MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Islam Makhachev left rival begging for the referee to stop the fight after locking in nasty submission during UFC rise

Islam Makhachev almost broke a top-10 lightweight’s arm on his journey to becoming a UFC champion. Makhachev forged a destructive and dominant path to the title following his one and only career defeat against Adriano Martins in 2015.

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Jack Della Maddalena’s key to victory over Islam Makhachev explained by MMA veteran who fought him in early UFC run

Jack Della Maddalena will face an uphill task trying to defeat pound-for-pound great Islam Makhachev in his first title defence – but one ex-opponent reckons he will be able to do it.

Marvin Vettori News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Who is Marvin Vettori? Meet ‘The Italian Dream’ making his name in the UFC

Marvin Vettori is having his “Italian Dream” in the UFC, having spent nine years fighting for the promotion as of 2025. He debuted with a win over Alberto Uda in 2016 and has gone on to become a fixture of the sport, racking up 16 fights over that time.

Dustin Poirier News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Dustin Poirier’s retirement card takes a hit as UFC 318 loses matchup featuring three-time main eventer

Amid plenty of criticism for the Dustin Poirier-headlined UFC 318 lineup, one of the most prominent matchups now appears to have fallen through. Following

MMA News / Larry Brown Sports / July 4

President Trump says UFC will host fight at White House

Donald Trump is known for being a huge UFC fan, and the U.S. President wants to have a fight card right in his own backyard. Trump spoke on Thursday about some of the special events he is planning for 2026, which will mark the 250th anniversary of the United States adopting the Declaration of Independence and becoming a country.

Tom Aspinall News / MMA on SI / July 4

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has his next fight

Tom Aspinall finally has good news. It took a few weeks to sort out, but Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) could be fighting before year's end, according to the man himself.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

UFC rival names 3 opponents ‘legit’ Paddy Pimblett can’t beat ahead of Ilia Topuria grudge match

The next title fight in the UFC’s lightweight division was seemingly decided inside the cage at UFC 317. Paddy Pimblett shared a heated face-off with Ilia Topuria after stepping into the Octagon following the conclusion of the main event.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 4

Tom Aspinall Hints at 4 Fights a Year as Undisputed UFC Heavyweight Champion: 'Beat All Top Ten'

After years of waiting, Tom Aspinall finally achieved his dream by becoming the new UFC undisputed heavyweight champion. He had long hoped to achieve this feat by defeating Jon Jones, but fate had a different, more anticlimactic plans.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Daniel Cormier insists Islam Makhachev must get the P4P crown back from Ilia Topuria if he becomes welterweight champ

Ilia Topuria has been told not to get too comfortable on the UFC’s pound-for-pound throne. Topuria continued his rapid ascent toward legendary status on MMA’s biggest stage at this past Saturday’s UFC 317 pay-per-view in Las Vegas.

Khamzat Chimaev News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Dricus du Plessis vs Khamzat Chimaev ‘million dollar question’ revealed by UFC star who fought both men

One of the biggest title fights of the year is set to take place at UFC 319 next month. Dricus du Plessis may have incorrectly named a huge co-main event for the card but with or without any additional matchups, August 16 is simply unmissable.

MMA News / FirstSportz / July 4

Paddy Pimblett’s Coach Uses Charles Oliveira as Negative Example in Gameplan to Defeat Ilia Topuria

After witnessing Charles Oliveira get brutally knocked out by Ilia Topuria at UFC 317, Paddy Pimblett now wants his shot. Following a heated face-off with the Georgian-Spanish champion, Pimblett boldly promised he would soon become the new lightweight king.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Paddy Pimblett predicts prime vs prime fight between Conor McGregor and ‘carbon copy’ Ilia Topuria

Paddy Pimblett believes Ilia Topuria is a poor imitation of MMA’s greatest legend. The lightweight rivals clashed in the Octagon after UFC 317 to set up their potential fight.

Robert Whittaker News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Robert Whittaker plans 'four more fights' as he reveals his 'fairytale ending' to his UFC career

Robert Whittaker’s UFC career could be coming to an end soon, but he has revealed his plans to go out on top in the octagon. The former UFC Middleweight champion is fifth in the rankings and strongly in contention for a future title shot against Dricus du Plessis if he can string some wins together.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / July 4

Kayla Harrison picks snubbed UFC champ as deserved winner of award she is nominated for alongside Islam Makhachev

Kayla Harrison isn’t choosing herself – or any other actual nominees – as the deserving winner of this year’s ‘Best UFC Fighter’ ESPY. Harrison has enjoyed another successful 12 months in the cage, culminating in the realization of her UFC championship aspirations.

MMA News / Field Level Media / July 4

President Trump: UFC card coming to White House in '26

The Octagon likely is coming to the White House next year. President Donald Trump plans to have the UFC hold a fight card at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in 2026 as part of the United States' 250th birthday celebration.

Colby Covington News / BoxingNews.com / July 4

What’s Next For Colby Covington?

Colby Covington wants a big fight for his next UFC bout despite a run that has seen him suffer three losses in his last four octagon appearances. Covington’s recent setbacks include a unanimous decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC 296 for the UFC Welterweight Title.