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UFC CEO Dana White has finally addressed Ronda Rousey’s long-awaited return to combat sports and why it won’t happen inside the Octagon.

Nearly a decade after stepping away from MMA, former women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is set to fight again. However, instead of returning to the UFC, Rousey partnered with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix to face Gina Carano on May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

The announcement immediately sparked questions about why one of the biggest stars in UFC history did not make her comeback under the promotion that helped build her legacy. According to Rousey, conversations with Dana White had been ongoing for months before negotiations ultimately fell apart.

Speaking at the UFC Houston post-fight press conference, White confirmed that discussions about a comeback had taken place.

“Her and I have been talking about this since last year,” White said. “It just didn’t work out. But I’m happy for her.”
White also addressed his relationship with Gina Carano, noting that past tensions are now behind them.
“Listen, me and Gina are in a really good place — we weren’t at one point. I’m happy for both of them.”
Rousey later revealed that financial terms played a major role in her decision not to return to the UFC.

Negotiations reportedly began in 2025 before the promotion finalized its broadcast transition from ESPN to Paramount, a deal that eliminated the traditional pay-per-view structure starting in 2026.

Under the original framework, Rousey expected to earn one of the biggest purses of her career. Once the pay-per-view model disappeared, however, she said the financial structure no longer made sense.

“It no longer made sense for me to go over there because they didn’t want to pay us the money we deserve,” Rousey explained. “Because then from the rest of the time of the deal, they’re going to have to pay everybody else more. So then I decided to look elsewhere.”

That “elsewhere” became Most Valuable Promotions and Netflix, which plans to broadcast its first-ever MMA event with the Rousey vs. Carano matchup serving as the centerpiece.

Interestingly, Netflix previously explored a broadcasting partnership with the UFC but reportedly sought only major marquee events rather than full Fight Night programming. The UFC eventually secured a massive seven-year, $7.7 billion agreement with Paramount instead.

While fans expected Rousey’s comeback to happen under Dana White and the UFC banner, both sides appear to have moved forward on good terms. White’s reaction suggested there is no lingering animosity, leaving the door open, at least publicly, for potential collaboration somewhere down the line.

For now, Rousey’s return marks a new chapter outside the UFC spotlight, while Dana White and the promotion continue building their post–pay-per-view era without one of the sport’s most recognizable pioneers.

Sean Strickland didn’t waste time reigniting his rivalry with UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev following his main event victory at UFC Houston.

Fresh off a win over Anthony Hernandez, Sean Strickland addressed recent comments from Chimaev, who claimed that Strickland disliked him because he once forced him to tap during a training session. According to Strickland, the story couldn’t be further from the truth.

“I made him quit training,” Sean Strickland said during the UFC Houston post-fight media scrum. “Witnesses in the audience — where’s Eric Nicksick at? I made him quit. We were doing positional grappling… ‘Alright, start on my back,’ and I let him choke me because no one gives a f*ck.”

Strickland insisted that their time training together revealed more about Chimaev’s mentality than anything else. In his view, the undefeated champion preferred easier matchups rather than testing himself against elite competition inside the gym.

“When I walk into a gym, do you think I go find the weakest guy and say, ‘Let’s spar?’” Sean Strickland said. “I go find the biggest, baddest guy in the room. Every time Chimaev walked in, he picked the smallest, lowest-level pro and said, ‘He looks like my opponent.’ He would pick the smallest guy. Chimaev’s a f*cking bully.”

The outspoken former champion also accused Chimaev of avoiding difficult challenges in the division. Rumors recently surfaced online suggesting Chimaev could move up to light heavyweight for a potential fight with Jiri Prochazka, though no official announcement has been made.

“If you notice what he does in a division, he just runs and hides,” Sean Strickland said. “Now you want to go to 205 and fight Jiri, who’s not even the champ. You did it when you trained with us, and you’re doing it in the division.”

Chimaev captured the UFC middleweight title with a dominant decision win over Dricus du Plessis in August but has yet to schedule his first title defense. Sean Strickland believes the delay only fuels questions about the champion’s intentions.

Strickland also referenced Chimaev’s war with Gilbert Burns, suggesting that fight exposed vulnerabilities despite the victory.

“Look at when he fought my boy Gilbert Burns,” Sean Strickland said. “Gilbert Burns is like 5-foot-8 and almost got him. Gilbert pulled his card. He’s a savage, but it showed something.”

Earlier in fight week, Sean Strickland had already criticized Chimaev for focusing on potential superfights instead of defending his title.

“Every fight this guy fights, he’s injured,” Sean Strickland said. “There’s always some mysterious injury. There’s no MRI, no X-ray — but somehow something always breaks.”

After finishing Hernandez via third-round TKO, Strickland made his intentions crystal clear.

“If Chimaev finally gets off the bench, I’d like a piece of him,” Sean Strickland said. “That’s who I want.”

Chimaev quickly responded on social media, firing back with a reminder of his championship credentials.

“Habibi calm down, I destroyed the guy who beat you twice,” Chimaev wrote on X.

The back-and-forth has only intensified fan interest in a potential clash between the two middleweights. With Sean Strickland back in the win column and openly targeting the champion, a showdown with Chimaev could soon become one of the UFC’s most anticipated title fights.

The PFL has built Dakota Ditcheva into one of its brightest stars and despite a frustrating start to 2026, the promotion still sees her as a future face of the company.

Ditcheva (15-0) stormed into prominence by winning the 2023 PFL Europe tournament and then capturing the 2024 PFL World Tournament. She looked untouchable during that run. But injuries and booking issues have slowed her momentum. Most recently, a damaged hand forced her out of a scheduled bout with Denise Kielholtz on the PFL Dubai card.

PFL color commentator Dan Hardy admits the situation isn’t ideal, but he believes it’s temporary.

“It’s not ideal. A hand injury is never a good thing for a fighter,” Hardy told MMA Junkie. “The best thing she can do is to make sure she can take the time to get it fixed properly and she’s not rushing into starting hitting things again with it. Because that’s ultimately where these things prolong and re-injure and all those kind of things.”

The injuries have clearly taken a toll. During the PFL: Dubai broadcast, Ditcheva didn’t hide her emotions.

“I cried this week – I’ve been that upset, honestly. It’s been a little bit overwhelming for me,” Ditcheva said. “I think people see me doing things like that on YouTube, watching me go all around the world having amazing opportunities. But first and foremost, I am a fighter and I want to fight. Missing out on opportunities like this is hurtful for me sometimes and I was very heartbroken. But I’m still here, and like my mom says, there are people much worse off than me, so I’ve got to see the positives in that.”

That hunger to compete is exactly why the PFL continues to invest in her. PFL CEO John Martin recently provided an update on her recovery timeline.

“She’s healing well,” Martin told MMA Fighting. “I expect that she’ll be fighting this summer. I want to make sure it heals well but she’s healing well.”

When Ditcheva returns, Hardy believes the toughest and most logical test is former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche.

“That is the fight to make, isn’t it?” Hardy said. “That’s the fight both of those ladies want, as well. It’s the obvious victory for both of them in the division, the biggest win that they could get.”

At 125 pounds, Ditcheva currently thrives. However, Hardy suspects the weight cut could become an issue long term.

Gordon Ryan has officially stepped away from competition and this time, it feels real.

The 30-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu superstar shocked the grappling world by announcing what he called the “probable end” of his legendary career. After a decade at black belt and 10 years on top of the sport, Gordon Ryan says ongoing health issues have forced him to make a decision he never wanted to make.

“Today marks 10 years at black belt, 10 years on top of the sport, and the probable end to my competitive career,” Gordon Ryan wrote on Instagram. “As many of you know, I’ve had this debilitating and seemingly unfixable stomach issue since recurring staph infections/antibiotics wiped out my good gut biome.

