UFC News
Tom Aspinall claims he never wanted to wait for Jon Jones fight: 'My hands were completely tied by the UFC'
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2025
Tom Aspinall claims he never wanted to wait for Jon Jones. Aspinall was the interim heavyweight champion for over a year as he was waiting to face Jones, and even had to defend his belt once. Yet, the Jones fight never happened as ‘Bones’ retired and Aspinall was promoted to the undisputed champion.
Top MMA analyst explains why Dakota Ditcheva would beat Valentina Shevchenko in potential showdown
Curtis Calhoun - September 22, 2025
Dan Hardy believes a potential fight between PFL superstar Dakota Ditcheva and UFC flyweight champ Valentina Shevchenko would have a decisive victor. 2024 PFL flyweight champion Dakota Ditcheva is arguably the face of the league after a torrid start to her MMA career. Following Kayla Harrison’s PFL departure last year, Ditcheva has become one of the league’s biggest stars and is one of the most talked-about athletes in women’s MMA.
Surprising name surfaces to be Charles Oliveira's replacement opponent for UFC Rio main event
Curtis Calhoun - September 22, 2025
A top featherweight contender is willing to fight Charles Oliveira in the upcoming UFC Rio main event for his lightweight debut. Former UFC champion Charles Oliveira opted for a relatively fast turnaround at UFC Rio after a brutal knockout loss to Ilia Topuria at UFC 317. Despite public protests from Daniel Cormier and others worried about Oliveira’s health, Oliveira refused to turn down the opportunity to headline in his home country.
UFC legend Ronda Rousey admits she's 'finding my love' for MMA again
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025
Ronda Rousey likely won’t be returning to pro MMA competition, but she’s renewing her love for the sport. Rousey became a pioneer for women’s MMA thanks to her dominance as the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, as well as her popularity. “Rowdy” was one of combat sports’ most talked about figures during her prime. At the end of her run, Rousey grew bitter towards the sport that helped put her on the map due to mental exhaustion.
Charles Oliveira scolds fighters who are turning down UFC Rio spot amid opponent's injury
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025
Charles Oliveira isn’t happy with fighters who claim they want to step up on short notice, but don’t end up signing the contract. Oliveira was scheduled to meet Rafael Fiziev in the main event of UFC Rio on Oct. 11. Fiziev is off the card due to an injury, and the search for a replacement opponent is underway. Several fighters have thrown their name in the hat to serve as a potential replacement opponent, but Oliveira claims no one actually wants to fight.
Mario Bautista shares interesting thoughts about Umar Nurmagomedov's camp ahead of UFC 321
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025
Mario Bautista isn’t sold on Umar Nurmagomedov having a good time during his training camp ahead of UFC 321. Bautista and Nurmagomedov are scheduled to collide in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 25. The pivotal bantamweight scrap will be featured on the same card headlined by a UFC Heavyweight Championship fight between titleholder Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane. Bautista hopes to be closer than ever to a shot at the 135-pound gold, and a win over Nurmagomedov would certainly shake things up.
Former Bellator champion wants UFC contract before his 38-fight career ends
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025
A near 40-fight veteran who has made his mark in Bellator and Rizin is looking for a UFC run before he wraps up his career. Juan Archuleta has mixed it up with the likes of Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Patchy Mix, Sergio Pettis, and Kai Asakura. While Archuleta has been in the trenches as a pro MMA fighter since 2013, “The Spaniard” has never competed under the UFC banner.
Israel Adesanya isn't ready to walk away from UFC just yet, says longtime coach
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 21, 2025
Israel Adesanya won’t be hanging up his gloves imminently. Adesanya has earned his share of accomplishments throughout his fighting career. The former Glory Kickboxing star made a seamless transition to MMA, and he captured the UFC Middleweight Championship twice. While Adesanya enjoyed his time ruling the roost at 185 pounds, he now finds himself in unfamiliar territory with three straight losses.
