MMA News
George Jarvis and Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong to run it back at ONE Fight Night 44
BJPENN.COM Staff - May 22, 2026
George Jarvis knocked Rungrawee Sitsongpeenong out in November 2024 and walked away with a six-figure contract. Eighteen months later, Rungrawee has challenged for a ONE World Title. Jarvis knows the man across from him has changed. Rungrawee faces Jarvis in a lightweight Muay Thai rematch in the main event of ONE Fight Night 44 on Prime Video, broadcasting live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, June 26.
Ilia Topuria makes shocking pick for Conor McGregor vs. Max Holloway 2
Curtis Calhoun - May 22, 2026
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria isn’t expecting cage rust to impact Conor McGregor in his return at UFC 329 this summer. UFC superstar Conor McGregor will attempt one of the most highly anticipated comebacks in Mixed Martial Arts history this summer at UFC 329. McGregor will face former BMF titleholder Max Holloway in the UFC 329 main event to conclude the promotion’s annual International Fight Week event in Las Vegas.
Jared Cannonier booked for first fight in 11 months at UFC OKC vs. rising UK star
Curtis Calhoun - May 22, 2026
Former UFC middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier will return in his potential retirement fight in Oklahoma City. Amidst another change at the top of the UFC middleweight division, former title challenger Jared Cannonier remains in the mix for another potential title shot if he can go on another impressive win streak. In his first fight since a loss to Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 319 last year, Cannonier will look to turn away one of the division’s rising stars.
Tyron Woodley scorches 'baiter' Colby Covington in brutal retirement message
Curtis Calhoun - May 22, 2026
Former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley didn’t have a lot of nice things to say about Colby Covington after his abrupt retirement. Former UFC welterweight title challenger Colby Covington informed the promotion of his decision to retire following a long hiatus from competition. After Covington was excluded from a spot on the upcoming White House card, the polarizing star’s future remained uncertain.
Magomed Ankalaev set to headline UFC Abu Dhabi vs. fellow Alex Pereira rival
Curtis Calhoun - May 22, 2026
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev isn’t taking a steep decline in competition level after losing the belt at UFC 320. It’s been seven months since former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev lost in his rematch with Alex Pereira at UFC 320. After defeating Pereira at UFC 313 last year, Pereira got his revenge by finishing Ankalaev by TKO.
UFC Freedom 250 opponent thinks Bo Nickal was looking for an easy fight: "I would too if I was in Bo's shoes"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2026
Bo Nickal is in a big spot on the UFC Freedom 250 card, and his opponent believes he wanted to cherry-pick. Nickal is set to share the Octagon with Kyle Daukaus on the White House lawn on June 14. Some have scoffed at Nickal getting such a spot when he has yet to ascend to an elite level inside the Octagon. Many have also questioned why Daukaus was chosen as an opponent.
Colby Covington's UFC retirement leaves Kamaru Usman confused: "You want to see this guy"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2026
Kamaru Usman believes Colby Covington has more to give in the world of MMA amid his former foe’s retirement. Over the past year, Covington has expressed his gripes with the UFC brass. He wanted to compete at the Freedom 250 event, but he ultimately didn’t get a spot on the card. This miffed “Chaos,” who hadn’t been inside the Octagon since late 2024 when he was defeated by Joaquin Buckley via doctor’s stoppage.
Nate Diaz will never return to UFC, predicts Brendan Schaub: "He looked so bad" against Mike Perry
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 22, 2026
If Brendan Schaub’s hunch is correct, then Nate Diaz will never have another UFC fight again. Diaz had his first MMA bout since 2022 when he fought Mike Perry in the co-main event of Most Valuable Promotions’ Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card. It was not a good night for Diaz, who was stopped by Perry via second-round TKO due to the corner stoppage. While Diaz appeared to be in high spirits after the fight, Schaub believes the bubble has finally burst on the fan favorite.