“Without going into too much boring detail, the problem has gone through phases of better and worse over the years, and has now morphed into a multitude of new problems, including me just getting sick or staph whenever I train hard and compromise my immune system in any way. Because of these issues, I have not been able to train or lift hard since January of 2024, as I just begin dry heaving immediately when I do.

“I competed in ADCC with no camp, at 10 percent of how I should have been operating, and I have seen no improvement in my condition since. This, of course, has been immensely frustrating, as my technical skills are far better than ever, my body is otherwise very healthy, and I’m only 30 (10 years from my prime). I have so much more left to give if I could just fix this one issue.”

Gordon Ryan hasn’t competed since his dominant ADCC run in August 2024, where he defeated Yuri Simoes and longtime rival Felipe Pena. But behind the scenes, his body was breaking down.

The man widely regarded as the greatest no-gi grappler of his generation has battled severe stomach complications for years. According to Gordon Ryan, recurring staph infections and heavy antibiotic use destroyed his gut health, triggering long-term immune issues that now prevent him from training at full intensity.

For an athlete whose dominance came from relentless preparation and physical superiority, that limitation has proven devastating.
While Gordon Ryan says he’s done “for now,” he hasn’t ruled out a comeback if his health improves. In fact, he already has unfinished business in mind.

“I’m still on the mats almost every day, but not able to do what my mind tells my body. Because of this, I believe it is best I put my focuses elsewhere for now as I try to remedy my stomach, and possibly return one day, pending my health and assessment of relative physical skills at the time, as my knowledge is unmatched,” he concluded.

“For now, I can confidently say, I am done. I will spend the next few years building @kingsway_hq to its student capacity, opening a global affiliation program, helping the athletes achieve all of their goals and dreams, and sharing all of [my] knowledge with the world.

“After that, who knows. There are far too many people involved to thank, but you know who you are. To the fans, thank you. The thought of selling out T-Mobile Arena for a jiu-jitsu event was unheard of when I started training.

“We truly made this sport something great, and you all have made me genuinely wealthy along the way.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without you all and your constant support. Thank you to everyone involved, and I hope to be back… especially for 2 matches with Vinny and a last dance with Felipe. Until the time comes.”

Gordon Ryan leaves the competitive mats as one of the most decorated grapplers in history. Over the past 15 years, he built a résumé filled with victories over elite names like Andre Galvao, Marcus Almeida, Nick Rodriguez, Craig Jones, and Garry Tonon.

He didn’t just win, he dominated. He changed how athletes approach no-gi grappling, elevated the sport’s commercial appeal, and helped push professional jiu-jitsu into major arenas.

Now, Gordon Ryan shifts his focus to coaching, business ventures, and rebuilding his health. Whether this marks the true end or just an extended pause remains to be seen.

For now, Gordon Ryan says he’s done. And if this truly is the end, he walks away as one of the greatest to ever step on the mats.

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Nick Diaz has spent much of the past year away from the spotlight, but the former Strikeforce welterweight champion is finally telling his side of the story.

In a candid interview with Baja Rehab in Mexico, Nick Diaz revealed that he spent the last year involuntarily placed in a rehabilitation center, reflecting on how he got there, his long battle with substance abuse, and why he still believes his fighting story isn’t finished.

Before combat sports gave him direction, Diaz admits his life was headed down a dangerous path.

“I started doing jiu-jitsu right away. I was 15, but when I was 13 and 14 I was already watching the UFC,” Diaz said. “I was renting VHS UFCs, smoking weed, hanging around kids who were doing drugs. That’s kind of what we did.”
Everything changed once jiu-jitsu entered the picture.

“But then I started training jiu-jitsu when I was 16. That’s all I did,” Diaz explained. “I was beating pro fighters in the gym, on the mats. Grown fighters. I was competing all the time.”

As his fighting career took off, many of Diaz’s early friendships faded. Some friends went on to college or careers, while others spiraled in a different direction.

“We had a whole group of us. I had some really good friends,” Diaz said. “A lot of them did good, moved away, went to college. And then some of them stayed and started f—king up.”

For years, Diaz lived a singular, obsessive lifestyle centered entirely on fighting.

“I didn’t really maintain friendships for a long time,” he said. “I was fighting three to five times a year for 17 years. All I thought about was weight. What do I weigh? What am I going to eat? After a while, you realize there’s more to life.”

That realization led him back toward old connections—and old problems.

“I started bringing some old friends back into the picture, and that really f—ked things up,” Diaz admitted.
Despite his success inside the cage, Nick Diaz says he struggled with substance abuse at different points in his life. Interestingly, he takes more pride in another athletic pursuit entirely.

“Looking at my career as a world-class athlete, especially as a triathlete, I take more pride in that,” Diaz said. “None of the other fighters have done what I’ve done. They don’t even know about it. I’ve done more races than pro triathletes,” he added. “I spent my money from fighting on racing.”

Eventually, financial strain and isolation caught up to him. Diaz revealed that he lost basic necessities, including reliable transportation, and felt completely alone.

“That was one of my biggest problems before coming here,” Diaz said. “I didn’t have the means of transportation. I cut my circle shorter. I had nobody to call. I had nowhere to go.”

A falling out with agents and close friends pushed him toward rehab—though not entirely by choice.

“I’m grateful to be here,” Diaz said. “But I’m not grateful for anybody that had anything to do with me being here.”
Now 42, Nick Diaz hasn’t competed since 2021, but he insists his competitive fire still burns. He believes sobriety has given him a new sense of clarity and purpose.

“I see myself becoming world champion,” Diaz said. “I think it’s easy money. People are going to see a brand-new me.”

Diaz last came close to returning in 2024, when a bout with Vicente Luque fell through due to travel issues and a later withdrawal. Still, his confidence remains unshaken.

“For me, I wouldn’t have made it this far if I thought something could stop me,” Diaz said. “Whether it’s the guy in front of me or substance abuse, I believe I get better every year, every day.”

He admitted that marijuana and alcohol played roles in his struggles, but said witnessing friends die from harder drugs forced him to reassess his life.

“I definitely recommend treatment,” Diaz said. “I had so many friends die. This could have saved their lives.”
One moment, in particular, pushed him fully toward sobriety.

“People were driving past my house with loaded guns,” Diaz recalled. “I thought, ‘I’m going to f—king die.’ That scared the shit out of me.”

Despite describing a previous three-year sober stretch as “a living hell,” Diaz says this chapter feels different. As he continues his recovery in California, he’s focused on rebuilding his life and his legacy.

“I just want to thank my fans and supporters,” Nick Diaz said. “Get ready to tune in for my next fights. We’re going to win a world title.”

For Nick Diaz, the journey isn’t over. In his mind, it’s just entering a new round.

Former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas will spend the next three months with tubes in her eye and nose following a painful injury sustained at UFC 324.

Namajunas returned to the Octagon last weekend for the first time since June, stepping in on short notice to replace the injured Alexa Grasso.

“Thug” Rose faced surging Brazilian contender Natalia Silva, who entered the bout determined to secure her long-awaited shot at the UFC flyweight title.

After a tightly contested three-round fight, officials awarded Silva a controversial unanimous decision, officially putting her next in line to challenge Valentina Shevchenko. For Namajunas, however, the night proved costly beyond the scorecards.

Namajunas became the latest fighter impacted by the sport’s ongoing eye-poke problem. Although the referee never stopped the fight for an eye poke, Namajunas later realized Silva had caught her in the eye multiple times during the bout. The damage turned out to be serious enough that the 33-year-old underwent eye surgery on Tuesday.

