MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Sean Strickland explains why he hates filming with UFC ahead of return fight

Sean Strickland is open to reading a script for UFC promotional material, provided he can finish the filming sessions ahead of schedule. The ex-middleweight champion is not a fan of the production days fighters go through before an event.

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Chael Sonnen: UFC Will Give Conor McGregor ‘A Real Guy’ at White House Event

Chael Sonnen says UFC would give Conor McGregor a legitimate opponent if he fights at a White House event Sonnen questions whether McGregor will actually commit to a UFC comeback after extended absence Dana White shut down speculation about McGregor vs.

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 18

Paddy Pimblett Fires Back: ‘I’d Fight Arman in a Heartbeat’

Paddy Pimblett denies ducking Arman Tsarukyan and says he would fight him immediately if offered Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight

Amanda Nunes News / The Body Lock / January 18

Amanda Nunes Keeps Training Despite Fight Cancellation: ‘Only One Thing Changed’

Amanda Nunes traveled to Las Vegas despite her UFC 324 comeback fight being cancelled Kayla Harrison withdrew from the bantamweight title fight after requiring neck surgery Nunes posted videos training in Vegas, saying ‘Only one thing changed.

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 18

Justin Gaethje Promises to Force Paddy Pimblett Into Wrestling at UFC 324

Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett fight for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas Gaethje promises to force Pimblett to wrestle

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 18

Jon Jones Fires Back at Alex Pereira: ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’

Jon Jones responded to Alex Pereira’s callout with a direct warning about fighting him Pereira challenged Jones in a viral video filmed at a tire shop

Ilia Topuria News / The Body Lock / January 18

Topuria Reveals Return Plans After Custody Battle Forces UFC Absence

Ilia Topuria plans to return between April and June 2026 after stepping away for a custody battle Topuria will face the winner of the Justin Gaethje vs

MMA News / HITC / January 18

Why Diego Lopes said sorry to Australia before facing Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325

Diego Lopes is not shy about how he sees the fight in Sydney playing out. The 31-year-old Brazilian is gearing up for his second shot at the UFC featherweight title, less than a year after coming up short in Miami.

Derrick Lewis News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Derrick Lewis explains how he has gotten into the ‘best shape of his life’ ahead of UFC 324

Ahead of his 31st fight in the UFC, longtime heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis believes he is in the best shape of his life. On January 24, the premier MMA promotion returns for their first event of the year and their first of their new broadcast deal with Paramount with UFC 324, headlined by Justin Gaethje vs Paddy Pimblett.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 18

Paddy Pimblett Puts Volkanovski and Makhachev on Notice With Bold Plans Ahead of UFC 324

Paddy Pimblett’s path to becoming a two-division champion is not exactly easy. However, the UFC lightweight star is taking a steady approach. Ranked fifth, Pimblett now gears up for a high-stakes interim title fight at UFC 324 against Justin Gaethje, just a week away.

Diego Sanchez News / EssentiallySports / January 18

'Should Be in Prison': Resurfaced Diego Sanchez Training Clip Reignites Controversial Coaching Era Debate

Brain damage is unavoidable in any combat art, but deliberately conditioning the chin and head is different. A resurfaced 2019 training clip of Diego Sanchez blurs that line in alarming ways.

Khamzat Chimaev News / HITC / January 18

Khamzat Chimaev fires surprise warning to fans over his next UFC fight

Khamzat Chimaev was looking to step back into the Octagon quickly after capturing the middleweight title. But an injury put those plans on hold, forcing him to wait longer than expected to silence any doubters.

Amanda Nunes News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Amanda Nunes flies to Las Vegas and continues to train ahead of UFC 324: ‘Only one thing changed’

Amanda Nunes has commented on her cancelled comeback fight for the first time. ‘The Lioness’ was supposed to face Kayla Harrison in her first fight since June 2023 at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.