Jon Anik is intrigued to see how Ronda Rousey would fare in possible UFC return
Harry Kettle - May 22, 2026
UFC commentator Jon Anik has given his thoughts on Ronda Rousey potentially making her return to the promotion. As we know, Ronda Rousey made her long-awaited return to mixed martial arts last weekend with a dominant and quick win over Gina Carano. While Ronda made it clear in the aftermath that she didn’t want to compete again in the sport, we certainly live in a ‘never say never’ era.
Conor McGregor's Rise and Fall is a "Macrocosm" of MMA in Ireland, per Irish Oktagon MMA Fighter
Dylan Bowker - May 21, 2026
Conor McGregor is returning to competing in MMA this Summer and an Oktagon MMA combatant based out of Ireland has weighed in on how much McGregor’s influence has shaped sentiment toward the sport in their home country over the years. Denis Frimpong is the fellow Irish mixed martial artist in question, and he touched upon these thoughts on Bowks Talking Bouts ahead of his last Oktagon MMA contest earlier this year. In a separate interview on Bowks Talking Bouts with two-division Oktagon MMA champion Will Fleury, he discussed the rise and fall of mixed martial arts in Ireland which, in his viewpoint, undulated with Conor McGregor’s general arc in life. When asked for his thoughts on that characterization as a fellow Irish fighter, Frimpong said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
Max Holloway explains why he's not overlooking Conor McGregor ahead of UFC 329: 'It's a hard fight'
Cole Shelton - May 21, 2026
Max Holloway knows he can’t overlook or underestimate Conor McGregor when they have their rematch at UFC 329. McGregor will make his return after five years away, and although he’s lost his last two fights and hasn’t fought in years, Holloway is expecting a tough bout.
Jake Paul predicts Scott Coker's $60 million return to MMA will be a massive failure
Curtis Calhoun - May 21, 2026
Jake Paul isn’t thrilled about Scott Coker’s $60 million investment to launch a new Mixed Martial Arts promotion in 2027. Jake Paul wants to continue to press the UFC after Most Valuable Promotions’ first Mixed Martial Arts event last weekend in Los Angeles. UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey submitted Gina Carano in just 17 seconds after a highlight-reel night to earn her first MMA win in 11 years.
Tom Aspinall makes surprising pick for Ciryl Gane vs. Alex Pereira amidst ongoing hiatus
Curtis Calhoun - May 21, 2026
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall gave his first full breakdown of Ciryl Gane vs. Alex Pereira since the fight was announced. The historic UFC Freedom 250 card features an interim heavyweight title co-main event between two-division champion Alex Pereira against former interim titleholder Ciryl Gane. The Gane vs. Pereira winner will presumably fight the lineal UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall upon Aspinall’s full recovery from multiple eye surgeries.
Kevin Holland set to return at UFC OKC vs. undefeated rising star
Curtis Calhoun - May 21, 2026
UFC welterweight star Kevin Holland will look to hand one of the division’s hottest young stars his first career defeat this summer. Kevin Holland won’t have to travel far from his native Fort Worth, TX, as he looks to continue a high rate of fighting activity in 2026.
Conor McGregor makes passionate declaration after UFC 329 return announcement: "I am better than ever"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 21, 2026
Conor McGregor believes that he is sharper than ever despite what others might think. It was recently announced by Dana White that McGregor will be making his long-awaited return to the Octagon on July 11. The “Notorious” one is set to headline UFC 329 against Max Holloway to cap off International Fight Week. McGregor and Holloway fought all the way back in 2013, and it was “Mystic Mac” who earned the unanimous decision win.
Former Bellator boss Scott Coker speaks out on new MMA league: "I always knew I wanted to come back when the time was right"
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.
TKO figurehead "is either completely full of s*** or has 0 knowledge of MMA history (or both)", per veteran industry insider
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.
Alex Pereira admits possible problem with moving up to UFC's heavyweight division
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.