According to her husband and longtime coach, Pat Barry, Namajunas suffered a canalicular laceration in her left eye caused by repeated illegal eye pokes. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the former champion expressed both frustration and disbelief over the situation.

“I’m doing good. I’m very frustrated, though. I’m not going to lie,” Namajunas said. “I’m upset because I got poked in the eye in the second round, couldn’t see after that, and now I’m seeing pictures that it was multiple times.”

Namajunas admitted she stayed locked in on the fight instead of alerting the referee.

“I was just so locked in that I didn’t realize. I wish I would’ve protested, but I was focused on taking her head off,” she explained. “I’ve never poked anyone in the eye, so I feel like a point should be taken right away. That would make people more cautious and more considerate of their opponent.”

She later revealed the full extent of her recovery process.

“This is crazy,” Namajunas continued. “I have a tube in my eye and in my nose for three months, and I can’t blow my nose for three months. It’s going to be tough.”

Namajunas also shared an update with fans ahead of surgery in an Instagram post, asking for support.

“Alright, guys. I’m headed into surgery, canalicular tube eye surgery,” Namajunas said. “I got poked in the eye a few times, my tube is torn, and it’s going to be repaired. I might have a silicone tube in my eye for three months, so pray for me. I’m just glad we can get it fixed.”

The loss marks Namajunas’ second defeat in her last four fights and pushes her further down the flyweight rankings. With recovery now the priority, her next move inside the Octagon will depend heavily on how well she heals.

For Namajunas, UFC 324 delivered more than a narrow decision loss — it served as a harsh reminder of how quickly fights can change and how dangerous unchecked fouls can be at the highest level of MMA.

Oleksandr Usyk could be headed for a surprising new chapter in his boxing career, with talks reportedly underway between the unified heavyweight champion and Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
According to Usyk’s team director, Sergey Lapin, discussions have already taken place with White as the UFC president prepares to launch Zuffa Boxing this Friday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The development comes months after Oleksandr Usyk split from longtime promoter Alexander Krassyuk of K2 Promotions in June, shortly before his rematch win over Daniel Dubois. Since then, the Ukrainian star has operated as a free agent.
Zuffa Boxing is co-owned by Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, a familiar figure in Oleksandr Usyk’s recent career. Usyk has worked with Alalshikh on his last three fights, making a potential move to the new promotion a logical step as he enters the latter stage of his career as the unified WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight champion.
“There is contact, there is dialogue, and interest exists [from Dana White and Zuffa Boxing],” Lapin told talkSPORT Bet.
Lapin made it clear that nothing is finalized yet, but the door remains open.
“Details aren’t for the public right now,” he said. “Let’s say a few doors are open, and if format, numbers, and timing align, the market could see a move nobody expects.”
Lapin also highlighted why Dana White’s involvement could be a game-changer for Oleksandr Usyk and the sport of boxing as a whole.
“Everyone has seen what he did,” Lapin said. “He turned ‘old MMA’ into the global UFC machine. His real power is packaging not just a fight, but an event. If he gets involved, the scale and attention immediately become different.”
Dana White is set to unveil Zuffa Boxing with its debut event at the Apex, though early reactions from fans have been mixed due to the modest scale of the launch card. Still, White has already signaled serious long-term intent, most notably by signing cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia.
Now, the possibility of adding Oleksandr Usyk, the man many regard as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, would instantly elevate Zuffa Boxing’s profile. While nothing is official, the talks alone suggest that Dana White is aiming big, and Oleksandr Usyk may be central to those ambitions.

Conor McGregor has once again placed himself at the center of UFC headlines, this time over the status of his contract with the promotion.

The former two-division UFC champion says his existing deal is no longer valid following the UFC’s blockbuster broadcast agreement with Paramount, which effectively ends the traditional pay-per-view model that once defined his earnings.

McGregor made the revelation while livestreaming Roblox with his son, Conor Jr., and popular streamer Caylus. What began as a casual gaming session quickly turned into a major contractual bombshell.

“I’m warming up now for the White House fight,” McGregor said on the stream. “I’m gonna be at it, for sure. It’s gonna be insane, the White House card is gonna be.”

Conor McGregor explained that the UFC’s reported $7.7 billion deal with Paramount has fundamentally changed the business structure of the promotion, particularly for fighters whose contracts were tied to pay-per-view sales.

“I’m going into negotiations with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in February,” McGregor said. “They’ve actually got a new deal with Paramount, it’s worth $7.7 billion. So the company has four-xed its profit, and my contract, essentially, is void right now because there’s no more PPV, whereas my contract was based on PPV sales.”

McGregor did not hold back when discussing his leverage in the talks.

“I’m the highest-generating PPV fighter of all time,” he added. “The PPV system is done. I’m due a new contract. So, we’re going into negotiations in February, and I’m very interested to see how it goes.”

It remains unclear whether the change in broadcast rights legally nullifies McGregor’s current UFC contract, which reportedly has two fights remaining, or if this is part of a broader negotiating strategy. Either way, both sides are expected to address the issue in the coming months.

For now, Conor McGregor insists his focus remains on preparation rather than boardroom politics.

“And what am I doing for it?” McGregor said. “I’m focusing on what I can control. I’m in the gym. I’m living in the gym, focusing on my health, focusing on my rest, listening to my coaches, following the game plan. External noise is non-existent for me.”

He added, “I’m here, showing the kids, showing my team what it takes. You’ve got to live it. You’ve got to live and breathe it.”

Conor McGregor has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. He was scheduled to return at UFC 303 last summer but withdrew due to injury.

The UFC White House event is expected to take place on June 14, with UFC CEO Dana White saying matchmaking for the historic card will begin after UFC 324. Whether Conor McGregor’s comeback happens under a reworked contract now stands as one of the biggest questions hanging over the promotion’s new era.

Colby Covington isn’t losing sleep over whether he still belongs in the UFC welterweight rankings.

Fresh off a dominant showing at RAF 5, where he cruised past Luke Rockhold via a 12-0 technical fall, the former interim champion brushed aside recent comments from UFC CEO Dana White questioning his continued presence in the top 15. Covington hasn’t won a UFC fight since 2022 and didn’t compete inside the Octagon at all in 2025, a fact that resurfaced during White’s recent appearance on Barstool Sports.

When asked about Covington still being ranked despite the inactivity and losses, White responded bluntly.

Covington, however, made it clear that rankings mean little to him. Speaking at the RAF 5 post-fight press conference, he leaned into trademark confidence and dismissed the entire debate.

“It really doesn’t matter what Dana White thinks of me,” Covington said.“I’m a world champion. I’m Donald Trump’s favorite fighter. I’m America’s champion. I’m the king of Miami. You can never take those titles away from me.”

The outspoken welterweight doubled down, insisting that numbers next to his name don’t define his value.

“Take me out of the rankings, whatever,” Covington added.“I’m still the biggest draw at welterweight. It makes no difference what number is next to my name. I know what I’m capable of, and I know I’m still the best fighter and wrestler on planet Earth.”

Covington hasn’t competed in the UFC since December 2024, when a brutal cut forced a doctor’s stoppage in his loss to Joaquin Buckley. That defeat followed a flat decision loss to then-champion Leon Edwards. Overall, Covington has gone 1-3 in his last four UFC appearances, with only four fights between 2021 and 2024.

Still, his wrestling return injected new life into his competitive career. The former NCAA standout looked comfortable and composed against Rockhold, securing his first official win in any combat sport since his 2022 victory over Jorge Masvidal.

Buoyed by that performance, Covington immediately set his sights on another high-profile name, Georges St-Pierre.

“GSP is one of the GOATs of the organization,” Covington said.“He’s the only guy ahead of me on the UFC welterweight takedown list. He’s No. 1, I’m No. 2. So I want to settle this on the RAF mat.”

