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Shakur Stevenson’s exits Zuffa Boxing became official before the undefeated boxer even stepped into the ring for the promotion. UFC CEO Dana White has now explained why he granted the former signing his release, insisting that both sides agreed to part ways without any bad blood.

White addressed Stevenson’s departure during the UFC 333 post-fight press conference, revealing that he offered the boxer his release and his team accepted.

“I offered him his release,” White said. “I offered him the release. Listen, I think everybody involved, they’re happy with where we’re at. I have nothing bad to say about him or his team. But I offered them the release and they accepted.”

Stevenson’s signing was one of Zuffa Boxing’s biggest moves since the promotion launched. The undefeated boxer is widely regarded as one of the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighters, and his arrival immediately sparked speculation about a potential showdown with Devin Haney.

However, the proposed fight never materialized, and Stevenson did not compete in any other bout under the promotion before requesting his exit. White, for his part, says the split was mutual and that he has no issues with Stevenson or his team.

“We never even did one fight with the guy,” White said about why he granted the release. “We were in business a couple of months.

“Listen, I’m not going to say anything negatively about him or we tried to do this or we tried to do that. We got to a position where we both agreed we were cool with the release.”

Stevenson also addressed his departure in an announcement video, explaining that some of the fights he wanted never came together. However, he stopped short of blaming Zuffa Boxing for the situation.

Reports suggest Stevenson had hoped to secure a lucrative fight against boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Instead, he reportedly received offers for two other matchups against less prominent opponents for significantly lower paydays.

Meanwhile, Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn recently criticized White for losing one of Zuffa Boxing’s biggest signings before the boxer competed under the promotion’s banner.

Mike Perry leaves BKFC behind as the former UFC fan favorite prepares to focus on mixed martial arts for at least the next two years.

Perry became the face of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) after leaving the UFC in 2021. The 35-year-old enjoyed an impressive run in bare-knuckle boxing, defeating former UFC champions Luke Rockhold and Eddie Alvarez, as well as Michael “Venom” Page, to establish himself as one of the promotion's biggest stars.

However, Perry has not competed in BKFC since knocking out Jeremy Stephens at BKFC 82 last year. Following a prolonged period of contract negotiations, speculation grew that the former UFC fighter could pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday, Perry confirmed that his time with BKFC had come to an end and explained why he wanted to take on a new challenge.

“It's good to get that out. I kind of had some feelings about it. It's like the ‘BK cheat code,’ man. That bare-knuckle stuff is like a cheat code, I guess. Those two-minute rounds, I was good at it. It was fun. I made some noise doing it, and I'm ready for another challenge,” Perry said. “So, I think MMA is in my foreseeable future, and I'm going to give it my best shot.”

Perry went undefeated in six BKFC appearances and won the promotion's King of Violence title after defeating Rockhold and Alvarez. His success in bare-knuckle boxing helped revive his career after his UFC run ended in 2021.

However, the former welterweight contender now appears ready to put that chapter behind him and return to fighting with gloves.

“I kind of did my thing over at BKFC, and now it looks like we're going a different way. I think it's gloves for me for at least two years,” Perry explained.

Perry has already returned to MMA competition this year, facing Nate Diaz at the debut event for Most Valuable Promotions' MMA venture in May. He dominated the former UFC star before securing a second-round doctor's stoppage TKO victory.

The 35-year-old later stepped in on short notice to face Brandon Jenkins at Duel: Arena in August. However, the fight ended in disappointment after Perry suffered a shoulder injury that forced a first-round stoppage.

Perry revealed that he sustained a partial labral tear, which caused his shoulder to pop out during an exchange with Jenkins. Despite the injury, he does not expect to require surgery, as his doctors believe the surrounding muscles remain strong enough to support the joint.

“It was hard to go through, I guess. I'm doing OK,” Perry said. “I was just at training today, sparring with the guys. I got some rounds in. Still not doing as many rounds as I want, but that's not because of the shoulder. That's more like, I don't know, I'm slowly building.

“I'm super humble now. The game has humbled me, and I thought I was on this — I was trying to be great. So now it's like, kind of less pressure. I just want to be my healthiest, be my best, and people can say what they want to me. I don't want to get too angry about anything anymore.”

Maycee Barber returns to the fight at UFC 335 after suffering a brutal knockout loss to former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso earlier this year.

Barber will face Carli Judice on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, marking her first appearance inside the Octagon since Grasso stopped her at UFC Seattle on March 28.

Grasso delivered one of the most frightening finishes of the year when she caught Barber with a vicious punch just minutes into their fight. The knockout left Barber visibly shaken inside the Octagon and raised concerns about the extent of her injuries.

The result ended Barber’s seven-fight winning streak and halted her push toward a flyweight title shot. However, the 28-year-old contender is now preparing to rebuild her momentum against a dangerous opponent who has been on an impressive run of her own.

MMA journalist Marcel Dorff first reported the matchup on Oct. 14, with the fight also appearing on the UFC 335 lineup.

Barber enters the matchup with a 15-3 professional record and the No. 6 ranking in the UFC women’s flyweight division. Before her loss to Grasso, she had built considerable momentum with victories over several experienced opponents.

Her winning streak included decisions over Karine Silva, Katlyn Cerminara, Andrea Lee, Jessica Eye, Montana De La Rosa and Miranda Maverick, as well as a second-round stoppage of Amanda Ribas.

Judice, meanwhile, brings a 7-2 record into the contest and has won four consecutive fights since losing her UFC debut to Gabriella Fernandes in June 2024.

The Dana White’s Contender Series alum has delivered several impressive performances during that run. She stopped Yuneisy Duben in March 2025, knocked out Nicolle Caliari at UFC 318 and earned a unanimous decision over Juliana Miller in February 2026.

Her latest victory came against Jeisla Chaves on August when she finished the fight with strikes in the first round.

A victory over Judice would give Barber an important opportunity to rebuild her momentum, although the UFC has not promised her an immediate title shot.

Former UFC fighter and U.S. Army Special Forces veteran Tim Kennedy was shot three times in the leg during an ambush while working a private security contract in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

According to a report by Reuters, Kennedy was working with Vectus Global, a private security and logistics company founded by Erik Prince, who also established the controversial private military contractor Blackwater.

The attack reportedly happened in mid-September, when enemy forces ambushed Kennedy’s team. The incident left 20 people dead or injured, including seven fatalities. Kennedy survived the attack and returned to the United States, where he is receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland.

Vectus Global reportedly secured a five-year contract worth between $300 million and $400 million to protect mining operations in the Central African country. The company has also reportedly entered negotiations to provide technical and logistical support for the Congolese military’s aircraft and drones.

The company’s reported work in the country includes protecting mining revenue, combating smuggling and helping the Congolese government collect taxes. However, the circumstances surrounding the ambush remain unclear, and Kennedy has yet to publicly address the incident.

The Congolese government reportedly suspects that Rwandan-backed rebel forces may have carried out the attack.
Kennedy, 47, has a long military and combat sports background. The former Green Beret served in Iraq and Afghanistan before building a career in mixed martial arts.

He competed in both Strikeforce and the UFC, challenging for the Strikeforce middleweight title twice but failing to win the championship on either occasion. Kennedy retired from MMA in 2017.

Although Kennedy has not provided a public update on his condition, his official Instagram account has continued to feature posts since the reported attack. MMA fans have also flooded his recent posts with messages of support and prayers following news of his hospitalisation.

Oscar De La Hoya has finally explained why he skipped Ryan Garcia’s WBC welterweight title fight against Conor Benn in September, despite Garcia being one of Golden Boy Promotions’ biggest stars.

The absence of Oscar De La Hoya became one of the biggest talking points during fight week after reports claimed he had been denied credentials for the event, which was promoted by Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing. White later denied those claims, but De La Hoya says he chose not to attend for a different reason.

Speaking to Fight Hub TV, De La Hoya revealed that he feared he would be embarrassed if he showed up at the event.
“I wasn’t going to show up to be embarrassed,” De La Hoya said. “It was a Zuffa f***ing event. A ‘Zuffa event,’ a ‘Turki event.’ I was not going to show up and be embarrassed because that’s exactly what they were going to do to me. I was not going to do that. So I made the wise decision not to go.”

