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Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier has broken his silence after being arrested in Georgia on a public intoxication charge.

According to reports, Dustin Poirier was arrested Sunday evening in Atlanta and booked for public drunkenness before later being released.
Court records show that the retired UFC star made an initial court appearance on Monday morning. Authorities have not yet released full details surrounding the incident or the events that led to his arrest.

The news came as a surprise to many fans, especially considering Poirier's reputation throughout his long and successful MMA career. The former UFC title challenger has no known prior criminal history and has largely stayed out of controversy both during and after his fighting career.

Following reports of the arrest, Dustin Poirier appeared to address the situation with a brief message posted to his Instagram Stories.
"Love you all. I'm working on myself."

The statement marked Poirier's first public comment since news of the arrest surfaced.According to reports, Poirier was taken into custody on a misdemeanor public intoxication charge. Under Georgia law, a conviction for public drunkenness can carry penalties that include fines and possible jail time, although no further information has been released regarding the case.

The arrest comes less than a year after Dustin Poirier officially retired from mixed martial arts.

The Louisiana native brought his legendary UFC career to a close in July 2025 following his trilogy fight against longtime rival Max Holloway. The bout headlined UFC 318 and saw Holloway earn a unanimous decision victory before Poirier left his gloves in the Octagon, signaling the end of his fighting career.

Dustin Poirier retired with a professional record of 30 wins, 10 losses and one no contest across 41 fights. Although he never captured the undisputed UFC lightweight title, many fans and analysts regard him as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history never to win the promotion's top prize.

Throughout his career, Poirier built an impressive résumé that included victories over some of the biggest names in the sport. He defeated Conor McGregor twice, Max Holloway twice, Justin Gaethje, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis and several other elite fighters across multiple weight classes.

Since stepping away from competition, Dustin Poirier has remained active in the MMA community. He has appeared as an analyst on UFC broadcasts and co-hosts the "Deep Waters" podcast alongside Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman and Din Thomas.

While retirement has allowed him to spend more time outside the cage, Poirier has openly admitted that he still misses competing.

"Some days I'm great, some days I'm not," Poirier said in a recent interview while discussing life after retirement.

For now, Dustin Poirier's focus appears to be on addressing the situation and moving forward. Fans will be waiting to hear more details as additional information surrounding the arrest becomes available.

Ilia Topuria has finally spoken out after suffering the first defeat of his professional MMA career at UFC Freedom 250.

The former lightweight champion entered the historic White House main event as a heavy favorite against Justin Gaethje. For much of the early fight, it looked like Topuria was on his way to another dominant victory. He hurt Gaethje multiple times and came close to securing a finish in the second round.

Gaethje survived the early storm and began taking control as the fight progressed. The American veteran piled on damage over the final rounds, battering Topuria with relentless pressure and powerful strikes before the bout was stopped by Topuria's corner after the fourth round.

The defeat not only cost Topuria his lightweight title but also handed him the first loss of his professional career.

Following the fight, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that Topuria was immediately transported to a local hospital in Washington, D.C., due to the extent of the damage he absorbed during the contest.

"We literally had him get out of the octagon before the hand was even raised and sent him to the hospital," White said during the UFC Freedom 250 post-fight press conference.

"Ilia's in the hospital. He's busted up. I'm not a doctor, but his eye looked like he probably has a broken orbital. I don't know that. That's not a fact. I'm just assuming."

"My plans are for him to go home and rest and recover. Take his time. Tonight was a rough night for him. I just want to make sure he's healthy and good and not even thinking about fighting again. I just want him to go home and relax and rest and heal."

Fortunately for Topuria, later reports suggested the injury was not as severe as initially feared. Spanish MMA journalist Irati Prat reported that Topuria suffered a small orbital fracture but would not require surgery.

"Good news from Washington: Ilia Topuria is doing well. He's taking some rest," Prat wrote on X.

"Update on this: pending the definitive results of the CT scan performed at the Washington hospital where he spent the night, Ilia does have a small orbital fracture, but there is NO need whatsoever for surgery. Rest time and that's it. That's what they've relayed to me."

The update means Topuria avoided a lengthy surgical recovery, although he will still need significant time away from competition to allow his injuries to heal.

After remaining silent in the immediate aftermath of the loss, Topuria later addressed fans with an emotional message on social media, congratulating Gaethje while promising that the rivalry is far from finished.

"Justin, congratulations. You said you'd leave your mark on my face... and you did. You took the sight from my right eye in the first round, and by the end of the second, from my left too," Topuria wrote.

"No excuses. I had one of the best camps of my life. I came in sharp, prepared, and ready. Last night was your night."

"That's the nature of this game. Glory and pain walk side by side. I'll heal. I'll rest. And I'll return stronger, wiser, and far more dangerous. And trust me... this story between us is far from over. We will have our rematch."

The fight itself proved to be one of the toughest battles of Topuria's career. While he started fast and nearly finished Gaethje early, the former champion absorbed increasing damage as the bout wore on.

By the end of the third round, swelling around both eyes had become a serious concern. A cageside physician examined Topuria before allowing him to continue. Although he rallied briefly in the fourth round, Gaethje continued landing heavy shots and capped off his performance with a devastating knee to the body moments before the round ended.

Recognizing the punishment their fighter had taken, Topuria's corner made the difficult decision to stop the fight before the fifth round began.

For the first time in his professional career, Ilia Topuria walks away from a fight with a loss on his record. Yet the former champion's response has already shown why many still consider him one of the sport's brightest stars.

Now, the focus shifts to recovery. Once healed, Ilia Topuria will likely begin the long road back toward reclaiming the lightweight title and securing the rematch he has already vowed to pursue against Justin Gaethje.

Former UFC middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis says he is ready to return to action, but he claims the delay in announcing his next fight is not on his end.

The South African star stirred speculation this week after posting a cryptic message on Instagram, suggesting that a potential opponent has verbally agreed to a fight but has yet to make it official by signing the contract.

"So apparently a little someone agreed to a fight, but actually signing the dotted line isn’t that easy when you know you’re just signing for a show purse," Du Plessis wrote.

Rumors have linked Dricus Du Plessis to a middleweight showdown against former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman. The bout is expected to headline UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, although the promotion has yet to officially announce the matchup.

Du Plessis stopped short of naming Usman directly, but he appeared to hint that the former welterweight champion could be responsible for the delay.

"Smart — yes. Scared — definitely. Sorry, people, the announcement is taking longer than expected, but from my side, it's been signed and sealed for a while."

The comments quickly fueled speculation that negotiations for the rumored fight have hit a snag.
Dricus Du Plessis Waiting for UFC Return

Dricus Du Plessis has not competed since losing the middleweight title to Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 319 last August. Before that setback, he enjoyed a dominant run inside the Octagon, winning his first nine UFC bouts.

During that streak, Du Plessis captured the middleweight title and defended it twice against Sean Strickland. He also secured impressive finishes over former champions Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker.

