Martial Arts News

Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing has signed British heavyweight Johnny Fisher, who is set to headline Zuffa Boxing 11 at Copper Box Arena in London on Sept. 26.

Fisher’s former promoter, Eddie Hearn, has now explained how the boxer’s decision to join Zuffa Boxing came down to more than just a better payday.

Advertisement

Eddie Hearn explains Johnny Fisher’s decision to join Zuffa Boxing Fisher (14-1, 12 KOs) has left Matchroom Boxing after five years to join White’s Zuffa Boxing, marking a monumental change in his career. Hearn dissected Fisher’s move in an interview with talkSPORT Boxing.

He explained that the move was influenced by Fisher’s desire for more manageable opponents following his first professional defeat. Hearn claimed that those types of matchups did not fit the Matchroom Boxing or DAZN product.

“If I headlined a show for Johnny Fisher against the guys he’s going to be fighting, I would be ridiculed,” Hearn said. “But you would be prepared to pay fo…

A pivotal bout in the Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight division has been added to UFC 330, which is scheduled to take place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Aug. 15.

Charles Johnson (19-9) will square off against Jose Ochoa (9-2) at the next numbered event, set to be headlined by a welterweight championship fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry.

Advertisement

Charles Johnson vs. Jose Ochoa UFC 330 matchup adds depth to flyweight division Johnson is among the most active fighters on the roster, having already fought thrice in 2026. However, he’s struggled for consistency, alternating between wins and losses across his last six bouts.

While he has finished the likes of Lone’er Kavanagh and current champion Joshua Van, he’s lost to Asu Almabayev, Alex Perez and Ramazonbek Temirov. “InnerG” announced the UFC 330 booking on Instagram.

Meanwhile, Ochoa will look to continue his ascent in the 125-pound division by defeating Johnson. The 25…

Phumi Nkuta's bid to overturn the lone loss of his professional career did not go in his favor.

The California State Athletic Commission on Monday denied Nkuta's appeal to overturn his technical submission defeat against Adriano Moraes at MVP: Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano. Nkuta argued that Moraes held a fight-ending choke beyond the final horn and that referee Herb Dean mishandled the sequence.

Advertisement

However, the commission ruled there was insufficient evidence to change the official result.California State Athletic Commission denies Phumi Nkuta appeal after Adriano Moraes fight On May 16, Nkuta and Moraes clashed in a flyweight bout on the main card of MVP’s Rousey vs. Carano-headlined event. Near the end of the fight, Moraes had Nkuta in a choke. As the final bell rang, the former held on to the choke for what Nkuta claims was around 2.15 seconds after the horn. The official result was a technical submission victory for the former One Championship title…

Real American Freestyle has announced a new championship designed exclusively for elite crossover athletes from combat sports.

In a new social media post, RAF revealed details about the competition. The inaugural championship bout of the new crossover event will feature Arman Tsarukyan against former Ultimate Fighting Championship interim champion Colby Covington.

RAF Crossover Championship creates new path for combat sports athletes RAF has introduced the RAF Crossover Championship, developed exclusively for high-profile crossover athletes from combat sports. The first cruiserweight match will take place at RAF 11 in Milwaukee, featuring Tsarukyan and Covington.

The crossover will blend elite freestyle wrestling with MMA talent, offering marquee crossover matchups.

“A new championship arrives at RAF,” RAF Wrestling’s official X account posted. “Introducing the RAF Crossover Championship. Created exclusively for crossover wrestlers from across the world of comba…

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Michael Chandler has shut down claims that Conor McGregor went into UFC 329 knowing that he was injured, insisting that the Irishman still wants to fight him.

McGregor’s return following a five-year hiatus ended in disappointment as he suffered a knee injury seconds into his rematch with Max Holloway at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the former two-division champion is set for another stint on the sidelines as he recovers from the injury, Chandler sees McGregor eventually returning to the Octagon, potentially against him.

Advertisement

Michael Chandler explains why he believes Conor McGregor wanted to compete at UFC 329 After McGregor’s return to the UFC ended in anticlimactic fashion, Chandler came to his defense. The former Bellator MMA champion dismissed the claim that McGregor had an injury going into UFC 329.

“I would be absolutely surprised, like the most surprised on the planet, if Conor just showed up for a…

Benoit St. Denis had a rough outing at UFC 329. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Benoit St. Denis has released a statement addressing his loss to Paddy Pimblett.

St. Denis was the betting favorite going into his lightweight matchup against Pimblett in the co-main event of UFC 329 in Las Vegas, as he was coming off a four-fight finish streak while his English counterpart was fresh off his first defeat in the UFC. However, "The Baddy" took just 52 seconds to put the Frenchman to sleep and end his win streak.

Benoit St. Denis reflects on his UFC 329 loss and promises a stronger return St. Denis apologized to his fans for letting them down after UFC 329. While he admits that the loss is hard to digest, "God of War" vows to bounce back stronger. He also hopes to avenge his loss to Pimblett someday.