Garcia went on to dominate Benn, scoring a second-round TKO victory in Las Vegas. According to De La Hoya, his presence could have created unnecessary distractions and taken attention away from his fighter’s performance.

“Oh yeah, so much s*** happened in those dealings, in those contracts, but let’s just say I’m glad I didn’t go because I was going to be set up,” De La Hoya said. “You saw Teofimo [Lopez], how they didn’t allow him in the ring to have a faceoff with Ryan and embarrassed him not going up there. It’s like, I’m not going to be embarrassed going to an event where my fighter is participating in. I just wasn’t going to do it.

“It would have been embarrassing. It would have created distractions. It would have been a mess.”

The comments add another chapter to the long-running rivalry between Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White. The two promoters have traded public shots for years, often clashing over fighter treatment, boxing promotion, and White’s involvement in the sport.

White, however, strongly rejected De La Hoya’s claims. Speaking after a recent episode of Dana White’s Contender Series, the UFC CEO insisted he would never intentionally humiliate anyone at an event, even someone he openly dislikes.

“I would never do that,” White said. “Listen, my dislike for Oscar De La Hoya is very well known. He knows it, I know it, and it’s mutual. But I am the type of person who would call and say, ‘Don’t even try and show up to this f***ing fight. You’re not welcome.’ I would never have somebody show up to an event and do that.

“It happened to me. Vince McMahon did it to me for Ronda’s first wrestling match. I flew to New Orleans, showed up at will call, and they said, ‘We have no tickets for you.’ I wouldn’t do that to even an enemy.”

White also denied reports that Oscar De La Hoya was being treated differently from other promoters. He said De La Hoya had tickets and knew where he would be seated, adding that he was expected to be part of the VIP section alongside other notable guests.

“Oscar knew he had tickets,” White said. “Oscar knew where he was sitting. Oscar was coming in the back, like all the celebrities do, to the celebrity VIP area, and he knew all of that.

“I would never do that to anybody. If I don’t like you, I’ll tell you straight up. We’re probably never going to be friends, but I would never have somebody show up and be treated like that.”

As for allegations that Golden Boy personnel were not treated properly during the event, White declined to comment further.

“He should talk to Turki about that if that’s the case.”

Despite White’s denial, Oscar De La Hoya remains convinced he made the right decision by staying away from the Garcia-Benn showdown.

Khamzat Chimaev is still chasing a rematch with Sean Strickland, and he's now willing to put his own money on the table to make it happen.

Ever since dropping a split decision to Strickland at UFC 328 and losing his unbeaten record, Chimaev has pushed for another shot at the UFC middleweight champion. However, with Nassourdine Imavov expected to be next in line for a title fight, "Borz" appears tired of waiting.

Now, the Chechen star has made a public offer to Strickland in an attempt to secure a second fight. Recent reports suggested Strickland's next title defense had stalled due to disagreements with the UFC over his purse. The champion was initially expected to face Imavov before the end of 2026, but negotiations have reportedly slowed the process.

After Imavov publicly offered Strickland $500,000 to accept the fight, Chimaev stepped in with an even more eye-catching proposal.

"Strickland, I will pay you one lemon. Send me location and let's fight. I don't care if it's inside or outside of the cage," Chimaev wrote on social media.

The phrase "one lemon" is commonly used as slang for $1 million, making the offer a significant statement from the former title challenger.

The keyword Khamzat Chimaev offers Strickland prize money quickly gained attention across the MMA community, as Chimaev made it clear that reclaiming his rivalry with Strickland matters more to him than waiting in line for another title shot.

Chimaev and Strickland built a heated rivalry before their UFC 328 title clash. While the pair appeared to put their differences aside after the fight, both men have continued taking shots at each other in interviews and on social media.

Strickland has not publicly responded to Chimaev's latest challenge, but given their history, many fans expect a reaction sooner rather than later.

While Chimaev continues pushing for another fight with Strickland, he has also expressed frustration with the UFC's matchmaking process.

The middleweight contender recently revealed that he had hoped to stay active but has been unable to secure a fight. As a result, he plans to take time to recover from lingering injuries while remaining active in other combat sports competitions.

Before any potential UFC return, Chimaev is scheduled to compete in several high-profile grappling and crossover events. However, his message remains clear: if he gets his way, a second showdown with Strickland is still at the top of his wishlist.

Veteran lightweight King Green believes referee Herb Dean stopped his UFC 332 fight against Esteban Ribovics too early, insisting he still had enough left in the tank to fight through adversity and turn the bout around.

Green suffered a first-round TKO loss to Ribovics on Saturday after enduring multiple knockdowns during their highly anticipated grudge match. While the finish appeared inevitable to many watching, Green feels he deserved the opportunity to continue.

Speaking in a video posted after the fight, the fan favorite admitted he was disappointed with the outcome but remained proud of
his effort inside the Octagon.

“Great fight, sh*t happens,” Green said. “I told myself, regardless of what happened, I wasn’t going to be mad at myself, but I’m a little mad.”

The lightweight veteran revealed that he had spoken directly to Herb Dean during the fight and made his intentions clear.

“I told Herb, ‘This is going to get sticky. Let me go out on my shield.’ I was still fine. I wanted to keep fighting. I felt like we were
getting somewhere.”

Ribovics put Green in trouble early, dropping him multiple times with sharp combinations. Dean closely monitored the action and eventually stepped in after another knockdown, deciding Green had taken enough damage.

Although Green disagreed with the stoppage, he acknowledged Ribovics' performance and showed appreciation to those who supported him throughout the fight week.

“But it was a great fight. Shout out to everybody that supported me, everybody that was cheering me on. I love you guys.”

Despite the setback, Green made it clear that his fighting spirit remains intact and that he has no plans to slow down.

“I’m fine. I’m great. I feel like I want to fight next f*cking week. You know what I mean? Thank you so much for the support. I love you guys, and I will be back very soon.”

The defeat ends a strong run for Green, who entered UFC 332 riding a four-fight winning streak and generating momentum toward a potential BMF title conversation. UFC CEO Dana White had previously mentioned Green as a fighter who embodied the BMF mentality, making the matchup with Ribovics an important opportunity.

Ilia Topuria is officially back.After months of speculation surrounding his recovery, the former UFC lightweight champion has revealed that he has been medically cleared to return to action following his brutal war with Justin Gaethje at the UFC White House card.

Topuria suffered significant facial injuries during the June showdown, a fight that ultimately ended when his corner stopped the contest after the fourth round to prevent further damage. The loss marked the first defeat of his professional MMA career and cost him the lightweight title.

Now, with his recovery complete, Topuria is back and already looking ahead to his next move.

"Final medical tests done. I'm back," Topuria wrote on X."To all the clowns who've been talking s**t and counting me out this whole time, here I am. Now let's see who's got the balls.
"Thanks to everyone for the support. Next time I'll make sure they check Justin's gloves so he doesn't put anything weird on them. See you soon."

The statement marked the first time Topuria publicly suggested that something may have been unusual about Gaethje's gloves during their title fight. However, he did not provide any evidence to support the claim.

Gaethje captured the lightweight belt after surviving an intense back-and-forth battle and taking control in the later rounds. The American's relentless pressure and damage eventually forced Topuria's corner to wave off the fight before the fifth round. With Topuria back and cleared to compete, attention has already shifted toward his next opponent.

One possibility is an immediate rematch with Gaethje. Their first encounter generated massive interest and delivered one of the year's most memorable fights, making a second meeting an attractive option for the UFC.

Another potential matchup involves longtime rival Paddy Pimblett. The two have traded verbal shots for years, and a clash between them remains one of the most anticipated fights in the lightweight division.

Topuria also made it clear that he has not forgotten about Gaethje following their championship showdown.

"By the way Justin, fk you," Topuria wrote. "And Ali, fk you too."

Gaethje wasted little time responding to the comments and dismissing Topuria's accusation.

"94 days and the best you could come up with is a lame excuse," Gaethje replied."As terrible as your last performance. Do better kid."

