UFC News

Holly Holm and Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey's tumultuous UFC exit was her own fault, says fierce rival

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 31, 2025

Holy Holm believes much of Ronda Rousey’s gripes with her UFC exit were self-inflicted. Rousey’s star power and success inside the Octagon paved the way for women’s fights under the UFC banner. “Rowdy” was one of the most beloved athletes in MMA, but her downfall was quite brutal after suffering a knockout loss to Holm back in 2015. The following year, Rousey was stopped by Amanda Nunes in 48 seconds before retiring from pro MMA competition.

Joe Rogan UFC commentary
UFC

Joe Rogan thinks interesting name is the future of UFC's middleweight division

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 31, 2025

Joe Rogan has shared his pick for the next breakout UFC star in the 185-pound weight class. The middleweight division is currently ruled by Khamzat Chimaev, who doesn’t plan on sticking around the 185-pound mark for long. Chimaev has insisted that he plans to make a move to the light heavyweight division in the near future. So, he might be done with the weight class long before the next crop of young talent begin to emerge as contenders.

Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan
Islam Makhachev

Arman Tsarukyan explains why Islam Makhachev grappling match won't happen

Harry Kettle - December 31, 2025

UFC contender Arman Tsarukyan has explained why he doesn’t believe he will wind up battling Islam Makhachev in a grappling match. As we know, Arman Tsarukyan is pretty eager to land himself a UFC lightweight championship opportunity. He was snubbed for a crack at the interim belt at UFC 324, with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett getting the call instead. Alas, he’s opted to keep himself busy in the form of some wrestling matches as he attempts to finally get hold of UFC gold at some point in 2026.

Petr Yan UFC fighter introductions
Petr Yan

Petr Yan is the Fighter of the Year, says former two-weight UFC champion

Harry Kettle - December 31, 2025

Henry Cejudo has explained why he believes Petr Yan deserves to be called Fighter of the Year in the UFC. This year, Petr Yan was able to go 2-0 in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He first defeated Marcus McGhee back in July, before going on to beat Merab Dvalishvili and reclaim the UFC bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 323 – which is something very few people thought he could do.

Tom Aspinall reacts after getting poked in the eyes during his fight at UFC 321
UFC

Tom Aspinall detractors blasted by prominent MMA heavyweight champion post-UFC 321

Dylan Bowker - December 30, 2025

Tom Aspinall has drawn criticisms from some in combat sports circles for the last couple of months, and a notable heavyweight champ in mixed martial arts has weighed in with his thoughts on eye poke gate. As Fleury continues to build his legacy as a heavyweight champion in mixed martial arts with a first-round stoppage of former Oktagon MMA heavyweight champ and UFC vet Martin Buday, he stands tall heading into 2026 after the dust just settled on Oktagon 81. Fleury has also previously found himself calling out other champions in the sport with a previous call out of KSW titleholder Phil De Fries transpiring earlier this year. De Fries is also notably part of that Tom Aspinall team. With some fans and fighters alike saying some less-than-kind things about the Tom Aspinall UFC 321 eye poke controversy, with some positing that he took the easy way out in his fight with Ciryl Gane after the no-contest verdict was dealt out in their bout.

Dominick Reyes poses on the scale during the UFC Perth ceremonial weigh-in
UFC

Report: Dominick Reyes set to return at UFC 327 vs. fellow knockout artist

Curtis Calhoun - December 30, 2025

Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes will face a tall task in his upcoming return, reportedly set in Miami. The UFC light heavyweight division is in a peculiar spot as Alex Pereira is weighing a potential move up to heavyweight. Pereira got his revenge against Magomed Ankalaev earlier this year at UFC 320, knocking him out in the first round to reclaim the light heavyweight title.

Henry Cejudo speaks with Joe Rogan after his loss at UFC 323
UFC

Henry Cejudo books combat sports return just weeks after announcing UFC retirement

Curtis Calhoun - December 30, 2025

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo rediscovered his thirst for competition just weeks after hanging up the MMA gloves. Henry Cejudo announced his retirement from UFC fighting after a unanimous decision defeat to Payton Talbott at UFC 323 earlier this month. After a four-fight losing streak inside the cage, Cejudo opted to hang up the gloves and put an end to the second chapter of his UFC career.

Islam Makhachev wins at UFC 322
UFC

Islam Makhachev reveals ideal next opponent for teammate Umar Nurmagomedov after UFC 324

Cole Shelton - December 30, 2025

Islam Makhachev believes Umar Nurmagomedov should only be fighting one person after UFC 324. Nurmagomedov is set to face Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324 on January 24 in an intriguing fight at bantamweight. Although many believe the winner will get a title shot, especially if it’s Nurmagomedov. However, Makhachev thinks Nurmagomedov will need another fight and believes that should be a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili.

Khabib Nurmagomedov coaching
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov isn't happy about certain UFC roster decisions

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 30, 2025

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov takes issue with the direction of MMA promotions in America. Hardcore fans of the sport have groaned over recent UFC roster decisions. Recently, Rinat Fakhretdinov’s exit from the promotion caused quite a stir within the community. Fakhretdinov had competed under the UFC banner since 2022. He went 6-0-1 as a member of the UFC roster and he is coming off a 54-second TKO finish over Andreas Gustafsson.

Francis Ngannou
Matt Brown

Francis Ngannou has no regrets about UFC exit, says retired slugger

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 30, 2025

Francis Ngannou’s decision to leave UFC had a profound impact on the heavyweight division. Ngannou made his exit in early 2023. He was in the midst of a UFC Heavyweight Championship reign. Ultimately, “The Predator” scored two lucrative boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou also signed a deal with PFL.

Khabib Nurmagomedov UFC coaching
UFC

Khabib Nurmagomedov discusses career he wanted before becoming a fighter

Harry Kettle - December 30, 2025

UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has revealed the career that he desired prior to becoming a professional fighter. Khabib Nurmagomedov is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. He retired from the sport with an unbeaten 29-0 record, leaving while he was sat at the top of the mountain. Ever since then, fans have been hoping to see him come back for one more fight – but he never has. Instead, he’s focused on other ventures, including training the next generation of fighters from his gym.

Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones
Jon Jones

Daniel Cormier reveals he's open to the idea of RAF wrestling match against Jon Jones

Harry Kettle - December 30, 2025

UFC legend Daniel Cormier has confirmed that he’s open to the idea of a wrestling match against Jon Jones in Real American Freestyle. As we know, Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones aren’t exactly big fans of one another. The two have been rivals for well over a decade now, and in mixed martial arts, they competed against each other twice. Jones won on both occasions, but the rematch has since been overturned as a result of a doping violation from Jon.