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  • Darren Till Explained Exactly What Changed His Mind About BKFC And It Was Not A Change Of Heart

    Darren Till Explained Exactly What Changed His Mind About BKFC And It Was Not A Change Of Heart

    Darren Till says a financial offer he could not refuse was the reason he signed with BKFC after years of publicly dismissing the sport, and says his eventual goal is a fight with Mike Perry.

    Speaking to MMA Fighting, Till was candid about what changed.

    “What changed is my bank account got a few zeroes in it. The opportunity was too good to pass. David had been on me for a while. He spoke to my manager back and forth, he sat down with the team and said ‘Darren, look, the time is now, the offer’s really good and Darren it sort of fits your style, suits your style the way you fight.’ I’m a boxing, punch combination guy. I do hit hard. I’ve got big hands and stuff.”

    Till described the mindset he plans to bring to bare-knuckle.

    “I’ve got one of the guys out with me that’s done 13 bare-knuckle fights so he obviously knows his way around. I think in this bare-knuckle from me speaking my opinion, I think it’s a ‘f*ck you’ attitude you’ve got to have. You’re going to get hit. You’re going to get cut. It’s going to hurt. If that’s my only fear, there’s no sleepless nights. Nothing. Confidence is high.”

    On MMA, the 33-year-old was honest about his future in the sport.

    “I’ve had my time in the UFC. I didn’t do too badly. I’ve had a good little go in Misfits. Probably 85 percent MMA is behind me to be honest with you.”

    Perry — the face of BKFC — had originally been planned as Till’s debut opponent before Perry signed with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions for his fight with Nate Diaz. Till said he will stay in BKFC until that fight happens.

    “I’ll stay around the bare-knuckle until it happens. So if I have to take 10 fights to get to the Mike Perry fight, that’s what’s going to happen, isn’t it? Obviously, I’m coming over to his turf. He’s the ‘King of Violence.’ I’ve got to take his title from him. Hopefully by the end of this year, that fight gets made and we finally meet in the center.”

  • Dana White Explains Why There Are No Women On UFC Freedom 250

    Dana White Explains Why There Are No Women On UFC Freedom 250

    Dana White says there were supposed to be women on the UFC Freedom 250 card but it did not work out, offering the first explanation for their notable absence from the June 14 White House event.

    White spoke to Time magazine about the card, which features two championship fights in Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje and Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane but no women’s bouts.

    “There was supposed to be women on the card. I wanted women on the card. It just didn’t work out that way.”

    White also explained the philosophy behind the fighter selections, emphasizing reliability and mental toughness over star power in an unusual environment.

    “The only thing I really cared about going into this card was having people I could depend on being on the card, fighters that you know. They’re gonna deal with levels of stress and weird things that they’re not used to. For instance, the night of the fight when they show up, they’re gonna have to go through crazy security. We’re gonna be inside rooms at the White House. They’re used to going to arenas with rooms that are laid out for them and all this. So, you need not only the best fights you could possibly make because they mean something and they matter in our ecosystem. You also need fighters you could trust that are gonna show up and deliver, and mentally and emotionally be able to deal with the different atmosphere they’re gonna be in that night. And that is the card that we built.”

    Neither Conor McGregor nor Jon Jones appear on the card despite their repeated attempts to be included.

  • Dustin Poirier Says He Would Come Out Of Retirement For A Fourth Fight With Conor McGregor

    Dustin Poirier Says He Would Come Out Of Retirement For A Fourth Fight With Conor McGregor

    Dustin Poirier says he would strongly consider coming out of retirement if a fourth fight with Conor McGregor became a realistic possibility.

    Poirier retired in 2025 following a fight with Max Holloway but told the Weighing In podcast he has not fully closed the door.

    “If it was realistic and they called me and said, ‘Hey,’ I would probably get back in the drug-testing protocol and get licensed again, yeah.”

    Poirier went 2-1 in his trilogy with McGregor, with McGregor suffering a broken leg in their third fight at UFC 264 in July 2021 — an injury that triggered his five-year absence. He assessed McGregor’s chances against Max Holloway at UFC 329 on July 11 while noting a specific concern about Holloway’s recent durability.

