Islam Makhachev continues to hint at a return to competition in July, though no official announcement has been made. Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in RAF will reportedly earn him at least a three percent ownership stake in the company. Additionally, Dustin Poirier commented negatively on Conor McGregor's potential return, Dana White shared photos from the White House event construction site, and new sparring footage emerged of Paul Allen and Khamzat Chimaev. Carlos Ulberg has begun knee rehabilitation, and Peyton Talbott posted a cryptic Toy Story reference suggesting UFC has cooled its interest in him.
Islam Makhachev has continued to hint at a return to the octagon in July, though no official booking has been announced. Separately, Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in the Russian Athletic Federation promotion is expected to earn him at least a three-percent ownership stake in the organization.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and holds the welterweight championship while sitting at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is one of the most precise fighters in the sport, landing significant strikes at a 58-percent accuracy clip and averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. Any confirmed return date would immediately become one of the most anticipated announcements of the year.
Tsarukyan's deal with RAF adds a business dimension to his fighting career. The Armenian contender's next appearance for the promotion will not only be a competitive assignment but a financial stake in the company's future.
Elsewhere in the news cycle, Dustin Poirier weighed in negatively on the prospect of Conor McGregor returning to competition. Poirier, a 37-year-old American southpaw out of American Top Team, holds a 30-10 record and has long been one of lightweight's most active and dangerous veterans, averaging 5.24 significant strikes per minute over his career.
New sparring footage also surfaced featuring Khamzat Chimaev alongside Paul Allen. Chimaev, 32, is currently ranked first in the middleweight division and tenth in the pound-for-pound standings. Fighting out of Allstars Training Center, the six-foot-two orthodox striker carries a 15-1 record, a 60-percent striking accuracy rate, and a remarkable 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's potential July return would define the welterweight division's summer calendar
- Tsarukyan's RAF ownership stake signals a growing trend of fighters taking equity positions in promotions
- Chimaev sparring footage keeps the middleweight contender in the conversation ahead of his next expected assignment