Despite suffering his first UFC defeat against Chimaev, Du Plessis remains firmly in the title picture and appears eager to return as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Usman has not publicly responded to the former champion's comments.

The former welterweight king returned to the win column in June 2025 with a unanimous decision victory over Joaquin Buckley, snapping a three-fight losing streak. A fight against Dricus Du Plessis would mark only the second time Usman has competed at middleweight inside the UFC.

For now, fans continue to wait for official confirmation. But if Du Plessis' latest comments are any indication, he believes the ball is firmly in his opponent's court.

Anthony Joshua has achieved almost everything possible inside the boxing ring. Now, the former heavyweight champion is openly considering a move into MMA.

The British superstar has already experienced the other side of a combat sports crossover after brutally knocking out former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in the second round of their boxing match in March 2024. Now, fresh off a victory over influencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul, Joshua believes it might be time for boxers to return the favor and step into another combat sport.

Speaking on the Mr. Verzace podcast, Anthony Joshua admitted that the idea of crossing over into MMA has crossed his mind.

“Believe me, I was thinking, why don’t I step over into one of their territories because they keep on coming to our territory?” Joshua said.

“Obviously, this is big business. It’s big boxing, it’s heavyweight boxing. You are talking about the best in their chosen field. MMA, kickboxing. These aren’t amateurs, these are actually experienced fighters. It would be good if one of us went into that side and we see how we get on over there.”

Joshua's comments come as crossover fights continue to gain momentum across combat sports. One of the biggest examples came when longtime kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven faced heavyweight boxing great Oleksandr Usyk in one of the most talked-about bouts of 2026.

While crossover fights often generate massive interest, Joshua believes boxing remains the pinnacle of combat sports. Even so, he sees value in testing himself outside his comfort zone.

“So even if, let’s say, Anthony Joshua — speaking in third person — was to cross over into MMA, it wouldn’t be as big as them coming over into boxing,” Joshua said. “Boxing is just the pinnacle of combat sport.”

Joshua made it clear that if he ever takes the leap into MMA or kickboxing, he would only do so against a major name.

“100 percent [I’d want a name opponent],” Joshua continued. “So that means it’s big business then. MMA, kickboxing, or boxing. It can be done, I believe it should be done. I think that will be the next thing that we want to see.”

Before any potential MMA crossover can happen, Anthony Joshua remains focused on boxing. The former two-time heavyweight champion is scheduled to return to the ring on July 25 against Kristian Prenga in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Joshua has not competed since stopping Jake Paul, and many expect him to emerge from the Prenga fight with another victory. That could pave the way for the long-awaited showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.

With Joshua approaching the latter stages of his career, fans continue to speculate about what's next. While a blockbuster clash with Fury remains the immediate focus, the British star has made it clear that an MMA crossover is no longer just a fantasy.

History shows that such moves can produce mixed results. Former boxing champion Holly Holm successfully transitioned to MMA and became a UFC champion after defeating Ronda Rousey. On the other hand, former boxing world champion James Toney endured a difficult UFC debut when Randy Couture submitted him in the opening round.

Still, Joshua remains intrigued by the possibility.

“So there’s been a case study where someone like James has crossed over into it,” Joshua said.“There has been, actually, but I was thinking about it. Those guys keep on coming over into our territory. It will be interesting to see who the first one will be to cross over into their territory.”

For now, Anthony Joshua remains focused on boxing. But if his recent comments are any indication, the heavyweight star may not be finished exploring new challenges before his fighting career comes to an end.

It appears Strickland did not make the guest list for the UFC White House event.

The fighter recently reclaimed the UFC middleweight title from the previously undefeated Khamzat Chimaev, and many assumed that victory would guarantee him a spot cageside or at the very least a seat inside the venue. According to Strickland, however, that is not the case.

The UFC middleweight champion recently revealed that he was not invited to attend the event, and he claims the decision stems from comments he made criticizing some of U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.

Strickland has been especially vocal about American politics in recent months. While he was once a staunch supporter of President Trump, he has since become more critical and has repeatedly shared his views on social media.

In a series of recent videos, Strickland claimed UFC officials informed him that he had not been cleared to attend the White House card on June 14.

“I made fun of Israel and Epstein,” Strickland began. “The only male American champ banned at the White House because I said Trump is owned by [Benjamin Netanyahu]. That’s not public opinion, it’s fact.”

“I got the call. The UFC higher-ups called me. They said I’m not Israeli enough to go to UFC 250 Israel edition,” Strickland said. “Apparently, I’m not American enough to go to Freedom 250, but I’ve still got my ticket.”

“I already bought my plane ticket, and we’re f***** going. I’m going to bring the belt, and I’ll get a big f***** bullhorn and go right up to the gates. We’re going to do a peaceful protest!”

The UFC White House event is expected to feature the largest security presence in the promotion’s history. If Strickland follows through on his plans to attend and stage a protest outside the venue, it could create a significant scene surrounding one of the most anticipated events on the UFC calendar.

Song Yadong wanted a knockout, but he proved he can finish fights any way he wants.

The Chinese bantamweight contender delivered a huge statement in front of his home crowd at UFC Macau, submitting former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo with a second-round guillotine choke at Galaxy Arena.

The victory marked an important bounce-back moment for Song Yadong, who entered the fight looking to rebound after a unanimous decision loss to Sean O’Malley. While his original plan was to put Figueiredo away with his striking, the 28-year-old showed he has far more tools in his arsenal than many expected.

“My plan was to stay calm and find the timing to knock him out, to use my right hand,” Song Yadong said after the fight.“But I also did a lot of grappling during camp. How about this Song? People think I don’t know jiu-jitsu? Who said I don’t know jiu-jitsu? I just don’t always show it.
“I like knocking people out and using my boxing, but if you want to grapple, then let’s grapple. It doesn’t matter.”

The submission win was the fourth of Song Yadong’s professional career and the second guillotine choke finish on his résumé. More importantly, it reminded the bantamweight division that he remains one of the most dangerous contenders in the weight class.

With the win, Song Yadong improved to 4-2 in his last six fights, with his only losses coming against elite competition, including current UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.

Now, the Chinese standout wants another shot at the man who previously beat him.

“I’d like to fight a rematch with Petr Yan,” Song Yadong said during his post-fight interview.

Their first clash came at UFC 299 in March 2024, where Yan earned a decision victory. Since then, Yan has gone on to reclaim the bantamweight title, while Song Yadong has continued building his case as a top contender.

The UFC’s title picture remains uncertain, with Yan still recovering from back surgery and a possible trilogy fight with Merab Dvalishvili looming. Still, Song Yadong believes he has done enough to keep himself firmly in the championship conversation.

“I just proved myself again,” Song said.“I’m top five. I’m one of the best in the world. I want to stay active because fighting helps me improve. I need to keep fighting and gain more experience.”

That hunger to stay active has become a defining part of Song Yadong’s rise through the bantamweight ranks. Saturday’s performance also sent a strong message to anyone who doubted his ground game. Submitting a fighter as experienced and dangerous as Figueiredo is no small feat, especially considering it was only the second submission loss of the Brazilian’s professional career.

