UFC News

Ilia Topuria UFC press conference
UFC

Ilia Topuria reveals shocking reason he's on UFC hiatus

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 15, 2025

When Ilia Topuria revealed that personal matters would be keeping him away from the UFC Octagon, few could’ve anticipated the details that were inevitably unveiled. Topuria appeared to be a prime candidate to headline UFC’s debut show on Paramount+ on Jan. 24, but that won’t be the case. Instead, Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will collide with the interim UFC Lightweight Championship at stake. While the winner figures to get an undisputed title fight against Topuria, there’s no telling how long the main 155-pound champion will be out of action.

Ilia Topuria introduced by UFC Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer
UFC

Ilia Topuria drops a bombshell as he reveals plan to leave MMA for boxing

Harry Kettle - December 15, 2025

UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has revealed his future plans to leave mixed martial arts for professional boxing. As we know, Ilia Topuria is one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts today. He is a fantastic fighter in every sense of the word and in his last three fights alone, he has been able to knock out Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira to become a two-weight UFC world champion.

Tom Aspinall UFC victory
Tom Aspinall

Tom Aspinall teases possible boxing match against Francis Ngannou

Harry Kettle - December 15, 2025

UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has said he’d be interested in a boxing match against Francis Ngannou. Right now, Tom Aspinall is in a tricky spot. He is coming off the back of a nasty eye injury that he suffered against Ciryl Gane and, as of this writing, it’s not clear as to when exactly the Englishman is going to return. He has made it crystal clear that he wants to run it back against Gane, in an attempt to get some revenge for what happened to him.

Joshua Van celebrates UFC 323 win
Manel Kape

Joshua Van responds to Manel Kape's title fight demand after UFC Vegas 112

Harry Kettle - December 15, 2025

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van has responded to Manel Kape’s title ambitions after UFC Vegas 112 last weekend. On Saturday night, Manel Kape made a real statement. He was able to quickly finish Brandon Royval in the main event of UFC Vegas 112, and in the process, he vaulted himself into contention for a world championship opportunity. Soon after, he officially called out Joshua Van and made it clear that he is coming for the title.

Henry Cejudo throws punch at Marlon Moraes
UFC

Retired UFC fighter Henry Cejudo shares surprising new venture

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Following Henry Cejudo’s second UFC retirement, few could’ve expected what “Triple C’s” new venture would be. Cejudo entered the Octagon for the final time at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. He went one-on-one with Payton Talbott, who earned a unanimous decision victory to send Cejudo off to retirement on a loss. UFC honored Cejudo with a touching video package recapping his pro MMA career.

Ilia Topuria introduced by UFC Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer
Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria praises UFC 324 booking of Paddy Pimblett vs. Justin Gaethje

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Ilia Topuria admits he finds both Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje to be deserving of their interim title fight at UFC 324. Topuria would’ve been a clear choice to headline UFC’s debut on Paramount+ on Jan. 24. The problem is, the reigning lightweight titleholder in on hiatus to deal with personal matters. As a result, Pimblett vs. Gaethje has been booked with the interim championship at stake.

Joaquin Buckley UFC fighter introduction
Khamzat Chimaev

Joaquin Buckley offers wild challenge to UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Joaquin Buckley has a rather interesting offer for UFC Middleweight Champion Khamzat Chimaev. Buckley is a welterweight contender who has made it clear that he’s not a fan of all the wrestling in MMA. Perhaps that has to do with his unanimous decision loss to former UFC titleholder Kamaru Usman back in June. Buckley had no answer for “The Nigerian Nightmare’s” grappling.

Brandon Royval at UFC 317
UFC

Brandon Royval reacts to UFC Vegas 112 loss to Manel Kape

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Brandon Royval has spoken out after suffering a first-round knockout defeat to Manel Kape at UFC Vegas 112. Royval was hoping to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to current UFC Flyweight Champion Joshua Van. It wasn’t meant to be, as Kape dropped Royval and finished him with ground-and-pound this past Saturday. Kape has now elevated his status as a potential title contender.

Ilia Topuria UFC backstage
Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria claims lightweight plans will change if Justin Gaethje wins at UFC 324

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Ilia Topuria has made quite the assertion about what a win for Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 would do. Gaethje is an underdog going into his interim UFC Lightweight Championship fight against Paddy Pimblett, which is scheduled for Jan. 24. The fight will headline UFC’s debut event on Paramount+. It’s a new era for UFC, as the top MMA promotion ditches pay-per-view.

Manel Kape celebrates UFC Vegas 112 win
Manel Kape

UFC Vegas 112 winner Manel Kape sends fiery warning to Joshua Van

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 14, 2025

Manel Kape had some words for Joshua Van following his emphatic UFC Vegas 112 victory. Kape and Brandon Royval entered the UFC Apex this past Saturday in hopes of moving one step closer to a flyweight title opportunity. Kape ended up being the one who made quite a statement. He scored a first-round knockout win that earned him a “Performance of the Night” bonus.

Kevin Vallejos, UFC Vegas 112, Bonus, UFC
UFC

UFC Vegas 112 Bonus Report: Kevin Vallejos one of four 'POTN' winners

Chris Taylor - December 13, 2025

The Octagon returned to the Apex for tonight’s UFC Vegas 112 event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. This evening’s fight card was headlined by a key men’s flyweight matchup featuring Brandon Royval taking on Manel Kape. The contest proved to be a coming out part for the Angolan-born Portuguese fighter in Manel Kape. After a competitive opening couple of minutes, ‘Starboy’ found a home for a big right hand that sent Brandon Royval crashing down to the canvas. Kape quickly followed up with some heavy ground and pound shots, which forced the referee to jump in and stop the onslaught. It was an impressive victory for Manel, and one that could lead to a title shot in his next Octagon appearance.

Manel Kape, UFC Vegas 112, KO, Brandon Royval, Pros react, UFC
Manel Kape

Pros react after Manel Kape TKO's Brandon Royval at UFC Vegas 112

Chris Taylor - December 13, 2025

Tonight’s UFC Vegas 112 fight card was headlined by a key men’s flyweight bout featuring Brandon Royval taking on Manel Kape. Royval (17-9 MMA) had entered this evening’s headliner looking to rebound, this after suffering a unanimous decision loss to newly crowned flyweight champion Joshua Van in a ‘FOTN’ effort this past June at UFC 317. Prior to that setback, ‘Raw Dawg’ had put together a two-fight win streak, which saw him score split decision victories over Tatsuro Taira and Brandon Moreno respectively.