UFC News
Justin Gaethje admits fear of potential UFC title fight with Ilia Topuria
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 31, 2025
Justin Gaethje isn’t shy in admitting he’s a bit scared at the thought of fighting Ilia Topuria. Gaethje could very well be sharing the Octagon with Topuria at some point in 2026. He’ll need to put a halt to Paddy Pimblett’s momentum first. Gaethje and Pimblett are scheduled to clash for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship on Jan. 24. The interim title fight will headline UFC 324, which will be the top MMA promotion’s first event under the Paramount deal.
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 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.
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.
Aaron Pico drops first training clip post-UFC 319 KO loss
Dylan Bowker - December 30, 2025
Aaron Pico has largely been fairly dormant on social media since his knockout loss in his UFC debut, but some training-centric video footage has been posted online from him for the first time in months. At UFC 319 in August, the former Bellator MMA standout entered the UFC as a highly hyped debutant. But Pico wound up on the bad end of a highlight reel when Lerone Murphy connected on a spinning back elbow that generated one of the big striking-based highlights of the calendar year. There have been some posts to his social media accounts since the rough Summer setback, which have largely touched on Pico’s personal life more so. But it seems like the hungry, young talent is peeling back the curtain again to give the public some semblance of a glimpse into what his training looks like these days. 💪🔥 Aaron Pico posts his first training video after the UFC 319 knockout pic.twitter.com/XcW8hF1vUM
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.
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 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.
Tom Aspinall sends strong message to Ciryl Gane before likely UFC rematch
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 30, 2025
Tom Aspinall wants to shut the naysayers up when he’s ready to share the Octagon with Ciryl Gane again. The UFC heavyweight title fight between champion Aspinall and Ciryl Gane on Oct. 25 ended in disappointing fashion. After being on the receiving end of a double eye poke, Aspinall could not continue before the opening frame ended. The fight was ruled a no contest.
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 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 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.