MMA News
Brian Ortega opens up on toxic relationship with UFC star Tracy Cortez: 'I f***** up!'
Curtis Calhoun - April 21, 2026
UFC star Brian Ortega’s past romantic relationship with flyweight Tracy Cortez was rockier than fans, pundits, and fighters were led to believe. During the UFC’s illustrious history, there have been a few ‘power couples’ on the roster, including some coach/fighter relationships. Former UFC title challengers Thiago Santos and Yana Kunitskaya, along with Amanda and Nina Nunes, are just a few examples of couples you don’t want to mess with.
Darren Till explains why he signed with BKFC: 'It was irrefusable'
Cole Shelton - April 21, 2026
Darren Till has left Misfits Boxing and has signed with BKFC. The former UFC welterweight title challenger opted to sign a multi-fight deal with BKFC, and announced on The Ariel Helwani Show that his debut will come against Aaron Chalmers on May 30 at BKFC 90 in Birmingham, England. Ahead of his debut, Till said BKFC’s offer was something he couldn’t turn down.
Ayaka Miura targets title shot with win over Chihiro Sawada at ONE SAMURAI 1
BJPENN.COM Staff - April 21, 2026
Ayaka “Zombie” Miura has spent years grinding toward a ONE World Title. On Wednesday, April 29, she gets her clearest shot yet at making that a reality. The 35-year-old submission specialist faces fellow Japanese fighter Chihiro Sawada in an atomweight MMA clash at ONE SAMURAI 1, live from Ariake Arena in Tokyo, with a title eliminator on the line. Miura arrives carrying a 16-5 record and a five-fight winning streak, four of those wins by submission. Her scheduled title shot against Denice Zamboanga at ONE 173 last November fell apart when Zamboanga withdrew through illness. Sawada enters this all-Japan collision with three straight wins over Macarena Aragon, Itsuki Hirata, and Natalie Salcedo — equally hungry and equally dangerous.
Alex Pereira has multi-pronged path to become 3 division UFC champ vs. Ciryl Gane, per Johnny Eblen
Dylan Bowker - April 21, 2026
Alex Pereira is pursuing becoming a three division champion this Summer in the UFC and a former peer of his in the landscape of middleweight titleholders has weighed in on that. The combatant in question is Johnny Eblen who held the Bellator MMA belt during a time where ‘Poatan’ was holding the UFC crown at 185 pounds. During that prior time, Eblen addressed Alex Pereira in an interview context and said that he would beat Pereira 10 times out of 10 if they ever fought. When asked for his thoughts on Pereira’s attempt to become a three-division UFC champion and fight Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250, Eblen said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano will 'feel like a waste of time,' says retired UFC veteran: "It's going to play itself out"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 21, 2026
A former UFC star believes Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano will ultimately be a time waster. Rousey and Carano are scheduled to make their comebacks in the main event of a Most Valuable Promotions card on May 16. The event will air live on Netflix and will feature a slew of notable names on the undercard. Ex-UFC fan favorites Nate Diaz and Mike Perry are set to collide. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou will share the cage with Philipe Lins.
Aljamain Sterling thinks he can earn title shot against Alexander Volkanovski with UFC Vegas 116 win
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 21, 2026
Aljamain Sterling believes a featherweight title opportunity looms if he scores a win at UFC Vegas 116. Sterling is scheduled to face Youssef Zalal on Saturday. Zalal is riding an eight-fight winning streak and he’s coming off a submission finish over Josh Emmett. Sterling was last seen inside the Octagon back in Aug. 2025, scoring a unanimous decision win over Brian Ortega.
Dustin Poirier's UFC contract prevents him from boxing despite retirement: "I'm stuck in purgatory"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 21, 2026
Dustin Poirier has revealed he’s still locked in under a UFC contract despite retiring. Poirier entered the Octagon for the final time back in July 2025. He took on Max Holloway in a trilogy bout in New Orleans. “The Diamond” fell short, losing via unanimous decision. Poirier has since served as an analyst for UFC events, including recent shows on Paramount+.
Magomed Ankalaev promises no takedowns if Khalil Rountree accepts fight
BJ Penn Staff - April 21, 2026
Magomed Ankalaev claims he won’t be shooting for any takedowns if he’s matched up with Khalil Rountree Jr. in the UFC light heavyweight division. Ankalaev is a former champ at 205 pounds. He has not fought since he lost the belt to Alex Pereira via first-round KO late last year, but his seemingly itching to get back to action.
What's next for Mike Malott and Gilbert Burns after UFC Winnipeg?
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2026
The UFC was in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, on Saturday for UFC Winnipeg. In the main event, welterweight contenders threw down as Mike Malott took on Gilbert Burns. Malott was headlining his first UFC event and was coming off a win over Kevin Holland. Burns, meanwhile, had lost four straight fights. Ultimately, it was Malott who won by third-round TKO over Burns to get the biggest win of his career. Following UFC Winnipeg, here is what I think should be next for the welterweight contenders.
