Islam Makhachev has continued to hint at a return to competition in July through social media posts, though no official announcement has been made. In other news, Arman Tsarukyan's next fight in the Russian promotion RAF will earn him at least a three percent ownership stake in the company as part of his compensation package. Additional updates include Dustin Poirier commenting negatively on Conor McGregor's potential return, UFC president Dana White sharing construction photos from the White House event venue, new footage emerging of sparring between Arnold Allen and Khamzat Chimaev, and Payton Talbott posting a Toy Story reference suggesting the UFC's interest in him has cooled. Carlos Ulberg has also begun knee rehabilitation following his recent injury.
Islam Makhachev has been dropping hints on social media that he could return to competition as early as July, though no official booking has been confirmed. Separately, lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan's next appearance in the Russian promotion RAF has been reported to include an equity component, with Tsarukyan set to receive at least a three-percent ownership stake in the organization as part of his compensation — an arrangement that has not been officially announced.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and is the reigning champion in the welterweight division, though he is listed in the database as operating at that weight. He ranks at the top of the pound-for-pound standings and fights out of Eagles MMA. The Dagestan native is a relentless grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 58-percent striking accuracy, among the highest marks in the sport.
Tsarukyan's verified fighter data was not included in the current database pull, but the reported RAF stake adds an unusual business dimension to his next outing in the Russian promotion.
Elsewhere in the news cycle, Dustin Poirier, the 37-year-old American southpaw out of American Top Team who carries a 30-10 record, commented negatively on the prospect of Conor McGregor returning to competition. New sparring footage also surfaced showing featherweight Arnold Allen, ranked fifth at 145 pounds, working rounds with Khamzat Chimaev. Allen, 32, fights out of Tristar Gym and holds a 21-4 record. Carlos Ulberg has begun rehabilitation on a knee injury, and Payton Talbott posted a social media reference suggesting he feels his standing with the UFC organization may have diminished.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's July timeline, if confirmed, would shape the lightweight and pound-for-pound landscape significantly
- Tsarukyan's RAF equity deal signals a growing trend of fighters taking ownership stakes in promotions outside the UFC
- Allen and Chimaev sparring footage adds intrigue to the featherweight and middleweight divisions heading into the summer schedule
