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On YouTubeMMA News / FirstSportz / December 24
Islam Makhachev Should Challenge ‘Next Generation’ Over Kamaru Usman Superfight, Claims Ben Askren
Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title win has sent the division into a frenzy, driven by rising contenders and veterans who remain competitive. The depth at 170 pounds has sparked debate over who deserves the champion’s first test.
MMA News / Bloody Elbow / December 24
Joe Rogan has heard ‘chatter’ of shock fight for Alex Pereira’s UFC return in 2026
Rumors of this Alex Pereira matchup have piqued Joe Rogan’s interest. The next step for ‘Poatan’ in the UFC remains unconfirmed heading into the new year.
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 24
Khamzat Chimaev’s Alex Pereira Move Questioned After ‘Safe’ Showing vs. Dricus du Plessis
“No one wants to watch this sh-t,” Khamzat Chimaev‘s rival Paulo Costa quipped on the former’s middleweight title fight against Dricus Du Plessis. Apparently, Chimaev’s ‘bear-hugging’ style of wrestling and position control failed to bring the sparks fans expected.
Sean Strickland News / Bloody Elbow / December 24
Two-weight champion tells heart-warming Sean Strickland story after freak accident led to pivotal choice
A champ-champ recently experienced a full-circle moment with the former UFC middleweight champion. Sean Strickland claims he was banned from attending UFC 323 earlier this month having not been able to fight due to a suspension.
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 23
Paddy Pimblett Catches Strays in Ex-MMA Champ’s Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman Snub
The welterweight division should have felt a bit more settled following Islam Makhachev‘s title win. Instead, it is veering into typical UFC territory, where legacy, favoritism, and timing collide.
Dana White News / EssentiallySports / December 23
Dana White Is Avoiding Financial Risk by Firing Russian Fighters, Claims MMA Experts
“It is what it is…” UFC CEO Dana White said after cutting the Russian-British undefeated star Muhammad Mokaev last year, shortly following his victory at UFC 304.
Dakota Ditcheva News / Bloody Elbow / December 23
Dakota Ditcheva withdraws from return at PFL’s first event of 2026 after last fight ended in tears
Fans are going to have to wait a bit longer to see one of the faces of the PFL make her return. The promotion’s first event of 2026 was shaping up to be a big night, with Usman Nurmagomedov headlining their next trip to Dubai.
Dana White News / EssentiallySports / December 23
Undefeated UFC Fighter Releases Statement After Dana White Abruptly Cut Him
Perfect 6-0-1 record. Unwavering dominance in the Octagon. And still Rinat Fakhretdinov found himself charting his MMA career outside UFC as Dana White abruptly ended his contract.
UFC newcomer to debut in Houston after stunning Dana White with contract-winning KO
Welterweight fighter Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani officially has a date for his UFC debut after earning himself a UFC contract in September. With the ESPN era
Khamzat Chimaev News / MMA on SI / December 23
Is this top UFC contender training to fight UFC Champion Khamzat Chimaev in 2026?
Nassourdine Imavov certainly seems to be training like a fighter that expects to fight for a UFC title the next time he enters the Octagon. The world’s
Arman Tsarukyan News / HITC / December 23
Arman Tsarukyan turns to non-UFC fight after title snub, facing ex-champion
After being overlooked for a title shot in the UFC, Arman Tsarukyan has chosen to keep active by fighting outside of the promotion. Tsarukyan first ran into trouble with the UFC after pulling out of his title fight with Islam Makhachev back in January.
MMA News / Dice City Sports / December 23
Manel Kape Targets New Flyweight Champ Joshua Van: 'I’m Going to Destroy Him'
Manel Kape believes the UFC’s flyweight division is about to get a brutal reset and he plans to deliver it himself. Fresh off a blistering first-round
MMA News / Bloody Elbow / December 23
UFC star on 23-fight unbeaten streak and first man to KO Sean Strickland among 4 cut by Dana White
Four fighters have been cut from the UFC roster just days before Christmas. Rhys McKee announced his second exit from MMA’s premier promotion last week.
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 23
Ilia Topuria Receives No Mercy After Khabib Nurmagomedov, Arman Tsarukyan Remarks Grab Attention
“He’s the biggest hypocrite I’ve ever seen in my life,” Ilia Topuria called his shots at the former Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev, back when the fighters were in talks for a potential showdown.
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 23
Ex-Champ Annoyed by UFC’s Push for Paddy Pimblett-Ilia Topuria Fight With ‘Meaningless’ Interim Title
The UFC lightweight division doesn’t lack contenders. What it lacks right now is agreement. Agreement on what a title means, who should hold it, and why the definite answer is Arman Tsarukyan.
Khamzat Chimaev News / Bloody Elbow / December 23
Khamzat Chimaev made terrified opponent tap to strikes just 35 seconds into 4th MMA fight
Khamzat Chimaev made his middleweight debut on December 22, 2018. The current UFC middleweight king gave fans a glimpse of what was to come at Brave CF 20.
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 23
UFC Contenders Snubbed by Dana White Reportedly Land Main Event Opportunity
The featherweight division is yet to witness another edition of the Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes fight for the featherweight title. Dana White left out the two other credible contenders for the belt, Movsar Evloev and Lerone Murphy, who’ve made their case for a title shot.
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 23
UFC Star Who Surprised Islam Makhachev With His Diet Gets Reality Check on Dana White’s Promise
Last year, Dana White promised something special for 2025 that would “drive everyone crazy.” Around the same time, he also assured fans he was “100 percent confident” that UFC megastar Conor McGregor would return next year.
MMA News / BoxingNews.com / December 23
Ilia Topuria And Merab Dvalishvili Spar
UFC Lightweight Champion Ilia Topuria and former Bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili were seen sparring, as they prepare for what hopes to be a big 2026.
MMA News / Dice City Sports / December 22
Daniel Cormier Pushes for Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira at the UFC White House Event: 'That’s Low-Hanging Fruit'
The UFC’s historic White House event is still six months away, but the card’s biggest potential matchup might already be slipping through the promotion’s fingers and Daniel Cormier isn’t thrilled about it.
MMA News / Dice City Sports / December 23
Kayla Harrison shocked at White House dinner revelation about UFC's value ahead of historic 2026 event
The White House dinner gave Kayla Harrison an unexpected moment of clarity and ammunition for her next contract negotiation.
Brian Ortega News / Stadium Rant / December 22
Can Brian Ortega Become A Contender At Lightweight?
Brian Ortega is beginning a new chapter in his MMA career. At UFC 326 in March, the former two-time featherweight challenger makes his 155-lb. debut in a rematch against Renato Moicano.
Tony Ferguson News / MMA Weekly / December 20
Andrew Tate battered and bloodied, Tony Ferguson wins again at Misfits Mania
Chase DeMoor played spoiler as heavy favorite Andrew Tate was brushed aside during their six-round affair for the Misfits heavyweight title. Also competing on the card was former interim UFC lightweight champion Tony Ferguson, who tasted victory again in his second outing in the ring.
Ex-UFC champ aims to snap losing streak on Holloway vs. Oliveira undercard at UFC 326
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt will attempt to snap a two-fight skid when he returns at UFC 326 next year. The last chapter of the promotion’s
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