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  • Khamzat Chimaev Posts Cryptic ‘See You Again Soon’ Message After UFC 328 Loss

    Khamzat Chimaev Posts Cryptic ‘See You Again Soon’ Message After UFC 328 Loss

    Khamzat Chimaev has sent a cryptic message to Sean Strickland on X following his split decision defeat at UFC 328, complicating the narrative around his reported move to light heavyweight.

    “See you again soon.”

    The post came after what appeared to be a surprisingly cordial conclusion to one of the most heated feuds in recent UFC history. Following weeks of threats, insults, and a kick during the press conference faceoff, Chimaev and Strickland were respectful after the final bell, with Chimaev placing the belt around Strickland’s waist in a gesture that surprised many observers.

    The tweet’s meaning is unclear given the context. Dana White revealed at the post-fight press conference that Chimaev approached him after the fight and stated he wants to move to light heavyweight and does not want to fight at middleweight any longer. Chimaev had already teased the move publicly before the title fight and appeared to struggle significantly at the weigh-ins, with Strickland publicly accusing him of nearly missing weight.

    An immediate rematch is technically possible if Chimaev changes course, though Strickland enters his second reign with a healthy queue of contenders including rematches with Nassourdine Imavov and Brendan Allen, as well as fresh matchups against Caio Borralho and Joe Pyfer. Given Chimaev has fought only once per year since 2023, a definitive answer on his next move may take some time to emerge.

    Strickland’s split decision victory was scored 48-47 on two judges’ cards, making him a two-time middleweight champion and matching Israel Adesanya as the only fighters to accomplish that feat at 185 pounds.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Is Changing Weight Classes After UFC 328 Loss

    Khamzat Chimaev Is Changing Weight Classes After UFC 328 Loss

    Khamzat Chimaev wasted no time making his intentions known after suffering the first loss of his professional career at UFC 328, walking straight up to Dana White after the split decision defeat to Sean Strickland and delivering a clear message about his future.

    White revealed the conversation at the UFC 328 post-fight press conference.

    “He literally walked up to me after the fight and said ‘I want to move up. I don’t want to fight in this weight class anymore.’”

    Chimaev had openly discussed moving to light heavyweight on multiple occasions before the title fight, and a difficult weight cut appeared to be a genuine factor in his performance. After a dominant opening round, his conditioning visibly faded as the fight progressed. He largely abandoned his wrestling for extended stretches and appeared to rely on his striking despite the weight cut appearing to have taken a toll.

    White acknowledged the cut’s likely impact while praising Chimaev’s toughness for continuing to compete at a high level despite the circumstances.

    “What was interesting was the first two times I saw him fight on Fight Island, he used to talk about his standup and his team all the time. I was saying we haven’t seen him stand up and really go toe-to-toe with somebody in a while. But I think he had a rough weight cut. He’s a tough guy. He’s a f***ing savage. I would expect him not to roll over and quit.”

    White agreed with the scorecards that gave Strickland the victory, noting he had it tied going into the championship round.

    “I had it two to two going into the last round. I thought Strickland won the last round.”

    White expressed genuine excitement about the prospect of Chimaev moving up in weight, though he declined to name potential opponents.

    “I’m not even thinking about who he’ll fight next. But him moving up is exciting.”

  • UFC 328 Bonuses: Van vs. Taira Earns Fight of the Night

    UFC 328 Bonuses: Van vs. Taira Earns Fight of the Night

    UFC 328 delivered a record-setting night in Newark on Saturday, with Sean Strickland reclaiming the UFC middleweight championship via split decision over Khamzat Chimaev in the main event before a crowd of 17,783 at Prudential Center.

    The event set a new venue gate record of $7.5 million for the Prudential Center, surpassing all previous events held at the arena. The 13-bout card featured two world title fights and seven finishes across the evening.

    The flyweight championship co-main event between Joshua Van and Tatsuro Taira earned Fight of the Night honors, with both fighters receiving $100,000 bonuses for their performance.

