Video: UFC White House promo highlights Alex Pereira’s bid for three-division gold

The Ultimate Fighting Championship recently released a new video promoting its highly-anticipated White House event.

The focus of the video is the UFC White House co-main event, where Alex Pereira will attempt to become a three-division champion when he faces Ciryl Gane for the interim heavyweight crown.

Advertisement

I think greatness is drive, determination. It’s about the legacy I leave behind. That’s what greatness is to me,” Pereira says in the video. “Accomplishing your dreams.

“When I look at where I came from and where I am now, that means a lot to me. But I want to do something no one’s ever done: Win the belt and say I’m a three three-division champion.”

UFC White House takes place on June 14 and is headlined by a lightweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje. The card airs on Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Watch the Latest Promo Video for UFC White House:[embedded content]
Read more about Video: UFC White House promo highlights Alex Pereira’s bid for three-division gold
  • 0

UFC champ Islam Makhachev hints at August return

Islam Makhachev’s upcoming fight announcement is seemingly overdue. 

Makhachev (28-1) recently attended PSG’s Champions League victory match against Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary. Makhachev revealed that he would be going into fight camp immediately after, eyeing a return in August. Makhachev also acknowledged Ian Garry (17-1) as the frontrunner for the next welterweight title shot against him. While Makhachev also mentioned that there are other contenders, the Dagestani star doesn’t plan on parting with his belt.

Advertisement

“Right after here I’m going to camp,” Makhachev told UFC on TNT Sports. “[Return likely in] August. I will be ready. Lot of contenders but No. 1 is Ian Garry. We still have couple of more [contenders] who want to take the belt but I don’t give no one.” A Variety of Contenders Garry has contenders like Carlos Prates and Michael Morales in the race with him. However, Prates recently said that Garry would fight Makhachev in August. The…
Read more about UFC champ Islam Makhachev hints at August return
  • 0

Bryce Mitchell receives last-minute opponent change at UFC Fight Night 278

Bryce Mitchell was successful in his bantamweight debut. | Getty/UFC

Bryce Mitchell has received a new opponent less than a week before UFC Fight Night 278.

Mitchell will square off against Santiago Luna at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Luna is a replacement for Victor Henry, who withdrew from the bantamweight bout for undisclosed reasons. The promotion confirmed the change following an intiial report from MMA Latinoamerica.

Taking on a Surging Prospect Mitchell made his 135-pound debut at UFC on ABC 9, where he outpointed Said Nurmagomedov at UFC on ABC 9 last July. “Thug Nasty” began his Octagon tenure at featherweight, where he was victorious in his first six appearances. After going 2-3 in his next three UFC bouts, the Sherwood, Arkansas, native elected to try his hand at bantamweight.

Luna is undefeated in eight pro fights — including two in UFC competition. The 21-year-old Mexican has defeated Quang Le via first-round knockout and Angel Pacheco via de…

Read more about Bryce Mitchell receives last-minute opponent change at UFC Fight Night 278
  • 0

UFC, PFL veteran Shane Burgos ready for ‘one more run’ in MMA

Shane Burgos hasn't fought since facing Clay Collard in August 2023. | PFL MMA

Shane Burgos has been quiet for nearly three years, but it appears that’s about to change.

In a post on Instagram, the UFC and Professional Fighters League veteran indicated that he was ready to return to mixed martial arts. The 35-year-old Team Tiger Schulmann representative hasn’t competed since suffering a unanimous decision loss to Clay Collard under the PFL banner in August 2023.

Refreshed and Ready “One more run,” Burgos wrote. “I needed that break from fighting. The weight cuts, the training camps, everything that goes into it burned me out. That’s in the past tho. I’ve never stopped working. I need to be back in that fire again. I miss it. Excited for whatever’s next.”

Burgos debuted in the UFC in 2017, compiling a 8-3 record in the Las Vegas-based organization over the course of a tenure that concluded in 2022. “Hurricane” then signed with the PFL, where he went 1-2 …

Read more about UFC, PFL veteran Shane Burgos ready for ‘one more run’ in MMA
  • 0

Lightweight clash added to UFC Belgrade lineup

Ludovit Klein will return to action at UFC Belgrade. | Getty/UFC

Ludovit Klein will lock horns with Tofiq Musayev at UFC Belgrade.