Conor Benn has broken his silence following his devastating loss to Ryan Garcia and revealed that he plans to step away from boxing for some time.

Benn challenged Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on Saturday, but the fight quickly turned into a nightmare for the British boxer. Garcia stopped Benn in the second round, ending their long-running rivalry and handing him the first knockout loss of his professional career.

Now, Conor Benn releases first statement since the defeat, and the former welterweight contender has made it clear that he wants to spend some time with his family before deciding what comes next.

“If you’d asked the 19-year-old version of me whether I thought I’d be standing here ten years later, having lived through everything I have, I’d have told you that you were crazy.

“I train hard. I sacrifice. I’ve given this game 110% every time I’ve stepped through those ropes. I’ve wanted to give people unforgettable nights and entertain. That’s what this has always been about for me.”

“People spend their hard-earned money to come and watch guys like us fight. I’ve never taken that for granted. I’ve always wanted to be a servant of the public and give everything I have when it matters.But giving everything comes at a cost.

"And the people who have paid that cost more than anyone are my family and my kids. They’ve sacrificed time with their Dad so I could chase this dream. They’ve had to share me with this sport their entire lives.
“So when people ask me what’s next for Conor Benn, right now the answer is simple. Time with my kids.”

Benn also thanked the fans who travelled to Las Vegas and stayed up to watch the fight, despite the disappointing result.

“Fight fans, thank you. Those who travelled to Vegas, those who stayed up until the early hours. I will never take your support for granted, especially on those nights things don’t go to plan.”

The loss came after Benn entered the fight with plenty of momentum. He had picked up impressive victories over Chris Eubank Jr. and Regis Prograis before facing Garcia, but he struggled to match Garcia’s speed and aggression.

Garcia capitalized on those problems and stopped Benn in the second round, putting a decisive end to their rivalry.

The defeat also marked Benn and Garcia’s Zuffa Boxing debuts under Dana White’s new boxing promotion, adding another layer to what was already a highly anticipated matchup.

Despite the setback, Benn’s career is far from over. The second-generation boxer remains one of Britain’s biggest names in the sport, but for now, he appears more interested in stepping away from the ring and spending time with his children.

Benn is the son of former two-division world champion Nigel Benn and has built much of his career around the rivalry with fellow second-generation boxer Chris Eubank Jr. The pair split their two fights in 2025.

For now, however, Conor Benn releases first statement with no clear answer about his next fight. After years of training, sacrifice and putting boxing ahead of almost everything else, the 29-year-old appears ready to put his family first.

Tom Aspinall has officially stepped away from the UFC heavyweight throne, bringing months of uncertainty surrounding his future to an end.

The British star announced that he has vacated the title due to ongoing eye complications that have prevented him from receiving medical clearance to compete. The decision comes nearly a year after his heavyweight title defense against Ciryl Gane ended in a no contest following a series of eye pokes that left Aspinall dealing with serious health issues.

The news marks a significant moment for the heavyweight division, with Tom Aspinall vacates heavyweight now becoming one of the biggest stories in MMA.

In a statement shared on social media, Aspinall explained that despite exhausting every available option, his recovery remains incomplete.

"Anything you read in the media is simply noise. People are creating their own narratives. This is the truth," Aspinall wrote. "Ongoing complications with my eyes mean I cannot get medically cleared to fight right now. I've had multiple surgeries, accidents and infections, and done everything possible to get back to competing."

Aspinall revealed that he had previously agreed to a fight date and had returned to sparring while preparing for a comeback. However, another accident caused additional damage to his right eye, forcing him back to the sidelines.

"I had previously agreed to a fight date and was back sparring, feeling great and ready to compete when an accident caused further damage to my right eye. This means more time away from the sport, and right now, the timing of my return is unclear."

The former champion also addressed questions surrounding his prolonged silence, explaining that he chose to follow medical advice and work closely with the UFC throughout his rehabilitation process.

"I know there have been questions about why I've been quiet. I've always followed the advice of the UFC and focused on my recovery while we've tried to make this happen."

Rather than continue holding up the division, Aspinall decided it was time to relinquish the belt and allow the heavyweight title picture to move forward.

"I've now made the decision to vacate the heavyweight title. I've asked the UFC to allow me to make this statement because I don't want to hold the heavyweight division up.

"I know what it's like to have your career put on hold and I want the other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the title."

The 32-year-old also emphasized that the UFC remained fully informed throughout his recovery journey and had access to all of his medical records, tests and specialist consultations.

"The UFC and Hunter have been informed every step of the way and have seen the tests, procedures and medical information relating to my eyes.

"We have worked closely with different doctors and specialists to try and make my return happen, but unfortunately, it's simply not possible right now."

While the decision was clearly emotional, Aspinall insisted that giving up the title does not signal the end of his fighting career.

"I'm absolutely gutted. I've chased this dream since I was 10 years old. I'm not done. Stepping away from the title is not stepping away from the sport or the dream. I'll continue doing everything I can to get healthy, get cleared and get back to competing as soon as possible."

Aspinall also pointed to the circumstances that led to his current situation, noting that many of the issues he continues to face stem from fouls suffered inside the cage.

"What makes this particularly difficult is that many of the complications I'm dealing with are a result of fouls that changed the course of my career.

"Fighters rely on officials to enforce the rules and protect us in those moments, and it's hard to still be dealing with the consequences today."

For now, the heavyweight division moves on without its champion. However, Aspinall remains determined to return once his health improves.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this absolute nightmare. I'll be back as soon as I'm medically able to be."

With Tom Aspinall vacates heavyweight title now official, the UFC heavyweight division enters a new chapter, while one of the sport's most talented big men continues the fight to save his career and eventually reclaim his place at the top.

Tyson Fury never trained the way he normally would for his crossover boxing clash with Francis Ngannou, and nearly paid a heavy price for it.

Back in October 2023, Fury entered the ring as a massive favorite against the former UFC heavyweight champion. Most boxing experts expected “The Gypsy King” to cruise through the fight, with some predicting he would eventually stop Ngannou after a few entertaining rounds.Instead, Ngannou stunned the boxing world.

Competing in his professional boxing debut, the former UFC champion dropped Fury in the third round and pushed him to the limit across 10 rounds. Fury ultimately escaped with a split-decision victory, but many fans and fighters felt Ngannou had done enough to win.

Nearly three years later, Tyson Fury never trained for the bout with the same intensity he would have brought against a top-level boxer.
Speaking to ALF Global, Fury admitted he viewed the fight more as an exhibition than a serious contest.

“No, I didn’t not train for him because I didn’t think he was a good fighter,” Fury said. “I knew he was a good fighter, but to me, there are levels to boxing.”

“If I’m fighting a world champion, then in my mind, he’s a world champion. Everything’s good. But when you do an exhibition fight, play, it wasn’t really a fight, do you understand what I’m saying? It wasn’t, in my mind, a fight. It was just an exhibition, a game.”

Fury explained that while Ngannou treated the matchup as the opportunity of a lifetime, he approached it with a completely different mindset.

“To him, to Ngannou, it was, ‘Aaaah, big fight, I fight Tyson Fury!’ To me, it was play, a game, you know what I mean?”

Whether fans agree with Fury’s explanation or not, the fight remains one of the biggest surprises in recent combat sports history.

Ngannou entered the bout with zero professional boxing experience, yet he arguably outperformed one of the sport’s most accomplished heavyweights. His third-round knockdown instantly became one of the defining moments of the year and helped elevate his profile far beyond MMA.

However, Ngannou couldn’t replicate that success in his next boxing appearance. He suffered a devastating second-round knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in March 2024.

Since then, Ngannou has returned to MMA and reminded fans why he remains one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet, scoring dominant knockout victories over Renan Ferreira and Philipe Lins.

Despite the knockdown against Ngannou, Fury insists the former UFC champion doesn't hit as hard as longtime rival Deontay Wilder.

“Ngannou’s a strong guy, big guy, but he doesn’t punch like Wilder,” Fury said. “No way.”

Fury knows a thing or two about Wilder’s power. Their first fight in 2018 produced one of boxing’s most iconic moments when Wilder seemingly knocked Fury unconscious in the final round, only for the Brit to rise from the canvas and finish the fight.

