MMA News

Tag: UFC

  • 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.

  • UFC Finalizing Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway At UFC 329

    UFC Finalizing Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway At UFC 329

    After a saga for years that saw one fight fall through and reported contract disputes, the long hiatus of Conor McGregor may finally be coming to an end.

    Per a report from the New York Post, the UFC is close to finalizing a deal that will see McGregor return to the Octagon against Max Holloway.

    The UFC has not yet announced the bout. Rumors and speculation, however, plan for an announcement during tomorrow night’s UFC Vegas 117 broadcast — potentially as a way to draw attention away from the MVP MMA event.

    UFC CEO and President Dana White claimed during the UFC 328 post-fight press conference that he was more confident than ever that McGregor’s return announcement would be coming sooner rather than later.

    The bout, as previous rumors and reports have speculated, is expected to serve as the main event of UFC 329 on July 11, during the UFC’s International Fight Week.

    Of particular note, the bout is expected to be fought at welterweight. McGregor has fought once at 170 pounds, which occurred in his sub-minute finish of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in January 2020. Holloway, meanwhile, has never fought at 170 in the Octagon.

    The two first fought in August 2013, with McGregor winning by decision.

    This July marks five years since McGregor last fought in the UFC. That came at UFC 264 in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier, losing due to injury after one round.

    McGregor has since gone through various ventures, including taking part-ownership in BKFC and a failed bid at the Irish presidency. McGregor has also faced several sexual misconduct allegations, with an Irish jury finding him liable for the December 2018 rape of Nikita Hand.

    This will be Holloway’s first fight since losing the BMF title to Charles Oliveira at UFC 326 this past March.

  • Chris Weidman To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame Class of 2026

    Chris Weidman To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame Class of 2026

    Former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, praised for his wrestling and responsible for one of the UFC’s biggest upsets, has been announced as the next inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame.

    Weidman’s induction into the Hall’s 2026 class was announced during UFC 328.

    Chris Weidman Joins UFC Hall Of Fame Class Of 2026

    Weidman was a standout wrestler at Hofstra University, earning the All-American status that served as the basis of his nickname. Weidman made his MMA debut in 2009, winning his first four bouts with Ring of Combat before joining the UFC.

    Weidman won five straight, including wins over Demian Maia and Mark Munoz, before challenging then-longtime reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 163.

    At that event, Weidman produced one of the UFC’s most memorable moments, knocking out a taunting Silva in the second round to become the new champion. Weidman then won the UFC 168 rematch after Silva broke his leg during the second round.

    Weidman then defended the gold against Vitor Belfort and Lyoto Machida before losing to Luke Rockhold at UFC 194. Weidman would only win three more times in his MMA career.

    Weidman also suffered a nasty leg break, as Silva did before him, suffering the injury against Uriah Hall at UFC 261. He’d successfully come back two years later, showcasing a major display of heart and determination to compete again.

    Weidman’s last fight came at UFC 310, losing to Eryk Anders.

    Weidman joins a Hall of Fame Class of 2026 that also includes Thomas Gerbasi, Weili Zhang vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk I, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, Dominick Cruz, and Forrest Griffin Community Service Award winner Alex Pereira.

  • UFC Inducting Thomas Gerbasi Into Hall Of Fame Contributor Wing

    UFC Inducting Thomas Gerbasi Into Hall Of Fame Contributor Wing

    Thomas Gerbasi, the former longtime UFC Editorial Director who passed away in 2025, will be honored posthumously as the next inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

    Gerbasi was on the UFC’s editorial team for over 20 years, serving as an essential historian and record-keeper for everything that is the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    Gerbasi also contributed to several publications, including The Ring Magazine, ESPN, and the Boston Globe.

    “Tom was a close member of the UFC family and a very talented writer,” UFC CEO and President Dana White said in a statement.

    A New Yorker, Gerbasi graduated from St. John’s University before making a name for himself in the world of boxing content. Gerbasi eventually joined the UFC team and oversaw the official UFC website.

    Gerbasi’s boxing writing landed him a 2022 induction into the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and the 2024 Nat Fleischer Award.

    Gerbasi also authored a number of works, including UFC: A Visual History,The UFC Encyclopedia,The Official UFC Fan Guide, and Boxing: The 100 Greatest Fighters.

    Gerbasi joins a 2026 Hall of Fame class that includes Dominick Cruz, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, Zhang Weili vs. Joanna Jędrzejczyk I, and Forrest Griffin Community Award winner Alex Pereira.

  • TKO President Says UFC Has “Never Been Stronger” Despite Fans Complaining About Recent Fight Cards Quality

    TKO President Says UFC Has “Never Been Stronger” Despite Fans Complaining About Recent Fight Cards Quality

    Mark Shapiro is dismissing growing criticism surrounding the UFC’s recent run of events, insisting the promotion remains stronger than ever despite increasing complaints from fans about card quality.

    Over the past several months, frustration has steadily built online regarding UFC matchmaking, particularly with smaller Fight Night cards and the growing number of relatively unknown fighters appearing on major events. The criticism has only intensified since the UFC began its new broadcast era with Paramount earlier this year.

    Still, Shapiro made it clear during a recent TKO financial call that the company does not believe the product has declined.

    “Look, bottom line is we don’t buy it,” Shapiro said. “Let’s just start with this premise. The product is great at the UFC, the brand has never been stronger, our reach has never been greater, so the foundational elements of UFC are in concrete.”

    TKO Believes UFC Is Simply Entering New Era Of Stars

    Shapiro pointed to recent events like UFC 327 and the UFC’s Perth card as examples of why the company remains confident in the direction of the promotion.

    “Anyone that came to our last numbered fight in Miami, which was UFC 327, was flat-out blown away,” Shapiro said. “Or anyone that went to our last Fight Night, which happened to be last week in Perth, Australia.”

    Rather than seeing the current roster transition as a weakness, Shapiro argued that the UFC is in the middle of building its next generation of stars.

    “We are always building in the UFC,” he said. “We find the best up-and-coming talent around the world and we match them continually in the best fights.”

    Shapiro specifically highlighted rising names such as Joshua Van, Carlos Prates, and Michael Morales as examples of the promotion’s future direction.

    “There’s a huge movement right now with all these young fighters coming up in the ranks,” Shapiro said. “Many of them are taking over slots in the top 10 from guys that have been names in the rankings for years.”

    He also referenced the UFC’s upcoming White House event, UFC Freedom 250, which is expected to be one of the biggest cards of the year and will feature lightweight champion Ilia Topuria in the main event.

    “It’s all very cyclical,” Shapiro added while addressing the criticism. “With any sport, there’s natural ebbs and flows.”

