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Chandler waited all that time 😭 Max Holloway vs Conor McGregor 2 feels like one of those fights that instantly grabs everyone’s attention. Their first meeting happened all the way back in 2013, when McGregor was the rising star and Holloway was still a young prospect trying to find his footing in the UFC. A lot has changed since then. Holloway has gone on to become one of the greatest featherweights ever, while McGregor became the biggest superstar the sport has ever seen. Now they’re both in completely different stages of their careers, which makes this rematch so intriguing. For Holloway, it’s a chance to avenge an early loss. For McGregor, it’s an opportunity to prove he can still compete at the highest level after years away from the Octagon. You can bet Michael Chandler won’t be thrilled about this announcement. Chandler spent years calling for a fight with McGregor, coached opposite him on The Ultimate Fighter, and repeatedly put his own career plans on hold while waiting for that matchup to materialize. From his perspective, seeing McGregor jump straight into a massive rematch with Holloway has to feel frustrating. At the same time, it’s hard to blame the UFC for making the fight—McGregor vs. Holloway is a blockbuster matchup with built-in history and huge fan interest. Still, Chandler has every reason to feel like he was left standing at the altar after waiting so long for a fight that never happened.

Dana knew exactly what he was doing 😭 Conor McGregor is officially coming back, and it feels like one of the biggest stories the UFC has had in years. After nearly five years away from the Octagon, the former two-division champion is set to headline UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week. He’ll be facing Max Holloway in a rematch of their first meeting back in 2013, when both fighters were just starting to make their names in the sport. Ultimate Fighting Championship and Dana White announced the fight today, instantly sending the MMA world into a frenzy. It’s hard not to get excited, even with all the uncertainty that comes with a McGregor comeback. Fans have been hearing rumors about his return for years, but this time it’s finally official. Whether you love him or can’t stand the hype, McGregor has always brought a different kind of energy to the sport. The buildup alone is going to be massive, and the matchup with Holloway is a fascinating one because both men are completely different fighters now than they were thirteen years ago. If McGregor actually makes the walk and looks anything like his old self, UFC 329 could end up being one of the most talked-about events in recent memory.

Poirier’s block is IN 😂 Dustin Poirier doesn’t rely on a static, textbook guard to deal with punches—instead, his defense is a kind of active filtering system. When he’s under pressure, you’ll often see him bring his gloves high and tight to his temples, but it’s not just a “cover up and hope” shell. He subtly angles his forearms and shoulders so incoming shots glance off rather than land clean, and he’s especially good at using his lead hand to catch or redirect jabs before they fully extend. Even when he’s trading, his head is rarely sitting on the center line for long; he’s constantly making small adjustments in distance and angle so punches have to travel further or hit less cleanly. What makes his blocking style interesting is how quickly it turns into offense. Poirier will absorb or deflect a shot on his guard, then immediately answer back with short, sharp counters—hooks, uppercuts, or straight lefts that come right after the opponent commits. He also uses a compact “high guard + shoulder roll” hybrid in the pocket, especially when exchanges get messy, letting punches skim off his gloves or shoulder rather than meeting them head-on. It’s not the most passive defense in MMA; it’s more like he’s guiding punches into bad positions so he can punish the opening right after.

This is WILD 😳 Conor McGregor last fought in the summer of 2021, when he suffered that gruesome injury against Dustin - Joshua Van didn’t make his debut until October 2021, months after McGregor’s trilogy with Dustin Poirier. In under 5 years, Joshua Van has fought NINETEEN times, going 17-2 in that run… This gets even more crazy when you remember that Van lost to Charles Johnson in 2024, meaning he built a win streak - lost it - then built another that led him to the title. Since that loss to Johnson, Van has fought 7 times, beating Chairez, Durden, Tsuruya, Silva, Royval, Pantoja and Taira. Especially in a talent rich division like 125, that’s genuinely insane 😭

