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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…

Paddy Pimblett Will Follow Max Holloway’s ‘Blueprint’ to Beat Justin Gaethje

Paddy Pimblett vows to finish Justin Gaethje on the feet.

Pimblett (23-3) is scheduled to fight Gaethje (26-5) for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas. “The Baddy” believes Max Holloway has already delivered the gameplan to beat Justin Gaethje. Holloway and Gaethje fought for the BMF title at UFC 300 in 2024. Holloway picked Gaethje apart on the feet before finishing him in a last-round buzzer-beater.

While people expect Pimblett to wrestle Gaethje, the Liverpudlian plans to follow Holloway’s gameplan. Pimblett believes his striking is underestimated. Pimblett notes that while he dominated Michael Chandler in his last outing, Gaethje had a “Fight of the Year” slugfest against Chandler in 2021, which he won via unanimous decision. Pimblett claims he has the perfect gameplan against Gaethje and plans to finish him within three rounds.Going Against Expectations “I’ll keep it on the feet with him,” Pimblett told th…

Chael Sonnen Wants Arman Tsarukyan to Be Forgiven

Chael Sonnen recently extended his support to Arman Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan (23-3) has been denied a lightweight title shot despite being widely regarded as the most deserving contender. Tsarukyan was originally scheduled to challenge Islam Makhachev for the lightweight title at UFC 311 last year. However, Tsarukyan pulled out due to an injury a day before the fight, disappointing the UFC

As Dana White promised, Tsarukyan was sidelined when Makhachev vacated his belt and moved up. Ilia Topuria defeated Charles Oliveira to win the vacant title while Tsarukyan weighed in as the backup. While Tsarukyan kept rallying for a title shot, Topuria seemed interested in fighting Paddy Pimblett. Tsarukyan thought a title shot would be undeniable when he finished Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar this past November. However, Tsarukyan was sidelined again when Topuria announced a short hiatus from action for personal reasons. “Ahalkalakets” has to keep waiting whil…

Paulo Costa Set for Light Heavyweight Debut at UFC 327

Paulo Costa will move up to light heavyweight at UFC 327. | Getty/UFC

Paulo Costa’s next Octagon appearance will come at 205 pounds.

The former middleweight title challenger will lock horns with Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 327. Multiple outlets confirmed the matchup following an initial report from Laerte Viana. UFC 327 takes place on April 11 and is expected to be held in Miami.

A Stern Test Costa was supposed to face Brunno Ferreira at UFC 326 but pulled out of that proposed middleweight bout. “Borrachinha” snapped a two-bout skid in his last outing, when he took a three-round verdict against Roman Kopylov at UFC 318 this past July. Costa began his Octagon tenure with five consecutive triumphs before falling to Israel Adesanya via second-round TKO in a middleweight title clash at UFC 253. Including that bout, the Brazilian is just 2-4 in his last six promotional outings.

Murzakanov has made an impact in the UFC’s light heavyweight division with victories …

Khamzat Chimaev Targets UFC White House Event for ‘Poatan’ Fight

Khamzat Chimaev still has his sights set on Alex Pereira. | Getty/UFC

Khamzat Chimaev has a singular focus when it comes to his next desired opponent.

The reigning UFC middleweight champion continued his ongoing callout of light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira in a series of posts on social media. While the target is nothing new, this time Chimaev has a date and venue in mind for the matchup.

“Let’s go White House,” Chimaev wrote on X. “Don’t worry, I will finish you fast [Pereira].”

Let’s go White House 🦾Don’t worry, I will finish you fast @AlexPereiraUFC ⚰️

— Khamzat Chimaev (@KChimaev) January 12, 2026

The UFC White House event is expected to take place on June 14, though the date has yet to be officially confirmed. Pereira had previously expressed interest in a clash against former heavyweight champ Jon Jones, but the Brazilian indicated in a recent post that his participation at the event was a …

Paddy Pimblett, Dan Hooker Engage in Bitter Verbal Spat

Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweights Paddy Pimblett and Dan Hooker have made it clear their past friendship is over.