  • EA Sports UFC 6 Reveals First Gameplay Trailer With Massive Changes To Striking And Movement Ahead Of June 19 Release

    EA Sports UFC 6 Reveals First Gameplay Trailer With Massive Changes To Striking And Movement Ahead Of June 19 Release

    EA Sports UFC 6 has finally offered its first real look at gameplay, and the early footage suggests a clear shift toward realism and fighter individuality ahead of its June 19 release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

    Unlike previous reveals that leaned heavily on cinematic teasers, EA’s debut trailer puts mechanics front and center. The presentation focuses on how fighters move, strike, and react, with the studio emphasizing a “powered by fighters” approach built around authenticity. New Markerless Capture technology has been used to refine movement and animations, while Sapien Technology upgrades aim to deliver more lifelike fighter models and body mechanics.

    One of the standout additions is the Real-Time Contact system, powered by Frostbite engine physics. This introduces more dynamic ragdoll reactions and visible damage effects, making exchanges feel more immediate and impactful. It builds on the foundation laid by EA Sports UFC 5, which already improved visuals and damage presentation, but pushes those elements further into gameplay.

    Another key feature is “Flow State,” a momentum-based mechanic that rewards sustained offense. As players build pressure and land clean strikes, fighters can unlock enhanced versions of their signature abilities, creating a more aggressive and fluid fighting experience.

    EA is also expanding its single-player offerings with two new modes. “Hall of Legends” focuses on reliving the careers of iconic fighters, while “The Legacy” allows players to build their own journey from smaller venues to the biggest stages in the sport.

    The UFC 6 game will feature Alex Pereira on the Standard Edition cover and Max Holloway on the Ultimate Edition. Pre-orders are already live, with Ultimate Edition buyers receiving early access starting June 12, along with additional fighters and post-launch content planned for future updates.

  • Khamzat Chimaev Signs To Compete In RAF

    Khamzat Chimaev Signs To Compete In RAF

    UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev will be able to use his grappling skills in a new kind of environment, as Chimaev has signed a deal to compete with RAF.

    RAF announced Chimaev’s signing during the RAF 08 broadcast on April 18.

    No opponent, event, or date for Chimaev was named during the announcement.

    Chimaev began wrestling as a youth, going on to win a national youth title in Russia.

    Chimaev won three gold medals in freestyle wrestling at Swedish Nationals. He also holds a win over Jack Hermansson in wrestling.

    Chimaev is scheduled to defend his UFC middleweight championship on May 9 against former champ Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328.

  • UFC Announces Signing Of Gable Steveson, Will Debut At UFC 329

    UFC Announces Signing Of Gable Steveson, Will Debut At UFC 329

    In a move that has been expected for a while, the UFC have signed former Olympic gold medalist and NCAA wrestling champion Gable Steveson.

    The signing was made official in an announcement during the UFC 327 broadcast. Steveson was in the crowd for the event, seated next to former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Jones has been overseeing Steveson’s transition to full-time Mixed Martial Arts.

    The UFC broadcast also announced that Steveson will make his UFC debut at UFC 329 on July 11, during the UFC’s International Fight Week.

    Former Olympic, NCAA Champion Gable Steveson Signs With UFC

    Steveson was a standout wrestler, becoming a four-time conference champion and five-time NCAA-Division I All-American while wrestling at the University of Minnesota. Steveson won the NCAA championship twice and made the finals a third time.

    Steveson, in addition, was a gold medalist at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

    After failed stints with the WWE and Buffalo Bills, Steveson made the move to professional MMA in 2025. He has scored three first-round finishes so far.

    Steveson is also signed to RAF and is expected to debut on May 30 at RAF 9, taking on Alexandr Romanov.

  • Alex Pereira To Be Honored With 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award

    Alex Pereira To Be Honored With 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award

    Alex Pereira will be this year’s recipient of the 2026 Forrest Griffin Community Award, as announced by the UFC during the UFC 327 broadcast on CBS.

    Per UFC play-by-play Jon Anik, Pereira will receive the award for his dedication and time toward sick and underprivileged youth in his native Brazil.

    Alex Pereira To Receive Forrest Griffin Community Award At 2026 UFC Hall Of Fame Ceremony

    The Forrest Griffin Community Award is annually handed out to fighters who make impacts and special contributions to their communities. Past winners have included Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, Max Holloway, and the Nogueira Brothers.

    Pereira will receive the award at this year’s UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony this July. He will be honored alongside new Hall of Fame inductees Dominick Cruz and Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, as well as the UFC 248 bout between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

    Pereira will fight at UFC Freedom 250 in June, facing Ciryl Gane to determine the interim UFC heavyweight champion.

  • Demetrious Johnson Joins UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Class

    Demetrious Johnson Joins UFC Hall of Fame 2026 Class

    One of the greatest MMA fighters ever, let alone the man who innovated the flyweight division, Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson will now officially be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

    The announcement was made during the main card broadcast of UFC Seattle, with “Mighty Mouse” in attendance. Johnson will be a part of the Hall of Fame’s Modern Wing.

    Demetrious Johnson To Be Inducted Into UFC Hall Of Fame

    Johnson made his professional MMA debut in 2009, going 5-1 before being brought into the UFC after its acquisition of the WEC.

    Johnson won his first two UFC fights before falling to Dominick Cruz in an attempt to capture the UFC bantamweight title in October 2011.

    In 2012, Johnson dropped in weight and entered the UFC’s new flyweight division. After battling Ian McCall to a draw, he defeated McCall in a rematch before a controversial decision over Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 to become the inaugural champion.

    That started a legendary run for “Mighty Mouse,” where he placed his name into the UFC’s record books. During his run between 2012 and 2018, he made 11 consecutive successful defenses, the most in UFC history. It’s also the second-most successful defenses in promotion history, only behind Jon Jones.

    He’s not only been in the most UFC flyweight title fights, but Johnson also has the most victories via submission in UFC title fights with five. Johnson’s highlights in his title run include a literal last-second submission of Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC 186, a finish of Henry Cejudo at UFC 197, and his flying armbar win over Ray Borg at UFC 217.

    Johnson lost the title against Cejudo at UFC 227 via split decision before being “traded” to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. After winning the ONE Flyweight Grand Prix, Johnson was finished by Adriano Moraes at ONE on TNT 1 in April 2021.

    Johnson won the ONE flyweight title in a rematch with Moraes in August 2022. He then won their trilogy bout in May 2023 in what ended up being the final fight in Johnson’s career, retiring as ONE flyweight champion.

    Johnson joins a 2026 UFC Hall of Fame class that includes Dominick Cruz and the UFC 248 bout between Weili Zhang and Joanna Jedrzejczyk.

  • Joe Rogan Warns Netflix Could Become MMA’s First Legit Threat To UFC’s Monopoly

    Joe Rogan Warns Netflix Could Become MMA’s First Legit Threat To UFC’s Monopoly

    Joe Rogan outlined why Netflix represents a fundamentally different kind of competitive threat to the UFC than anything the promotion has faced before.

