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Top Contender Reveals UFC Forced Him to Prove Mexican Family History

Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight Anthony Hernandez claims the promotion asked him to show them his family’s papers.

On a Wednesday appearance on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Hernandez discussed his upcoming headliner at UFC Houston against Sean Strickland. He also cracked into the 2025 middleweight championship affair when Khamzat Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis, heavily criticizing the former. Additionally, he touched on a few notable issues, including a strange encounter with UFC brass and his outspoken use of cannabis.

Helwani brought up a post Hernandez made on social media showing him in fight shorts with the Mexican flag and a rooster on the side. Hernandez coined it his “fighting rooster,” while remarking that he did not know how to go about getting custom shorts and that the UFC even questioned him about his Mexican heritage.

“I wish,” he replied when asked if his colorful shorts would be part of his next fight kit. “I don’t know…

Dana White Lukewarm on Conor McGregor Return, Dismisses One Potential Foe

Ultimate Fighting Championship chief Dana White is not so certain that Conor McGregor will ever fight again.

Speaking with Complex News, the UFC President and CEO discussed a myriad of topics ranging from the oft-discussed UFC White House card to the state of a few divisions—and even briefly shrugged off a question about YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. White did not have many definitive answers, mostly suggesting that upcoming events need to play out to determine who faces whom, when and where.

Of note was a pair of questions about superstar McGregor, who has been on the shelf since breaking his leg in his unsuccessful rubber match with Dustin Poirier in 2021. The Irishman, who has since gotten married and also been the subject of many legal quagmires ranging from being found liable for sexual assault to ongoing investigations about striking various individuals, was once booked for a 2024 match with Michael Chandler that fell through. The two served…

Kayla Harrison Shares Post-Surgery Update Following UFC 324 Withdrawal

Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight champ Kayla Harrison is starting the long road to recovery.

News broke Wednesday that Harrison, 35, required and underwent surgery on her herniated disc(s) in her neck. This ejected her from her co-main event championship tilt at UFC 324 against all-time great Amanda Nunes. Rather than slot in a replacement for Nunes on ultra-short notice, the organization will table the bout until later.

This withdrawal marks the first time that Harrison has pulled out of a fight in her pro career that started in 2018. The two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo picked up those awards in 2012 and 2016, and her skills translated to MMA to the point that she won not one but two million-dollar tournaments with Professional Fighters League to build a record of 14-0. While she suffered her first career loss at the hands of Larissa Pacheco in 2022, it came after she had already beaten the Brazilian twice prior.

Bouncing into th…

Veteran Broadcaster to Join CBS Sports Analyst Desk for UFC 324

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is adding a new name to its broadcast team.

Paramount, the new broadcast partner of the UFC, announced on Thursday that it would be adding one new member to the group of analysts that break down fights at the desk. Per the company, the remainder of the broadcast crew from the previous deal will continue as usual, ranging from Jon Anik, Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier in the booth to Bruce Buffer on the microphone to Megan Olivi as the roving reporter and Din Thomas as the live analyst. One more talent will be joining the UFC 324 team.

Additional coverage will include the pre-pay-per-view—these cards now simply titled “numbered events” or “premium live events”—weigh-in show, hosted by Dan Hellie and joined by Laura Sanko, Cormier and Chris Weidman. Other standard coverage like the official and ceremonial weigh-ins will air on Paramount+, along with the event itself that Saturday.A New HostOn the desk, away from the act…

LFA 224 Weigh-in Results: 1 Fight Canceled

#LFA224 Face Off ⚔️

Takes place Friday, January 16th at the @MysticLake Casino Hotel in #PriorLake #Minnesota

📲 Main card live on @VICETV® at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.Prelims live on YouTube at 7:30pm ET #LFAFightNetwork

Meet the prospects: https://t.co/y05gTyWe3y pic.twitter.com/FWPgaGQVYy

— LFA (@LFAfighting) January 15, 2026 The Legacy Fighting Alliance kicks off 2026 with a heavyweight championship fight for the vacant title, which is now official following the LFA 224 weigh-ins.

Throwing down for up to five possible rounds are Matthew Adams and undefeated prospect Arslan Bilalov. Both men came in under the 266-pound heavyweight limit. As for the rest of the card, all fighters made weight with the exception of Jose Ferreira, who came in 5.8 pounds over the lightweight cap. As a result, his fight against Ednilson Barros Santos has been canceled.

The 28-year-old Adams is the slightly more experienced p…

Four Bouts Official for Rizin 52 on March 7

Rizin Fighting Federation has confirmed four bouts, including a super atomweight showdown between Saori Oshima and Keito Oyama, for its first event of 2026.

Rizin 52 on March 7 will also include the following three contests: Luiz Gustavo vs. Taisei Sakuraba at lightweight; Takaki Soya vs. Tony Laramie at flyweight and Viktor Kolesnik vs. Kazuki Aimoto at featherweight.

Rizin 52 takes place at Ariake Arena in Tokyo and is availabile on pay-per-view via Rizin.TV.

The promotion also announced that Rizin Landmark Vol. 13 will take place on April 12 at Marine Messe Fukuoka in Fukuoka Japan. No fights were confirmed for that event.

Oshima won her first four Rizin appearances to eventually earn a super atomweight title shot. “Little Giant” came up short in that opportunity, falling to women’s pound-for-pound stalwart Seika Izawa via unanimous decision at Rizin Landmark Vol. 12 this past November.

