Jacobe Smith is making a case of being a rising star in the welterweight division, stamping such with a brutal first-round knockout of Josiah Harrell at UFC Houston.
Smith controlled the fight from the beginning, landing some solid right hands while stopping the takedown attempts of Harrell. One of those attempts from Harrell resulted in Smith rolling through and getting into top control.
Once there, Smith rained down blows to knock out Harrell. He then used his post-fight interview to call out Kevin Holland.
HIS PUNCHES HAVE SERIOUS POWER 👊
Jacobe Smith puts the #UFCHouston crowd on their feet after that KO!
Smith now moves to 12-0 and is 3-0 in the UFC since arriving off a performance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Last year, Smith knocked out Preston Parsons and choked out Niko Price in the Octagon.
This marked the first loss of Harrell’s MMA career. This marked his UFC debut, coming into this bout off a third-round win over Bekmyrza Dosmatov in LFA last month.
A UFC Houston card that seemed to start slow picked up in an eye-opening way during the prelims, courtesy of Joselyne Edwards defeating Nora Cornolle.
Cornolle controlled the action to take the first round on all three judges’ cards. But the second round, however, saw things change with Cornolle in Edwards’ grasp.
Near the midway point of the second round, Edwards lifted Cornolle and slammed her to the mat with a big impact. Cornolle seemed to be finished, as Edwards pounded with some follow-up shots.
Cornolle stood up but still seemed dazed, and Edwards took advantage, scoring a quick takedown and locking in a choke for the submission win.
FINISHING THE REMATCH IN STRONG FASHION 💪
Joselyne Edwards goes slam into submission for the R2 victory!
The aftermath would see Cornolle on the mat in pain, clutching at the shoulder she landed on in the slam. Cornolle needed assistance in leaving the Octagon.
This was a rematch from UFC Paris in September 2023, a bout that Cornolle won via decision.
Edwards has now won four straight. She entered this bout off finishes of Chelsea Chandler and Priscila Cachoeira last year.
Cornolle has now lost three of her last four. She is 2-3 since the win over Edwards.
Sean Strickland shared honest thoughts about pay for fighters in the UFC, criticizing the pay scale as a predatory practice that the fighters have no control over.
Speaking with Complex, Strickland was asked about the promotion’s decision to increase post-fight bonus awards from $50,000 to $100,000 — plus $25,000 for finishes.
Strickland explained that while it looks like the UFC fighters are being paid more under the new Paramount deal, that isn’t exactly the case.
😲Sean Strickland says he’s not making more money with the new paramount deal
"If you compare it to any other sport, the UFC is the most f*cked up. It's not fair. It's predatory."
“The UFC is the most, as far as the pay scale, there is no — you compare it to any other sporting event, the UFC is the most f***** up,” Strickland said. “If you compare it to like pay versus athletes versus what they’re making, there is no argument there. It’s not fair, it’s predatory. There is no argument there.
“Now we’re a bunch of f****** idiots who take our clothes off and go fight for f****** shorten our lives for this. So like, do we deserve better? I don’t f****** know. I’m just telling you that there is no argument here that the UFC is not predatory.”
It’s more common knowledge these days that the revenue share for UFC fighters is lackluster compared to athletes in other sports leagues. While athletes from leagues like the NBA, NFL, and MLB see around a 45-50 percent share of revenue, the UFC fighters — who have no collective bargaining agreement with the promotion — see only about 13-20 percent.
That figure comes courtesy of an antitrust lawsuit — Le v. Zuffa — against the UFC that was settled in 2025. Another antitrust lawsuit — Johnson v. Zuffa — regarding the UFC’s business practices is still ongoing.
Ronda Rousey echoed similar sentiments in a recent interview, claiming TKO’s focus on “cost-effective” fights played into why MVP Promotions, and not the UFC, are hosting her fight with Gina Carano in May. TKO formed in 2023 as part of a business merger between the UFC and WWE.
Strickland added that it doesn’t matter if fighters do or don’t speak out about the pay issue — because there aren’t any hints of the pay for fighters changing anytime soon. In fact, Strickland stated fighters might be better off working corporate jobs than spending all their time training and competing in the Octagon.
“…What are they signing guys [for]? 10 and 10? How much is f****** rent in Vegas? It’s like $2,000, $1,600, $1,400?” Strickland said. “So it’s like, once you pay your managers, your taxes, how the f*** you supposed to live on that? ‘Well, you could fight four times a year.’ Okay, so you go 3-1. Like, no, you’ll make more money at f****** Walmart, dude. But it’s what the UFC wants, man. It’s all just f****** corporate.
“Why do I want to go compete with a Brazilian where he could go make money and live pretty nicely, to where you can’t do that in America? Why would anybody want that? It doesn’t make sense.”
It’s been noted that Kayla Harrison is the only American UFC undisputed champion, with Justin Gaethje holding an interim title and Max Holloway holding the BMF belt.
Strickland hinted this might be something we see for good if the pay structure does not undergo a major overhaul.
