MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Sean O'Malley: '2026 is going to be lit'

Former bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley enters 2026 coming off back-to-back losses. "Suga" returns to take on No. 5 ranked Song Yadong on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas on the UFC 324: Gaethje vs.

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Arman Tsarukyan Back in Play as Justin Gaethje Staph Infection Rumors Causes Fan Panic Before Paddy Pimblett Fight

UFC 324 has just become even more dangerous. Justin Gaethje‘s unexplained neck injury has fans completely panicking, and rumors of a staph infection are circulating rapidly, just days before the fight.

Kayla Harrison News / EssentiallySports / January 6

Kayla Harrison’s Undefeated Teammate Opens Up On 'Culture Shock' After Moving to America

On September 27 last year, Michelle Montague made history as the first woman from New Zealand to compete in the UFC when she debuted at UFC Perth in Australia.

Jon Jones News / EssentiallySports / January 6

Daniel Cormier Promises Jon Jones Trilogy, It Has Nothing to Do With Russian TUF Announcement

The public has long demanded that Jon Jones face Tom Aspinall. While the undefeated former champion has failed to deliver and continues to avoid that matchup, Jones is instead set to return to competition to square off against another familiar rival, Daniel Cormier, later this year.

Alex Pereira News / BoxingNews.com / January 6

Pereira Starts 2026 With Gift For His Father

Alex Pereira gave back to his family, gifting his father a brand new golf cart to mark 2026. The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion shared a viral video surprising his father with the heartfelt gift.

Alexandre Pantoja News / EssentiallySports / January 5

Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC Return Timeline Revealed in Positive Injury Update

Alexandre Pantoja’s indomitable run as Flyweight champion came to an unceremonious halt at the UFC 323 co-main event. In just 26 seconds, ‘The Cannibal’ broke his elbow, an injury that ended up making Joshua Van the second-youngest UFC champion after Jon Jones.

Jon Jones News / Bloody Elbow / January 5

Daniel Cormier threatens to ‘kick Jon Jones’ ass’ in real rematch following ‘Jones vs Cormier 3’ announcement

The year is 2026, and somehow the long rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier brews on. Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier first met in the UFC Octagon back in 2015, and that sparked the beginning of one of the most bitter rivalries in combat sports history.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / January 5

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier Face Off Nine Years Since Last UFC Fight

The rivalry between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier stands among the most personal and impactful in UFC history. Their saga was built on genuine dislike, competitive fire, and two fights that shaped both legacies.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 5

Kayla Harrison’s Undefeated Teammate Says Amanda Nunes’ Biggest Edge Won’t Work at UFC 324

At UFC 324’s co-main event, Amanda Nunes will end her over two-year hiatus when she faces Kayla Harrison for the bantamweight championship. In her active years, ‘The Lioness’ ruled two weight classes with unmatched dominance before retiring at UFC 289, and outside of Julianna Peña, no one ever looked close to truly challenging her.

MMA News / MMA on SI / January 5

UFC star gets major health update after losing UFC belt to brutal injury

Fans can expect to see Alexandre Pantoja return to the Octagon later this year after a nasty injury cost him his flyweight title at UFC 323. With three

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 5

Alex Pereira gives hilarious viral response to Tracy Cortez's loving proposal

If he wasn't already the most popular man on the UFC roster, Alex Pereira has found a way to further his stake to the claim. As everybody shared their plans with their families and friends on New Year's Eve as we prepared for 2026, Pereira was busy announcing his new relationship to the world.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 5

Joe Rogan explains why Islam Makhachev is better than Khabib Nurmagomedov

Joe Rogan has long been a huge fan of Khabib Nurmagomedov and is an advocate for him being one of the greatest of all time. Despite his admiration of Khabib, Rogan has revealed why he believes Islam Makhachev to be the better fighter.

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MMA News / HITC / January 5

The fighter who faced both predicts Islam Makhachev vs Ilia Topuria outcome

Charles Oliveira has weighed in on the matchup that fans are hoping to see in 2026. Oliveira, a former UFC lightweight champion, was submitted in the second round when he faced Islam Makhachev.