Man, the Olivera feels like yesterday… Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler met in the main event of UFC 262 on May 15, 2021, with the vacant lightweight championship on the line. The fight was one of the most anticipated matchups of the year because both men were known as aggressive finishers with elite grappling and knockout power. Chandler started fast and nearly stopped Oliveira in the first round, landing heavy punches and putting the Brazilian in serious trouble. Oliveira, however, survived the early storm and showed the resilience that had defined his long journey to a title shot. UFC staged the event at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, marking the beginning of a new era in the lightweight division after Khabib Nurmagomedov retired and vacated the belt. The fight ended just 19 seconds into the second round when Oliveira dropped Chandler with a sharp left hook and followed with a barrage of punches for the TKO victory. The win crowned Oliveira as the new UFC lightweight champion and completed one of the most inspiring stories in MMA, as he captured his first world title after nearly 11 years with the promotion. Oliveira’s emotional celebration reflected the significance of the moment, transforming him from a talented contender into a champion and cementing his place among the greatest lightweights in UFC history. For Chandler, the loss was disappointing but also proved he belonged among the sport’s elite, as he pushed Oliveira to the brink in a thrilling and dramatic title fight.

The plot thickens 😭 The UFC middleweight division is as compelling as it has been in years, with the title picture changing rapidly and several elite contenders positioned for a championship run. Sean Strickland currently sits atop the division after reclaiming the belt with a narrow split-decision victory over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 in May 2026. That result added another twist to an already chaotic title lineage that has also included Dricus du Plessis, whose relentless style and wins over former champions established him as one of the division’s defining figures. Strickland’s return to the throne reinforces how evenly matched the top contenders are; there is no dominant champion, and every title fight feels highly competitive. What makes the division especially exciting is the depth of rising talent waiting just below the champion. Nassourdine Imavov has built strong momentum and is widely viewed as the leading contender, while Caio Borralho continues to emerge as a technically polished and dangerous threat. Veterans such as Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker remain respected names, but the division is clearly transitioning to a new generation. With potential matchups including Strickland vs. Imavov, an immediate Chimaev rematch, or du Plessis working his way back into contention, the 185-pound class is arguably one of the UFC’s most unpredictable and competitive men’s division in 2026.

Strickland really injured his shoulder 😳 A Type II acromioclavicular (AC) separation is a shoulder injury that occurs when the ligaments connecting the collarbone (clavicle) to the shoulder blade (scapula) are partially torn. The AC joint is located at the top of the shoulder, where the clavicle meets a part of the scapula called the acromion. In a Type II separation, the acromioclavicular ligament is completely torn, while the coracoclavicular ligaments are only stretched or partially damaged. This causes the collarbone to shift slightly upward, creating a visible bump and leading to pain, swelling, and tenderness at the top of the shoulder.

Did any of y’all predict the main event playing out the way it did? UFC 328 was headlined by a UFC Middleweight Championship bout between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland. The event took place on May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark. Chimaev entered the fight as the reigning champion and undefeated in his professional MMA career, while Strickland was a former champion seeking to reclaim the belt in a heated rivalry. In a closely contested five-round battle, Strickland won by split decision (48–47, 47–48, 48–47), handing Chimaev the first loss of his career and becoming a two-time UFC middleweight champion. The fight featured Chimaev’s early grappling success and Strickland’s steady jab, pressure, and takedown defense over the later rounds. The result was widely debated because of how competitive the contest was, but the judges ultimately favored Strickland’s consistency and output.

New PFP rankings are out, Van in the top 10 at age 24 is an insane achievement 😮 The UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings received a major shake-up today following UFC 328, but Islam Makhachev remains firmly in the No. 1 spot. Makhachev continues to be viewed as the most complete fighter in the sport after capturing a second world title and extending one of the most dominant championship runs in modern MMA. Right behind him is Ilia Topuria at No. 2, whose undefeated record and knockout win over Charles Oliveira cemented his status as one of the sport’s biggest stars. Alexander Volkanovski holds the No. 3 position, continuing to earn respect for his longevity and success across multiple eras of featherweight competition. Alex Pereira and Petr Yan round out the top five, each backed by elite resumes and victories over former champions. The biggest story from today’s rankings update is the return of Sean Strickland to the top 10 after his upset win over Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328. Strickland reclaimed the middleweight title and immediately jumped to No. 7 in the pound-for-pound list, while Chimaev fell all the way to No. 10 after suffering the first loss of his UFC career. Other fighters currently occupying the top 15 include Tom Aspinall, Merab Dvalishvili, Joshua Van, and Dricus du Plessis. The latest rankings highlight how quickly the UFC landscape can change, with one championship victory instantly reshaping the debate over who the best fighters in the world are.

