MMA News

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is getting Justin Gaethje’s family, and more specifically his father, involved in trash talk. Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje are days away from clashing on the White House lawn at UFC Freedom 250. In a highly anticipated UFC lightweight title unification bout, Topuria and Gaethje will headline the first outdoors UFC card of the modern era.

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

If Gina Carano wants to fight in Mixed Martial Arts again after her 17-second loss to Ronda Rousey, a boxing legend is ready to oblige. MMA legend Gina Carano’s return to the sport after 17 years away ended in just 17 seconds against UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey last month at MVP MMA 1. After weeks of anticipation for the all-legends clash, Rousey made quick work of Carano with another of her patented armbar submissions.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 1, 2026

He learned to fight with no gloves at age 8. Now Saw Min Min steps into the most high-profile bout of his career against one of Muay Thai’s most decorated active fighters. Yodlekpet Or Atchariya faces Myanmar’s Saw Min Min in the flyweight Muay Thai main event of ONE Friday Fights 157, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 5.

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov draws a surprising name for his next fight at UFC Abu Dhabi. After a narrow loss to then-UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311, top contender Umar Nurmagomedov has had an unorthodox route back to the bantamweight title picture. Umar, the cousin of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, was unbeaten in his MMA career before the unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili.

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

Interim UFC champion Justin Gaethje is pushing his body to its limits to prepare for the expected humid climate outside at UFC White House. Justin Gaethje will look to add a unified UFC lightweight title to his legendary resume later this month against Ilia Topuria at UFC White House. At a one-of-a-kind event, Topuria and Gaethje will square off on the White House lawn, the first UFC event held outdoors in the modern era.

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria is vulnerable to one of Justin Gaethje’s greatest strengths, according to one of MMA’s best coaches. Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje headlines the UFC’s upcoming card on the White House lawn, in a matchup to unify the UFC lightweight titles. Topuria, who won the then-vacant lightweight belt last year at UFC 317, is considered a significant favorite against the interim champ Gaethje entering UFC Freedom 250.

Curtis Calhoun - June 1, 2026

One of Conor McGregor’s biggest rivals believes his five-year hiatus will lead to him declining a potentially viral moment at UFC 329. Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is, as of this writing, just weeks away from his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at UFC 329. McGregor and former BMF titleholder Max Holloway headline an intriguing card for the UFC’s annual International Fight Week event in Las Vegas.

BJPENN.COM Staff - June 1, 2026

Seventeen appearances in ONE Friday Fights history. Three straight wins. Still no contract. Kongchai Chanaidonmueang arrives at The Inner Circle on June 5 knowing exactly what the gap in his resume has been — and what closing it requires. Kongchai faces Moldovan striker Valerii Strungari in the strawweight Muay Thai main event of The Inner Circle, streaming live for members at live.onefc.com from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 5.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2026

Ben Askren is making his return to competition at RAF 11, and the announcement comes just shy of one full year since he had a double lung transplant. Askren made the stunning reveal during Monday’s appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” The former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder announced that he will be wrestling former UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad. It’s an announcement that has shocked the MMA and freestyle wrestling communities as many have been in awe of Askren’s recovery.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2026

Colby Covington believes Arman Tsarukyan has displayed unsportsmanlike behavior that he isn’t a fan of. Covington has long been known to ruffle the feathers of other fighters with his trash talk. The former interim UFC Welterweight Champion insists that even he has his limits, and he feels Tsarukyan has stepped out of bounds on numerous occasions. From brawling on the mat to a questionable move on a California legend, Tsarukyan has drawn the ire of some over his with his actions.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 1, 2026

Paulo Costa remains interested in a rematch with Sean Strickland, and he feels he’d give himself a better chance to earn the win this time. Costa and Strickland shared the Octagon back in June 2024 at UFC 302. It was a rebound fight for Strickland, who saw his first world title run end thanks to Dricus du Plessis in the fight prior. Ultimately, Strickland defeated Costa via split decision.

Harry Kettle - June 1, 2026

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has explained why he considers Brock Lesnar to be his dream mixed martial arts opponent. The curious case of Tom Aspinall. The English champ, who was once seen as the most exciting fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has been out of action for a while now due to injury. Alas, that doesn’t mean fans aren’t excited to hopefully see him make the walk again at some point in the future.

Harry Kettle - June 1, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria had some interesting picks for ‘best boxer’ when discussing his ideal fighter in a recent interview. Few could have imagined that Ilia Topuria would rise up through the ranks in the Ultimate Fighting Championship as quickly as he has. In his next outing, the two-weight world champion will put his gold on the line in the main event of UFC Freedom 250 when he goes head to head with interim champion Justin Gaethje.

Harry Kettle - June 1, 2026

UFC star Sean O’Malley believes he should have backed up Josh Hokit during the recent press conference drama they featured in. As we know, Sean O’Malley will be making his grand return to the cage later this month when he battles Aiemann Zahabi as part of the blockbuster UFC Freedom 250 card. Many feel like he is the favorite, and if he is able to get the job done, he will likely set himself up for another crack at the world title in the bantamweight division.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 31, 2026

Islam Makhachev has no issue with Conor McGregor making his comeback. McGregor is set to return to the Octagon in the UFC 329 main event on July 11. He will face Max Holloway in a rematch. The two first did battle back in 2013 and it was the “Notorious” one who earned the unanimous decision win.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 31, 2026

Could Brock Lesnar be lured into RAF clash with a former Olympic gold medalist? Lesnar’s combat sports career may be over, but freestyle wrestling has emerged to a wider audience thanks to RAF. The promotion has been able to secure notable names such as Arman Tsarukyan, Merab Dvalishvili, Colby Covington, Urijah Faber, and even Khamzat Chimaev.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 31, 2026

Merab Dvalishvili isn’t concerned about losing out on a UFC title rematch. Dvalishvili lost the UFC Bantamweight Championship in his second meeting with Petr Yan back in Dec. 2025. “The Machine” dropped a unanimous decision to Yan. Dvalishvili has been calling for a trilogy fight, but Yan underwent lumbar surgery earlier this year.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 31, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan believes it would be wise for Ilia Topuria to chase a super fight with Islam Makhachev while he still can. Topuria is scheduled to face Justin Gaethje in the UFC Freedom 250 headliner. It’ll be a title unification bout in the lightweight division. “El Matador” is a big favorite going into the bout and if he can handle business on fight night, he could open the door for the mega fight with Makhachev.