Day: 25. Oktober 2026

Dana White says Islam Makhachev was initially expected to defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title in January but now wants to return after Ramadan next year.

Speaking to reporters after UFC 333 on Saturday, the UFC CEO explained the decision to book Carlos Prates against Michael Morales for an interim title and criticized Makhachev’s activity.

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Dana White says Islam Makhachev's post-Ramadan return prompted Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales at UFC 336 Prates and Morales will meet at UFC 336 on Jan. 30, 2027, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The winner is expected to face Makhachev in a title unification bout, potentially next summer.

White said Makhachev’s change of plans prompted the promotion to introduce an interim championship.

“On average, Islam fights like once a year, and he was slated for January and then said, ‘I don't want to fight until after Ramadan,’” White said. “You just can't hold up divisions like this. You…

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White said his earlier remarks about fighters leaving the promotion were not directed specifically at Farid Basharat, whose contract was not renewed.

Speaking during UFC 333 postfight press conference, White addressed the unbeaten bantamweight’s response to comments he made after UFC Edmonton on Oct. 17.

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Dana White clarifies UFC contract remarks after Farid Basharat's response

Basharat disputed suggestions that he had turned down fights or been difficult to work with. White said he had been discussing contract decisions generally.

“When I was talking about why some guys get released, or their contracts don't get renewed, I was just saying in general. I wasn't pointing him out, specifically,” White said.

White’s earlier remarks had suggested that decisions not to retain fighters could involve factors beyond their results inside the Octagon.

He said he had seen Basharat’s response on Instagram and…

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White said he offered Shakur Stevenson his release from Zuffa Boxing, ending their partnership before the boxer competed for the promotion.

Speaking at the UFC 333 postfight news conference, White distinguished Stevenson’s situation from those of UFC fighters seeking to leave their contracts.

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Dana White cites Shakur Stevenson's brief Zuffa Boxing tenure when asked about UFC fighter contracts Asked whether Stevenson had been difficult to work with, White declined to criticize the boxer or his representatives.

“Listen, man. I think that everybody's involved. They're happy, you know, with where we're at with it. I have nothing bad to say about him or his team, but I offered him the release, and they accepted.”

Stevenson’s departure also prompted a question about why he could leave while UFC fighters seeking releases remained under contract. White pointed to the brief nature of their business relationship.<…

For Alexander Volkanovski, overcoming adversity means more than championship gold.

Volkanovski (29-4) stopped previously unbeaten Movsar Evloev (20-1) at 4:54 of the second round Saturday to retain the Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight title. The Australian champion said he was ill entering the fight but delivered a bonus-winning finish to hand Evloev his first professional defeat.

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Alexander Volkanovski explains illness before stopping unbeaten Movsar Evloev at UFC 333 Volkanovski recorded his seventh successful title defense across two reigns in the UFC 333 headliner. Afterward, “The Great” emphasized that while he appreciates being a champion, overcoming challenges means more to him.

“It feels good,” Volkanovski said in a postfight interview. “Again, I don't really care about this, like I really don't. I just care about, again, overcoming challenges. A guy who was undefeated in front of me, to overcome that and beat him… And again, ge…

Petr Yan overcame Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling pressure to retain the Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title at UFC 333.

Yan (21-5) defeated Dvalishvili (21-6) by unanimous decision in their trilogy bout Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with all three judges scoring it 48-47 for the champion. Dvalishvili outworked Yan in the first two rounds before “No Mercy” turned the tide over the final three.

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Petr Yan explains how takedown defense turned UFC 333 trilogy against Merab Dvalishvili Dvalishvili dominated their first meeting in 2023, outwrestling Yan en route to a one-sided decision victory. Yan avenged that defeat last December, winning a unanimous decision to dethrone “The Machine.” Having shared the Octagon for 50 minutes before UFC 333, Yan knew what to expect in the rubber match.

Yan said he anticipated Dvalishvili trying to overwhelm him with wrestling pressure, as the former champion had in their first encounter.…