    During a recent episode of the JRE MMA Show, the longtime UFC commentator hosted Dustin Poirier, and the conversation turned to Netflix’s growing push into live sports. They discussed the platform’s expansion into combat sports, highlighted by major boxing events, and its anticipated move into MMA through a partnership with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, slated for May 16.

    Rogan emphasized that this is not just another promotion trying to compete on the fringes, but a global platform with the financial muscle to potentially reshape the sport’s entire economic landscape. He also pointed to boxing as the model Netflix could replicate: fans follow fighters, not promoters.

    “It’s all about the name of the fighters. Just like boxing — nobody cares if it’s Golden Boy or Bob Arum. What they care about is who’s fighting whom. If Netflix can do the boxing thing with big-name stars, they could be a major player, and that will elevate everybody’s pay scale.”

    The Contract Expiration Window

    Joe Rogan’s most pointed observation was not about the upcoming Netflix MMA card itself, which is expected to feature some of the sport’s most recognizable names, such as Ronda Rousey, Gina Carano, Francis Ngannou, and Nate Diaz.

    Instead, the renowned podcaster’s focus was on what could follow if the event proves successful. He highlighted the real threat to the UFC’s dominance as the timing of expiring fighter contracts aligning with a well-funded competitor actively looking to sign top talent.

    “If she’s saying this and Netflix listens, and some shrewd businessman goes, ‘A lot of people’s contracts are coming up — when these people’s contracts come up, let’s get into negotiations,’ all of a sudden some people start drifting over.”

    He identified UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev as a potential domino in that scenario, suggesting that a move from a star of his stature could spark a broader shift among elite contenders.

    “If you get an Islam Makhachev who starts leaving and goes to fight on Netflix, and they can talk four or five top major contenders into going, look, it’s a big ask. But if that happens…”

    A Safety Net That Didn’t Exist Before

    Meanwhile, Dustin Poirier offered a fighter’s perspective on what a more competitive landscape would mean in practical terms. For most of his career, being cut from the UFC did not just mean losing a job, it often meant the possible end of a fighter’s career altogether.

    “Ten years ago, they cut you. There’s only one place to make money — they cut you. You’d have to get a job, maybe fight part-time. Now you can pivot and still have a career.”

    “The Diamond” added that he holds no ill will toward the UFC and sees only positives in the current multi-organization landscape.

    “I love the UFC. I spent most of my professional career there. But I love seeing these other organizations come up and people making money. It lifts everything. It creates more opportunities for fighters. It’s only a good thing.”

    Rogan floated an even wilder card at the end of the conversation: YouTube.

    “Hey guys, we’re YouTube. We’re even bigger than Netflix because YouTube is everywhere.”

    The UFC’s own Paramount era only began in January, and already the question of who else might enter the MMA broadcasting market is on the table. Francis Ngannou — who left the UFC over pay disputes — has already positioned himself as a symbol of what fighters can earn outside the organization.

  • Dustin Poirier Blasts UFC For Leaving Him ‘In The Dark’ On Fighter Pay After Massive $7.7 Billion Paramount Deal

    Dustin Poirier Blasts UFC For Leaving Him ‘In The Dark’ On Fighter Pay After Massive $7.7 Billion Paramount Deal

    Dustin Poirier recently revealed that the UFC never explained how fighter pay would change following the promotion’s move to Paramount+ under its landmark $7.7 billion deal.

    Under its new streaming agreement, the MMA promotion is set to generate roughly $1.1 billion annually, more than doubling its previous earnings under its media deal with ESPN. Traditionally, UFC fighters have competed under show-and-win contracts, receiving a guaranteed purse to appear and an additional bonus for a victory. On top of that, champions and top-tier stars have historically benefited from a share of pay-per-view revenue.

    However, with PPV largely phased out in the United States under the new Paramount+ deal, that lucrative revenue stream is disappearing. As a result, some fighters stand to lose a significant portion of their income. According to “The Diamond”, the UFC has yet to clearly outline how the new pay structure will be adjusted to account for these changes.

    During a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, Dustin Poirier weighed in on the UFC’s new deal with Paramount+, revealing that despite being one of the promotion’s biggest pay-per-view draws, he has been left without clarity on the current fighter pay structure.

    The former interim lightweight champion also noted that he has repeatedly pushed UFC executives for answers, but has yet to receive any meaningful response.

    “I’ve been asking every show — I ask everybody. I want to know, because my last few years in the UFC, I was… Nobody’s telling me. They’re keeping me in the dark. What the f*ck is that? Keeping me in the dark, man. I was a pay-per-view partner for multiple fights with the UFC.”

    Poirier’s concerns extend beyond just his own pay. He questioned whether the UFC, no longer reliant on selling individual PPVs, will remain as committed to consistently putting together the biggest possible matchups.

    “How much is the UFC going to put the biggest fights together? Because they don’t need to sell pay-per-views. They’re guaranteed money,” he said.

    PPV Points Were The Entire Promise

    For years, the UFC’s PPV revenue share served as the primary incentive for fighters to rise through the ranks while accepting relatively modest base pay.

    Dustin Poirier confirmed that this structure was often presented during contract negotiations as a motivating reward, positioned as the ultimate payoff at the end of a long path toward a title opportunity.

    Earlier this year, former UFC two-division champion Conor McGregor made a similar argument, declaring his UFC contract essentially void because it was structured around PPV sales that no longer exist.

    The broader question of how the UFC’s Paramount windfall flows back to fighters remains unanswered. As MMA News analyzed when the deal was announced, fans likely benefit from increased access while fighters risk losing the PPV upside they had counted on.

    Poirier retired in July 2025 following a unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318, but still has fights remaining on his UFC contract. For a fighter who headlined multiple pay-per-view events and built his legacy in the UFC over a decade-plus career, not knowing how pay is structured on the back end of that run is a jarring reality.

  • Dana White Teases Two Title Fights, Name For UFC White House Card

    Dana White Teases Two Title Fights, Name For UFC White House Card

    UFC CEO and President Dana White promised that during UFC 326 fight weekend, we would get more information about the UFC event taking place on the lawn of the White House on June 14.

    While no full details have been confirmed as of the evening of March 6, White has posted a tease in anticipation of the card’s reveal.

    The image shared by White on social media shows him holding a paper to block the card listing in the war room of the UFC headquarters. The image teases that the card will be topped by two title fights.

    In addition, the name of the card has been confirmed to be Freedom Fights 250, as the event will be held as part of a year-long celebration for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

    U.S. President Donald Trump first confirmed the event during a U.S. Independence Day event last year, and since then, fighters aplenty, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones, have expressed their desire to be part of the event.

    The card has been previously stated to have six or seven fights, rather than a full traditional UFC numbered card lineup. During an interview with Nina Drama, White even teased that one planned fight had just fallen out recently.

