UFC News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Anthony Hernandez got stopped in the UFC Houston headliner, but he doesn’t plan to sulk. Hernandez was hoping to make a strong case for the No. 1 contender spot in the middleweight division. Instead, it was Sean Strickland who had a statement-making win. He scored the third-round TKO finish after battering “Fluffy” with a knee to the body, following by punches before the referee called a halt to the fight.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Dana White has responded to Khamzat Chimaev pushing for a fight with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Alex Pereira. Chimaev is the current middleweight titleholder. He captured the gold thanks to a suffocating performance against Dricus du Plessis back in Aug. 2025. “Borz” hasn’t fought since the championship win, but he’s displayed more interest in a 205-pound bout than a 185-pound title defense.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Paddy Pimblett is feeling more love in his lone UFC loss than he has for his seven wins under the promotion. Pimblett competed for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship back in January. Standing across from “The Baddy” was Justin Gaethje. The two delivered fireworks for UFC’s debut on Paramount+. Ultimately, it was Gaethje who found more success on his way to a unanimous decision victory.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Khamzat Chimaev is taking aim at Sean Strickland in the aftermath of UFC Houston. Strickland had some words for the UFC Middleweight Champion going into Saturday’s showdown with Anthony Hernandez. In an interview with Newsweek Sports, Strickland blasted Chimaev for focusing more on Alex Pereira than making his first title defense.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 22, 2026

Conor McGregor has hinted that a fighter with a smaller name than some might be expecting could face him in his return UFC bout. McGregor hasn’t been in a pro MMA fight since 2021. The “Notorious” one broke his leg during a trilogy outing against Dustin Poirier. McGregor’s return has since been teased, and he was even booked to fight Michael Chandler at UFC 303 back in 2024 before being pulled due to an injury.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

The Octagon returned to Texas for tonight’s UFC Houston event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The fight card was headlined by a key middleweight matchup featuring former division champion Sean Strickland taking on Anthony Hernandez. The bout proved to be a return to glory for the promotion’s former middleweight champ in Sean Strickland. The 34-year-old was able to utilize his snapping left jab to overwhelm and frustrate Hernandez throughout the opening two rounds. Then, in round three, Strickland landed a crushing knee to the body that clearly hurt ‘Fluffy’. Smelling blood, Sean rushed in with a flurry of punches that resulted in Anthony going down and the eventual referee stoppage (see that here). It was an amazing showing and after the victory Stickland proceeded to callout current 185lbs title holder Khamzat Chimaev.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

Tonight’s UFC Houston event was headlined by a key middleweight matchup between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. Strickland (30-7 MMA) was returning to action for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Dricus Du Plessis in a fight for the promotion’s middleweight title 12 months ago at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that setback, the former middleweight title holder had defeated Paulo Costa by way of split decision at UFC 302.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Houston results, including the main event between Sean Strickland and Anthony Hernandez. Strickland (30-7 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Dricus Du Plessis in a fight for the promotion’s middleweight title 12 months ago at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that setback, the former middleweight title holder had defeated Paulo Costa by way of split decision at UFC 302.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Houston results, including the featherweight bout between Dan Ige and Melquizael Costa. Ige (19-11 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Patricio Pitbull at last July’s UFC 318 event in New Orleans. Prior to that setback, the Hawaiian had earned a TKO victory over Sean Woodson at UFC 314.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC Houston results, including the middleweight bout between Michel Pereira and Zachary Reese. Pereira (32-14 MMA) will enter the bout with hopes of snapping a three-fight losing skid. ‘Demolidor’ has suffered setbacks to Anthony Hernandez, Abus Magomedov and Kyle Daukaus in his three most recent Octagon appearances. Prior to that rough stretch, Pereira had strung together eight straight wins, five of which came by way of stoppage.

Chris Taylor - February 21, 2026

The Octagon returns to Texas for tonight’s UFC Houston event, a 14-bout fight card headlined by Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez. Strickland (29-7 MMA) will be returning to action for the first time since losing a unanimous decision to Dricus Du Plessis in a fight for the promotion’s middleweight title 12 months ago at UFC 312 in Sydney, Australia. Prior to that setback, the former middleweight title holder had defeated Paulo Costa by way of split decision at UFC 302.

Dylan Bowker - February 21, 2026

Islam Makhachev sees the UFC’s focus on entertainment over athletic meritocracy informing who they keep on their roster and is openly discussing the matter. It is certainly a curious time for combatants who utilize a more grappling-centric methodology. With several notable cuts materializing with fighters who authored winning UFC records but not in an exciting way [ex: Rinat Fakhretdinov or Martin Buday], it’s not enough to simply go on lengthy winning streaks inside the octagon if the fights aren’t fireworks every time. While more of a striking element has emerged in the post-Khabib Nurmagomedov blue-print as evidenced by the likes of Usman Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, that style of dominant top control with minimal positional advancement has still seemingly been demonstrably getting punished by the promotional brass with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In an interview via Ushatayka, with an excerpt posted to X account @acdmma_, Makhachev said,