Musayev confirmed the pairing on social media following an intial report from Heavy.com. UFC Belgrade — also known as UFC Fight Night 283 — takes place on Aug. 1 at Belgrade Arena and is headlined by a welterweight showdown between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez.

Coming Off Victories A native of Slovakia, Klein has been victorious in five of his last six Octagon appearances. Most recently, “Mr. Highlight” took a majority decision against Mateusz Rebecki at UFC 321 this past October.

Musayev, who competed in Bellator and Rizin before signing with the UFC, is 1-1 in the Las Vegas-based promotion. After suffering a first-round submission defeat to Myktybek Orolbai in his first Octagon foray, Musayev outpointed Ignacio Bahamondes in his last outing at UFC Seattle on March 28.

Read more about Lightweight clash added to UFC Belgrade lineup
  • 0

UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn ruled mentally fit to stand trial

Doctors have determined that B.J. Penn is mentally fit to stand trial, according to Hawaii News Now.

The UFC Hall of Famer was in court this past Friday for a hearing in his ongoing domestic violence case. Penn faces multiple charges including assault and violating a restraining order imposed by his mother, Lorraine Shin. Shin has alleged that she has been subject to “extreme psychological abuse” from her son. Meanwhile, Penn has claimed that his mother and brothers have been murdered and replaced by imposters. Shin has as stated that she believes her son suffers from Capgras delusional syndrome, a psychiatric disorder in which a person holds a delusion that a friend, spouse, parent, other close family member has been replaced by an identical imposter

Ongoing Legal IssuesPenn’s attorney plans to file a motion to dismiss the charges against his client, per the report. The former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion was arrested multiple times over the course of 202…
Read more about UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn ruled mentally fit to stand trial
  • 0

Recently retired UFC veteran, top contender to meet in RAF 11 main event

Real American Freestyle has announced a marquee pairing for its event in Milwaukee.

The wrestling promotion on Saturday announced that Colby Covington will face Arman Tsarukyan in the RAF 11 headliner on July 18. The event takes place at UWM Panther Arena in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and streams on Fox Nation.

Advertisement

Past and Present Contenders Covington announced his retirement from MMA last week. The former welterweight title challenger has stated that while he won’t rule out a UFC comeback, his focus is on RAF going forward. “Chaos” improved to 3-0 under the RAF banner on Saturday with a victory over fellow UFC veteran Chris Weidman.

Tsarukyan is widely regarded as the top lightweight contender in the UFC. After pulling out of a title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 311, Tsarukyan spent most of the year sidelined until he submitted Dan Hooker in the UFC Qatar headliner this past November. The Russian standout is 5-0 in RAF and is coming off a victory …

Read more about Recently retired UFC veteran, top contender to meet in RAF 11 main event
  • 0

Curtis Blaydes wants to box Francis Ngannou after UFC retirement

While Curtis Blaydes wants to end his MMA career in the UFC, he fancies a boxing match after that. 

Blaydes recently revealed that he wants to hang up his MMA gloves while he is in the UFC. Blaydes draws inspiration from veterans like Drew Dober and Neil Magny, who have both been in the UFC for over a decade and have gradually assumed the roles of gatekeepers in their divisions. While Blaydes wants to leave behind a legacy like theirs in the UFC, he wouldn’t mind a big boxing match at the end of his combat sports career. Blaydes wants to box former UFC foe Francis Ngannou, who did well for himself financially in boxing after retiring from the UFC. 

Advertisement

“I look at guys for inspiration like Drew Dober, Neil Magny. I want to be like them,” Blaydes told Home of Fight. “I want to be in the UFC as long as I can, and I want to end with the UFC. I want to have a legacy like theirs. I could see myself at the end maybe taking a random boxing match again…
Read more about Curtis Blaydes wants to box Francis Ngannou after UFC retirement
  • 0

Kevin Lee believes political speech ruined relationship with UFC

Kevin Lee believes a political speech he gave in 2019 changed his MMA career. 