  • Poullas Out of Grappling Match with Tsarukyan, Wants RAF Rematch

    Poullas Out of Grappling Match with Tsarukyan, Wants RAF Rematch

    Less than 24 hours after it was first announced, Georgio Poullas has bowed out of a submission grappling match that was scheduled against Arman Tsarukyan.

    Per Ariel Helwani, with confirmation from RAF executive Chad Bronstein, the grappling contest was scheduled for March 11 at Hype FC Brazil, but Poullas has pulled out.

    Poullas, instead, is pushing for a wrestling rematch with Tsarukyan at an upcoming RAF event.

    During an interview with Helwani earlier in the day, Poullas noted that a contract had not been formally signed for the grappling match with Hype FC Brazil.

    Tsarukyan won the contest at RAF 6 on February 28, scoring a 5-3 win. But the story from that event took place immediately after the match, when an altercation between the two broke out.

    Tsarukyan shoved Poullas down and looked to throw down punches before RAF officials intervened to separate the pair. Tsarukyan has claimed that it was in retaliation to dirty tactics employed by Poullas during the bout, including punches and slaps while in close.

    Video footage showed Tsarukyan’s corner crying foul at Poullas’ actions.

    Tsarukyan expressed no remorse for his actions, while Poullas called Tsarukyan a “little b****” and claimed he was the true winner for scoring a legitimate takedown in the match.

    RAF officials have expressed disappointment that the brawl occrued; however, the promotion has not handed down any punishment toward Tsarukyan or Poullas as of press time.

  • Paramount+ Sees 1 Million New Subscribers Surge After First UFC Event

    Paramount+ Sees 1 Million New Subscribers Surge After First UFC Event

    Paramount+ saw a major boost after its first UFC event went to air, marking a significant milestone for the streaming platform’s sports strategy. Nearly one million new subscribers joined Paramount+ on the day UFC 324 took place, making it the second-biggest sign-up day in the platform’s history.

    Nearly 1 Million Join Paramount+ for UFC 324 as Streaming Era Begins

    Dane Glasgow, Paramount’s chief product officer, shared the news with employees during a Tuesday town hall meeting. The January 24 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas drew 4.96 million average viewers and reached 7.18 million households worldwide, with a peak of 5.93 million concurrent streams. The event featured Justin Gaethje defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision to claim the interim lightweight championship.

    The subscriber surge shows a strong start for Paramount’s seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting partnership with UFC, which began in 2026 after the organization ended its previous deal with ESPN. The agreement eliminates the traditional pay-per-view model for U.S. viewers, making all 13 numbered events and 30 Fight Nights available to Paramount+ subscribers at no extra cost. During the ESPN era, fans paid up to $79.99 per pay-per-view event plus a monthly ESPN+ subscription.

    UFC 324 Brings Paramount+ Its Biggest Subscriber Gain Since Super Bowl 2024

    The nearly one million sign-ups on UFC 324’s event day trail only the Super Bowl in 2024, which brought 3.2 million new subscribers to Paramount+ in a three-day window. The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match on Netflix drew an estimated 1.43 million new subscribers during a similar timeframe, providing context for where the UFC 324 performance sits among recent major live sports events.

    UFC 324 marked the platform‘s largest exclusive live event to date. The broadcast reached more homes than any live UFC event in nearly a decade across linear, broadcast, and streaming platforms combined. The event also generated 5.5 million social media interactions and trended on X for six consecutive hours worldwide, with 186,000 mentions representing a 123 percent increase from UFC 323 in December.

    The retention challenge ahead will test whether Paramount+ can maintain momentum. Industry data shows 63 percent of subscribers who join streaming services for sports events remain subscribed after the event ends. Paramount+ faces its next test with UFC 325 this weekend, featuring a featherweight championship rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on January 31.

  • Ilia Topuria Blasts Paddy Pimblett After Gaethje Upset at UFC 324

    Ilia Topuria Blasts Paddy Pimblett After Gaethje Upset at UFC 324

    UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria wasted no time addressing Paddy Pimblett’s defeat at UFC 324, posting a scathing message just hours after Justin Gaethje handed the Liverpudlian his first UFC loss on Saturday night in Las Vegas.

    Ilia Topuria Mocks Paddy Pimblett: ‘You Just Lost Everything

    Topuria took to X within two hours of the fight’s conclusion, writing: “Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won”. The champion then turned his attention to Gaethje, adding: “Justin, all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what”.

    Gaethje defeated Pimblett by unanimous decision with scorecards reading 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46 to claim the interim lightweight championship at T-Mobile Arena. The 37-year-old Gaethje dropped Pimblett multiple times across five rounds, though the British fighter showed remarkable durability throughout the contest. Both men earned $100,000 Fight of the Night bonuses under the UFC’s new pay structure with Paramount+.​

    The stakes extended beyond the interim title. The winner was expected to face Topuria in a unification bout, potentially worth millions in revenue. Topuria, who won the lightweight belt by knocking out Charles Oliveira in June 2025, has been absent from competition while dealing with personal matters related to his divorce. He announced plans to return between April and June to face the UFC 324 winner.

    The rivalry between Topuria and Pimblett dates back to March 2022, when the two nearly came to blows at a fighter hotel in London ahead of UFC Fight Night 204. The confrontation stemmed from social media comments Pimblett made about Georgia, Topuria’s home country, which the champion perceived as disrespectful. Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at Topuria, who responded with a punch that missed its target.

    Pimblett entered UFC 324 as the betting favorite despite Gaethje’s extensive championship-level experience. The 31-year-old had won seven straight UFC fights, including a knockout of Michael Chandler in April 2025. However, Gaethje’s power and ring generalship proved too much, as he outlanded Pimblett 219-177 in total strikes.

    This marks Gaethje’s second interim lightweight title, having previously won the belt in May 2020 against Tony Ferguson. He subsequently challenged Khabib Nurmagomedov for the undisputed title but lost via submission. Gaethje also fell short against Charles Oliveira in a 2022 title bout. At 37 years and 71 days, he became the oldest fighter to win a UFC lightweight title.

    Topuria announced his return timeline on January 15, confirming he would defend against “the winner between Paddy and Justin” sometime in April through June. The undefeated champion, who holds a 17-0 record, previously knocked out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway during his featherweight title reign before vacating that belt to move up in weight.​

    Gaethje expressed interest in competing at the UFC’s White House event scheduled for June, telling reporters he wants to represent the United States. The matchup pits Gaethje’s veteran experience and knockout power against Topuria’s unbeaten record and finishing ability across both striking and grappling.

    For Pimblett, the loss represents a significant setback. The Liverpudlian stated after the fight: “I wanted to leave with that belt. I know how resilient I am and I don’t need to prove that to anyone”. He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation due to visible facial damage sustained during the contest.