“I think this match needs to happen,” he said.“I know Georges probably still wants to compete, and the fans want to see him compete. So GSP, let’s give the fans what they want. Let’s find out who the greatest welterweight wrestler in history really is.”

At 37, Covington’s UFC future remains uncertain, especially with his stock slipping inside the promotion. But if his RAF performance is any indication, “Chaos” may be carving out a new lane, one where rankings matter far less than attention, rivalries, and staying relevant on his own terms.

Sean O’Malley returns to the Octagon later this month with plenty on the line and plenty already on his mind.
The former UFC bantamweight champion meets Song Yadong at UFC 324, a crucial fight as O’Malley looks to halt a two-fight skid. While the matchup is massive on its own, “Suga” admits his preparation doesn’t stop there.

“Honestly, I’m getting ready for Petr still, too,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel.“I know I can’t look past Song, which I’m not. I’m not taking Song, Song’s f*cking dangerous. He’s dangerous. He’s got power in both hands, he’s fast. I’m preparing for him, but I’m preparing for Petr, too.”

The reason is simple: history. O’Malley holds a split-decision win over Petr Yan from 2022, a result that launched him into his first title opportunity. With Yan now back on the throne, O’Malley believes one strong win puts him right back in the title picture.

“Petr knows,” O’Malley said.“That’s what’s next. I’m going to go out there, take care of Song, and that’s what’s next. It just makes sense. 2026 is about to be lit. I’m going to go out there, take care of Song, take care of Petr, DoingWell is going to blow up. I’m going to retire. This might be the last ‘Suga’ year ever.”

While the retirement talk carried a playful edge, O’Malley didn’t entirely dismiss the idea. He made it clear that his future depends on results, not long-term predictions.

“It’s almost so pointless to predict what I want to do in the next five years, two years, three years,” O’Malley said.
“Take it one fight at a time. If I go out there and lose and lose, I’m done with this sh*t.”

For now, Sean O’Malley’s focus starts with Song Yadong, one of the division’s most dangerous strikers. What comes after depends on how UFC 324 plays out. A win could reopen the door to Petr Yan and another title run. A loss could force “Suga” to rethink everything.

Either way, O’Malley is walking into this next chapter fully aware of what’s at stake and ready to let the fight decide the rest.

Nabil Anane didn’t just win titles in 2025, he announced himself as the future of elite striking. At just 21, the ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion delivered a flawless run across Muay Thai and kickboxing, turning a breakout year into a statement of long-term ambition.

Nabil Anane captured the ONE Interim Bantamweight Muay Thai World Title before earning undisputed status through dominant performances against world-class opposition. His rise feels even more remarkable when viewed against where it all began.

When Anane made his ONE debut in 2023, the spotlight came fast and so did adversity. Pound-for-pound great Superlek stopped him inside two minutes in a flyweight Muay Thai bout. Instead of breaking him, the loss reset his mindset.

Rather than folding, Nabil Anane went back to work. He tightened his defense, refined his distance control, and rebuilt with discipline. The payoff followed quickly: an undefeated stretch across eight fights, spanning flyweight to featherweight in both Muay Thai and kickboxing.

In 2025, Anane knocked out feared finisher Nico Carrillo in the opening round to secure interim gold. He then avenged his earlier loss by defeating Superlek to become the undisputed champion. From there, he crossed into bantamweight kickboxing and dominated former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Ilias Ennahachi before an unfortunate no contest. He capped the year by overpowering former K-1 Champion Hiromi Wajima at featherweight.

“If I can do the same thing as 2025, it would be great,” Anane said. “There is no secret to my success. I’ll just continue to work hard and have discipline all the time, that’s it. It’s easy to know how, but it’s hard to do.”
He added, “Behind the scenes, behind all the victories, it’s always very hard. There are always some small problems every time. You just have to surpass them, and good things will come after.”

With Muay Thai dominance secured, Nabil Anane now turns his attention to kickboxing gold. That path naturally points toward reigning ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan Haggerty. Their planned clash at ONE 173 fell apart due to injury, but Anane remains open to settling the score in either ruleset.

“I think it’s just Haggerty left [in Muay Thai],” Anane said. “He has good footwork, good elbows, and good punches. It really depends on the moment and how the fight goes. Maybe my style matches his style.”

He also addressed rising Japanese standout Yuki Yoza, who impressed many with wins over elite names in 2025.

“He’s strong, yes, that’s impressive,” Anane said. “But he hasn’t fought someone like me who keeps distance well and is really hard to deal with. Let’s see if he has a chance.”

For Nabil Anane, 2025 wasn’t the finish line. It was proof of concept. And as he eyes titles across disciplines.

Daniel Cormier believes UFC fighters are about to benefit financially in a major way as the promotion prepares to launch its new era on Paramount. And according to the former two-division champion, the money boost has already started.

The UFC’s massive seven-year streaming deal with Paramount, reportedly worth $7.7 billion, officially begins with UFC 324 on January 24. The agreement eliminates the traditional pay-per-view model, creating a single platform for all UFC events. While fans continue to debate what this means for the sport, Daniel Cormier insists fighters are coming out ahead.

Speaking on the Weighing In podcast with longtime teammate Josh Thomson, Daniel Cormier said the shift away from pay-per-view has quietly increased fighter pay across the roster.

“They’re already getting more money, that’s the difference,” Cormier said. “People always talk about, ‘What’s the UFC going to do for the fighter?’ I know guys now that are making more money than they did even when they were making pay-per-view, because pay-per-views just maybe weren’t selling as much as they used to.”

Cormier pointed to his own peak years as an example of how different the landscape is today. During his rivalry with Jon Jones and title fights featuring stars like Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, Nick Diaz, and Nate Diaz, pay-per-view points drove massive payouts. According to Cormier, that era no longer reflects current buying habits.

“When I was fighting Jon Jones and Rumble, and we had Nick Diaz and Nate Diaz on the card, I was making a boatload of money in pay-per-view,” he said. “That’s not the reality of today.”

With piracy, streaming, and declining pay-per-view buys, Daniel Cormier believes the old system stopped making sense. In his view, the new model replaces uncertain backend earnings with guaranteed money, benefiting fighters at every level.

“Today, a big pay-per-view number was 500,000 or 600,000,” Cormier explained. “People are stealing it on streams. The numbers just weren’t great. I know guys who went to the UFC and said, ‘Can we restructure now that pay-per-view is gone?’ And the UFC said yes.”

Cormier added that the new structure removes pressure from champions to sell massive numbers just to earn their worth.

“The guy at the beginning of the card is going to do better, and the guy at the very top is going to do better,” Cormier said. “They’re giving these guys more money.”

As the UFC enters the Paramount era, questions remain about promotion, event presentation, and fan experience. But from Daniel Cormier’s perspective, one thing is already clear: fighters are seeing real financial gains, and the shift away from pay-per-view may finally level the playing field across the roster.

Israel Adesanya has shared plenty of history with Alex Pereira across multiple combat sports, but for “The Last Stylebender,” their rivalry was never about revenge. It was about self-belief.

After losing twice to Pereira in kickboxing, Israel Adesanya suffered another setback when “Poatan” knocked him out to win the UFC middleweight title at UFC 281 in November 2022. Five months later, Adesanya flipped the script in dramatic fashion, scoring a Knockout of the Year contender to reclaim the belt and close the chapter on one of MMA’s most intense rivalries.

Speaking during a session at Bangtao Muay Thai & MMA, Israel Adesanya reflected on what those battles truly meant to him.

“For me, it was never really about him, it was always about me,” Adesanya said. “I knew, technically, I’m the only one to hurt this man multiple times. I knew I could always touch him.”