For Song Yadong, the win was more than just another victory. It was proof that he continues to evolve.And with his confidence soaring after UFC Macau, Song Yadong has made it clear that his sights are set on the very top of the bantamweight division.

Nate Diaz has finally spoken out following his tough stoppage loss to Mike Perry, and if his latest message is anything to go by, the Stockton star is far from finished.

Nate Diaz suffered a TKO defeat to Perry earlier this month at MVP MMA after a brutal two-round battle that left him bloodied and badly cut. Perry controlled most of the action and landed the more damaging shots throughout the contest, forcing Diaz’s corner to stop the fight after the second round due to the heavy damage on his face.

More than a week after the loss, Nate Diaz broke his silence with a statement on Instagram, admitting that inactivity played a major role in the disappointing performance.

“I wasn’t happy with my inactivity, but a lack of opponents will do that,” Diaz wrote.“It was easy to get up for me in this fight. Now I think it’ll be even easier to get up for him. Either way, shoutout to Mike on the win and for getting me off my ass. Now I’ve got a target. Hunting season. Take the motherf***** out.”

The statement makes one thing clear: Nate Diaz has no plans to walk away from fighting. Instead, the former UFC fan favorite appears fully focused on redemption and believes a rematch with Perry could produce a much different result.

Perry, never one to miss an opportunity to stir things up, responded with a sarcastic comment of his own.

“Yeah, good fight Nate. I was starting to get tired, man. Thank goodness they stopped it.”

The growing tension has only added fuel to talks of a second fight. Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian confirmed after the event that a rematch is already being discussed.

“We have a rematch in the works with Mike Perry and Nate Diaz, which makes a lot of sense,” Bidarian said during the post-fight press conference.

Jake Paul also backed the idea and suggested Sacramento, California, as a possible location for the showdown.
Nate Diaz entered the fight after turning down an offer to return to the UFC for a trilogy bout with Conor McGregor, who is now set to face Max Holloway at UFC 329.

That gamble did not pay off, as Nate Diaz struggled to find his rhythm against Perry after such a lengthy layoff.

Still, Diaz did not complain about the stoppage immediately after the fight, acknowledging that the blood pouring into his eyes had severely affected his vision.

Now, all signs point to Nate Diaz wanting another shot. With both sides interested and the bad blood already building, a Nate Diaz vs. Mike Perry rematch looks increasingly likely and if Diaz’s warning is anything to go by, the next chapter could be far more dangerous.

UFC star Colby Covington recently announced his retirement from the UFC cage, and surprisingly, his former opponent, Nigerian fighter Kamaru Usman, was among the most shocked, as he believes the fighter still has a lot to offer.

The retirement was not an amicable one, as Covington has had issues with the UFC for a while. The fighter hadn’t stepped into the cage since his loss to Joaquin Buckley in 2024 and was looking forward to a spot on the UFC White House card. Unfortunately, he wasn’t included on the card. This dismissal further added to his resolve to retire, and his status on the UFC roster has since changed from active to retired.

Covington had been active under the Real American Freestyle promotion, picking up dominant wins over Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis. As an avid supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, Covington was disappointed not to be included in the promotion’s UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House on June 14. While Henry Cejudo thinks that played a part in Covington’s decision to call it quits, Usman disagrees.

During a recent edition of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast, Usman told Henry Cejudo that he doesn’t quite understand Covington hanging up his gloves.

“I don't know if it's necessarily as deep as saying he's (doing it) out of spite because of the White House card. I don't think it's necessarily that deep,” Usman said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Cejudo. “Honestly, the activity is much less, and he has expressed his willingness to want to get in there, to want to fight and be compensated the way he feels is necessary.

“There’s a lot of unhappiness and disgruntlement from not just Covington, but quite a few different athletes. But Covington hasn’t been getting that frequency of activity — and not that he can’t compete, because we do know he can compete because he is competing at RAF, and he’s doing pretty well. There’s some type of disconnect between Covington and the UFC, and why they can’t get him in there, or why he isn’t getting the fights that he wants, or just fights period.”

“Obviously, I have a long history with Colby Covington, which is a really, really deep and connected history,” Usman said. “So, for him, I don’t understand why he retired, because let’s be honest: Any fight Covington is going to be in is going to be a fight you want to keep your eye on, because either you like him or you hate him, you want to see this guy.”

Despite his retirement from the UFC, Covington has found a home with freestyle wrestling promotion RAF, where he’s 2-0 with wins over former UFC champion Luke Rockhold and Dillon Danis. Covington is set to battle Chris Weidman in the co-main event of RAF 09 on May 30 at College Park Center in Dallas.

Conor McGregor wasted no time taking aim at longtime rival Nate Diaz after Diaz suffered a bloody stoppage loss to Mike Perry at MVP MMA 1.

Diaz returned to MMA on Saturday night to face Perry in the co-main event of the Netflix card, but the fight quickly turned into a nightmare for the Stockton veteran. Perry battered Diaz over two rounds, opening nasty cuts and leaving him covered in blood before Diaz’s corner stopped the fight ahead of the third round.

The defeat marked Diaz’s first MMA appearance since leaving the UFC, and it didn’t take long for Conor McGregor to react on social media.

“I see why @NateDiaz209 didn’t take the fight lol,” McGregor wrote on X.“Anyway, here’s to when I get my hands on you, you lanky streak of p—.”

The post immediately reignited talks of a potential trilogy fight between Conor McGregor and Diaz, one of the UFC’s biggest rivalries of the modern era.

Diaz reportedly turned down an offer to return to the UFC earlier this year, with many believing the promotion wanted him to complete the trilogy against McGregor. Instead, Diaz signed with MVP MMA for the Perry matchup, but the gamble backfired after Perry handed him one of the toughest beatings of his career.

Conor McGregor now prepares for his long-awaited UFC comeback after nearly five years away from MMA competition. UFC CEO Dana White announced during the MVP MMA event that McGregor will headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway on July 11 in Las Vegas.

The fight will serve as a rematch more than a decade in the making. McGregor defeated Holloway by unanimous decision in 2013 despite suffering a torn ACL during the bout. Since then, Holloway has evolved into one of the greatest featherweights in UFC history, while McGregor became the sport’s biggest superstar.

Before his upcoming clash with Holloway, Conor McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg in the trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier in 2021. He was expected to return in 2024 against Michael Chandler before injury forced him off the card.

As for Diaz, the loss to Perry drops him further into a difficult stretch outside the UFC. Since leaving the promotion, Diaz lost a boxing match to Jake Paul before rebounding with a win over Jorge Masvidal in their rematch. His return to MMA, however, ended in disappointment.

Still, the rivalry between Conor McGregor and Diaz refuses to die. The pair famously split their first two fights, with Diaz shocking the world at UFC 196 before McGregor edged out a majority decision win in their rematch at UFC 202.

If McGregor gets past Holloway at UFC 329, don’t be surprised if he starts pushing hard for the Diaz trilogy once again.