MMA News / HITC / January 18

Conor McGregor softens stance on Dustin Poirier with unexpected two-word message

Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier’s long-standing rivalry might finally be over. The pair met three times, with McGregor winning the first at featherweight and Poirier taking both 155lb bouts in 2021.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 18

'Even Americans Don’t Like Him': Islam Makhachev’s Rival Accuses Colby Covington of Having Fake Instagram Followers

Yaroslav Amosov entered the UFC like a man in a hurry. One fight in, and he already had Neil Magny tapping, a debut that immediately informed the division that he isn’t here to “gain experience.” Amosov made it clear that he is after gold, and with Islam Makhachev sitting on the welterweight throne, the path will inevitably lead to him.

MMA News / HITC / January 18

The Islam Makhachev reason Paddy Pimblett wants to beat Ilia Topuria soon

Paddy Pimblett has explained why his determination to fight Ilia Topuria soon is linked to Islam Makhachev. Paddy Pimblett’s rise through the UFC ranks has been steady, and his sights are now set on Ilia Topuria — not just to settle an old score, but because he sees it as a step toward a bigger goal.

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MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 18

Ex-UFC star wins €1 million tournament by ending 12-year unbeaten streak with first-round finish

Another former UFC star has proven that fighters can succeed outside of MMA’s premier promotion. Krzysztof Jotko joined the UFC in 2013 and remained a part of the middleweight roster for nine years.

MMA News / HITC / January 18

Jon Jones warns Alex Pereira after latest call out, ‘You’d be a good one…’

Jon Jones has sent a stark warning to Alex Pereira after the Brazilian champion reignited talk of a potential super fight with a viral video callout. Alex Pereira and Jon Jones are two of the most dominant names in UFC history, and their rivalry has become one of the sport’s biggest talking points.

Ilia Topuria News / BoxingNews.com / January 18

Topuria Drops A Hint Over His Return

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has offered an encouraging timeline for his return. Topuria took a break from the UFC to deal with personal issues following his stoppage win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in July 2025 to secure the vacant lightweight belt.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 17

O’Malley vs. Song Elevated to Co-Main Event UFC 324

UFC 324 has a new look after a major shakeup at the top of the card. UFC officials confirmed Wednesday that bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison has suffered an injury that forced her out of her scheduled title fight against Amanda Nunes.

Ilia Topuria News / MMA on SI / January 17

UFC Champion Ilia Topuria provides first clear update on plans for UFC return fight

Ilia Topuria has finally shared an update regarding when fans can expect to see him return to the Octagon and defend his UFC title. A perfect 17-0 in his professional MMA career, Topuria joined the UFC in 2020 and won six-straight fights before he unseated UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski with a second-round knockout at UFC 298.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 17

Conor McGregor Shrugs Off Dana White’s Dismissal of Michael Chandler Fight

Conor McGregor isn’t losing sleep over Dana White closing the door on a long-delayed matchup with Michael Chandler. After the UFC president publicly dismissed the idea of McGregor facing Chandler at the proposed UFC White House event, the former two-division champion responded with trademark bravado and indifference.

MMA News / Stadium Rant / January 17

Last Chance For Israel Adesanya, Paulo Costa To Remain Relevant Over Five Years After UFC 253 Title Clash

More than five years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa fought each other for the middleweight title at UFC 253.

Kamaru Usman News / Dice City Sports / January 17

Mohammed Usman Accepts 30-Month Doping Ban Following Positive Testosterone Test

Mohammed Usman’s UFC career has been put on hold for more than two years. Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) announced Friday that Usman has accepted a 30-month suspension after testing positive for testosterone ahead of a scheduled bout against Valter Walker at UFC Rio in October 2025.

Darren Till News / Big Fight Weekend / January 15

‘No one wants to fight me’ – irritated Darren Till fires off at rivals

Darren Till was last seen in action, brutally stopping Luke Rockhold on August 30, 2025. The Liverpudlian certainly made his mark in MMA before moving to boxing.