Following their rematch, Pereira moved up to light heavyweight and went on to become a two-division UFC champion. Despite briefly losing the title earlier this year, Pereira bounced back in emphatic fashion with a first-round knockout at UFC 320, reestablishing himself at the top of the division.

Israel Adesanya made it clear there’s no bitterness left, only respect.

“I’m so proud of what he’s doing now, two-time light heavyweight champ now,” Adesanya said. “He’s back on top now, about to fight [Jon] Jones at the White House. I hope he never loses [again].”

While Adesanya celebrates his former rival’s success, he admitted that finally defeating Pereira carried deep personal significance.

“I hope he retires undefeated [moving forward] because I always knew it’s not about other people, it’s about me,” he explained. “After he beat me at Madison Square Garden, people were like, ‘Oh, he’ll never want to fight him again.’ But I was like, ‘Yo, Dana, run that sh*t back. I need that.’”

Israel Adesanya also offered a message that goes beyond fighting, framing their rivalry as a lesson in self-trust and persistence.

“If you know you’re better than him, f*ck him. Prove it to yourself,” Adesanya said. “Find a way to fight him again and prove you’re a better master at this game. That’s all it is.”

As both men move forward, with no plans for another clash, Israel Adesanya appears content with his legacy. Titles may no longer define his journey, but moments like conquering his greatest rival still do.

Movlid Khaybulaev’s reign as the 2025 PFL featherweight champion has come to an abrupt end.

The unbeaten standout and protégé of Khabib Nurmagomedov has been handed a one-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for a banned substance. As a result, the Professional Fighters League has officially stripped Movlid Khaybulaev of his 2025 featherweight tournament title and forfeited his championship belt.

Khaybulaev captured the title at the PFL World Tournament Finals with a fifth-round submission victory over former champion Jesus Pinedo. However, the failed test was linked to that August 1 bout, prompting swift action from both USADA and the promotion. The suspension is retroactive to the date of the fight, and Khaybulaev and his team have opted not to appeal.

Shortly after the news broke, the PFL released a formal statement confirming the disqualification.

“The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has been notified by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that athlete Movlid Khaybulaev tested positive for a banned substance following his bout at the 2025 PFL World Tournament Finals,” the statement read.

“Pursuant to PFL rules and regulations, Khaybulaev has been disqualified from the 2025 PFL World Tournament. As a result of the disqualification under PFL rules, Khaybulaev forfeits the distinction of 2025 PFL featherweight tournament champion.”

“The PFL maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward the use of performance-enhancing substances and remains fully committed to the highest standards of fair competition, athlete safety, and integrity in sport.”

USADA later clarified that Khaybulaev tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO), a substance banned at all times due to its performance-enhancing effects. The agency explained why the maximum one-year penalty was imposed.

“Khaybulaev, 35, tested positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) as the result of an in-competition sample collected at the PFL World Tournament Finals on August 1, 2025,” USADA officials stated.

“Under Section 10.2 of the PFL Anti-Doping Policy, the default period of ineligibility is six months but can be increased up to one year in certain circumstances. Here, Khaybulaev received the maximum period due to the nature of the substance and the timing of the positive test.”

The fallout sparked reactions across the MMA world, including from former opponent Brendan Loughnane, who faced Khaybulaev in the 2021 semifinals.

“I thought he felt a little strong when we fought,” Loughnane wrote.“Does that mean they can wipe his win over me too? FFS.”

Before the suspension, Movlid Khaybulaev stood as one of the PFL’s most dominant fighters. He entered the promotion in 2019 with a flying knee knockout of Damon Jackson and went on to compile an unbeaten record through 26 professional bouts, including wins over Jeremy Kennedy, Tyler Diamond, and Chris Wade. He also claimed PFL featherweight titles in 2021 and 2025, cementing his status as a cornerstone of the division.

This marks the latest doping controversy linked to Team Khabib, following Usman Nurmagomedov’s positive test during his Bellator title run in 2023.

With Khaybulaev sidelined until August 2026 and officially removed from the 2025 standings, the PFL featherweight division now finds itself wide open. Who steps up next remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the landscape at 145 pounds has changed overnight.

Former UFC fan favorite Matt Brown isn’t buying the recent wave of predictions tipping Jake Paul to upset Anthony Joshua and he’s calling it exactly what he thinks it is: noise.

With Paul set to meet the former heavyweight champion in a professional boxing bout, most credible analysts expect Joshua to handle business. Still, a handful of fighters and personalities have gone against the grain, backing Paul to shock the world. Brown sees those takes as disingenuous.

“Here’s the thing when some of these people make these predictions like ‘Jake Paul’s going to beat him’ or whatever. I think it almost has to be a cop out,” Matt Brown said during an appearance on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “It’s kind of a win-win situation. If Jake Paul goes out and beats him, you f*cking called it—you’re the man. If he doesn’t beat him, you say, ‘You really think I thought that?’”

Brown compared the trend to the hype that surrounded Conor McGregor’s crossover bout with Floyd Mayweather, arguing that bold predictions are often made for attention rather than substance.

“If you’re wrong about it, nobody remembers,” Brown added. “But if you make the prediction and it somehow hits, everybody remembers it like, ‘Oh wow, you must be the fight expert!’”

The longtime welterweight didn’t mince words when addressing the logic—or lack thereof—behind picking Paul to win.

“You are not a fight expert for calling Jake Paul to win,” Brown said. “You’re going against everything a fight expert would ever take into account. There is zero reason whatsoever to believe Jake Paul has a chance against Anthony Joshua.”

That doesn’t mean Brown thinks freak outcomes are impossible. He acknowledges the chaos inherent in combat sports, but he insists that relying on randomness isn’t analysis.

“Punches come fast and random things happen,” Brown said. “Could Jake Paul wing a punch and something weird happens? Sure. Joshua could have a bad night of sleep. Anything can happen. But that’s not a logical reason to believe Jake Paul is winning this fight.”

Brown also pointed to the massive gap in experience. While Paul has worked to legitimize himself as a boxer, his résumé pales in comparison to Joshua’s.

“Anthony Joshua has fought and beaten very good, even great professional boxers,” Brown said. “He beat Klitschko. Jake Paul is not Klitschko. Get that out of your head.”

He also referenced Joshua’s emphatic knockout of Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion who had already proven he could hang with elite boxers.

“Joshua didn’t make the mistake of underestimating Ngannou,” Brown noted. “He dismantled him. That matters.”

At the end of the day, Matt Brown believes the conversation itself has drifted into the absurd.

“It’s a silly conversation,” Brown said. “We talk about it because it’s news, but there’s no logical reason to believe Jake Paul is winning this fight. Either you don’t really think it, or you’re just being dumb.”

As fight night approaches, Brown’s stance is clear: bold predictions might grab headlines, but reality and boxing fundamentals, still matter.

Joe Rogan wants one thing, and he’s saying it loud: Jon Jones needs to fight at the UFC White House card and in Rogan’s words, anything short of that would be a “travesty.”

Jones has already made it clear that he’s willing to pause retirement if it means competing at the historic event. “Bones” even said he’d fight Alex Pereira under the main event just to be on the card. But UFC CEO Dana White has been hesitant, pointing to Jones’ legal history and the breakdown in talks with Tom Aspinall that left the heavyweight division stuck in limbo.

On a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan didn’t hold back. He believes the UFC can’t afford to miss out on the opportunity.

“If they don’t do Jon Jones at the White House, I think it would be a travesty,” Rogan said. “They need to do that. C’mon! Dana’s like, ‘You can’t count on him.’ You can f*cking count on him. C’mon, stop. At the White House? C’mon!”

Rogan also pointed out how unusual the event will be for the athletes.