Zabit Magomedsharipov was once seen as one of the most dangerous rising stars in the UFC, but years after walking away from the sport, the former featherweight contender now believes the promotion never wanted him to become champion in the first place.

During his run in the UFC, Zabit Magomedsharipov built a reputation as a future titleholder thanks to his creative striking, elite grappling, and dominant performances inside the Octagon. After defeating Calvin Kattar in a main event back in 2019, many expected the Russian standout to fight for UFC gold next.

Instead, Zabit disappeared from competition before officially announcing his retirement in 2022 following a long battle with health complications and repeated delays to his return.

Now, in one of his most revealing interviews since retiring, Zabit Magomedsharipov claimed the UFC repeatedly broke promises made to him during his push toward a title shot.

“There were a lot of reasons why I retired,” Zabit said during an interview with ACB Jiu-Jitsu. “It just never worked out. I wanted to fight. The fights got postponed three or four times. We just couldn’t come to an agreement somehow.

“I was cutting weight, going through full training camps… Then you arrive two or three weeks before the fight and they tell you, ‘He’s injured.’ That happened to me like five times. I got tired. How much can a person take?”

Much of the frustration centered around his repeatedly canceled fight against Yair Rodriguez, which was booked several times before falling apart due to injuries and other issues.

According to Zabit Magomedsharipov, UFC officials had privately assured him that if Rodriguez pulled out again, he would automatically receive a title shot. However, he claims that promise was never honored.

“We had some kind of agreement with them that if he pulled out a third time, they’d automatically give me a title shot,” Zabit explained. “Those conversations happened, but the third time they found a lot of excuses again.
“They just didn’t want to make me champion, and I know why too.”

The former UFC contender then made a bold claim about why he believes the promotion hesitated to put another Russian fighter on top of the sport at the time.

“Because at that time there were already a lot of Russian champions,” Zabit said. “Khabib Nurmagomedov was champion then, Petr Yan too. They didn’t like the idea of a third champion being from Russia.”

Zabit Magomedsharipov initially pointed to ongoing immune system issues as the main reason behind his retirement. However, his latest comments suggest frustration with the UFC matchmaking process also played a major role in his decision to walk away from MMA.

Despite his accusations, UFC CEO Dana White previously claimed the promotion offered Zabit an immediate title shot if he chose to return following his lengthy hiatus.

Still, the former featherweight contender appears content with life outside the cage for now. Zabit retired with an impressive 18-1 professional record, including 13 finishes, and many fans still wonder what could have happened if he had continued his UFC journey.

For a fighter once viewed as a future superstar, the story of Zabit Magomedsharipov remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in modern MMA history.

Tatsuro Taira may have fallen short at UFC 328, but the Japanese contender left Newark with even more respect from MMA fans around the world after delivering one of the best flyweight title fights in recent memory against Joshua Van.

Taira challenged Van for the UFC flyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 328, and the two fighters produced an instant classic inside the Octagon. After nearly five rounds of nonstop action, Van dropped Taira with a huge right hand late in the fifth round before securing the TKO finish.

The loss marked just the second defeat of Tatsuro Taira’s professional MMA career, but the 26-year-old still showed why many believe he remains one of the brightest young stars in the flyweight division.

Following the fight, Tatsuro Taira released a heartfelt statement thanking fans for their support and promising that his journey is far from over.

“I’m sorry for the delay, but thank you so much for all the support from Japan today,” Taira wrote.
“Before and after the match, as always, the entire team, including myself, is supported by so many warm words. Tatsuro Taira’s journey is far from over.”

“After a short rest to recover from the damage, when I return to the road again, I would be delighted if you could continue to run alongside me, enjoying his fight just as you always have.”

Taira also showed respect to Joshua Van after the brutal five-round battle, congratulating the champion on his first successful title defense.

“Thank you, Joshua Van,” Taira continued. “Appreciated you fighting me. Congratulations on your first title defense. True champ. I’m sure we’ll face each other again.”

Many fans and analysts praised both fighters after UFC 328, with some already calling the bout one of the greatest flyweight title fights in UFC history. The fight also served as another reminder of how much the 125-pound division has evolved over the years after UFC CEO Dana White once considered shutting it down completely.

Despite the stoppage loss, Tatsuro Taira immediately protested the referee’s decision inside the cage, with some fans believing the fight may have been stopped too early. However, the Japanese contender refused to focus on controversy in his first public comments after the event.

“Thank you for all your support,” Taira wrote in another message posted on Instagram.
“Being able to go to the UFC title match with my favorite people, I wanted to take the belt and rejoice with them, but yesterday didn’t happen.”

“Be strong enough to beat whoever is.”

“We will definitely make it to the title match again. I’ll come back stronger.”

Joshua Van captured the flyweight title under unfortunate circumstances at UFC 323 after former champion Alexandre Pantoja suffered an elbow injury early in their fight. Now, after successfully defending the belt against Tatsuro Taira, Van appears set for a rematch with Pantoja later this year.

As for Tatsuro Taira, the loss may have delayed his championship dreams, but his performance at UFC 328 proved he still belongs among the elite at 125 pounds. With his age, skill set, and composure under pressure, it feels less like the end of a title run and more like the beginning of a long rivalry with Joshua Van.

Raja Jackson, the son of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, has reportedly reached a plea agreement with prosecutors following his shocking assault on a professional wrestler during a live-streamed event in Los Angeles last year.

According to court records, Raja Jackson pleaded no contest to one felony count of battery causing serious bodily injury after initially pleading not guilty to the charges. The 26-year-old also admitted to two special allegations, including personally inflicting great bodily injury and engaging in violent conduct.

Jackson is now scheduled to be sentenced on June 22. Reports state that his expected punishment includes 90 days in county jail, two years of formal probation, and more than $81,000 in restitution payments.

The incident happened during a KnokX Pro Wrestling event in Los Angeles in August 2025. Jackson was originally booked to appear in a planned wrestling segment involving independent wrestler Stuart Smith, better known as Syko Stu.

Things quickly spiraled out of control once Raja Jackson entered the ring.

Video footage from the event showed Jackson lifting Smith into the air before violently slamming him to the mat. He then mounted the wrestler and unleashed more than 20 punches, many of which appeared to land after Smith had already lost consciousness. Other wrestlers eventually rushed in to pull Jackson away.

Smith suffered severe injuries from the attack and spent several days in intensive care. Reports later revealed he suffered trauma to both the upper and lower jaw, a fractured maxilla bone, a severe cut on his upper lip, and the loss of several teeth.

Prior to the assault, Smith had reportedly struck Jackson with a beer can during a separate segment at the event, believing it was part of the scripted show. Footage later showed the two men shaking hands afterward, seemingly putting the misunderstanding behind them.

However, Jackson later appeared on a livestream saying he planned to get his revenge “for real” before entering the ring for the altercation.

The fallout from the incident sparked widespread criticism across the combat sports community, including from Jackson’s father, Rampage Jackson.