Lee delivered a speech campaigning for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, who is a longtime political rival of President Donald Trump. Lee was coming off a bonus-winning stoppage over Gregor Gillespie when Sanders’ team contacted him. Lee had no monetary incentive to campaign for Sanders, who he thought would win the election in 2020.

Advertisement

“My career really started going south after that Gregor fight,” Lee recently told Eric Cerminara. “Because I decided to get political, shoutout to Bernie Sanders. And then I went and I spoke for Bernie Sanders at this convention or something. His people reached out to me, they were like, ‘Hey, you want to do a little speech?’ I was like, ‘Sure.’ No money, I just did it – felt like it was cool, I thought he would be president.”

Lee believes his relationship with the UFC was ruined due to his speech supporting Sanders. Lee was then bo…

Read more about Kevin Lee believes political speech ruined relationship with UFC
  • 0

Kai Asakura plans to stay at bantamweight after first UFC win

Kai Asakura believes he has found the right weight class for himself. 

Asakura (22-6) took on Cameron Smotherman in a bantamweight tilt at UFC Macau on Saturday Asakura violently knocked out Smotherman less than two minutes into the opening round, also earning himself a $100,000 performance bonus. The Japanese standout believes he may finally have found his right weight class after moving up from flyweight.

Advertisement

The Right Move “Having moved up to this division and having actually done this fight, I definitely do feel like this is the right one for me,” Asakura said in a post-fight interview with the UFC. “I think in terms of the power, the strength and the speed this division is right for me.”

Asakura came to the UFC as the highly-touted Rizin Fighting Federation bantamweight champion. However, Asakura started his UFC career at flyweight, where he took on the toughest matchup, challenging Alexandre Pantoja for the title in 2024. Pantoja derailed …

Read more about Kai Asakura plans to stay at bantamweight after first UFC win
  • 0

Sergei Pavlovich admits ‘being technical’ didn’t work well for him

Sergei Pavlovich is back to being a feared knockout artist. 

Pavlovich took on Tallison Teixeira in a heavyweight matchup at UFC Macau on Saturday. Pavlovich took 39 seconds to shut the lights on Teixeira with a vicious combination. This was Pavlovich’s first stoppage win since 2023. The Russian knockout artist admits that he was trying to put on a technical display in his last few outings, which didn’t work out very well. 

Advertisement

“Really great feeling,” Pavlovich said in a post-fight interview with the UFC. “Couple of fights back it was all about being technical, about trying to show some skills, but we weren’t able to do that. Now finally everything worked out and I’m really happy about it.” Tall Task Pavlovich and his team studied a lot of tape on Teixeira, who stands four inches taller than him.   “This is the second opponent I had that’s almost 2 meters in height, over 6 [feet] something,” Pavlovich said. “We looked at all of his fi…
Read more about Sergei Pavlovich admits ‘being technical’ didn’t work well for him
  • 0

Video: UFC vet Darren Till scores huge KO in BKFC debut

Darren Till’s post-UFC winning streak has carried over to BKFC.

Till (18-5) made his BKFC debut against Aaron Chalmers on Saturday at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England. Till knocked Chalmers out cold with a left hand early in the second round. 

Advertisement

While this was Till’s bare-knuckle boxing debut, Chalmers had finished both of his previous BKFC fights. Till parted ways with the UFC in 2022 on a three-fight skid.

While “The Gorilla” promised to return to the UFC, the promotion’s brass didn’t seem very excited about the idea. Till had a long period of inactivity after leaving the UFC, which was partly due to canceled boxing matches. Till returned to action last year, defeating Anthony Taylor and fellow UFC veterans Darren Stewart and Luke Rockhold in boxing matches. 

Till Rocks Chalmers

😱💥 Darren Till GETS THE SECOND ROUND KO IN HIS BKFC DEBUT!! pic.twitter.com/yzVil6hAsL

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) …
Read more about Video: UFC vet Darren Till scores huge KO in BKFC debut
  • 0

Video: Arman Tsarukyan extends perfect RAF record

Arman Tsarukyan continues his dominant run at Real American Freestyle. 