“A lot of weird pressure, too,” Rogan said. “All the security, the protocols, all that extra shit in your mind before you go out there. Also, you’re fighting outside. It’s hot. What if it’s hot and muggy? That’s going to affect people.”

Despite Dana White’s caution, Pereira’s interest might change things. After UFC 320, White admitted that even though he’d prefer Pereira to keep cleaning out light heavyweight, it’s hard to deny the man who always steps up for the company.

Ariel Helwani also reported that the internal hope is still Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira on the White House lawn.
This isn’t the first time Rogan has pushed for Jones on the card. When Donald Trump and Dana White announced the historic White House event for the USA’s 250th anniversary, the UFC world immediately began speculating about the lineup. Trump even joked about having “eight or nine” title fights, something Rogan couldn’t resist teasing.

“There are only eight weight classes, so how’s there going to be nine title fights?” Rogan joked. “[In a Trump voice] ‘We’re gonna have 20 title fights!’”

Regardless of how stacked the card ends up being, Rogan insists Jones is the one fighter who must appear.

“If they don’t do Jon Jones at the White House… it would be a travesty,” Rogan doubled down.

The UFC White House event is scheduled for June 14, and if Rogan gets his way, Jon “Bones” Jones will be front and center.

Former two-division UFC champion and self-proclaimed king of cringe, Henry Cejudo, ended his career this past weekend at UFC 323 after dropping a unanimous decision to rising contender Payton Talbott inside T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.

Cejudo was transported to the hospital afterwards for precautionary checks, but the bigger headline remains: the legend has closed the book on an iconic run.

On Monday, Cejudo took to social media to reflect on his final performance, and in true Triple C fashion, he kept it honest, emotional, and a little dramatic.

“Well that’s not exactly how I envisioned the fight playing out – but it wasn’t the worst ending either,” Cejudo wrote. “The streets are saying I went out in a blaze of glory and after those last 10 seconds I’d have to agree. I gave it everything I had.

“Thank you UFC for giving me this life and the ability to extend my athletic career beyond wrestling. I can confidently say I accomplished everything I set out to when I stepped into the octagon in the gold shorts all those years ago.

“Thank you to my team. Coaches, teammates, management, and most of all my family. You are the reason I was able to go out there and give this game my very best. I never did it for a paycheck – I did it for you #UFC323”

Cejudo leaves the sport with a 16–6 record and on a four-fight skid, but context matters. Every loss came against elite opposition, including former champions. His greatness remains untouched.

This is the same man who snapped Demetrious Johnson’s historic flyweight reign, folded T.J. Dillashaw in 32 seconds, claimed a second belt against Marlon Moraes, and stopped Dominick Cruz before his first shocking retirement. Cringe or not, he saved the flyweight division and dominated at the highest level.

“One last shoutout to the man that made all of this possible. Thank you Dana for building this sport into what it is and positively impacting hundreds of millions of lives across the planet. You turned nothing into something and deserve all of the respect in the world. Glad I could put on one last war for this company,” Cejudo added.

Former two-time UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno has finally spoken out after his controversial second-round TKO loss to rising contender Tatsuro Taira at UFC 323 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The stoppage sparked loud debates across the MMA world. Many fans felt the referee stepped in too early, especially given Moreno’s toughness and the fact that he has survived far worse moments throughout his career.
Moreno didn’t respond immediately on fight night. Instead, he waited two days before addressing the moment.

“Hey guys, I’m just here to tell you I’m fine and everything is great. I hadn’t posted anything because yesterday was my birthday,” Moreno said on Instagram. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m doing really, really well. So, yeah, just reflecting a little bit on the fight, honestly, who knows, right? Personally, I think the referee stopped it too soon, but look, I could have just stayed there and taken extra punishment, or maybe, if I did have the chance to get away, I could have made a comeback, you never know.”

Moreno admitted the entire moment felt strange, but he kept his focus on what comes next.

“It was a very strange fight, but what remains is I have to keep my head up, and I have to keep moving forward and enjoy the end of the year, enjoy the holidays, enjoy time with family, and look forward to 2026. Whatever comes, whatever comes strong. Blessings to everyone. Let’s go.”

The loss snapped his two-fight winning streak, which included solid victories over Amir Albazi and Steve Erceg. It also marked the first time in his career that the Mexican superstar had ever been finished, a major shock considering his reputation for surviving absolute wars.

Despite the setback, Brandon Moreno remains the biggest name in the flyweight division, and he’s still only one big win away from sliding right back into title contention. And with Alexandre Pantoja also losing his belt at UFC 323, the flyweight picture has suddenly opened up again.

For now, the MMA world waits to see when Moreno returns. One thing is certain, he’s not done.

Edson Barboza isn’t slowing down or thinking about retirement anytime soon. The 39-year-old Brazilian steps back into lightweight at UFC 323 in Las Vegas, where he faces Jalin Turner in a fight that could push the winner toward the rankings and push the loser into gatekeeper territory.

Even as he approaches 40, Barboza insists he still feels like a legitimate contender.

“I don’t think about retirement right now, but I need to feel competitive,” Barboza told MMA Junkie. “I promised my wife and my mom I’ll never step into the octagon for money. I still feel competitive, especially in training. I train more than the young kids at American Top Team.”

He believes he’s still right there with the best guys in the world, and as long as that feeling stays alive, he’s not stopping. Barboza enters UFC 323 as a +240 underdog after back-to-back decision losses to Drakkar Klose and Lerone Murphy, but he’s unfazed.

“It’s gonna be a war like always,” Barboza said. “The type of fight that people like, that I like. He’s a great fighter, a great striker, it’s gonna be an exciting fight for sure.”

“It’s gonna be a war like always,” Barboza said. “The type of fight that people like, that I like. He’s a great fighter, a great striker, it’s gonna be an exciting fight for sure.”

Barboza also has no issue with Turner returning from retirement.

“For him, if he’s ready to come back to do this, good for him,” he said. “I’m still excited. I still enjoy every second. Every time I step in the Octagon, going to the gym, doing the diet, trying to do everything right. I still love the sport.”

Beyond UFC 323, Barboza admits the weight cuts and the years in the sport have taken a toll, but not enough to dim his competitive fire. Moving back up to lightweight was a relief for both his mind and body.

“A couple years, I was a little bit crazy,” Barboza said. “I was checking my weight in the morning, in the afternoon, at night. It wasn’t good for my body or my mind. Thank God I’m back to lightweight. I’m happy.”

Still, the promise to his family sits in the back of his mind.

“I don’t think about retirement right now,” he said again. “I know I’m still competitive. That’s one reason I keep training and trying to get better, because I still love this sport.”

Barboza faces Turner this Saturday at UFC 323, ready to prove that age hasn’t taken anything from him — and that he still has plenty of fight left in him.

Oleksandr Usyk knows exactly what Jake Paul is walking into. After spending over an hour in the ring with Anthony Joshua across two high-level fights, the former undisputed heavyweight champion has zero doubts about how this December matchup ends.

Usyk beat Joshua twice before claiming every major heavyweight title, so he understands the power, pedigree, and presence Joshua brings. And that’s exactly why he doesn’t see any scenario where Paul pulls off an upset, no matter how much the YouTuber-turned-boxer hypes himself up.

“If Anthony Joshua wants, he will kill this guy,” Usyk told Boxing Scene. “Listen, a lot of questions, blah, blah, blah … Anthony Joshua is an Olympic champion, first. Jake Paul, yeah a sportsman, a YouTuber, a showman.

“[Anthony Joshua is a] Rolls Royce, [Jake Paul is a] Fiat. Listen, it’s true. It’s just true.”