    “Yeah, I don’t think Conor’s going to look as bad as Nate, that was really bad. I think the punching power’s going to be there regardless. The question for me is the timing, the athleticism, the movement, all those questions need to be answered. If his counter-punching and his timing is anywhere near what it was, he has a chance to beat Max. Look, I love Max, but the career he’s had and the longevity he’s had, he’s touched the canvas in his last three fights. That’s more than he’s touched it in his entire career. I just think time’s catching up with him. Conor can punch. No matter how long he’s been out, he still has the great equalizer and that’s power. Some guys are born with it.”

    Poirier acknowledged he still has six or seven fights remaining on his UFC contract but said retirement remains the right decision — even if part of him disagrees.

    “Some days I wake up and I really feel like this was the right decision, everything’s where it should be. Some days I wake up and I want to fight because I know I can beat these guys still. I don’t know if that ever goes.”

  • UFC Legends Junior dos Santos And Fabricio Werdum Running It Back Again In Trilogy Clash on August 8

    Two former UFC heavyweight champions are set to run it back once again as Junior dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum prepare to collide for a third time at Kings Championship on Aug. 8 in Florianopolis, Brazil.

    This time, however, the rivalry is heading to the grappling mats instead of the cage.

    The upcoming bout marks another chapter in a feud that stretches back nearly two decades. Their first meeting came in 2008 when a relatively unknown dos Santos shocked the MMA world by flattening Werdum in just over a minute.

    Years later, the Brazilian heavyweights met again under bare-knuckle MMA rules in Jorge Masvidal’s Gamebred promotion, where “Cigano” earned a hard-fought decision victory to move to 2-0 in the series.

    While dos Santos has historically had the upper hand in fights, the switch to pure grappling could significantly favor Werdum.

    Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished heavyweight grapplers in MMA history, Werdum owns elite credentials in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, including world titles at ADCC and IBJJF. The former UFC champion famously submitted Cain Velasquez to capture heavyweight gold in 2015.

    Dos Santos, meanwhile, has remained the more active competitor in recent years. Following the 2023 rematch with Werdum, he picked up a knockout win over Alan Belcher before suffering a quick stoppage loss to Robelis Despaigne at MVP MMA earlier this year.

  • Joe Rogan Stresses UFC White House Event Could Be A Disaster Due To Uncontrolled Conditions – ‘I Don’t Like The Idea’

    Joe Rogan Stresses UFC White House Event Could Be A Disaster Due To Uncontrolled Conditions – ‘I Don’t Like The Idea’

    Joe Rogan may be set to call the action at UFC Freedom 250, but the longtime commentator still has major doubts about the promotion’s ambitious White House event.

    During a recent episode of his podcast, Rogan questioned whether hosting championship fights outdoors on the South Lawn is the right move, especially with unpredictable weather conditions expected in Washington, D.C., in mid-June.

    “I don’t like the idea of fighting outside at all,” Rogan said. “The White House thing is odd.”

    One of his biggest concerns is the potential heat. The renowned podcaster noted that temperatures around the same date last year reportedly climbed close to 100 degrees, raising concerns about how fighters will perform under extreme conditions.

    “That’s hot as f–k,” Rogan said while discussing the outdoor setup.

    Rogan also pointed to another issue that could impact the event once the giant lighting structures are switched on.

    “And then the lights… bugs,” he said. “What are you gonna do? How are you gonna stop the bugs?”

    According to Rogan, world title fights should take place inside a fully controlled arena rather than in an open-air environment where heat, humidity, wind, or insects could potentially affect the outcome.

    “I just don’t think you should compete in a world championship fight in a non-controlled environment,” Rogan explained. “It should be inside an air-conditioned arena.”

    Despite his criticism, Rogan is still expected to work the historic card on June 14, which will feature a lightweight title unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje, along with an interim heavyweight title clash between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.

    Construction for the event officially began this week on the White House South Lawn.

  • Conor McGregor Return Sends UFC 329 Ticket Prices Through The Roof Amid Near Sellout

    Conor McGregor Return Sends UFC 329 Ticket Prices Through The Roof Amid Near Sellout

    Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC return is already proving to be one of the biggest events in MMA history — and fans hoping to attend UFC 329 in Las Vegas may need deep pockets to witness it live.

    With “The Notorious” set to face former featherweight champion Max Holloway in a rematch on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena, early presale ticket prices for UFC Fight Club members have reportedly surfaced online, and the numbers are staggering even by McGregor standards.

    According to listings circulating on social media, front-row seats are priced above $43,000, while floor tickets are reportedly starting at over $4,000. Lower bowl seats are listed above $1,200, with even upper-level tickets crossing the $600 mark before public sales officially begin.

