Islam Makhachev continues to hint at a return to action in July, though no official announcement has been made. Meanwhile, Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in the RAF promotion will reportedly earn him a minimum three percent ownership stake in the company. In other news, Dustin Poirier responded to Conor McGregor's potential comeback by saying "it's not about me, I wish him the worst." Dana White also shared a photo from the construction site of the UFC event venue at the White House, and Carlos Ulberg has begun rehabilitation on his knee injury.
Islam Makhachev has been hinting at a return to competition in July, though the UFC lightweight and pound-for-pound champion has yet to make an official announcement. Separately, undefeated lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan is reportedly set to receive a minimum three percent ownership stake in the RAF promotion tied to his next fight there. Dustin Poirier also weighed in on Conor McGregor's potential comeback, Dana White offered a glimpse at the UFC's planned White House event venue, and Carlos Ulberg has started rehabilitating a knee injury.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1-0 record and is currently the reigning champion at lightweight while sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw out of Eagles MMA is one of the most precise fighters in the sport, landing 58 percent of his significant strikes and averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Poirier, 37, carries a 30-10-0 record and competes out of American Top Team. The southpaw from the United States is one of the division's most prolific volume strikers, landing 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy. Asked about McGregor's possible return, Poirier did not mince words, paraphrasing his sentiment as wishing McGregor the worst.
Ulberg, ranked third in the light heavyweight division, is working back from a knee injury. The 35-year-old New Zealander from City Kickboxing carries a 15-1-0 record and stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, making him a physically imposing presence at 205 pounds. He averages 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's potential July timeline would set the pace for the lightweight title picture heading into the back half of 2026
- Tsarukyan's RAF ownership stake represents a notable development in fighter equity arrangements outside the UFC
- Ulberg's rehabilitation progress is significant for the light heavyweight top-five, where his return date will shape upcoming contender bouts