Paul is walking into the deepest, scariest waters of his boxing career. Joshua has the experience, the power, and the resume, while Paul is still trying to prove he belongs on this level. Joshua goes into the fight as the overwhelming favorite, even as Paul insists he’s ready to shock the world, score a knockout, and launch himself into the conversation for a world title shot.

However, Usyk isn’t buying that. He’s more concerned about Paul making it to the final bell.

“Yes, I will pray [for] Jake Paul,” Usyk said. “Because I want to fight with Jake Paul in the octagon.”
With Paul preparing for Joshua on Dec. 19, Usyk is coming off a brutal fifth-round knockout win over Daniel Dubois in July, which pushed his undefeated record to 24-0.

The Ukrainian star doubled down on his prediction during a recent media scrum shared by @boxingscene on X, where he repeated his blunt assessment.

“If Anthony Joshua want, Anthony kill this guy. Listen a lot of questions blah, blah, blah, only one, my answer. Anthony Joshua is Olympic champion, first. Jake Paul is yeah, sportsman, YouTuber, yeah, showman. Rolls Royce, Fiat. Listen, it’s true. I’m not gonna say better one. It’s just true. It’s business, more money. Only this… I will pray Jake Paul because I want fight with Jake Paul in octagon.”

Even with his strong stance on the Joshua vs. Paul matchup, Usyk still has his own ambitions inside the ring. He’s openly expressed interest in fighting former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder next, calling the

“Bronze Bomber” one of the greatest heavyweight figures of the last decade and his top choice for a future opponent.

Wilder recently returned to form with a seventh-round stoppage win over Tyrrell Herndon after tough losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. Meanwhile, Usyk’s last outing saw him stop Dubois again in their July rematch.
With the Joshua-Paul circus building toward December, one thing remains clear: Usyk sees only one possible outcome and survival, not victory, is the real battle Jake Paul will be fighting.

Tony Ferguson never got his showdown with longtime rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, but “El Cucuy” remains certain he could have beaten not just Nurmagomedov, but his protégé Islam Makhachev.

Nurmagomedov and Makhachev have cemented themselves as two of MMA’s most dominant fighters, boasting a combined 57-1 record and seven lightweight title defenses. Nurmagomedov, now retired, recently cornered Makhachev during his UFC 322 welterweight championship victory over Jack Della Maddalena.

During Khabib’s reign, multiple matchups with Ferguson were scheduled, but injuries, illnesses, and timing issues repeatedly cancelled the fights, leaving fans frustrated. When Nurmagomedov retired in 2020, the dream fight was put to rest for good.

Even now, at 41, Ferguson remains confident he could have solved the puzzle of the undefeated Khabib and believes he could still give Makhachev a run for his money.

“To me, in my opinion, Islam was one of the dudes that always had Khabib in the practice room,” Ferguson told Helen Yee Sports. “At the time, it was kind of like [Aljamain Sterling] and Merab [Dvalishvili], just feeling like when ‘Aljo’ left, then Merab finally started to shine and stuff. It’s the same thing with Khabib and Islam. I always thought Islam was more of a conditioned athlete, and doing his thing, but best of luck. But in my prime, kick your ass.”

Ferguson praised Makhachev’s dominant performance against Della Maddalena and suggested that maybe Makhachev was always the better fighter. He speculates that Nurmagomedov’s retirement, following the loss of his father and mentor Abdulmanap in 2020, finally cleared the path for Makhachev to step out of Khabib’s shadow.

“I think when Khabib’s dad was there, [Makhachev] was in the shadows, not wanting to pass him just out of respect for your teacher and your coaches and certain things like that,” Ferguson said. “I think when everything was all said and done and Khabib retired and the family stuff and so on, he finally had his time to shine.

“I think he’s his own athlete. I don’t think he really concerned himself about Khabib other than what he’s doing. At the end of the day, we’re all athletes, trying to pass it forward to the next generation. But I tell you what—one or two years at Tony Ferguson’s camp and academy, and you’ll be better than Dagestan wrestlers any day.”

Ferguson now holds the Misfits Boxing interim middleweight title after trading MMA gloves for boxing’s big reds. He’s set to defend the belt against Warren Spencer on Dec. 20 in Dubai.

While it’s unclear if Ferguson plans to return to MMA, he admitted he’s intrigued by the possibility of facing either Nurmagomedov or Conor McGregor in the planned UFC White House card.

“I’m going to be real, there’s only two people I want to fight, regardless of where it’s at—the interesting fights would be either Conor or Khabib,” Ferguson said. “I think, regardless of what happens, it’s going to sell tickets, good or bad—that’s what it’s for. The hype.

“But put me up there with Khabib at the White House, and I guarantee you guys are going to have fireworks. You have Khabib-Tony Round 6—make it happen.”

Despite UFC CEO Dana White’s best efforts, Ferguson never got to face Nurmagomedov in his prime. If Ferguson wasn’t tripping over his own feet, Khabib was busy perfecting his next masterpiece in the octagon.

Even now, Ferguson, 41 and still fiery, is open to the matchup. He returns to action against Warren Spencer at Misfits 23 in Dubai, proving that the fight fire in Ferguson hasn’t dimmed one bit.

Shavkat Rakhmonov is finally ready to get back to work after months of battling injuries. The undefeated welterweight has been out since last December, when he beat Ian Machado Garry by decision to cement himself as the No. 1 contender. He was originally booked to face Belal Muhammad for the title at UFC 315, but an injury forced him off the card and put his momentum on pause.

Now healthy again, Rakhmonov knows the next title shot isn’t guaranteed. However, he already knows who he wants.

“Of course, I would prefer to fight for the title next, but I think this timeline isn’t going to work for Islam, February or March,” Rakhmonov said to Ariel Helwani. “He will probably defend his belt in April, May, that time. Of course, if I can fight Islam next, I’m ready I can do it. I was also supposed to fight for the title, but I had a respectful reason not to take the opportunity and I was promised a title shot in the future.

“Again, if I have to fight before getting a title shot, I have no problem with that. I can prove again I’m the No. 1 contender. … The most intriguing fight for me is Kamaru Usman. But I don’t believe he’s going to accept a fight against me. He’s turned down fights with me in the past.”

A matchup between Rakhmonov and Usman would be massive, especially if neither man gets the next title shot. But the Kazakh star doesn’t expect the former champion to take the risk.

Rakhmonov (19-0) already holds UFC wins over Ian Machado Garry, Stephen Thompson, Geoff Neal, Neil Magny and more. And even though his rise slowed down due to injuries, he made it clear nothing has changed about the end goal.

This past year was supposed to be Rakhmonov’s full breakthrough, but a torn meniscus and ACL forced him off the radar. His win over Garry at UFC 310 came with heavy consequences even though, according to him, Garry had nothing to do with it.

"I injured myself before the fight with Garry," Rakhmonov said on The Ariel Helwani Show. "Because I had prepared for such a long time, and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to fight. That's why I fought, took a risk. The injury didn't get worse in the fight, actually. It was same scale of the injury as before the fight and after the fight. First, I wanted to avoid surgery, so I gave it rest and did rehab, but it wasn't enough. I still had to do surgery, and that's why I've been out for a while.

"Right now, I feel good and healthy. I believe I'll be ready to fight again at the end of February, probably March, so we'll see."

During his layoff, the welterweight division shifted. Islam Makhachev moved up as champion, while Michael Morales, Garry and Carlos Prates started making noise.

Despite Garry’s recent surge, capped off with his win over former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar, Rakhmonov isn’t moved.

"I sustained an injury before the fight. He didn't injure me," Rakhmonov said. "I don't need to lie about it. People who trained with me can confirm that. UFC PI, physios can confirm that.

"Of course I have to admit that [Garry's] been active. He's been doing well, two wins, but doesn't matter if you have two, three wins, I'm already the guy who beat him. If we fight again, I believe I'm going to beat him again. Especially next time, I'm going to do it more convincingly because I won't be fighting injured."