    Shortly after those prices surfaced, ticketing platform AXS also appeared to show the event as sold out during the early presale window, highlighting the enormous demand surrounding the former two-division champion’s comeback.

    While the prices are eye-catching, they are hardly unexpected for a McGregor comeback fight. UFC 329 marks the Irish superstar’s first appearance inside the Octagon in five years and serves as the centerpiece of International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

    The event is expected to bring a massive fight-week atmosphere back to the city, with additional attractions planned throughout the weekend, including the UFC Hall of Fame ceremony, ceremonial weigh-ins, fan events, and other combat sports showcases connected to the promotion.

    McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021, while Holloway enters the rematch looking to avenge his loss to “The Notorious” from their first meeting more than a decade ago.

    Even for fans unable to secure tickets inside the arena, UFC 329 is shaping up to be one of the promotion’s most heavily watched cards in years, fueled by McGregor’s return, the Holloway rivalry, and the spectacle surrounding International Fight Week.

    Public ticket sales are expected to open later this week, though demand is already appearing sky-high well before general access becomes available.

  • Boxing Star Gervonta Davis Wanted By Police In Maryland After Judge Issues Arrest Warrant

    Gervonta Davis is reportedly facing yet another major legal setback after a judge in Maryland issued an active arrest warrant tied to an alleged probation violation.

    According to multiple reports, the warrant stems from Davis’ ongoing probation connected to his 2020 hit-and-run case in Baltimore, an incident that injured several people. The undefeated boxing star had previously pleaded guilty to multiple traffic-related offenses and remained under court supervision.

    The latest development reportedly centers around allegations involving an October 2025 altercation at a Miami nightclub involving Davis’ ex-girlfriend, Courtney Rossel. Authorities claim the incident may have violated the terms of his probation.

    Per reports, Rossel accused “Tank” of physically grabbing her and attempting to take her phone during a confrontation at Tootsie’s Cabaret in Miami, where she worked as a VIP cocktail server. Surveillance footage from the club was also reportedly reviewed by investigators as part of the case.

    Davis was arrested in Florida earlier this year on charges including battery and attempted kidnapping. While one charge tied to false imprisonment was eventually dropped, other charges remain active.

    Court records indicate a Maryland judge initially issued a warrant in February, then recalled it after Davis’ legal team argued he was cooperating with authorities. However, a second warrant issued in April has reportedly remained active after another motion to dismiss it was denied in May.

    The legal cloud now creates further uncertainty around Davis’ boxing future. The WBA lightweight champion has not fought since his controversial majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in March 2025, while a planned crossover fight with Jake Paul was scrapped following the civil lawsuit filed by Rossel.

    Despite the mounting legal issues, “Tank” remains one of boxing’s biggest stars with a professional record of 30-0-1 and 28 knockouts. However, the active warrant now threatens to further sideline one of the sport’s most recognizable names.

  • Dana White Defends Low UFC Fighter Pay Amid WNBA Comparisons – ‘Should I Pay You $370K?’

    Dana White is once again defending the UFC’s fighter pay structure amid growing criticism surrounding how little many newcomers earn despite the promotion’s massive financial success.

    The debate intensified after reports surfaced that the UFC’s new media rights agreement with Paramount could be worth roughly $7.7 billion over several years. At the same time, entry-level fighters signed through Dana White’s Contender Series are still believed to start on contracts around $10,000 to show and $10,000 to win.

    Speaking to Rolling Stone, White argued that critics often ignore one key factor when discussing those numbers: many fighters entering the UFC are still unproven.

    “When people talk about fighter pay, you know what they don’t compare it to?” White said. “What a guy makes when he goes into his boxing debut.”

    White pushed back strongly against the idea that every new UFC signing should immediately receive major contracts before proving they belong on the roster.

    “If you come into the UFC, let’s say you sign a three-fight deal,” White explained. “We’re gonna find out if you even belong in the UFC. So, I should pay you $370K to see if you belong in the UFC?”

    The UFC boss also emphasized how dramatically fighter compensation has evolved since the Fertitta era began in 2001, noting that many athletes previously needed second jobs just to survive while competing.

    “When we first bought this, most of these guys had jobs where they would train on the side and fight in the UFC,” White said. “Now it is at a level where everyone is a professional athlete.”

    White further insisted that fighter pay has consistently risen alongside the company’s growth.

    “Since 2001, the pay has gone like this,” he said while motioning upward. “If you look at the deal we just cut with Paramount, imagine how it’s going to look over the next seven years.”