Speaking about the incident afterward, the former UFC champion admitted his son crossed the line.

“Raja’s wrong,” Rampage Jackson said. “He went against what I told him to do, and he hid the fact that he got written into a pro-wrestling story. Raja’s not a pro wrestler. He’s a fighter. He had no business in that ring.”

“Everybody there was wrong. Yes, my son took it too far. He knows better. He knows he’s wrong for getting involved in a pro-wrestling match.”

Despite criticizing his son’s actions, Rampage also said he believed Raja Jackson deserved jail time rather than prison and suggested anger management, therapy, and community service as possible alternatives.

Now, with the plea deal finalized, Raja Jackson appears set to avoid a lengthy prison sentence, but the case remains one of the most controversial combat sports incidents in recent memory.

BKFC fighter Taylor Starling has weighed in on Ronda Rousey’s recent criticism of fighter pay and her controversial comments about athletes using OnlyFans to make extra income.

Rousey, who is preparing for her comeback fight against Gina Carano on May 16, recently blasted the UFC over how fighters are compensated. During one of her most talked-about interviews, the former UFC champion pointed to flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko as an example of fighters seeking other sources of income.

“It used to be that the UFC was the best place that you could come in combat sports to make a living and be paid fairly,” Rousey said. “Now, it’s one of the worst places to go. It’s why so many of their top athletes are leaving to find pay elsewhere. It’s why their champions, like Valentina Shevchenko, are selling pictures on OnlyFans.”

The comments immediately drew backlash, including from Taylor Starling, who has openly spoken about how OnlyFans changed her financial situation and allowed her to focus fully on fighting.

“As a whole, there’s plenty of women I don’t like, but at the end of the day we’re all trying to do the same thing — provide for our families,” Starling told MMA Fighting. “Work hard and be good people. I think we can do without tearing each other apart.”

While Starling agreed that fighters deserve better pay, she questioned why using platforms like OnlyFans continues to be treated as an insult.

“Do I wish fighters made more money so we didn’t have to do things like that? Of course,” Starling said. “But it’s also been a blessing. If you’re not paying my bills, your opinion means nothing to me.”

For Taylor Starling, the extra income wasn’t about attention or controversy. It was survival.

“I was working three jobs,” she explained. “I had a terrible car that was about to break down, and I couldn’t pay my bills. OnlyFans put me in a position to train full-time, buy a new vehicle, and provide for my children.”

“At the end of the day, that’s all it’s about,” she continued. “As long as my kids are fed, happy, and taken care of, you can’t take opinions to the bank.”

Starling also pointed out what she sees as hypocrisy from critics within combat sports. According to her, some fighters publicly attack athletes for using OnlyFans while still benefiting from sponsorship money connected to the platform.

“Sometimes people just go for low blows,” Starling said. “There are fighters in bare-knuckle who talk trash about OnlyFans, but then the platform sponsors events and helps pay their checks. So do you really hate it that much?”

“There’s way more on OnlyFans than just showing your body,” she added. “People should mind their business, and I’ll mind mine.”

Despite the controversy surrounding Rousey’s comments, Taylor Starling made it clear she’s no longer bothered by outside criticism.

“You just have to be confident in who you are and what you do,” Starling said. “At the end of the day, if you’re not hurting anybody and your home is happy, then who cares?”

Khamzat Chimaev is not buying into the chaos, the threats, or the noise. As far as he’s concerned, it’s all talk and he’s ready to prove that inside the cage.

The middleweight champion defends his title against Sean Strickland in the main event of UFC 328 in Newark, and the build-up has been anything but calm. From heated exchanges to outright threats, tensions have boiled over. But Chimaev isn’t losing sleep over any of it.

“Clowns always talk,” Chimaev said. “He’ll stop being a clown if he’s quiet. He didn’t shoot any chickens in the world, how’s he going to shoot a human?”

That blunt response came after Strickland claimed he would carry a gun for protection in case of any pre-fight confrontation. While the UFC has already ramped up security for fight week, Chimaev dismissed the idea that things would spill over outside the Octagon.

“I don’t think the guy wants a real war outside the cage,” Chimaev said. “If he wanted that, he would be dead already.”

Despite the threats, Chimaev insists the real fight happens where it matters. And if Strickland believes his own words, the champion is more than ready to test that confidence.

“I like his talking,” Chimaev added. “He’s good for me. I don’t worry about talking. He’s talking for everyone. I hope he talks more, it’s funny to listen to this guy.”

Beyond the verbal shots, Strickland has leaned heavily on their past sparring sessions, claiming he had success against Chimaev in the gym. That claim clearly struck a nerve.

“He never had success with me,” Chimaev said. “It’s not going to be different this time. Back then, I was fighting at 170. Imagine I beat him at that weight while cutting. Now people see how big I am, how hungry I am.”

For Chimaev, this fight is simple. He sees a predictable opponent and a clear path to victory.

“He can try whatever he wants, but it’s not going to work,” Chimaev said. “I see only jab, jab, right hand. If it’s just boxing, I beat him up. I don’t think about his style. Why should I? He has one thing, hope.”

Undefeated with a 15-0 record and dominant throughout his UFC run, Chimaev has built his reputation on overwhelming opponents early and often. Wins over top names like Robert Whittaker, Kamaru Usman, and Gilbert Burns have cemented his status as one of the most feared fighters in the sport.

Now, with the spotlight on UFC 328, Chimaev isn’t just looking to defend his belt—he’s looking to silence the noise.

“Going to go there and smash that guy,” he said.

And if his track record is anything to go by, Chimaev plans to do exactly that.

Retired UFC veteran Matt Brown did not hold back after hearing Dana White describe a recent shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner as “awesome.”

A gunman reportedly forced his way through security during the event and opened fire, injuring a police officer before authorities restrained him. While many people reacted with shock, White later said the chaotic scene was a “crazy” and “awesome” experience.

Those comments did not sit well with Matt Brown, who said anyone who has lived through real violence should know there is nothing exciting about a shooting.

“I’m absolutely flabbergasted,” Matt Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “It completely blindsided me when I saw that clip of him saying that was awesome.I think I have more justification to criticize that because I’ve been in a mass shooting before.”

Brown’s reaction comes from painful firsthand experience. In 2004, he attended the infamous Damageplan concert in Columbus, Ohio, where guitarist Dimebag Darrell Abbott was murdered after a gunman stormed the stage and opened fire.

Brown said surviving that night showed him the true horror of violent incidents, which is why White’s wording shocked him.

“I’ve been there when there was a shooting going on, which most people probably haven’t,” Matt Brown said. “It is not awesome in any sense of the word. It is not f***ing cool one bit.”

“For him to say that, I did not appreciate that. A dude got shot. Maybe he survived, but he got shot. That’s a traumatic experience for him. There’s not a single thing awesome about that.”

Brown made it clear he understands Dana White often uses controversial comments to spark headlines and reactions. Still, he believes this situation crossed a line.

