Yardbarker
Kamaru Usman told he doesn’t deserve Islam Makhachev fight due to turning down other matchups

Kamaru Usman told he doesn’t deserve Islam Makhachev fight due to turning down other matchups

Islam Makhachev’s goal for the first defense of his welterweight title has received criticism. Makhachev still believes that Kamaru Usman should be his next opponent, arguing that he thinks this would be the toughest fight for him right now.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 16
Nassourdine Imavov Admits UFC Left Him With ‘No Choice’ but to Face Khamzat Chimaev

Nassourdine Imavov Admits UFC Left Him With ‘No Choice’ but to Face Khamzat Chimaev

Dagestan-born French fighter Nassourdine Imavov is slowly but surely getting to the no.1 contender position, with a 5-fight winning streak under his belt.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 16
Dana White Announcement Looms as Ilia Topuria’s Future Gets UFC Insiders’ Verdict

Dana White Announcement Looms as Ilia Topuria’s Future Gets UFC Insiders’ Verdict

Just a month ago, Ilia Topuria stunned the MMA world when he announced a “break” from competition until the first quarter of 2026, stepping away despite holding the title to focus on personal matters.

MMA News / HITC / December 16
Joe Rogan explains why Silva vs Woodley could frustrate fight fans

Joe Rogan explains why Silva vs Woodley could frustrate fight fans

Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley have both taken part in UFC title fights that faced plenty of criticism. Jake Paul is set for what could be his toughest test yet when he takes on Anthony Joshua this Friday, December 19.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 16
Conor McGregor Rival Backed for UFC White House Return as Michael Chandler’s Spot Comes Under Threat

Conor McGregor Rival Backed for UFC White House Return as Michael Chandler’s Spot Comes Under Threat

Just when it was starting to look like Michael Chandler would finally get the Conor McGregor fight, another old rivalry of the Irishman’s has found the spotlight.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 16
UFC Rankings: Final 2025 Update Brings Major Shake-Ups as New Title Challenger Emerges

UFC Rankings: Final 2025 Update Brings Major Shake-Ups as New Title Challenger Emerges

UFC Vegas 112 at Las Vegas, Nevada, was a leaderboard reset, with the rankings finalizing at the year-ending gauntlet. Stringing together thrilling matchups and exciting finishes, the fight night has flipped around a few key stats, starting right with the Brandon Royval vs Manel Kape main event.

Arman Tsarukyan News / Bloody Elbow / December 16

Arman Tsarukyan announces shock plan for career after UFC… ‘It’s such an interesting hobby’

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has announced he has a surprising plan for a career after his tenure in the sport of MMA. For what seems to be like an eternity, Arman Tsarukyan has been ranked at the top of the UFC 155lb division, without fighting for the title.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / December 16

Tyron Woodley Vs. Anderson Silva Breakdown

Former UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva boxes Tyron Woodley on December 19, as we preview the upcoming fight.  The bout will be contested at a 195-pound catchweight (Cruiserweight) and scheduled for six rounds.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 16
Dana White Told to Pick a Lane as His Francis Ngannou Stories Highlight Hypocrisy

Dana White Told to Pick a Lane as His Francis Ngannou Stories Highlight Hypocrisy

Dana White doesn’t usually blur his lines. When a relationship ends in the UFC, it is loud and clear. Francis Ngannou‘s exit initially followed a predictable pattern.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / December 16
Anderson Silva’s key weapon that Joe Rogan says made him ‘invincible’ was also used by Tyron Woodley

Anderson Silva’s key weapon that Joe Rogan says made him ‘invincible’ was also used by Tyron Woodley

Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley have both been involved in criticized UFC title fights. One of the biggest fights of the year takes place this Friday, as Jake Paul attempts to pull off a huge upset when facing Anthony Joshua on December 19.

Denzel Freeman News / MyMMANews / December 15

Denzel Freeman, Marine Corps officer and former WWE wrestler, makes UFC debut at UFC 324

Denzel Freeman, 34, will make his UFC debut on the promotion’s first major card of The post Denzel Freeman, Marine Corps officer and former WWE wrestler, makes UFC debut at UFC 324 first appeared on My MMA News.

MMA News / Athlon Sports / December 15
Alex Pereira Leaks UFC White House News, Will He Fight Jon Jones?

Alex Pereira Leaks UFC White House News, Will He Fight Jon Jones?