During an interview with The MMA Guru on Thursday, Pimblett appeared and took shots at a few other names in his division. When discussing the UFC 324 headliner of himself against Justin Gaethje, Pimblett dismissed the idea of Gaethje, 37, being too old and therefore less dangerous. “The Baddy” invoked Hooker’s name in comparison, stating that the American was just two years the elder of the Kiwi, and tossed a dagger at Hooker for getting submitted by Arman Tsarukyan last year.

“A lot of people are saying like Justin Gaethje, he’s old, and that lad is two years older than Dan Hooker,” Pimblett observed, before taking a dark turn. “Dan Hooker’s like two years younger than him…Dan Hooker couldn’t grapple a f---ing rapist off his ma.”

“The Hangman” got wind of Pimblett’s remark, and he was incensed. Sharing a video on social media…

Coach Suggests Justin Gaethje Nearing Retirement: ‘This Is Our Last Run’

According to his chief corner, Ultimate Fighting Championship fan-favorite Justin Gaethje is on a gold-or-bust mission.

Former interim lightweight champion Gaethje has amassed a litany of post-fight bonuses in his storied UFC tenure thus far, accounting for 14 additional checks across his 14 appearances. He also claimed the symbolic “BMF” title in 2023, wrecking Dustin Poirier in their rematch to claim the silver belt. He has not, however, achieved his goal of an undisputed championship. Given current 155-pound king Ilia Topuria’s struggles outside the cage, there is the potential for Gaethje’s next collision—against Paddy Pimblett for the interim crown—to have even greater stakes.

Gaethje vs. Pimblett will headline the promotion’s first event, UFC 324, on the Paramount+ service to kick off the seven-year deal the UFC made with Paramount. The 37-year-old has hinted at retiring in the past, suggesting that he does not have many fights left in him. On…

Ranked Heavyweights Collide at UFC Seattle on March 28

Editor's note: The article has been updated at 2:45 p.m. ET to add extra context regarding Valter Walker's response to the matchup news.

Top-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight Marcin Tybura better watch his legs or he’ll find himself limping home.

Per an initial report on Thursday from MMA Mania, Tybura (27-10) and Valter Walker (15-1) will trade blows inside the Octagon on March 28. The two big men will go at it on the UFC Seattle card, also known as UFC Fight Night 271, at the Climate Pledge Arena in Washington state’s largest city. This news has since been confirmed by both athletes on their respective Instagram pages.

While Tybura first revealed the bout information, Walker chided him for releasing it while referencing Brazilian folklore. The mythical figure "Sucupira" is one that lives in the forest, and his feet are turned backward.

“Why, Marcin Tybura, did you spill our secret too soon,” Walker wrote, with translation vi…

Team ‘Poatan’ Claims Chimaev Fight Makes No Sense, Set Sights on One Name

Ultimate Fighting Championship beltholder Alex Pereira and his team believe they can call the shots on who is next for him.

Fans of “Poatan” early await his next challenge, after reclaiming the light heavyweight throne in October 2025. Pereira exacted revenge on Russia’s Magomed Ankalaev, knocking him out in 80 seconds to avenge a defeat suffered months earlier. This made the former kickboxer the third man to hold the 205-pound title twice, joining Randy Couture and Jon Jones on that illustrious list.

While Pereira recovers from an apparent foot injury sustained in the Ankalaev rematch, the UFC is rumored to be lining up a likely title eliminator in the form of Carlos Ulberg against Jiri Prochazka. Other potential foes include newly minted middleweight king Khamzat Chimaev, who has threatened to move up in weight, as well as a possible “Poatan” move to heavyweight to try to make major MMA history as a champ in three divisions.

A third option, and t…

Former Title Challenger Booked Against Rising Mexican Talent at UFC 327

With Weili Zhang temporarily in another division, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s strawweight title picture may be wide open.

Two-time champ Zhang surrendered her 115-pound belt after beating Tatiana Suarez at UFC 312 in early 2025. When she relocated to challenge Valentina Shevchenko at flyweight, she left behind a throne later assumed by Mackenzie Dern after she outworked Virna Jandiroba. Suarez (11-1), in her second outing since suffering her first pro defeat, has been matched against Lupita Godinez (14-5) at UFC 327. The two will tangle on April 11 at the currently unconfirmed event likely held at the Kaseya Center in Miami, with the news of this booking first reported by ufc_mma_wmma_wwrestling on Instagram on Wednesday night.

