UFC News

Dan Hardy, Herb Dean and Alex Pereira
Dan Hardy

Herb Dean gets surprise defense from Dan Hardy amidst Alex Pereira tensions

Curtis Calhoun - June 19, 2026

One of referee Herb Dean’s biggest critics, Dan Hardy, is one of his biggest defenders from Alex Pereira’s criticism after UFC Freedom 250. Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira’s bid at history fell short as he lost to Ciryl Gane at UFC Freedom 250. In his highly anticipated heavyweight debut, Pereira lost the opportunity to become the UFC’s first three-division champ as Gane knocked him out in Round 2.

Jake Paul poses with Gina Carano, Ronda Rousey, and Nakisa Bidarian following MVP MMA 1
UFC

Jake Paul gloats over MVP MMA 1 viewership numbers compared to UFC Freedom 250 in social media jab

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 19, 2026

Jake Paul has some words after viewership numbers for UFC Freedom 250 on Paramount+ surfaced. UFC Freedom 250 was a historic event that was capped off by a memorable title unification bout in the lightweight division. Justin Gaethje stopped Ilia Topuria before the start of the fifth round to earn his first undisputed UFC championship. The co-main event saw Ciryl Gane finish Alex Pereira to win the interim UFC heavyweight gold.

UFC scale for the early weigh-ins
Manel Kape

UFC Vegas 119 weigh-in results: Undercard fighter botches on scale, headliners Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi on point

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 19, 2026

One fighter on the UFC Vegas 119 card failed to make his contracted weight on Friday, but there is good news. Manel Kape and Kyoji Horiguchi avoided weigh-in mishaps prior to Saturday’s card. That’s music to the ears of fight fans given that the two will be headlining UFC Vegas 119, which will be held at the Meta Apex. In fact, all competitors scheduled for the main card were able to clock in at the weights they agreed upon.

Daniel Cormier criticizes Josh Hokit over Michelle Obama comment at UFC Freedom 250
Josh Hokit

Daniel Cormier shreds Josh Hokit over controversial Michelle Obama comment: "I absolutely hated that"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 19, 2026

Daniel Cormier is none too pleased over Josh Hokit’s diss aimed at Michelle Obama. UFC Freedom 250 offered a lot for MMA fans to be excited about. All seven fights on the historic White House card delivered knockout finishes. A new lightweight champion was crowned in a thrilling main event, and there is some movement in the heavyweight division after Ciryl Gane captured interim gold.

Justin Gaethje, UFC Freedom 250, Ilia Topuria, Pros react, UFC
UFC

Justin Gaethje provides an update on his return after UFC Freedom 250

Harry Kettle - June 19, 2026

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje has provided an update on his return to the cage after his win at UFC Freedom 250. Last weekend, Justin Gaethje defeated and stopped Ilia Topuria on the stool to become the new undisputed UFC lightweight champion. It was a pretty incredible performance from the man known as ‘The Highlight’, and as you can imagine, the masses are already interested to know who he may take on next.

Alex Pereira applauds Ciryl Gane in the Octagon at UFC Freedom 250
Ciryl Gane

John McCarthy weighs in on Alex Pereira vs Ciryl Gane controversy

Harry Kettle - June 19, 2026

Veteran MMA referee John McCarthy has given his thoughts on the back of the head controversy surrounding Alex Pereira. Last weekend at UFC Freedom 250, Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane went head to head for the UFC interim heavyweight championship. In the end, it was the Frenchman who managed to get his hand raised, finishing off the Brazilian sensation with a flurry of strikes – featuring a handful that many considered to be illegal.

Dana White at the UFC Freedom 250 press conference
UFC Freedom 250

UFC Freedom 250 garners 17 million viewers for biggest Paramount+ card so far

Dylan Bowker - June 18, 2026

UFC Freedom 250 was bound to attract widespread attention and it certainly delivered on that side to the scale of nearly twenty million viewers. The White House-based card that took place on June 14th saw Paramount+ record a cumulative amount of 17 million viewers across America and Latin America. Between the United States and Latin America, 15.3 million viewers came from the former market while the latter market brought in 1.7 million viewers. This was the largest viewing audience that Paramount+ has received so far within a UFC media rights deal that kicked off at the beginning of this year. It was also the biggest live exclusive event in the broadcast platform’s overall history. An average of 8.2 million viewers took in the more concise seven-fight offering. The 8.2 million average viewer figure was broken up by 7 million viewers within America and 1.2 million viewers within Latin America.

Jon Jones, Dana White and Alex Pereira
Dana White

Jon Jones sends ominous message to Alex Pereira, Dana White after failed UFC GOAT bid

Curtis Calhoun - June 18, 2026

Former two-division UFC champion Jon Jones sent an ominous message to Alex Pereira and Dana White in a since-deleted tweet. Alex Pereira’s bid at making UFC history fell short at the White House on Sunday as he lost to Ciryl Gane in their interim heavyweight title bout. Pereira opted to make the full-time move to heavyweight and vacate the light heavyweight belt earlier this year, before losing to Gane by second-round TKO.

Ilia Topuria talks with the cageside doctor at UFC White House
UFC

Ilia Topuria suspended 6 months for injuries suffered at UFC Freedom 250

Curtis Calhoun - June 18, 2026

Former UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria will likely be out for the remainder of 2026 after a brutal loss at the White House. Ilia Topuria left the Octagon a bloody mess as he suffered the first loss of his career to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on Sunday. Topuria, previously unbeaten in his MMA career, lost to Gaethje by TKO (corner stoppage) in what was his first lightweight title defense.

Michael Bisping and Alex Pereira
Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping scolds Alex Pereira for 'complaining, crying' about alleged fouls in Ciryl Gane fight

Curtis Calhoun - June 18, 2026

FC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping criticized Alex Pereira’s recent media tour following his TKO loss to Ciryl Gane. Former two-division UFC champion Alex Pereira suffered just the second stoppage loss of his promotional tenure to Ciryl Gane on Sunday at UFC Freedom 250. In his highly anticipated heavyweight debut, Pereira struggled with Gane’s power and movement en route to a second-round TKO loss.

Manel Kape on the scale at the UFC Apex
UFC

Manel Kape calls Kyoji Horiguchi rematch at UFC Vegas 119 the 'perfect scenario' for 'revenge'

Cole Shelton - June 18, 2026

Manel Kape is looking to get some revenge on Saturday. Kape is set to headline UFC Vegas 119 on Saturday at the Apex against Kyoji Horiguchi. The two fought back in 2017 in RIZIN, and it was Horiguchi who won by submission.

Josh Hokit calls Michelle Obama a man during his UFC Freedom 250 post-fight interview
UFC

UFC fighter Josh Hokit claims double standard amid backlash for Michelle Obama comment: "Kiss my ass, everyone"

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 18, 2026

Josh Hokit believes there is a double standard when it comes to those who are criticizing him for his comment on Michelle Obama during the UFC Freedom 250 broadcast. Hokit competed against Derrick Lewis on the White House lawn and delivered a second-round TKO finish. The win improved Hokit’s pro MMA record to 10-0, but it was his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan that got the attention of the mainstream media. At the end of the interview, Hokit grabbed the mic and said, “Michelle Obama is a man.”