“You say no to a fight. Well, guess what? They’re go find some f****** guy in some f****** sandpit and they’ll do it for f****** five and five,” Strickland said. “This is why you’re slowly gonna see the American roster die because it’s outsourced by people…”
Strickland faces Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston.
UFC Houston results and highlights are updated live as the action unfolds from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The UFC is on the road with a Fight Night card for the first time this year. The main event will feature a key middleweight battle between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. MMANews has you covered with all the results and highlights!
Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez – Middleweight Main Event
This bout marks Strickland’s first since losing a middleweight title rematch to Dricus Du Plessis last year. Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya to win the UFC middleweight title in upset fashion at UFC 293, but he dropped the gold in a close decision against Du Plessis at UFC 297. In the time between the two title fights with DDP, Strickland bested Paulo Costa via split decision at UFC 302.
After a win on Dana White’s Contender Series was overturned and a 1-2 start to his Octagon tenure, Hernandez enters tonight on an eight-fight win streak. In 2025, “Fluffy” scored a unanimous decision over Brendan Allen and a dominant submission of Roman Dolidze.
The co-main event will be a welterweight battle between Geoff Neal and Uros Medic. Neal enters this fight with losses in three of his last four. This is his first fight since getting knocked out by Carlos Prates at UFC 319. Medic, meanwhile, has won three of his last four, including first-round finishes of Gilbert Urbina and Muslim Salikhov last year.
If you can’t watch the action, check here for all the latest results and highlights from UFC Houston!
Former UFC heavyweight contender Jailton Almeida has found a new home in ACA’s heavyweight division. The Brazilian standout has signed with the Russian promotion, ACA president Magomed Bibulatov confirmed through Russian outlet Vestnik MMA on Friday.
Жаилтон Алмейда (22-5) пополняет ростер тяжелого дивизиона АСА. Об этом сообщил глава лиги Магомед Бибулатов. pic.twitter.com/6OBP8IKEIc
Almeida enters ACA with a 22-5 professional record and a reputation as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the sport.
The 34-year-old was recently released by the UFC despite being ranked in the top 10 at heavyweight, ending a stint in which he went 8-3 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Derrick Lewis, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Serghei Spivac.
The move comes less than two weeks after news broke that the UFC had opted to part ways with Almeida following a unanimous-decision loss to Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113, his second consecutive defeat.
Almeida later issued a public statement promising that he would “be back” and teasing “new challenges” on the horizon. Those challenges now appear to lie in ACA, where Almeida is expected to remain at heavyweight rather than pursue a previously discussed return to light heavyweight.
With Almeida now joining the roster, ACA adds a globally recognized contender to its heavyweight ranks at a time when international signings have become increasingly important in the free-agent market.
Betting odds for UFC Houston are locked in ahead of tonight’s card, and the books have made their picks clear across the board. These are near-final lines, so don’t expect much movement before the first bell.
In the main event, Anthony Hernandez is a significant -240 favorite over former middleweight champion Sean Strickland, who comes back at +205. The total is set at 4.5 rounds, with the under (+156) slightly favored, suggesting oddsmakers expect a finish if Hernandez gets his way.
Geoff Neal is a -190 favorite against Uros Medic (+165) in their welterweight matchup. The fight has a 1.5-round total, with the over (+140) favored — a reflection of both men’s tendency to get the job done early.
Melquizael Costa is a -230 chalk over Dan Ige (+195), with the total set at 2.5. The under (+207) is on the board, meaning oddsmakers strongly expect this one to end before the third round.
Spivac vs. Delija a Near Pick’em
The closest fight on the card per the odds is Ante Delija vs. Serghei Spivac, where Delija is a slim -120 favorite with Spivac at +100. The 1.5-round total sits at +112/-132, making this one of the more unpredictable bouts of the night.
Michel Pereira Favored Over Zach Reese
Michel Pereira opens as a -160 favorite against Zach Reese (+140). The over 1.5 rounds is +105, indicating some uncertainty about whether this one goes the distance — fitting given Pereira’s unpredictable style.
UFC Houston gets underway tonight. Stay tuned to MMA News for live results and post-fight coverage.
UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev is reportedly being targeted to face former light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka for the vacant UFC light heavyweight title in the main event of UFC 327 on April 11 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.
The rumor was first reported by MMA content creator @realkevink on social media. UFC has not officially confirmed the matchup
The report suggests Chimaev (15-0) would vacate his middleweight title to pursue a second championship at 205 pounds, bypassing any defense of the belt he won by dominating Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 in August.
On his JAXXON Podcast appearance Friday, Chimaev expressed his desire to become a two-division champion. “I want to become double champion,” Chimaev said. “I am not like these guys who try to take their retirement from UFC undefeated. I just want to make big fights.”
The move to light heavyweight would mark the third weight class of Chimaev’s UFC career after competing at both welterweight and middleweight. Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman recently suggested on his Pound 4 Pound podcast that Chimaev has simply outgrown 185 pounds, with reports placing his walking weight between 225 and 230 pounds.