A Title Shot Could Loom for the Victor Both ladies winning their last bout—Godinez currently rides a two-fight win streak—leads this high-stakes affair into one that might come with a championship opportunity for the …

LFA to Broadcast 25 Live Events in 2026 on Vice TV

Editor's note: The article has been updated at 5:15 p.m. ET to add additional comments from LFA CEO Ed Soares.

It appears the Ultimate Fighting Championship is not the only noteworthy MMA organization changing broadcast partners this year.

On Thursday, Legacy Fighting Alliance announced that it would be linking up with Vice TV for the entirety of 2026. Per the agreement, Vice TV will broadcast 25 live events throughout the year, the first of which LFA 224 on Jan. 16 in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

For several years prior, the LFA operated with its events airing on UFC Fight Pass. While the rumors that Fight Pass was disintegrating proved unfounded, a few leagues did change their arrangements including this company, as well as Unified MMA and Samourai MMA in Canada. UAE Warriors and Lux Fight League both reportedly re-upped their deal with UFC Fight Pass, with unconfirmed claims that the UFC had changed the terms.

LFA is Back on Television Before it wo…

Former PFL CEO Peter Murray Departs Promotion After Brief International Stint

Ex-Professional Fighters League CEO Peter Murray is no longer part of the organization.

Per a release on Thursday, the promotion announced that Murray, one of the founding CEOs when World Series of Fighting rebranded to PFL, has left the company. Murray initially joined in 2018 as a former executive of William Morris Endeavor, where he oversaw a litany of changes to the fight league including establishing a tournament system. He also oversaw the absorption of Bellator MMA after its purchase, which resulted in many Bellator staffers being brought over to help run PFL.

In July 2025, the PFL restructured its top leadership roles, shifting then-head Murray to its international branch. Replacing him was John Martin, who previously served as Chief Financial Officer for Time Warner as well as the chairman of Turner. Murray was placed in charge of developing the other leagues under the PFL umbrella, including PFL Europe, PFL MENA, PFL Africa and the potentia…

Michael Morales: Still Undefeated as a Professional

Sometimes, taking no action at all is the best course of action.

The success of “The Ultimate Fighter” has long been credited as the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s gateway into the mainstream. Beyond cultivating a new generation of fighters and fans, the series inspired production companies around the world to create their own adaptations of the mixed martial arts reality television format. Eleven years after first season of TUF first aired, a similar concept emerged in Quito, Ecuador, with the launch of a new MMA reality series titled “Ultima Pelea.”

“Ultima Pelea” aired for four seasons on Ecuadorian television network CNT Sports. The program featured young, up-and-coming Ecuadorian mixed martial artists competing in exhibition bouts contested over two five-minute rounds. Among the participants in the second and fourth seasons was Michael Morales, who would later rise to prominence as a top-ranked UFC welterweight title contender. At the time of …

Submission Specialist to Lock Horns with Local Favorite at PFL Madrid

Jake Hadley enjoyed a memorable PFL debut. | PFL MMA

Jake Hadley will have to go into hostile territory to earn his second Professional Fighters League victory.

The organization on Thursday announced that Hadley will square off against Spain’s Kevin Cordero in a bantamweight clash at PFL Madrid on March 20. The event takes place at Palacio Vitalegre in Madrid, Spain, and is headlined by a middleweight championship showdown between Costello van Steenis and Fabian Edwards. The card will air on the ESPN app in the United States.

A Strong First Impression A former Cage Warriors champion and a seven-time UFC veteran, Hadley his split his first two PFL appearances. “White Kong” enjoyed a spectacular promotional debut, when he tapped out Matheus Mattos with a third-round twister at PFL World Tournament 2 on April 11. The 29-year-old Englishman couldn’t continue that momentum in his second outing, as he dropped a unanimous verdict to Marcirley Alves at PFL World…

Ranked Flyweights Expected to Rematch at UFC Seattle

Alexa Grasso is looking for her first win since March 2023. | Getty/UFC

More than five years after their first encounter, Alexa Grasso and Maycee Barber are going to run it back.

Grasso and Barber will square off in a flyweight contest at UFC Seattle — also known as UFC Fight Night 271 — on March 28. Multiple outlets confirmed the pairing following an initial report from RealKevinK on social media. Barber defeated Grasso via unanimous decision in their initial meeting at UFC 258 on Feb. 13, 2021. UFC Seattle takes place at Climate Pledge Arena and airs on Paramount+.