“I’m not one to criticize what people say a lot of times,” Matt Brown said. “Dana says a lot of stuff that people can have opinions about. That’s what he does well. He gets people talking.”

“But that one, I don’t have a lot of respect for that. You can’t say that. It was very tone-deaf.”

The longtime UFC welterweight said violent incidents affect more than just the people physically injured. Witnesses, first responders, and families can carry those moments for years.

“My point is that was a traumatic experience for a lot of people,” Matt Brown said. “Even if you somehow oddly feel that, it’s just not what you say.”

Brown’s criticism adds another layer to the ongoing conversation around how public figures respond to serious events. In his view, some moments require less bravado and more respect.

Darren Till is stepping into a new phase of his fighting career and he’s not easing into it.

After leaving Misfits Boxing earlier this month, Darren Till has officially signed with BKFC and now has a date locked in. The former UFC title challenger will make his bare-knuckle debut against Aaron Chalmers on May 30 at BKFC 90 inside the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England.

For Darren Till, the move came down to one thing: the offer was too good to ignore.

“I have to just say, the reason Bare Knuckle happened is because I couldn’t turn down the offer,” Till said. “It was irrefusable. It excited me. It got my juices flowing. It’s a tough sport from what I’ve been watching.”

“These guys aren’t your traditional martial artists. They’re gritty, hard-punching fighters. You’ve got to come in with a different mentality, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do,” he added.

Darren Till walked away from MMA in 2022 and has since built momentum in boxing. Across exhibition bouts and Misfits contests, he has remained unbeaten, most recently scoring a knockout win over Luke Rockhold.
Now, he faces a different kind of challenge in BKFC.

Chalmers brings experience into the fight, having competed in MMA promotions like Bellator before transitioning into boxing and bare-knuckle competition. He most recently picked up a stoppage win in BKFC, making him a dangerous first test for Till.

Despite the excitement, Darren Till remains realistic about the risks that come with bare-knuckle fighting.

“I still don’t really want my face getting smashed up,” Till said. “I’m 33—I’m not the ugliest lad out there. This is one of those jobs: get in, get the belt, and get out—unless they offer me crazy money.”

“You can’t be doing 10 fights in this game. You’d be walking around with half your face hanging off,” he continued.

Till has reportedly signed a three-fight deal, and he’s already making it clear that he’s approaching this run with a clear plan, maximize the opportunity and limit the damage.

With his striking pedigree and growing confidence in boxing, Darren Till enters BKFC with momentum. But bare-knuckle fighting is a different beast entirely and on May 30, he’ll find out exactly where he stands.

Mark Hunt has addressed the allegations surrounding his recent arrest, insisting that the situation has been blown out of proportion and denying any physical violence.

Reports emerged earlier this week that Mark Hunt, 52, was arrested in Sydney, Australia, and later released on bail after being charged with stalking or intimidation with intent to cause physical harm. The charge stems from an alleged dispute with his partner, including claims that he sent a threatening text message during the incident.

Speaking in a video shared on social media, Mark Hunt acknowledged that an argument took place but firmly denied any physical wrongdoing.

“I want to speak on this domestic violence stuff they’ve put on me,” Hunt said. “It’s kind of sad because there was clearly no violence. We got into a heated argument over a lawsuit we’re working on, like we have before. We argue, we go away, we come back, fix it, and carry on.”

“It’s frustration. Of course it’s frustration. But I didn’t touch anyone. I didn’t lay a hand on anybody. Not a person was hurt. I left the situation, and when I came back, I ended up getting arrested,” he added.

According to initial court details, Mark Hunt was not accused of physically harming anyone but was alleged to have acted in an intimidating manner that caused fear and distress. Authorities were contacted following the argument, and Hunt was taken into custody after returning to the scene.

Despite that, the former UFC heavyweight contender expressed frustration over how the situation escalated and how personal disputes were documented.

“What’s sad about the situation is how it’s being handled,” Hunt said. “The law talks about how someone feels, and I understand that. But once something like this happens, there’s no point in continuing that relationship because it can always be used against you.”

“Everyone argues in relationships. That’s normal. You talk it out and move forward. But recording someone when they’re angry and using past messages doesn’t tell the full story,” he continued.

Hunt also addressed the alleged threatening text that surfaced during the case, claiming it lacked proper context.

“These so-called death threat texts are being taken out of context,” Hunt said. “If someone threatens my family, they’re going to get a response. People who don’t know the full story shouldn’t be speaking on it.”

While reports suggest his legal team may consider a guilty plea to the charge, Hunt pushed back against the broader narrative surrounding the case.

“I didn’t hurt anyone,” Hunt said. “I’ve lived a life of fighting at the highest level, but I don’t know why I’d ever want to hurt my loved ones.”

The situation adds another chapter to Mark Hunt’s long-running legal battles, including his past dispute with the UFC involving Brock Lesnar and Dana White over their UFC 200 bout.

For now, Mark Hunt remains out on bail as the case moves through the legal system, with more clarity expected when proceedings continue later this month.

Dana White is finally striking an optimistic tone about Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return, and this time, it feels different.

For nearly five years, McGregor has remained on the sidelines following the brutal leg break he suffered against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. While the Irish star consistently promised a comeback, setbacks and stalled negotiations kept pushing that return further away.

Speaking after a recent UFC event, Dana White offered a rare positive update on the situation.

“It’s looking good,” White said. “Believe me, once we get a deal done with him, we will announce it.”

That statement marks a sharp contrast from earlier in the year, when White admitted there was “no date” and negotiations were “not even close.” This time, there’s clear progress behind the scenes.

Conor McGregor has also done his part. He has stepped away from distractions, focused on training, and worked toward getting back into fighting shape. Reports suggest he is targeting a return during International Fight Week, potentially headlining UFC 329 in July.

A possible opponent is Max Holloway, a familiar name who has openly welcomed a rematch. Still, no official fight agreement has been finalized.

The biggest hurdle remains business. With the UFC moving away from the traditional pay-per-view model, both sides must agree on a new structure that reflects McGregor’s massive drawing power. That process has slowed negotiations in the past, but current signs point to real movement.

McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021, and he enters this comeback attempt on the back of consecutive losses to Poirier. Before that, a planned return against Michael Chandler also fell apart due to injury.

Despite all that, momentum is finally building. Dana White’s latest update doesn’t confirm a deal, but it sends a clear message: Conor McGregor’s return is closer than it has been in years.

Most Valuable Promotions has hit its first major setback ahead of its blockbuster MMA debut, as Lorenz Larkin withdraws from the highly anticipated Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event due to injury.

The card, scheduled for May 16 and headlined by the return of Ronda Rousey against MMA pioneer Gina Carano, is one of the most ambitious projects yet from Most Valuable Promotions. The event, set to stream live on Netflix, also features major names like Nate Diaz, Mike Perry, and former heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

However, just weeks before fight night, Lorenz Larkin has pulled out of his scheduled bout.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Lorenz Larkin explained the situation and apologized to fans.