  • UFC Doubles Performance Bonuses to $100K Under Paramount Deal, Adds $25K Finish Incentive

    UFC Doubles Performance Bonuses to $100K Under Paramount Deal, Adds $25K Finish Incentive

    The UFC marked the start of its new broadcast partnership with Paramount by announcing a complete overhaul of its performance bonus system. President and CEO Dana White confirmed the changes ahead of UFC 324 on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, doubling Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night awards to $100,000 and introducing a new $25,000 bonus for any fighter who scores a knockout or submission.​

    The move represents the first significant adjustment to UFC performance bonuses since the promotion standardized payments at $50,000 in 2013. That figure had remained static for over a decade, drawing criticism as inflation eroded its purchasing power by roughly 30 percent. White has occasionally raised bonuses for milestone events, most notably awarding $300,000 per bonus at UFC 300 in April 2024 after fighters Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje lobbied for the increase during a press conference.​

    UFC Doubles Fight-Night Bonuses and Introduces Finish Incentive for Paramount Era

    Under the new structure, the UFC will distribute at least $400,000 in bonuses per event, up from the previous $200,000 baseline. The traditional awards remain: $100,000 each to the two fighters involved in Fight of the Night, and $100,000 apiece to two fighters who earn Performance of the Night. The finish bonus adds another layer, paying $25,000 to any fighter who wins by knockout, technical knockout, or submission but does not receive one of the main awards.

    The timing aligns with the UFC’s new media rights deal with Paramount Skydance Corporation, which will pay an average of $1.1 billion annually through 2031.

    UFC 324 serves as the inaugural event under the Paramount agreement. The card features an interim lightweight title bout between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and rising contender Paddy Pimblett in the main event.

    Fighter compensation has been a persistent point of contention in mixed martial arts. The $50,000 bonus structure introduced in 2013 remained unchanged even as the UFC’s revenue expanded substantially. Adjusted for inflation, a $50,000 bonus in 2013 would need to reach approximately $75,000 today to maintain equivalent purchasing power. Before the 2013 standardization, the UFC distributed variable bonus amounts that often exceeded $50,000, with some events in 2009 and 2011 awarding $70,000, $100,000, or even $160,000 to individual fighters.​

    The new finish bonus addresses a longstanding complaint that fighters who delivered exciting knockouts or submissions could be overlooked if four other performances stood out more. By guaranteeing $25,000 to every fighter who scores a finish, the UFC creates an automatic incentive that does not depend on subjective selection by promotion executives.

    The UFC’s standard compensation model includes show money (a guaranteed amount for competing) and a win bonus typically equal to the show money. Fighters also receive tiered payments from the UFC’s uniform deal with Venum.

    White hinted during UFC 300 week that bonuses would rise in the Paramount era but declined to specify amounts until closer to the transition. The doubling of performance bonuses and introduction of the finish incentive mark the most substantial change to the UFC’s reward structure in more than a decade.

  • Justin Gaethje Lashes Out at Staph Question: “What’s Wrong With You?”

    Justin Gaethje Lashes Out at Staph Question: “What’s Wrong With You?”

    In fight week for UFC 324, Justin Gaethje has spent as much time fielding questions about a mark on his neck as about Paddy Pimblett and the interim lightweight belt. After weeks of online speculation that he might be dealing with a staph infection, Gaethje grew visibly irritated when the subject came up again during media duties, snapping at a reporter and insisting his health is nobody else’s business.

    Staph or Ingrown Hair? Justin Gaethje’s Fiery Response Ahead of UFC 324

    The story started earlier in January, when fans studying footage from Gaethje’s YouTube camp series noticed a raised, reddened spot on the side of his neck and a blemish near his lip. Clipped screenshots circulated across X, Reddit, and Instagram, with many users convinced the mark looked like staph or “mat herpes” rather than simple skin irritation. With UFC 324 headlining the promotion’s first Paramount+ era event and billed as a key moment for Gaethje’s final run at UFC gold, talk quickly turned to whether the fight might be at risk.

    Gaethje pushed back on the rumours early and often. On January 6, he posted on social media: “Did you screen shot me eating brisket from my YouTube video to make it look like I have herpes on my lip? my neck is a healing ingrown hair.” In a follow-up message he doubled down: “It’s an ingrown hair on my neck and brisket hanging out of my mouth, Nostradamus.” Man outlets ran pieces repeating his explanation and stressing that there was no official word from doctors that he had staph or that the bout was in jeopardy.

    That did little to settle the debate. As fight week arrived, new photos appeared to show Gaethje with a small bandage or sticker over the same area, feeding more posts claiming he was hiding an active infection and might fail Nevada commission medicals. Some MMA news shows even floated the idea that Arman Tsarukyan could be used as a late replacement if doctors refused to clear Gaethje with an open wound. None of that speculation was confirmed by the UFC or regulators, and the lightweight contender ultimately weighed in successfully, with no announced medical issues and the main event intact.

    Gaethje with a sticker covering his staph infection on the neck
    byu/tylrrbb inufc

    The tension peaked during a UFC 324 fight-week interview with Brazilian outlet Ag. Fight. When a reporter raised the visible neck mark and asked whether it was an injury or infection, Gaethje snapped back, “What’s wrong with you?” before adding, “You’ve ever heard of HIPAA? What’s wrong with you? It means don’t ask me about my body. I won’t ask you about yours.” The clip spread quickly on social media, with many fans pointing out that HIPAA – a U.S. health-privacy law – governs how medical providers handle patient data, not whether an athlete can be asked about a visible issue during media day.

    For now, the only confirmed facts are that Gaethje says the mark is a healing ingrown hair, the Nevada commission has cleared him, and UFC 324’s main event against Pimblett is proceeding as scheduled.

  • Justin Gaethje Vows to “Dog Walk” Paddy Pimblett After Dustin Poirier Comments

    Justin Gaethje made his intentions clear at the UFC 324 pre-fight press conference on Thursday, promising to dominate Paddy Pimblett after the Liverpool fighter criticized Dustin Poirier’s retirement bout performance.

    Justin Gaethje Looks to Dog Walk Paddy Pimblett a UFC 324

    The 37-year-old American took exception to Pimblett’s recent comments about Poirier looking like “dog s***” against Max Holloway at UFC 318 last July. Gaethje defended his former rival during the press event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, accusing Pimblett of disrespecting one of the sport’s established figures.

    “No, I love it. This guy, I love everything he’s been saying. He definitely sounds overconfident. He’s out here disrespecting legends like Dustin Poirier. I’m going to dog walk this English [expletive] on Saturday. Watch,” Gaethje said.​​

    The former interim lightweight champion added that his competitive fire remains at full strength despite approaching what he has described as the final chapter of his career. Gaethje holds a 26-5 professional record and has earned 14 post-fight bonuses during his UFC run.

    “I’m still in it – legends are retired, I ain’t retired yet. I’m still in it. The fire is still as bright and as hot as it’s ever been and I cannot wait to fight this guy. I constantly am building momentum and this is a battle of momentum, and I said I’m going to dog walk this [expletive] if he lasts that long,” Gaethje stated.

