A daily roundup reports multiple MMA stories. Islam Makhachev continues to hint at a potential return in July, though no official announcement has been made. Dustin Poirier commented negatively on Conor McGregor's possible comeback. Dana White shared photos from the construction site of a UFC event venue at the White House. New sparring footage surfaced between Brendan Allen and Khamzat Chimaev. Arman Tsarukyan's next RAF fight will reportedly earn him at least a three percent ownership stake in the company. Payton Talbott posted a Toy Story photo hinting at the UFC's cooling interest in him.
Several MMA stories are circulating on Wednesday, though a number of them remain unconfirmed, including fresh signals from the lightweight champion about his next appearance inside the octagon.
Islam Makhachev, 34, continues to drop hints that he could return to action in July, though no official booking has been announced. The Russian carries a 28-1 record and holds the lightweight title, and is currently ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. Fighting out of Eagles MMA, the southpaw is one of the most efficient grapplers in the division, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes while also posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent.
Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old southpaw from the United States who competes at 175 cm and holds a 30-10 record, weighed in negatively on a potential Conor McGregor comeback, according to the roundup. Poirier trains out of American Top Team and has built a reputation as one of the more well-rounded fighters in the lightweight picture, averaging 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy.
Brendan Allen, the 30-year-old middleweight ranked fifth in his division, was reportedly seen in new sparring footage alongside Khamzat Chimaev. The six-foot-two Kill Cliff FC product carries a 26-7 record and a 75-inch reach, landing 3.59 significant strikes per minute while also averaging 1.56 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Makhachev hinting at a July return could set the timeline for a major lightweight title defense
- Poirier's comments on McGregor add a notable voice to the ongoing uncertainty around that potential comeback
- Allen and Chimaev sharing sparring time fuels speculation about their respective preparation and possible futures in the middleweight division
- Tsarukyan's reported ownership stake in RAF represents an unusual business development for an active UFC-contracted fighter