“I’m sorry to all the fans but I had to pull out of the Netflix card due to a knee injury,” Larkin wrote. “Will be rehabbing it back to 100% and will be back.”

Lorenz Larkin was set to face former Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson in a key undercard matchup that had drawn attention from hardcore MMA fans. As of now, it remains unclear whether Most Valuable Promotions will find a replacement opponent to keep Jason Jackson on the card.

Before the injury setback, Lorenz Larkin had been looking to build on momentum following a knockout win over Levan Chokheli in 2024.

In a follow-up message, Larkin reaffirmed his focus on recovery and return.

“I will be rehabbing it back to 100% and will be back,” he added.

The injury represents a frustrating pause for Lorenz Larkin, who had been aiming to re-establish himself in high-profile matchups after a strong run outside the UFC.

Behind the scenes, Most Valuable Promotions now faces its first real test as a new MMA promoter. The organization built major hype around its debut card, banking on star power and crossover appeal, but Lorenz Larkin’s withdrawal highlights the unpredictable nature of combat sports.

Still, expectations remain high for the event, especially with Rousey’s return, Carano’s comeback fight, and additional marquee attractions already locked in.

For Lorenz Larkin, the focus now shifts away from the spotlight and back to recovery—but the welterweight veteran is making it clear he plans to return once fully healed.

Rumors of tension inside City Kickboxing have been making the rounds—but Coach Eugene Bareman is not buying into the noise.

Following Carlos Ulberg’s title-winning performance at UFC 327, speculation quickly grew about a possible fallout between him and longtime teammate Israel Adesanya. Fans pointed to social media clues, including both fighters unfollowing each other and Adesanya’s silence after the victory.

However, Eugene Bareman has now stepped in to set the record straight.

“The boys trained together leading up to this camp, and they trained together leading up to Israel’s fight,” Bareman said. “In any gym, there are always going to be times when you’re bumping heads with people. I’ve had people sparring and training together who end up in a full-blown fistfight.”

Coach Eugene Bareman made it clear that disagreements are part of the sport, especially in a high-level environment like City Kickboxing. According to him, what fans are seeing is being blown out of proportion.

“We aren’t playing chess or checkers here. It’s a physical and emotional sport,” Bareman said. “Sometimes, my fighters aren’t getting along, but they’ve been civil to each other in the camps and it seems like whatever happened is behind them. We’ve moved on.”

Despite the outside chatter, Coach Eugene Bareman insists there is no lasting bad blood between Ulberg and Adesanya. He emphasized that both fighters remained professional throughout their camps, even if tensions briefly surfaced.

Meanwhile, Ulberg’s rise continues to dominate headlines. He captured the light heavyweight title with a dramatic knockout win over Jiri Prochazka, overcoming a serious knee injury to deliver one of the most memorable finishes of the year.

Still, the post-fight narrative shifted when Prochazka claimed he showed “mercy” during the fight—an explanation that Coach Eugene Bareman also addressed.

“I mean, I give it to him,” Bareman said. “Fighters are allowed to make up whatever they can to get themselves back on the horse. Say what you want, build whatever story you need—it’s part of the process.”

Coach Eugene Bareman’s comments suggest he understands the mindset behind Prochazka’s explanation, even if he does not necessarily agree with it.

As for the rumored tension within the gym, the message from Coach Eugene Bareman is simple: it is being exaggerated.

For now, City Kickboxing remains focused on what matters—producing champions and winning fights. And with Carlos Ulberg now holding UFC gold, Coach Eugene Bareman has once again proven why he remains one of the most respected minds in the sport.

Jon Jones is back in the headlines, but this time, it has nothing to do with fighting.

A viral video that surfaced over the weekend appears to show Jones involved in a heated road rage incident in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The clip, which spread quickly across social media, captures a tense exchange between a driver and a man believed to be the former two-division UFC champion.

In the footage, the driver confronts Jones, shouting, “What, bro? Trying to get into? You’re almost f*cking hitting me, bro.”

Jones, who had stepped out of his vehicle, responded calmly at first. “You’ve got to calm down, bro,” he said.
The driver fired back: “Bro, you’ve got to learn how to drive.”

“You’ve got to relax yourself, bro,” Jones replied.

The confrontation escalated verbally, with the driver insisting, “You’re almost hitting me with your truck, bro. You’re almost hitting me, bro. In my fcking lane and sht, bro, come on.”

As the exchange continued, Jones raised his middle finger toward the camera before walking away, bringing the clip to an abrupt end.

The man who posted the video later shared his version of events, claiming Jones nearly caused multiple collisions before the confrontation.

“Driving up Central close to Eubank when I was almost hit three times by the truck,” he wrote. “Even after I revved my car at him the first time, it almost happened. He still almost hit me twice after that, so I flipped him off. Then he stopped in the middle of the road, backed up, and came into the same parking lot.”

He added that he didn’t initially realize who he was dealing with.

“I didn’t know it was Jon Jones when I flipped him off, but I realized quickly. No hate or hard feelings, but I think he might need to take some driving classes.”

The situation quickly drew heavy reactions online, prompting the driver to address critics directly.

“All of you with Jon’s meat in your mouth, relax—it ain’t that deep,” he wrote. “I know he’s a world champion, and no, I don’t think I could beat him in a fight. But he should still be more careful. Being famous doesn’t matter when it comes to situations like this.”

Jones didn’t stay silent for long. The former champion responded on social media with a completely different account of what happened.

“This kid proceeded to chase my car down for two blocks, revving his engine and trying to intimidate me,” Jones wrote. “I am glad this happened to me and not one of the senior citizens in our community. I am proud of myself for standing up for myself and not allowing that kind of bullying or intimidation.”

As of now, the full details of the incident remain unclear, with both sides offering conflicting versions of events.

However, the situation adds to a long list of outside-the-cage controversies involving Jones. Over the years, he has faced multiple legal issues, including a 2015 hit-and-run incident that led to him being stripped of his UFC title, as well as previous arrests related to driving under the influence.

Despite his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, moments like this continue to keep Jones in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

Takeru Segawa is not walking away from the sport quietly. Instead, he’s choosing to go out on his own terms with one final statement fight that defines everything his career has stood for.

The Japanese kickboxing icon headlines ONE SAMURAI 1 on April 29 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, where he faces Rodtang Jitmuangnon for the interim flyweight kickboxing world title. It’s a high-stakes rematch and the perfect stage for Takeru’s final chapter.

Retirement, however, wasn’t a rushed decision. Takeru revealed that he had been thinking about it for years, carefully weighing his physical condition against his competitive drive.

“Well, regarding my retirement, actually, I didn’t have the feeling of retirement yet,” Takeru said. “But I had been thinking about when would be the right timing to retire for about three or four years. The condition of my body was my top consideration.”

“So the moment when I thought that this would truly be the last time I could fight at my strongest condition was probably about a year ago.”

For a fighter built on intensity and relentless pressure, staying past his peak was never an option. Takeru made it clear he could continue—but chose not to.

“If I wanted to continue, I think I probably still could,” he said. “But I thought this might be the last time I can put myself in my strongest condition, so I decided to retire this time.”