    Pimblett attempted to clarify his remarks during the press conference, explaining that Poirier had never spoken positively about him, which justified his honest assessment of the Holloway fight. The 30-year-old stands at 23-3 with seven consecutive UFC victories, including a third-round TKO of Michael Chandler at UFC 314 in April that propelled him into the lightweight top five.

    When Pimblett defended his position, Gaethje quickly responded that the British fighter would fare no better against Holloway.

    The fighters will compete for the interim lightweight title on Saturday, January 24, at T-Mobile Arena after champion Ilia Topuria announced he would not fight in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal circumstances. The winner is expected to face Topuria later this year to unify the championship.

    Gaethje outlined his tactical approach for the matchup, stating he plans to apply sustained pressure to neutralize Pimblett’s reach advantage. “I think I need to fight smart. At the highest level you cannot make mistakes. If you watch all the champions, they’re moving forward. I’m going to move forward and I’m going to be in his chest. I’m going to put my head in his chest. He’s got really long arms – it’s going to be hard to hit me when my head’s in his chest.”

  • “Good Try Though”: Dana White Dismisses Arman Tsarukyan’s Recent Press Tour

    “Good Try Though”: Dana White Dismisses Arman Tsarukyan’s Recent Press Tour

    Dana White brushed off questions about Arman Tsarukyan’s viral media blitz at the UFC 324 pre-fight press conference, even as debate over the lightweight contender’s title snub intensifies. Asked about Tsarukyan’s recent run of podcast and social media appearances.

    White replied, “I haven’t seen it… I don’t know anything about it. Good try though.” Sitting beside him, interim title challenger Paddy Pimblett cut in before White could elaborate, saying Tsarukyan was “trying to be like me, going around eating food,” claiming the Armenian has “no personality” and calling him “a little nit.”

    Dana White Won’t Budge on Arman Tsarukyan Despite High-Profile Media Push

    Tsarukyan has spent the past weeks pushing his name outside the cage, appearing on streams with Adin Ross and other influencers, posting food content, training clips and grappling matches, and using those platforms to hammer Pimblett and the UFC’s matchmaking.

    The tension stems from the promotion’s decision to book Justin Gaethje vs. Pimblett for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 main event, while Tsarukyan sits as the division’s No. 1 ranked contender. UFC 324 also opens the promotion’s new broadcast era on Paramount+, raising the commercial stakes around who fights for gold on that stage.

    From the UFC side, the case against Tsarukyan has less to do with wins and losses and more to do with how the past two years have unfolded. After beating Charles Oliveira at UFC 300 in a title eliminator, Tsarukyan was booked to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight belt at UFC 311 but withdrew the day before the event with a back injury suffered during his weight cut. White’s response at the time was blunt: Tsarukyan was “back to the drawing board” and would have to “fight his way back” to a title opportunity. He later weighed in as backup for Ilia Topuria vs. Oliveira at UFC 317 in what was widely read as an attempt to repair that damage.

    Regulators and optics have added to the file. The Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Tsarukyan a nine‑month suspension and a $25,000 fine after he swung at a fan who flipped him off during his walk to the cage at UFC 300, with the ban eligible to be reduced only if he completed an approved public service campaign. In November 2025 he then headbutted Dan Hooker during their ceremonial weigh‑in in Qatar, a move that briefly threatened their main-event bout and drew scrutiny from officials. White has since confirmed that the headbutt “100 percent” factored into the decision to keep Tsarukyan out of the interim title fight at UFC 324.

    Publicly, White insists there is no personal feud. In multiple interviews he has said the UFC does not “dislike” Tsarukyan, stressing, “He’s here. You know what I didn’t do? Didn’t cut him,” while also stating he does not care about the number next to Tsarukyan’s name in the rankings. At the same time, he has hinted at unresolved issues he will not spell out in front of cameras, saying there is “man sh*t” and “behind-the-scenes” business that Tsarukyan “knows” and that he prefers to keep private because the media will chase clicks.

    Tsarukyan has been trying to swing opinion back his way. After Pimblett’s jab at the UFC 324 presser went viral, he fired back on X with a five‑word reply: “Cry me a river bitch @PaddyTheBaddy.” In recent interviews he has also admitted he regrets key moments that helped sour his standing, telling Ariel Helwani he made “real” mistakes with the late UFC 311 withdrawal and the Hooker headbutt, and that those choices still bother him. At the same time, he has argued that Pimblett’s interim shot is driven by business, not merit, saying the UFC wants to make Pimblett a champion while avoiding a matchup where he believes he would stop the Liverpudlian and damage a valuable asset.

  • Dana White Fires Back at Justin Gaethje Over UFC 324 Pay Claims

    Dana White Fires Back at Justin Gaethje Over UFC 324 Pay Claims

    The UFC’s multibillion-dollar Paramount+ deal was supposed to signal a new era of increased fighter compensation. Instead, it sparked a public back-and-forth between UFC President Dana White and main event fighter Justin Gaethje that exposed familiar fault lines around fighter pay just days before the promotion’s landmark UFC 324 event.

    Dana White vs. Justin Gaethje: The Fighter Pay Row Before UFC 324

    Gaethje, who headlines the January 24 card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas against Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, told media Wednesday that he would not earn a single dollar more for this fight than he would have without the UFC’s seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcasting agreement with Paramount+. The deal, which averages $1.1 billion annually and doubles the UFC’s previous ESPN contract, eliminates traditional pay-per-view fees and makes all numbered events available to subscribers at no additional cost.

    “To this day, I hear Daniel Cormier saying everybody is going to get paid more on this card,” Gaethje said during the UFC 324 media day. “I’m not getting paid one dollar more than if this deal hadn’t happened”.

    The comments directly contradicted statements from UFC Hall of Famer and commentator Daniel Cormier, who claimed in late December that fighters were already receiving increased compensation under the new structure. Cormier said on his podcast that with pay-per-view revenue no longer a factor, fighters were being offered larger guaranteed purses instead of gambling on PPV points that might not materialize.​​

    White responded Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show, disputing Gaethje’s account entirely. The UFC president claimed the promotion had offered Gaethje a new contract with higher pay ahead of UFC 324, but the fighter never responded to the offer.

    “We completely have it dialed in,” White said. “We’ve got really smart kids, and they can get down within single digits on how close it would be to pay them like it was a pay-per-view. Gaethje, without getting into all that stuff, Gaethje was offered more money, and Gaethje never responded. [But] we’re good [with Gaethje]”.

    Fighter Bonuses Remain at $50,000 Despite Revenue Surge

    Gaethje also expressed frustration that his 14 post-fight bonuses throughout his UFC career have totaled less than $1 million. Based on his bonus history, he earned 13 bonuses at the standard $50,000 rate, plus a $300,000 bonus for his Fight of the Night performance against Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024, bringing his total bonus earnings to $950,000.

