MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 21, 2026

Scott Coker is back in the MMA business. The Hollywood Reporter brought word that Coker has garnered $60 million in financial backing to lead a new MMA league in 2027. The promotion doesn’t have a name at this time, but Creator Sports Capital is the lead investment firm. Griffin Gaming Partners is also involved. The company has key NFL and NBA stakeholders involved as well. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk is an investor.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 21, 2026

Ilia Topuria and Ryan Garcia have found themselves in a war of words on social media. Topuria, who is the reigning UFC Lightweight Champion, hasn’t been shy about wanting to dip his toes in the boxing waters. Garcia is the current WBC welterweight titleholder, and he has traded verbal jabs with the likes of Sean O’Malley. “KingRy” insists that pro MMA fighters need to stick to their craft instead of trying to box with elite practitioners of the sweet science.

Dylan Bowker - May 21, 2026

A prominent TKO figurehead recently made some curious comments regarding the Netflix broadcasted fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano with one of MMA’s most tenured reporters responding to those quips in question. Dave Meltzer is the referenced media member here and while predominantly known for The Wrestling Observer, under that by-line he also became one of the earlier individuals to cover mixed martial arts as a regular beat. Also Meltzer has the distinction of being a former UFC judge with those prior duties served at UFC 18.

Harry Kettle - May 21, 2026

Alex Pereira has revealed one possible setback for him as he prepares to move up to the heavyweight division in the UFC. Alex Pereira has already established himself as a legend in mixed martial arts. Despite his seemingly short tenure in the sport, he has done some incredible things throughout his tenure in the UFC. Now, he looks set to push for a third weight class world title when he moves up to heavyweight to battle Ciryl Gane.

Harry Kettle - May 21, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has had some interesting words for Arman Tsarukyan in a recent interview. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in all of mixed martial arts right now. He is the former UFC featherweight champion, and he is the current UFC lightweight champion. At UFC Freedom 250, he will defend the belt against Justin Gaethje, in what will likely serve as the challenger’s final shot at a world championship in the promotion.

Curtis Calhoun - May 20, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov is at odds with Dana White over the UFC head’s recent claims about his abrupt retirement. Khabib Nurmagomedov became one of the few MMA greats to retire on top of the sport when he announced the end of his career following a win at UFC 254. After the tragic death of his father just months before defeating Justin Gaethje, Nurmagomedov fulfilled a promise to his mother never to fight again.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 20, 2026

He was at a birthday party when the call came. He had to leave, get to the theater, and perform. Again. It happened more than once. He was fuming every time, but he went anyway. Freddie Haggerty faces WBC Muay Thai World Champion Yonis Anane in a strawweight Muay Thai bout at The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, May 22.

Curtis Calhoun - May 20, 2026

Phumi Nkuta responded to referee Herb Dean’s defense of his controversial stoppage at Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. An eventful night at the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event ended with a 17-second finish by the UFC Hall of Famer Rousey. Just a few fights before the main event, a bout between former ONE champion Adriano Moraes and unbeaten prospect Phumi Nkuta made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Cole Shelton - May 20, 2026

Dustin Poirier expects Paddy Pimblett to pull off the upset at UFC 329 in his co-main event fight against Benoit Saint-Denis. Pimblett is coming off a loss to Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title earlier this year and has a tough fight in Saint-Denis. Entering the bout, Pimblett is the betting underdog, but Poirier believes the Brit has the tools to get his hand raised, as he was impressed with his durability against Gaethje.

Curtis Calhoun - May 20, 2026

A former UFC heavyweight champion believes Robelis Despaigne would become the first fighter to knock out Francis Ngannou in the cage. It was a triumphant return to Mixed Martial Arts for former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou last Saturday at Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, as Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round of their heavyweight matchup. It was Ngannou’s first MMA fight since his lone Professional Fighters League appearance in October 2024.

BJPENN.COM Staff - May 20, 2026

For years, fans said they wanted to turn off the TV when he fought. Then he landed a head kick on Alexey Balyko, earned a six-figure contract on the spot, and the conversation changed overnight. Yod-IQ Or Pimolsri faces undefeated Russian knockout specialist Kiamran Nabati in the bantamweight Muay Thai main event of The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, May 22.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 20, 2026

Conor McGregor is a sizable underdog going into his UFC 329 rematch with Max Holloway, but is there a chance for the “Notorious” one? McGregor has been out of the Octagon since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier back in 2021. He was set for a comeback fight against Michael Chandler in 2024, but a toe injury put a dent in that plan.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 20, 2026

Dustin Poirier has an idea of what Justin Gaethje needs to do to ensure victory over Ilia Topuria. Gaethje and Topuria are scheduled to collide in a lightweight title unification bout in the UFC Freedom 250 headliner. “The Highlight” captured the interim 155-pound gold when he earned a unanimous decision win over Paddy Pimblett back in January. At the time, Topuria was on hiatus.

Dylan Bowker - May 20, 2026

Sean Strickland vs. Khamzat Chimaev had certain parallels to Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva which was addressed in a certain regard by ‘The All-American’ himself. Sean Strickland reclaimed the middleweight crown against Khamzat Chimaev in what many saw as an upset at UFC 328. Someone tied to upset UFC middleweight title wins is Chris Weidman who famously ended the lengthy championship winning streak of Anderson Silva to usurp his 185 pound throne. When asked for his thoughts on Strickland again capturing gold and in another context where a lot of people saw it as a massive upset victory, Weidman said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Dylan Bowker - May 20, 2026

Jim Miller has a level of longevity that draws the attention of everyone in the MMA community including former UFC champions that Miller has fought. Benson Henderson is the combatant in question who returns to MMA to compete with Patrick Habirora at PFL Brussels in the May 23rd headliner. ‘Bendo’ beat Jim Miller by way of unanimous decision in the confines of the cage at UFC on Versus 5 in August 2011. In the wake of Miller securing a submission victory at UFC 328 over Jared Gordon, when giving his thoughts on Miller adding another W to his MMA ledger, Henderson said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Harry Kettle - May 20, 2026

Conor McGregor’s former rival Eddie Alvarez has given his thoughts on the Irishman’s return to the cage at UFC 329. As we know, Conor McGregor will make his return to the cage at UFC 329 when he squares off against Max Holloway for the second time. It comes over a decade after the two first met, and on that occasion, Conor was able to fight through an injury and pick up the win over a young and inexperienced Holloway.

Harry Kettle - May 20, 2026

Former UFC star Ben Askren has given his thoughts on Francis Ngannou’s main problem since leaving the promotion. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou made his return to active competition in mixed martial arts with an emphatic win over Philipe Lins. While some enjoyed seeing him pick up another knockout triumph, others were concerned that the level of opposition wasn’t quite where it should be for a man who has conquered the heavyweight division in two different promotions.

Curtis Calhoun - May 19, 2026

UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre fears Conor McGregor won’t be ‘close to what he was’ in his UFC 329 comeback fight. After almost five full years away from the Octagon, former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor will fight Max Holloway in a highly anticipated showdown at UFC 329 to cap off International Fight Week. McGregor hasn’t fought since injuring his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, and his most recent comeback attempt at UFC 303 was scratched due to a toe injury.