Martial Arts News

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, is unfazed by the recent merger between Most Valuable Promotions and the Professional Fighters League.

Following the announcement that Jake Paul’s promotion and the PFL will merge operations under the MVP banner while continuing to promote boxing and MMA, TKO Group Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro shared his views on the latest major development in the combat sports industry.

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TKO's Mark Shapiro welcomes Jake Paul's MVP-PFL merger, says competition makes UFC stronger The MVP-PFL union prompted questions about whether the combined promotion could eventually challenge the UFC's position atop the sport. So far, UFC CEO Dana White, several former fighters and now TKO Group Holdings’ COO have all rejected the idea that UFC could be surpassed.

Rather than dismissing the newly formed promotion, Shapiro suggested that increased competition could ultimately …

Steven Asplund doesn’t want to experience defeat inside the Octagon again.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight is set to take on Guilherme Pat at UFC Vegas 120 on Aug. 8 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Asplund is coming off a loss to Vitor Petrino in his sophomore UFC outing this past March and has left no stone unturned in preparation this time around.

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Steven Asplund explains how his Vitor Petrino loss changed his UFC training approach Asplund admits that losses feel like the end of the world to him. “Concrete” vowed to himself after his last defeat that he would never have to question himself again about giving maximum effort in preparation. The 28-year-old recently revealed that he has invested in a home gym so he can be in better shape for his upcoming bout.

“This time I have invested in myself,” Asplund said in a recent interview. “I bought a home gym, I put a ton of dumbbells in my garage, an Airdyne bike and squat rack… I never want t…

Ty Cole Miller doesn’t see the need to deviate from his usual strategy for his upcoming bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Miller is scheduled to fight Billy Goff in a welterweight bout at UFC Vegas 120 on Aug. 8 at Meta Apex in Las Vegas. The jab has long been the weapon of choice for the 6-foot-2 Miller. He plans to use his range as he typically does and pick apart Goff from a distance.

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Ty Cole Miller’s jab and reach advantage will be tested against Billy Goff at UFC Vegas 120 Miller admits that he has to be careful when reacting to Goff’s level changes and making sure that he is not backed up against the fence.

“I’m gonna use [my height] as I always have, have people fight at the end of my jab,” Miller said in a recent interview. “Stick ‘em till they drop. I just need to be able to potshot a little bit. Have them at the end of my punches and make sure my back isn’t against the fence. And just be able to react when he shoots and level c…

Mauricio Ruffy wants to make a statement against Arman Tsarukyan.

Ruffy will face his biggest step up in competition in the Ultimate Fighting Championship when he squares off against Tsarukyan at UFC 331 on Sept. 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Brazilian believes a win over Tsarukyan warrants a title shot next.

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Mauricio Ruffy believes a UFC 331 win over Arman Tsarukyan could earn him a lightweight title opportunity Ruffy claims he isn’t feeling any pressure following the announcement of the lightweight booking and vows to hunt for a knockout win over “Ahalkalakets” in the UFC 331 co-headliner. As he did with his last bout, Ruffy’s training camp will soon commence in Australia under the guidance of Alexander Volkanovski.

“Winning this fight takes us straight to the title,” Ruffy said on his Instagram Stories in Portuguese. “And that’s it; let’s go and give it our all. I don't feel pressure at all. I feel privileged, very grateful to God f…

Cris Cyborg has brought in fellow women's combat sports pioneer Holly Holm to prepare for her upcoming fight in the Professional Fighters League.

Cyborg (29-2) is scheduled to take on Ketlen Vieira (16-5) on Aug. 22 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Holm is now helping the Brazilian gear up for Vieira. Cyborg and Holm competed at UFC 219, with the Brazilian taking the victory via unanimous decision in a hard-fought match.

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Cris Cyborg prepares for Ketlen Vieira fight with Holly Holm’s help Cyborg considers her PFL Tampa opponent one of the “toughest tests” of her career and believes Holm’s elite experience will give her an advantage.

An elite middleweight clash headlines PFL Charlotte: Tune in on Friday, Aug. 7 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

“Holly brings a unique perspective and elite-level experience that only someone who has shared the cage with top competition can provide,” Cyborg …

Darren Elkins wants to ride off into the sunset on his own terms.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran is set for his retirement fight against Yadier Dell Valle at UFC Vegas 120, taking place at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on Aug. 8.

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‘I did it my way’: Darren Elkins reflects on career ahead of retirement bout The 42-year-old revealed that he has been contemplating retirement for quite some time, as his body is no longer what it once was. After more than a decade and a half in the UFC, Elkins wants to lay down his gloves inside the Octagon rather than announce his retirement on social media.

“I’m older in age now,” Elkins said at media day. “But mostly, I’m starting to get hurt now a little bit more often. Training all the time is taking a toll on my body more than it used to. It’s time; I’ve been contemplating it for a while… I’ve always wanted to leave my gloves in the Octagon; most people don’t get that chance.”

Elkins went 19-11 in the U…

Valter Walker has two names in mind for his next Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight bout.