    Still, criticism surrounding UFC pay remains one of the sport’s hottest talking points, especially as the organization continues generating record-breaking revenue while lower-tier fighters reportedly take home only a fraction of their contracts after expenses, taxes, and coaching fees are deducted.

  • Ilia Topuria Claims UFC Is Avoiding Islam Makhachev Mega Fight On Purpose

    Ilia Topuria Claims UFC Is Avoiding Islam Makhachev Mega Fight On Purpose

    Ilia Topuria believes the long-discussed super fight with Islam Makhachev isn’t falling apart because of either fighter. In his eyes, the UFC simply doesn’t want to make it happen right now.

    Speaking during an appearance on DeepCut with VicBlends, Topuria addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding a potential showdown with the former lightweight king after months of public back-and-forth between both camps.

    “I don’t think that it’s because of him that the fight is not happening,” Topuria said. “I truly believe that the UFC doesn’t want to make it happen.”

    The undefeated Spaniard had been heavily linked to a blockbuster clash with Makhachev for the UFC White House card on June 14. Instead, Topuria is now set to defend lightweight gold against Justin Gaethje in the event’s headliner, while Makhachev is expected to move forward with a welterweight title defense later this summer.

    Despite the disappointment surrounding the matchup not materializing, Topuria made it clear he holds no resentment toward Makhachev personally.

    “I don’t hate him. I don’t have anything personal with him,” Topuria explained. “He achieved great things in the sport. He’s a double champion like me.”

    At the same time, Topuria acknowledged just how massive the fight could become if it eventually happens.

    “If you do that crossover, me and Islam, it will be one of the biggest fights in UFC history without any doubt,” he said.

    Still, the reigning lightweight champion insisted his legacy won’t depend on sharing the Octagon with Makhachev.

    “For me personally, it wouldn’t change anything if that fight doesn’t happen,” Topuria said. “I will be happy and proud about myself anyways. I don’t need Islam to feel realized or proud about myself.”

  • UFC Legends Glover Teixeira And Shogun Rua Set For Long-Awaited Clash In Brazil On August 29

    Two legendary Brazilian MMA veterans are finally set to share the ring after more than a decade of near misses.

    Glover Teixeira and Mauricio Rua, better known to fight fans as “Shogun,” are scheduled to headline Spaten Fight Night 3 in São Paulo, Brazil, on August 29 in a heavyweight boxing match contested over eight two-minute rounds.

    The matchup is especially notable because the former UFC light heavyweight champions were once expected to fight inside the Octagon back in 2012, though the bout never materialized. Now, years after both men stepped away from MMA competition, they’ll finally collide under boxing rules instead.

    Teixeira enters the event after remaining deeply involved in the sport following his retirement in 2023. While his final UFC appearance ended in a title fight loss to Jamahal Hill, the 46-year-old has stayed active as the longtime coach and mentor of Alex Pereira, who is currently preparing for an interim heavyweight title fight against Ciryl Gane at the UFC White House event.

    Shogun, meanwhile, remains one of the most respected names of the PRIDE era. The 44-year-old built his legacy through violent finishes and memorable wars against names like Quinton Jackson, Alistair Overeem, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira before eventually becoming UFC light heavyweight champion.

    Spaten Fight Night has quickly become known for bringing iconic MMA names into crossover combat events. Previous editions featured exhibition-style bouts involving Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, and Wanderlei Silva.

    The upcoming card will also include high-level judo matches featuring Olympic gold medalists Rafaela Silva and Beatriz Souza, adding another layer to the Brazil-based combat sports showcase.

  • Young MMA Fighter’s UFC Dream Ends In Tragic Bear Attack In Canada

    A tragic story out of northern Saskatchewan has revealed the heartbreaking final chapter of a young man chasing a dream of fighting in the UFC.

    Hrishikesh Koloth, a 27-year-old originally from Kerala, India, was killed in a rare bear attack on May 8 while working at a uranium exploration site near Nordbye Lake.

    According to his family, Koloth had spent years training in mixed martial arts and moved to Canada to pursue a professional fighting career.

    Speaking in an interview with CBC News after the tragedy, his brother Arjun described Hrishikesh as someone completely devoted to combat sports.

    “That was his dream. That’s why he came here,” Arjun said. “He wanted to fight in the UFC.”