Ilia Topuria takes aim at Paddy Pimblett after loss to Justin Gaethje: 'He really proved that he’s a little sausage'
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2026
Ilia Topuria was surprised by how bad Paddy Pimblett truly is. Topuria was paying close attention to the Justin Gaethje vs. Pimblett interim lightweight title fight, as whoever won that fight would be his next opponent. Heading into the fight, Topuria admitted he thought Pimblett would win, but was shocked at how bad ‘The Baddy’ truly is.
Kamaru Usman pens classy tribute to rival Gilbert Burns after UFC Winnipeg retirement
Curtis Calhoun - April 20, 2026
One of Gilbert Burns’ biggest rivals, former UFC champ Kamaru Usman, issued a classy message after the welterweight star’s retirement. UFC welterweight fan favorite Gilbert Burns hung up the gloves following a loss to Mike Malott at UFC Winnipeg on Saturday. After dropping his fifth consecutive fight, Burns opted to announce his retirement in the Octagon at UFC Winnipeg, despite no previous hints at ending his career.
Ilia Topuria explodes in X-rated rant about 'dumb as f***' Arman Tsarukyan's marketing amid wait for UFC title shot
Curtis Calhoun - April 20, 2026
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria isn’t a fan of Arman Tsarukyan’s growing presence outside of the Octagon as he waits for a title shot. Ilia Topuria will return to defend his UFC lightweight championship against interim titleholder Justin Gaethje on the White House lawn this summer. Topuria vs. Gaethje headlines an intriguing card at UFC Freedom 250, which features the returns of Alex Pereira, Bo Nickal, and Michael Chandler.
Sean Strickland gets cold warning from Khamzat Chimaev's teammate against escalating feud ahead of UFC 328
Curtis Calhoun - April 20, 2026
The UFC will have an excruciatingly difficult time keeping Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev apart in the days before UFC 328. One of the biggest fights of the year features UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev defending his belt for the first time against former titleholder Sean Strickland at UFC 328 next month. A few years removed from the two brash personalities training together at Xtreme Couture, tensions are extremely high ahead of their highly anticipated showdown.
Aaron Pico thinks he'd 'dominate' Lerone Murphy in UFC rematch: "When that time comes, I'll be ready"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 20, 2026
Aaron Pico believes a rematch against Lerone Murphy would play out far differently. Back in Aug. 2025, Pico made his UFC debut against Murphy in a pivotal featherweight matchup. Pico had a ton of hype surrounding him, but he was immediately thrown in against a top contender. The end result was a spectacular spinning back elbow knockout win for Murphy.
Michael Bisping vouches for Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329: "It's got all the marketing"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 20, 2026
Michael Bisping believes it would be a good idea to book Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoit Saint Denis for the UFC 329 International Fight Week event. Pimblett has said in his vlogs that he’s planning to return to the Octagon sometime this summer. “The Baddy” fell short in his bid to capture the interim UFC Lightweight Championship back in January. He was defeated by Justin Gaethje via unanimous decision. Gaethje will be meeting Ilia Topuria in a title unification bout at UFC Freedom 250, while Pimblett will look to get back in the win column soon.
Arman Tsarukyan shares timeframe for next UFC fight, hints at possible featherweight title bout
Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 20, 2026
Arman Tsarukyan has an idea of when his next UFC fight will be, and he’s even teasing a potential featherweight title bout. Tsarukyan is a top contender in the lightweight division, but he is not next in line for the gold at 155 pounds. Main champion Ilia Topuria will be facing interim titleholder Justin Gaethje in the UFC Freedom 250 main event for the undisputed distinction on June 14. While one might think Tsarukyan is waiting for the winner, he isn’t ruling out a crack at Alexander Volkanovski’s featherweight gold.
Paddy Pimblett calls out 'dirty b*stard' Justin Gaethje for UFC rematch
BJ Penn Staff - April 20, 2026
Paddy Pimblett is looking for revenge against the only man to beat him in the UFC. Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champ, got off to a red-hot start in the UFC, with seven straight wins, including victories over Tony Ferguson, King Green and Michael Chandler. His luck finally ran out at UFC 324 in January, when he suffered a decision loss in an interim lightweight title fight with Justin Gaethje.
Arman Tsarukyan ready to 'be a backup' for UFC Freedom 250 main event
BJ Penn Staff - April 20, 2026
If trouble befalls the UFC Freedom 250 main event, Arman Tsarukyan will be ready to step in and save the day. UFC Freedom 250 goes down on June 14 on the White House lawn. The event is intended to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, and is expected to be one of the biggest and most unique in UFC history.