Islam Makhachev recently said he needs an active opponent, but Rakhmonov believes the champion knows exactly how dangerous he is.

"Maybe Islam is looking for a more suitable, more convenient opponent for him," Rakhmonov said. "I believe I'm the most inconvenient, hardest fight for him in the division. I'm undefeated for a reason. I believe I can beat anyone in the division.

"Whatever the UFC decides, I believe he'll accept. If he's going to decide I'm next, I'm not going to miss this opportunity."

He also had questions after watching Makhachev’s win over Jack Della Maddalena.

"Islam had a great performance, but I want to find out for myself: Did 'JDM' have such a bad performance, or Islam had such a good performance?" he said.

"I'm a universal fighter. I can make it hard for him everywhere. So I just want to find out for myself what's going to happen."

If the UFC decides he needs one more fight before the belt, Rakhmonov has one name circled in red.

"The most intriguing fight for me is Kamaru Usman, but I don't believe he's going to accept the fight against me. He's been turning down fights against me in the past," Rakhmonov said.

"It really doesn't matter. There's a lot of good options. Just give me the date and opponent in advance, and just make sure it's a No. 1 contender fight."

Conor McGregor is back online after nearly seven weeks away, and he returned with a dramatic update that instantly shook the MMA world. The former UFC double champion broke his silence to reveal that he underwent what he called “lifesaving” treatment, ending the wave of speculation that followed his sudden social media disappearance.

McGregor’s last post came on October 6, when he told fans he was stepping back from social media. Since then, fans cooked up every theory, from a surprise UFC return to another PR stunt. Things escalated further when he temporarily shut down his Instagram account, fueling rumors that he was fully locked in for a comeback. Before going dark, McGregor told his millions of followers:

“Hey folks online, I’m out of here for a bit, see you again soon! My love, unwavering! Thank you all.”
Now he’s back with a long, emotional update detailing a private trip to Mexico and a series of treatments he claims helped him confront years of trauma.

“Hey guys, I am back,” McGregor wrote. “I was blessed to meet the most forward thinking doctors from Stanford University and undergo a series of treatments to address trauma. I travelled to Tijuana Mexico and underwent Ibogaine treatment at AMBIO.”

He described the experience as “incredible, intense, and absolutely eye opening,” adding that the treatment showed him visions of his own death and its impact on his children.

“The most enlightening and enchanting experience I have ever undertaken. This treatment is worth its weight in GOLD! It absolutely saved my life, and in turn saved my family. Thank you for all your inspiration, motivation, encouragement, well wishes, support, and most importantly, for your prayers! THEY WORKED!”
He ended the message by thanking his inner circle.

“To my family, my friends, my fans. My support! My team! Baby, we did it! … To God, I am yours!! Thank you for bestowing upon me this incredible blessing… I live my life per your word and nothing more.”

The second version of his message, posted publicly, went even deeper into the spiritual experience he says he had during treatment:

“I was looking down on myself as it happened, and then I was looking out from the coffin. God then came to me in the Holy Trinity… Jesus descended from the white marble steps of heaven and anointed me with a crown. I was saved! My brain. My heart. My soul. Healed!”

While some fans saw the dramatic update as classic Conor McGregor showmanship, his longtime coach John Kavanagh recently revealed that McGregor is ramping up training ahead of a potential 2025 UFC return. The timing lines up, McGregor has repeatedly teased that he wants to fight at the White House event next summer.

McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021 when he broke his leg against Dustin Poirier. Since then, he’s stayed busy with film roles, like his 2024 appearance in Road House, and has reportedly been serving an 18-month suspension after missing three random anti-doping tests within a year.

His Instagram remains deactivated for now, but Conor McGregor is officially active again on X and if his latest post is any indication, he’s gearing up for something big.

Jack Della Maddalena isn’t running from Saturday night. Instead, he’s owning it and promising to return even better after his one-sided loss to Islam Makhachev in the UFC 322 main event.

The former welterweight champion shared his first statement days after the defeat at Madison Square Garden, where Makhachev controlled the fight with four takedowns and more than 19 minutes of ground dominance. The performance made the Russian star the 11th fighter in UFC history to win belts in two divisions.

“Thanks to those always supporting,” Della Maddalena wrote on Instagram. “Islam is one of the greats and deserved to win. I will learn and move forward.”

While Della Maddalena displayed solid counter-wrestling in his title-winning performance against Belal Muhammad back in May, Saturday night was a very different story. Makhachev imposed his style early and often, keeping the Australian on his back for most of the 25-minute battle.

To Della Maddalena’s credit, he stayed calm under pressure. He escaped several submission attempts and avoided being finished, but he simply couldn’t create space to strike. He landed only 18 significant strikes, far from the 178 he put on Muhammad to capture the belt.

Losing the title hurts, but Della Maddalena has walked this road before. His career didn’t start with hype, it started with two straight losses.

“I lost my first fight and then went into another fight and had lost two fights,” Della Maddalena told MMA Fighting in 2022. “My coach wasn’t there the second time around but we spoke on the phone, we thought I was better than being an 0-2 fighter and we made that pact to get to 10-2.

“It seemed like a massive goal at that stage to get 10 wins in a row, but we just slowly worked at it and made it happen.”

He went on to win 18 straight fights, including eight in a row in the UFC, proving that adaptation and resilience are part of his DNA.

Now, after UFC 322, Della Maddalena is ready to rebuild again. The loss may have snapped his momentum, but it didn’t kill his hunger or his ability to make another run. His message was simple, but it carried the weight of a fighter who still believes in the long game.

“Thanks to those always supporting,” he wrote. “Islam is one of the greats and deserved to win. I will learn and move forward.”
Knowing Della Maddalena’s track record, that’s exactly what he’ll do.

Fresh off his TKO win over Salt Papi in August, Tony Ferguson returns on Dec. 20 to defend his Misfits Boxing interim middleweight title against Warren Spencer at Misfits Boxing: The Fight Before Christmas. The showdown goes down inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

Ferguson has clearly rediscovered his fire. After snapping his long combat sports skid, he admitted the win over Salt Papi brought relief and joy he hadn’t felt in years.

“I had no tears. It was nothing but joy and just enjoying the moment for a split second because you’re talking about years of not being happy,” Ferguson told Seconds Out after Misfits Boxing 22. “Not because of the loss, just because of not being happy. This is something that I always wanted to do: throw on some boxing gloves and just throw some leather. Tonight was the perfect example of that, and get rid of the nerves and get that first victory out of the way.”

That victory was all he needed to reset mentally and get back into his competitive groove.

“I needed one victory to get me back into where I need to be, which is killer mode, and to bring that confidence, so I’m able to understand who the fck I am,” Ferguson said. “For a long time, when the pandemic hit, I don’t know what the fck happened. Everything broke outside of there and I had to bring force, and it took a lot of pressure. I have no pressure on me now. I left it all inside that ring. I’m going to go back to the drawing board, listen to my coaches and figure sh*t out.”

Both Ferguson and Spencer enter the fight at 1-0 in pro boxing. Spencer also made a brief MMA appearance under the Misfits banner the same night Ferguson claimed interim gold, but it didn’t last long. Dillon Danis submitted Spencer in 15 seconds.

Now, Spencer returns to straight boxing after stacking back-to-back wins in Misfits competition across 2024 and 2025. But facing Tony Ferguson inside the ring is a different level of pressure.

The Dec. 20 event also features Dillon Danis’ return just weeks after his chaotic UFC 322 brawl that led to his lifetime ban from UFC arenas. Danis will face Anthony Taylor under Misfits rules in an MMA bout.