was reportedly more dominant once the fight went to the ground. Strickland will be fully aware of what actually happened when they trained together, making the psychological impact of the clip questionable at best.

    It is worth noting that fighters have occasionally released unimpressive training footage deliberately to lower an opponent’s guard. Whether that is the case here or whether the clip simply did not land the way Chimaev intended is a matter of interpretation.

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

  • Khamzat Chimaev Hints UFC 328 Could Be His Final Middleweight Fight

    Khamzat Chimaev Hints UFC 328 Could Be His Final Middleweight Fight

    Khamzat Chimaev has hinted that regardless of what happens against Sean Strickland on Saturday night, UFC 328 could represent his final appearance at 185 pounds.

    Speaking at a media scrum on Tuesday in Newark, Chimaev was asked about the possibility of moving up to light heavyweight after the Strickland fight. His response was brief, playful, and pointed.

    “I hope so. I like to eat pizza. We will see.”

    The light heavyweight division is currently in a state of flux following Carlos Ulberg’s ACL injury sustained during his title-winning knockout of Jiri Prochazka at UFC 327. Ulberg is not expected to return until 2027, and the UFC has not yet revealed whether it plans to implement an interim title in his absence. Chimaev has spoken previously about his desire to pursue a third divisional title, and his comments on Tuesday only added fuel to that possibility.

    Despite the broader conversation about his future weight class, Chimaev made clear his focus heading into the weekend remains entirely on Strickland.

    “I don’t know. I hope Ulberg gets a fast recovery. We will see. I’m not so much focused on what’s over Strickland. He’s a tough fighter, good fighter, but we take away all this sh*t he’s saying, he’s a good fighter. I just go focus on him, beat this guy, and then we go for the next. It’s always there. It doesn’t matter.”

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

  • Khamzat Chimaev Says Sean Strickland’s Trash Talk Has Made Him More Money Than Ever

    Khamzat Chimaev Says Sean Strickland’s Trash Talk Has Made Him More Money Than Ever

    Khamzat Chimaev has a complicated relationship with Sean Strickland’s relentless trash talk heading into UFC 328, simultaneously expressing contempt for the content and genuine appreciation for what it has done to his bank account.

    Speaking at a media scrum on Tuesday in Newark, Chimaev was candid about the financial upside of sharing a card with one of the sport’s most polarizing mouths.

    “I love him. I don’t know they pay good for him. That’s the important thing. I never made that much money before. That’s good.”

    He also revealed he has been actively looking for Strickland since arriving in New Jersey, with the UFC’s separation protocol being the only thing keeping the two apart.

    “Let him come. I think they took him to some other hotel so maybe thinks so. I tried to find the guy and that’s not so much personal. The guy just talks too much. I don’t think it’s that possible to happen. Because they don’t let me see this guy.”

    When asked about Strickland’s gun threat and whether it registered as a genuine concern, Chimaev dismissed it in a way that made clear no amount of verbal escalation is going to affect his mindset.

    “Where is he? I’ve been here three days in the lobby and the guy said he’s going to shoot me. Let’s go. Do that. I will be happy to die. Do you think I care about what he says? When it comes time to die, I will be happy. All my life I’ve heard stuff like that. I don’t care about that.”

    On the possibility of a post-fight handshake, Chimaev offered the clearest possible window into how he views relationships with opponents.

    “What’s the point if I shake hands or not after the fight? I beat him up, maybe never see him again. The other 15 guys who I beat, I almost didn’t see them again. I don’t care about his life. I care about my life.”

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

  • Dana White Says He Doesn’t “Give A Sh*t” If UFC Faces Backlash Over Donald Trump Relationship

    Dana White Says He Doesn’t “Give A Sh*t” If UFC Faces Backlash Over Donald Trump Relationship

    Dana White isn’t losing sleep over whether his close ties to Donald Trump have impacted the UFC’s business.

    The UFC boss addressed the topic during a recent appearance on the Katie Miller Podcast, where he was asked if the promotion’s visible alignment with Trump has led to any financial consequences.

    With the US President remaining a polarizing figure in American politics, the question has lingered as the UFC continues to feature him prominently at events and collaborates on high-profile ventures.

    I don’t give a sht,” White said. “I don’t know the answer to that question. I’ve gotten to a point in my life, especially after COVID and all the nutty sht that went on during that time, that I only want to be in business with and talk to people that I’m aligned with.”

    Long-standing Relationship Between Trump And White Continues To Shape UFC’s Direction

    White and Trump’s relationship stretches back decades, well before Trump entered politics. The UFC CEO has often credited Trump for giving the promotion a platform during its early years, hosting events when the sport struggled to find mainstream acceptance.

    That loyalty has remained consistent throughout Trump’s political rise. White publicly supported him during multiple presidential campaigns and played a visible role in his most recent run, helping connect Trump with younger audiences through podcast appearances and digital platforms.

    Their alignment is now more visible than ever, with the UFC preparing to host UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14. The event, a first of its kind, further underscores the close relationship between the promotion and the president.

    The 79-year-old Republican leader has also become a regular presence at UFC events, often receiving a high-profile walkout and a strong reception from crowds. Despite that visibility, White has consistently maintained that the UFC operates independently of political agendas.