Dana White UFC sponsors reached out to him asking to fire Joe Rogan, but he always refused: “During Rogan’s rise, he went through some personal stuff. I had people calling me, whether it was sponsors or whoever, saying, ‘You gotta do this to Rogan. I’m like, ‘Don’t ever f* call me and tell me who I’m gonna fire or what I’m gonna do.’” Joe Rogan has been one of the most recognizable voices in Ultimate Fighting Championship for more than two decades. Before becoming a commentator, Rogan was a stand-up comedian and television host, but his passion for martial arts made him a natural fit for the UFC. He first joined the promotion in the late 1990s as a backstage interviewer and later transitioned into color commentary. Known for his energetic reactions and deep knowledge of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and striking techniques, Rogan helped explain the sport to millions of viewers as mixed martial arts grew into a mainstream phenomenon. Rogan’s commentary style has become closely associated with some of the UFC’s most memorable moments. His excitement during dramatic knockouts, submissions, and championship fights has added to the intensity of major events. In addition to his work cageside, Rogan has used The Joe Rogan Experience to interview many fighters, coaches, and UFC executives, giving fans a deeper look into the sport and its personalities. Although he now works only at select pay-per-view events in the United States, Rogan remains one of the most influential figures in UFC broadcasting and has played a major role in popularizing mixed martial arts around the world.

Khamzat Chimaev’s brother says his body SHUT DOWN during the weight cut for the Sean Strickland fight He says Khamzat originally had a deal in place to fight Jiri Prochazka at 205, but the UFC later called asking him to fight Strickland instead According to him, Khamzat weighed as much as 231 lbs, and was still 214 lbs just two weeks before the fight “There was a problem with the weight cut. The question became whether to cancel the fight or take the risk. When there was 1.2 kg left, his body shut down... Oxygen deprivation. His body malfunctioned. We had to stop for an hour because his health wouldn’t allow him to continue... Khamzat himself said he didn’t know how he’d fight in that condition. There was an agreement with the UFC that he would fight Jiri Prochazka at 205. The contract was already prepared, but then they asked him to fight Sean instead... so he accepted ands decided to cut from 105 kg [231 lbs] down to 84 kg [185 lbs]. By fight time he had only regained around 5-6 kg [11-13 lbs]... Two weeks before the fight he weighed 97 kg [214 lbs]. We’ve requested a rematch with Strickland. There’s an event in Abu Dhabi in October and we want to do it there. Khamzat isn’t the type of person to move to another weight class and leave unanswered questions behind. We want the second fight. Right now we have no other goals. Via @homeoffight

Ilia is NOT going to be happy about that 😭 Ilia Topuria has quickly become one of the biggest stars in mixed martial arts and one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC. Born in Germany to Georgian parents and representing Spain, Topuria is known for his complete skill set, combining elite boxing, knockout power, and high-level Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He rose through the featherweight division with impressive victories over top contenders such as Josh Emmett and Bryce Mitchell before capturing the UFC Featherweight Championship with a stunning knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski. Topuria later reinforced his status as one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best fighters with another major victory over Max Holloway. Outside the Octagon, Topuria is a passionate supporter of Real Madrid CF, one of the most successful football clubs in the world. He has spoken publicly about his admiration for the club and has attended matches at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Topuria’s connection to Spain and his growing popularity have made him a celebrated figure among Spanish sports fans, and his support for Real Madrid reflects his strong ties to the country he proudly represents. As his UFC career continues to reach new heights, Topuria has become a global star who bridges the worlds of combat sports and football culture.