MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ex-UFC champ Magomed Ankalaev could have quicker turnaround than expected in 2026

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Magomed Ankalaev has every reason to be excited about his immediate future. Despite his 80-second TKO loss to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira in October, Ankalaev's career reset is essential to regaining the championship next year.

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Sean O’Malley gets a boost as Petr Yan sends UFC a message pushing back on Merab Dvalishvili promise

The bantamweight champion’s plan for 2026 appears to differ from the UFC’s. Petr Yan is looking ahead to the first title defense of his second reign at 135 pounds, having returned to the throne with a huge upset in the main event of UFC 323.

Conor McGregor News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Conor McGregor Set for $25M Stint Away From UFC

After a rollercoaster career in the UFC, Conor McGregor stepped up as a promoter last year, and since then, fans have been enjoying his new avatar. He still hasn’t made his comeback inside the Octagon, after over four years since his last fight.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Islam Makhachev Reveals What Dana White Looks for in UFC Stars After Undefeated Fighter Gets Cut

“Winning is optional. Talking is mandatory. That’s the business now,” one fan admitted the painful truth, following Rinat Fakhretdinov‘s unjust removal from the UFC roster despite being a no-miss, undefeated champion.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Islam Makhachev Shows Rare Respect to Conor McGregor as Ian Garry Gets Harsh Reality Check

Of all the people you would expect to have a positive take on Conor McGregor, Team Khabib members would be last on the list. Yet, here is Islam Makhachev, the UFC welterweight champion, taking a high road of sorts.

Arman Tsarukyan News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Arman Tsarukyan and Sharaputdin Magomedov Go to Wild Extremes Ahead of Submission-Only Clash

The buildup to Arman Tsarukyan vs. Sharaputdin Magomedov has broken all the rules of the usual fight-week playbook. There has been no trash talk or big declarations about how this battle will define their careers.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 28

UFC’s Push for Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett Runs Into a Violent Warning

Well, it isn’t news that the UFC is more than eager for Paddy Pimblett in the lightweight title picture, whether or not his skills can back him up. And that forced call for Pimblett v.

Islam Makhachev News / Bloody Elbow / December 28

Islam Makhachev sends brutal reality check to Russian star UFC did not re-sign despite unbeaten run

The UFC welterweight champion does not appear to have much sympathy for a fellow countryman. Islam Makhachev currently rules over the 170-pound weight class after successfully achieving his two-division ambitions at the UFC’s penultimate numbered event of 2025.

Jon Jones News / HITC / December 28

The UFC legend Jon Jones says hit him harder than anyone else

Many consider Jon Jones to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time. The legendary career of the former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion is nearing its conclusion.

MMA News / FirstSportz / December 28

Islam Makhachev Promises to Settle ‘Unhappy’ Ilia Topuria’s Problems With Team Khabib

Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria have been on similar paths recently, both moving up in weight and capturing titles across multiple divisions. Topuria vacated the featherweight belt and soon began calling for a fight with Makhachev.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / December 28

Which MMA Fighter Had A Poor 2025?

In 2025 is almost over, as we look at which MMA fighter had a poor year. While several prospects lost their undefeated records, two names stand out for the sheer magnitude of their decline.

Ben Askren News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Ben Askren Shares Outrage as YouTuber Nick Shirley Alleges Multi-Billion Dollar Minnesota Fraud

There are times when internet outrage does not feel manufactured; it spreads not because it is catchy, but because it strikes a chord with people. That’s what happened as a long YouTube video about potential fraud in Minnesota’s childcare system spread on social media.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / December 28

Which MMA Fighter Had The Best 2025?

2025 is almost over in the MMA world, as we look at who had the best year. While several fighters had big runs, Merab Dvalishvili and Islam Makhachev had a strong year.

Dakota Ditcheva News / MyMMANews / December 27

Dakota Ditcheva photo gallery

Dakota Ditcheva is a British professional mixed martial artist competing in the women’s flyweight division The post Dakota Ditcheva photo gallery first appeared on My MMA News.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / December 28

Will Pereira Vs. Gane Happen?

Joe Rogan has suggested that Alex Pereira could be making a move to heavyweight, with talk of a Ciryl Gane fight. Pereira is the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, who stopped Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 320 in their rematch to claim the title.

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Ilia Topuria News / Bloody Elbow / December 28

Ilia Topuria backed to achieve historic UFC first when he ends his hiatus by MMA legend

According to this ex-fighter, Ilia Topuria is not done collecting gold. Topuria became the tenth two-division champion in UFC history this past June, when he followed up a brief featherweight reign with an immediate lightweight title win.

Don Frye News / MyMMANews / December 27

Don Frye “forced” to the hospital – VIDEO

Mixed martial arts legend Don Frye was rushed to the hospital earlier this week following The post Don Frye “forced” to the hospital – VIDEO first appeared on My MMA News.

Jon Jones News / Scoop B / December 27

The Thin Blue Line of the Octagon: Why Jon Jones’ 2017 'Police Officer' Revelation Still Haunts in 2025

When I interviewed Jon “Bones” Jones for Respect Mag in August 2017, he was riding a complex wave of redemption. He had just defeated Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 to reclaim his Light Heavyweight title (a result later overturned), and he was opening up about his life outside the cage.