The Brazilian submission specialist is hoping to return to action later this year and is eyeing former title challenger Derrick Lewis and unbeaten rising contender Josh Hokit as potential opponents, but prefers one over the other.

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Valter Walker wants Derrick Lewis fight after five first-round submissions Walker, who has submitted his last five opponents in the first round, is looking to return to the Octagon in October or November. In a recent interview, “The Foot Hunter” revealed that he wants to fight either Lewis or Hokit next.

“I want Derrick Lewis or Josh Hokit,” Walker told MMA Junkie. “I'll be ready to fight in October or November. I have in mind these two guys: Derrick Lewis or Josh Hokit. This is who I want next.”

Hokit and Lewis squared off at UFC Freedom 250, where the former emerged victorious. Nevertheless, Walker believes the latte…

Stamp Fairtex’s next bout has been confirmed by One Championship.

The former three-sport champion will return to action against Selina Flores in a women’s atomweight muay thai bout at One Fight Night 47 on Sept. 4.

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Stamp Fairtex eyes second muay thai win in 2026 at One Fight Night 47 One Championship announced the matchup on social media, describing it as a “pivotal” clash between two atomweight contenders.

This fight marks Stamp’s third appearance in One Championship since a two-year stint on the sidelines. She is widely regarded as one of combat sport’s most versatile fighters, winning titles in muay thai, kickboxing and MMA.

Meanwhile, Flores represents a new challenge for the former champion. The American enters the matchup looking to establish herself among the division’s top contenders with a win over one of the promotion’s most recognizable fighters.

Elsewhere on the card, Gilbert Nakatani takes on Nazareth Lalthazuala in strawwe…

Most Valuable Promotions aims to become a long-term challenger to the Ultimate Fighting Championship after completing its merger with the Professional Fighters League, combining live events, fighter promotion and entertainment content under a single brand.Jake Paul's MVP Reveals Ambitious Plan to Challenge UFC MVP’s merger with PFL represents one of the most significant recent developments in the professional mixed martial arts landscape. The combined company will operate under the MVP name and merge its promotional and talent management operations with the PFL’s event infrastructure and roster.

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MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian and other executives spoke to Business Insider about how MVP plans to compete with the UFC.

“We're not going to overtake UFC in the near term,” Bidarian said. “Over time, we want to chip away and hopefully create a Nike and Adidas dynamic, a Pepsi and Coke dynamic, over the next seven to 10 years.”

PFL CEO John Martin said t…

Conor McGregor is heading back to the operating room.

The former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship king announced that he is preparing to undergo surgery after suffering ACL and meniscus injuries in his rematch with Max Holloway at UFC 329.

Conor McGregor’s ACL and meniscus injuries from the Max Holloway rematch force another surgery ahead of his UFC return plans. McGregor damaged his ACL and meniscus with the first kick he threw at UFC 329. After struggling to plant his feet while throwing strikes and repeatedly falling to the canvas, the referee stopped the bout after just 69 seconds.“Notorious” is now headed for another surgery, the fifth surgery of his career.

“Well folks, here we go again! Surgery number 5 of my career coming up!” McGregor wrote on Instagram. “All things considered that is an ok number! Let's do it, WE GOT THIS!”

Notably, McGregor suffered the same ACL and meniscus injuries in his other knee during his first bout with Holloway in …

Usman Nurmagomedov is currently the most sought-after free agent in mixed martial arts.

His manager, Ali Abdelaziz, recently discussed Nurmagomedov’s contract situation, claiming that the Professional Fighters League did not offer the unbeaten lightweight champion a new contract before the final bout of his deal.

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Usman Nurmagomedov’s PFL departure creates intrigue around UFC, Dana White and Khabib Nurmagomedov involvement Nurmagomedov (22-0) completed the final fight of his PFL contract at the promotion’s July 31 event, where he scored a first-round knockout victory over Archie Colgan. Abdelaziz has now revealed that the promotion had the opportunity to re-sign him ahead of PFL New York.

“Listen, the truth of the matter is PFL had an opportunity to sign him before the fight,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “And you know how much I love PFL… They're great people. PFL always gives an opportunity for people and they don't get enough credit.”

Accordin…

Yair Rodriguez is set to make his Octagon return against one of the featherweight division’s most dangerous finishers.

The former Ultimate Fighting Championship interim featherweight champion will headline Noche UFC 4 opposite Jean Silva on Sept. 12 in Glendale, Arizona.

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Yair Rodriguez and Jean Silva headline UFC Noche 4 featherweight matchup in Glendale Rodriguez (20-5) will compete for the first time since defeating former Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire by unanimous decision in April 2025.

Meanwhile, Silva (17-3) has established himself as one of the division’s most exciting contenders. He’s coming off a decision victory over Arnold Allen in January. The Brazilian has finished the likes of Bryce Mitchell, Drew Dober and Charles Jourdain since winning a contract on Dana White’s Contender Series.

Silva previously headlined the third edition of Noche UFC in 2025, losing to Diego Lopes. Rodriguez, meanwhile, has never competed at…