    Koloth had reportedly trained for more than a decade and worked with Skoden Martial Arts in Penticton, British Columbia. His brother said he was also preparing to begin a new job as a boxing coach in Vancouver next month.

    Authorities confirmed the bear was later shot and killed at the scene. The incident marks only the fourth recorded fatal bear attack in Saskatchewan history.

  • Misfits Boxing Star DeenTheGreat Arrested In Miami On Felony Attempted Robbery Charge

    DeenTheGreat reportedly spent part of Wednesday in police custody after being arrested in Miami-Dade County on a felony charge tied to an alleged altercation involving a woman’s cellphone.

    According to TMZ, the influencer boxer and streamer, whose real name is Nurideen Shabazz, was booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in Miami on a charge listed as “robbery/strongarm/attempt.” Jail records reportedly showed that a bond had not yet been set at the time details of the arrest surfaced.

    Per the police report cited by TMZ, the incident allegedly began aboard a yacht involving a woman identified as Destiny Aleman. She claimed Shabazz became upset after other men attempted to speak with her despite allegedly warning her not to entertain anyone else during the outing.

    The situation reportedly escalated once Aleman exited the yacht. She told police that Shabazz grabbed her forearm and attempted to take her phone while she was recording, allegedly causing a minor scratch in the process.

    Authorities also reportedly reviewed surveillance footage provided voluntarily by the yacht owner. According to police, the footage appeared to show Shabazz yelling for someone to take the woman’s phone and stop her from recording before allegedly trying multiple times to grab the device as she attempted to pull away.

    TMZ further reported that the footage allegedly showed Aleman curling up on the ground while trying to protect the phone before eventually getting free.

    The arrest comes as Shabazz continues building his presence in both livestream culture and influencer boxing. Known online for viral streams, internet feuds, and crossover boxing appearances, DeenTheGreat has competed seven times under the Misfits Boxing banner, compiling a 6-1 record. His most recent fight came at Misfits Mania in December 2025, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Amado Vargas.

    Just hours before news of the arrest surfaced, Shabazz had been livestreaming alongside Tekashi 6ix9ine and others.

  • Joe Rogan Says He Always Believed Sean Strickland Could Beat Khamzat Chimaev And Explains Why

    Joe Rogan Says He Always Believed Sean Strickland Could Beat Khamzat Chimaev And Explains Why

    Joe Rogan says he was never surprised that Sean Strickland could upset Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, pointing to Strickland’s unquantifiable durability and heart as the traits that always kept him dangerous.

    Rogan discussed the fight on his podcast with Tom Segura, explaining why he gave Strickland a genuine chance despite the massive odds against him.

    “I thought it could happen that way. Ari was arguing with me. He’s like, ‘you always say that when someone doesn’t have a chance, you always hype it up.’ Like, I think Strickland can win this fight because Strickland is insanely durable. He’s scary because he doesn’t go away. He’s not going to get tired. He doesn’t go away. He’s tough as s—. He was abused when he was young, so he’s angry. He is dangerous and he’s super skillful, very hard to hit. And he fought in one with a blown out shoulder. He f—ed his shoulder up like the week of the fight. Like did something bad. He f—ed it up and he doesn’t even know what it was, but he couldn’t use it right.”

    Strickland dethroned Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 in Newark to claim the middleweight title for the second time. He had previously been submitted by Chimaev and outpointed by Dricus Du Plessis twice during his reign.

  • Robert Whittaker Says He Is Not Bothered By Prelim Spot At UFC 329 For His Light Heavyweight Debut

    Robert Whittaker Says He Is Not Bothered By Prelim Spot At UFC 329 For His Light Heavyweight Debut

    Robert Whittaker says he is not bothered by being placed on the preliminary card for UFC 329, calling the silver lining an earlier fight time that spares him from late nights.

    Whittaker makes his light heavyweight debut at UFC 329 on July 11 against Nikita Krylov. He spoke to Submission Radio about the prelim placement.

    “Well, it’s different. I haven’t been in a prelim fight for a long time. On paper, intellectually, you look at it, it makes sense-ish. My first move up to 205, coming back after a big layoff. I’m looking forward to getting back in there. Honestly, the silver lining is that I get to get my fight out of the way a little bit earlier. I hate those late nights, they kill me a little bit. Honestly, it’s just about getting in there and getting to business. I want to get in there, and I want to execute all of the things that I’ve been working on up until now, I want to feel myself out, I want to feel how the fight feels. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

    Whittaker is a former two-time UFC middleweight champion. His move to light heavyweight has drawn some concern about whether he will be undersized at 205 pounds.