    Jim Miller earned a Performance of the Night bonus worth $100,000 for his first-round submission victory over Jared Gordon. In a significant development alongside the bonus, Miller also signed a new five-fight contract with the UFC following the win, extending one of the longest tenures in the promotion’s history.

    Yaroslav Amosov claimed the second Performance of the Night bonus, also worth $100,000, for his second-round arm-triangle choke submission over Joel Alvarez in a dominant grappling showcase.

  • ‘Does It Again’ – Strickland Bests Chimaev For Middleweight Title

    ‘Does It Again’ – Strickland Bests Chimaev For Middleweight Title

    The undefeated record and middleweight title reign of Khamzat Chimaev ends in his first title defense. Sean Strickland has pulled off another major upset for the middleweight championship, defeating Chimaev in the UFC 328 main event.

    In a case of deja vu, Chimaev got a takedown in the opening minute and didn’t let up the entire first round. Chimaev dominated with positioning, gaining mount and back mount, threatening a choke at the end of the fight’s first five minutes.

    Strickland looked to pressure with strikes to start the second round. Then, both times that Chimaev went for takedowns in the round, Strickland stuffed them. This time, it was Strickland who dominated with positioning, mixing in some strikes.

    Chimaev did not do any takedown attempts in round three, electing to stand and trade with Strickland. Strickland landed plenty of combinations early, but Chimaev landed arguably the most effective punch, tripping up Strickland on a late jab.

    This continued into the fourth round, but Chimaev started to pick things up, working with his right hand, while Strickland appeared to tire a little. Chimaev then started to look for a takedown at the end of round four and going into round five. Strickland attempted to defend and landed jabs, but Chimaev was on the front foot for the majority of the last round, and he landed a pair of takedowns.

    Sean Strickland Recaptures UFC Middleweight Title, Hands Khamzat Chimaev First Loss At UFC 328

    Strickland earned this title shot off a finish of Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston in February. Strickland’s first title defense began at UFC 293, when he upset Israel Adesanya. Strickland, however, dropped the title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 and lost their UFC 312 rematch.

    Chimaev was 15-0 entering this fight. He had claimed the middleweight title with a win over Du Plessis at UFC 319 last August.

  • ‘Take A Bow’ – Joshua Van Retains In War With Tatsuro Taira

    ‘Take A Bow’ – Joshua Van Retains In War With Tatsuro Taira

    Joshua Van put on another strong performance in the Octagon to mark his first title defense, defeating Tatsuro Taira to retain the UFC flyweight championship in the co-main event of UFC 328.

    Taira pressured and scored a takedown on Van in the first minute of the fight, controlling Van for the first half of round one until an unsuccessful guillotine attempt. Van was able to avoid Taira’s grappling to start the second round, and he used slick handwork to land several shots upstairs on his challenger.

    Taira, however, scored another takedown halfway through the second round — though Van landed several shots from the bottom. Van turned things up again in the closing seconds of round two, landing a straight right that nearly put Taira out.

    Van avoided Taira’s takedown efforts and continued to work his striking in the third, touching Taira up and busting him open. Van grounded Taira again, landing ground-and-pound and attempting multiple submissions. Taira did manage to score a takedown at the end of round three.

    After a little trading to start round four, Taira scored another takedown on Van, controlling most of the frame on the ground before the last portion featured trading from both men. Taira also looked for a submission in this round, threatening a triangle armbar.

    The fight would not see the final horn, however. Van landed a couple of combinations, wobbling and dropping Taira in the fifth round, and the referee — despite a brief protest from Taira — waved off the action.

    Joshua Van Stops Tatsuro Taira To Retain Flyweight Title At UFC 328

    Van has lost just twice, with one of those fights coming in the UFC, bringing him to a 17-2 record. This was the first title defense for Van, who has now won seven straight, after claiming the belt from Alexandre Pantoja via injury TKO at UFC 323.