Tsarukyan (23-3) took on Keelon Jimison aka “Mugzy” at RAF 9 on Saturday in Arlington, Texas. Tsarukyan defeated Jimison via tech fall in the first period.

Advertisement

This was Tsarukyan fifth straight victory in wrestling under the RAF banner. However, none of the opponents “Ahalkalakets” has faced so far were on his level. “Mugzy” is an influencer wrestler like Georgio Poullas, who Tsarukyan defeated twice at RAF. Tsarukyan has also defeated former PFL champion Lance Palmer and former UFC champion Urijah Faber.

Tsarukyan is now scheduled to wrestle Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 on June 13. Meanwhile, Tsarukyan is losing out on his prime years waiting for a UFC lightweight title shot. 

Tsarukyan Handles ‘Mugzy’

Arman Tsarukyan just beat Mugzy via tech fall in the first period at RAF 09 🔥

He's now 5-0 in RAFpic.twitter.com/H3jqBBssgB

— Championshi…
Read more about Video: Arman Tsarukyan extends perfect RAF record
  • 0

Islam Makhachev trolls Daniel Cormier over Champions League final results

Islam Makhachev and Daniel Cormier were at the Champions League finals supporting rival teams. 

Paris Saint-Germain faced Arsenal in the Champions League final on Friday at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Cormier, along with Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, watched the game live at the Arena. While Makhachev and Nurmagomedov are known PSG supporters, Cormier is an Arsenal fan. 

Advertisement

Kai Havertz took the lead for Arsenal just five minutes into the game. Ousmane Dembele scored the equalizer for PSG at 64 minutes in the second half. The game eventually went to the penalties, where PSG defeated Arsenal. 

Makhachev subsequently posted a video on his Instagram Stories where he could be seen trolling Cormier. Seeing Cormier smile, Makhachev asked: “Hey DC, why you’re so happy, bro? You support Arsenal. Why are you still happy bro?”

Reason to Smile Cormier said that while he was sad, the only thing that lifted his spirits was seeing h…
Read more about Islam Makhachev trolls Daniel Cormier over Champions League final results
  • 0

Former middleweight title challenger booked for UFC Oklahoma City

UFC Oklahoma City could see a potential change of guard at middleweight. 

Former middleweight title challenger Jared Cannonier is set to face Chris Leroy Duncan at UFC Fight Night 281 on July 18 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. MagicM was first to report the booking on social media, and it was later officially confirmed by the UFC. The Las Vegas-based promotion also recently announced a welterweight clash pitting Kevin Holland against Jacobe Smith.

Advertisement

Gatekeeper vs. Rising Talent While Cannonier (18-9) has been a perennial contender at middleweight, he has recently taken up the role of a gatekeeper at the top of the division. “The Killa Gorilla” has dropped three of his last four, with the losses coming against elite opponents in Nassourdine Imavov, Caio Borralho and Michael Page. 

Meanwhile, Duncan (14-2) is on a four-fight winning streak that includes two spinning backfist knockouts. The Englishman suffered his last loss in 2024 agai…

Read more about Former middleweight title challenger booked for UFC Oklahoma City
  • 0

Eddie Hearn urges Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from UFC contract

Eddie Hearn says Tom Aspinall is one of the most underpaid athletes in professional sports. 

Hearn is the former manager of boxer Conor Benn, who was recently poached by Zuffa Boxing, which the UFC’s parent company owns. Benn signed a $15 million contract, sparking dissent among UFC fighters. When Hearn criticized the signing, Dana White said that the Matchroom Boxing chairman should instead be happy for Benn earning as much as he can. 

Advertisement

Hearn now looks to give White a taste of his own medicine. Hearn recently started managing UFC heavyweight champion. Hearn called for Aspinall's release from the UFC, although it didn’t seem very sincere. Hearn guarantees he can arrange for Aspinall to be paid three times what he is earning in the UFC. Hearn notes that according to White’s own ideology, he should be happy for Aspinall to be earning as much as possible. Doubling down on his criticism of Aspinall’s contract, Hearn says “Honey Badger” is one o…
Read more about Eddie Hearn urges Dana White to release Tom Aspinall from UFC contract
  • 0

Carlos Prates names preferred opponent if title shot isn’t next

While Carlos Prates has no plans of fighting again before he gets a title shot, he would fight Michael Morales if he had to. 