Procházka (32-5-1) has rebuilt momentum in the light heavyweight division with back-to-back stoppage victories over Jamahal Hill at UFC 311 in January 2025 and Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320 in October 2025. The former champion’s only UFC losses have come against Alex Pereira, who is widely expected to vacate the 205-pound title to pursue a heavyweight move.
Notably, this report conflicts with an earlier rumor from Brazilian outlet MMA Hoje, which targeted Procházka vs. Carlos Ulberg for the vacant light heavyweight title at UFC 327, with Pereira facing Ciryl Gane for interim heavyweight gold at UFC 328. Whether the Chimaev matchup has replaced that plan or represents a competing report remains unclear.
The UFC 327 card is already taking shape with a confirmed co-main event featuring flyweight champion Joshua Van defending his title against Tatsuro Taira. Additional bouts include Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker, Kevin Holland vs. Randy Brown, and Paulo Costa’s light heavyweight debut against Azamat Murzakanov.
Bo Nickal appears to have publicly signaled his acceptance of a fight with Colby Covington, posting a message on X Friday evening that strongly implies the two fighters are headed for a collision at the UFC’s historic White House card on June 14.
“I have a lot of respect for Colby Covington as a competitor and someone who never backs down from a challenge,” Nickal wrote, tagging Covington, the UFC, Dana White, and President Donald Trump. “The Real American way. See you soon.”
The tweet marks a notable shift in tone from Nickal, who had spent recent weeks aggressively calling out Covington after “Chaos” appeared to pivot toward a matchup with Paddy Pimblett instead. As recently as mid-February, Nickal blasted Covington as a “coward” for seemingly dodging the fight, telling him to “man up and take your beating.”
Bo Nickal vs Colby Covington
The rivalry between the two erupted in January at the RAF 5 press conference, where Covington directed several personal jabs at Nickal, questioning his career trajectory and MMA acumen. After defeating Luke Rockhold at the event, Covington hinted at a move to middleweight — only to later reverse course and declare he preferred to remain at 170 pounds, citing a desire to face a non-American opponent on the patriotic card.
Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion currently competing at middleweight, had previously identified Covington as his top target for the event.
“A matchup with Colby makes a lot of sense, especially considering how the last RAF event unfolded,” Nickal told MMA Fighting earlier this month. “This feels like the fight that needs to happen.”
The UFC’s White House event — set for the South Lawn on Flag Day, June 14, also President Trump’s 80th birthday, is reported to already be finalized internally. Dana White confirmed last week that the card is complete, though no official bouts have been announced.
It remains to be seen whether Nickal vs. Covington has been formally booked or whether Friday’s tweet represents Nickal’s public acceptance of an offer currently in the works. Neither the UFC nor Covington’s camp has issued a response as of publication.
Conor Benn has broken his silence on his departure from Matchroom Boxing, issuing a public statement addressing his move to Zuffa Boxing.
Benn thanked promoter Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom team for a decade of support, from his early days as a professional to headlining stadium shows.
“They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times,” he wrote.
He hopes Hearn can remain part of his team in some capacity going forward.
On the Zuffa Boxing move, Benn was direct:
“Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse.”
First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they’ve done for me over the past decade.
From guiding me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to… pic.twitter.com/u4dD4tsnAe
He expressed ambition about what the partnership will bring, calling for legacy fights and the biggest stages.
“I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
You can read the full statement here:
“First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they’ve done for me over the past decade. From guiding me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times.
It’s been a journey beyond anything we could have imagined, and for their belief, support, and guidance, I will always be truly grateful, but Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse. I’d love Eddie to continue to be part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this new chapter.
I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing. I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Conor Benn has sensationally left long‑time promoter Eddie Hearn and signed with Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing in a move that immediately raises the stakes in White’s growing rivalry with traditional boxing power brokers.
The British star had spent his entire professional career under the Matchroom banner, but on Friday it was confirmed he has split from Hearn to ink a new promotional deal with Zuffa.
Benn paid tribute to his now‑former promoter in a statement, thanking Hearn and Matchroom “for everything they have done for me over the past decade” and calling the journey “beyond anything we could have imagined,” before adding that Zuffa Boxing presented an opportunity he “simply couldn’t refuse.”
The 24‑1 contender avenged his only career loss with a victory over Chris Eubank Jr in their November rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium — Benn had lost their first meeting in April before winning the sequel — and has since been linked with major fights against the likes of Ryan Garcia, Mario Barrios and Shakur Stevenson.
Zuffa Boxing vs. Matchroom
For White and Zuffa Boxing, landing Benn is a huge statement as the new outfit builds out its 2026 schedule and looks to challenge the sport’s established order.
Rampage Jackson showed love to Deen The Great on his latest Kick stream, gifting the Misfits Boxing star a $20,000 Audemars Piguet watch after one of the roughest weeks of Deen’s public life.