    That marked just the second loss of Taira’s MMA career. Taira earned this title shot off a finish of former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC 323.

  • ‘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)

  • Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Suffers Big Blow After Fighter Withdraws Due to Visa Issues One Week Out From May 16 Event

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Suffers Big Blow After Fighter Withdraws Due to Visa Issues One Week Out From May 16 Event

    A highly anticipated matchup between two of the world’s best non-UFC flyweights has fallen apart just days before the blockbuster Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card.

    Most Valuable Promotions confirmed Saturday that Muhammad Mokaev has been forced out of next weekend’s Netflix event due to visa complications, resulting in a late opponent change for Adriano Moraes ahead of the May 16 card at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Instead, undefeated prospect Phumi Nkuta will now step in on short notice to face Moraes in a 130-pound catchweight bout.

    Muhammad Mokaev Suffers Frustrating Setback Ahead Of Massive Netflix Card

    Mokaev’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the event, given the intrigue surrounding the matchup. The undefeated flyweight was widely viewed as one of the standout names attached to the card, and many fans saw the fight as a potential statement opportunity that could help reopen the door to a UFC return.

    The 25-year-old remains unbeaten in professional MMA with a 16-0 record and previously went 7-0 inside the UFC before his surprising release in 2024. During his time with the promotion, Mokaev picked up victories over notable names such as Manel Kape, Alex Perez, and Tim Elliott.

    Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has continued winning outside the promotion and even captured the inaugural Brave CF flyweight championship last year.

    His replacement, Nkuta, enters the spotlight carrying an undefeated 11-0 professional record. The South African-born flyweight has competed for promotions such as Bellator, LFA, and CFFC, where he previously held championship gold.

    Meanwhile, Moraes enters the matchup looking to rebound from recent struggles. The longtime ONE Championship standout famously defeated Demetrious Johnson during his title reign, though he has dropped three of his last four fights heading into the Netflix event.

    The May 16 card remains stacked despite the late change, featuring appearances from stars such as Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Junior dos Santos.

  • 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.

  • Islam Makhachev Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Give Khamzat Chimaev Serious Problems at UFC 328

    Islam Makhachev Explains Why Sean Strickland Could Give Khamzat Chimaev Serious Problems at UFC 328

    Islam Makhachev believes Sean Strickland could present far more problems for Khamzat Chimaev than many fans expect ahead of their UFC 328 showdown this weekend.

    While Chimaev enters Saturday’s title fight in Newark as a sizeable betting favorite, the reigning UFC welterweight titleholder suggested the matchup may become much more complicated if Strickland can survive the early grappling exchanges and force “Borz” into deep waters.

    During a recent interview with Red Corner MMA (via Championship Rounds), Makhachev explained that Chimaev’s success may ultimately hinge on whether he can consistently keep Strickland grounded.

    “It’s going to be a good fight,” Makhachev said. “I have already told my teammates that if Khamzat manages to get takedowns, it’s going to be a very easy fight. But if it goes all five rounds, then he would have to work really hard.”

    Islam Makhachev Believes Sean Strickland’s Ability To Stand Back Up Could Change The Fight

    Makhachev pointed to the key difference between Strickland and former champion Dricus du Plessis, whom Chimaev defeated to capture the middleweight belt at UFC 319.

    “Unlike it was with Dricus du Plessis, who was lying on his back and couldn’t get up, I think Strickland will be working his way up, getting up and fighting back,” Makhachev said.

    “I mean, the guys who worked with him at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas say that he’s constantly trying to get up from the ground.”

    Strickland’s durability and defensive grappling have become major talking points heading into UFC 328. Despite competing professionally 37 times across MMA, the former middleweight champion has never been submitted in his career.

    The outspoken American enters the fight with momentum after scoring a knockout victory over Anthony Hernandez at UFC Houston back in February. Since joining the UFC, Strickland has compiled a 17-7 promotional record, earning notable wins over Paulo Costa, Israel Adesanya, and Nassourdine Imavov.

  • 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.