If you’re even a little plugged into the fight world, you know how fast things change. One week, a rivalry is brewing, the next, it’s all over after a knockout that goes viral. This year’s list of upcoming fights in MMA and UFC isn’t just about title shots and belts—it’s loaded with fresh talent, comeback kings, and fan favorites that keep everyone guessing.
Fans aren’t just tuning in for the fights—they want to know the latest news in MMA and UFC, from shocking injuries that shake the main card to press conference drama that spills over online. Even casual watchers love tracking last-minute changes, surprise callouts, and those unpredictable weigh-in faceoffs that set the internet on fire.
Keeping up with all this isn’t just for diehard fans, either. Even if you’re looking to start MMA or just want insider training tips from MMA and UFC fighters, following what pros eat, how they prepare, and the best knockouts in MMA and UFC can give you a jumpstart on your own journey. Plus, seeing what it takes to recover from brutal moments helps put all those highlight reels in a real-world context.
- Upcoming Fights and Latest News in MMA and UFC
- Tips, Training, and Diet from Pro Fighters
- Biggest Knockouts, Brutal Moments, and Recent Scandals
- Legends, Fan Favorites, and Betting Odds
Upcoming Fights and Latest News in MMA and UFC
This summer is packed with matchups everyone’s talking about. UFC 309 is coming up in July 2025, and the buzz is all about the lightweight title fight between Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev. Tsarukyan’s big win over Oliveira set this up—now fans wonder if Makhachev’s wrestling will stay king or if Arman’s unpredictable striking will flip the script.
Meanwhile, in MMA outside the UFC, Bellator 312 is stacking its card with AJ McKee returning to featherweight and Cris Cyborg possibly hinting at retirement after her next title defense. These aren’t just regular fights; they could completely shake up the rankings and start new rivalries.
Looking at the upcoming fights in MMA and UFC, one thing is crystal clear: the sport keeps evolving. Guys like Shavkat Rakhmonov are staying undefeated and keep calling out big names. Women’s divisions are heating up too—Tatiana Suarez is finally healthy and set to face Zhang Weili for strawweight gold next month at UFC 310.
The latest news in MMA and UFC also includes a handful of fight cancellations this year, mostly due to injuries and failed drug tests, like that wild Jon Jones situation that left the heavyweight division on ice earlier this spring. But fight weeks don’t just bring official news—Twitter usually explodes when Dana White drops a last-minute announcement or a leaked video shows fighters nearly brawling backstage.
- UFC 309 and 310 will stream live on major platforms—ESPN+ for US fans, BT Sport for the UK, and UFC Fight Pass worldwide.
- Bellator is making moves to host international cards—Tokyo and Dublin both have stacked events planned this fall.
- For amateur fighters or those thinking about jumping in: local promotions often open up undercards for new talent the same month as big PPVs, so it’s peak season for scouting and surprises.
Keep an eye out for weigh-in day drama and last-minute fight replacements. If you’re tracking betting odds, make sure to check updates as soon as fight week begins—odds can swing fast if there’s any hint of an injury or camp shakeup.
Tips, Training, and Diet from Pro Fighters
If you’re trying to figure out how to start MMA and UFC, you’ll have better luck if you directly copy what the pros are doing, not just in the cage but outside it. Most MMA and UFC fighters train up to twice a day, mixing strength, cardio, wrestling, and striking. Guys like Alexander Volkanovski squeeze in early-morning runs, then swap between jiu-jitsu drills and pad work for explosive striking. One key routine? Many top fighters use sparring only a couple of days a week to prevent burnout and injuries, focusing the other days on technical work and recovery.
Drilling isn’t just for newbs. Even veterans break down every move over and over. The basics—like a strong jab and takedown defense—are what decide fights, not flashy spinning kicks. So, before you worry about head kicks, work your jab until it feels automatic.
- Mix up your training: Do a blend of striking, wrestling, and grappling every week.
- Add strength and conditioning: Fighters like Israel Adesanya swear by compound lifts and HIIT for staying lean and powerful.
- Don’t skip recovery: Ice baths and yoga are in every serious fighter’s toolkit now.
- Track your progress: Top gyms log every session’s goals and results.
Now, when people ask about the diet plans of MMA and UFC athletes, the truth is much less glamorous than a viral TikTok. Champions like Amanda Nunes and Dustin Poirier usually stick with simply prepared lean meat, lots of veggies, and tons of water. Cutting weight gets tricky, but nearly everyone ditches sugar and greasy food as fight night approaches. The craziest part? Some fighters, like Sean O’Malley, prep their last meal up to six hours before walking to the cage—fasting lets them feel lighter and sharper.
