Martial Arts News

Jamahal Hill isn't interested in easing his way into the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight division.

The former light heavyweight champion plans to move up to heavyweight later this year, targeting the most polarizing fighter in the division, Josh Hokit. “Sweet Dreams” wants to break into the top tier of the division rather than work his way up the rankings as he did at 205 pounds.

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Jamahal Hill wants a Top 5 test as he begins his UFC heavyweight run Hill (12-4) revealed earlier this year that he’s committing to the heavyweight division after a bittersweet run a division below. While he went on to win the 205-pound belt by defeating Glover Teixeira, injuries and a three-fight losing streak soon followed. He now wants to earn a spot in the heavyweight division that puts him close to a title shot.

“Top 5 – I'd love to fight the Top 5,” Hill said told media outlets (via MMA Junkie). “I feel as though even if I continued fighting at light heavy…

Dana White has been closely involved in Bella Mir's development for years.

The daughter of former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder Frank Mir is set to compete on Week 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026. White recently addressed her career progression and aspirations.

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Dana White hypes up ‘special’ Bella Mir ahead of her DWCS bout Bella (4-0) will fight for a UFC contract on DWCS on Aug. 25, against Alex Apodaca (3-1), with the two bantamweights set to headline the card. White was recently asked about the former and had nothing but praise, revealing that he’s been closely monitoring her career for four years.

“Yeah, I'm very excited about Bella,” White said at the DWCS 2026 Week 1 post-fight press conference. “I've been very involved in her life the last four years.”

Bella has previously revealed that she hopes to become the first UFC fighter to compete in the Olympics while also pursuing championships across multi…

Ian Garry has a “burning desire” to prove himself against the best fighters in the world.

The Irish welterweight contender, who challenges Islam Makhachev for the Ultimate Fighting Championship 170-pound title in the UFC 330 main event, recently opened up about what drives him.

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Ian Garry channels fighting Irish spirit before first UFC title shot Ahead of his title clash on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Garry discussed his motivation in a pre-fight promotional video shared by Paramount+.

“I just have a burning desire inside my soul to prove to myself and the world that I am the best ever,” Garry said. “This is a vicious, violent game. And it’s beautiful. You’ve got to be insane mentally to be able to go out and do this.”

He added that his country’s fighting spirit is embedded deep within him.

“I’m a fighter at heart,” Garry added. “I’m born and bred in Dublin, Ireland. We’re called the fighting Irish for a reason. It's…

Islam Makhachev showed off his fishing skills ahead of his maiden title defense at welterweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Before facing Ian Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Makhachev (28-1) has been enjoying his off-time while based in New Jersey. While he frequently fishes back in his home country and while doing training camps in the United States, the Russian’s resolve was recently tested by a shark.

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Islam Makhachev reels in shark before UFC 330 clash with Ian Machado Garry Makhachev has now done two training camps on the East Coast, with New Jersey serving as the Dagestani’s team’s base. Notably, the former lightweight champ did his training camp in Jersey last year ahead of the welterweight title-winning effort against Jack Della Maddalena in New York. Fishing has emerged as one of his favorite pastimes when he isn’t training.

The latest episode of the UFC's “Embedded” video series on You…

Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White has teased the promotion's next big unique event.

Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” White revealed that the UFC’s head of production, Craig Borsari, has pitched another unconventional venue concept. White stopped short of providing details, but said he remains excited about the idea and could unveil it on McAfee's program if the necessary groundwork comes together.

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Dana White teases next unconventional UFC venue after Sphere and White House events After staging UFC 306 at Las Vegas’ Sphere and UFC Freedom 250 at the White House in Washington, D.C., White has revealed that another unconventional event is in the works, although it’s still in its early stages.

“There will never be anything like the White House ever again,” White said. “That night, we already had high expectations for it. I was blown away; it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of. Being there live was amazing. But now, my head of…

Ian Garry says he had no intent of starting a feud with Khamzat Chimaev.

Garry defeated Belal Muhammad last November, with Arman Tsarukyan finishing Dan Hooker in the main event of the same card in Doha, Qatar. Chimaev, who was in Tsarukyan’s corner, then had an altercation with Garry backstage, which “The Future” recently revisited.

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Ian Garry recalls Khamzat Chimaev altercation Garry shook hands with the entire team and also patted Chimaev on the back. The latter then seemingly felt provoked and pushed Garry before security stepped in.

Garry recently shared his side of the story, claiming he had no malicious intent when he was greeting Chimaev and his entire team. The Irishman also notes that Chimaev didn’t immediately react when he patted him. Garry claims Chimaev was fired up only after people stepped in between them. He believes Chimaev would have gotten physical when they were in proximity if he really wanted to.

“Me and Khamzat aren’t bo…

Anthony Wint has put the Ultimate Fighting Championship boss on notice after his win on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Wint (7-0) took on Matthew Adams in the main event of DWCS 2026: Week 1. He took hardly over half a minute to reverse a takedown and land vicious ground-and-pound to secure a finish. “Bow Down” subsequently earned a UFC contract, which he wants to capitalize on immediately.

