MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

‘Get ready!’…Conor McGregor confirms planned UFC comeback at The White House almost five years since last fight

UFC superstar Conor McGregor confirmed rumors he’s planning a return to the Octagon in 2026. More than four years since Conor McGregor‘s last UFC appearance, the former two-division titleholder remains one of the biggest storylines of modern MMA.

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Paulo Costa accuses Khamzat Chimaev of sending ‘nasty’ messages to girlfriend as he calls to settle beef after UFC 318

Former UFC middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa accused Khamzat Chimaev of ‘nasty’ messages to his girlfriend ahead of UFC 318. Paulo Costa will look to return to the win column when he faces Roman Kopylov this Saturday at UFC 318.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Israel Adesanya details how Max Holloway can knock out Dustin Poirier in UFC 318 BMF trilogy

Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya wouldn’t be surprised to see a knockout in the UFC 318 main event. BMF titleholder Max Holloway will serve as Dustin Poirier‘s final UFC opponent as they settle their trilogy bout in the UFC 318 main event this weekend.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Jon Jones reveals targeted opponent for potentially ‘historic’ 2026 UFC comeback at The White House

Former UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones compared his planned UFC return to the ‘Thrilla in Manilla’. Jon Jones rocked the MMA world when he announced his retirement from fighting after months of contract talks to fight Tom Aspinall.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Tony Ferguson books boxing debut against Tik Tok star as Darren Till vs Luke Rockhold finally confirmed

Tony Ferguson is returning to combat sport for the first time since his UFC departure, and he’s heading to the boxing ring. The legendary former interim lightweight champion is coming to Misfits Boxing, where he will be joined by two titans of the MMA world.

Calvin Kattar News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Calvin Kattar hits back at growing calls to retire following fifth consecutive loss at UFC Nashville

UFC fans called for Calvin Kattar to hang up the gloves after his fifth consecutive defeat against Steve Garcia. Once praised by Joe Rogan as a potential future world champion, Calvin Kattar slumped to his fifth-straight defeat against the surging Steve Garcia at UFC Nashville last Saturday.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Dustin Poirier reacts to Joe Rogan’s shock absence for UFC 318 post-fight sendoff

UFC 318 headliner Dustin Poirier’s final post-fight interview with Joe Rogan already took place. Dustin Poirier will get a hometown sendoff when he faces BMF titleholder Max Holloway in a trilogy this weekend at UFC 318.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Joe Rogan on initially turning down Dana White’s offer to commentate in the UFC… ‘They were $40 million in the hole’

When Dana White first offered Joe Rogan a role in the UFC, the icon initially turned it down because of one reason. Joe Rogan has been a staple in the UFC since 1997, watching the promotion grow into the combat sports powerhouse that it is today.

Bryce Mitchell News / Athlon Sports / July 16

‘I Got the Heck Out!’ – Bryce Mitchell Details Cultural Clash in Abu Dhabi

A locker room experience left Bryce Mitchell with a lesson before his pivotal bantamweight debut. The last time fans saw Bryce Mitchell inside the Octagon was at UFC 314, where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Jean Silva.

MMA News / MMA Sucka / July 16

Ibragim Ibragimov – Massive Star Going Under the Radar

Ibragim Ibragimov is a name you need to get to know. The PFL star progressed to 10-0 in Brussels, Belgium on the latest PFL Europe card. With an extremely talented family, Ibragimov is ambitious, wanting to follow in his brother’s potential footsteps.

MMA News / MMA on SI / July 16

Ex-UFC double champ says Tom Aspinall stuck in Jon Jones' shadow

Tom Aspinall needs Jon Jones to secure his legacy, remarks one UFC legend who fought the latter. As we know, Aspinall is the new undisputed heavyweight champion.

Robert Whittaker News / Bloody Elbow / July 16

Who is Robert Whittaker? Meet ‘The Reaper’ who became Australia’s first-ever UFC Champion

Robert Whittaker is somewhat of a legend in the UFC, having competed in the promotion for over a decade. “The Reaper” made his debut for the promotion back in 2012 and has gone on to have great success in the promotion after winning “The Ultimate Fighter”.

Tom Aspinall News / MMA on SI / July 16

Tom Aspinall's next fight? Huge heavyweight title eliminator targeted for UFC 321

What looks to be a likely title eliminator fight for the heavyweight division is reportedly in the works for UFC 321. Scheduled to take place on October 25, UFC 321 will see the world’s leading MMA promotion return to the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi after UFC 320 in Las Vegas, UFC 319 in Chicago, and this weekend’s UFC 318 card in New Orleans, LA.

Max Holloway News / Dice City Sports / July 16

Max Holloway Aims To Spoil Farewell Fight

UFC 318 is set to be a historic and emotional night in New Orleans, as the octagon returns to Louisiana for the first time in over a decade and fittingly, for the final chapter in the career of “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier.

Dustin Poirier News / MMA on SI / July 16

Dustin Poirier opens up on close call with UFC drug testing agents

Not even Dustin Poirier was safe from UFC's anti-doping antics. 'The Diamond' retires this weekend, hopefully on the back of a win against Max Holloway in their trilogy fight at UFC 318.

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Stephen Thompson News / MMA Weekly / July 16

Stephen Thompson on controversial UFC Nashville decision: 'I didn't lose that fight'

When the scorecards were being read after his UFC Nashville co-main event bout against Gabriel Bonfim, Stephen Thompson thought he had done enough to win.

MMA News / Larry Brown Sports / July 16

Update emerges on UFC legend Randy Couture after scary crash

UFC legend Randy Couture was hospitalized last week after he crashed his car during practice runs for an upcoming race, but it sounds like his health is trending in the right direction.

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / July 16

UFC 321 adding a potential title eliminator between Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida

With Jon Jones retired and Tom Aspinall being the new undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, the division is finally moving again. I’m expecting that we will hear about Aspinall’s next title defense very soon and today, we learned about a big time heavyweight matchup that’s being booked for October.

Corey Anderson News / MMA Sucka / July 16

Corey Anderson Eyes Nemkov Trilogy With Win at PFL Africa

The historic PFL Africa card goes down this weekend and the former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, Corey Anderson moves up to heavyweight to take on the heavyweight champion, Denis Goltsov.

Conor McGregor News / Athlon Sports / July 16

Conor McGregor Hits Critical Milestone Toward UFC Comeback

A major update hints that a long-awaited comeback may be closer than ever. This week has been nothing short of chaotic for Conor McGregor. From rumors swirling about a potential bare-knuckle boxing showdown to leaked images making headlines, his name has dominated every corner of the combat sports world.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / July 16

UFC 318 – Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov: Preview & Betting Tips

Paulo “The Eraser” Costa returns to the Octagon at UFC 318 to face the rising and dangerous middleweight contender Roman Kopylov. You would imagine that Costa (14-4) will look to approach this fight with urgency, because a third loss in four fights, especially by stoppage, could spell the end of his UFC run.