MMA News / HITC / January 5

Joe Rogan explains the skill that sets Jon Jones apart as UFC’s GOAT

Joe Rogan believes he understands what sets Jon Jones apart from his competition inside the Octagon. Former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion, ‘Bones’ is frequently mentioned in conversations about the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

Alexander Volkanovski News / Bloody Elbow / January 5

Alexander Volkanovski warned to retire – and not pursue a second belt – after UFC 325

Alexander Volkanovski has been told that he should opt to retire instead of pursuing another belt after his next fight. The Australian will take on Diego Lopes in a wildly unpopular rematch at UFC 325 less than a year after the pair initially fought in a relatively one-sided beating.

Alex Pereira News / MMA on SI / January 5

Will Alex Pereira stay at light heavyweight and fight this former UFC champion?

Former UFC titleholder Jiří Procházka believes he’s done more than enough to deserve another crack at the light heavyweight belt. Currently tied with Magomed Ankalaev for the #1 spot in the UFC’s official light heavyweight rankings, Procházka is now several years removed from a brief reign with the 205 lbs.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 5

Paddy Pimblett Supports Legalizing Risky MMA Move That Led to Petr Yan’s UFC Title Loss

Over the past few years, illegal knees to grounded fighters have triggered several high-profile disqualifications across MMA. However, none carried greater consequences than Petr Yan’s disqualification in 2021, when an illegal knee cost him the UFC bantamweight title against Aljamain Sterling.

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / January 5

Jack Della Maddalena Breaks Silence on Makhachev Loss and Predicts Topuria Fight

It’s been a rough few months for Jack Della Maddalena. If you’ve been following the welterweight timeline, you know the script didn’t exactly go according to plan for the Aussie striker.

MMA News / Total Apex Sports / January 5

Joe Rogan Sounds Alarm On Tom Aspinall Brutal Injury: ‘He Might Not Ever Fight Again’

The UFC 321 main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane has left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth, but if you listen to Joe Rogan, the aftertaste might linger forever.

MMA News / HITC / January 5

The one UFC blockbuster clash Tom Aspinall and Paddy Pimblett both want to see in 2026

A specific bout is desired by two of the UFC’s biggest stars for 2026. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall recently paid a visit to Paddy Pimblett at his gym in Liverpool.

Michael Bisping News / Dice City Sports / January 5

Michael Bisping: 'The One Thing You Can’t Do Is Rush Back'

Few people in MMA understand the long-term consequences of eye injuries better than Michael Bisping and that’s exactly why he’s urging Tom Aspinall not to rush his return to the Octagon.

Kayla Harrison News / Dice City Sports / January 5

Kayla Harrison: 'It Didn’t Really Make Sense to Me'

Kayla Harrison isn’t losing sleep over Amanda Nunes bringing in Larissa Pacheco for training ahead of UFC 324 even though Pacheco remains the only woman to defeat Harrison in MMA.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 5

The MMA rule Paddy Pimblett wants to see changed

The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts have been amended a few times since their development in 2000. Just last year the ban on 12-to-6 elbows was lifted making the straight up-and-down elbow strike legal against grounded opponents.

Holly Holm News / BoxingNews.com / January 3

Han Retains WBA Title After Clash Of Heads Ends Holm’s Historic Bid

Stephanie Han retained her WBA lightweight title, beating Holly Holm as you can see how the fight played out live. After making a triumphant return to the ring in June 2025 with a victory over Yolanda Vega, Holm was aiming to become a four-weight world champion.

MMA News / HITC / January 3

Brian Ortega responds after learning Tracy Cortez is dating Alex Pereira

The former featherweight title challenger addressed the news after fans flooded him with messages online. Tracy Cortez set social media alight over the New Year period when she confirmed that she is now in a relationship with UFC light-heavyweight champion Alex Pereira, bringing a new chapter to one of MMA’s most talked-about personal storylines.