“You took four Ls,” Jackson jokingly told Deen on the February 19 stream, a nod to a string of viral altercations that had the internet buzzing. Deen was slapped by powerlifter Larry Wheels over an incident involving Wheels’ wife, then elbowed in the face by ex-UFC fighter Tiki Ghosn at a house party hosted by Jackson, leaving him the subject of widespread ridicule online.
Ghosn, who compiled a 10-8-1 MMA record from 1998 to 2009 fighting the likes of Robbie Lawler and Genki Sudo, serves as Rampage’s longtime manager and also represents Dustin Poirier, Brian Ortega, and Mackenzie Dern.
A resurfaced clip of a failed backflip from Deen’s Misfits Boxing debut in 2022 only added fuel to the fire.
Despite the rough stretch, Deen ended the week on a high note. Following his public apology over the Tiki Ghosn scuffle, Jackson used the moment to publicly thank Deen for introducing him to live streaming on Kick, crediting him with giving him a renewed sense of purpose after retiring from MMA.
The UFC has officially announced its return to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with a welterweight main event pitting Gilbert Burns against Mike Malott.
The event, a UFC Fight Night card in Winnipeg, takes place on Saturday, April 18 from the Canada Life Centre. The announcement marks the promotion’s first visit to Manitoba since December 2017, when the UFC last held an event in the Canadian province.
The scoop was first reported by veteran MMA reporter Adam Martin yesterday, and confirmed this afternoon.
I am hearing tonight that the UFC Canada card that was originally set for Ottawa, Ontario, is being shifted to Winnipeg, Manitoba. We should get an official announcement for this event soon, along with a main event. Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg where the Jets play seats 16,000.
Burns (22-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) is currently on the longest losing skid of his career at four straight defeats. The 39-year-old former title challenger was most recently stopped by Michael Morales in the first round at UFC Vegas 106 in May 2025. Despite the rough stretch, all four of Burns’ losses have come against ranked opposition in Morales, Sean Brady, Jack Della Maddalena, and Belal Muhammad. “Durinho” hasn’t tasted victory since a decision win over Jorge Masvidal at UFC 287 in April 2023.
Malott (13-2-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) enters the bout riding a three-fight winning streak and will be looking to make the most of his first UFC main event opportunity. The Canadian earned a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Holland at a UFC event in Vancouver in October and knocked out Charles Radtke at UFC 315 in May. The 34-year-old earned his UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021, and his only Octagon loss came against Neil Magny.
The matchup represents a classic crossroads bout. Burns brings elite experience as a former welterweight title challenger and decorated BJJ world champion, while Malott looks to use a victory over a big name to break into the upper tier of the 170-pound division. Headlining in front of a Canadian crowd adds another layer for Malott, who has thrived in previous outings on home soil.
Additional bouts for the UFC Winnipeg card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Canada, we’re BACK! 🤩🇨🇦 Catch our return to the North with #UFCWinnipeg April 18!
“It’s time to think about new challenges, to chase new dreams,” Almeida wrote. “It’s going to be that way — there’ll be news very soon. I’ll be back on the scene again.”
Almeida (22-5) was ranked No. 8 at heavyweight when the UFC cut him following back-to-back decision losses to Alexander Volkov at UFC 321 and Rizvan Kuniev at UFC Vegas 113. He had not exhausted his contract, with the promotion electing to release him early.
The 34-year-old Brazilian went 8-3 in the UFC with seven finishes in eight wins, including stoppages of Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Serghei Spivac. However, criticism of his grappling-heavy style had mounted, and UFC CEO Dana White publicly stated after the Volkov loss that he was pleased Almeida didn’t receive the decision.
Fan speculation has already linked Almeida to PFL, where his elite BJJ credentials and 13 career submission wins could thrive. Based on his message, it appears fans won’t be waiting long for an announcement.
Jake Paul says he’s back in the hospital. This time not because of another opponent, but because of his own body failing to cooperate.
The boxer and social media personality revealed on Friday that he required a second jaw surgery after the screws and plates from his original procedure began coming loose.
Paul posted videos to his social media from the hospital, captioning the footage: “Apparently I didn’t rest for the past 2 months whaattttttttt?”
The post includes video footage that clearly includes some “special effects” – so it’s unclear if this is entirely made up, or just embellished.
Jake Paul’s jaw was first broken during his December 19, 2025 fight against two-time unified Heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua. The bout, which aired on Netflix from Miami’s Kaseya Center, ended in a sixth-round knockout after Joshua dropped Paul four times throughout the fight. Post-fight X-rays revealed Paul had suffered fractures in two separate locations on his jaw.
Paul underwent his initial surgery on December 20, 2025, where surgeons inserted two titanium plates (one on each side of his mouth) secured with screws, in addition to removing several teeth.
At the time, Paul was placed on a strict liquid-only diet for seven days and expressed his intention to return to boxing at cruiserweight, stating, “We will heal the broken jaw, come back and fight people my weight”.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons previously noted that typical recovery from this type of jaw fracture repair requires strict rest and limited jaw movement to allow the hardware and bone to properly fuse.
Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) has repeatedly stated he plans to return to the ring and compete for a cruiserweight world title.
Carol Foro has announced she will no longer compete at UFC Fight Night Seattle on March 28 after testing positive for a banned substance in an out-of-competition drug test.
Foro’s team released a statement on Instagram confirming the positive test, which revealed a type of diuretic in her system earlier this year. The Brazilian had been scheduled to make her UFC debut on the card headlined by Israel Adesanya vs. Joe Pyfer at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
In their statement, Foro’s camp maintained that she did not take the substance “consciously or intentionally” and raised the possibility that it may have entered her system through a contaminated supplement. Testing is reportedly underway to support their case as they work to clear her name.
Her planned opponent, Stephanie Luciano, has since been rematched. Per reporter Leo Walker Guimaraes, Luciano is now set to face Alexia Thainara on March 28.
Foro Earned UFC Contract on Contender Series
Foro’s cancelled debut is a significant setback following the impression she made last September. The Brazilian earned her UFC contract via Episode 5 of Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, where both she and opponent Shanelle Dyer (who lost her undefeated record in the contest) were awarded contracts after a standout performance.
Thainara, who steps in as Foro’s replacement, has also been highlighted as a fighter to watch, making her a strong substitute for the card. Foro’s team will now focus on resolving the anti-doping matter before her UFC career can get underway.
Sean Strickland and Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez have both made weight for their main event bout at UFC Houston, with Strickland admitting the weight cut was harder on him than any fight could be.
Strickland stepped on the scale first and hit 185lb on the dot — going one pound under the non-title limit in what reads as a statement of intent from the former middleweight champion. Hernandez made use of the extra allowance and came in at 186lb, making the fight officially on for Saturday night.
One of middleweight’s best 💪@SStricklandMMA weighs in at 185 lbs!
The road to the scale was not easy for Strickland, who has been out of action for over a year since losing his title rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 last February. During his absence, his weight ballooned to a reported 230lb — nearly two full weight classes above the 185lb middleweight limit.
Strickland shared a video on his Instagram story the night before weigh-ins showing the toll the cut was taking. He posted screenshots of an intense two-hour workout that burned 1,214 calories, with his heart rate climbing from a resting 38bpm to highs of 141bpm during the hardest stretches.
“This is what we really get paid to do,” Strickland told his followers. “Cutting weight is worse than the fight, but we are almost there.”
It’s not the first time Strickland has struggled with the middleweight limit. Earlier in his career he competed at welterweight, and in 2023 he took a short-notice fight at 204lb after insisting he couldn’t reach 185lb in time. His success at middleweight has kept him in the division, but getting back down after a year at 230lb is a different kind of challenge.
What’s at Stake Saturday
Despite the drama surrounding his cut, Strickland arrived at the scale in good shape and ready to go. With Nassourdine Imavov as the current top contender for Khamzat Chimaev’s middleweight title, a statement win for Strickland — the last man to defeat Imavov, back in January 2023 — would put him firmly back in the title picture.
Hernandez enters on an eight-fight winning streak, including victories over Brendan Allen and Roman Dolidze, and is favored by the oddsmakers heading into Saturday night in Houston.
Cunningham revealed the decision in a vlog-style video recorded in his car, explaining that he ruptured a disc in his back that has not healed properly and that ongoing issues with the injury have led him to walk away from competition.
The American ends his career with an overall record of 11 wins and 5 losses, including an 0-2 mark inside the Octagon after earning his opportunity with a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series. His UFC run included a quick stoppage defeat to Jose Johnson in March 2024, part of a brief stint at the highest level that did not produce a win.
Cunningham’s retirement comes after a turbulent spell outside the cage as well. In October 2025, he faced widespread backlash for posting Nazi-themed propaganda on his Instagram account, drawing condemnation across social media and overshadowing his in-cage career.
Ian Machado Garry might be teasing that he’s next in line to challenge Islam Makhachev; however, Javier Mendez, Makhachev’s coach, is implying that Garry is no threat.
Garry has recently revealed that he is in Georgia, looking to improve his wrestling abilities for a potential title matchup with Makhachev. Georgia is known for producing high-level wrestling talent, including former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Given the current state of the welterweight rankings, it’s not confirmed who will be the first to challenge Makhachev, but Garry — currently ranked No. 2 — is making a big push.
But according to Mendez, the head of the American Kickboxing Academy, that won’t matter because of Makhachev’s advantages when the fight goes to the mat.
“He does well with Islam on the standup because he’s rangy, he’s tricky, all those — but on the ground, he does okay, but he doesn’t survive on the ground,” Mendez told Submission Radio. “He might survive five rounds, but he won’t get the the best of Islam on the ground. That I’m 100 percent sure about that.
Though Garry has studied judo, he is better known for using his size and range. The 6’3″ welterweight uses his lankiness and frame to get the better of opponents with his striking.
