MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Dustin Poirier vs. Arman Tsarukyan in Talks but Not for a UFC Fight

Retirement in combat sports is rarely clean. On the surface, everything appears to be normal, but the itch persists. That tension has accompanied Dustin Poirier since he hung up his gloves last summer, ending two decades of habit, sacrifice, and identity formed around fighting.

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Former champion returns in rematch at UFC Seattle

Former women's flyweight champion Alexa Grasso returns to the octagon on March 28 in a rematch against No. 5 ranked Maycee Barber. The news was first reported by Krazy Kev MMA on Wednesday evening.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / January 8

Cormier On His Feud With Jones – ‘I’m Done Fighting Now’

Daniel Cormier says his feud with Jon Jones is over following the news they will compete as rival coaches on the third season of ALF Reality (often dubbed the “Russian TUF”).

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 8

UFC Reports: Alexa Grasso, Tatiana Suarez, and Others Get Next Fight Date

When the UFC returned to Seattle after twelve years last year, Henry Cejudo and Song Yadong headlined in a bantamweight matchup that aimed to define their roles in the division.

Valentina Shevchenko News / BoxingNews.com / January 8

Valentina Shevchenko On The Critics

UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko has fired back at critics of women’s MMA following the backlash over her recent title defense against Zhang Weili.

MMA News / Field Level Media / January 8

Brandon Moreno-Asu Almabayev to headline UFC's Mexico City return

The main event for UFC's return to Mexico City on Feb. 28 will feature a matchup between flyweight contenders Brandon Moreno and Asu Almabayev. Tijuana's Moreno (29-3-2) will enter as the No.

Zhang Weili News / BoxingNews.com / January 8

Zhang Weili Eyes Immediate Title Shot

Zhang Weili’s head coach, John Wood, is calling for an immediate return to the strawweight division to challenge the new champion Mackenzie Dern. The move follows Zhang’s unsuccessful bid to become a two-division champion this past November, where she suffered a unanimous decision loss to flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 322.

Ilia Topuria News / BoxingNews.com / January 8

Topuria Told To Vacate His Title

Ilia Topuria’s break from the sport has raised questions over whether he should vacate his UFC Lightweight Title. Topuria, who became a two-division champion in June 2025 by knocking out Charles Oliveira at UFC 317, announced a break to manage what he describes as a “malicious extortion attempt” involving false allegations of domestic abuse.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 8

Sean Strickland Says UFC 'Pimps' Pressured Him Into Dricus Du Plessis Rematch Despite Serious Injury

Big fights are usually sold as inevitabilities. In most cases, the timing is right, the contenders are at their peak, and the rematch feels earned. However, the hype can sometimes hide something unsettling.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 8

Daniel Cormier Reveals Why Jon Jones Boxing Match Could Happen After Russian TUF Argument

The rivalry between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones may have aged, but it remains red-hot. So, when ‘DC’ and ‘Bones’ were thrown back into the same orbit recently, in the Russian version of TUF, it felt like something sat in the middle—unresolved, familiar, and strangely alive.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 8

Tom Aspinall reacts to rumors of Ciryl Gane vs Alex Pereira interim UFC heavyweight title fight

Tom Aspinall seemingly likes the sound of Alex Pereira entering the mix. The UFC heavyweight champion’s return timeline is uncertain entering 2026, having been sidelined indefinitely since his first defense of the undisputed title last October.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Daniel Cormier reacts to Islam Makhachev predicting he’d beat Jon Jones in wrestling: ‘He knows…’

Daniel Cormier likes what he heard from the UFC welterweight champion. Cormier was recently in Thailand for a surprise assignment away from the UFC, where he once ruled as a two-division champ and currently serves as a color commentator.

Alex Pereira News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Alex Pereira warned about his heavyweight plans by UFC rival he slept in viral knockout

This former champion thinks Alex Pereira could run into some trouble. The UFC light heavyweight king has made it clear what he wants to happen in 2026 after finishing last year back on the throne at 205 pounds.

Julianna Pena News / MMA Weekly / January 7

Julianna Pena shares heartfelt reaction to U.S. capturing Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro

In what is being considered a successful military operation, the United States invaded Venezuela, capturing the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Sean Strickland Explains Why He Chose ‘American Chimaev’ Over Robert Whittaker for UFC Houston

“He can get it after I win my belt back,” Sean Strickland crushed down hopes on a Robert Whittaker bout. That hasn’t stopped the latter from making appeals at a shot against Strickland.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Arman Tsarukyan trolls Ilia Topuria by revealing 4ft11 ‘sparring partner’ for their future UFC fight

Arman Tsarukyan is not letting up in his pursuit of Ilia Topuria. The top UFC lightweight contender has had his title hopes dented by the promotion’s decision for the first numbered event of the new year.

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MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Conor McGregor sends Dana White a message in his latest UFC comeback promise: ‘Get ready…’

Conor McGregor is continuing to predict big things for 2026. The former two-division UFC champion has not entered the Octagon since July 2021, when he fell to a second loss of that year.

Sean Strickland News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Sean Strickland Backtracks on Shocking Corner Decision Before UFC Houston

UFC 312 turned out to be a defining moment for Sean Strickland, who tasted his second loss since losing his belt to Dricus du Plessis. In a moment of abysmal heartbreak, Strickland’s head coach, Eric Nicksick, resorted to public criticism over support, questioning his purpose and asking if money was the reason.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 7

Conor McGregor Eyes White House Spectacle With Floyd Mayweather MMA Rematch

Conor McGregor has never been subtle about how he wants to return to the spotlight and for 2026, he’s aiming as big as it gets. Last year, U.S. President Donald Trump and UFC CEO Dana White announced plans for a historic UFC event on the White House lawn as part of celebrations marking the United States’ 250th anniversary.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Amanda Nunes outdid Ronda Rousey five years before their clash by smashing mutual foe in 14 seconds

On this day in 2011, the devastating power of ‘The Lioness’ was on full display. Amanda Nunes’ devastating win over Ronda Rousey is just one example of a fight where she’s dismantled a former UFC champion.

MMA News / MMA on SI / January 7

Ex-UFC champion sets the record straight on rumored title eliminator fight

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiří Procházka has addressed the ongoing rumors regarding a matchup with Carlos Ulberg. The UFC’s light heavyweight

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 7

Jon Jones Sees Reality Show Role With Daniel Cormier as a Chance to Heal Old Wounds

Few rivalries in MMA history burned as hot or as personally as Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. From press-conference chaos to championship fights steeped in controversy, their feud defined an era at light heavyweight.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 7

Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa added to UFC Houston on February 21

The UFC’s return to Houston on February 21 at Toyota Center continues to take shape with exciting matchups, and the latest addition to the card presents a compelling featherweight showdown between surging contender Melquizael Costa and veteran Dan Ige.

Valentina Shevchenko News / HITC / January 7

Valentina Shevchenko has a strong message for fans who skip women’s fights

Women’s MMA has seen incredible growth over the past 12 years. Women’s MMA has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from a novelty to one of the sport’s most compelling divisions.

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.