MMA News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2026

If Ian Machado Garry is next up for Islam Makhachev, then Javier Mendez doesn’t expect “The Future” to last on the ground. Makhachev captured the UFC Welterweight Championship back in Nov. 2025. His dominant performance against Jack Della Maddalena left many wondering who would be worthy of a title opportunity. While Makhachev prefers to face former 170-pound titleholder Kamaru Usman, other contenders such as Garry have emerged.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 19, 2026

Daniel Cormier isn’t beating Jon Jones at anything if the co-founder of Real American Freestyle (RAF) is to be believed. Cormier and Jones have been at odds for over a decade. The two even brawled during a press event before their first fight inside the Octagon. Jones defeated Cormier via unanimous decision in early 2015. “Bones” stopped Cormier in their 2017 rematch, but the result was changed to a no contest after Jones failed a drug test for turinabol.

Harry Kettle - February 19, 2026

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has defended Tom Aspinall as fans continue to go after him on social media. When you talk about guys who have been unlucky in this sport, Tom Aspinall is up there with the best of them. After years of fighters not wanting to face him, he finally got his shot in the UFC and immediately shot up the rankings at heavyweight. Then, he blew out his knee, forcing him out of action for a year, before he returned and eventually became the UFC heavyweight champion.

Harry Kettle - February 19, 2026

UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has spoken openly about his future in the promotion. It’s safe to say that right now, Alex Pereira is one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts – and perhaps in combat sports as a whole. The two-weight world champion has everyone talking about him, especially in the wake of his epic victory over Magomed Ankalaev in their recent rematch.

Dylan Bowker - February 18, 2026

Sean Strickland was directionally vitriolic when discussing the recent Super Bowl halftime show and used some regressive slurs to describe the featured performer, Bad Bunny. This year’s NFL-related entertainment proceedings became heavily politicized, with some seeing Bad Bunny as being representative of a left-leaning performance. While on the other end of this political binary showcase, a Turning Point USA show featuring Kid Rock offered up more of a MAGA-focused, right-leaning musical offering. Strickland returns from his suspension to clash with Anthony ‘Fluffy’ Hernandez this weekend, but he also took some time to lambast Bad Bunny and the NFL halftime show during his pre-fight media day. When the controversial combatant began touching upon how we should all divert from MMA discourse and take a look at recent happenings in the NFL, Strickland said,

Curtis Calhoun - February 18, 2026

The brewing feud between UFC CEO Dana White and Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn took a bizarre turn this week. Dana White’s venture into boxing has only lasted a few months, and he’s already made a fitting rival in Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 18, 2026

Stella Hemetsberger is a two-sport ONE World Champion. The Austrian striker defeated Filipina-American rival Jackie Buntan by split decision at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Friday, February 13, inside Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, to capture the ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Title. She already owned the divisional Muay Thai crown, and with two belts now fastened around her waist, the 27-year-old became just the third woman in ONE Championship history to hold World Titles in two striking disciplines, joining Stamp Fairtex and Janet Todd in that exclusive company.

Curtis Calhoun - February 18, 2026

Influencer Deen The Great made the unfortunate decision to trash-talk former UFC fighter Tiki Ghosn with grave consequences. As social media continues to evolve and grow, influencers are becoming prominent in today’s society. Streamers like Adin Ross and others have made a living by creating content, with loyal fanbases behind them.

Curtis Calhoun - February 18, 2026

NBA superstar Jaylen Brown is the latest basketball standout to tease potentially becoming an MMA fighter once his current career concludes. The UFC Octagon has showcased some of the most versatile athletes in the world. From former professional football players like Greg Hardy and Brock Lesnar, to former Olympians like Henry Cejudo, the Octagon has shown many different elements of athleticism.

BJ Penn Staff - February 18, 2026

Former UFC champ Sean Strickland has no interest in watching Ronda Rousey fight Gina Carano on Netflix this May. Rousey will meet Carano in a pro MMA bout on May 16. Both women rank among the most influential fighters in the history of women’s MMA, so the bout will definitely generate huge viewership—possibly more than the upcoming UFC White House card.

BJPENN.COM Staff - February 18, 2026

Nakrob Fairtex is stepping into the most pivotal fight of his ONE Championship career this Friday — and he isn’t pretending otherwise. The 27-year-old Fairtex Training Center product enters ONE Friday Fights 143 carrying a 10-4 promotional record and the weight of back-to-back knockout defeats. His most recent loss came against Japanese veteran Taiki Naito, who finished him in under three minutes. For a fighter who grinded out eight wins to earn a life-changing US$100,000 contract on the ONE Friday Fights series, the slide has been a hard wake-up call.

BJ Penn Staff - February 18, 2026

Ronda Rousey has issued a friendly challenge to the UFC ahead of her hotly anticipated clash with fellow MMA legend Gina Carano. Rousey and Carano will collide on Netflix on May 16. It will be a professional MMA bout promoted by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. The May 16 date puts the fight just one month ahead of the anticipated UFC White House card (June 14), which UFC brass hope will break MMA viewership records.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2026

Sean Strickland believes forces outside of UFC will lead to Khamzat Chimaev eventually defending the middleweight gold. Strickland is known for being outspoken, and his stance on Chimaev’s inactivity is no exception. Chimaev was last seen inside the Octagon when he turned in a brilliant grappling display against Dricus du Plessis. After nearly 22 minutes of control time, Chimaev won the UFC Middleweight Championship via unanimous decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2026

To many, Conor McGregor and Jon Jones being showcased on the UFC White House card would be a slam dunk, but Chael Sonnen doesn’t think it’s a good long-term move. UFC appears to be drawing closer to announcing the White House card. Dana White revealed to reporters that the card has been finalized, but he isn’t ready to share details. McGregor quickly deleted a social media post claiming he has accepted a bout, which sparked speculation.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 18, 2026

Former UFC heavyweight legend Cain Velasquez was recently released from prison 10 months after pleading no contest to attempted murder, among other charges. The circumstances around Velasquez’s sentence have been heavily discussed, and Sean Strickland is glad that the former champion is a free man. Last year, Velasquez was given a five-year sentence with 1,283 days credited for time served. Back in Feb. 2022, Velasquez shot at a vehicle with Harry Goularte as a passenger. Goularte’s stepfather suffered a non-life threatening injury during the incident. Goularte has been accused of molesting Velasquez’s son and is awaiting trial for a felony charge of lewd acts with a minor. Despite this, Goularte is currently out on bail.

Harry Kettle - February 18, 2026

In a since-deleted tweet, Conor McGregor has claimed that he’s been offered both a date and an opponent for his UFC return. For the longest time now, fight fans have been waiting to see what’s next for Conor McGregor. While he hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts for nearly five years, the Irishman is still considered to be one of the biggest stars of the sport.

Curtis Calhoun - February 17, 2026

Former UFC women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg didn’t take long to roast Ronda Rousey after news broke of her MMA comeback. UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey will make her first MMA appearance in 10 years against fellow women’s MMA pioneer, Gina Carano, on May 16th in Los Angeles. This will mark Rousey’s first MMA fight since a loss to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207.

Dylan Bowker - February 17, 2026

UFC Ottawa is looming, and one of Canadian MMA’s most promising, surging fighters foresees a big win over a former Alex Pereira opponent, vaulting him toward that April UFC card in Canada. The UFC is coming back to Canada once again and is back in the capital city this time out. On the grassroots scene in the great fight north, Bobby Poulter will clash with former ‘Poatan’ kickboxing opponent and kickboxing legend Simon Marcus in a clash for the Unified MMA welterweight title at Unified MMA 66 on Friday, February 20th, in Toronto.