  • TJ Dillashaw Claims Khamzat Chimaev Was ‘On The Verge Of Death’ During His UFC 328 Weight Cut

    TJ Dillashaw Claims Khamzat Chimaev Was ‘On The Verge Of Death’ During His UFC 328 Weight Cut

    T.J. Dillashaw says Khamzat Chimaev was “almost dying” during his weight cut ahead of UFC 328 and believes his performance against Sean Strickland — including going the distance despite being so compromised — is a testament to just how tough Chimaev is.

    Dillashaw, a former two-time UFC bantamweight champion who was part of Chimaev’s camp, spoke to MMA Fighting about the full picture of what happened behind the scenes.

    “Khamzat looked like an animal for his camp, like he was unbeatable. There was no way he was going to get beat, but then you get someone that you’re paying — there’s a lot of frauds in this world — and the way that they made him cut weight was horrible.”

    Dillashaw attributed the weight cut disaster to poor water management.

    “Well, the water. I mean, if I could put it to one thing — your body will shut down. Like you can’t go and lose 10 pounds all at once and not drink enough water to tell your brain and your body to, ‘Hey, let’s keep losing weight. Let’s keep pushing water.’ If you lose too much of it too fast in one sitting, your body will stop sweating. Yeah, you might only have three pounds to go, but guess what? That’s gonna take you seven, eight hours because you’re dying. You’re straight up dying. Your body’s telling you you’re dying.”

    He described the full extent of what Chimaev was going through before stepping into the cage.

    “He wanted to give Strickland $1 million and say, ‘Hey, take it. I can’t make it, I’m going to die.’ And you forget this guy’s got half a thyroid, right? His metabolism is half of a normal man. And so if you’re not treating it the right way, you could kill him. And I really believe he was on the verge of death making that weight cut. He should not have made it to the fight. And to see how he performed still — Round 5, Round 4, he still had the better fight in cardio than Strickland, and Strickland’s supposed to be a cardio guy. Khamzat’s the one going forward landing the bigger shots. So Sean won a fight going backwards, throwing a jab? I don’t see it that way. But it makes me realize how tough Khamzat is to do as well as he did on almost dying before getting on that scale.”

    Dillashaw said Chimaev only showed up to fight week 16 pounds over, and argued the situation was entirely avoidable.

    “People need to understand: What he pushed through to fight is impressive. He just needs to do it the right way. He was only 16 pounds over showing up to fight week. That is easy. It’s about the water displacement. And unfortunately they didn’t do that.”

  • Holly Holm On Ronda Rousey’s Retirement: ‘I’d Always Be Open To Fight Her Again’

    Holly Holm On Ronda Rousey’s Retirement: ‘I’d Always Be Open To Fight Her Again’

    Holly Holm says she highly doubts Ronda Rousey will ever accept a rematch, but made clear the invitation has always been open and always will be.

    Holm spoke to MMA Fighting ahead of her boxing title fight against Stephanie Han on Saturday, with Rousey’s name coming up repeatedly following her 17-second submission of Gina Carano at MVP MMA 1.

    “Yes, a lot of talk with the Ronda fight. I highly doubt she’ll ever want a rematch. I always have said since the minute the last fight was over, I’ll always rematch her. That’s always been available. But she wanted to come back and have this win and go back and enjoy and have a win like that. No hate from me. I hope she does well. I hope she does whatever she wants with her life. That’s her life. I’d always be open to fight her again.”

    Holm was not surprised by how the Rousey-Carano fight ended, having witnessed Rousey do the same to ranked UFC fighters in her prime.

    “She did that a lot to women who were ranked at the top, Ronda was still doing that. You can’t judge someone who lost like that. You know what? It takes a lot of courage to step back in when you haven’t felt that in a long time and in that many years.”

    Holm also praised Carano for what it took to return after 17 years away.

    “To be able to come back after time off, it’s uncomfortable. Fights are uncomfortable. I don’t like it. I hate fight week. I hate fight day. I always have. It is very uncomfortable and that’s why a very small percentage of people can actually do this. It’s not just the physical aspect you put your body through. It is more emotionally and mentally. For her to come back and face it, that takes a lot of courage, too.”

    On Holm’s own legacy, she expressed pride in what her knockout of Rousey represented.

