MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Paddy Pimblett Puts Volkanovski and Makhachev on Notice With Bold Plans Ahead of UFC 324

Paddy Pimblett’s path to becoming a two-division champion is not exactly easy. However, the UFC lightweight star is taking a steady approach. Ranked fifth, Pimblett now gears up for a high-stakes interim title fight at UFC 324 against Justin Gaethje, just a week away.

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'Should Be in Prison': Resurfaced Diego Sanchez Training Clip Reignites Controversial Coaching Era Debate

Brain damage is unavoidable in any combat art, but deliberately conditioning the chin and head is different. A resurfaced 2019 training clip of Diego Sanchez blurs that line in alarming ways.

Khamzat Chimaev News / HITC / January 18

Khamzat Chimaev fires surprise warning to fans over his next UFC fight

Khamzat Chimaev was looking to step back into the Octagon quickly after capturing the middleweight title. But an injury put those plans on hold, forcing him to wait longer than expected to silence any doubters.

Amanda Nunes News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Amanda Nunes flies to Las Vegas and continues to train ahead of UFC 324: ‘Only one thing changed’

Amanda Nunes has commented on her cancelled comeback fight for the first time. ‘The Lioness’ was supposed to face Kayla Harrison in her first fight since June 2023 at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.

MMA News / HITC / January 18

Conor McGregor softens stance on Dustin Poirier with unexpected two-word message

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier’s long-standing rivalry might finally be over. The pair met three times, with McGregor winning the first at featherweight and Poirier taking both 155lb bouts in 2021.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 18

'Even Americans Don’t Like Him': Islam Makhachev’s Rival Accuses Colby Covington of Having Fake Instagram Followers

Yaroslav Amosov entered the UFC like a man in a hurry. One fight in, and he already had Neil Magny tapping, a debut that immediately informed the division that he isn’t here to “gain experience.” Amosov made it clear that he is after gold, and with Islam Makhachev sitting on the welterweight throne, the path will inevitably lead to him.

MMA News / HITC / January 18

The Islam Makhachev reason Paddy Pimblett wants to beat Ilia Topuria soon

Paddy Pimblett has explained why his determination to fight Ilia Topuria soon is linked to Islam Makhachev. Paddy Pimblett’s rise through the UFC ranks has been steady, and his sights are now set on Ilia Topuria — not just to settle an old score, but because he sees it as a step toward a bigger goal.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Ex-UFC star wins €1 million tournament by ending 12-year unbeaten streak with first-round finish

Another former UFC star has proven that fighters can succeed outside of MMA’s premier promotion. Krzysztof Jotko joined the UFC in 2013 and remained a part of the middleweight roster for nine years.

MMA News / HITC / January 18

Jon Jones warns Alex Pereira after latest call out, ‘You’d be a good one…’

Jon Jones has sent a stark warning to Alex Pereira after the Brazilian champion reignited talk of a potential super fight with a viral video callout. Alex Pereira and Jon Jones are two of the most dominant names in UFC history, and their rivalry has become one of the sport’s biggest talking points.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 18

Jon Anik Suggests Dana White to Cut 150 Fighters in Bold Move for Making UFC More 'Palatable'

UFC events are no longer just fights; they are marathons. The kind where the early prelims feel like an entirely separate show, and by the time the main event begins, hardcore fans are running on caffeine.

Sean Strickland News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Sean Strickland reveals the reason he hates to film with UFC ahead of comeback fight

Sean Strickland has claimed that he would be willing to read a script for UFC promotion – as long as he can get out of filming sessions early. The divisive former middleweight champion is not a fan of the recording sessions that are required to get B-Roll and promotional footage ahead of fights.

Ilia Topuria News / BoxingNews.com / January 18

Topuria Drops A Hint Over His Return

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has offered an encouraging timeline for his return. Topuria took a break from the UFC to deal with personal issues following his stoppage win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in July 2025 to secure the vacant lightweight belt.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / January 18

Pimblett Ready To Face Arman, Denies Ducking Him

Paddy Pimblett says he is ready to face Arman Tsarukyan if the Ilia Topuria fight does not present itself. As he prepares to face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24, Pimblett has made it clear that he isn’t interested in sitting on the sidelines waiting for Topuria.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev humbled ‘John Pork’ with key advice after viral fame

Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev had to give vital advice to Magomed Zaynukov as his star continues to rise without ever fighting in the UFC. Zaynukov has become a viral social media star after a meme which has seen him given the nickname ‘John Pork’.

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MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 17

O’Malley vs. Song Elevated to Co-Main Event UFC 324

UFC 324 has a new look after a major shakeup at the top of the card. UFC officials confirmed Wednesday that bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has suffered an injury that forced her out of her scheduled title fight against Amanda Nunes.

Ilia Topuria News / MMA on SI / January 17

UFC Champion Ilia Topuria provides first clear update on plans for UFC return fight

Ilia Topuria has finally shared an update regarding when fans can expect to see him return to the Octagon and defend his UFC title. A perfect 17-0 in his professional MMA career, Topuria joined the UFC in 2020 and won six-straight fights before he unseated UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout at UFC 298.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 17

Conor McGregor Shrugs Off Dana White’s Dismissal of Michael Chandler Fight

Conor McGregor isn’t losing sleep over Dana White closing the door on a long-delayed matchup with Michael Chandler. After the UFC president publicly dismissed the idea of McGregor facing Chandler at the proposed UFC White House event, the former two-division champion responded with trademark bravado and indifference.

MMA News / Stadium Rant / January 17

Last Chance For Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa To Remain Relevant Over Five Years After UFC 253 Title Clash

More than five years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa fought each other for the middleweight title at UFC 253.

Kamaru Usman News / Dice City Sports / January 17

Mohammed Usman Accepts 30-Month Doping Ban Following Positive Testosterone Test

Mohammed Usman’s UFC career has been put on hold for more than two years. Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced Friday that Usman has accepted a 30-month suspension after testing positive for testosterone ahead of a scheduled bout against Valter Walker at UFC Rio in October 2025.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 17

For Charles Oliveira, the BMF fight against Max Holloway is about legacy

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira asked to fight "BMF" titleholder and former featherweight champion Max Holloway. He was granted his request by UFC matchmakers. Oliveira and Holloway headline the UFC 326 fight card on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and for "do Bronx," the BMF fight is about legacy. "(It's) something huge.

Justin Gaethje News / BoxingNews.com / January 17