Max Holloway

Dana White has publicly backed a rule change following the Nevada State Athletic Commission's decision to withhold $2,500 from the purses of Max Holloway, Paddy Pimblett, and Gable Steveson after UFC 329. The fines stemmed from the fighters leaving the Octagon to celebrate their wins, including Pimblett's 52-second choke-out of Benoit Saint-Denis. White argued that fighters who exit the cage out of excitement should not be penalised, while those who leave with violent intent toward others should face punishment.

Pimblett, Denis, Steveson

Michael Bisping has publicly condemned the California State Athletic Commission for withholding the fight purses of Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, and Gable Steveson following their celebrations at UFC 329, calling the rule a 'crime'. All three fighters scaled the Octagon after their victories on July 11, mirroring a move that previously cost Diego Lopes $2,500 after UFC 300. Bisping joins Daniel Cormier in criticising the CSAC policy, with disciplinary hearings now approaching for the trio.

Bisping, Pimblett, Yusuff+6

Paddy Pimblett, Max Holloway, and Gable Steveson are all facing Nevada Athletic Commission disciplinary hearings after climbing the cage to celebrate their victories at UFC 329 on July 11. The commission's rules prohibit cage-scaling in Nevada, with previous violations resulting in $2,500 fines, and the trio currently have their purses withheld pending the hearings. Daniel Cormier has publicly criticised the regulation, calling it 'the most ridiculous rule in mixed martial arts' and arguing that fighters should be free to celebrate with enthusiasm.

Pimblett, Cormier, Steveson

Max Holloway says he is willing to fight Conor McGregor in 2026 if the Irishman follows through on stated interest in the matchup, but acknowledges that what UFC ultimately wants is unclear. Holloway has also indicated he is open to competing for a title, naming Justin Gaethje or Islam Makhachev as potential championship opponents. He also addressed friction with the 170-pound champion's camp, insisting his earlier comments were not disrespectful and that many people were already thinking the same thing.

Makhachev, Gaethje, McGregor

Max Holloway fired back at Islam Makhachev's social media team during a live stream, pulling out his own collection of championship belts to illustrate that he knows exactly how heavy they are. Holloway clarified that his original comments were not disrespectful toward Makhachev personally, but were a genuine question about why the lightweight champion continues to carry two belts when the first was vacated before he claimed the second — and when Illia Topuria had already won the featherweight title in the interim. Holloway directed his response specifically at the person running Makhachev's social media account, stating he stands by everything he said and will not retract his remarks.

Makhachev