MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

UFC Seattle: Alex Pereira’s Kickboxing Rival & Veteran Desk Analyst Join Israel Adesanya’s Card

This week, the UFC surprised fans by announcing that former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya will make his comeback against Joe Pyfer during the promotion’s fifth trip to Seattle.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Possible Conor McGregor UFC White House opponent teases 'very big' fight announcement

Former two-division UFC Champion Conor McGregor is itching to return to the Octagon. Although UFC CEO Dana White definitively told Complex that McGregor wouldn't fight Michael Chandler because the fight was "a couple of years ago," another name has thrown his hat in the ring.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 17

'You Are Way Wrong': Chael Sonnen Under Fire for His Wildest UFC 324 Take Yet

Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight championship at UFC 324 co-main event was widely viewed as one of the biggest female fights in UFC history.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 17

Khamzat Chimaev Breaks Character as He Confesses Harsh Truth About Kamaru Usman Fight

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev appeared untouchable during his early days, having absorbed only 1 strike in his first 5 UFC fights. That statistic was turned upside down in his 6th fight against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, where he took 119 strikes in a fierce showdown.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 17

Diego Lopes apologizes to Australia in advance for what he’ll do to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325

Diego Lopes says there will be no successful homecoming in Sydney. The 31-year-old is not far away from his second shot at the UFC featherweight title, which comes less than a year on from his failed bid in Miami.

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.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 17

Khamzat Chimaev Snubs Nassourdine Imavov as UFC Houston Intensifies Race to His Title

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nassourdine Imavov seems like the next match in the middleweight division for the title. In a verbal exchange on X, both superstars agreed to clash after Ramadan, which only added to the buzz.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 17

Dana White Still Doesn’t Trust Jon Jones

Jon Jones, a former two-division UFC champion, announced his retirement in June 2025 only to reverse course almost immediately after President Donald Trump revealed plans for a UFC event on the White House lawn.

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.

Jon Jones News / HITC / January 17

Ex-UFC and WWE star who beat Jon Jones twice open to giving him a chance for revenge

Jon Jones doesn’t have many losses on his record, but the handful of men who beat him always seem willing to take another shot. Jones has recently stirred up his old feud with Daniel Cormier, even though he’d previously said he was ready to move on from their rivalry.

Khamzat Chimaev News / Bloody Elbow / January 17

Khamzat Chimaev claims ‘nobody wants to fight’ when providing update on his UFC return

Khamzat Chimaev originally hoped to make a quick turnaround after winning the middleweight title. The undefeated star’s plan ended up being derailed by an injury that eliminated the chances of him proving people wrong.

MMA News / HITC / January 17

Conor McGregor’s next fight? UFC Legend he’s never faced hints at major White House news

‘The Notorious’ is still eyeing the White House following some recent developments. Conor McGregor has reiterated his intention to return to the Octagon in 2026, nearly five years on from his last appearance in July 2021.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'College Football Player of the Year' quiz

The '4,000-yard NFL passers' quiz

The 'Most passes thrown by NFL season' quiz

The 'Winning NFL playoff debuts' quiz

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 17

Ex-UFC Champ Questions Kayla Harrison’s Future After Injury Forces Pullout from Amanda Nunes Fight

A paralyzing neck injury derailed one of the greatest women’s bouts ever, after Kayla Harrison was forced to withdraw from her fight with Amanda Nunes. That move has not only put the UFC on crutches but has also drawn significant attention from the MMA community, including from one of her past rivals, Cris Cyborg.

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

Justin Gaethje Names His Targets

As he prepares to face Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24, Justin Gaethje has admitted that he is “operating on borrowed time” as he named his ideal fights.

MMA News / MMA on SI / January 16

Ex-UFC champion ready for return fight after brutal loss to Alex Pereira

It looks like fans won’t have to wait too much longer to see former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev get back into action. Currently tied

Sean Strickland News / MMA Weekly / January 16

Sean Strickland and Nick Diaz share awkward encounter at the gym

When you think of the most authentic fighters in UFC history, Sean Strickland and Nick Diaz are undoubtedly two of the standout names. But things got awkward between the pair as they met for the first time in the gym.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 16

Paddy Pimblett Plans to Test Gaethje on the Feet at UFC 324: 'I’ll Keep It Standing'

Paddy Pimblett isn’t backing down from danger he’s running straight toward it. Ahead of the UFC 324 main event on January 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Pimblett has made it clear he doesn’t plan to rely solely on grappling when he challenges Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title.