MMA News
VIDEO | Bo Nickal, Josh Hokit wrestled 7 years before UFC White House
Curtis Calhoun - June 8, 2026
UFC stars Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit squared off in NCAA Division-I wrestling seven years before their fights on the White House lawn. UFC stars Bo Nickal and Josh Hokit will come full circle this weekend at UFC White House.
Ilia Topuria shares bold prediction for Justin Gaethje title fight at the White House
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2026
Ilua Topuria has a bold prediction for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje. Topuria is set to headline the White House card on Sunday as he defends his lightweight title against Gaethje. It’s a highly anticipated bout, and heading into the fight, Topuria is a massive favorite.
Sam-A Gaiyanghadao gets his ONE Strawweight World Title shot against Aliff Sor Dechapan at The Inner Circle on July 24
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 8, 2026
He walked off Elmehdi El Jamari with a head kick in April, took the microphone, and said he was waiting for whoever came out of the Prajanchai vs. Aliff fight. Prajanchai got injured. Now Sam-A Gaiyanghadao gets his shot anyway. Sam-A faces Aliff Sor Dechapan for the ONE Interim Strawweight Muay Thai World Title in the main event of The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, July 24.
Sanzhar Zakirov faces his first unbeaten opponent as ONE Fight Night 45 adds two MMA bouts for July 17
BJPENN.COM Staff - June 8, 2026
Every opponent on Sanzhar “Tornado” Zakirov‘s resume came in ranked or dangerous. None of them came in undefeated. On July 17, that changes. Zakirov faces fellow unbeaten flyweight Ruslan Satiev in a flyweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 45: Lessei vs. Rabah on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, July 17.
Alex Pereira reacts to Ciryl Gane getting advice from ex-Glory Kickboxing foe: "It doesn't make a difference"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026
Alex Pereira has a response to Ciryl Gane receiving advice from the last man to defeat him under kickboxing rules. Back in 2021, Pereira lost the Glory Heavyweight Championship to Artem Vakhitov via majority decision. Rather than look for revenge, “Poatan” ended up moving on to MMA full-time, and he has since carved out his legacy in the sport. Pereira now has a chance to win a UFC title in a third weight class at UFC Freedom 250 when he meets Gane for the interim gold.
Dana White expects NFL Super Bowl viewership numbers for UFC Freedom 250: "This is a unique experience for everybody"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026
Dana White believes UFC Freedom 250 is trending towards reaching numbers that match the NFL Super Bowl. The biggest event in MMA history is set to take place on Sunday. It’ll be a historic show, as UFC Freedom 250 will be held on the White House lawn. The event will feature two title fights, including the main event lightweight unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The co-headliner will feature an interim heavyweight title fight between Ciryl Gane and Alex Pereira.
Ilia Topuria shuts down Justin Gaethje's personal divorce dig: "He's not going to have my respect"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 8, 2026
Ilia Topuria has responded to Justin Gaethje taking a dig at his divorce. Gaethje became the interim UFC Lightweight Champion after defeating Paddy Pimblett back in January, and it was Topuria’s hiatus that led to an interim title fight. “El Matador” took a small break from pro MMA competition, as he was dealing with a messy divorce from Giorgina Uzcategui. Topuria has children and was able to reach a custody settlement, which ended his hiatus.
Justin Gaethje explains his one regret from victory over Paddy Pimblett
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026
UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has taken a look back at his recent blockbuster victory over Paddy Pimblett. In his last fight, Justin Gaethje defeated Paddy Pimblett in a pretty decisive manner to become the new UFC interim lightweight champion. His reward for that will be an undisputed title showdown in the main event of UFC Freedom 250, where he will take on reigning champ Ilia Topuria.
Brendan Allen reveals interest in possible Sean Strickland rematch
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026
UFC middleweight contender Brendan Allen has made it clear that he is interested in pursuing a rematch against Sean Strickland. Last weekend, Brendan Allen took his current win streak up to three with a comprehensive performance and victory over Edmen Shahbazyan. It comes off the back of triumphs over Marvin Vettori and Reinier de Ridder, with many believing he is getting closer and closer to a championship opportunity.
