MMA News

BJ Penn Staff - April 9, 2026

On June 14, the UFC will promote an event on the White House lawn. It is expected to be one of the biggest events in the promotion’s history — if it all goes according to plan. Because of its setting, and the presence of dignitaries like US President Donald Trump, the event requires rigorous planning from organizers, White House staff, and security personnel. UFC President Dana White has already discussed the challenges of organizing such an event, and has made no secret of the event’s massive price tag.

BJ Penn Staff - April 9, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan may not be getting a UFC title shot anytime soon, but he’s definitely not short on cash. Tsarukyan is one of the top contenders in the UFC lightweight division division, thanks to recent wins over Dan Hooker and Charles Oliveira. Despite his status in the division, a title shot has eluded him, as he seems to have fallen out of favor with UFC brass.

BJ Penn Staff - April 9, 2026

Pedro Munhoz is ready to move on from the UFC. The Brazilian bantamweight has been signed with the UFC since 2014. He has made over 20 walks to the Octagon since then, battling some of the best fighters in his division’s history in that time. He is grateful for his experiences on the UFC roster. However, he believes it’s time to take his career in a new direction.

Harry Kettle - April 9, 2026

Carlos Ulberg has revealed his desire to try and lure Alex Pereira back to the light heavyweight division with a win at UFC 327. For a good few years now, Carlos Ulberg has been slowly but surely building himself up to the championship level at light heavyweight. On Saturday night, he will finally get his chance to hold the gold when he goes head to head with Jiri Prochazka for the vacant belt.

Harry Kettle - April 9, 2026

UFC veteran Dan Hooker has explained why he was frustrated by his defeat to Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 325. As we know, Dan Hooker is one of the most entertaining fighters that the lightweight division has seen in years – both in and out of the cage. However, in recent times, he’s fallen to a few harsh defeats against Arman Tsarukyan and Benoit Saint Denis.

Curtis Calhoun - April 8, 2026

Valentina Shevchenko didn’t hold back on Jake Paul after his recent fiery remarks about the current state of MMA. Jake Paul’s ongoing feud with UFC CEO Dana White reignited earlier this week when the polarizing influencer/boxer claimed that the promotion, and Mixed Martial Arts as a whole, ‘is dying’. Paul pointed to what he perceives as a lackluster UFC Freedom 250 card at the White House as a major symptom of a larger issue.

BJPENN.COM Staff - April 8, 2026

Regian “The Immortal” Eersel has held the ONE Lightweight Kickboxing World Title six times. He won it first in 2019 — his first piece of gold in ONE Championship — and describes it as a belt with a special place in his career. On Friday, April 10, he gets his chance to reclaim it when he faces Rungrawee “Legatron” Sitsongpeenong in the main event of The Inner Circle, streaming live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Curtis Calhoun - April 8, 2026

UFC CEO Dana White had a hilarious reaction to Jiri Prochazka’s viral altercation with Josh Hokit at UFC 327 media day. Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka will look to become a two-time titleholder when he fights the streaking Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 this Saturday in Miami. After Alex Pereira vacated the light heavyweight title earlier this year, Prochazka vs. Ulberg was booked to keep the division moving.

Cole Shelton - April 8, 2026

Paulo Costa believes he can get close to earning a light heavyweight title shot at UFC 327. Costa is set to move up to light heavyweight to face the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov in the co-main event of UFC 327 on Saturday in Miami. It’s a highly anticipated fight, and although Costa is moving up in weight, he said he is still open to fighting at middleweight. But he views UFC 327 as a chance to enter the light heavyweight title picture.

Dylan Bowker - April 8, 2026

Cody Garbrandt was able to get back to the win column after a foul-sustaining effort against Xiao Long, and someone who was previously slated to fight ‘No Love’ thinks that the latter would have won if point deductions had not transpired at UFC 326. The fighter in question is Julio Arce, who previously had a fight booked with Garbrandt that ultimately didn’t come to fruition because of an injury at UFC 285. Julio Arce touched upon Garbrandt’s recent victory ahead of his own fight on March 28th as Arce competed with Alexei Pergande at PFL Pittsburgh. When asked for his thoughts on Garbrandt’s relatively recent UFC 326 win, snapping a two-fight skid he had prior to beating Long, Arce said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Curtis Calhoun - April 8, 2026

UFC CEO Dana White clarified that his relationship with Arman Tsarukyan remains strong despite labeling him a ‘maniac’. Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan has done just about everything imaginable to earn a lightweight title shot, despite a last-second pullout from his first title opportunity at UFC 311 last year. Since the events of UFC 311, Tsarukyan has impressively defeated Dan Hooker to retain his spot in the lightweight title picture.

Curtis Calhoun - April 8, 2026

Arman Tsarukyan spends a lucrative figure every month as he preps for fights ahead of a potential UFC lightweight title shot. Top UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan continues to wait for another title shot after defeating Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar last year. After the UFC announced Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje for UFC Freedom 250, Tsarukyan continues to wait on the sidelines for clarity on his next bout, but has claimed that good news is on the way in the upcoming weeks.

Curtis Calhoun - April 8, 2026

Not everyone is sold on Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson becoming an elite fighter in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Top heavyweight MMA prospect Gable Steveson could potentially be on his way to the UFC, as recent rumors point to the Olympic gold medalist attending UFC 327 this weekend to speak with UFC executives. Steveson has been acknowledged by Joe Rogan, Dana White, and others as a future star in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2026

Jorge Masvidal isn’t entertained when he watches Khamzat Chimaev in action. Chimaev is the reigning UFC Middleweight Champion. He took the 185-pound gold thanks to his grappling dominance over Dricus du Plessis back in Aug. 2025. “Borz” almost had 22 minutes of control time on his way to a one-sided unanimous decision win.

Dylan Bowker - April 8, 2026

Mike Perry is undoubtedly the biggest name in the world of gloveless combat but a former title challenger in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship had some choice wording about ‘Platinum’ using the promotion for his own gain.  The combatant in question is Doug Coltrane and the former BKFC middleweight title contender clashes with ex-UFC vet Maki Pitolo at BKFC Honolulu in the headlining bout on April 11th. As he was discussing a former BKFC foe of his in Blake LaCaze preparing to fight for Perry’s promotion Dirty Boxing Championship later this week, Coltrane said [via Bare Knuckle Bowker],

Fernando Quiles Jr. - April 8, 2026

Belal Muhammad believes Kamaru Usman is being protected from sharing the Octagon with him. Muhammad and Usman have had beef stemming from an unaired edition of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast. Muhammad and Usman allegedly got into a scuffle and “Remember The Name” claims he got the better of “The Nigerian Nightmare.” Usman has dismissed a potential clash with Muhammad under the UFC banner unless high stakes are involved.

Harry Kettle - April 8, 2026

UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev has hit back at those questioning his inactivity ahead of his return to action. At UFC 328, Khamzat Chimaev will defend the UFC middleweight championship against Sean Strickland. Given the larger than life personality of his American challenger, this is likely to be one of the spiciest build-ups to a bout that Khamzat has had in his career thus far.

Harry Kettle - April 8, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has issued a prediction for his upcoming fight against Justin Gaethje. When you talk about the scariest fighters in all of mixed martial arts, Ilia Topuria has to feature in the conversation – and that much goes without saying. He has achieved some truly incredible things throughout the course of his time in the sport, with the biggest highlight being that he is already a two-weight world champion in the UFC.