UFC News
Sean O'Malley eyes "lit" 2026: "This might be the last ‘Suga’ year ever"
Dylan Bowker - January 5, 2026
Sean O’Malley is eyeing a massive run this calendar year, but also mentioned that 2o26 may be the last time we see the colourful MMA star. The former UFC bantamweight champion is working toward another chance to become kingpin of 135 pounds, with his potential path back to gold going through Song Yadong at UFC 324 in the coming weeks. His focus extends beyond Yadong on the 24th though, and ‘Suga’ has a prominent former opponent in his crosshairs for a subsequent octagon clash later on this year. The former UFC titleholder prefaced his claims by touting Yadong as dangerous and saying he wasn’t overlooking the surging contender but rather that he was concurrently preparing for Yadong as well as former foe/ current champ, Petr Yan.
VIDEO | Alex Pereira makes father cry by surprising him with generous gift
Curtis Calhoun - January 5, 2026
UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira shared an emotional moment with his father as he plots his return to the Octagon. 2025 was a great year for UFC superstar Alex Pereira.
Joaquin Buckley targets Belal Muhammad in fiery callout for UFC 326 fight
Curtis Calhoun - January 5, 2026
UFC welterweights Joaquin Buckley and Belal Muhammad might be the latest additions to the upcoming BMF undercard. The UFC’s long holiday break is nearly over as fans, fighters, and pundits look ahead to several major events to ring in the new year.
Arman Tsarukyan's 'privileged' narrative dispelled by his brother: 'Kind of ghetto!'
Curtis Calhoun - January 5, 2026
UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan didn’t come from the upbringing most are led to believe, according to his brother. UFC lightweight star Arman Tsarukyan’s reputation took a hit after his last-second withdrawal from UFC 311 last year. Tsarukyan, who was supposed to face then-UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the main event, was forced out of the fight due to a back injury suffered just hours before the official weigh-in.
Tom Aspinall admits relationship with fans 'has turned' after eye pokes at UFC 321
Curtis Calhoun - January 5, 2026
UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall addressed some of the narratives from fans after suffering multiple eye injuries at UFC 321. Tom Aspinall’s first undisputed heavyweight title defense ended disastrously at UFC 321 last year.
Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier set to renew rivalry on The Ultimate Fighter spinoff
Curtis Calhoun - January 5, 2026
UFC legends Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will write Chapter 3 of their legendary feud as coaches on a reality television show. The careers of former UFC heavyweight champions Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will always be linked, as they were at the center of one of the greatest feuds in MMA history.
Jack Della Maddalena reveals ideal opponent for next fight after losing welterweight title
Cole Shelton - January 5, 2026
Jack Della Maddalena has a couple of names in mind for his next opponent. Della Maddalena is coming off a decision loss to Islam Makhachev to lose his welterweight title. It was a lopsided loss, and since then, Della Maddalena hasn’t been booked for his next, and he isn’t sure when he will return.
Ateba Gautier "could be a champion within the next two or three years", per Oktagon MMA champ
Dylan Bowker - January 3, 2026
Ateba Gautier will return to action later this month, and an Oktagon MMA two-division champion who spars with the surging UFC middleweight has weighed in on that bout. Gautier clashes with Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 324 on January 24th, and Will Fleury has weighed in on the middleweight matchup. Fleury has aspirations to become a three-division champion, with light heavyweight and heavyweight belts in Oktagon MMA. Speaking to those broader legacy-related goals for 185 pound hardware and referencing his work with the UFC middleweight, Fleury said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
Khabib Nurmagomedov scoffs at 'freedom of speech' as he details unorthodox coaching style
Curtis Calhoun - January 2, 2026
UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov has a no-nonsense approach to coaching fighters under his legendary tutelage. Khabib Nurmagomedov stunned the world when he announced his retirement from MMA fighting in 2020, following a win over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Nurmagomedov’s decision came after his father’s tragic death and a promise to his mother to hang up the gloves.
Brian Ortega hits back at recent trolling over Alex Pereira/Tracy Cortez relationship
Curtis Calhoun - January 2, 2026
Former UFC featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega shared his first public reaction to his ex-girlfriend Tracy Cortez’s new relationship. UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and women’s flyweight star Tracy Cortez made news earlier this week when they made their new relationship public. Pereira and Cortez were seen celebrating New Year’s Eve together, prompting a lot of reaction from fight fans.
Joe Rogan hints at Tom Aspinall never fighting again ahead of eye surgery
Cole Shelton - January 2, 2026
UFC commentator Joe Rogan believes Tom Aspinall may never fight again. Aspinall is dealing with an eye injury from his fight against Ciryl Gane, as he was poked in the eye by the Frenchman. It was a gruesome poke, and now Aspinall is dealing with some repercussions and needs surgery. Rogan believes eyes can cause some issues and believes there is a chance the heavyweight champ doesn’t fight again.
Michael Chandler expresses renewed confidence in booking potential Conor McGregor showdown
Curtis Calhoun - January 1, 2026
UFC star Michael Chandler sounds as confident as ever in potentially facing off with Conor McGregor after years of waiting. Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were supposed to settle their longstanding rivalry at UFC 303 last year, before McGregor withdrew on short notice due to injury. McGregor, who hasn’t fought since a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264, has repeatedly teased a return to the Octagon at the White House later this year.