Bryce Mitchell explains why he feels more comfortable in UFC bantamweight division
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2026
UFC star Bryce Mitchell has explained why he’s feeling pretty satisfied with his recent move from featherweight down to bantamweight. Last weekend, Bryce Mitchell was able to defeat and submit Santiago Luna to take his record up to 2-0 since he made his return to 135 pounds. He looked sharp, he looked confident, and he certainly seemed to fit the weight class better than he did at featherweight.
Brendan Allen wants Nassourdine Imavov or winner of top middleweight fight following UFC Vegas 118 win: "Early November at the worst"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026
Brendan Allen is hoping for a title eliminator after extending his winning streak to three. Allen was in the co-headlining spot for UFC Vegas 118 this past Saturday. He traded leather with Edmen Shahbazyan in a bout that ended up going the distance. After three rounds of action, “All In” scored the unanimous decision victory. The bout also earned “Fight of the Night” honors.
Eddie Hearn is 'overvaluing' manager role amid Dana White beef, says retired UFC vet: "I don’t think he really understands how this works"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026
Is Eddie Hearn in over his head amid a hostile war of wards with Dana White? Hearn and White were once chummy and often exchanged pleasantries, but things changed when the UFC boss got into the boxing industry. Since the formation of Zuffa Boxing, Hearn and White have been at odds. Zuffa Boxing pulled off an unexpected move by signing longtime Matchroom Boxing star Conor Benn, who had a business relationship with Hearn for a decade.
Daniel Cormier isn't as heated with Jon Jones these days: "He’s not as bad as I originally thought"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026
Daniel Cormier has finally softened his stance Jon Jones, although the two still may not be exchanging Christmas cards later this year. Cormier and Jones had some bad blood during the prime of their pro MMA careers. The two hurled personal digs at one another, and “DC” has admitted that the rivalry got him out of character. Both men have retired from pro MMA competition, although “Bones” has been flirting with a return if he can get out of his UFC deal.
Alex Pereira remains dumbfounded by Josh Hokit's trash talk at UFC Freedom 250 presser: "I never saw this"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026
Alex Pereira still doesn’t quite know what to make of Josh Hokit’s antics towards him during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference. Pereira and Hokit will be featured in separate bouts on the historic June 14 event on the White House lawn. “Poatan” will be facing Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Hokit is scheduled to clash with Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight battle.
Belal Muhammad speaks out after latest setback at UFC Vegas 118 against Gabriel Bonfim: "Grateful for the journey"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026
Belal Muhammad didn’t get the result he envisioned at the conclusion of UFC Vegas 118, but he is facing the music without hesitation. The former UFC Welterweight Champion was back in action this past Saturday. “Remember The Name” collided with surging contender Gabriel Bonfim inside the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Muhammad struggled against the younger Bonfim and was ultimately swept on the scorecards. With the victory, Bonfim has extended his winning streak to five.
Dana White responds to Eddie Hearn's demand for Tom Aspinall pay raise: "Eddie's full of a lot of s***"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 7, 2026
Dana White has taken Eddie Hearn to task over his demand to have Tom Aspinall receive a significant pay raise if he’s expected to fight the winner of Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane. White and Hearn have been engaged in some hostile banter ever since Zuffa Boxing formed. Things took an unexpected turn when Zuffa Boxing signed Conor Benn, who had been in business with Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing for a decade. Hearn fired back by signing a disgruntled Aspinall to a talent agency deal.
Joe Rogan rooting for Scott Coker in MMA return: "I hope he could do it, it's f****** hard"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2026
Scott Coker is back in the MMA business, and Joe Rogan wishes for his success. Coker recently announced that he will be leading an unnamed MMA league and plans to get things up and running in 2027. The promotion already has $60 million in financial backing and has some noteworthy investors, such as Tony Hawk. Coker admitted in a press release that his plan was always to return to the MMA business after Bellator was sold, but it was about timing.
Tom Aspinall will not fight winner of Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane without significant pay raise, says Eddie Hearn
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 5, 2026
Eddie Hearn insists he refuses to allow Tom Aspinall to fight the winner of the UFC Freedom 250 co-headliner without a substantial bump in pay. The co-main event for the historic June 14 show will feature an interim heavyweight title fight between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane. While the winner should be facing Aspinall in a title unification bout down the line, there are some issues that need to be addressed. Aspinall has been unhappy with how the UFC brass responded to the double eye injury he suffered in his UFC 321 fight against Gane back in Oct. 2025.