UFC News

Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman

Kamaru Usman reveals why Islam Makhachev fight fell apart ahead of UFC OKC return

Curtis Calhoun - July 2, 2026

Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman shared his side to the story of why his targeted fight with Islam Makhachev never happened. Kamaru Usman will return to the middleweight division for a showdown with former UFC champion Dricus du Plessis in the UFC Oklahoma City main event later this month. Usman, who hasn’t fought since defeating Joaquin Buckley at UFC Atlanta last year, has the chance to potentially earn a middleweight title shot with a win over Du Plessis.

Bruce Buffer
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Bruce Buffer details 'very memorable and historical experience' at UFC White House

Cole Shelton - July 2, 2026

UFC Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer is honored to have had the chance to be involved in the promotion’s event at the White House. Buffer was the Octagon announcer for the event, and he felt like the event was memorable and historical. He was also thrilled with how the UFC made it about the military and first responders and highlighted them throughout the event.

Jon Jones assesses Alex Pereira's UFC Freedom 250 loss to Ciryl Gane
Jon Jones

Jon Jones opines on what went wrong for Alex Pereira in UFC Freedom 250 loss: "You find yourself out there watching instead of doing"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 2, 2026

Jon Jones thinks he knows where things went south for Alex Pereira at UFC Freedom 250. Jones was watching UFC’s historic event, which was held on the White House lawn back in June, and he has some thoughts on “Poatan’s” failed bid for the interim UFC Heavyweight Championship. Pereira attempted to become a three-division titleholder when he met Ciryl Gane. It wasn’t meant to be for the future Hall of Famer, as Gane stopped him in his tracks via second-round TKO.

Daniel Cormier questions Ian Machado Garry's mindset ahead of UFC 330, where he will face Islam Makhachev.
Ian Garry

Daniel Cormier urges Ian Machado Garry to ditch current mindset ahead of UFC 330 fight against Islam Makhachev

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 2, 2026

Daniel Cormier isn’t so sure that Ian Machado Garry is approaching his first UFC title fight the right way. Garry recently spoke on challenging Islam Makhachev for the welterweight gold at UFC 330 on Aug. 15. “The Future” told Matchroom that he would rather defeat Makhachev in the later rounds than score an early finish because it would prove that he is the superior fighter. This mindset has left Cormier puzzled.

Dustin Poirier arrested at Atlanta International Airport
UFC

Dustin Poirier is "going to respond appropriately" to drunken arrest, says Johnny Eblen

Dylan Bowker - July 2, 2026

Dustin Poirier recently found himself in trouble with the law when he was drunkenly arrested at an airport, but a longtime compatriot at American Top Team has come out to offer compassion. The referenced ATT fighter is Johnny Eblen, who clashes with Impa Kasanganay in a rematch for interim middleweight gold at PFL Austin on July 18th. Poirier has publically put over Eblen, highly touting his skills on programs like the Joe Rogan Experience and the two ATT products clearly have a close rapport as well as mutual respect. When asked if he had talked to Dustin since the airport incident, Eblen said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

Max Holloway embraces Justin Gaethje at UFC 300
UFC

Justin Gaethje says he never lost hope in his bid to become UFC champion

Harry Kettle - July 2, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has said that he never lost hope about one day becoming the undisputed champ in the promotion. At UFC Freedom 250, Justin Gaethje finally reached the top of the mountain. He was able to overcome Ilia Topuria and claim the undisputed UFC lightweight championship, and following two runs as the interim champion. While many are focused on what’s next, the man himself has rightfully been enjoying his victory tour.

Jon Jones, Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev
Jon Jones

Jon Jones gives strong advice to Khamzat Chimaev, Ilia Topuria after shocking losses

Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2026

UFC legend Jon Jones weighed in on Khamzat Chimaev and Ilia Topuria’s shocking title fight losses and what they need to change. Two of the UFC’s best pound-for-pound combatants, Ilia Topuria and Khamzat Chimaev, suffered their first career defeats just a few weeks apart. Topuria lost the undisputed UFC lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250, just weeks after Chimaev lost a narrow decision to Sean Strickland to relinquish the middleweight belt at UFC 328.

Umar Nurmagomedov is introduced with Khabib Nurmagomedov in his corner
Umar Nurmagomedov

Umar Nurmagomedov headlines UFC Shanghai after six-month bantamweight absence

Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2026

Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Umar Nurmagomedov could potentially earn another title shot at UFC Shanghai. Bantamweight contender Umar Nurmagomedov is searching for another shot at the belt after a surprising loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 311. But Nurmagomedov has done his job since his first career defeat, earning wins over the likes of Mario Bautista and former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo.

Terence Crawford speaks at a pre-fight press conference, opposite Ilia Topuria in the cage at UFC 317
Ilia Topuria

Terence Crawford defends taunting Ilia Topuria after UFC White House loss

Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2026

Boxing legend Terence Crawford doubled down on mocking former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria’s loss at the White House. Ilia Topuria’s unbeaten run came to a shocking end at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this month. In an instant classic against Justin Gaethje, Topuria lost by TKO (corner stoppage) in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history.

Neil Magny enters the Octagon for his fight at UFC Perth
UFC

Neil Magny extends UFC welterweight record as UFC 330 return booked

Curtis Calhoun - July 1, 2026

UFC welterweight Neil Magny will create some distance between himself and the rest of the pack by extending an impressive record. One of the most highly anticipated fights of the year features the return of UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev against rising contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Despite the hype surrounding Makhachev vs. Garry, another welterweight bout is making headlines for the extension of one of the division’s most impressive records.

Dustin Poirier attends a press conference for UFC 318
Matt Brown

Dustin Poirier's arrest post-retirement shouldn't define him, says ex-UFC star Matt Brown: "He recognized the problem"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 1, 2026

Dustin Poirier continues to get support from his peers, and Matt Brown is the latest name to give “The Diamond” some encouragement. Poirier is a beloved MMA figure who retired following his UFC 318 loss to Max Holloway back in July 2025. While “The Diamond” is involved in charity work, runs his own hot sauce business, and serves as a UFC analyst, he has admitted that he’s having a difficult time transitioning after hanging up his gloves.

Diego Lopes celebrates UFC Freedom 250 win
UFC

Diego Lopes targets lightweight contender after failed UFC featherweight title bids: "I’m definitely in a bit of a tough spot"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 1, 2026

Diego Lopes might be seeking new challenges at 155 pounds given his failed bids to become the UFC featherweight titleholder. Lopes is one of the top 145-pound competitors in MMA, but he appears to have hit a brick wall. He has fought Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight gold twice and was unsuccessful in both attempts. Lopes has gone 7-2 in his last nine outings, and it’s clear that he has emerged as the No. 2 featherweight in the world, but perhaps a change of scenery is due.