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Ilia Topuria Pressed to Fulfill His UFC Career Obligation as He Steps Aside Due to Personal Issues

Ilia Topuria Pressed to Fulfill His UFC Career Obligation as He Steps Aside Due to Personal Issues

What is going on with UFC matchmaking? Ilia Topuria has stepped aside from competition for the first quarter of 2026 to resolve some personal issues. So, Dana White chose to keep the division running with an interim title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett while more deserving contenders are sidelined.

MMA News / FirstSportz / November 30

Paddy Pimblett Warned About Ilia Topuria Mismatch Despite Justin Gaethje Booking at UFC 324

The recent UFC 324 announcements have generated major attention across the MMA community. The main event was booked as Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title.

MMA News / FirstSportz / November 30

Kamaru Usman and Rising Welterweight Contender Spotted in Training as Islam Makhachev Awaits First Challenger

The UFC welterweight division has seen several major developments since UFC 322, driven by the sheer number of talented fighters competing for position.

MMA News / FirstSportz / November 30

Dana White’s Polarizing Decision to Book Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje Defended by UFC Legend

UFC CEO Dana White‘s recent announcement for UFC 324 has stirred conversation about who deserves a shot at the interim lightweight belt. At the center of the debate is Arman Tsarukyan, a top-ranked lightweight contender who many believed would be next in line.

Dana White News / EssentiallySports / November 30
$43.5M Gambler Slams Dana White, Reveals Evidence Disproving His Casino Ban Denial

$43.5M Gambler Slams Dana White, Reveals Evidence Disproving His Casino Ban Denial

Dana White might be the guy who helped turn the UFC from a dying $2 million company into a multi-billion dollar machine, but that doesn’t mean the company president is free from vices.

Alex Pereira News / BoxingNews.com / November 30
Alex Pereira Slammed For Knocking Out Sparring Partner

Alex Pereira Slammed For Knocking Out Sparring Partner

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira has been slammed after knocking out a sparring partner in the gym.  Pereira is considered one of the leading knockout artists in the division.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 30
Ian Garry and Another WW Contender Tipped to Solve Dana White’s Islam Makhachev Problem

Ian Garry and Another WW Contender Tipped to Solve Dana White’s Islam Makhachev Problem

Islam Makhachev‘s move to welterweight was intended to make Dana White‘s life easier—new champion, new matches, and a hungry division. Instead, as soon as the Dagestani grabbed the belt, things turned messy.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 30
Ilia Topuria Achieves 12 Million-Plus Milestone to Beat Islam Makhachev in a Fight Beyond the Octagon

Ilia Topuria Achieves 12 Million-Plus Milestone to Beat Islam Makhachev in a Fight Beyond the Octagon

Ilia Topuria is no stranger to big moments, but this one did not occur in a cage or on a poster. It arrived silently overnight, while the lightweight champion was not training or promoting.

Alexander Volkanovski News / EssentiallySports / November 30
Huge Alexander Volkanovski Rumor Emerges Ahead of UFC 325 Fueling Major Speculation

Huge Alexander Volkanovski Rumor Emerges Ahead of UFC 325 Fueling Major Speculation

“I don’t know how much longer I have left in this,” Alexander Volkanovski said on The Ariel Helwani Show back in February. “I probably could go a few more years.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 30
Arman Tsarukyan Casts Doubt on Ilia Topuria With His Offer to Ruin Dana White’s Paddy Pimblett Plans

Arman Tsarukyan Casts Doubt on Ilia Topuria With His Offer to Ruin Dana White’s Paddy Pimblett Plans

Arman Tsarukyan does not believe the story that the UFC is selling. To him, Ilia Topuria’s stepping away, Justin Gaethje’s stepping in, and Paddy Pimblett

Joe Rogan News / Bloody Elbow / November 29
UFC 323 star blamed Joe Rogan for interview ‘mistake’ that led to fury over a rare title fight result

UFC 323 star blamed Joe Rogan for interview ‘mistake’ that led to fury over a rare title fight result

Joe Rogan’s words left one former UFC champion less than pleased. Two current titleholders and a number of ex-divisional kings will be in action at UFC 323 on December 6, as the promotion closes out its pay-per-view era with a stacked lineup at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 29
Islam Makhachev told what he could learn from Merab Dvalishvili’s more enjoyable style

Islam Makhachev told what he could learn from Merab Dvalishvili’s more enjoyable style

Islam Makhachev has reached the top of two UFC mountains with his Dagestani wrestling. After vacating the lightweight throne to pursue two-division glory, Makhachev dominantly beat Jack Della Maddalena in the main event of UFC 322 on November 15.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 29
UFC 324 Leak Hints at Potential Title Fight Joining Paddy Pimblett–Justin Gaethje Card

UFC 324 Leak Hints at Potential Title Fight Joining Paddy Pimblett–Justin Gaethje Card

“Hey Hunter [Campbell], Charles Oliveira versus Max Holloway, BMF. Let’s make that happen,” Charles Oliveira called out from the octagon after his win against Mateusz Gamrot in UFC Rio.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 29
Michael Chandler Vows to Dominate Conor McGregor at White House Amid America’s UFC Concern

Michael Chandler Vows to Dominate Conor McGregor at White House Amid America’s UFC Concern

“I think if you’re making White House fights, it has to be more American fighters,” Dagestani ace Khabib Nurmagomedov predicted the environment of the White House event next year in June.