"I'm 100% behind Puna [Soriano]" at UFC 320, per Dustin Stoltzfus
Dylan Bowker - September 20, 2025
Puna Soriano is looking to extend his winning streak to three straight in the coming weeks. The last person to beat him in the octagon will be wholeheartedly supporting him in that pursuit. Punahele Soriano takes on Nikolay Veretennikov at UFC 320 on October 4th. Dustin Stoltzfus is the fighter in question who last bested Soriano. He addressed Soriano’s looming fight when he appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts. Stoltzfus did this ahead of his own recent clash with Kelvin Gastelum at Noche UFC on September 13th. One of the statement victories of Stoltzfus’ career was his win over Puna Soriano. Stoltzfus finished Soriano with a rear-naked choke. That occurred in the final minute of the second stanza during their UFC Fight Night: Dariush vs. Tsarukyan contest. That bout transpired on December 2nd, 2023. When offering up his thoughts on the Soriano vs. Veretennikov matchup early next month, Stoltzfus said,
UFC Fight Night 263: Ante Delija vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta bolsters card
Dylan Bowker - September 20, 2025
A new fight has been announced for UFC Fight Night 263, and it will meaningfully inform the heavyweight hierarchy heading into 2026. Ante Delija already has his next octagon trip booked shortly after garnering his recent UFC debut win. The former PFL standout will clash with Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a massive match-up set for November 1st. This high-stakes clash will emanate from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Arman Tsarukyan finishes former UFC lightweight champion at ACBJJ 18 (Video)
Dylan Bowker - September 19, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan is staying busy as a competitive martial artist and emphatically stopped a former UFC titleholder earlier today. This took place under the Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu banner. Tsarukyan finished Benson Henderson in a submission grappling contest. That clash transpired at ACBJJ 18 in Moscow, Russia, when the number two-ranked lightweight contender finished the former WEC champ at 155 pounds with an arm triangle choke in the early goings of the matchup. The 28-year-old victor is 13 years Henderson’s junior, in what many saw as a clash of past and present lightweight standouts in MMA.
Ilia Topuria strongly advised not to pursue boxing match with Terence Crawford
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2025
Ilia Topuria has been calling for a showdown with boxing great Terence Crawford, but one UFC fighter doesn’t think it’s a good idea. Topuria has certainly seen his stock soar thanks to stellar performances against Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira. “El Matador” is a former UFC featherweight titleholder, who vacated the gold to eventually capture the lightweight championship. Many believe Topuria has taken a page out of Conor McGregor’s playbook, and his callout of “Bud” Crawford is an example of that.
Surprising name suggested for Conor McGregor's UFC White House opponent
Fernando Quiles Jr. - September 19, 2025
If Conor McGregor gets his UFC White House wish, could he be sharing the Octagon with an unexpected foe? McGregor has made it clear that he wants in on the UFC’s planned card at the White House in 2026. The “Notorious” one hasn’t competed since 2021, but UFC CEO Dana White insists the Irishman is taking comeback plans seriously. White has said that McGregor is in the drug testing pool and has been training as if he intends to go through with a return to the Octagon.
Merab Dvalishvili's coach issues scary warning to his rivals
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili’s coach John Wood has issued a warning to his future opponents. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the reigning king of the bantamweights – and he’s well and truly earned that title. He’s already successfully defended the belt twice and in his next outing, he’ll put the strap on the line against top contender Cory Sandhagen.
Raja Jackson is arrested following pro wrestling assault
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
Rampage Jackson’s son Raja Jackson has been arrested following his pro wrestling assault incident recently. As we know, Raja Jackson was involved in a serious incident at a pro wrestling event where he attacked a performer in the ring. While it seemed as if the two were working an angle, it quickly became obvious that the situation had escalated quite severely. The victim, Syko Stu, was knocked out cold, with the whole thing being streamed live.
Jon Jones’ pre-Gustafsson preparation involved heavy drinking session
Harry Kettle - September 19, 2025
Bogdan Guskov has told a wild story about Jon Jones’ preparation for his first fight against Alexander Gustafsson. One thing we know to be true is that Jon Jones is a bit of a wildcard – and that’s us putting it lightly. He has a tendency to do some crazy things from time to time, whether it be in or outside of the cage. Despite that, he’s still widely considered by many to be one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Arman Tsarukyan "more likely to be Pimblett than Gaethje" for UFC title shot
Dylan Bowker - September 18, 2025
Arman Tsarukyan leans more toward Paddy Pimblett than Justin Gaethje as far as who will get the next shot at the UFC lightweight championship. After halting Charles Oliveira with strikes at UFC 317, newly minted UFC 155-pound titleholder Ilia Topuria is still awaiting his first title defense. While many do think Tsarukyan is potentially next up for the title, there is a chance that the promotion pursues other options outside of the number two-ranked contender. Justin Gaethje is the number five-ranked lightweight, has often come through for the promotion in tight spots, but he has also secured multiple prior title shots. While Pimblett is ranked number seven at lightweight, he has the longest-running narrative with Topuria as the two have had an outside of the octagon rivalry for years now.
UFC Perth co-main event falls out from card
Dylan Bowker - September 18, 2025
The initially scheduled penultimate fight of the night at UFC Perth has now been scrapped from the event. Ibo Aslan and Junior Tafa will no longer be throwing down in a light heavyweight contest on September 27th, as announced by the promotion. An emergent injury caused the bout to fall out, although the Ultimate Fighting Championship did not specify which of the combatants fell to said injury.