    “The whole reason why me beating her was such a big deal is because she was so dominant. You have to have a dominant champion in order to have a big upset. So I have all the respect for her and to her. I’ll never say anything negative. But then there’s like the fighter pride of things and a win is great but also to try to win that good or put that much of a stamp on something, anybody would be lying if they said they weren’t proud of it.”

    Holm fights Han in a boxing lightweight title rematch on Saturday. The original bout ended in a technical decision after a clash of heads caused a cut. Holm, 44, is a current MVP boxing signee.

  • Chris Weidman Says Colby Covington Is In For A Rude Awakening At RAF 09

    Chris Weidman says Colby Covington is in for a rude awakening when they meet in the co-main event of RAF 09 on Saturday in Dallas, arguing that his wrestling credentials far exceed those of Covington’s previous opponents.

    Speaking to MMA Junkie Radio, Weidman acknowledged Covington’s skills while making clear he sees himself as a significant step up in competition.

    “I watched his two matches that he had with Rockhold and Dillon Danis. He has a decent single leg. I think he’s tough. He was a great wrestler when he was competing, and I think he’s a goer, and I’m a goer, as well. I love putting a pace on and trying to get guys tired and break them. He’s tough. He’s 2-0. I will say I don’t think Dillon Danis and Luke Rockhold are on my level respectfully in terms of wrestling at all. So, I do think I’m a big step up in competition for him, and I appreciate him calling me out and wanting a tougher challenge.”

    Weidman said he does not concede any clear advantage to Covington, including speed.

    “I don’t know if I even give him the speed advantage. I think I’m pretty speedy when it comes to wrestling, but I’ll have to showcase that. His advantages? I don’t know. I don’t know what he’s planning on doing. I think it’s an uphill battle for him to be honest. It’s definitely a tough one. I just hope he doesn’t stall the whole time and run away from me. If he wrestles with me, I think it’s going to be really tough for him. I’m big, I’m strong, I’m good in a lot of different positions in wrestling. I have a lot of freestyle experience. I was a multiple-time All-American in freestyle and also Greco in high school, then I was training for the Olympics in 2008.”

    Weidman is making his RAF debut in the bout. Covington enters 2-0 in the promotion following wins over Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis.

  • Dana White Admits Relationship With Anderson Silva Completely Fell Apart After UFC Exit- ‘I Said It’s Over’

    Dana White has opened up about his fractured relationship with UFC legend Anderson Silva, revealing that the former middleweight champion still refuses to speak to him years after leaving the promotion.

    Speaking in a recent interview with Rolling Stone ahead of UFC Freedom 250, White reflected on the difficult reality of telling aging fighters that their time in the UFC has come to an end. Silva, according to the UFC CEO, took that conversation especially hard.

    “Anderson Silva… that guy won’t talk to me to this day because I said it’s over, and he was in his 40s,” White said. “His thing was, ‘Who are you to tell me that I’m done doing what I love to do?’”

    Silva’s UFC exit in 2020 came after a rough stretch late in his career. Although White exaggerated the losing streak in his comments, Silva had struggled in the latter stages of his Octagon run and ultimately departed following a TKO loss to Uriah Hall.

    Despite that decline, “The Spider” has remained active in combat sports since leaving the UFC. The Brazilian icon transitioned into professional boxing and picked up notable wins over Tito Ortiz, Tyron Woodley, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., while also sharing the ring with Jake Paul.

    The UFC head honcho acknowledged that fighters often struggle to recognize when their prime has passed, especially after spending years performing in front of massive crowds and competing at the highest level.

    “You just never know it’s over until you actually get in there, and you can’t pull the trigger the way you used to,” White explained.

    The tension between the two has quietly lingered for years. Silva notably skipped his UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2023, as well as the following year’s ceremony honoring his legendary fight against Chael Sonnen.

    Even so, White made it clear that his stance was never about preventing “The Spider” from fighting altogether.

    “He can still fight, you just can’t do it here,” White said.

    For many fans, Silva remains one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. But according to White, their relationship may never fully recover from the moment the UFC decided “The Spider’s” run inside the Octagon had reached its end.

  • Ray J Hospitalized Following Brutal Brand Risk 14 KO Against Supa Hot Fire

    Ray J has reportedly been hospitalized in Las Vegas following his viral knockout loss at Adin Ross’ Brand Risk 14 event over the weekend.

    According to TMZ, the R&B star checked himself into a hospital just hours after his amateur MMA bout against internet personality Supa Hot Fire, whose real name is DeWayne DeShawn Stevenson. Sources close to Ray J told the outlet that he has remained under medical supervision for multiple days while doctors continue evaluating his condition.

