Ilia Topuria will likely watch UFC 324 without a seat cageside. The lightweight champion remains absent during a difficult personal chapter. His next challenger should emerge in Las Vegas on January 24. That event launches the UFC’s new $7.7 billion broadcast partnership with Paramount. The card features an interim lightweight title fight. Paddy Pimblett meets Justin Gaethje for a newly created belt. The UFC introduced the title because the champion remains unavailable. The division will move forward without its king. Topuria currently stays on a UFC hiatus. He continues to manage personal issues linked to his divorce. The Spanish star…
Author: Grace Johnson
Paulo Costa has secured a new opponent and date for his next UFC fight. The Brazilian striker originally booked a middleweight clash with Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 on March 7. The UFC announced the matchup, then removed it days later. Costa withdrew from the fight for undisclosed reasons. Gregory Rodrigues later replaced him. Rodrigues now meets Ferreira on the undercard of Max Holloway against Charles Oliveira 2. The UFC has now confirmed Costa’s return. He will step back into the Octagon just over a month later than planned. The comeback also brings a major change in weight class. Costa…
Fanatics, the U.S.-based sports merchandise giant, is expanding into the entertainment sector, highlighting a growing trend in the sports industry. By launching Fanatics Studios, the company aims to produce films, documentaries, and live specials, reflecting how sports and entertainment are increasingly merging. The new initiative demonstrates how sports companies are evolving to engage fans beyond traditional merchandise and live events. Fanatics plans to develop content tied to major competitions, including the Olympics and ESPYs, offering fans an immersive experience that goes beyond the game. Industry experts see this move as part of a larger pattern where sports organizations are blending…
A new video from Charles Oliveira’s training camp has unsettled many MMA fans. Viewers fear one repeated habit could end his comeback early. Oliveira prepares for his return with visible intensity and confidence. He believes a defining performance will put him back in title contention. That belief clashes with public concern about how he plans to fight. Oliveira targets redemption but faces familiar threat Oliveira openly targets another run at the lightweight championship. He says a strong win will force the division to notice him again. Before that, he must beat BMF champion Max Holloway at UFC 326. The fight…
Arman Tsarukyan stayed active on Saturday with another high-level appearance on the wrestling mats. His standing in the UFC lightweight division remains unclear. He continues competing outside the organization to build momentum. These appearances keep his name relevant among top contenders. Last December, Tsarukyan met UFC fighter Shara Magomedov in a grappling match. Both fighters agreed to a submission-only rule set. Neither competitor secured a finish during the contest. Officials ruled the match a draw after regulation. Since beating Dan Hooker, Tsarukyan has now competed twice outside the UFC. He returned again at RAF05 to face Lance Palmer. Wrestling clinic…
Fans across combat sports continue to demand Jon Jones against Alex Pereira. UFC president Dana White refuses to entertain the idea. He has drawn a clear line around Jon Jones and future matchmaking. Alex Pereira reignited the debate after regaining the light heavyweight title in October. He defeated Magomed Ankalaev and immediately looked upward. Pereira called for a heavyweight super fight with Jon Jones. Jones had already announced retirement. He stepped away after rejecting a title unification bout with interim champion Tom Aspinall. Pereira still pushed forward and framed Jones as the ultimate challenge. Jones welcomed the attention. He publicly…
A former UFC champion has questioned Alex Pereira’s plan to chase heavyweight glory. Pereira closed last year back on top of the light heavyweight division. He regained the 205-pound title with authority and confidence. The Brazilian made his intentions clear soon after that victory. He does not want a long title defense run. Pereira instead looks toward a new weight class. Pereira settled old business with Magomed Ankalaev in October. He knocked the Dagestani contender out in their rematch. The finish ended doubts about their rivalry. Rather than focusing on a second reign, Pereira shifted direction. He spoke openly about…
Fans finally know the date and location of Zuffa Boxing’s first event. The announcement brought clarity but little excitement. Industry figures had questioned Dana White’s boxing ambitions long before launch details emerged. Eddie Hearn criticized the project early because information stayed limited. Interest briefly surged after Canelo Alvarez faced Terence Crawford in September. Many expected that moment to fuel Zuffa Boxing’s rise. Instead, momentum faded quickly. Reports confirmed some signings, yet the promotion failed to spark anticipation. The newest update did not reverse that trend. Fans React Harshly to Apex Announcement Zuffa Boxing plans to build fresh stars through competitive…
Elite wrestlers continued to dominate the UFC throughout 2025. Several major title fights faced criticism for being one-sided. The skill gap on the ground made matches predictable and less entertaining. Fighters struggled to control the pace and location of fights. Without strategies to counter elite wrestling, many competitors found themselves overwhelmed in multiple divisions. Islam Makhachev improved in all areas, but his grappling remains the key factor keeping him in the fighter of the year conversation. The Only Way to Beat Dominant Grapplers MMA veteran Muhammed Lawal says there is a single path to victory against elite wrestlers. He stresses…
Dana White constantly faces scrutiny for his decisions as UFC president. Fans, analysts, and media alike question which fighters he signs, which contracts he ends, and what changes he should make. Even respected voices like Joe Rogan have openly debated some of White’s choices over the years. In 2026, the scrutiny moves into boxing. Promoters such as Eddie Hearn have analyzed White’s plans for the launch of Zuffa Boxing, showing the same intense attention his actions attract in MMA. A Press Conference Gone Awry Ten years ago today, Robbie Lawler defeated Carlos Condit at UFC 195, defending his welterweight title…