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Dana White targets UFC Sacramento for Anthony Wint after Contender Series win Wint later revealed that he has warned Dana White that he’s going to stay in the UFC CEO’s house until he has his first fight booked in the promotion. The former New York Jets linebacker says MMA fights are easy work for him after analyzing plays in 40 seconds in his football career.

“They don’t pay me by the hour,” Wint said in his post-fight interview. “I told Dana he got two options: I’m not going home – Either he finds me a fight, or I stay at Dana’s house… I played football my w…

The Bilal Hasan hype train gathered even more momentum following his contract-winning effort on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Hasan (9-0) faced India’s Mridul Saikia (9-2) in a flyweight matchup on Week 1 of DWCS 2026. The former Cage Fury Fighting Championships flyweight titleholder was a -5000 favorite, the biggest in DWCS history, going into the fight.

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Bilal Hasan says being the betting favorite throughout his career aided him going into DWCS bout Hasan proved the oddsmakers right by flooring Saikia with a brutal right hand in just 45 seconds. Following a few follow-up shots, the referee stepped in.

Hasan earned an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract and high praise from Dana White, who can’t wait to see him fight in the UFC. Having been a favorite for most of his regional career, Hasan says he didn’t feel any added pressure going into his Contender Series outing. The undefeated 25-year-old thanked his parents for the sacrifices they have…

Tom Pagliarulo’s career aspirations are finally coming to fruition.

Pagliarulo (11-2) took on Ananias Mulumba in a featherweight clash on Week 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series 2026. “The Phenom” left it all in the cage, finishing Mulumba with ground-and-pound in the final seconds of the fight, earning an Ultimate Fighting Championship contract for his efforts.

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‘Most afraid I’ve ever been’: Tom Pagliarulo details how his team helped him stay focused ahead of DWCS Week 1 Pagliarulo admits that he was very nervous throughout fight week. However, his coaches and teammate, UFC bantamweight Cory Sandhagen, helped him stay dialed in. The 29-year-old is glad to have finally made it to the biggest stage in MMA, even if it came a little later than he expected.

“This is the most afraid I’ve ever been in my life, all week,” Pagliarulo said in his post-fight interview. “My coaches and Cory Sandhagen back home kept me locked in. Just reminded me to go be me, …

Joseph Kropschot can’t believe his opponent refused to tap to his submission attempt on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Kropschot kicked off the DWCS 2026 Week 1 action in a middleweight clash against Jonathan Kunneman. He maintained higher output while his opponent desperately looked for a Hail Mary overhand right. Kropschot also locked in an armbar in the final seconds of the fight that looked deep enough to secure a finish.

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Joseph Kropschot revisits ‘gross’ injury to opponent on DWCS Kunneman, perhaps too tough for his own good, refused to tap. Kropschot eventually dislocated Kunneman’s arm before walking away with a unanimous decision win. The victor subsequently said that he can’t believe his opponent didn’t tap to the armbar.

“I cannot believe he didn’t tap,” Kropschot said in his post-fight interview. “That bent like at the right angle. Gross.”

Kropschot (9-3) was on a four-fight finishing streak going into his DWCS opportunity, where he …

Payton Talbott could have another former Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder standing opposite him in his next bout.

Talbott (11-1) is reportedly set to face former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (25-7-1) at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Brazilian reporter Leo Guimaraes claims that the matchup is being worked on and is yet to be finalized.

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Payton Talbott and Deiveson Figueiredo’s contrasting journeys to UFC 332 Talbott and Figueiredo enter the rumored matchup at different points in their careers. The former has not competed since earning a unanimous decision victory over former two-division champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 323. The 27-year-old rebounded from the lone loss of his career, a decision defeat to Raoni Barcelos, with wins over Felipe Lima and Cejudo.

Before the Barcelos defeat, Talbott finished his first three UFC opponents, including a 19-second knockout.

Meanwhile, Figueiredo made the move to ba…

Stephen Thompson is looking to end his Ultimate Fighting Championship contract with a bang.

Thompson (17-9-1) recently revealed that he has one fight left in his current UFC contract. “Wonderboy” is looking to fight out his deal at the UFC’s annual New York City card in November at Madison Square Garden, which will likely be UFC 334.

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Stephen Thompson targets Nov. 14 at Madison Square Garden with one fight remaining on his UFC contract Thompson is going through the welterweight roster to scout an opponent who can deliver a potential banger with him.

“Madison Square Garden, Nov. 14, got to make it happen,” the former title challenger told Home of Fight. “I’ve actually got one fight left in my contract. We’re looking at November… We’ll see who we get. We’re kind of looking at the roster, trying to find out a good fight. A good barnburner, if you will, for that card.”

While Thompson never tasted UFC gold despite two attempts against Tyron Woodley…