    “To have 14 bonuses and not equal up to $1 million is not right,” Gaethje said. “It should be a lot more than that”.

    The $50,000 standard bonus has remained unchanged since 2013, despite UFC revenues multiplying fivefold since that time. When adjusted for inflation, the current $50,000 bonus has approximately 30% less purchasing power than when it was first instituted in 2007. White has stated that bonuses will increase under the Paramount deal but has not specified amounts or timelines.

    When given an opportunity to address White’s claims during Thursday’s UFC 324 press conference, Gaethje declined to engage. A reporter asked him to respond to White’s assertion that he had been offered more money but did not reply. Gaethje immediately shut down the question with six words: “I’m here to talk about fighting”.

    The exchange suggested that either a conversation had taken place between Gaethje and UFC management after his media day comments, or the fighter simply wanted to avoid further controversy with White watching from the stage. Fans on social media speculated that Gaethje may have been warned to stop discussing fighter pay publicly.

    While Gaethje criticized his bonus totals, he said he has managed his UFC earnings responsibly by investing in real estate and supporting his family. He purchased a commercial property and a house in Arizona near his parents, which his sister now rents from him.

    “The best thing I did is probably invest in a commercial property,” Gaethje said. “I purchased a house in Arizona that’s like a mile away from my parents, my sister is renting that from me now, and really just being able to help my family. Give them Christmas gifts that I never would’ve been able to give them, take them on vacations that I never would have been able to. That’s the smartest thing I did because you never get that time back with your family”.

    UFC 324 marks the official start of the UFC’s Paramount+ era, with the main card beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 24. Gaethje faces Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, with the winner expected to face undisputed champion Ilia Topuria later in 2026.

  • Paddy Pimblett Defends Interim Title: ‘I Am the Champion’

    Paddy Pimblett Defends Interim Title: ‘I Am the Champion’

    Liverpool fighter Paddy Pimblett believes he will be the legitimate UFC lightweight champion when he faces Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 this Saturday, dismissing criticism about the interim nature of the belt and questioning his opponent’s motivation heading into the contest.

    Speaking with TMZ ahead of the January 24 bout at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pimblett addressed the distinction between interim and undisputed championships. The fight was created after current champion Ilia Topuria announced he would not compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal reasons related to his ongoing divorce proceedings.

    Paddy Pimblett Defends Interim Title Status Ahead of UFC 324

    “I am the UFC’s lightweight champion while the champ’s not there, you know what I mean?” Pimblett said. “Ilia’s not fighting. The division needs to move on and for now I am the champion. I’m the active one, I’m the one who’s going to be fighting; he’s not. So when I win this belt, I am the champ.”

    The 31-year-old, who enters the fight ranked fifth in the lightweight division, also took aim at Gaethje’s attitude toward interim titles. The 37-year-old former interim champion famously threw the belt on the floor after defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249 in May 2020, telling Joe Rogan he would “wait for the real one”.

    “I think that’s another thing that goes against Justin,” Pimblett continued. “He’s not really too bothered about an interim title, is he? He threw it on the floor last time he won it. I think the only reason he’s too interested in this one is because he’s getting more money. You get paid more for challenging for the title. I think Justin’s already checked out a little bit, to be honest.”​

    Pimblett brings a seven-fight winning streak in the UFC into the contest, most recently stopping Michael Chandler in the third round at UFC 314 in April 2025. His undefeated run in the promotion has included victories over Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Jordan Leavitt, earning him five Performance of the Night bonuses.

    Gaethje, ranked fourth at lightweight, last competed in March 2025 when he defeated Rafael Fiziev via majority decision at UFC 313. The former World Series of Fighting lightweight champion has lost both of his previous attempts at the undisputed UFC title, falling to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 in 2020 and Charles Oliveira at UFC 274 in 2022.

    Topuria has indicated he plans to return to the octagon between April and June to face the winner in a unification bout. The 28-year-old Georgian-Spanish fighter won the lightweight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2025 and is dealing with custody matters and what he describes as “false allegations of domestic abuse” during divorce proceedings.

  • Rose Namajunas Conflicted About Fighting Idol Shevchenko

    Rose Namajunas Conflicted About Fighting Idol Shevchenko

    Rose Namajunas has been promised a UFC flyweight title shot with a win at UFC 324, but the prospect of fighting her idol Valentina Shevchenko comes with mixed feelings for the former two-time strawweight champion.​​

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Namajunas confirmed the UFC has told her a victory over Natalia Silva on January 24, 2026, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will earn her the next crack at Shevchenko’s flyweight title. The announcement puts significant weight on her main card bout against Silva, who enters the fight riding a 13-fight winning streak and holding a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC.​

    Rose Namajunas Faces Complex Emotions Ahead of Potential Valentina Shevchenko Title Fight

    For Namajunas, the path to becoming a two-division champion leads through a fighter she considers the greatest in women’s mixed martial arts.

    “It would be weird,” Namajunas said when asked about facing Shevchenko. “We’re martial artists, so at the end of the day I’m down to do it, but I’d love to have a conversation with her first because she’s somebody that inspired me and I’ve looked up to.”​

    The two fighters have trained together in the past, with sparring footage showing their technical exchanges during camp preparations.

    “She’s literally my favorite female fighter,” Namajunas explained. “It would definitely be conflicting emotions, I would never want to see her lose, but I’d have to go into a fight and try to beat her.”

    Namajunas described the potential matchup as both a dream scenario and an emotional challenge. She ranks Shevchenko alongside Amanda Nunes as the greatest female fighters in MMA history.

    “At the same time, as a martial artist, it would be the ultimate culmination of being able to test myself,” she said. “I feel like she and Amanda Nunes are the greatest female fighters in MMA. So it would be a dream come true, but also like, ‘Oh…’”​​

    The 33-year-old Milwaukee native emphasized that personal animosity plays no role in her approach to competition. “That’s kind of what fighting is, it’s weird,” Namajunas said. “I don’t hate anybody I fight. I’ve fought people I train with, then we train again after. I don’t have to hate anyone to compete with them. I love all of my opponents, even the ones I was rivals with, afterward it’s just water under the bridge.”​

    Namajunas currently holds a 14-7 UFC record and is ranked sixth in the flyweight division. After losing her strawweight title to Carla Esparza in May 2022, she moved up to 125 pounds and has gone 2-2 in the division, with losses to Manon Fiorot and Erin Blanchfield. Her flyweight record includes wins over Amanda Ribas and Miranda Maverick.

    The two-division championship goal has driven Namajunas throughout her flyweight campaign. “Basically, it’s the two-division thing, to just have that as an accomplishment,” she told Helwani. “It be a dream come true and it’s definitely on the list of what I wanted to achieve in MMA.” A victory over Shevchenko would make Namajunas only the second woman in UFC history to hold titles in two divisions, following in the footsteps of Nunes.​

    UFC 324

    Before any of those plans materialize, Namajunas must overcome Silva, who has defeated former champions Jessica Andrade and Alexa Grasso without dropping a round in either fight. Silva was originally slated to face Grasso before the former champion withdrew due to injury in December, opening the door for Namajunas to step in.

