MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Conor McGregor issues warning to Dana White while teasing UFC return

Conor McGregor is once again setting his sights high for 2026. The Irishman has not fought since July 2021, when he suffered his second defeat of the year.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Dustin Poirier in talks to end his retirement for Arman Tsarukyan match

Dustin Poirier’s combat sports career may not be over just yet. ‘The Diamond’ hung up his gloves last year after one final battle inside the UFC Octagon against a familiar foe from his career, BMF champion Max Holloway.

Kamaru Usman News / HITC / January 8

Kamaru Usman posts then deletes private chat with Anthony Joshua after tragic crash

Kamaru Usman may have accidentally shared a private conversation with Anthony Joshua. The former heavyweight champion was recently involved in a car accident that left two of his friends dead, and he also spent time in the hospital.

Conor McGregor News / HITC / January 8

When will Conor McGregor come back to UFC, Irish superstar’s latest comments have MMA fans excited

Conor McGregor has teased his long-awaited return to the UFC, and one recent social media post has MMA fans buzzing about when the Irish superstar might finally step back into the Octagon.

Bruce Buffer News / HITC / January 8

How Bruce Buffer’s cameo on Friends led to him becoming legendary voice of UFC

A short, one-off cameo on Friends helped Bruce Buffer become the premier announcer of the UFC. Bruce Buffer is the unmistakable “Voice of the Octagon” — but few fans realise that his journey to that title began not inside an arena, but on the set of one of TV’s most popular comedies.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 8

Alexander Volkanovski Recruits ‘Brazilian Conor McGregor’ After Diego Lopes’ KO Threat

Alexander Volkanovski is all set to defend his crown against Diego Lopes at UFC 325, and the fight is finally picking up steam. So far, the fans seem a little upset with the rematch since they wanted Volk to fight other deserving contenders like Movsar Evloev or Lerone Murphy.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 8

Former UFC champion reportedly books rematch after withdrawing from UFC 324 return

A new matchup has reportedly been booked for March. The main event of UFC 324 between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett may have been met with some backlash, but fans are still counting down the days.

MMA News / HITC / January 8

UFC legend Dominick Cruz makes firm prediction for Jon Jones vs Tom Aspinall

Jon Jones and Tom Aspinall were expected to unify the UFC heavyweight title, but it never materialised. In 2025, Jones pulled out of a $30 million deal to face Aspinall, then stepped away from the sport altogether.

MMA News / HITC / January 8

Tom Aspinall breaks silence on talk of Ciryl Gane vs Alex Pereira for interim belt

Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight? Tom Aspinall seems more than interested in that possibility. As of 2026, the UFC heavyweight champion’s return date is still a question mark.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 8

Michael Chandler Predicts Justin Gaethje’s Fate as Ilia Topuria’s Personal Battle Continues

Amid tensions in Ilia Topuria’s personal life, Justin Gaethje is all set to headline UFC’s first PPV of 2026 against Paddy Pimblett with the Interim Lightweight Title on the line.

MMA News / HITC / January 8

Arman Tsarukyan pokes fun at Ilia Topuria after revealing a new sparring partner

Ilia Topuria remains firmly in Arman Tsarukyan’s sights. The UFC lightweight contender’s title ambitions have taken a hit following the organisation’s latest booking decision.

Kamaru Usman News / HITC / January 8

What Kamaru Usman told Anthony Joshua after boxer’s horrific accident in Nigeria

Kamaru Usman delivered an emotional message to Anthony Joshua after his car crash tragedy. Just days after Anthony Joshua’s car crash in Nigeria claimed the lives of two of his close friends, the British heavyweight boxer received an emotional call from former UFC star Kamaru Usman.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 8

Top 20 Undefeated Fighters – Part One

Undefeated fighters in combat sports can give off a certain mystique. It is not as common in MMA as it is in boxing to see a fighter with over 20 fights who is undefeated.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 8

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.

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

The 'NFL passing TD leaders by year' quiz

The 'Most sacks in an NFL season' quiz

The 'Last 4K-yard passer by NFL team' quiz

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 8

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.

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 / 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.

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.