“On the stand up, he’s pretty tricky,” Mendez admitted. “So, one punch can change everything on that. One kick, one punch, one knee…so, that’s a different story. But on the ground, I don’t see him dominating. I see him surviving, possibly…and then the takedown defense, that he is decent, but not great enough to stop Islam from taking him down.”
Mendez also admitted that Makhachev had preferred a matchup with Kamaru Usman, given Usman is a former champion and has perhaps the most star power out of the potential challenger list.
A matchup with Garry, however, is still entertaining and more than welcome.
“I feel good about it,” Mendez said. “He’s a well-known guy. He’s very highly skilled, and I look forward to the challenge.”
Makhachev claimed the welterweight title with a dominant win over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The win made Makhachev the latest UFC fighter to win titles in two different weight divisions during their career.
Garry is 17-1 and most recently bested another former welterweight champion in Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar two weeks after Makhachev’s title win over JDM.
The UFC has yet to announce the next title challenger at 170. Shavkat Rakhmonov was recently removed from the welterweight rankings due to inactivity, as he suffered another setback due to injury.
Sean Strickland feels he has all the skills that will give him a big edge when he faces off with Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston this weekend.
Strickland is known for being a pressure-heavy fighter, but most of that comes from his boxing. Strickland, in fact, prefers to use his fists when in combat.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not a good grappler; in fact, Strickland, who is a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, is considered underrated in the discipline.
Hernandez is known for his grappling, but Strickland says anyone expecting “Fluffy” to succeed with takedowns and wrestling might be in for a surprise.
During the UFC Houston media day, Strickland hinted that he may use grappling to help him set up a late finish.
“I’m not the hardest guy to take down — and I don’t care about getting taken down,” Strickland said. “I think it’s going to be a five-round grappling match, which I will out-grapple him. And then I’ll TKO him in the fourth or fifth round.”
Strickland, in fact, says he’s been looking forward to this matchup with Hernandez as a means of testing his grappling capabilities.
“I’ve never done much grappling, especially this late into my career, so this is a test that I wanted,” Strickland said. “I do much more wrestling than I do striking in my training camps — so really it’s just having the gas tank to wrestle for five rounds.
“Generally, he takes guys down and breaks them, but I’m not a guy who breaks.”
Strickland is 4-2 in his last six. This will be his first fight since losing a middleweight championship rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312. Strickland upset Israel Adesanya for the title at UFC 293 but dropped the title to DDP at UFC 297.
Hernandez has won eight straight, including a decision win over Brendan Allen and a submission win over Roman Dolidze last year.
Lionsgate has released the official trailer for Beast, an MMA action drama starring Russell Crowe set to hit theaters on April 10, 2026. Crowe also co-wrote the screenplay alongside David Frigerio.
The film stars Daniel MacPherson as Patton James, a once-feared MMA champion who has stepped away from competition to build a quieter life. When his younger brother is put in danger, he’s pulled back into the cage — reuniting with his former trainer, played by Crowe, for one final brutal camp ahead of a showdown with the reigning title-holder. The film is directed by Tyler Atkins.
The cast also includes Luke Hemsworth, Bren Foster, Mojean Aria, Kelly Gale, and Australian musician Amy Shark, who makes her feature film debut. MacPherson and Hemsworth previously worked with Crowe on his 2022 film Poker Face.
Beast was developed in collaboration with ONE Championship, the world’s largest martial arts organization. A key fight scene was filmed at ONE Championship’s Friday Fights live event at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, in January 2025.
Watch the trailer below.
Beast opens exclusively in theaters on April 10, 2026.
UFC president Dana White is pushing back at critics who are outraged by Sean Strickland’s “colorful” remarks this week, insisting that anyone offended by the controversial middleweight should stop asking him questions instead of demanding the promotion rein him in.
“If you get your feelings hurt that bad, you probably shouldn’t ask the kind of questions when you know the answer you’re going to get from Strickland.”
When Dana White was asked about policing Sean Strickland on a UFC microphone
“If you get your feelings hurt that bad you shouldn’t ask these questions when you know the response you’ll get from Strickland. I don’t tell any human what to say or think, there’s no leashes” pic.twitter.com/6PHqG0AxUP
Sean Strickland’s UFC Houston media day appearance turned into a torrent of slurs and inflammatory remarks that quickly escaped the MMA bubble. As detailed by Variety and other mainstream outlets, Strickland used a homophobic slur to describe upcoming Super Bowl halftime performer Bad Bunny, mocked the NFL for “gaying up” football with its entertainment choices, and derided him as a “gay foreigner” brought in to perform.
He also claimed women have been empowered “too much” and “ruined society,” then reduced their value to domestic roles like cooking and cleaning while dismissing interest in women’s sports.
Aaaaaaand he was just getting started.
When asked about Netflix’s planned MMA exhibition between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, he suggested they should fight “half naked,” joked about Rousey’s history of being abused by a former partner, and sexualized Carano while reminiscing about watching her fight as a teenager.
