MMA News

Tag: International Fight Week

  • Max Holloway Finally Breaks Silence On Potential Conor McGregor Rematch Rumors For UFC 329

    Max Holloway Finally Breaks Silence On Potential Conor McGregor Rematch Rumors For UFC 329

    Max Holloway has addressed growing speculation surrounding a potential showdown with Conor McGregor, confirming he is actively preparing for the former two-division UFC champion even as no official agreement is in place.

    Speaking during an interview with Paramount+, “Blessed” reacted to rumors linking him to McGregor for a possible UFC 329 main event on July 11 in Las Vegas. The bout would mark McGregor’s long-awaited return after nearly five years away from competition.

    The two fighters share a history dating back to 2013, when “The Notorious” defeated a young Holloway early in his UFC run. More than a decade later, the former BMF titleholder has made it clear that avenging that loss is high on his list.

    “I mean, we have history,” Holloway said. “We fought a very long time ago. I told you guys, if somebody’s got one over me, I want to get him back. I’d love to get him back.”

    Holloway Training For McGregor Despite No Deal In Place

    Although the UFC has yet to announce a main event for International Fight Week, Holloway confirmed he is already preparing as if the fight will happen.

    “With him having all this talk of coming back and everybody talking about how serious he actually is. It looks like he’s training and taking it and really wanting to come back to fight. It’s exciting,” Holloway said.

    “He looks hungrier. He looks super hungry. He just did a boxing exhibition not too long ago, so that was pretty cool to see him. I would just like to get one back. It’s a huge fight. It’s a big fight. Anything with Conor McGregor is huge.”

    Holloway is also looking to rebound after a recent loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326, a setback that cost him the BMF title and added urgency to his next move.

    “You’re only as good as your last fight, they say, and we’re going to get everybody forgetting about that last fight as soon as possible,” Holloway said.

    For now, Holloway says nothing has been finalized, but he is closely following the same speculation as everyone else.

    “Maybe, we’ll see what happens. I’m seeing all the talk that you guys see. I really didn’t hear anything yet, but that wouldn’t be a bad time.”

  • Topuria vs. Gaethje Possible For International Fight Week

    Topuria vs. Gaethje Possible For International Fight Week

    After a reported plan to be the main event of the UFC White House card fell through, Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship could still get a big stage.

    Per a report from Álvaro Colmenero, a UFC analyst for Eurosport and a Team Topuria insider, there is a growing possibility that the bout between the undisputed and interim 155-pound champions of the UFC may take place at this year’s UFC International Fight Week.

    This report comes hours after Ariel Helwani reported that a heavyweight title fight — vacant or interim to be determined — between Alex Pereira and either Jon Jones or Ciryl Gane could headline the UFC White House card.

    Colmenero took to social media to suggest this was part of the reason Topuria vs. Gaethje fell through for that June 14 special event in Washington, D.C.

    Earlier this week, Colmenero reported (report via Yahoo!) that there have been concerns that Topuria vs. Gaethje might not be selected for the UFC White House card based on the theory that the fight wouldn’t be considered “American” enough for such a special occasion.

    In a stream with Adin Ross (video courtesy of Red Corner MMA), Topuria seemed to dismiss Colmenero’s initial report. Topuria claimed he “hasn’t received the call” for a UFC White House card due to the logistical challenges the UFC has of putting on such a complex spectacle of an event.

    The idea of Pereira competing in the main event of the White House card, however, gained more fuel when the UFC announced that he was vacating the light heavyweight championship. Pereira has entertained the idea of moving up to heavyweight. As mentioned, Pereira’s heavyweight debut in a heavyweight title fight could play a role, Colmenero said, as to why Topuria vs. Gaethje might not happen in June.

    In addition, Helwani’s reporting claimed that there could be a better chance that Conor McGregor’s long-awaited UFC return could take place at International Fight Week instead of UFC White House. If Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines International Fight Week, however, it leaves the scheduling of a potential return fight for McGregor in the air once again.

  • Ilia Topuria Confirms Bombshell Return Announcement For UFC 317

    Ilia Topuria Confirms Bombshell Return Announcement For UFC 317

    Ilia Topuria finally has a date circled on the calendar for his long-awaited return to the Octagon.

    Topuria has been itching to get back into action ever since voluntarily relinquishing the UFC Featherweight Championship in February, aiming to fast-track a showdown with reigning UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev.

    But despite his ambitions, Makhachev’s camp has shown little to no interest in entertaining a title shot for the undefeated Spaniard—at least not in the immediate future.

    Last month, reports surfaced suggesting that “La Leyenda” could be in line for a lightweight title opportunity —either against Makhachev or for a vacant belt, with June as a potential target. The buzz intensified when Topuria took to social media, revealing that he had already kicked off training camp in preparation for the highly anticipated bout.

    On Friday, Topuria officially confirmed his next fight will take place at UFC 317 on June 28, as part of UFC International Fight Week at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada—though he left fans guessing by not yet revealing his opponent.

    The former UFC Featherweight Champion dropped the announcement through Spanish media shortly after receiving the prestigious Grand Cross of the Order of the Second of May from the Community of Madrid.

    “I would like to thank the Community of Madrid and its president for this recognition by the Grand Cross of the Order Dos de Mayo,” Ilia Topuria said. “I am very sorry for not being able to be there with you. But I’ve got training ahead of me, and I hope to make you all happy again on June 28.”

    “La Leyenda” was last seen at UFC 308 in October, where he delivered a stunning knockout of Max Holloway in his first title defense. That dominant performance followed his breakout showing at UFC 298 in February 2024, where he dethroned Alexander Volkanovski to capture the UFC Featherweight title.

    Ilia Topuria remains unbeaten in the UFC, boasting a flawless 8-0 record, with six of those victories coming by way of finish.