- Eat lean protein (chicken, fish, eggs) with every meal.
- Load up on greens and whole grains for steady energy.
- Hydrate non-stop—some guys drink a gallon a day during training camp.
- Jump on supplements like BCAAs or electrolytes if you’re pushing your limits.
What most people miss: fight camp isn’t about killing yourself every session. Listen to your body, sleep like a champion, and you’ll last way longer, both on the mats and in real life. Whether your goal is joining the next batch of upcoming fights in MMA and UFC or just dropping a few pounds, these pro habits work for everyone who trains smart.
Biggest Knockouts, Brutal Moments, and Recent Scandals
When people talk about the best moments in MMA, the first thing that usually comes up is knockouts. Some of these standouts have become memes; others changed a fighter's whole career overnight. A few years back, Jorge Masvidal’s five-second flying knee against Ben Askren sent shockwaves everywhere and is still one of the fastest knockouts in UFC history. Then you’ve got head kicks like Holly Holm’s finish against Ronda Rousey—nobody saw that coming, and it turned the women’s bantamweight division on its head.
The most brutal moments aren’t just about knockouts, though. Remember when Anderson Silva’s leg snapped in 2013 after a checked kick by Chris Weidman? Or when Alistair Overeem’s lip was literally split by Jairzinho Rozenstruik? These are the kinds of scenes that make even the toughest fans cringe.
There’s also no shortage of controversy. In the last twelve months, the latest news in MMA and UFC has included Jon Jones getting popped for another failed drug test, creating a chorus of ‘not again’ on social media. Conor McGregor’s return was supposed to be a redemption story, but he missed media events, turned up late, and then his fight was called off when he reportedly got into a scuffle at a nightclub. That derailment alone sent the MMA rumor mill into overdrive.
If you dig into
- Biggest knockouts: Masvidal vs. Askren (5 seconds), Francis Ngannou’s uppercut KOs, and Edson Barboza’s wheel kick for highlight reels
- Most brutal injuries: Silva’s broken leg, Overeem’s shredded lip, and recent eye pokes leading to no contests
- Recent scandals: Drug test failures, UFC athlete pay protests, and coaches suspended for corners giving dangerous instructions
Keeping an eye on these moments gives you more context for upcoming fights in MMA and UFC. Not only is it wild to watch, but it’s also a reminder that fighters put everything on the line. It’s no surprise so many fan favorites in MMA and UFC earn their status by walking through tough moments just like these.
Legends, Fan Favorites, and Betting Odds
Every fight fan has a shortlist of legends—a mix of old-school warriors and modern icons that shaped how we watch MMA and UFC. Names like Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, and Amanda Nunes always come up in these talks. You’ve got Silva with his wild 16-fight win streak, “GSP” who ruled the welterweights with insane takedowns, and Nunes, the only female double champ who took out every champ in two divisions. Their highlight reels live on every countdown.
If we jump to today’s fan favorites, the list looks a bit different. Sean O’Malley’s wild hair and sharp striking have made him a must-watch bantamweight. Conor McGregor is still one of the biggest names in MMA, even if he only fights once a year these days—his trash talk and one-punch knockouts keep people buying tickets. And let’s not forget the Diaz brothers, who always flip the script and turn interviews into memes.
The hype around these fighters directly shapes betting odds for MMA and UFC. Bookmakers go nuts every time McGregor or Israel Adesanya gets on a fight card. As of June 2025, the upcoming O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili title clash has the following main card odds with major betting apps:
| Fighter | Odds (Decimal) | Public % |
|---|---|---|
| Sean O’Malley | 1.80 | 58% |
| Merab Dvalishvili | 2.00 | 42% |
Fans love betting the underdogs, especially after some of the most brutal MMA and UFC moments when favorites collapse. Look at the Leon Edwards knockout of Kamaru Usman last year—almost nobody saw that round-five headkick coming, and the live odds spiked right before it happened. Stuff like that is why MMA betting’s as much about guts as stats.
If you’re looking to get started, pay attention to how odds shift after weigh-ins or wild fight-week drama. Watching the money move can sometimes tell you who’s really got the fans behind them. And if you ever end up in a debate about the best knockouts in MMA and UFC history, just mention Silva’s front-kick or Masvidal’s flying knee—no one will argue with those highlights.