Grasso had been slated to face Rose Namajunas at UFC 324 on Jan. 24 but pulled out of the fight due to an undisclsoed injury.

On the Comeback Trail Grasso will be looking for her first victory since March 2023, when she upset Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 285 to claim the 125-pound crown. After their rematch ended in a split draw, Grasso lost the trilogy bout via unanimous decision at UFC …

Sean Strickland Felt Pressure from UFC to Accept Du Plessis Rematch While Injured

Sean Strickland came up short for a second time against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312 | Getty/UFC

Sean Strickland says that he was less than 100% for his middleweight title rematch with Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 312.

After losing a contentious split-decision to Du Plessis in their first meeting at UFC 297, Strickland lost a more convincing unanimous verdict to the South African standout in his most recent outing last February. During an appearance on the "Kairouz Bros" podcast, he revealed that he felt pressured to accept the fight despite a lingering injury suffered outside the cage.

“I’m an idiot, you guys. I deserve this,” Strickland said. “Before the Dricus fight, I was f—king riding with [motocross athlete] Axell Hodges and I broke my shoulder,” Strickland said. “So I was in Colombia getting stem cells on my shoulder and they hit me up for the fight. The thing with the UFC, you don’t say no. They are pimps. You don’t say no to the mas…

Jon Jones, Daniel Cormier Announced as Coaches for Russian MMA Reality Show

Jones and Cormier are slated to serve as opposing coaches on an MMA reality show. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

It appears that Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier will renew their rivalry as opposing coaches on a mixed martial arts reality show.

On Monday, ALF Reality announced via social media that Jones and Cormier will coach on the third iteration of the show. Noteworthy names such as Nate Diaz, Petr Yan, Khamzat Chimaev and Aljamain Sterling have served as coaches on the Russian show in previous years. A date for the new season was not revealed.

Jones was part of a past season that saw Nate Diaz involved in a brawl with one of the participating fighters. Diaz, Jake Shields and the rest of the team would leave the set and return home to California as a result. Jones was not involved in the incident.

😱Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier faced off.

Who could've thought this would happen. pic.twitter.com/iNGoyu0LzO — Home o…

Ex-UFC Champ Alexandre Pantoja Posts Progress Update from Gym

Alexandre Pantoja continues to make positive progress toward an Octagon return.

The former UFC flyweight champion posted a video of him working out at American Top Team a little less than a month after he suffered an elbow injury in a loss to Joshua Van at UFC 323. Van caught a kick from Pantoja, and the Brazlian appeared to dislocate his elbow when he posted his arm as he was shoved to the canvas. That resulted in the bout being halted just 26 seconds into Round 1.

Building Victory “Thank you so much for all the support, we are making great progress every day,” Pantoja wrote in Portuguese on Instagram (via Google Translate). “Victory is being built every day. And I have to be better than I was yesterday. I am my only opponent. Gratitude for everything!”

Pantoja entered UFC 323 with an eight-fight winning streak that included four successful title defenses. ATT coach Marcos “Parrumpa” da Matta recently revealed that Pantoja didn’t suffer any fractures or tear any li…

Kayla Harrison: Nunes Training with Former Foe ‘Didn’t Really Make Sense to Me’

Kayla Harrison and Larissa Pacheco fought three times under the PFL banner. | PFL MMA

Amanda Nunes has enlisted the services of the only woman to defeat Kayla Harrison for her training camp.

Larissa Pacheco, who upset Harrison in the 2022 Professional Fighters League final, has been working with Nunes ahead of the Brazilian’s bantamweight title bout against Harrison at UFC 324. Harrison defeated Pacheco in their first two fights. All three bouts took place at 155 pounds.

While the partnership drew some attention, Harrison doesn’t think Pacheco can do much to emulate what she does well.'The More the Merrier' “It didn't really make sense to me. I'm a southpaw grappler and Larissa is an orthodox striker,” Harrison recently told MMAjunkie.com. “But the more the merrier. That's great. I love it when women help build each other up, so I think it's awesome.”

Since signing with the UFC, Harrison has bested Holly Holm, Ketlen Vieira and Juli…