The UFC is poised to make history in 2026 with an unprecedented event staged on the front lawn of the White House. For reigning UFC light heavyweight champion

Ilia Topuria News / MMA Weekly / December 15

Ilia Topuria denies domestic abuse allegations after vacating UFC title

Ilia Topuria has wound up in the firing line since his UFC exit, with some speculating that domestic abuse could have played a role in his absence from the cage.  'El Matador' is widely considered one of the best fighters of his generation.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 15
Bryce Mitchell Rips Into 'Idiot' Ilia Topuria Amid Concerning UFC Hiatus

Bryce Mitchell Rips Into 'Idiot' Ilia Topuria Amid Concerning UFC Hiatus

The controversy surrounding Ilia Topuria just found its most aggressive voice yet. UFC featherweight Bryce Mitchell launched a scorched-earth social media attack on the champion, turning a deeply personal legal dispute into one of the ugliest public callouts the sport has seen in years.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 15
Arman Tsarukyan Finds Last-Minute Replacement for His Title Match in Khamzat Chimaev’s Countryman

Arman Tsarukyan Finds Last-Minute Replacement for His Title Match in Khamzat Chimaev’s Countryman

A new opportunity has emerged for Arman Tsarukyan, but tension still surrounds him. After Dana White & Co. overlooked him for a lightweight title shot, the Armenian star decided to stay active in competition, even if that meant fighting outside the UFC or for a non-UFC title.

  Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!
The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz
 The 'Last 10-TD season by NFL team' quiz
The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz
 The '2025-26 bowl game host cities' quiz
The 'Active NBA PPG leaders' quiz
 The 'Active NBA PPG leaders' quiz
The 'Oldest 4,000-passing-yard seasons' quiz
 The 'Oldest 4,000-passing-yard seasons' quiz
MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 15
Nassourdine Imavov Calls Out MMA Media for Painting Him as Scared of Khamzat Chimaev

Nassourdine Imavov Calls Out MMA Media for Painting Him as Scared of Khamzat Chimaev

The UFC middleweight title picture has ignited intense drama in recent months. Earlier this year, a major shakeup in the division put Chechen-born champion Khamzat Chimaev on a path to face Dagestani-born No.2-ranked contender Nassourdine Imavov.

Ilia Topuria News / Field Level Media / December 15
UFC's undefeated Ilia Topuria: Must 'step away' to defend reputation, not title

UFC's undefeated Ilia Topuria: Must 'step away' to defend reputation, not title

Undefeated UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria explained his absence from the UFC 324 title bout on Monday, alleging he's addressing an extortion attempt and will return to the cage at the appropriate time.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 15
Manel Kape Secures Daniel Cormier’s Backing for Joshua Van Title Fight After UFC Vegas 112

Manel Kape Secures Daniel Cormier’s Backing for Joshua Van Title Fight After UFC Vegas 112

Is Manel Kape next for a title shot against Joshua Van? Well, after the Portuguese powerhouse cracked Brandon Royval’s iron chin at UFC Vegas 112, fans have jumped on his bandwagon.

Mario Bautista News / UFC on ClutchPoints / December 15
Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira set to collide in first Paramount+ fight night event

Mario Bautista and Vinicius Oliveira set to collide in first Paramount+ fight night event

The UFC is making history on February 7, 2026, when UFC Fight Night 266 debuts as the first Fight Night card of the Paramount+ era. The event will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and for the first time ever, standard tickets are being made available to the general public for UFC Apex cards beginning with this card.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / December 15
Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Amir Albazi co-main event set for first UFC Apex event of Paramount+ era

Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Amir Albazi co-main event set for first UFC Apex event of Paramount+ era

The UFC is kicking off 2026 in style, and the co-main event has fans buzzing. Former RIZIN and Bellator champion Kyoji Horiguchi will square off against top-ranked flyweight Amir “The Prince” Albazi in the promotion’s first UFC Apex card of the Paramount+ era.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / December 14

Paddy Pimlett to Arman Tsarukyan: 'Sit down, shut up, and do what you're told'

When top lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan was passed over for the UFC 324 interim title bout, he didn't have a lot of nice things to say about No.

MMA News / MMA on SI / December 14

Manel Kape sends chilling warning to UFC Champion Joshua Van in epic callout

Welcome to the Manel Kape show. In case UFC fans didn't get the memo during the main event of UFC Vegas 112, Kape (22-7 MMA) put the division on notice with a first-round TKO against former flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval to put a bow on the 2025 promotional calendar.

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 14
UFC Fight Night: Manel Kape KOs Brandon Royval, wants title shot

UFC Fight Night: Manel Kape KOs Brandon Royval, wants title shot

The final UFC event of the year may have ignited a new UFC flyweight contender in Manel Kape. Kape kept his newfound momentum afloat in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas, finishing former title challenger Brandon Royval with a right hook, followed by a flurry of punches at 3:18 in Round 1.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.