MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Khamzat Chimaev Snubs Nassourdine Imavov as UFC Houston Intensifies Race to His Title

Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nassourdine Imavov seems like the next match in the middleweight division for the title. In a verbal exchange on X, both superstars agreed to clash after Ramadan, which only added to the buzz.

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Khamzat Chimaev Breaks Character as He Confesses Harsh Truth About Kamaru Usman Fight

UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev appeared untouchable during his early days, having absorbed only 1 strike in his first 5 UFC fights. That statistic was turned upside down in his 6th fight against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273, where he took 119 strikes in a fierce showdown.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 17

Diego Lopes apologizes to Australia in advance for what he’ll do to Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 325

Diego Lopes says there will be no successful homecoming in Sydney. The 31-year-old is not far away from his second shot at the UFC featherweight title, which comes less than a year on from his failed bid in Miami.

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.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 17

Jorge Masvidal drops Conor McGregor fight hint for UFC White House

The plan for the UFC White House card remains a highly anticipated return for Conor McGregor, but his opponent may not be who many expect it to be. Many false alarms have accompanied the UFC comeback talk for McGregor, with a fight falling out just weeks before its scheduled date being the closest he has been to the octagon.

MMA News / Dice City Sports / January 17

Dana White Still Doesn’t Trust Jon Jones

Jon Jones, a former two-division UFC champion, announced his retirement in June 2025 only to reverse course almost immediately after President Donald Trump revealed plans for a UFC event on the White House lawn.

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.

Jon Jones News / HITC / January 17

Ex-UFC and WWE star who beat Jon Jones twice open to giving him a chance for revenge

Jon Jones doesn’t have many losses on his record, but the handful of men who beat him always seem willing to take another shot. Jones has recently stirred up his old feud with Daniel Cormier, even though he’d previously said he was ready to move on from their rivalry.

Khamzat Chimaev News / Bloody Elbow / January 17

Khamzat Chimaev claims ‘nobody wants to fight’ when providing update on his UFC return

Khamzat Chimaev originally hoped to make a quick turnaround after winning the middleweight title. The undefeated star’s plan ended up being derailed by an injury that eliminated the chances of him proving people wrong.

MMA News / HITC / January 17

Conor McGregor’s next fight? UFC Legend he’s never faced hints at major White House news

‘The Notorious’ is still eyeing the White House following some recent developments. Conor McGregor has reiterated his intention to return to the Octagon in 2026, nearly five years on from his last appearance in July 2021.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 17

Ex-UFC Champ Questions Kayla Harrison’s Future After Injury Forces Pullout from Amanda Nunes Fight

A paralyzing neck injury derailed one of the greatest women’s bouts ever, after Kayla Harrison was forced to withdraw from her fight with Amanda Nunes. That move has not only put the UFC on crutches but has also drawn significant attention from the MMA community, including from one of her past rivals, Cris Cyborg.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 17

For Charles Oliveira, the BMF fight against Max Holloway is about legacy

Former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira asked to fight "BMF" titleholder and former featherweight champion Max Holloway. He was granted his request by UFC matchmakers. Oliveira and Holloway headline the UFC 326 fight card on March 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and for "do Bronx," the BMF fight is about legacy. "(It's) something huge.

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Justin Gaethje News / BoxingNews.com / January 17

Justin Gaethje Names His Targets

As he prepares to face Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on January 24, Justin Gaethje has admitted that he is “operating on borrowed time” as he named his ideal fights.

Paddy Pimblett News / EssentiallySports / January 17

Usman Nurmagomedov Tarnishes Paddy Pimblett’s Legacy After Rival Alfie Davis’ Link-Up Before PFL Dubai

Just weeks before defending his PFL lightweight title in Dubai, Usman Nurmagomedov has taken aim at a different fight entirely, the one playing out at UFC 324, and in the process, delivered one of the harshest public assessments of Paddy Pimblett to date.

Ilia Topuria News / EssentiallySports / January 17

Ilia Topuria Reveals Return Timeline as He Confirms Opponent for Next Fight

After weeks of silence and speculation, Ilia Topuria, the UFC’s undefeated lightweight champion, has finally drawn a clear line between absence and intention.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 16

Jorge Masvidal Teases 'Very Big' UFC White House News After Michael Chandler Snubbed for Conor McGregor Fight

Jorge Masvidal knows how to let a rumor breathe because that’s exactly what has happened when ‘Gamebred’ recently teased “very big” fight news tied to the UFC’s planned White House event, just as Michael Chandler’s long-anticipated Conor McGregor showdown was publicly taken off the table.

MMA News / MMA on SI / January 16