Paramount paid $7.7 billion for this operation. Strickland’s been doing this kind of routine for a long time. By every indication available, Paramount’s getting exactly what they wanted. Entreaties for them to challenge what they asked for won’t work. https://t.co/yK4A49gOwT
— Luke Thomas Gets Political (LTGP) (@LTGetsPolitical) February 19, 2026
The media day was staged to promote his main event bout with Anthony Hernandez this Saturday in Houston, airing on Paramount+, and marks Strickland’s first fight since a 2025 suspension for attacking another fighter while working as a cornerman.
The combination of misogynistic, anti-LGBTQ and xenophobic rhetoric turned what was supposed to be a standard promotional hit into a corporate headache. Variety noted that both Paramount+ and the UFC did not immediately respond to requests for comment, underscoring how sensitive the situation is for the promotion and its broadcast partner as the clip circulates beyond fight fans.
Dana White: ‘Don’t ask him if you’re going to cry about it’
While broadcast partners and sponsors may be bracing for fallout, Dana White’s stance on Strickland remains consistent with how he has handled past controversies involving the former middleweight champion.
Speaking previously about backlash to Strickland’s offensive comments, White argued that members of the media who get their “feelings hurt” by Strickland’s answers are partly to blame when they knowingly toss him provocative questions.
“If you get your feelings hurt that bad, you probably shouldn’t ask the kind of questions when you know the answer you’re going to get from Strickland,” White said when asked about criticism of the fighter’s language.
He scoffed at the idea that the UFC gives Strickland a long “leash,” insisting that he doesn’t try to police fighters’ speech and that they are responsible for what comes out of their own mouths.
White has framed the issue as one of individual freedom rather than corporate responsibility.
“I don’t tell any other human being what to say or what to think,” he said, rejecting the notion that he should intervene when Strickland’s talking points veer into bigotry or hate.
In his view, the media have a clear idea of who Strickland is and what kind of soundbites he generates, and they should not act surprised when he delivers exactly that.
‘No leashes’ and the UFC’s free-speech posture
White’s broader message is that fights are the UFC’s product, but fighters’ speech belongs to them—even when it crosses lines that many fans, media members and advocacy groups find offensive.
He has repeatedly rejected calls to muzzle Strickland, saying he does not put “leashes” on athletes or script their personalities, even as sponsors and partners must live with the fallout of what they say.
That posture is now being stress-tested as Strickland’s comments are amplified by mainstream outlets like Variety, which framed the Houston media day appearance as a “bigoted tirade” that targeted women, LGBTQ people and immigrants.
Instead of signaling a change in approach, White is doubling down on the idea that Strickland is an uncensored personality and that anyone offended by him should stop treating him like a reliable spokesman for the sport.
UFC, Paramount+ and the optics problem
The tension for the UFC is that Strickland is not just a random undercard fighter ranting on social media; he is a former champion headlining a Paramount+-streamed event that the company is actively promoting.
His tirade unfolded on an official UFC media platform, with UFC branding everywhere, and directly tied to a fight the promotion and its partners want fans to watch on Saturday.
UFC’s silence when reached for comment, combined with White’s “no leashes” rhetoric, paints the picture of a company willing to absorb reputational damage in exchange for the attention and viral clips that come with Strickland’s persona.
At the same time, Strickland’s opponent Anthony Hernandez has already addressed racially charged material involving Strickland in the build-up to UFC Houston, vowing to “torture” him in the cage after a racist post depicted Hernandez using stereotypical Mexican imagery.
For now, there is no indication that White plans to discipline Strickland over his latest comments, much less tell him to tone down his rhetoric.
With Strickland set to headline in Houston on Paramount+, the fallout from this week’s comments (and White’s refusal to distance himself from them) will loom over Saturday night’s broadcast.
Amanda Serrano has weighed in on the newly announced Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight, praising both women as pioneers and taking a shot at anyone who views the matchup negatively.
Serrano, who signed a lifetime deal with Most Valuable Promotions in March 2025, shared her thoughts on social media following the announcement that Rousey and Carano will headline MVP’s first-ever MMA event on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, streaming live on Netflix.
“It’s so cool to have one of the Best combat Athletes back @RondaRousey vs another pioneer of combat sports the beautiful @ginacarano,” Serrano wrote. “Others shining lights won’t dim yours Unless you’re insecure, these women will break Numbers both in Viewerships & in live Attendance. I’m certain they will make a ton of money Raising the game!!”
She continued, “I feel it for the Lames that think it’s all about them. Real Empowered Women Empower Women! Tissues for the rest.”
The Puerto Rican boxing champion knows firsthand what MVP and Netflix can deliver. Serrano’s rematch with Katie Taylor in November 2024 became the most-watched professional women’s sports event in U.S. history with 74 million global viewers, and their trilogy at Madison Square Garden in July 2025 headlined the first-ever all-women’s boxing card at the iconic venue.