    UFC 324 marks the promotion’s first event under its new seven-year broadcast agreement with Paramount+, eliminating the pay-per-view model. The main event features Justin Gaethje defending the interim lightweight title against Paddy Pimblett.

  • Arman Tsarukyan Calls UFC 324 Interim Title Fight a ‘Joke’

    Arman Tsarukyan Calls UFC 324 Interim Title Fight a ‘Joke’

    The UFC lightweight division’s top contender has spoken out on being passed over for a title shot. Arman Tsarukyan told Demetrious Johnson’s MightyCast that the interim championship bout between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 represents a business decision over merit, one that leaves the true number one contender on the sidelines.​

    “For me it’s a joke that these guys are fighting for the belt when I’m the number one contender,” Tsarukyan said during the January 20 interview. The Armenian fighter currently holds the top ranking at 155 pounds after defeating Dan Hooker via second-round submission in November 2025, cementing his status with a Performance of the Night bonus.

    Arman Tsarukyan Calls Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje a “Joke”

    Tsarukyan made no attempt to hide his feelings about the matchup. When asked who he favored between the two fighters, his response was blunt: “I hope it’s Gaethje, because I don’t like Paddy.”​

    The disdain runs deeper than simple rivalry. Tsarukyan explained that a Pimblett victory could derail his title aspirations. “It’s going to be hard to fight him because UFC going to push me back for a couple years,” he told Johnson. The two fighters have traded barbs for months, with Pimblett recently questioning Tsarukyan’s resume while the Armenian has criticized the Brit’s path to contention.​

    “If it was me versus Paddy right now it would be such a big fight,” Tsarukyan argued, “Both young, both never been knocked out. They’re hungry.”​

    Criticism of Gaethje’s Title Path

    While Tsarukyan hopes Gaethje wins, he questions whether the American deserves the opportunity at all. “Gaethje’s not that interesting – he barely beat Fiziev and they give him a title fight,” the contender said, referencing the controversial majority decision victory over Rafael Fiziev at UFC 286 in March 2023.

    “He’s old. He had his chance. He got knocked out. He lost a lot of times,” Tsarukyan said, likely alluding to Gaethje’s brutal knockout loss to Max Holloway.

    Gaethje holds a 26-5 record with a 9-5 mark inside the Octagon, having lost multiple title bids during his UFC tenure.

    It’s Just Business

    Tsarukyan acknowledged the reality of UFC matchmaking when pressed about his title shot prospects. “Yeah, it’s just business,” he told Johnson when discussing the decision to pass him over. The fighter expressed frustration at being asked to serve as backup despite his ranking, noting he would take the fight on short notice if called upon at 155 pounds.​

    “I’ll get my title for sure,” Tsarukyan said. He pulled out of a scheduled championship bout against Makhachev at UFC 311 in January 2025 due to a back injury sustained during his weight cut, which may have factored into the UFC’s decision to move forward without him.

    The Armenian has remained active through grappling competitions and submission wrestling events while waiting for his next UFC booking.

  • Justin Gaethje Questions Pimblett’s Five-Round Experience

    Justin Gaethje Questions Pimblett’s Five-Round Experience

    Justin Gaethje dismissed Paddy Pimblett’s recent verbal challenges and questioned the Liverpool fighter’s readiness for the championship distance as the two prepare to meet for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas.

    Speaking at Wednesday’s pre-fight press conference, Gaethje remained unfazed by Pimblett’s promise to deliver a beating unlike any the veteran has experienced. The former BMF champion instead pointed to a critical difference between the two fighters heading into their main event clash at T-Mobile Arena.

    “I certainly take nothing from those comments. It’s 25 minutes in time right now; what he’s saying right now does not matter,” Gaethje said. “All it tells me is hopefully he’s going to be overconfident, and the last thing you can do in this sport is have a false confidence. He’d be crazy not to know that I’m one of the most dangerous guys he’s ever fought.”​​

    Justin Gaethje Questions Paddy Pimblett’s Five-Round Readiness Ahead of UFC 324

    The 37-year-old emphasized the experience gap when it comes to five-round contests, a format Pimblett has never encountered in the UFC. Gaethje noted he has been scheduled for championship-distance fights at least 20 times throughout his career, including multiple five-round title bouts during his undefeated World Series of Fighting run and seven five-round UFC appearances.​

    “I’ve been scheduled for a five-round fight at least 20 times in my career. It’s a different ball game,” Gaethje explained. “I want to take him to the fourth and fifth round. I want to do the same thing I’ve done before – turn his face into minced meat. I’ve done it to higher-caliber fighters, but this guy has a lot of momentum and confidence, and those are some of the most dangerous variables I’ll be facing.”​

    Gaethje elaborated on how the extended format changes preparation, particularly for fighters without that experience. “You don’t know what you don’t know. He hasn’t been there,” he continued. “Out of my 26 or 31 fights, I’ve been scheduled for at least 20 five-rounders. It’s different training, different mindset, different tactics. I train at elevation – if I’m tired, I know they’re really tired. He’s going to be exhausted when we get to those rounds.”​​

    The former interim champion referenced his recent three-round battles as evidence of his championship conditioning advantages. “You watch my three-round fights – Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev – those were close fights on paper, but if they went to the fourth and fifth round, I would have hurt them very badly,” Gaethje said. “That’s what I’m hoping I can do this Saturday.”​​

    Pimblett, who holds a perfect 7-0 UFC record, has only competed in five-round fights three times during his Cage Warriors tenure, losing two of those contests. The 30-year-old from Liverpool has never been past the third round in his UFC career.

    Despite recognizing Pimblett as a legitimate threat, Gaethje maintained confidence in his ability to expose the durability and conditioning questions that come with championship rounds. “I think he’s really good. This sport is crazy – anything can happen at any moment,” Gaethje acknowledged.

    “All the people that have those opinions, that say the guys he beat were over the hill or past their prime, they’ve never taken the risk that we take. A bunch of cowards that just like to talk. I don’t care what people say about him. I know that he’s dangerous, I know that he’s confident, and those are two huge variables. It’s a constant battle for momentum and I’m going to have to take it early and keep it.”​​

    When asked about Pimblett’s claim that “Scousers don’t get knocked out,” Gaethje offered a clinical response that underscored his finishing pedigree of 20 career knockouts. “You don’t have to be a doctor to know that if you have a brain, you can get shut off if I just shake it. I’ll show him – if I can shake his head and make his brain touch his skull, he’s going to go to sleep,” he stated.

    “The only thing that appeals to me right now is knocking a Scouser out and representing America. That’s what I’m here to do… whatever a Scouser is.”