Prates (24-7) demolished former welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth earlier this month to firmly establish himself as a contender. However, Prates believes Ian Garry, who previously defeated him, will challenge Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title next. Prates is confident that he will be next in line for a title shot against the winner of the fight between Makhachev and Garry. 

Advertisement

According to Prates, Garry will likely challenge Makhachev at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia. Prates has no issues waiting for a shot against the winner of the fight. However, that could stall the UFC welterweight title picture until next year. If Prates has to fight again in the meantime, he would pick undefeated Ecuadorian contender Morales (19-0).Considering the Possibilities“If I have no choice, if I have to…
Read more about Carlos Prates names preferred opponent if title shot isn’t next
  • 0

Sean Strickland undergoes injury treatment at same facility as Jon Jones

Top UFC athletes are undergoing treatment at Ways2Well on Joe Rogan’s recommendation. 

Sean Strickland recently revealed that he suffered a minor muscle tear in his right shoulder. Strickland is now undergoing treatment at Ways2Well in Austin, Texas, on Rogan’s recommendation.

“Real small tear,” Strickland said on Instagram. “Ways2Well, they’re gonna fix me up. Joe Rogan got me to this place, he swears by it. We're gonna get back in the cage soon.”

Strickland also said that he won’t have to undergo surgery to get his shoulder fixed. 

Good CompanyJon Jones had also been treated at Ways2Well earlier this year on Rogan’s recommendation. Jones primarily underwent treatment for arthritis in his hips. 

Strickland (30-7) won the UFC middleweight title for the second time with a monumental upset win over Khamzat Chimaev earlier this month. While Chimaev is eyeing a rematch, Strickland has expressed interest in defending his title against Nassourdin…

Read more about Sean Strickland undergoes injury treatment at same facility as Jon Jones
  • 0

Merab Dvalishvili shuts down possibility of Umar Nurmagomedov rematch

Merab Dvalishvili has some unexplained animosity towards Umar Nurmagomedov. 

Dvalishvili lost his bantamweight title in a rematch against Petr Yan at UFC 323 this past December. Dvalishvili now expects to challenge Yan for the title in a trilogy. Meanwhile, former champion Sean O’Malley is scheduled to fight top contender Aiemann Zahabi at UFC White House on June 14. 

Advertisement

Dvalishvili was recently attending a presser for his upcoming wrestling match against Frankie Edgar at RAF 9. Dvalishvili was asked if he would consider a rematch against Nurmagomedov in case the winner of O’Malley vs. Zahabi jumped the queue for the next title shot. Dvalishvili confidently doubled down on his claims of a confirmed trilogy against Yan. “The Machine” then completely dismissed Nurmagomedov.Bad Blood Lingers “What kind of question is this?” Dvalishvsili said. “I’m sure you know I’m fighting Petr Yan, it's gonna be trilogy. He beat me last fight and we have to fi…
Read more about Merab Dvalishvili shuts down possibility of Umar Nurmagomedov rematch
  • 0

Arman Tsarukyan not planning to weigh-in as backup for UFC White House

Arman Tsarukyan isn’t very excited about the backup spot for the UFC White House main event. 

Ilia Topuria will look to defend his lightweight title against interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14 at the White House. Dana White recently announced that Tsarukyan is the official backup fighter for the lightweight title fight at the White House. 

Advertisement

However, with no injuries reported, hardly two weeks ahead of the fight, Tsarukyan doesn’t think his services will be needed. Tsarukyan also notes that he is scheduled to wrestle Tony Ferguson at RAF 10 on June 13, which will be the same day as the weigh-ins for the UFC White House card.Booked Until September “I’m booked until September already… I have wrestling match on June 13, we’ll see,” Tsarukyan said while attending a presser for his RAF 9 wrestling match against “Mugzy.” “I am a backup, but everything is going good, two weeks left, I think they’re gonna fight. So, I’m gonn…
Read more about Arman Tsarukyan not planning to weigh-in as backup for UFC White House
  • 0

Military personnel attending UFC White House required to meet fitness standards

Overweight military personnel aren’t welcome to the UFC White House event. 

