All articles tagged with #ufc
Ronda Rousey explains that her concussion symptoms may be linked to migraine aura rather than lasting brain damage, discovered during evaluations at the Cleveland Clinic. Doctors have identified a preventative migraine treatment that could make her return feasible, and she plans to fight on May 16, subject to extensive medical testing and clearance by the California State Athletic Commission.
Chimaev’s grappling coach says Alex Pereira shouldn’t take a superfight with Chimaev if he wants to pursue a historic third UFC title, suggesting a move up to heavyweight for the belt; the high-profile matchup would draw big money, but the coach argues it isn’t the wisest legacy move for Pereira, and any potential bout would hinge on UFC decisions and weight adjustments.
A whistleblower alleges Paramount president Jeff Shell improperly disclosed timing, cost and structure details of the studio’s $7.7 billion UFC media-rights deal about a month before the August 2025 announcement; an outside law firm is investigating, and the SEC is reviewing a related complaint as Paramount’s deal and leadership come under scrutiny.
UFC aims to stage a grand White House event in June 2026 to celebrate the US’s 250th anniversary, with production costs potentially reaching $60 million, according to Puck News. The outdoor show on the South Lawn would host 3,000–4,000 cageside guests and an 85,000-person Ellipse viewing area, feature no public tickets, and include a 6–7 fight card; it would be significantly more expensive than UFC 306 at Sphere (~$21 million). A grass replacement bill could run $700k–$1 million, and Conor McGregor is not expected to participate. Renderings suggest a large-scale production is moving forward.
The UFC’s June 14 White House event is projected to be a historic production with a reported cost potentially approaching $60 million, but organizers still face major logistics: in-person attendance is expected to be around 5,000 due to space and security constraints beneath the South Lawn, a temporary octagon setup, and a grass replacement cost near $700,000. Plans include a National Mall viewing for tens of thousands and weigh-ins possibly at the Lincoln Memorial, with six to seven fights anticipated and broadcasts on Paramount+ (with possible CBS) but no bouts officially announced yet.
Trump’s plan to stage a stadium-sized UFC event on the White House South Lawn runs into logistical hurdles, with the lawn unable to host even a fraction of his claimed crowd and attendance targets around 17,000 seeming unattainable; UFC could be spending up to $60 million amid approvals delays. The piece also notes a Castle Rock cease-and-desist and a Hollywood link between Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein.
Former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker plans to move up to 205 pounds for his next UFC fight, saying cutting to 185 has hampered his performance and he wants to test himself at light heavyweight. Following a July 2025 split‑decision loss to Reinier de Ridder and a prior first‑round submission defeat to Khamzat Chimaev, Whittaker aims for a June return with roughly four months of prep to build muscle and adapt to the higher weight.
Matt Brown, Harrell’s coach, says Harrell was knocked out on a takedown at UFC Houston and that Jacobe Smith continued punching after the referee tried to intervene, calling the late stoppage a shared fault—though Brown places more blame on Smith and says Hatley should have stopped it sooner. He notes Harrell fought on eight days’ notice and previously required brain surgery, but backstage he was fine and Brown remains confident Harrell will return stronger and could become a champion.
Conor McGregor says he’s ready to return but the UFC hasn’t sent a contract after offering him a matchup and date he accepted, posting—then deleting—a message calling it "Day 15 of I accept, send the contract" while waiting for over two weeks. The saga follows his last fight in 2021 after a broken leg, with past plans to face Michael Chandler at UFC 303; Dana White has signaled Chandler isn’t the current plan, though McGregor believes he should still face him.
Sean Strickland knocked out Anthony Hernandez in UFC Houston, earning a $100,000 finish bonus and helping former UFC star Derek Brunson cash out about $53,000 from an 11-leg parlay; Conor McGregor defended Strickland after the fight, and Strickland’s mic was cut off at the post-fight press conference.
After UFC Houston, Sean Strickland said in a post-fight scrum that he made Khamzat Chimaev quit during training and mocked Chimaev’s gym behavior, while Chimaev countered on social media by noting he beat Dricus du Plessis (who has beaten Strickland twice) and dismissed Strickland’s account as he and Strickland trade barbs amid rumors about Chimaev possibly moving up to 205 pounds for an interim title.
Sean Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez by third-round TKO (2:33) in the UFC Houston main event, sealing the win with relentless pressure and sharp striking after a competitive opening two rounds.
Sean Strickland defeated Anthony Hernandez by KO at 2:33 of the third round in the UFC Houston main event, using a sharp jab and a decisive middle-knee that sealed the finish. Immediately after, Strickland called out Khamzat Chimaev, signaling a potential title shot and injecting new life into the middleweight title picture as Hernandez’s streak ended and Strickland eyed a high-profile matchup in 2026.
Sean Strickland returned from a year-long layoff and stopped Anthony Hernandez in the third round with a TKO, ending Hernandez’s eight-fight skid after a decisive knee to the body opened the finish and Strickland followed with clean punches on the feet.
Ronda Rousey says her UFC return hinged on a big guaranteed payout, but the promotion’s switch to Paramount and the end of pay-per-views undermined those terms. After negotiations stalled, she joined Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and the Rousey–Carano matchup was sold to Netflix for May 16, removing it from UFC and aligning with Netflix’s streaming model.