    The report claims medical staff are investigating a possible concussion stemming from the knockout, while also monitoring concerns related to his heart rate allegedly slowing down after the fight.

    The frightening update comes after the 45-year-old appeared visibly disoriented during the second-round stoppage loss at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas last weekend. Supa Hot Fire landed a heavy right hand that sent Ray J stumbling into the ropes before collapsing to the canvas in a sequence that quickly spread across social media.

    The aftermath of the fight drew even more attention when Ray J made bizarre comments during his post-fight interview, appearing to suggest there had been some sort of pre-fight understanding between the two competitors.

    “Yo, I thought we had a plan,” Ray J said after the bout, fueling online speculation surrounding the fight.

    The hospitalization also raises further concern because Ray J has publicly discussed ongoing health issues throughout the year. Earlier in 2026, he revealed he had been dealing with pneumonia, heart-related complications, and other medical concerns serious enough to require hospitalization and extended bed rest.

    Despite those issues, Ray J still stepped into the cage for the chaotic influencer event promoted by Adin Ross, which featured a mix of celebrity fights and viral personalities.

  • Chris Weidman Stunned By UFC Hall Of Fame Honor After Career Highs And Lows – ‘I Was Completely Clueless’

    Chris Weidman never saw this moment coming.

    The former UFC middleweight champion is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, but the announcement caught him completely off guard.

    Known for one of the biggest upsets in MMA history when he dethroned Anderson Silva in 2013, Weidman’s legacy has long been debated due to the contrasting chapters of his career.

    That’s part of why the honor came as such a surprise.

    “It’s a huge honor – I was completely caught off guard with it,” Weidman said in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio. “Was not expecting it… I was completely clueless and it was an awesome surprise.”

    The reveal was orchestrated during UFC 328 in Newark, where “The All-American” was brought cageside under the pretense of a routine broadcast segment. Instead, he was met with a tribute video announcing his induction.

    Weidman’s early career run remains one of the most impressive in middleweight history. He began with 13 straight victories, including two wins over Silva, and successful title defenses against elite contenders like Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida.

    However, the latter part of his career told a different story. A series of losses after his championship reign left Weidman unsure if his accomplishments would ultimately be enough for Hall of Fame recognition.

    “After I had my first loss, I lost a lot,” he admitted. “Thank God they measure you from your prime… I’m glad I did some great things while I was young.”

    “The All-American” now joins a stacked 2026 class that includes Demetrious Johnson and Dominick Cruz, further cementing his place in UFC history.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Rico Verhoeven Breaks Silence On Final Sequence Against Oleksandr Usyk, Admits Confusion Over Controversial Stoppage

    Rico Verhoeven has now offered one of his most detailed accounts yet of the chaotic final moments in his fight against Oleksandr Usyk, and from his perspective, the ending felt anything but clear.

    Speaking during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Verhoeven walked through the sequence that led to the controversial Round 11 stoppage, starting with the uppercut that put him on the canvas.

    “I got hit with the uppercut. People who know my fights know I’ve been dropped multiple times… No matter how much time is left on the clock, I get back up, and I end up winning,” Verhoeven explained.

    Despite the knockdown, the Dutch star said his mindset never wavered. Once back on his feet, he believed survival, not recovery, was the immediate goal.

    “That was the mindset… I got back up, they put the mouthpiece back in, and I heard there were only 10 seconds left. So I thought, ‘Oh, okay, that’s good.’”

    With the round nearly over, Verhoeven expected a final push from “The Cat” and planned accordingly.

    “Let me keep my hands up and get to the 12th round. I knew he was going to come straight at me, so I thought, ‘Pop, pop, keep my hands up and wait until the bell goes.’”

    But what followed is where confusion set in.

    “And then it was just like, when is the bell gonna go? Those 10 seconds were taking a long time,” he said. “Then he jumped in, and I was like, ‘Ok, f—, the round is over.’”

    Instead of hearing the bell, “King of Kickboxing” was met with the referee stepping in to stop the fight, a moment that caught him completely off guard.

    “He’s like, ‘No, it’s over.’ I was like, ‘What the heck is going on here?’”

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Brown did acknowledge McGregor has a path to victory.

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

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

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

    Sean Strickland Has Blunt Take On Fantasy Matchup With Anderson Silva

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Bisping walked through a specific sequence from the footage.

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

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