As for Fury, he has bounced back well after losing two title fights to Oleksandr Usyk. The future Hall of Famer has since earned victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Mariusz Wach, proving he still has plenty left in the tank.

Dana White has revealed that the UFC could be planning another blockbuster event following the overwhelming success of the historic White House fight card, although he insists nothing will ever match the scale of that unforgettable night.

The UFC White House event was widely regarded as the most ambitious card the promotion has ever staged. From the production to the atmosphere, the event set a new standard for what a combat sports spectacle can look like. Despite its success, UFC officials have repeatedly stated that it was a one-time occasion and will not be replicated.

That said, Dana White is already exploring the possibility of another major event in the future. The UFC CEO recently disclosed that the idea came from the promotion’s head of production, Craig Borsari, whose confidence has only grown after helping deliver one of the most talked-about events in UFC history.

“Now my head of production Craig Borsari is so cocky after he absolutely killed that event, we are talking about something right now that he came up with — this was his idea — and I love it,” White said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “I have to do some more groundwork on it.”

While White stopped short of revealing any details, his comments suggest that discussions are already underway behind the scenes. The UFC boss made it clear that the concept has captured his attention and could eventually become a reality.

The mystery surrounding the potential event sparked speculation, with Pat McAfee jokingly suggesting that the UFC might be heading somewhere truly out of this world.

“So cool, you guys are going to the moon!” McAfee joked. “You guys are going to go fight people on the moon!”

Although White laughed off the suggestion, he remained tight-lipped about what the UFC could have planned next.

Even with another major event potentially on the horizon, Dana White believes the White House card will remain unmatched in UFC history.

“There will never be anything like the White House again,” White said. “That night, we already had high expectations for it, and I was blown away. It’s the greatest thing that I’ve ever been a part of. Being there live was amazing.”

Conor McGregor is staying positive after undergoing surgery following his disastrous return to the Octagon at UFC 329.

The former two-division UFC champion recently went under the knife after suffering serious knee injuries in his highly anticipated comeback fight against Max Holloway. Despite another major setback in his career, Conor McGregor appears confident about his recovery and future.

McGregor had not competed since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021. After a five-year absence from the Octagon, many fans hoped to see the Irish superstar make a triumphant return. Instead, UFC 329 ended in heartbreak when he suffered ACL and meniscus injuries just moments into his rematch with Holloway.

The injury brought back memories of McGregor’s first meeting with Holloway in 2013, when he tore his ACL during the fight. This time, however, it was his right knee that failed him, leaving him unable to continue.

Following the procedure, Conor McGregor shared a brief but confident update with fans on his Instagram Stories.

“Surgery went excellent,” McGregor wrote. “I am confident.”

The latest operation marks the fifth major surgery of McGregor’s combat sports career, adding another chapter to his long road back from injury.

While Conor McGregor has already declared his intention to return for one final fight in 2027, not everyone believes another comeback is the right move. Former UFC welterweight title challenger Darren Till recently urged McGregor to pay attention to what his body is telling him after suffering multiple serious injuries over the years.

Others remain optimistic about the former champion’s chances of returning. Ex-UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman believes McGregor will follow through on his comeback plans because he has no interest in ending his legendary career on an injury stoppage.

McGregor himself appears fully committed to one final run. After a fan asked him on X who he would like to face once he recovers, the Irishman made it clear that he wants to finish his trilogy with Max Holloway.

Brock Lesnar has announced his retirement from professional wrestling, bringing an end to a career that spanned more than two decades across WWE, the UFC, collegiate wrestling, and even a brief NFL pursuit.

The former UFC heavyweight champion and WWE megastar made the announcement during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, just days after losing a brutal Hell in a Cell match against Oba Femi at SummerSlam.

For many fans, the retirement of Brock Lesnar marks the end of an era. Few athletes have dominated multiple combat sports at the highest level quite like "The Beast Incarnate."

Speaking candidly about his decision, Lesnar revealed that his SummerSlam loss to Oba Femi would be the final chapter of his storied career.

“I’m here today to do this interview to let the world and everybody know that I am retired and I wanted to say a big thank you to everybody,” Lesnar said.

“Saturday was a very emotional day for me. It’s kind of weird because when Oba Femi slammed me at WrestleMania, I was like, ‘I can’t do this again.’ I was like, ‘I think I’m done.’ But the business and I still had fuel in the tank. But Saturday, for Brock Lesnar, that’s it. That’s it for me in the squared circle and for everything else, too.

“I just want to give a shout-out to everybody in this universe that has followed me since I was a little kid all the way until Saturday. I was just a farm kid from South Dakota with a big dream, a big heart, and a big-ass chip on my shoulder. I’m just grateful. Grateful to be 49 years old and to have been able to do what I did in this lifetime. I thank God and everybody that supported me.”

Long before he became a global superstar, Brock Lesnar established himself as an elite wrestler.

After winning the National Junior College Athletic Association Championship at Bismarck State College in 1998, he transferred to the University of Minnesota. There, he quickly emerged as one of the nation's top heavyweights.

Lesnar reached the NCAA Division I Heavyweight Championship final in 1999 before capturing the national title in 2000. His collegiate success immediately caught WWE's attention.

He signed with WWE in 2002 and wasted little time making history. That same year, Lesnar became the youngest WWE Champion at the time after defeating Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at SummerSlam.

His early run included victories over some of wrestling's biggest legends, including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, and The Rock, cementing his status as WWE's next dominant force.

In 2004, Lesnar shocked the wrestling world by leaving WWE to pursue a career in the NFL.

Despite never playing college football, he earned a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings and came remarkably close to making the roster before being cut during the final stages of preseason evaluations.

After a stint wrestling in Japan and winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Brock Lesnar sought another challenge—mixed martial arts.

He signed with the UFC in 2007 and quickly became one of the sport's biggest attractions. Although he lost his UFC debut to Frank Mir, Lesnar rebounded with victories over Heath Herring and Randy Couture.

Just four professional fights into his MMA career, Lesnar knocked out Couture to capture the UFC heavyweight championship.

His UFC success silenced critics who doubted whether a professional wrestler could thrive in legitimate combat sports.
Lesnar later defended his title twice and became one of the biggest pay-per-view stars in UFC history before health issues and injuries eventually forced him away from the sport.

He returned for one final UFC appearance at UFC 200 in 2016, defeating Mark Hunt in a bout that was later overturned to a no-contest following a failed drug test.

While his UFC accomplishments were extraordinary, Brock Lesnar built much of his lasting legacy during his second WWE run.

After returning to WWE in 2012, Lesnar became one of the company's biggest attractions. His achievements included ending The Undertaker's legendary WrestleMania undefeated streak, holding the Universal Championship for more than 500 days, and headlining multiple WrestleManias and SummerSlams.

He also delivered unforgettable rivalries against stars such as John Cena, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and, most recently, Oba Femi.
By the time his career came to an end, Lesnar had established himself as one of the most dominant and influential performers in wrestling history.

Now retired, Lesnar plans to step away from the spotlight and focus on family life.

“I’ve got some hunting lined up and I’ve got two boys in hockey. I’m going to support that, their dreams, as long as that’s feasible,” Lesnar said.

“My daughter, she’s got her eye on the 2028 Olympics. Just going to spend more time with the kids in the woods and just reap what I’ve sewn. Just enjoy life.”

For a man who conquered NCAA wrestling, WWE, and the UFC, retirement offers a well-earned opportunity to enjoy life away from the cameras.

https://sports.yahoo.com/wrestling/article/brock-lesnar-former-wwe-and-ufc-champion-retires-from-combat-sports-at-age-49-184313191.html?

Conor McGregor is already looking ahead to his final UFC appearance after a devastating knee injury derailed his long-awaited comeback against Max Holloway at UFC 329.

The former two-division UFC champion returned to the Octagon for the first time in five years earlier this month, but disaster struck almost immediately. As McGregor threw his first kick of the fight, he suffered a catastrophic knee injury that forced an abrupt end to the highly anticipated rematch with Holloway.