The motivation behind his final fight is personal. His first meeting with Rodtang Jitmuangnon ended quickly, lasting just 80 seconds. That loss stayed with him and fueled his push for a rematch.

“The essence of my fighting style is a slugfest, and I’ve always wanted to have that kind of fight with Rodtang,” Takeru explained. “The last fight, I couldn’t even reach that point and lost. So, this is why I believed I must fight Rodtang one more time.”

Now, everything comes down to April 29. For Takeru, this isn’t just another fight—it’s the closing chapter of a legendary career.

“I still have demanding training sessions despite my decision,” he said. “The fight is not over, so I don’t have sadness or similar feelings associated with retirement.”

“Because the next match will be the last, I’m spending each day so that I can give everything I have and retire without any regrets.”

One final fight. One final statement. And for Takeru, it has to be done the only way he knows how at full intensity.

Dana White had already left the arena before Michael Page earned his decision victory on Saturday night at the O2 Arena. The three-round clash with former training partner Sam Patterson resulted in minimal action, that left fans disappointed.

Joe Rogan, a long-time UFC commentator, can only recall one fight that was worse than this one. However, his assessment may not capture the full picture, as evidenced by the following insights.

Joe Rogan attributes what many consider possibly the worst fight of 2026 to the UFC matchmakers. On Saturday night, Michael "Venom" Page narrowly defeated Sam Patterson at UFC London, in a contest that many fans deemed one of the year's most disappointing. The fight drew immediate criticism from viewers, yet Rogan suggests that the blame lies not with the fighters but with those who arranged the bout.

It’s perplexing that the matchmakers didn't consider the fighters' prior relationship when scheduling this fight. Rogan mentioned on his Fight Companion podcast during the second round.
"They didn’t think, 'These guys are training partners; this might be a stinker.' Maybe it’s that no one wanted to fight Venom Page in London. That could be a problem too. Perhaps a lot of fighters declined, and Patterson stepped up."

While Page and Patterson are not full-time training partners, they do share considerable experience from past training sessions. Page had brought Patterson into his camp to prepare for previous opponents. Despite their familiarity, both fighters accepted the bout; in hindsight, this decision proved questionable.

It became increasingly evident that the fight was lacking in action. Rogan couldn’t hide his disdain.

"This might be the least action of any fight ever, next to Derrick Lewis and Francis Ngannou. This is crazy bad. That’s a crazy bad fight." He elaborated, "It’s literally the last guy you want to fight with a style like that, someone who understands it. Don’t you want excitement? Don’t you want it to be real?"

Rogan speculated that fighters may be hesitant to face Page due to his ability to make opponents look foolish, while Patterson, familiar with Page, felt confident enough to accept the challenge. Unfortunately for Patterson, this loss halted a four-fight winning streak and added his name to the list of fighters involved in one of the most forgettable matchups in recent memory. Rogan also expressed concern for Page, noting that although he won, he gained little from the experience and may have even lost some respect.

"I think it’s bad for him," Rogan remarked. "It’s not good. But now people know how to fight him. They’ll watch this and think, 'Oh, just don’t engage. Make him engage.'"

MMA fans were far from enthusiastic when Michael Page was announced as the winner of his bout at UFC London, and Dana White weighed in as well. Page faced Sam Patterson on the main card, but he didn't do himself any favors with what many considered a lackluster performance despite winning by unanimous decision.

During the post-fight press conference, White shared his thoughts on Page’s showing and the negative fan reaction. "I mean, I didn’t think it was a great fight either," White admitted. "It was a bad fight. He won, so we’ll see what’s next."

Page has now extended his winning streak to three fights, but his future matchmaking remains uncertain following the Patterson bout. He expressed frustration about the fight backstage.

"It’s frustrating. It’s not the kind of win I wanted. It’s getting more and more difficult when nobody wants to engage. Everyone’s on the back foot. It feels like it's far more challenging to fight someone who doesn’t want to fight than to face a difficult opponent who does."

Known for his highlight-reel finishes, Page faces criticism that if he doesn’t secure those explosive knockouts, his fights often fail to meet expectations. Whether the UFC matchmakers will provide Page with an opponent more willing to engage remains to be seen.

Matt Brown has weighed in on Ronda Rousey’s ongoing criticism of the UFC—and while he doesn’t fully agree with her approach, he understands where she’s coming from.

Rousey is set to make her long-awaited return to MMA on May 16 under Most Valuable Promotions, where she will face Gina Carano in a high-profile bout expected to stream live on Netflix. In the buildup to the fight, Rousey has taken several shots at the UFC, including criticism of executive Hunter Campbell and the promotion’s evolving business model.

Speaking on The Fighter vs. The Writer, Matt Brown didn’t hold back, but he also made it clear that Rousey’s frustrations are not entirely misplaced.

“First off, I think I would start with, and I can’t believe I’m going to do this, but I’m going to defend Ronda a little bit,” Brown said. “That’s the oddest thing ever because Ronda is her own worst enemy and a very difficult person to defend.”

Brown pointed to the UFC’s shift away from the traditional pay-per-view model as a key factor behind Rousey’s frustration.

“There’s no way to truly make a lot of money. Pay-per-view points was how she made the biggest paycheck,” Brown explained. “I think that was the initial thing that rubbed her the wrong way.”

“She said herself she approached the UFC to fight Gina Carano first and then because of the streaming model, she ends up not going with the UFC and going with Netflix… but she’s getting however much she’s getting paid.”

While Matt Brown acknowledged that Rousey raises valid concerns about fighter pay, he questioned her intentions behind the criticism.

“But I get where she’s coming from on that, and I don’t think she’s wrong on a lot of things that she’s saying,” Brown said. “She’s not the only one saying it… there is so much negativity and complaining about the UFC lately. It’s crazy.”

At the same time, Brown believes Rousey’s reaction is deeply personal rather than a broader attempt to push for change in the sport.

“I think her real intentions are a pity party thing and she does that a lot,” Brown said. “She plays that victim mentality a lot… I think she has a lot of internal issues that kind of come out in the public.”

“She’s not necessarily saying all this to try and change the sport… she wants the attention, and she wants to say something that gets people’s emotions going about her. But she’s not wrong either.”

Matt Brown also suggested that Rousey’s stance might have been different if the UFC had offered her the deal she wanted for the Carano fight.

“I don’t think she’s doing it because she thinks she’s going to invoke some change here in the world of MMA,” Brown said. “I think she’s doing it to get emotions out of people.”

“If they would have given her a good deal on this fight… she wouldn’t say anything about it. It all comes down to her.”

Still, Brown hopes that if Rousey truly wants to make a difference, she uses her platform to address bigger issues within the sport.

“If she actually wants to invoke some change, and actually wants to see a better sport, I hope that’s her intention,” Brown said. “People change. People grow up. People evolve.”

“As long as she’s out there saying the right things, I’ll overlook the actual intention behind it… at least someone who has a huge name is saying some of the right things.”