The UFC is hosting a one-of-a-kind event at the White House on June 14 to celebrate America’s 250th year of independence. The event also coincides with President Donald Trump’s birthday. 

While there will be no tickets for the general public, 4,300 special guests, mostly members of the military, will watch the event at the South Lawn of the White House. Meanwhile, 85,000 free tickets will be available for the general public to watch the event on screen at the nearby Ellipse. 

Good for Optics?Military personnel allegedly need to meet fitness requirements to be eligible to attend the event. According to a screenshot of an invite shared on social media, “Ticket recipients are required to meet the DOD waist-to-height ratio standard of less than 0.55, as well as all service-specific physical fitness test requirements.” The tickets are also not transferable, even to family member…
Read more about Military personnel attending UFC White House required to meet fitness standards
  • 0

Video: Jean Silva confronts Melquizael Costa at LFA event

Things are heating up between Jean Silva and Melquizael Costa. 

Silva and Costa both recently attended LFA 234 at Ginásio do Polvilho in Cajamar, São Paulo, Brazil. Videos have since surfaced of Silva confronting Costa at the event. Costa can still be seen smiling, while an animated Silva points his finger at him and says something in Portuguese. 

Advertisement

A Recent Callout Costa (26-8) had initially called out Silva (17-3) after a highlight reel spinning-back-kick knockout win over Dan Ige this past September. However, Costa has since suffered a hard-fought unanimous decision loss against Arnold Allen earlier this month. It marked the end of an impressive six-fight winning streak for “The Dalmatian.”

Costa is unlikely to get an immediate booking against Silva, who is coming off a decision win over Allen. Silva’s win over Allen saw him rebound from his only UFC loss against Diego Lopes. 

Oh a treta! 👀🔥

O Jea…

Read more about Video: Jean Silva confronts Melquizael Costa at LFA event
  • 0

UFC Macau weigh-in results: Deiveson Figueiredo’s Octagon return set

Who will stay at the top? 🗣️@SongYadongLFG vs @Daico_Deiveson

[ #UFCMacau LIVE MAY 30 at 7amET on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/8GyWM4ZgPl

— UFC (@ufc) May 29, 2026 The Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to China is officially set following the UFC Macau weigh-ins.

Advertisement

The UFC Fight Night event will be headlined by a bantamweight clash between Yadong Song and former flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo. Both men had no issue making weight, nor did the rest of the card. In total, all 26 fighters hit their marks for a professional weigh-in devoid of any drama.

The "Kung Fu Kid" hasn't fought in his home country since 2018. Since then, Song (22-9-1, 1 NC) has established himself among the top bantamweights, although he's fallen short to elite fighters like Sean O'Malley, Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen. 3-2 in his last five fights, the 28-year-old will look to show he's still improving and weighed 136 pounds on the dot for…

Read more about UFC Macau weigh-in results: Deiveson Figueiredo’s Octagon return set
  • 0

Anderson Silva fires back at UFC boss: ‘The bald guy saying s–t’

Ultimate Fighting Championship Hall of Famer Anderson Silva still is not seeing eye-to-eye with his former boss.

Speaking to Rolling Stone recently, UFC President and CEO Dana White spoke about a myriad of issues. One included the end of the career of Silva, which White claimed did not go well. In addition to the number of losses that Silva accrued consecutively, White suggested that “The Spider” was difficult to deal with from a negotiating perspective.

Advertisement

Consider it just another day for “The Spider,” who responded directly to a post by “Canal Punch” about Dana’s comments on Instagram. In Portuguese, Silva repeatedly referred to White as “the bald guy” while dismissing most of what White had to say.The bald guy “The bald guy saying s--t,” Silva remarked. “I’ve been out of the organization for many years, but it seems neither the current fighters nor the bald guy can forget my achievements. Deep down, the bald guy knows that with me there was no whinin…
Read more about Anderson Silva fires back at UFC boss: ‘The bald guy saying s–t’
  • 0