MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano Faces Major Hurdle Amid Lingering Health Concerns

While it looked like the Ronda Rousey-anticipated match against Gina Carano might never happen, Jake Paul’s MVP, announced the match recently. MMA Fans have reacted positively to the news as two of the sport’s most influential figures are set to return after a long time.

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Islam Makhachev says Ilia Topuria wouldn’t be the most ‘dangerous’ puncher at welterweight

The welterweight king is not sure Ilia Topuria’s power will translate well to the heavier division. Since beginning to rise through the featherweight ranks in the UFC, Topuria has made his plans to make history clear by chasing a feat that nobody has achieved.

Islam Makhachev News / HITC / February 19

Islam Makhachev labels Ian Machado Garry’s Georgia move ‘a mistake’ amid fight talk

Islam Makhachev is not convinced that a couple of months focusing on wrestling will be nearly enough for Ian Machado Garry to get ready to face him in the Octagon.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / February 19

‘Not gonna fake that’… Alex Pereira slams critics questioning Tom Aspinall’s ‘scary’ eye injury

Tom Aspinall has found an unlikely ally in Alex Pereira amid his ongoing injury battle. The heavyweight champion is still dealing with the consequences of being poked in both eyes by Ciryl Gane at UFC 321.

MMA News / HITC / February 19

Ronda Rousey backs her return against Gina Carano to beat UFC’s Paramount viewership numbers

As Ronda Rousey prepares to step back into the fight game, she’s put a friendly wager on the line with her old employer, the UFC. In an announcement that caught many off guard, it was revealed on Tuesday that Rousey will be making her combat sports return after a decade away, set to face off against long-time rival Gina Carano.

MMA News / NY Fights / February 19

Sean Strickland Tears Into Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano News With Trademark Rant

MMA fans have come to expect sparks whenever Sean Strickland grabs a microphone, and that reputation held true once again ahead of his clash with Anthony Hernandez in Houston, where his latest comments likely left executives at Paramount+ wincing.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / February 19

Sean Strickland dumps on Ronda Rousey vs. Gìna Canano and female sports in general

Not everyone is interested in the newly announced Netflix match between former UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and fellow women's MMA pioneer Gina Carano.

MMA News / Total Pro Sports / February 19

Islam Makhachev Questions Ian Garry’s Wrestling Camp Gamble, Backs Jack Della Maddalena in Striking Battle

Ian Garry’s recent decision to head to Georgia to sharpen his wrestling skills has caught the attention of the MMA world, and none more so than UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev.

Tiki Ghosn News / EssentiallySports / February 19

'My Jaw Hurt': Deen the Great Threatens Lawsuit After Larry Wheels, Tiki Ghosn Beatdown

This week, fight and livestream cultures collided in the worst possible way. What began as casual content-driven livestreaming sessions turned into two separate violent confrontations for Deen the Great, first with powerlifter Larry Wheels and later with retired MMA fighter Tiki Ghosn, that left him battered and humiliated.

MMA News / NY Fights / February 19

Alex Pereira Says Next Fight Is Close to Announcement While Reacting to Jon Jones’ Arthritis Revelation

In a revelation that stunned the MMA world, Jon Jones disclosed in an alleged leaked clip from DBX 5 in Houston that he is dealing with severe arthritis in his left hip, an issue serious enough to qualify him for hip replacement surgery.

Dan Ige News / Total Pro Sports / February 19

Dan Ige Ready To Rebrand Himself As '100 Grand' At UFC Houston

Fans were shocked when Dan Ige stepped in on 3-4 hours of short notice against Diego Lopes. Meanwhile, his short-notice fight was so close that fans now always wonder how he will perform with a full camp.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / February 19

Daily Roundup: Tiki Ghosn’s elbow, Dana White’s ‘daddy’, Conor McGregor’s deleted update and more MMA news

Welcome to Bloody Elbow’s daily round-up of combat sports news on a day when the fallout to Netflix’s entry into MMA continued. This is your one-stop shop for the top five stories from February 18, 2026.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / February 18

Gina Carano’s Coach Embraces Underdog Role Ahead of Ronda Rousey Fight

Ronda Rousey‘s comeback dominated the headlines. Gina Carano‘s return raised eyebrows. But as the dust settles around their Netflix super fight on May 16 under Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner, one narrative is already emerging—and it is not in Carano’s favor.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / February 18