Medical examinations later confirmed that Conor McGregor tore both his ACL and meniscus, requiring surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. UFC CEO Dana White recently revealed that McGregor is expected to remain sidelined for at least a year as he recovers.
Despite the setback, McGregor is already setting his sights on one final run inside the Octagon.

Sharing a video of himself warming up before UFC 329, McGregor hinted at his timeline for a return and what could be the final fight of his UFC career.

"What was to be a generational beating is now to be reset," McGregor wrote."IFW 2027. The Last Dance."

The reference to IFW points to International Fight Week, the annual UFC showcase event that also hosted McGregor's comeback bout against Holloway.

If everything goes according to plan, Conor McGregor appears intent on returning during International Fight Week 2027 to fulfill the final fight remaining on his UFC contract.

The Irish superstar has repeatedly stated that he intends to honor his UFC deal before exploring opportunities elsewhere. Once that final bout
is complete, McGregor could become one of the most sought-after free agents in combat sports history.

Potential options outside the UFC include a return to professional boxing or a move to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, where McGregor holds an ownership stake and has frequently expressed interest in competing.
For now, however, McGregor remains focused on a trilogy fight with Holloway.

The former featherweight and lightweight champion has repeatedly called for the matchup to be rebooked once he returns to full health. UFC officials have yet to commit to the idea, largely because of the lengthy recovery timeline and uncertainty surrounding McGregor's comeback.
Booking Holloway now would likely force the former BMF champion to wait more than a year for the fight, making it difficult for the UFC to finalize any plans in the immediate future.

The injury marked the second consecutive bout in which Conor McGregor suffered a serious leg injury. In 2021, he broke his left leg during his trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. Now, after tearing his ACL and meniscus against Holloway, questions continue to surround whether McGregor can return to the elite level that once made him the biggest star in MMA history.

McGregor has not won a UFC fight since his 40-second knockout victory over Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020. Since then, he has suffered back-to-back losses to Poirier and saw his comeback against Holloway end before it truly began.

Meanwhile, Holloway is expected to remain active and could potentially face another top lightweight contender before revisiting a future showdown with McGregor.

Anthony Joshua had to overcome serious adversity before securing one of the most dramatic victories of his career.


The former heavyweight champion looked on the verge of a shocking upset when Kristian Prenga dropped him twice in the opening round of their clash at the Jeddah Superdome. For a moment, it appeared Joshua’s long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury could once again slip away.


Instead, Anthony Joshua showed resilience, weathered the storm, and delivered a devastating second-round knockout to keep his biggest fight plans alive.

Prenga came out aggressively and stunned the British star early. A powerful uppercut sent Joshua crashing to the canvas, leaving the crowd in disbelief. Although Joshua beat the count, he looked shaken as Prenga continued to press forward in search of a finish.

Moments later, Prenga landed another huge right hand that dropped Anthony Joshua for a second time. The former heavyweight champion managed to survive the round, but questions immediately surfaced about whether he could recover.

The second round saw a completely different version of Anthony Joshua emerge. He marched forward behind combinations, backed Prenga into the corner, and forced the Albanian heavyweight onto the defensive.

As Prenga began to fade, Joshua sensed the opportunity and unleashed a crushing right hand that sent his opponent crashing to the canvas and through the bottom rope.The referee quickly stepped in and waved off the contest at 2:43 of Round 2.

Reflecting on the dramatic comeback, Anthony Joshua credited something greater than himself for helping him recover from the early knockdowns.

“It was more than me that just picked me up,” Joshua said. “It can’t just be me. There’s a higher power that’s calling.”

With the victory secured, Joshua wasted no time shifting his attention to Tyson Fury.Reports suggest the long-awaited heavyweight showdown is already in motion, and Joshua made it clear that he’s ready for the challenge.

“Have we got Tyson Fury in the room, actually?” Joshua said.“To more important matters, I’m going to rip his heart out. I’m the meanest and most vicious champion there’s ever been. Nobody can stop me.

“I respect everything that he’s done and everything he’s achieved, but as a fighting person who’s been calling for this fight for a long time, I think the fans will be in for a treat.”

Following the fight, some critics questioned Anthony Joshua’s durability after seeing him hit the canvas twice. The former champion quickly dismissed those concerns during an interview with The Sun.

“I got back up,” Joshua said. “That happened in, what, the first 20 seconds of round one? Got back up, took a beating, stood the storm, and came back in round two. Boxing’s not pretty.”

Joshua insisted that getting hurt is simply part of the sport, especially when facing dangerous heavyweight punchers.

“If I expect to get in there and expect it to be pretty, I wouldn’t get back up because it would be out of my thought process,” Joshua explained.“I know it’s going to be tough in there. I know I’m going to be up against live wires.It’s not so much about resistance, it’s about being in the ring with strong, heavy-handed guys that are live and they want to come and win. Hit me with a good shot. So what? Roll it off, get up, take some more punches, keep going until it’s my turn.

“Let’s see who’s tough now. Let’s see who’s the bad boy. Let’s see who’s rough and ready. I come out on top.”

The win keeps Anthony Joshua firmly on course for one of the biggest boxing events in recent memory.

Dustin Poirier continues to deal with the fallout from his public intoxication arrest, and one of the biggest consequences has already hit his wallet.

The former UFC interim lightweight champion revealed that Bud Light immediately terminated its sponsorship agreement with him after his arrest last month at an Atlanta airport. The incident occurred after Poirier was removed from a flight bound for Florida and later arrested on a public intoxication charge.

Since retiring from MMA following UFC 318, Dustin Poirier has been candid about the challenges of life after fighting. In recent months, he has admitted to struggling with alcohol and has since committed himself to sobriety after what he describes as a major wake-up call.

Speaking during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Poirier confirmed that Bud Light wasted no time ending their business relationship.

"They terminated my contract immediately," Poirier said.

The decision brought an abrupt end to a lucrative partnership that had seen Dustin Poirier appear in multiple Bud Light commercials and promotional campaigns. While losing the sponsorship cost him a significant amount of money, Poirier said his focus now remains on his personal recovery rather than financial setbacks.

"It's all good. I don't need that poison in my life," Poirier said."It sucks that my family loses out on the money that I had left on the deal with them, which was a few hundred thousand dollars. But if I'm representing something that I'm not going to be taking part in and promoting, it is what it is."

Poirier acknowledged that alcohol affects people differently and admitted he can no longer justify promoting a product that contributed to his personal struggles.

"There's plenty of people who drink responsibly, but I'm not one of them. I'm not that person."

The former UFC star has spent the weeks since his arrest reflecting on the events that led to the incident. He previously apologized for his actions and described the situation as a turning point in his life. According to Poirier, the arrest forced him to confront issues he had been battling privately for months.

Since then, Dustin Poirier has remained committed to staying sober and rebuilding his life outside of professional fighting. While the loss of the Bud Light partnership represents a financial blow, he appears determined to view it as part of a larger personal transformation.
Poirier retired from mixed martial arts after falling to Max Holloway in their BMF title clash at UFC 318. Despite stepping away from active competition, he has occasionally teased the possibility of returning for a high-profile showdown against names such as Justin Gaethje or Nate Diaz.

For now, however, Dustin Poirier appears focused on something far more important than a comeback fight. The former fan favorite is prioritizing his health, his family, and a sober future as he works through one of the most difficult chapters of his post-fighting life.

Michael Page is preparing to fight out the final bout on his current UFC contract, but the British star remains focused on one thing, securing the big fights he believes he has earned.

Page returns to action at UFC Paris on September 5, where he will face Nursulton Ruziboev in a middleweight showdown. While Page respects his opponent, he admits the matchup is not the type of fight he has been pushing for since joining the promotion.

The former Bellator standout has consistently called for higher-profile opponents, but those opportunities have yet to materialize. Now, with his UFC contract set to expire after UFC Paris, Page hopes one final statement performance will convince the promotion to keep him around and give him the marquee matchups he has been chasing.

"Yeah, this is the last fight on my deal," Page told Ariel Helwani. "I don't want it to be my last UFC fight. I just want to push for bigger fights. My goal is to get a belt, and I still feel more than capable. I know I can do it. I would like to get an extension, but get the UFC on the side that I want big names and a rough idea of how I would get to that belt."

