Dustin Poirier dismissed interest in a potential Conor McGregor return, stating he wishes McGregor 'the worst.' Dana White shared a photo from the construction site of the upcoming White House UFC event. Islam Makhachev continues to hint at a July return. New footage emerged of sparring between Brendan Allen and Khamzat Chimaev, and Chimaev is reportedly undergoing nightly recovery treatments. Carlos Ulberg has begun knee rehabilitation, and Arman Tsarukyan's next RAF bout will earn him at least a three percent stake in the company. Peyton Talbott posted a Toy Story image directed at the UFC, suggesting the promotion has cooled on him.
Several storylines are competing for attention across the MMA landscape this week, with Dustin Poirier making pointed remarks about Conor McGregor, Islam Makhachev signaling a summer return, and a handful of fighters navigating their own situations behind the scenes.
Poirier, the 37-year-old American Top Team veteran who carries a 30-10-0 record, made clear he has no interest in any fight involving McGregor's return to the sport. The southpaw from Louisiana went further than indifference, stating he wishes McGregor "the worst" — language that suggests any lingering rivalry between the two has curdled into something sharper. Poirier averages 5.24 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and remains one of the lightweight division's most accomplished veterans.
Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound number one fighter and reigning champion, continues to drop hints about a July comeback. The 34-year-old Russian holds a 28-1-0 record and is one of the sport's most complete fighters, blending elite grappling — 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — with 58 percent striking accuracy. No opponent or date has been officially confirmed.
Elsewhere, sparring footage surfaced featuring middleweight contender Brendan Allen working rounds with Khamzat Chimaev. Allen, ranked fifth at 185 pounds, is 30 years old and holds a 26-7-0 record. The six-foot-two Kill Cliff FC product posts 3.59 significant strikes per minute and has averaged 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes throughout his career. Chimaev is separately reported to be undergoing nightly recovery treatments, though no further detail has been confirmed.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's July timeline would shape the entire lightweight and welterweight landscape, given his pound-for-pound standing
- Allen sparring Chimaev adds intrigue at middleweight, where the rankings picture behind the title remains unsettled
- Arman Tsarukyan's reported equity stake in his next RAF promotion bout represents an unusual fighter-compensation arrangement worth watching
- Peyton Talbott's public Toy Story post directed at the UFC suggests a booking dispute that could affect the bantamweight division's near-term matchmaking