“Thank you all for your support. I’m sorry for letting you down and for not delivering the victory we had hoped for,” St. Denis wrote on…

Islam Makhachev’s coach, Javier Mendez, has hailed one of his students' ability to mimic Ian Garry ahead of the upcoming welterweight title clash in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Makhachev (28-1) looks to defend his 170-pound championship for the first time against Garry (17-1) at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Garry is known for excellent distance management and long-range strikes. However, Mendez already has who he believes is the perfect fighter to emulate the Irishman’s style in their team.

Advertisement

Islam Makhachev’s coach names ‘perfect’ Ian Garry training replica Mendez is confident that another one of his pupils, Usman Nurmagomedov, can copy almost any style. The American Kickboxing Academy head coach recently revealed that the Professional Fighters League lightweight champion is one of Makhachev’s primary training partners, closely mimicking Garry’s style.

A middleweight title fight headlines PFL Austin: Tune on …

Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion Islam Makhachev's coach, Javier Mendez, claims his pupil is open to a fight against Max Holloway.

This comes after Holloway’s win at UFC 329, where he faced Conor McGregor at welterweight. “Blessed” emerged victorious, albeit with their rematch ending in anticlimactic fashion as McGregor suffered an early injury. Mendez believes that neither Makhachev nor Holloway would refuse a matchup against the other.

Javier Mendez discusses a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Max Holloway UFC matchup after UFC 329 Ahead of his UFC 329 bout on July 11, Holloway expressed his desire to fight Makhachev. Despite being beaten and thoroughly outgrappled by Charles Oliveira earlier this year, Mendez knows that Holloway will not stop pursuing a fight with the current 170-pound king. He also believes that his fighter would not back down from the challenge if UFC pushes for it.

“Whatever the UFC wants to do, Islam’s going to say yes and Max …

Charles Oliveira is campaigning for a UFC lightweight title shot against Justin Gaethje.| 📷: Getty/UFC

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Charles Oliveira is using unique tactics to call for a title shot against Justin Gaethje.

Oliveira was in attendance for Conor McGregor’s (22-7) return to action after five years against Max Holloway (28-9) at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. However, the bout ended in disappointment when McGregor injured his knee on his first kick, forcing the referee to step in just over a minute into the opening round.

Charles Oliveira campaigns for a UFC lightweight title shot against Justin Gaethje after UFC 329 Holloway was plotting a lightweight title shot and a rematch against Gaethje if he secured a victory over McGregor. Despite the anticlimactic nature of the fight, the Hawaiian still called for his shot against “The Highlight” at the post-fight press conference. Meanwhile, Oliveira started spamming the comments…

Brandon Moreno will collide with Joseph Morales at UFC Noche 2026. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight champion Brandon Moreno will reportedly make his return to the Octagon against "The Ultimate Fighter 33" winner Joseph Morales at Noche UFC on Sept. 12. The bout was first reported by Marcel Dorff.

The 125-pound clash is expected to take place at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Moreno enters the matchup looking to halt a two-fight skid after losses to Tatsuro Taira and Lone’er Kavanagh in consecutive appearances. Morales, meanwhile, will have an opportunity to cause a major upset and climb the rankings in his second UFC stint.

Advertisement

Brandon Moreno will reportedly face Joseph Morales at Noche UFC on Sept. 12 Moreno (23-10-2) remains one of the most accomplished competitors in flyweight history. His record features victories over Brandon Royval, Deiveson Figueiredo, Kai Kara-France and Amir Albazi, amon…

Conor McGregor has broken his silence on what happened at UFC 329. | 📷: Getty/UFC

Conor McGregor assures fans that he was not injured heading into his return to action in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

McGregor (22-7) returned after a five-year hiatus against Max Holloway (28-9) at UFC 329 on Saturday in Las Vegas. The return of the sport’s biggest star couldn’t have ended more anticlimactically. McGregor injured his right knee with the very first kick he threw and could barely stand thereafter, forcing the referee to call a stop to the contest, hardly over a minute into the fight.

Advertisement

Conor McGregor says he was healthy before UFC 329 knee injury Fans have since speculated as to whether McGregor was already injured heading into the fight. “Notorious” was also seen stumbling while taking off his shoes before entering the Octagon. However, the former two-division UFC champion claims he had no injuries before the fight.

“I was so sha…

Bryce Mitchell will become the first active Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter to take on a UFC BJJ champion, Mikey Musumeci.

Mitchell will square off against Musumeci in a non-title clash, which serves as the headliner for UFC BJJ 11. It will be contested at featherweight, which means Musumeci will move up a division to face Mitchell. UFC BJJ light heavyweight champion Mason Fowler will defend his crown against Nicky Rod in the co-main event.

Advertisement

UFC fighter Bryce Mitchell faces UFC BJJ champion Mikey Musumeci in historic featherweight matchup Musumeci enters the matchup unbeaten under the UFC BJJ banner after previously enjoying a perfect run in One Championship. The five-time IBJJF black belt world champion (four times in Gi and once in No-Gi) captured the UFC BJJ bantamweight title before successfully defending it three times. His four UFC BJJ appearances after UFC Fight Pass Invitational 9 have resulted in three heel hooks and one foot lo…