Despite compiling an impressive 4-1 record inside the Octagon, Michael Page has grown increasingly frustrated with the UFC's matchmaking. According to "Venom," securing a fight against a ranked contender has proven far more difficult than expected.

"In all honesty, it's been frustrating," Page said. "I feel like it's crazy that I've reached the pinnacle of MMA and trying to get a name in the Top 10 seems very, very difficult. It's excuse after excuse. Then we send another slate of names, and the same thing happens."

"Nursulton is a tough opponent, but I was seeking bigger names, and I have been for the last three fights. Nobody seems to want to step in there. I'm genuinely asking for everybody. It just feels crazy that I'm competing in the toughest combat sport in the world, surrounded by the toughest guys, and it's this hard to get those fights."

Page revealed that he and his management team have repeatedly submitted lists of potential opponents, only to be met with obstacles ranging from injuries to previously scheduled matchups.

"The exchanges with the UFC matchmakers have been frustrating," Page explained. "I throw names forward, asking from the top and working my way down. My manager, Audie Attar, presents them, and then we hear, 'This person's matched up,' or 'This person's injured.'It's excuse after excuse. Then I send another slate of names, and the same thing happens."

At this stage, Page says he is no longer focused on the politics behind the scenes. Instead, he plans to let his performances do the talking.

"I don't want to get too stressed about the politics and everything. Let me go in there, put on a performance, make them want me to come back and do it again."

Since arriving in the UFC in early 2024, Michael Page has enjoyed considerable success. His only defeat came against Ian Machado Garry, who is now set to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title. Since that setback, Page has rebounded with victories over Jared Cannonier, Shara Magomedov, and Sam Patterson.

However, despite his winning record, Page has yet to receive the elite-level opportunities he expected when signing with the promotion. The 39-year-old believes he still has what it takes to become a UFC champion, but he knows time is ticking.

For now, all eyes are on UFC Paris. A victory over Ruziboev could strengthen Michael Page's case for a new contract and potentially open the door to the high-profile fights he has been demanding.

Ben Askren closed the chapter on his remarkable competitive career with an emotional wrestling match against fellow former UFC fighter Belal Muhammad, capping off one of the most inspiring comeback stories in combat sports.

The former UFC welterweight returned to the mat one final time on Saturday, exactly one year after surviving a life-threatening health battle that nearly claimed his life. Competing under the Real American Freestyle (RAF) banner in his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Askren stepped onto the mat on his 42nd birthday for what he promised would be his last appearance.

Last year, Ben Askren underwent a double lung transplant after battling severe pneumonia. The ordeal left him in a coma for 37 days, and he later revealed that he had "died four times" during the medical crisis. At one point, he lost nearly a third of his body weight and dropped to just 63 kilograms.

Against all odds, Askren recovered well enough to compete again. Although he ultimately lost 6-3 to Muhammad, simply making it back to the mat stood as a victory in itself.Askren relied heavily on defense throughout the match but visibly slowed during the third and final period as fatigue set in.

"My lungs hurt, but the things that failed me were my legs," Askren said after the match. "They gave out. In the third period, my legs wouldn't carry me any longer.

"It's for sure my last time on the mat. I love you guys. I really do. I couldn't find a better place to do this.I worked as hard as sh*t in the last year. It was tough. There were times I couldn't feed myself. I couldn't stand up. I couldn't go to the bathroom.

"Every single day I woke up and thanked God for the chance to do it one more time. I promised God, 'I'm going to make the most of this day.' I'm going to treat people well. I'm going to work my ass off, and I'm going to try to make a difference in the world. I love you guys."

The emotional speech drew praise from fans and fighters alike, many of whom had followed Ben Askren's incredible journey back from the brink.

Muhammad, who captured the UFC welterweight title in 2024, showed immense respect for Askren after the match. The former champion praised Askren's resilience and the impact he has had on others throughout his career.

"He came back from death. This guy's a legend," Muhammad said."He's changing lives. I know because he changed my life. I'm at home ready to quit. I'm tired, I'm sore, thinking about all my losses, but then I look at Ben still fighting every single day. It shows you, man, life is precious. Go after it, bro."

Following the event, Ben Askren shared one final message on social media, reflecting on what the moment meant to him.

"Some people talk about leaving it all on the mat!!! I really got to. What an amazing sport and what a blessed life I get to live."

For Askren, the result was secondary. His final appearance wasn't about winning or losing, it was about proving that determination, faith, and perseverance can overcome even the toughest challenges.

After surviving a near-death experience and completing one last walk onto the mat, Ben Askren leaves competition on his own terms, cementing a legacy that extends far beyond championships and victories.

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believes Conor McGregor should finally give Michael Chandler the fight he has been waiting years to get.

McGregor returned to the Octagon at UFC 329 for the first time since suffering a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. However, the highly anticipated comeback ended in disappointment when the former two-division champion injured his leg just 69 seconds into his main event clash with Max Holloway and was forced to withdraw.

While McGregor has already expressed his desire to recover and complete the final fight on his UFC contract, Israel Adesanya believes there is only one matchup that makes sense when the Irish star returns.

Speaking on the Precision podcast with former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson, Adesanya said Chandler deserves the opportunity after years of waiting for the fight.

“I did see [McGregor] when he was sitting down and he looked distraught,” Adesanya said. “He looked like a lot of weight was on him. He kind of picked at his glove for a second, so I thought, ‘Is he going to retire?’ I don’t think so, but a fight with Max again after a five-year layoff, you’re fighting at the top of the heap. You’re fighting one of the best to do it. That’s a hard fight to come back against.

“I say, if he does decide to come back later on, Chandler would be the only fight that makes sense.”

Michael Chandler has pursued a fight with McGregor since joining the UFC in 2021. The former Bellator lightweight champion quickly emerged as a top contender and repeatedly called for a showdown with the sport's biggest star.

Their rivalry intensified when they served as opposing coaches on Season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC later booked the fight to headline UFC 303 in June 2024, but McGregor withdrew after suffering a toe injury during training camp.

The cancellation left Chandler sidelined for nearly two years as he waited for the lucrative matchup.
Because of that, Israel Adesanya believes McGregor owes Chandler the fight.

“He kind of owes Chandler that fight,” Adesanya said. “He honeyd*cked him for, like, two or three years while Chandler was waiting for the big money fight. So now, after The Ultimate Fighter, after all those times, it would be good for them to kind of settle the score because they even have a little bit of—not beef—but they’ve got some heat there. That would be the fight I think he should come back to.”

Although McGregor's star power gives him plenty of options whenever he returns, Adesanya believes Chandler remains the most logical opponent.

The former middleweight champion pointed to McGregor's lengthy absence from competition and recent injury struggles as reasons why the matchup works for both fighters.

“I think Chandler would be the only fight to make right now,” Adesanya said. “It’s a favorable matchup and also it’s a winnable matchup for Chandler as well, fighting a guy like Conor coming off a long layoff and not really getting fulfilled in this fight.”

Despite the disappointing ending to UFC 329, Israel Adesanya does not believe McGregor will walk away from the sport without one final appearance.

The Nigerian-born star argued that someone with McGregor's legacy would not want his UFC career to end on such an anticlimactic note.

“Knowing a guy like Conor, from what we’ve seen, he wouldn’t want to go out like that,” Adesanya said. “I don’t think he’d want to go out like that. I think he’d want to have even just one more before he calls it a career, because to retire off that is just so anticlimactic for a guy who’s done so much in the game and for the game and then that be your last show.

“Nah. One more fight, Chandler. Chandler should still fight in the meantime if he has other options before McGregor comes back, then go for it. But yeah, Chandler is owed that fight, so that should be Conor’s next fight and, if possible, his last fight. Then he can do anything he wants.”

McGregor currently has one fight remaining on his UFC contract, but there is no timeline for his return as he recovers from the injury suffered against Holloway. Whether the UFC finally books the long-awaited showdown remains to be seen, but Israel Adesanya has made it clear who he believes should be standing across the cage when McGregor fights again.

Conor McGregor may have suffered a heartbreaking setback at UFC 329, but the former two-division champion insists his fighting career is far from over.