Dana White criticized for fueling hate from Tom Aspinall’s ‘trolls’ by ex-UFC fighter Brendan Schaub

Dana White caused a stir with his reaction to the UFC 321 no-contest. The UFC president did not appear sympathetic toward Tom Aspinall after what the UFC heavyweight champion endured in Abu Dhabi.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / February 18

Ronda Rousey Says She Owes Gina Carano Ahead of Netflix Fight — Here’s Why

Yesterday delivered a genuine bombshell. The return of Ronda Rousey alone was enough to spark conversation across the combat sports world. Add Gina Carano to the announcement and suddenly this isn’t just nostalgia — it’s legacy colliding with unfinished business.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / February 18

Ronda Rousey bets her return vs. Gina Carano will outdo UFC’s recent viewership records on Paramount

Ahead of her return to combat sports, Ronda Rousey has pledged a friendly bet with her former employee, the UFC. This past Tuesday it was surprisingly announced that former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will return to combat sports after 10 years away to take on longtime rival, Gina Carano.

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Khamzat Chimaev News / Bloody Elbow / February 18

Khamzat Chimaev could be eligible for UFC White House event despite the alleged ban on Russian stars

The UFC middleweight king may not be ruled out after all. Khamzat Chimaev’s potential hopes of competing at the UFC’s upcoming White House event appeared to take a hit when Merab Dvalishvili claimed the promotion was not booking any Russian fighters on the card.

MMA News / The Body Lock / February 18

Can Ian Machado Garry Really Beat Islam Makhachev? Michael Page Thinks So

Michael Page believes Ian Machado Garry could defeat Islam Makhachev using superior striking and distance management Page has firsthand experience fighting

MMA News / Dice City Sports / February 18

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Set for Historic May 16 Superfight at Intuit Dome

LAS VEGAS — Nearly a decade after stepping away from MMA, Ronda Rousey is officially back. Rousey will return to mixed martial arts on May 16 to face fellow pioneer Gina Carano at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

MMA News / MMA on SI / February 18

New UFC Fight Could Decide Challenger for Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes Winner

A recently-announced women’s bantamweight fight looks like it could decide the division’s next title challenger after the promotion rebooks Kayla Harrison vs.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / February 18

Alex Pereira Accused of Ducking Khamzat Chimaev as Coach Exposes Risk to Historic Title Chase

Can a potential fight between Alex Pereira and Khamzat Chimaev be on the horizon? Surely, that’s something Chimaev would want, considering he would have a chance to become two division champ.

Conor McGregor News / MMA on SI / February 18

Conor McGregor Quickly Deletes Post Promising Long-Awaited UFC Return Fight

It’s been a little while, but UFC star Conor McGregor once again has the MMA world talking after another social media post that was quickly deleted. We’re

Ronda Rousey News / EssentiallySports / February 18

Ronda Rousey’s MMA Comeback Sparks ‘Ducking’ Accusation From Longtime Former UFC Rival

Ronda Rousey making a comeback to MMA was not on everyone’s radar, as a former UFC champion has now reacted to the news. The response Rousey received was quite overwhelming.

MMA News / NY Fights / February 18

UFC 326: Early Odds on the Main Card With Predictions

UFC 326 is set for March 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by a long-awaited rematch between Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira. The bout

Marco Beltran News / MyMMANews.com / February 18

UFC veteran Marco Beltran on transition to promotor, previews MFL 3 on Feb. 19

Marco Beltran discusses his upcoming MFL 3 event on Feb. 19th featuring heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson against Hugo Lezama. Marco also spoke about his UFC career, going from fighter to a promoter with MFL and why people should tune into the MFL 3 main event.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / February 17

Dana White Says White House Card Is Built, Meeting With President Trump Set to Finalize Plans

LAS VEGAS — The UFC’s ambitious White House event is no longer just a concept.According to UFC CEO Dana White, the fight card itself has already been assembled.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / February 17

UFC Fight Night – Dan Ige vs Melquizael Costa: Preview & Betting Tips

The featherweight clash between Dan Ige and Melquizael Costa is one of the best matchups on this weekend’s UFC Fight Night card in Houston. Ige (19-10) has long been one of the most respected competitors in the featherweight division.