Oyama, who is more commonly known as “Kate Lotu…

Dana White Announces 5-Year Rebranding Agreement for UFC Apex

The UFC Apex has a new name.

As a result of a partnership with Meta, the promotion’s home venue in Las Vegas will now be known as the Meta Apex for the next five years. UFC CEO Dana White announced the rebranding via social media on Monday.

“So as we go into the new year, the home of Contender Series, the home of some [UFC] Fight Nights, the home of Zuffa Boxing, UFC BJJ will now be called the Meta Apex,” White said on Instagram. “We’ve done a five-year deal with Meta.

“So welcome to the new Meta Apex.”

White was elected to the Meta board of directors in 2025. One of the largest information technology companies in the U.S., Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, among other things. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is an avid MMA fan and consistent jiu-jitsu practitioner.

A New ExperienceAccording to a release, “Meta branding will be integrated throughout the facility. UFC and Meta will also work together to create interactive exper…

Neck Injury Forces Kayla Harrison to Withdraw from UFC 324 Co-Main Event

Neck surgery has forced Kayla Harrison out of UFC 324. | Getty/UFC

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s debut event on Paramount+ has taken a significant hit.

According to a report from the Eagle Tribune, Kayla Harrison has been forced to withdraw from the UFC 324 co-main event against Amanda Nunes on Jan. 24 to undergo surgery to repair herniated discs in her neck. Harrison reportedly sought treatment in New York ahead of the fight, but doctors determined that surgery was a necessity. Harrison vs. Nunes is expected to be rebooked at an undetermined date in the future. Sherdog.com confirmed Harrison’s exit with a source close to the situation.

The women’s bantamweight title bout was one of the two featured fights — along with an interim lightweight championship clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett — anchoring the UFC 324 lineup, which marks the beginning of the promotion’s broadcast partnership on Paramount+. UFC CEO Dana Whi…

Figueiredo on Underdog Status at UFC 324: ‚One Punch Can Change Everything‘

Deiveson Figueiredo likes his chances at UFC 324. | Getty/UFC

Deiveson Figueiredo is an an unfamiliar position heading into his fight with Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 324.

According to Stake.com's Monday odds, the Dagestani, who has only one loss in his 20 MMA fights, was considered a 10-to-1 favorite. In an exclusive interview with Sherdog.com, Figueiredo said that fact only increases his motivation.

"Everyone knows he has a good grappling game, but he's going to face a different opponent, a former champion, and one punch from me can change everything,” Figueiredo said. “In any case, fighting against favorites only increases my motivation.”

The former flyweight champion is confident after once again holding his training camp at Pitbul Brothers.

“The camp here at Pitbull Brothers was perfect,” he said. “The resources here are excellent. Sparring partners like Leandro Higo from [PFL] only made me push myself to the best every day, and…

Justin Gaethje Eyes Rematch Against Max Holloway

Justin Gaethje wants to avenge his loss against Max Holloway.

Gaethje (26-5) is scheduled to fight Paddy Pimblett (23-3) for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Holloway (27-8) is set to trade leather against Charles Oliveira (36-11) at UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas.

Gaethje recently revealed that he is rooting for Holloway to beat Oliveira. Gaethje wants a rematch against Holloway if they both win their respective fights. Gaethje also hopes that the current lightweight champion, Ilia Topuria, moves up a weight class. Gaethje would then defend his lightweight title against Holloway, along with the latter’s BMF title on the line, preferably at the White House in June.High Stakes “I hope Max wins. I hope Ilia goes up,” Gaethje told the UFC. “And then I can fight Max on the White House card and take the BMF belt and the championship belt.”

Gaethje has only lost to Holloway in his last four outings…

Paddy Pimblett Believes Style Can’t Be Emulated

Paddy Pimblett doesn’t think he can be mimicked.

Pimblett is scheduled to fight Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. While Gaethje is known for his striking, Pimblett boasts a high level of wrestling. Gaethje’s camp recently said that they have been emphasizing wrestling to prepare for Pimblett. Regardless, Pimblett believes Gaethje won’t be able to stifle his wrestling. Pimblett claims that he doesn’t wrestle conventionally, making his style awkward. While fighters usually bring in sparring partners to emulate their upcoming opponents, Pimblett doesn’t think Gaethje will find any to mimic him.

‘I’m Not Normal’ "I don't wrestle like a normal person,” Pimblett told the UFC. “I don't shoot double legs and single legs and wrestle like a normal person. I do everything differently. I'm not normal. He’s not gonna be able to get a sparring partner that grapples like me or strikes like me, because I'm a we…

Justin Gaethje Reveals Retirement Threat Was Influenced by Manager

Justin Gaethje’s recent retirement threat was not all his idea.

Gaethje (26-5) is scheduled to fight Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. The interim title fight was hatched after champion Ilia Topuria announced a short break from competition for personal reasons. Gaethje and Pimblett (23-3) were previously frontrunners for a title shot against Topuria. However, Topuria has clearly expressed his preference for defending his title against Pimblett over Gaethje. Gaethje was threatening retirement if denied a title shot in his next fight.

Thankfully for Gaethje, circumstances played out in his favor. However, Gaethje recently revealed that the retirement threat was partly his manager, Ali Abdelaziz’s idea. Gaethje also admitted that he was being emotional about the whole situation.Taking Things Personally "I definitely got what I asked for,” Gaethje told the UFC. “It was more that my manager put…