Martial Arts News

Conor McGregor has taken the first step toward a successful recovery and Octagon return, undergoing surgery on his injured knee.

The former two-division Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder recently revealed that he successfully underwent surgery to repair the knee damage he sustained at UFC 329 in his rematch against Max Holloway.

McGregor expects to begin recovery after suffering a torn ACL and meniscus against Max Holloway McGregor damaged his ACL and meniscus with the first kick he threw against Holloway. The Irishman repeatedly fell to the canvas while throwing strikes, prompting a referee stoppage just 69 seconds into the bout. “Notorious” has taken to social media to update fans on his injury.

“Surgery went excellent!” McGregor wrote on his Instagram Stories. “I am confident!”

Notably, McGregor suffered the same injury to his other knee during his first bout against Holloway in 2013. He took nearly a year to return to action after that setback. He f…

Alexander Volkanovski is confident Movsar Evloev will be the next challenger for his Ultimate Fighting Championship title.

Volkanovski (28-4) was originally expected to defend his title against Evloev (20-0) after winning the vacant title against Diego Lopes last year to begin his second reign. However, Lopes, who had already lost to Evloev, was controversially booked for a rematch against Volkanovski, who defeated the Brazilian yet again in January.

Movsar Evloev’s undefeated UFC run has Volkanovski preparing for a potential featherweight title fight Volkanovski seems confident that his next title defense will be against Evloev, who is 10-0 in the UFC, although winning all his Octagon outings via decision. The Australian champ is currently in Thailand and putting in some wrestling work to prepare for the undefeated Russian.

“It’s pretty obvious it’s probably going to be Movsar,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “So, I get all that wrestling in nice and early. …

Four more bouts have been added to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s upcoming trip to Los Angeles, including Gable Steveson's second fight in the promotion.

The UFC announced that Steveson will meet Sean Sharaf in a heavyweight clash at UFC 331, while Robelis Despaigne returns to the Octagon against Tai Tuivasa. Also confirmed for the Sept. 19 event is a middleweight matchup pitting Ryan Gandra against Osman Diaz and a lightweight bout between Brian Ortega and Renato Carneiro.

Gable Steveson’s sophomore UFC bout, Renato Carneiro-Brian Ortega rematch among new additions to UFC 331 Following the announcement that UFC 331 will be headlined by Joshua Van's flyweight title rematch against former champion Alexandre Pantoja, the promotion dropped more additions to the undercard.

Steveson, who made his UFC debut against Elisha Ellison in July, is set to return against Sharaf, who’s 0-2 inside the Octagon. Despaigne returns to the UFC after rebuilding momentum outside the p…

Merab Dvalishvili’s nose is unmistakable.

Dvalishvili (21-5) recently tried to prank customers at a gas station. The former Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight king wore a long-haired wig and makeup while posing as an employee.

Advertisement

Former UFC bantamweight champion can't fool customers with a disguise An unsuspecting customer told Dvalishvili, without recognizing “The Machine,” that it would be difficult for him to reclaim the bantamweight belt.

However, his prank failed on another customer, as the Georgian had to own up when a woman recognized him. The woman revealed that Dvalishvili’s nose gave him away.

Dvalishvili’s nose is slightly crooked due to years of wear and tear from fights and it took significant damage in his last bout. He defended his title thrice last year before losing to Petr Yan in a rematch this past December. Although unconfirmed by the UFC, they have both indicated that they’re set to run it back in a trilogy bout next.…

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

‘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.

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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…