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian called Rousey and Carano “the two most formative figures in the history of women’s MMA” when announcing the bout. The fight will be contested at 145 pounds over five five-minute rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA.
A kickoff press conference is scheduled for March 5 at the Intuit Dome, with additional fights on the undercard to be announced in the coming weeks.
Former Bellator champion Sergio Pettis will face undefeated contender Mitch McKee in a bantamweight main event at PFL Chicago on April 11 from Wintrust Arena. The winner will move directly into title contention for the promotion’s still-vacant 135-pound championship.
PFL CEO John Martin confirmed the matchup on Thursday, calling it “a divisional inflection point” for the bantamweight division. Pettis currently sits atop PFL’s bantamweight rankings, while McKee brings a perfect 10-0 record into the biggest fight of his career.
Pettis Riding Momentum After Highlight-Reel KO
Pettis (25-7) enters on a two-fight win streak in 2025, including a Knockout of the Year contender over Magomed Magomedov at PFL Dubai in October. The former Bellator bantamweight champion was being dominated on the scorecards before uncorking a devastating spinning back elbow that flatlined Magomedov in the second round.
McKee (10-0) is a former University of Minnesota wrestling All-American who turned pro in MMA in 2021. The 28-year-old Minnesota native trains at Kill Cliff FC in South Florida and boasts six knockouts in his 10 career victories. He was most recently seen headlining LFA 217 in September 2025, where he scored another knockout win.
This represents a significant step up in competition for McKee, who has primarily competed in LFA throughout his professional career. A win over the PFL’s top-ranked bantamweight would immediately establish him as a legitimate title contender.
Newman vs. Silveira in Middleweight Co-Main
The PFL also announced a middleweight co-main event between undefeated prospect Jordan Newman (8-0) and veteran Josh Silveira (15-5). Newman, who fights out of Roufusport in Milwaukee, competed in the 2025 PFL World Tournament, while Silveira is a former 2023 PFL light heavyweight finalist who has transitioned to middleweight.
The PFL’s bantamweight, featherweight, and women’s flyweight world championships all remain vacant as the promotion continues building its divisional hierarchies. With the winner of Pettis vs. McKee heading straight into championship contention, PFL Chicago could prove pivotal in determining when and how the 135-pound title picture takes shape.
Carlos Prates has taken to social media to put pressure on an unnamed opponent, posting an Instagram story urging them to sign a fight contract.
“I was told the offer is on your hands,” Prates wrote. “The fans are waiting, I’m waiting… Are we doing this or just playing around? Let’s give them the fight of the year. Sign this contract, man.”
While Prates did not name his target, the callout is widely believed to be directed at former UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena. The two have been publicly linked since their respective performances at UFC 322 in November, where Prates knocked out Leon Edwards while Della Maddalena lost his title to Islam Makhachev.
The back-and-forth has been building since December 2025. Della Maddalena accepted the challenge in January, telling streamer N3on he was “in” and predicting he would finish Prates in a five-round fight.
Despite mutual interest, delays have persisted, with reports linking the bout to a potential UFC Fight Night card in Perth on May 3.
However, the landscape may have shifted. Just yesterday, Fighting Nerds coach Flavio Alvaro told Sherdog that while he personally wanted the Della Maddalena fight, Prates’ next opponent could end up being someone different, with an announcement expected soon.
The matchup has captured fan interest due to both fighters’ elite finishing ability. Prates has scored knockouts in six of his seven UFC bouts, with his only loss being a decision defeat to Ian Machado Garry. Della Maddalena was riding an 18-fight win streak before his title loss to Makhachev and is looking to fight his way back into title contention.
Alex Pereira is still open to a future fight with Jon Jones despite the former champion’s recent revelation of severe arthritis in his left hip. Jones’ condition, serious enough to qualify him for a hip replacement, has cast doubt on his return to the Octagon.
Jones recently revealed he has severe arthritis, which could impact Pereira’s plans for a potential heavyweight bout. Jones last competed in November 2024, defeating Stipe Miocic via third-round TKO at UFC 309. He also re-entered the USADA drug testing pool in hopes of competing at a UFC White House event.
Jones stated the UFC knows the full extent of his arthritis condition and is considering retirement for a second time, though he remains interested in competing at a UFC White House event if the opportunity justifies the physical demands of his arthritis condition.
Speaking with Valter Walker, Pereira addressed Jones’ revelations stating, “I think every athlete has chronic injuries, serious injuries,”
He also expressed his willingness to face any opponent at light heavyweight or heavyweight.
“Whoever they put in front of me, I’ll be fighting,” Pereira said. “I love fighting, so it doesn’t matter weight classes — of course, if you say middleweight I can’t make that anymore. At the other two divisions, light heavyweight and heavyweight, [the opponent] is indifferent to me.”
Pereira remains interested in competing at the UFC event at the White House in June, even if Jones is not his opponent. He is keeping the door open for a move to the heavyweight division.