McGregor's long-awaited return to the Octagon ended in disaster on Saturday night when a knee injury forced him out of his main event rematch against Max Holloway just 69 seconds into the fight. The Irish superstar was making his first appearance since 2021, but his comeback unraveled almost immediately after he landed awkwardly while attempting a jumping kick.

Despite the crushing disappointment, Conor McGregor remains determined to recover and compete again.In a lengthy statement posted on Instagram, McGregor revealed that surgery is next on the agenda before he begins rehabilitation and prepares for one final UFC appearance.

"All things work out for my good," McGregor wrote."All things are possible for me because I am a believer.Surgery. Prehab. Return to martial arts practice. Go again. Final fight of the contract."

"Five years off in this sport is rough," White said after the event."We're assuming a blown ACL. That's what I assumed when I saw it and that's what the doctors think too."

The injury marked another devastating chapter in Conor McGregor's turbulent comeback journey. The 38-year-old had not fought since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.

His planned return against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024 also fell apart after he suffered a broken toe during training camp. Outside the cage, McGregor has faced several challenges, including legal battles, business ventures, and an unsuccessful attempt to enter Irish politics.

"My faith is unconditional and I am thankful I get to prove it," McGregor wrote.”My lifestyle changes are permanent and not just until. I am thankful I get to prove it.I am in Sin City and remain completely devoid of all sin. I will not open that door nor crack its seal. I am already back to collecting wins. In Jesus' name I pray."

"I am a child of God. I am a friend of God. God makes a way for me where there seems to be no way.I am not a victim of my circumstances, I overcome them. God is at work in me to will and to work His good pleasure.All things work out for my good. All things are possible for me because I am a believer.I trust in You Lord. Show me Your way. Thank You God,”

Questions quickly surfaced after the fight about whether Conor McGregor entered UFC 329 carrying a pre-existing injury. Both McGregor and his longtime coach, John Kavanagh, strongly rejected that suggestion.

"That opening jump switch kick was drilled daily for months, multiple times in warm-up. Never an issue," Kavanagh wrote on Facebook.
"Knee went when he threw the very first kick. Doesn't get any worse than this."

For now, however, Conor McGregor faces another long road to recovery. There is no timeline for his return, and the upcoming surgery could delay plans to complete the final fight on his UFC contract.

Conor McGregor believes his accomplishments at featherweight have been overlooked, and he plans to remind fans exactly what he achieved when he returns to action at UFC 329.

The former two-division champion faces Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event this Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The bout marks Conor McGregor's first fight in five years and a rematch of their first meeting in 2013, which McGregor won by unanimous decision.

As fight week continues, McGregor has made it clear that one issue continues to bother him: his absence from discussions about the greatest UFC featherweight of all time.

During his rise through the featherweight division, McGregor defeated some of the biggest names in the sport, including Holloway and Dustin Poirier. He later stopped Chad Mendes to claim the interim title before producing one of the most iconic moments in UFC history when he knocked out Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds to capture the undisputed featherweight championship in 2015.

Despite those achievements, discussions about the featherweight GOAT often center around Jose Aldo, Alexander Volkanovski, and, at times, Max Holloway. According to McGregor, that omission makes little sense.

"The greatest featherweight of all time, this ranking system of the greatest featherweights that I've beaten these men and hadn't been in the list," McGregor told ESPN. "How have I beaten these men easily and handily and yet be kept from the list?"

Ahead of his comeback, Conor McGregor revealed that the ongoing debate about the greatest featherweight in UFC history has become one of his biggest sources of motivation.

"I have many things that I've taken in this camp that have been fuel to my fire," McGregor said. "One—the greatest featherweight of all time. This ranking system of the greatest featherweights, I've beaten these men and haven't been on the list. How have I beaten these men easily and handily and yet be kept from the list?"

McGregor also praised Holloway's résumé, explaining why he sees the rematch as the perfect opportunity to showcase his skills once again.

"That's why I love Max as an opponent," McGregor said. "He's fought so many people. He's had a very impressive body of work inside the Octagon. He's for sure a future Hall of Famer, and I get to go in and showcase my level against him. I'm excited for it. It's perfect for me."

One of the biggest criticisms of McGregor's featherweight legacy is that he never defended the title. Shortly after defeating Aldo, he moved up to lightweight, eventually becoming a two-division champion before later competing in boxing and at welterweight.

While McGregor understands why some fans use that against him, he believes greatness should be measured by skill and results rather than title defenses alone.

"That's a fair shout for sure, and I understand the whys of it," McGregor said. "But you cannot get caught in all of this. What is the skill? Who is the best? Who is the greatest? Who was the best? And it is me. The results show this."

"It's not like the fights weren't there. It was just elsewhere. There were divisional changes, which originally was not me. It was a fighter pulling out or things of that nature that kind of led to it. So, I understand it. However, I don't agree with it."

"I am the greatest featherweight since Bruce Lee, and on Saturday night I will show it."

Although many believe McGregor could have cemented an even stronger legacy by staying at 145 pounds, the former champion has no regrets about moving between divisions and pursuing bigger opportunities.

After capturing the featherweight title, McGregor went on to win UFC gold at lightweight and later stepped into the boxing ring against Floyd Mayweather, becoming one of the biggest stars in combat sports history.
Looking back, he believes there were few meaningful challenges left for him at featherweight.

"Who would have been there to fight, really?" McGregor said. "The challenges weren't there. I could have went—I’d still be going through those guys. No disrespect, but you know."

Now, after five years away from the Octagon, Conor McGregor has another chance to prove his point. A victory over Holloway at UFC 329 would not only mark a successful comeback but could also reignite the debate over where he truly belongs among the greatest featherweights in UFC history.

Paddy Pimblett already has his sights set on a blockbuster showdown with Conor McGregor, but first, both men must take care of business at UFC 329.

McGregor returns to the Octagon this Saturday for the first time in five years when he faces Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 329. The highly anticipated rematch marks one of the biggest comeback stories in UFC history, with McGregor looking to prove he still belongs among the sport's elite.

Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett will compete in the co-main event against Benoit Saint-Denis as he looks to bounce back from the first loss of his UFC career.

Earlier this year, Pimblett came up short against Justin Gaethje in an interim lightweight title fight. Despite the setback, the Liverpool native believes his stock has risen, and he now sees a potential clash with McGregor as the ideal next step if both fighters emerge victorious this weekend.

Speaking to UFC Europe, Paddy Pimblett revealed that a fight against McGregor tops his wishlist.

“The perfect fight for me would be Conor,” Pimblett said.

The Englishman admitted that the reaction to his loss against Gaethje surprised him, especially considering the momentum he built during his seven-fight winning streak.

“It’s mad, to be honest, because I won seven fights in a row and I don’t think my stock went up as much as losing my last fight,” Pimblett said.
“I beat people like Michael Chandler, Bobby Green and Tony Ferguson, and people were just like, ‘Meh.’ Then I just half got my head punched in for five rounds and my stock went up. People are saying I lost, but I won, do you know what I mean?”

Despite the positive response from fans, Pimblett remains honest about the result.

“In my eyes, I lost. There are no two ways about it. But my stock went up because I had a five-round war with a legend.”

The former Cage Warriors star has made no secret of his desire to run things back with Gaethje one day. However, before thinking about another title run, he believes a fight with McGregor would be one of the biggest bouts the UFC could make.

“I want that back. I want to fight him again before he retires. Time to get back in the win column.”

“Mad being on the same card as Conor McGregor. The biggest name in the sport,” he said.“It’s nice for him to be back. This is probably going to be the most-watched UFC of all time. I’m not going to be the star of the show on this one. Definitely not. Conor is. But I’ll probably be the second star of the show.”

If both fighters secure victories at UFC 329, Paddy Pimblett already has a venue and timeline in mind for a potential showdown.

“If McGregor wins and I win, I want to fight again before the end of the year,” Pimblett said.“I’d fight him at welterweight at the end of the year in Madison Square Garden. We’ve got to let everything unfold.”

Still, the lightweight contender knows nothing is guaranteed in mixed martial arts.

