MMA: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Dan Ige vs. Melquizael Costa added to UFC Houston on February 21

The UFC’s return to Houston on February 21 at Toyota Center continues to take shape with exciting matchups, and the latest addition to the card presents a compelling featherweight showdown between surging contender Melquizael Costa and veteran Dan Ige.

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Ex-UFC champion sets the record straight on rumored title eliminator fight

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jiří Procházka has addressed the ongoing rumors regarding a matchup with Carlos Ulberg. The UFC’s light heavyweight

MMA News / MMA on SI / January 7

Rising UFC star gets ranked opponent at UFC Houston after going 4-0 in 2025

Melquizael Costa will get a well-deserved crack at the featherweight rankings when he takes on Dan Ige at UFC Houston. Scheduled as the middle offering

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Legless fighter Zion Clark vows to choke out Valter Walker: ‘Everything that made him undefeated won’t work’

Zion Clark is extremely confident ahead of the toughest test of his combat sports career. The 28-year-old was born without legs due to caudal regression syndrome, a disorder that impairs the development of the lower half of the body.

Valentina Shevchenko News / HITC / January 7

Valentina Shevchenko has a strong message for fans who skip women’s fights

Women’s MMA has seen incredible growth over the past 12 years. Women’s MMA has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade, evolving from a novelty to one of the sport’s most compelling divisions.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Jiri Prochazka Clarifies Carlos Ulberg Fight Talks as Return Timeline Emerges

Last year, Jiri Prochazka proved he is the light heavyweight king of comebacks by scoring a late third-round knockout against Khalil Rountree at UFC 320.

Joe Rogan News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Joe Rogan Mocks Climate Activists as Lonely Cat People in Bizarre Ice Age Rant

Joe Rogan has launched yet another rant—this time targeting climate change. The longtime UFC color commentator was joined by comedian Kurt Metzger on The Joe Rogan Experience episode #2434 when the 58-year-old claimed the world is experiencing an ice age.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

UFC legend Valentina Shevchenko slams fans who skip ‘very beautiful’ WMMA fights

Women’s MMA has come a very long way during the past dozen years. Dana White famously said he’d never allow female fights to take place inside the UFC Octagon.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Jon Jones Makes Unexpected Daniel Cormier Confession Amid Rematch Speculation

As fate would have it, Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier are once again set to cross paths—this time as opposing coaches at the AFL. But the dynamic doesn’t have to be sour despite their scalding beef over the years.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Daniel Cormier Downplays Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett in Blunt UFC 324 Take

The UFC lightweight division will finally see some movement at the top in a few weeks when Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje fight for the interim belt at UFC 324 on January 24.

Valentina Shevchenko News / EssentiallySports / January 7

Valentina Shevchenko Calls Out Journalists for Perpetuating Women’s MMA Stereotypes: 'Many Listen and Repeat'

According to Valentina Shevchenko, women’s MMA doesn’t suffer from a lack of talent. It suffers from a lazy narrative. But that narrative didn’t appear out of thin air, it was seemingly built, repeated, and normalized by the very people meant to challenge it.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 6

Islam Makhachev Weighs In on Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones With Honest Take Amid Rematch Talk

Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones may not be at each other’s throats anymore. But promotions like the Russian version of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ are ready to cash in on their storied history.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 6

UFC Insider Suggests Dana White Role in Arman Tsarukyan’s Silence Amid Title Shot Snub

Arman Tsarukyan has done almost everything a top contender is told to do. And yet, as the UFC and Dana White move toward the interim lightweight title bout between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, his name is nowhere on the marquee.

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Ronda Rousey News / Bloody Elbow / January 6

UFC 324 star sent crowd into hysterics with his post-fight interview after knocking out Ronda Rousey’s husband

Throughout his tenure in the UFC, Derrick Lewis has gone viral several times for his post-fight celebrations and interviews. On January 24, the UFC will host their first event of the year and their first event of their new broadcast partnership with Paramount with UFC 324.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / January 6

Conor McGregor Boldly Challenges Floyd Mayweather to UFC White House Fight

In 2017, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather transcended their sports, creating a crossover event that shattered financial records and captivated a global audience.

Nate Diaz News / Bloody Elbow / January 6

Nate Diaz’s legacy questioned by MMA legend who argues fan favorite was ‘never good’

Nate Diaz is undeniably one of the most popular fighters in UFC history – but was he ever actually good enough to back up his swagger? That’s the question Ben Askren raised as he returned to his Funky and the Champ show with Daniel Cormier for the first time since his battle with illness that required a double lung transplant.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 6

Jon Jones set to face Daniel Cormier as MMA return draws near

Hoping to return to the sport after unretiring, Jon Jones has finally gotten his wish, though not in the way he would have thought. Competing against the biggest rival of his career, Jones will headline an MMA reality show alongside Daniel Cormier.

Conor McGregor News / HITC / January 6

Conor McGregor turns painful UFC defeat into message of hope for homeless man in new video

Conor McGregor has found a new way to look back on one of the toughest moments of his fighting career. Michael Chandler remains focused on being the one to welcome McGregor back into the Octagon later this year, a return that would be one of the most anticipated in recent memory.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 6

Gregory Rodrigues Steps in for Paulo Costa at UFC 326 against Brunno Ferreira

Gregory Rodrigues has officially stepped in to face Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326, replacing Paulo Costa on the March 7 card in Las Vegas. The matchup sets up a fascinating redemption narrative, as Robocop looks to turn the tables on a fighter who has already tasted the canvas courtesy of Ferreira’s striking prowess.

Khamzat Chimaev News / MMA on SI / January 6

UFC parts ways with 22-fight MMA veteran that debuted against Khamzat Chimaev

Former Cage Warriors titleholder Rhys McKee is apparently no longer a part of the UFC roster as of the first full week of 2026. Currently in the midst

Justin Gaethje News / HITC / January 6

Justin Gaethje breaks silence on fan speculation over possible infection ahead of UFC 324

Concerns arose among fans regarding the physical condition of one participant in the interim lightweight championship bout. Justin Gaethje’s patience seems to have paid off, as the popular lightweight is now set for a huge main event clash against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324 on January 24.

Alex Pereira News / BoxingNews.com / January 6

Pereira Starts 2026 With Gift For His Father

Alex Pereira gave back to his family, gifting his father a brand new golf cart to mark 2026. The UFC Light Heavyweight Champion shared a viral video surprising his father with the heartfelt gift.

MMA News / MMA on SI / January 5

UFC star gets major health update after losing UFC belt to brutal injury

Fans can expect to see Alexandre Pantoja return to the Octagon later this year after a nasty injury cost him his flyweight title at UFC 323. With three

MMA News / MMA Weekly / January 5

Alex Pereira gives hilarious viral response to Tracy Cortez's loving proposal

If he wasn't already the most popular man on the UFC roster, Alex Pereira has found a way to further his stake to the claim. As everybody shared their plans with their families and friends on New Year's Eve as we prepared for 2026, Pereira was busy announcing his new relationship to the world.

Michael Bisping News / Dice City Sports / January 5

Michael Bisping: 'The One Thing You Can’t Do Is Rush Back'

Few people in MMA understand the long-term consequences of eye injuries better than Michael Bisping and that’s exactly why he’s urging Tom Aspinall not to rush his return to the Octagon.

Kayla Harrison News / Dice City Sports / January 5

Kayla Harrison: 'It Didn’t Really Make Sense to Me'

Kayla Harrison isn’t losing sleep over Amanda Nunes bringing in Larissa Pacheco for training ahead of UFC 324 even though Pacheco remains the only woman to defeat Harrison in MMA.