MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Bo Nickal and Yoel Romero face off with 20-year age gap ahead of RAF05 match

Few would have expected Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal to share a wrestling mat again, even after both men transitioned to mixed martial arts. Romero and Nickal both have strong wrestling backgrounds, but their styles are very different.

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Arman Tsarukyan reveals injury that forced UFC 311 title fight exit

The leading UFC lightweight contender has at last provided some clarity. Arman Tsarukyan is now back in pursuit of another title shot, after having to withdraw from his long-awaited fight against Islam Makhachev just a day before UFC 311 due to a reported back injury.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Alex Pereira backed to knock out Jon Jones by ex-UFC champion who the GOAT ‘ran’ from

A potential super-fight between Jon Jones and Alex Pereira continues to dominate discussion. The former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion wants to make his return from retirement at the White House against the reigning 205-pound king.

Ciryl Gane News / EssentiallySports / January 10

Ciryl Gane Forced to Relive Past Controversy as Training Footage Triggers Renewed Fan Outrage

Even when away from the UFC Octagon spotlights, Ciryl Gane never fails to rouse attention through his social media antics and eccentric personality. However, this time it’s a training video that has prompted the fans to ruffle feathers over his eye-poke incident back in UFC 321.

MMA News / HITC / January 10

Paddy Pimblett questions Justin Gaethje’s sparring choices before UFC 324

Paddy Pimblett is feeling confident in the way he’s prepared for UFC 324. The Scouse lightweight has even decided to spend the holiday season away from home, travelling to America early with his coaches.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 10

Daniel Cormier and Jon Anik Among Other UFC Veterans to Lose Jobs After $7.7 Billion Paramount Deal

The UFC has entered a new era with its seven-year broadcasting deal with Paramount+, and this brings major changes. The $7.7 billion agreement ends the UFC’s traditional PPV model and shifts the promotion toward a subscription-based model.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 10

Arman Tsarukyan Reveals Real Reason Behind Dana White’s UFC 324 Snub

When Dana White and Co. bypassed No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan in favor of Paddy Pimblett for the interim title shot at UFC 324, it left critics and fans puzzled, but Tsarukyan knows the reason.

Bo Nickal News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Bo Nickal’s team ‘knew’ the UFC was making this huge mistake that resulted in his first loss

The UFC may hold some responsibility for Bo Nickal’s first loss inside the Octagon. Nickal has entered the new year after a mixed 2025, during which he lost his ‘0’ in mixed martial arts courtesy of Reinier de Ridder’s efforts last May.

Colby Covington News / EssentiallySports / January 10

Colby Covington Puts Khabib, GSP, and Others on His RAF Wrestling Hit List

Real American Freestyle is quickly gaining traction as an athlete-first wrestling promotion, and UFC’s Colby Covington, Henry Cejudo, and Bo Nickal are at the forefront of the new event.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Arman Tsarukyan disputes Joe Rogan’s theory as he reveals exact reason behind his UFC 311 withdrawal

The top UFC lightweight contender has finally delved into the details. Arman Tsarukyan is currently pursuing another title shot in MMA’s leading promotion after missing out on his earned opportunity last January in Los Angeles.

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 10

Headbutt Costs Armenian Fighter His Long-Awaited UFC Championship Opportunity

Dana White confirmed that Arman Tsarukyan’s headbutt of Dan Hooker at weigh-ins “a hundred per cent” factored into denying him a title shot Tsarukyan withdrew

Alexandre Pantoja News / The Body Lock / January 10

Alexandre Pantoja Eyes Summer Return Following Shocking UFC 323 Injury

Alexandre Pantoja has returned to training after suffering an arm injury that cost him the UFC flyweight title at UFC 323 Arman Tsarukyan revealed Pantoja

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 10

Luke Rockhold Tells Bo Nickal to Quit Fighting: ‘You’re Not a Fighter’

Luke Rockhold criticized Bo Nickal ahead of RAF 5, saying he talks too much for someone who hasn’t accomplished enough in MMA Rockhold pointed to Nickal’s

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MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 10

Justin Gaethje’s Coach Admits Arman Tsarukyan Is 'Most Deserving' of Ilia Topuria Title Shot

“It’s difficult to even trust him again,” Ilia Topuria went off against Arman Tsarukyan while defending his UFC 324 snub. However, not everyone is on the same page as Dana White or the UFC regarding the decision, particularly Justin Gaethje’s coach, Trevor Wittman.

Sean Strickland News / BoxingNews.com / January 10

Strickland Bashes UFC Over Du Plessis Rematch

Sean Strickland has broken his silence by accusing the UFC of pressuring him into accepting a rematch against Dricus du Plessis, despite being injured. The former middleweight champion revealed that just weeks before the UFC 312 main event in February 2025, he was involved in a motorcycle accident while riding with motocross athlete Axell Hodges.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / January 10

Sonnen Asks If Gaethje Is Hiding A Staph Infection

Chael Sonnen is refusing to buy Justin Gaethje’s explanation for a suspicious neck wound, suggesting “The Highlight” could have a staph infection just two weeks out from his interim title fight at UFC 324.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 10

Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal face off ahead of RAF05 match with nearly 20-year age gap

Yoel Romero and Bo Nickal’s wrestling bout tomorrow night is not so much a dream match as one that many felt would never be possible. The middleweight MMA duo are two renowned wrestlers, and they get to put their skills to the test on tomorrow night’s RAF05 event in Sunrise, Florida.