UFC News

Harry Kettle - February 24, 2026

Sean Strickland has given his thoughts on Khamzat Chimaev potentially making the move up to the light heavyweight division. As we know, Khamzat Chimaev is the current UFC middleweight champion. Many had been expecting him to become champion for years, but now that he is, there’s a real sense of fear in the air about how active he’s going to be with the gold around his waist.

Dylan Bowker - February 23, 2026

Dana White has been a staple in the MMA world for quite a while now, with the prominent promoter ringing in a quarter of a century as the figurehead of the UFC. On February 23rd, 2001, White debuted as the new face of the brand with the Fertitta brothers as financial backers of the promotion as UFC 30 transpired. That was an event that emanated from the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This was the first-ever UFC card to have taken place under the Zuffa banner, with that branding still existing to this day through Dana White’s pugilistic sidequest, Zuffa Boxing. Dana White was part of a historically significant kickoff card, which saw the first-ever 155-pound champion in the organization’s history cemented. Jens Pulver would earn this distinction when he bested Caol Uno by way of unanimous decision in the co-main event of the night.

Curtis Calhoun - February 23, 2026

Coach Eric Nicksick weighed in on gym rumors surrounding Sean Strickland and Khamzat Chimaev’s past sparring sessions. Former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland is on the verge of potentially earning another title shot after defeating Anthony Hernandez last weekend.

Cole Shelton - February 23, 2026

The UFC was in Houston, Texas, on Saturday for a solid UFC Houston fight night card. In the main event, former middleweight champion Sean Strickland took on Anthony Hernandez in a pivotal fight at 185lbs. Entering the bout, Strickland was coming off a decision loss to Dricus du Plessis in the rematch for the belt. Hernandez, meanwhile, was riding an eight-fight winning streak and was looking to earn a title shot.

Curtis Calhoun - February 23, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has questions for Dana White after Conor Benn’s eight-figure deal with Zuffa Boxing. Dana White scored a massive win over his promotional rival Eddie Hearn in signing Conor Benn to a one-fight, $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing. Benn, a longtime fighter under Hearn’s umbrella, is expected to return to the ring later this year against a to-be-announced rival, potentially Chris Eubank Jr., for a trilogy bout.

Curtis Calhoun - February 23, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will step up on short notice to oppose one of the greatest UFC lightweights. Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling is back in a title mix since making the full-time move from bantamweight to featherweight. Sterling, who has earned recent wins over Brian Ortega and Calvin Kattar, is knocking on the door of a potential title shot with one more victory on his resume.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 23, 2026

Sean Strickland and Nassourdine Imavov have exchanged words following the events of UFC Houston. Strickland hadn’t been inside the Octagon since falling short in his title rematch with Dricus du Plessis. While some expected Anthony Hernandez to make a big statement at the expense of Strickland, it was the former 185-pound champion who pulled off a dominant performance. Strickland dug into Hernandez’s body with a knee and eventually finished the fight with strikes in the third round.

Harry Kettle - February 23, 2026

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has praised Sean Strickland’s performance in his win at UFC Houston last weekend. On Saturday night, Sean Strickland picked up his most impressive win in recent memory when he defeated Anthony Hernandez in the main event of UFC Houston. While he had a pretty controversial week outside of that as a result of his comments in the media, he reminded everyone that he’s actually a pretty good fighter, too.

Harry Kettle - February 23, 2026

Paddy Pimblett has given his honest opinion on his UFC 324 defeat at the hands of UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Last month, Paddy Pimblett went head to head with Justin Gaethje in the main event of UFC 324. He was hoping to claim gold in the UFC for the first time in his career, but instead, he fell short in a decision loss to ‘The Highlight’, his first defeat with the promotion.

Harry Kettle - February 23, 2026

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van is surprised to be fighting Tatsuro Taira as opposed to Manel Kape at UFC 327. As has now been confirmed, Joshua Van will defend his UFC flyweight championship at UFC 327 against Tatsuro Taira. Taira was one of a handful of fighters thought to be in the mix for this bout, including Alexandre Pantoja depending on his recovery, and perhaps the clearest contender Manel Kape.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Anthony Hernandez got stopped in the UFC Houston headliner, but he doesn’t plan to sulk. Hernandez was hoping to make a strong case for the No. 1 contender spot in the middleweight division. Instead, it was Sean Strickland who had a statement-making win. He scored the third-round TKO finish after battering “Fluffy” with a knee to the body, following by punches before the referee called a halt to the fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Dana White has responded to Khamzat Chimaev pushing for a fight with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira. Chimaev is the current middleweight titleholder. He captured the gold thanks to a suffocating performance against Dricus du Plessis back in Aug. 2025. “Borz” hasn’t fought since the championship win, but he’s displayed more interest in a 205-pound bout than a 185-pound title defense.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev is taking aim at Sean Strickland in the aftermath of UFC Houston. Strickland had some words for the UFC Middleweight Champion going into Saturday’s showdown with Anthony Hernandez. In an interview with Newsweek Sports, Strickland blasted Chimaev for focusing more on Alex Pereira than making his first title defense.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

UFC CEO Dana White believes the media plays a big role in making Sean Strickland a PR “nightmare.” Strickland has been known to be outspoken and UFC’s message has been about free speech over the last few years. Still, White isn’t happy with some of the extremes Strickland will reach in some of his quotes. While White doesn’t want to filter his fighters, he is taking media members to task over Strickland’s latest rants.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Conor McGregor has hinted that a fighter with a smaller name than some might be expecting could face him in his return UFC bout. McGregor hasn’t been in a pro MMA fight since 2021. The “Notorious” one broke his leg during a trilogy outing against Dustin Poirier. McGregor’s return has since been teased, and he was even booked to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 back in 2024 before being pulled due to an injury.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

The Octagon returned to Texas for tonight’s UFC Houston event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The fight card was headlined by a key middleweight matchup featuring former division champion Sean Strickland taking on Anthony Hernandez. The bout proved to be a return to glory for the promotion’s former middleweight champ in Sean Strickland. The 34-year-old was able to utilize his snapping left jab to overwhelm and frustrate Hernandez throughout the opening two rounds. Then, in round three, Strickland landed a crushing knee to the body that clearly hurt ‘Fluffy’. Smelling blood, Sean rushed in with a flurry of punches that resulted in Anthony going down and the eventual referee stoppage (see that here). It was an amazing showing and after the victory Stickland proceeded to callout current 185lbs title holder Khamzat Chimaev.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Houston results, including the main event between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. Strickland (30-7 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Dricus Du Plessis in a fight for the promotion’s middleweight title 12 months ago at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that setback, the former middleweight title holder had defeated Paulo Costa by way of split decision at UFC 302.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Houston results, including the co-main event between Geoff Neal and Uros Medic. Neal (16-8 MMA) will enter the bout looking to rebound, this after suffering a brutal knockout loss to Carlos Prates in his most recent Octagon appearance this past August at UFC 319. Prior to that setback, ‘Handz of Steel’ was coming off a TKO victory over Rafael dos Anjos in October of 2024.