Dana White News / EssentiallySports / November 29
Ex-UFC Star Promises Major Style Change to Regain Dana White’s Trust in Comeback Bid

Ex-UFC Star Promises Major Style Change to Regain Dana White’s Trust in Comeback Bid

UFC CEO Dana White has doubled down on his no-nonsense approach to running the promotion. In his effort to keep the multibillion-dollar organization competitive, he has not hesitated to part ways with controversial or underperforming fighters.

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Alex Pereira News / Bloody Elbow / November 29
Alex Pereira viciously knocks out sparring partner after UFC icon was challenged in the gym

Alex Pereira viciously knocks out sparring partner after UFC icon was challenged in the gym

Alex Pereira looks as ready as ever for his return to the octagon as new footage showed him brutalizing a man who challenged him to a spar. The two-weight UFC champion is currently preparing to defend his newly reclaimed light-heavyweight title against Carlos Ullberg early next year.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / November 29
Diego Lopes Fires Back At Critics After Shock Volkanovski Rematch Booking

Diego Lopes Fires Back At Critics After Shock Volkanovski Rematch Booking

Diego Lopes is smiling his way straight into a second crack at UFC gold and he has zero time for anyone complaining about it. On Thursday, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Lopes will challenge featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski in the main event of UFC 325 on Jan.

Merab Dvalishvili News / Bloody Elbow / November 29
First man to beat Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC sent a warning to his future opponents after close win

First man to beat Merab Dvalishvili in the UFC sent a warning to his future opponents after close win

In December of 2017, Merab Dvalishvili suffered a narrow loss on his UFC debut. The Georgian has produced a remarkable career turnaround to become the promotion’s dominant bantamweight champion.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / November 29
Paddy Pimblett Fires Warning at Arman Tsarukyan but Strict UFC Rule Threatens Lightweight Title Bid

Paddy Pimblett Fires Warning at Arman Tsarukyan but Strict UFC Rule Threatens Lightweight Title Bid

After Dana White’s halftime announcement, Paddy Pimblett found himself on cloud nine as he gets ready to take on Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 main event.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / November 29
Lerone Murphy could copy one of Dana White’s favorite fighters to aid title chances after UFC 325 snub

Lerone Murphy could copy one of Dana White’s favorite fighters to aid title chances after UFC 325 snub

Lerone Murphy has more work to do before challenging for UFC gold. Dana White caused uproar when he announced which title fights will kick off 2026 for the leading promotion in mixed martial arts.

MMA News / Stadium Rant / November 29
UFC 324 and 325: Paddy Pimblett And Diego Lopes Do Not Deserve Their Title Shots

UFC 324 and 325: Paddy Pimblett And Diego Lopes Do Not Deserve Their Title Shots

UFC president Dana White was busy on Thanksgiving, announcing multiple fights for UFC 324 and 325, the first two events of the promotion’s Paramount era.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / November 29
UFC 324 marks Paramount+ debut with stacked Las Vegas lineup

UFC 324 marks Paramount+ debut with stacked Las Vegas lineup

UFC and Paramount+ are wasting no time making history. The partnership’s inaugural event, UFC 324, takes place Jan. 24 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by an explosive interim lightweight title clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / November 28
Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes Set for UFC 324 in Las Vegas

Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes Set for UFC 324 in Las Vegas

One of the biggest and most anticipated matchups in the history of women’s MMA is officially set. UFC CEO Dana White has announced that Kayla Harrison will defend her bantamweight title against the returning GOAT, Amanda Nunes, in the co-main event of UFC 324 on Saturday, Jan.

Ilia Topuria News / Dice City Sports / November 27
Ilia Topuria delays title defense, tells UFC to move on without him for now

Ilia Topuria delays title defense, tells UFC to move on without him for now

Ilia Topuria won’t be back in the octagon anytime soon, and it’s not because of injuries, negotiations or matchmaking dram. It’s life outside the cage.

MMA News / Yardbarker / November 24
Potential matchups for ranked fighters from UFC Fight Night in Qatar

Potential matchups for ranked fighters from UFC Fight Night in Qatar

UFC Fight Night in Qatar was one of the best cards of the year. Nine of the 14 fights on the card ended by a finish. Multiple fights on the card have implications for the next challenger for the title in multiple divisions.

UFC Fight Night Qatar: Arman Tsarukyan earns submission victory in return from extended absence
Max Holloway reignites Charles Oliveira rivalry while blasting UFC’s ranking system
UFC Champion gets into backstage scuffle after co-main event
Decorated ex-MMA champion reportedly set to debut on final UFC card of the year

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