“You don’t know what’s going to happen. Conor’s got to beat Max, and I’ve got to beat BSD. Anything can happen, as we know.”

“In fighting sports, one punch can change everything. The butterfly effect can change everything for every other opponent.”
Interestingly, Pimblett's stance on McGregor has evolved over the years. More than a decade ago, before joining the UFC, he famously claimed he would “smoke” the Irishman and predicted José Aldo would defeat him.

Today, however, Paddy Pimblett is backing McGregor to pull off an upset against Holloway. The 31-year-old believes the former two-division champion still has enough left in the tank to remind the world why he became the biggest star the sport has ever seen.

For now, Pimblett's focus remains on Benoit Saint-Denis. But if the stars align at UFC 329, a high-profile clash between Paddy Pimblett and Conor McGregor could become one of the UFC's biggest fights heading into 2027.

Floyd Mayweather has once again found himself at the center of controversy after YouTuber and WWE star Logan Paul renewed claims that the boxing legend still owes him $1.5 million from their 2021 exhibition bout.

The two squared off at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami in one of the most talked-about crossover boxing events in recent memory. Since the contest was an exhibition, no official winner was declared, and the fight ended in a draw after eight rounds.

At the time, Floyd Mayweather claimed he earned as much as $100 million from the event. Logan Paul, meanwhile, received a guaranteed purse of $250,000 and later revealed that his total earnings were closer to $5 million.

According to the social media star, Mayweather sold the broadcast rights to the fight to a Middle Eastern company for $10 million before the event. Paul claims the deal used his name and image and that he was entitled to 15 percent of the agreement, which amounts to $1.5 million.
Paul has repeatedly maintained that the debt remains unpaid and continues to pursue what he believes is rightfully his.

The dispute resurfaced this week when Floyd Mayweather was asked directly about the allegations during an interview with Come And Talk 2 Me. Rather than address the claim in detail, the former world champion offered a brief response.

“I wish him nothing but the best,” Mayweather said.

The response did little to settle the issue and has only fueled further speculation about the long-running disagreement between the two men.
The latest claims come during a period when Floyd Mayweather has faced increasing attention over his business affairs.

Recent reports suggested that Mayweather was exploring several exhibition opportunities, including a proposed rematch with Manny Pacquiao. However, those plans reportedly fell through, adding to the growing discussion surrounding the boxing icon's financial situation.

Even UFC CEO Dana White recently addressed the speculation and revealed that he had spoken with Mayweather privately about some of the issues making headlines.

For Logan Paul, the dispute remains unresolved. The WWE star continues to insist that Floyd Mayweather owes him $1.5 million stemming from the pre-sale of the fight rights ahead of their exhibition showdown.

Regardless of the ongoing disagreement, Floyd Mayweather remains one of the most accomplished fighters in boxing history. The undefeated superstar retired with a professional record of 50-0, including 27 knockout victories, and built a reputation as one of the sport's biggest attractions.

Aslamjon Ortikov suffered the first defeat of his professional career, but the Uzbek star has no intention of letting the setback define him.

Ortikov lost a razor-thin split decision to Asadula Imangazaliev in the main event of The Inner Circle 20 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on June 26. The bout was contested for the vacant ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship, with two of the three judges awarding the victory to Imangazaliev.

The result ended Aslamjon Ortikov’s unbeaten run and moved his professional record to 24-1. Despite the loss, the 23-year-old believes he did enough to win and left the ring convinced of his performance.

“As you saw, guys, I did my best. It even looked like I won. You can see it from my face,” Ortikov said. “But the decision wasn’t in my hands or yours. So, I have to accept it. What can I do? I did my best and showed everyone a great fight.”

The five-round title fight delivered exactly what fans expected from two elite strikers competing at the highest level. Both men showcased their skills throughout a closely contested battle that remained difficult to score until the final bell.

Aslamjon Ortikov constantly switched stances, used his movement effectively, and mixed his striking attacks with precision. He landed clean punches, push kicks, spinning attacks, and combinations that repeatedly forced his opponent to reset.

One of his most notable moments came in the third round when a punch bloodied Imangazaliev’s nose. Meanwhile, Ortikov emerged from the contest without visible damage, something he pointed to when discussing the judges' decision.

“You could see how many kicks I landed on him, how many push kicks I landed to his face, and the spinning backfists. And look at my face. There wasn’t a mark on it.”

Although disappointed by the outcome, Ortikov said he never doubted his performance inside the ring.
“Of course, I believed in myself that I won.”

“I don’t know what other people thought or who they believed won, but for me, I was inside the ring and fighting there. During the fight, I thought I won, but that’s how it is.”

While many fighters struggle after losing an undefeated record, Aslamjon Ortikov insists the defeat has not shaken his confidence.

Rather than focusing on the judges' scorecards, he has chosen to focus on the positives. He fought five hard rounds against one of the sport’s most dangerous strikers, stayed competitive throughout the contest, and left the ring healthy.

“It didn’t affect me at all. I know what I did, and I know how I fought. I didn’t give up at all.It was a very good fight, and I fought until the end. Most importantly, nothing happened to me. My body wasn’t injured. So this loss doesn’t affect me at all.”

Before returning to training, Aslamjon Ortikov plans to take a brief break and enjoy some well-earned downtime with family, friends, and his team.

“Right now, my next goal is a burger,” Ortikov said with a smile.“I want to go smash some burgers and pizza, relax, and spend time with my family, my dad, my coaches, and my team. That’s all I want for now.”

Even after suffering the first loss of his career, Ortikov remains confident that his best days are still ahead.
Asked whether fans would see him return stronger, the Uzbek standout left no room for doubt.

“You already saw the best version of me, and next time, you will definitely see it again.Anytime, anywhere.”

For Aslamjon Ortikov, the undefeated record may be gone, but his belief remains intact. Rather than dwelling on a controversial loss, he is already looking ahead to the next challenge and another opportunity to prove himself on the biggest stage.

Khamzat Chimaev is growing impatient as he waits for a second shot at the UFC middleweight title, and he believes Sean Strickland is the reason negotiations have yet to move forward.

Earlier this year, Strickland shocked many fans when he edged Khamzat Chimaev by split decision at UFC 328 to reclaim the middleweight championship. Entering the bout as the underdog, Strickland delivered a disciplined performance that handed Chimaev the first loss of his professional MMA career.

Following the defeat, Chimaev initially suggested he was interested in moving up to light heavyweight rather than pursuing an immediate rematch. However, the former champion has since changed course and made it clear that regaining the middleweight title remains his top priority.

UFC CEO Dana White recently revealed that a rematch between Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev is being considered for the division's next title fight, although the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Meanwhile, top contender Nassourdine Imavov has also emerged as a strong candidate for a championship opportunity.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the title picture, Chimaev claims the UFC is already trying to put the rematch together and believes Strickland is holding up the process.

Taking to social media, Khamzat Chimaev sent a direct message to the reigning champion.

"Accept the fight, don't run, I'll beat you anyway," Chimaev wrote."The sooner this happens, the easier it will be to breathe."

As of now, Strickland has not publicly responded to the challenge. The champion previously stated after UFC 328 that he believes Imavov deserves the next title opportunity more than an immediate rematch with Chimaev. Those comments only added more intrigue to an already crowded middleweight title picture.

Before losing the belt, Khamzat Chimaev enjoyed a dominant run through the division. He captured the middleweight title with a convincing victory over Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 and later solidified his status as one of the division's most feared fighters with a submission win over Robert Whittaker.

Now holding a professional record of 15-1, Chimaev remains determined to reclaim the championship and erase the only blemish on his résumé.

For his part, Strickland has offered few details about his next fight beyond revealing that he hopes to return to the Octagon in December.
Until the UFC makes a final decision, the future of the middleweight division remains up in the air. One thing is clear, however: Khamzat Chimaev wants his rematch, and he is making sure everyone knows it.

"Accept the fight, don't run, I'll beat you anyway," Chimaev repeated as speculation surrounding the rematch continues to grow.

Whether Strickland answers the challenge or the UFC moves in another direction remains to be seen, but Khamzat Chimaev has left no doubt about who he wants to face next.